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HISTO RY 




STARK COUNTY. 



I I __ 



wtxtr A-isr 



OTJTLIlsrE SICBTCH OF 



OFIIO. 



EDITED SY- WILLIAM HENRY PERRIN 



IIL.]1.USTI?>A.TEID. 



CHICAGO : 

BA-^K^N & BATTKY, HISTORICAL PUBLISHERS. 

1 86 Dearborn Strket. 

1881. 



By tranefei 

jjf 7 1915 







""» — -s 'V 



PREFACE. 

-' 'j^'^ ITR history ol' Stark Couiily, :itU'r nioiitlis i>{' anluims tuil. is now ooinplcted. 
i/^>y^x. l'^'V>'i'y iniportant lield of ivsearcli has Ixh'H inimitely scaiiiicd liy those engaged 
'f"^ ^' in its preparation; no siibji'Ct of universal public value has been omitted, save 
where protracted etlbrt tailed to secure trustworthy results. The necessarily limited nature 
of the work, the impossibility of ingrafting upon its pages the vast fund of the county's 
historic information, and the proper omission of manj- valueless details and events, have 
compelled tiie publishers to be brief on all subjects presented. Fully aware of our inabil- 
ity to furnish a perfect history from meager public documents, inaccurate private corre- 
spondence and numberless contacting traditions, wo make no pretension of having prepared 
a work devoid of blemish. Through the courtesy anil the generous assistance met with 
everywliere, we have been enabled to rescue from olilivion tlu' greater portion of iTiiportanl 
events that have transpired in Stark County in past years. We feel assui'ed that all 
thoughtful people in the county, at present and in future, will recognize and appreciate the 
importance of the undertaking, and the great public benefit that has b(!en accomplished. 

It will be observed that a dry statement of fact has been avoidecl ; and that the rich 
romance of border incident has been woven in with statistical details, thus forming an 
attractive and graphic narrative, and lending Ix^auty lo the raeciianical execution of the 
volume, and additional v»lue to it as a work for perusal. We claim superior excellence 
in our manner of collecting material ; in the division of the subject matter into distinct 
and appropriate chapters : in giving a separate chapter to every town, township and im 
portant subject, and in the systematic arrangement of the individual chapters. While we 
acknowledge the existence of unavoidable errors, we (^laim to have prepared a work fully 
up to the standard of our promises, and as accurate and comprehensive as could Ix; ex- 
pected under the circumstances. 

.\iioisT. 1881. THE I'UBLISIIKRS. 



j^nfi^'PTr,^;; 




HISTORY OF OHIO. 



<3-K.A.H AM. 



CHAPTER I. 

INTRODUCTORV -TOPOGRAPHY -GEOLOGY -PRIMITIVE-RACES -ANTIQUITIES -INDIAN- 
TRIBES. 



THE present State of Ohio, comprising an 
extent of country 211) miles north and south, 
220 miles e;ist and west, in length and lireadtli — 
25,576,969 acres — is a part of the Old Northwest 
Territory. This Territory embraced all of the 
present States of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, 
Wisconsin and si> much of Minnesota as lies east 
of the Mississij>pi River. It became a corporate 
existence soon after the formation of the Virginia 
Colony, and when that colony took on the dignity 
of State government it became a county thereof, 
wliosc exact outline was unknown. The county 
embraced in its limits more territory than is com- 
prised in all the New England and Jliddle States, 
and was the hirgest county ever known in the 
United States. It is watered by the finest sy.^tem 
of rivers on the globe ; while its inland seas are 
without a parallt>l. Its entire southern boundary 
is traversed by the beautifiil Ohio, its western by 
the majestic Mississippi, and its northern and a 
part of its eastern are bounded by the fresh-water 
lakes, wliose clear waters preserve an even temper- 
ature over its entire surface. Into these reservoirs 
of commerce flow innumerable streams of limpid 
water, which come from glen and dale, from 
mountain and valley, from forest and prairie — all 
avenues of healtli, commerce and prosperity. 
Ohio is in the best part of this territory — south 
of its river are tropical heats ; north of Lake Erie 
are polar snows and a polar climate. 

The tcrritorj- compri.scd in Ohio has always re- 
mained the same. Ohio's history differs somewliat 
iiom other States, in that it was nmer uniler Ter- 
ritorial government. When it was created, it was 
made a State, and did not pass through the stage 
incident to the most of other States, /. c, cxi.st as 
a Territory before being advanced to the powers of 



a State. Such was not the case with the other 
States of the West ; all were Territories, with Terri- 
torial forms of government, ere they became States. 

Ohio's boundaries are, on the north, Lakt'Erie, 
and Michigan ; on the west, Indiana ; on the south, 
the Ohio lliver, separating it from Kentucky; 
and, on the e;ust, Pennsylvania and West Virginia. 
It is situated between 38° 25' and 42° north 
latitude ; and 80° 30' and 84° 50' west longitude 
from Greenwich, or 3° 30' and 7° 50' west from 
Wa.shington. Its greatest length, from north 
to south, is 21 miles ; the extreme width, from 
east to west. 220 miles. Were this an exact out- 
line, the area of the State would be 40,200 S(|uare 
miles, or 29,568,000 acres ; as the outlines of tlic 
State are, however, rather irregular, the area is 
estimated at 39,904 square miles, or 25,576,960 
acres. In the last census — 1870 — the total num- 
ber of acres in Ohio is given as 21,712,420, of 
which 14,469,132 acres are improved, and 6,883,- 
575 acres are woodland. By the la-st statistical 
report of the State Auditor, 20,905,3713 acres are 
reported as taxable lands. This omits many acres 
untaxable for various reasons, which would make the 
estimate, 25,576,960, nearly coirect. 

The face of the countiy, in Ohio, taken as a 
whole, presents the ajijiearance of an extensive 
monotonous plain. It is n)oderately undulating 
but not mountainous, and is excavated in places by 
the streams coursing over its surface, wliose waters 
have forced a way for themselves through cliffs of 
sandstone rock, leaving abutments of this material 
in bold outline. There are no mountain ranges, 
geological uplifts or peaks. A low ridge enters the 
State, near tlie northeast corner, and crosses it in a 
southwesterly direction, emerging near tlic inter- 
section of tlie 4ilth degree of north latitude with 



12 



HISTORY OP OHIO. 



the western boundary of the State. Thi.s " divide " 
separates the lake and Ohio River waters, and main- 
tains an elevation of a little more than thii'tccn 
hundred feet above the level of the ocean. The 
liighest part is in Logan County, where the eleva- 
tion is 1,550 feet. 

North of this ridge the surflice is generally level, 
with a gentle inelination t<iward the lake, the ine- 
((ualities of the surtiiee being caused by the streams 
which empty into the lake. The central part of 
Ohio is almost, in general, a level plain, about one 
thousand feet above the level of the sea, slightly 
inclining southward. The Southern part of the 
State is rather billy, the valleys growing deeper as 
they incline toward the gi-eat valley of the Ohio, 
which is several hundred feet below the general 
level of the State. In the southern counties, the 
surface i.s generally divensified by the inequalities 
produced by the excavating power of the Ohio 
Kiv(?i- and its tributaries, exercised through long 
periods of time. There are a few prairies, or plains, 
in the central and northwestern parts of the State, 
but over its greater poi tion originally existed im- 
mense growths of timber. 

The '' divide," or water-shed, referred to, between 
the waters of Lake Erie and the Ohio River, is 
leiss elevated in Ohio than in New York and Penn- 
sylv:iiiia. though the difference is small. To a per- 
siin passing over the State in a liallnon, its surt'ace 
presents an unvarynig plain, while, to one .sailing 
down the Ohio River, it appears mountainous. 
On this river are bluffs ranging fi'om two hundred 
and fifty to six hundred feet in height. As one 
ascends the tributaries of the river, these bluffs 
diminish in height until they become gentle undu- 
lations, while toward the sources of the streams, 
ill the central part of the State, the banks often 
become low and marshy. 

The principal rivers are the Ohio, Muskingum, 
Scioto and Miami, ou the southern slope, emptying 
into the Ohio ; on the northern, the Maumee, 
Sandusky, Huron and Cuyahoga, emptying into 
Lake Erie, and, all but the first named, entirely in 
Ohio. 

The Ohio, the chief river of the State, and from 
which it derives its name, with its tributaries, drains 
a country whose area is over two hundred thousand 
square miles in extent, and extending from the 
water-shed to Alabama. The river was first dis- 
covered by La Salle in 1601), and was by him nav- 
igated as far as the Falls, at Louisville, Ky. It is 
formed by the junction of the Alleghany and 
IMonongahela rivers, in Pennsylvania, whose waters 



unite at Pittsburgh. The entire length of the 
river, from its source to its mouth, is 950 miles, 
though by a straight line from Pittsliurgh to Cairo, 
it is only (il 5 miles. Its current is very gentle, 
hardly tliree miles per hour, the descent being only 
five inches per mile. At high stages, the rate of 
the current increases, and at low stages decreases. 
Sometimes it is barely two miles per hour. The 
average range between liii;h and lew water mark is 
fifty feet, although several times the river has ri.sen 
more than sixty feet above low water mark. At 
the lowest stage of the river, it is fordable many 
places between Pittsburgh and Cincinnati. The 
river abounds in islands, seme of which are exceed- 
ingly fertile, and noted in the history of the West. 
Othens, known as '' tow-heads," are simply deposits 
of sand. 

The Scioto is one of the largest inland streams 
in the State, and is one of the most beautiful ri\- 
ers. It rises in Hardin County, flows southeast- 
erly to Columbus, where it receives its largest 
affluent, the Olentangy er Whetstone, after which 
its direction is southerly until it enters the Ohio at 
Portsmouth. It flows through one of the rich- 
est valleys in the State, and has for its compan- 
ion the Ohio and Erie Canal, for a distance of 
ninety miles. Its tributaries are, besides the Whet- 
stone, the Parljy, Walnut and Paint Creeks. 

The jMuskingum River is formed by the junc- 
tion of the Tuscarawas and ^\'aIdh(lning Rivers, 
which rise in the northern part of the State and 
unite at Coshocton. From the junction, the river 
flows in a southeastern course about one hundred 
miles, through a rich and pepuleus valley, to the 
Ohio, at Marietta, the oldest .'settlement in the 
State. At its outlet, the Muskingum is over two 
hundred 3'ards wide. By improvements, it has 
been made navigable ninety-five miles above Mari- 
etta, as far as Diesden, where a side cut, three 
miles long, unites its waters with those of the Ohio 
Canal. All along this stream exist, in abundant 
profusion, the remains of an ancient civiliza- 
tion, whose history is lost in the twilight of autiij- 
uity. J'Lxtensive nmunds. earthworks and various 
fortifications, are everywhere to be found, inclosing 
a mute history as silent as the race that dwelt here 
and left these traces of their evistence. The same 
may be said of all the other valleys in Ohio. 

The JMiami River — the scenes of many exploits 
in pioneer day.s — rises in Hardin County, near the 
headwaters of the Scioto, and runs southwesterly, 
to the Ohio, pa.ssing Troy, Dayton and Hamilton. 
It is a beautifid and ra]iid stream, flowing through 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



A 



a highly productive mid ]iii]iulous valley, in wliich 
limestone and hard timber are abundant. Its total 
length is about one hunared and fifty miles. 

The JIaumeo is the largest river in the northern 
part of Ohio. It n.-^es in Indiana and flows north- 
easterly, into Lake Erie. About eighty miles of 
its course are in Ohio. It is navigable as far as 
Perrysburg, eighteen miles from its mouth. The 
other rivers north of the divide are all small, 
rapid-running streams, aft'ording a large amount of 
good water-power, much utilized by mills and man- 
ufactories. 

A remarkable feature of the topography of 
Ohio is its almost total ab.scnce of n.atural lakes or 
ponds. A few very small ones are found near the 
watiT-shed, but all too small to bo of any practical 
value save as vratering-places for stock. 

Lake Erie, which forms nearly all the northern 
boundary of the State, is next to the last or lowest 
of America's " inland .sea.s." It is 290 miles long, 
and 57 miles wide at its greatest part. There are 
no islands, exc(?pt in the shallow water at the west 
end, and very few bays. The greatest depth of 
the lake is off Long Point, where the water is HI 2 
feet deep. The shores are principally drift-clay or 
hard-pan, upon which the waves are continually 
encroaching. At Cleveland, from the first sur- 
vey, in 1796, to 1842, the encroachment was 218 
feet along the entire city front. The entire coast 
is low, seldom rising above fifty feet at the water's 
edge. 

Lake Erie, like the others, has a variable sur- 
face, rising and falling with the seasons, like great 
rivers, called the " annual fluctuation," and a gen- 
eral one, embracing a series of years, due to mete- 
orological cau.ses, known as the " secular fluctua- 
tion." Its lowest known level was in February, 
1819, rising more or less each year, until June, 
1838, in the extreme, to six feet eight inches. 

Lake Erie has several excellent harbors in Ohio, 
among which are Cleveland, Toledo, Sandusky, 
Port Clinton and Ashtabula. Valuable improve- 
ments have been made in some of these, at the 
expense of the General Government. In 1818, 
the first steamboat was launched on the lake. 
Owing to the Falls of Niagara, it could go no 
farther east than the outlet of Niagara Kiver. 
Since then, however, the opening of the Welland 
Canal, in Canada, allows ve.ssels drawing not more 
than ten fi^et of water to pass from one lake to 
the other, greatly facilitating navigation. 

As early as 1830, Dr. S.'P. Ilildreth, Dr. John 
Locke, Prof J. II. Riddle and Mr. I. A. Lai^hain, 



were aj)pointed a committee by the Legislature of 
Ohio to report the " best method of obtaining a 
complete geological survey of the State, and an 
estimate of the probable cost of the same." In the 
preparation of their rejiort. Dr. Hildrcith examined 
the coal-measures in the southea.stern part of the 
State, Prof Riddle and Mr. Lapham made exam- 
inations in the western and northern counties, 
while Dr. Locke devoted his attention to cheiiiical 
analy.se.s. These investigations resulted in the 
presentation of much valuable information con- 
c(Tning the mineral resources of the State and in 
a plan for a geological survey. In accordance 
with the recommendation of this Committee, the 
Legislatuie, in 1837, passed a bill ajipropriating 
$12,000 for the prosecution of the work during 
the next year. The Geological Corjjs appointee" 
consist<»d of W. W. Mather, State Geologist, with 
Dr. Hildreth, Dr. Locke, Prof J. P. Kirtland, J. 
W. Foster, Charles Whittlesey and Charles Briggs, 
Jr., Assistants. The results of the first j-ear's 
work appeared in 1838, in an octavo volume of 134 
pages, with contribntions from Mather, Hildreth, 
Rriggs, Kirtland and Whittlesey. In 1838, the 
Legislature ordered the continuance fif the work, 
and, at the close of the year, a second report, of 
286 pages, octavo, was issued, containing contribu- 
tions from all the members of the survey. 

Succeeding Legislatures failed to provide for a 
continuance of the work, and, save that done by 
private means, nothing was accomplished till 
1869, when the Legislature again took up the 
work. In the interim, individual cntcrpri.se had 
done much. In 1841 , Prof James Hall jni.ssed 
through the State, and, by his indeiitification of 
several of the fonnations with those of New York, 
for the firsst time fixed their geologiital age. The 
ne.xt year, he issued the first map of the geology 
of the State, in common with the geological maps 
of all the region between the AUeghanies and the 
Jli.ssissippi. Similar maps were published by Sir 
Charles Lyell, in 184.5; Prof. Edward Hitchcock, 
in 1853, and by J. Mareon, in 1856. The first 
individual map of the geology of Ohio was a very 
small one, published by Col. "Whittlesey, in 1848, 
in Howe's History. In 1856, he published a 
larger map, and, in 1865, another was issued by 
Prof Nelson Sayler. In 1807, Dr. J. S. Newberry 
published a geological map and sketch of Ohio in 
the Atlas of the State issued by IL S. Stebbins. 
Up to this time, the geologicid knowledge w;is very 
general in its character, and, conse(|uently, eiTonc- 
ous in many of its details. Other States had been 



V 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



aci'iinitcly .surveyed, yet Ohio reniaineil a kiml of 
lirii) iiiinijulUi, of which the ucolo;^y was less 
known tliMn any part of the surrouinhnu' area. 

In 1801), the Legislature approjiriated, tiir a new 
survey, $13,900 for its support during one year, 
and appointed Dr. Newberry Chief Geologist ; E. 
B. Andrews, Edward Orton anil J. H. Klippart 
were appointed Assistants, and T. G. AYormley, 
Chemist. The result of i\m first year's work 
v^as a volume of 104 pages, octavo, published in 
1870. 

This re])0it, acconi|>anied liy maps and charts, 

for the first imu- a.vurateiy deli 1 the geological 

formatiou.s a.s to age and area. Evidence was given 
which set at rest questions of nearly thirty years' 
standing, and established the fact that Ohio in- 
cludes nearly double the number of formations be- 
fore .supposed to exist. Since; that date, the sur- 
veys have been regularly made. Each county is 
being surveyed by itself, and it.s formation ac- 
curately determined. Elsewhere in these pages, 
these results are given, and to them the reader is 
refi^iTed for the specific geology of the county. 
Only general results can be noted here. 

()n the general geological map of the State, are 
two sections of the State, taken at each northern 
and snuthorn extremity. These show, with the 
map, the griiTal outline of the geological features 
of ()hio, anil are all that can be given here. Both 
sections show the general an-angenient.s of the 
formation, and prove that they lie in sheets resting 
one u|iiin another, but not liorizontally, as a great 
airh traverses the State from Cincinnati to the 
hdie .shore, between Toledo and Sandusky. Along 
this line, which extends southward to Na,shville, 
Tenn., all the rocks are raised in a ridge or fold, 
once a low mountain chain. In the lapse of 
ages, it has, however, been extensively worn 
away, and now, along a large part of its course, 
the .strata which once arched over it are re- 
moved from its summit, and are found resting in 
regular order on either side, dipping away f\-om its 
axis. Where the ridge was highest, the erosion 
ha.s been greatest, that being the reason why the 
oldest rocks are exposed in the region about Cin- 
cinnati. By following the line of this gi-eat arch 
from Cincinnati northward, it will be seen that the 
llelilrrberg limestone ( No. 4), midway of the State, 
is .still unbroken, and stretches from .side to side ; 
while the Oriskany, the Corniferous, the Hamilton 
and the Huron formations, though generally re- 
moved from the crown of the arch, still remain 
over a limited area near Bellefontaine, where they 



f rin an i.sland. which j)rov<'S the former continuity 
of the strata which compose it. 

On the east side of the great anticlinal axis, the 
rooks dip down into a ba,sin, which, for several 
hundred miles north and south, occupies the inter- 
val between the Nashville and Cincinnati ridge and 
the first fold of the Alleghany Jlountains. In 
this basin, all the strata form trough-like layers, 
their edges outcropping ea.stward on the flanks 
of the AUeghanies, and westward along the anti- 
clinal axis. As they dip from this margin east- 
ward toward the center of the trough, near its 
niiildle, on the eastern border of the State, the 
oilier rocks are deeply buried, and the surface is 
here underlaid by the highest and most recent of 
our rock formations, the coal measures. In the 
northwestern corner of the State, the strata dip 
northwest from the anticlinal and pass under the 
iNIiehigan coal basin, precisely as the same forma- 
tions east of the anticlinal dip beneath the Alle- 
ghany coal-field, of which Ohio's coal area forms a 
part. 

The rocks underlying the State all belong to 
three of the great groups which geologists have 
termed " sy.stems," namely, the Silurian, Devonian 
and Carboniferous. I^ach of these are again sub- 
divided, for convenience, and numbered. Thus 
the Silurian system includes the Cincinnati group, 
the Medina and Clinton groups, the Niagara 
group, and the Salina and Water-Line groups. 
The Devonian system includes the Oriskany sand- 
stone, the CarbouifiTous limestone, the Hamilton 
group, the Huron sliale and the Erie shales, Thi' 
Carboniferous .system includes the AVaverly group, 
the Carboniterous Conglomerate, the Coal Meas- 
ures and the Drift. This last includes the surface, 
and has been divided into six jiarls, numbering 
from the lowest, viz,: A ghuialed surface, tlie (ila- 
cial Drill, the Erie Clays, the Forest Bed, the Ice- 
berg Drift and the Terraces or Beaches, which 
mark intervals of stability in the gradual recession 
of the water surface to its present level. 

'' The history we may learn from these fonna- 
tions," says the geologist, " is something as fol- 
lows: 

"■ First. Subsequent to the Tertiary was a period 
of continual elevation, during which the topog- 
raphy of the country was much the .same as now, 
the draining .streams following the lines they now 
do, but cutting down their beds until they flowed 
sometimes two hundred feet lower than they do at 
present. In the latter part of this period of ele- 
vation, glaciers, descending from the Canadian 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



islands, excavated and occupied the valleys of the 
great lakes, and covered the lowlands down nearly 
to the Ohio. 

"^VcoH(/. Bj' a depression of the land and ele- 
vation of temjHTature. liie ulaiicrs retreated north- 
ward, leaving, in the iiitirior of the continent, a 
great hasin of fresh water, in which the Erie clays 
were <le)iosited. 

^•Tliird. This water was drained away until a 
broad land surface was exposed within the drill 
area. Upon this surface grew forests, largelj- of 
red and white cedar, inhabited by the elephant, 
ma.stodon, giaut beaver and other large, now ex- 
tinct, animals. 

"■Fdurtli. The submergence of this ancient land 
and the spreading over it, by iceberg agency, of 
gravel, s;ind and bowlders, distributed just as ice- 
bergs now spread their luads broadcast over the 
sea bottom on the banks of Newfoundland. 

"/'V/?/i. The gradual draining-oft' of the watere, 
leaving the land now as we find it, smoothly cov- 
ered with ;dl the layers of the drift, and well j)re- 
pared for human occupation." 

" In six da\s, the Jjord made the heavens and 
the earth, and rested the seventh day," records the 
Scriptures, and, when all was done. He looked 
upon the work of His own hands and pronounced 
it ''good." Surely none but a divine, omnipotent 
hand ^ould have done all this, and none can study 
the " work of His hands" and not marvel at its 
completeness. 

The ancient dwellers of the 3Ii.ssi.ssippi Valley 
will always be a subject of great interest to the 
antiquarian. Who they were, and whence they 
came, are still unanswered (iue.«tions, and may 
remain so for ages. All over this valley, ancl, 
in fact, in all parts of the New World, evidences 
of an ancient civilization exLst, whose remains arc 
now a wonder to all. The aboriginal races could 
tlirow no light on these f|uestions. They had 
always seen the remains, and knew not whence 
the}' came. Explorations aid but little in the solu- 
tion of the problem, and only conjecture can be 
ent<'rtained. The remains found in Ohio e<|ual 
any in the Vallcj'. Indeed, some of them are vast 
in extent, and consist of forts, fortifications, moats, 
ditches, elevations and mounds, embracing many 
acres in extent. 

"It is not }-et determined," says CcjI. Charles 
Whittlese}', "whether we have discovered the first 
or the original peojde who occupied the soil of 
Ohio. Modern investigations are bringing to light 
evidences of earlier races. Since the presence of 



man has been established in Europe as a cotempor- 
ary of the fossil elephant, mastodon, rhinoceros 
and the horse, of the later drift or glacial period, 
we may reasonably anticij)ate the presence of man 
in America in that era. Such proofs are already 
known, but the}' are not of that conclusive charac- 
ter which amounts to a demonstration. It is, how- 
ever, known that an ancient people inhabited Ohio 
in advancre of the red nu-n who were found here, 
three centuries since, by the Spanish and French 
exj)lorers. 

" Five and six hundred years before the arrival 
of Columbus," says Col. Charles Whittle.'sey, "the 
Northmen sailed from Norway, Iceland and Green- 
land along the .Vtlantic coast as far as Long Island. 
They found Indian tribes, in what is now New En- 
gland, closely rcscnnbling tho.se who lived upon the 
coa.st and the St. Lawrence when the French and 
Engli.sh came to [lossess these regions. 

" These red Indians had no traditions of a prior 
people ; but over a large part of the lake country 
and the valley of the Mississippi, earth-works, 
mounds, pyramids, ditehes and forts were discov- 
ered — the work of a more ancient race, and a peo- 
ple fir in advance of the Indian. If they were 
not civilized, they were not barbarians. They 
were not mere hunters, but had fixed habitations, 
cultivated the soil and were possessed of consider- 
able mechanical skill. We know them as the 
Mottiu! Btii/i/i'fs, b(!cause they erected over the 
mortal remains of their ]irimipal men and women 
memorial mounds of earth or unhewn stone — of 
which hundrcKls remain to our own day, so liU'ge 
and higii that they give rise to an impression of 
the numbers and energy of their builders, such as 
we receive from the pyramids of f]gypt." 

Might they not have been of the same race and 
the Simie civilization ? Many competent authori- 
ties conjecture they are the work of the lost tribes 
of I.srael ; but the best they or any one can do is 
onlj' conjecture. 

" In the burial-mounds," continues Col. Whit- 
tlesey, " there are always jiortions of one or more 
human skeletons, generally partly consumed by 
fire, with ornaments of stone, bone, .«hells, mica 
and copper. The largest m<uind in Ohio is near 
Miamisburg, Montgomery County. It is the 
•second largest in the West, being nearly seventy 
feet high, originally, and about eight hundred feet 
in circumference. This would give a superficial 
area of nearl}' four acres. In 1SG4, the citizens 
of Miamisburg sunk a shaft from the summit to 
the naturtil surface, without finding the bones 



IG 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



or aslies of the groat man for 'wlimu it was 
intended. The exjiioration has considerably 
lowered the molind, it being now about sixty feet 
in height. 

" Fort Ancient, on the Little Miami, is a good 
specimen of the military defenses of the Mouud- 
Builders. It is well located on a long, high, nar- 
row, precipitous ridge. The parapets ai-e now 
from ten to eighteen feet high, and its perimeter 
is sufficient to hold twenty thousand fighting men. 
Another prominent example of their works exists 
neat' Newark, Licking County. This collection 
presents a great variety of figures, circles, rectan- 
gles, octagons and parallel banks, or highways, 
covering more than a thousand acres. The county 
fiiir-ground is permanently located within an 
ancient circle, a quarter of a mile in diameter, 
with an embankment and interior ditch. Its high- 
est place was over twenty feet from the top of the 
moat to the bottom of the ditch." 

One of the most curious-shaped works in this 
county is known as the "Alligator," from its sup- 
jiosed resemblance to that creature. When meas- 
ured, several years ago, while in a good state of 
])reservation, its dimensions were two hundred 
and ten feet in length, average width over sixty 
feet, and height, at the highest point, seven feet. 
It appears to be mainly composed of clay, and is 
overgrown with grass. 

iSpeaking of tlie writing of these people. Col. 
Wliittlfsey says : '' There is no evidence that they 
had al]ihabetical characters, picture-writing or 
hieroglyphics, though they must have had some 
mode of recording events. Neither is there any proof 
that they u.sed domestic animals for tilliui;' the soil, 
or for the purpose of erecting the im]i(ising earth- 
works they have left. A very coarse cloth of 
hemp, flax or nettles lias been found on their 
burial-hearths and around skeletons not consumed 
by fire. 

" The most extensive earthworks occupy many 
of the sites of modern towns, and are always in 
the vicinity of excellent land. Those about the 
lakes are generally irregular earth forts, while 
those about the rivers in the southern part of the 
State are generally altars, pyraniiils, circles, cones 
and rectangles of earth, among which ibrtresses or 
strongholds are exceptions. 

" Those on the north may not have been cotem- 
porary or have been built by the same peojile. 
1'hey are far less prominent or extensive, which 
indicates a people less in numbers as well as indus- 
try, and whose principal occupationwas war among 



themselves or against their neighbors. This style 
of works extends eastward along the south shore 
of Lake Ontario, through New York. In C)hio, 
there is a space along the water-shed, between the 
lake and the Ohio, where there are few, if any, 
ancient earthworks. It ajjjiears to have been a 
vacant or neutral ground between different nations. 

" The Indians of the North, dressed in skins, 
cultivated the soil very sparingly, and manufactured 
no woven cloth. On Lake Superior, there are 
ancient copper mines wrought by the Mound- 
Builders over fifteen liundred years ago." Copper 
tools are occasionally found tempered sufScicntly 
hard to cut the hardest rocks. No knowledge of 
such temperiug exists now. The Indians can give 
no more knowledge of the ancient mines than they 
can of the mounds on the river bottoms. 

" The Indians did not occupy the ancient earth- 
works, nor did they construct such. Thoj were 
found as they are now — a hunter race, wholly 
averse to labor. Their abodes were in rock shel- 
ters, in caves, or in temporary sheds of bark and 
boughs, or skins, easily moved from place to place. 
Like most savage races, their habits are unchange- 
able ; at least, the example of white men, and 
their efforts during throe centuries, have made 
little, if any, imjire.ssion." 

When white men came to the territory now em- 
braced in the State of Ohio, they found dwelling 
here the Irocpiois, Delawares, Shawanees, JFiamis, 
AVyandots and Ottawas. Each nation was com- 
posed of several tri!)es or clans, and each was 
often at war with the others. The first mentioned 
of these occupied that part of the State whose 
northern l)oundarv was Lake Erie, as far west as 
the mouth of the Cuyahoga Iiivor, wln-ro the city 
of Cleveland now is; thence the lioundary turned 
southward in an in-egular line, until it touched the 
Ohio River, up which stream it continued to the 
Pennsylvania State line, and thence northward to 
the lake. This nation were the implai-able I'o.'s of 
the French, owing to the fact that Champlain, in 
1 GOO, made war against them. They occupied a 
large part of New York and Pennsylvania, and 
w.n'e the most insatiate C(.>n pun'ors among the 
aborigines. When the French first came to the 
lakes, these monsters of the wilderness were engaged 
in a war against their neighbors, a war that ended 
in their conquering them, possessing their terri- 
tory, and absorbing the remnants of the tribes into 
their own nation. At the date of Champlain's 
visit, the southern shore of Lake Erie was oceujiicd 
by the Erics, or, as the orthography of the word is 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



17 



sometimes given, Erigos, or Errieuous.* About 
forty years atterward, the Iroquois (Five Nations) 
fell upon them with sueli fury and in such force 
that the nation \v;ls annihilated. Those who 
escaped tlie slaughter were absorbed among their 
coni(uerors, but allowed to live on their own lands, 
paying a sort of tribute to the Iroipiois. This was 
the policy of that nation in all its conquests. A 
few years after the concjuest of the Eries, the 
Iroquois again took to the war-path, and swept 
through Ohio, Indiana and Illinois, even attacking 
the Mississi]i])i tribes. But for the intervention 
and aid of the I'rench, these tribes would have 
shared the fate of the llurons anil Eries. Until 
the year ITIMt, the Iro(|Uois held the south shore 
of Lake Eric so firmly that the French dared not 
trade or travel along that si(l(! of the lake. Their 
missionaries and traders penetrated this part of 
Ohio as early as 1G50, but generally suffered 
death for their zeal. 

Having completed the conquest of the Hurons 
or Wyandot.s, about Lake Huron, and murdered 
the Jesuit missionaries by modes of torture which 
only they could devise, they permitted the residue 
(if the Hurons to settle around the west end of 
Lake Erie. Here, with the ( )ttawas, they resided 
when the whites came to the State. Their country 
was bounded on the south by a line running 
through the central part of Wayne, Ashland, 
Richland, Cra^'ford and Wyandot Counties. At 
the western boundary of this county, the line di- 
verged northwesterly, leaving the State near the 
northwest corner of Fulton County. Their north- 
ern boundary was the lake ; the eastern, the Iro- 
quois. 

The Delawares, or " Lcnni Lenapcs," whom the 
Iroquois had subjugated on thcSus(|uehanna, were 
a.ssigned by their conquerors hunting-grounds on 
the ^luskingum. Their (^astern boundary was the 
country of the Iroquois (before defined), and their 
northern, that of the Hurons. On the west, they 



• Father Louis Hennepin, in bia work published in 1684, thus 
alluilcs to the Eri.8: 'These good fathers," referring to the 
priests, " were great friends of the llurons, who told them tlmt the 
Iroquois went to war beyond Vircinia, or New Sweden, near u lalte 
whicli they called ^ Erigt,^ or 'Erie* which signifieB '/ft<f cat' or 
' nation of the cat^* and because these savages brought captives from 
this ual'on in returning to tlieir cantons along this lake, the 
Hurons named it, in their language, * Erige.' or ' Erike,' ' the lake of 
the cat* and which our Canadians, in softening the word, have 
called ' Lake Erie.' " 

Charlevoix, writing in 1721, says: "The name it bears is that 
of an Indian nation of the Huron i W^yandotl language, which was 
formerly seated on its banks, and who have been entirely destroyed 
by the Iroquois. Erie, in that language, signifies *cat.* and, in 
some ACnuntB, this nation is called the ' cat nation.' This name, 
probably, comes from the large numbers of that animal found in 
this region." 



extended as far as a line drawn from the central 
part of Uichland County, in a semi-circular direc- 
tion, south to the mouth of Leading Creek. Their 
southern boundary was the Ohio Kiver. 

West of the Delawares, dwelt the Shawanees, a 
troublesome peoph- its neighbors, whether to whites 
or Indians. Their country was bounded on the 
north by the Hurons, on the east, by the Dela- 
wares ; on the south, by the Ohio Kiver. On the 
west, their boundary was determined by a line 
drawn southwesterly, and again southeasterly — 
semi-circular — from a point on the .southern 
boundary of the llurons. near the .southwest corner 
of Wyandot County, till it intersected the Ohio 
llivcr. 

All the remainder of the State — all its western 
part from the Ohio River to the Michigan line — 
Wiis occupied b\'th(^ Miamis, Mineaniis, Twigtwees, 
or Tawixtawes, a powerful nation, whom the Iro- 
quois were never fully able to subdue. 

These nations occupied the State, partly by per- 
mit of the Five Nations, and partl\- by inheritance, 
and, though composed of many tribes, wen; about 
all the savages to be Ibund in this part of the 
Northwest. 

No sooner had the Americans obtained control 
of this country, than they began, by treaty and 
purchase, to aci|uire tlie lands of the natives. 
They could not stem the tide of emigration ; peo- 
ple, then as now, would go West, and hence the 
necessity of peacefully and rightfully acquiring the 
land. " The true basis of title to Indian tenitory 
is the right of civilized men to the soil for pur- 
poses of cultivation." The same maxim may be 
applied to all uncivilized nations. When acquired 
by such a right, either by treaty, purchase or con- 
(|uest, the right to hold the same rests with the 
power and development of the nation thus po.ssess- 
ing the land. 

The English derived title to the territory 
between the Alloghanies and the Mississippi partly 
by the claim that, in discovering the Atlantic coast, 
they had ])ossessioii of the land from "ocean to 
ocean," and partly by the treaty of Paris, in Feb- 
ruary, 1763. Long before this treaty took place, 
however, she had granted, to individuals and colo- 
nies, extensive tracts of land in that part of Amer- 
ica, based on the right of discovery. The Fri'nch 
had done better, and had acquired title to the land 
by discovering the laud itself and by consent of 
the Indians dwelling thereon. The right to pos- 
sess this country led to the French and Indian 
war, ending iu the supremacy of the F]nglish. 






18 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



The Five Nations claimed the territory in cjues- 
tion by right of conquest, and, though professing 
friendship to the English, watched them with jeal- 
ous eyes. In 1684, and again in 172(), that con- 
federacy made cessions of lands to the English, 
and these treaties and cessions of lands were re- 
garded as sufficient title by the English, and were 
insisted on in all subsequent treaties with the 
Western Nations. The following statements were 
collected by Col. Charles Whittlesey, which 
show the principal treaties made with the red men 
wherein land in Ohio was ceded by them to the 
whites : 

In September, 172G, the Iroi|uois, or Six Na- 
tions, at Albany, ceded all their claims west of 
Lake Erie and sixty miles in width along the 
south shore of Lakes Erie and Ontario, from the 
Cuyahoga to the Oswego River. 

in 1744, this same nation made a treaty at 
Lanca.ster, Penn., and ceded to the English all 
their lands "that may be within the colony of 
Virginia." 

In 1752, this nation and other Western tribes 
made a treaty at Logstown, Penn., wherein they 
eoiifiruKMl the liancaster treaty and consented to 
the .setlleinciits snuth of the Ohio River. 

February 13, 17(i:>, a treaty was made at Paris, 
France, between the French and English, when 
Canada and the eastern half of the Mississippi 
Valley were ceded to the English. 

In nSo, all tlic tciritory south of the Lakes, 
and ea.st of the Mississippi, was ceded by England 
to America — the latter country then obtaining its 
independence — ^by which means the country was 
gained by America. 

October 24, 1784, the Six Nations made a 
treaty, at Fort Stanwix, N. Y., with the Ameri- 
cans, and ceded to them all the country claimed 
by the tribe, west of Pennsylvania. 

In 178.5, the Chippewas, Delawarcs, Ottawas, 
and Wyandots ceded to the United States, at 
Fort Jlclntosh, at the mouth of the Big Beaver, 
all their claims cast and south of the " Cayahaga," 
the Portage Path, and the Tuscarawas, to Fort 
Laurens ' Biilivar), thence to Loramie's Fort (in 
Shrlby ( 'imnt y i ; thence along the Pm-tage Path to 
the St. .Mary's River and down it to the "Omee," 
or Mauniee, and along the lake shore to the 
" Cayahaga.' 

January I:!, 178G, the Shawanees, at Fort Fin- 
ney, near the mouth of the Great Miami (not 
owning the land on the Scioto occupied by them), 
were allotted a tract at the heads of the two 



Miamis and the Wabash, west of the Chippewas, 
Delawares and Wyandots. 

February 9, 1789, the Iroquois made a treaty 
at Fort Harmar, wherein they confiraied the Fort 
Stanwix treaty. At the same time, the Chippewas, 
Ottaw.as, Delawares, and Wyandots — to which the 
Sauks and Pottawatomies assented — confirmed the 
treaty made at Fort Mcintosh. 

Period of war now existed till 1795. 

August 3, 1795, Gen. Anthony Wayne, on 
behalf of the LTnited States, made a treaty with 
twelve tribes, confirming the boundaries estab- 
lished by the Fort Harmar and Fort Mcintosh 
treaties, and extended the boundary to Fort Re- 
covery and the mouth of the Kentucky River. 

In June, 179(!, the Senecas. represented by 
Brant, ceded to the Connecticut Land Company 
their rights east of the Cuyahoga. 

In 1805, at Fort Indu.stry, on the Maumee, the 
Wyandots, Delawares, Ottawas, Chipjiewas.Sliawa- 
nees, Menses, and Pottawatomies relin((uished all 
their lands west of the Cuyahoga, as far west as 
the western line of the Reserve, and south of the 
line from Fort Laurens to Loramie's Fort. 

July 4, 1807, the Ottawas, Chippewas, Wyan- 
dots, and Pottawatomies, at Detroit, ceded all that 
part of Ohio north of the Maumee River, with 
part of Michigan. 

November 25, 1808, the same tribes with the 
Shawanees, at Brownstown, Mich., granted the 
Government a tract of land two miles wide, from 
the west line of the Reserve to the rapids of the 
Maumee, for the purpose of a road through the 
Black Swamp. 

September 18, 1815, at Springwclls, near De- 
ti-oit, the Chippewas, Ottawas. rnttawatoniies, Wy- 
andots, ])ela\vares, Senecas and Miamis, having 
been engaged in the war of 1812 on the Britisli 
side, were confined in the grants made at Fort 
Mcintosh and Greenville in 1785 and 1795. 

September 29, 1817, at the rapids of the 
Maumee, the Wyandots ceded their lands west of 
the line of 1805, as far as Loramie's and the St. 
Mary's River and north of the Maumee. The 
Pottawatomies. Chippewas, and Ottawas ceded the 
territory west of the Detroit line of 1807, and 
north of the Maumee. 

October (5, 1818, the Miamis, at St. Mary's, 
made a treaty in which they surrendered the re- 
maining Indian tenitory in Ohio, north of the 
Greenville treaty line and west of St. Mary's River. 

The numerous treaties of peace with the West- 
ern Indians for the delivery of prisoners were — 



^- 






HISTORY OF OHIO. 



19 



one by Gen. Forbes, at Furt Pu Quesne { Pitts- 
burdi ), in ITo.S; one by ("ul. IJiudstrcct, at Erie, 
in Aujrufit. 17t>4; one by (Vil. Bi)i|ui't, at the 
mouth of" the Walhondiiitr, in November, 17ti4 ; 
in May, 171)5, at Johnson's, on the Moliawk, and 
at I'liiladelphia, tlie same year; in 1774, by Lord 
Dunmore, at Camj) Charlotte, Pieliaway County. 
By tbe treaty at tlic Maumee Ila|ii(ls. in 1S17, 
reservations were eonveyed by the United States 
to all the tribes, with a view to induce thcni to 
eultivat« the soil and cease to be hunters. These 
were, from time to time, as tlie inipriteticability of 
the plan became manifest, pureha.scd by the Gov- 
ernment, the hi-st of these being the Wyandot 
Reserve, of twelve miles square, around Ujtpcr 
Sanilusky, in 1842, closing out all claims and com- 
posing all the Indian difficulties in Ohio. The 
open war had ce;ised in 1815, with the treaty of 
Ghent. 

" It is estimated that, from the French war of 
1754 to the battle of the Maumee Rapids, in 
1794, a period of forty years, there had been at 
least 5,000 people killed or captured west of the 



Alleghany Mountains. Eleven organized military 
c.xiii'ditiniis had been carried on against the West- 
ern Indiaiis jirior t/o the war of 1812, seven regu- 
lar engag<'ments fought and about twelve hundred 
men killed. More whites were slain in batth; than 
there were In<lian braves killed in military e.Npedi- 
tions, and liy jirivate raids and murders; yet, in 
ISI 1, all the Ohio tribes conibiued could not mus- 
ter 2,<III0 warriors." 

Attempts to determine the number of persons 
comprising the Indian tribes in Ohio, and their 
location, have resulted in nothing better than 
e.stimates. It is sup])osed that, at the commence- 
ment of the Revolution, there were about six 
thousand Indians in the present confines of the 
State, but their villages were little more than 
movable camps. Savages men, like savage beasts, 
are engaged in continual uiigralioiis. Now, none 
are left. The white man occupies the home of 
the red mau. Now 

"The verdant hills 
Are covered o'er with growing grain, 
And white men till the soil. 
Where once the red mau used to reign." 



CHAPTER II. 



EARLY EXPLORATIONS IN THE AVEST. 



WHEN war, when ambition, whin avarice 
fail, religion pushes onward and succeeds. 
In the discovery of the New World, wherever 
man's aggrandizement was the paramount aim, 
failure was sure to follow. AVhen this gave way, 
the followers of the Cross, whether Catholic or 
Protestant, came on the field, and the result before 
attempted .sion appeared, though in a different way 
and through different means than thost; supposed. 
The first permanent efl'orts of the white race to 
penetrate the Western wilds of the New World 
preceded any permanent English .settlement north 
of the Potomac. Years before the Pilgrims 
anchored their bark on the cheerless .shores of Cape 
Cod, "the Ronum Catholic Church had been plant- 
ed by missionaries from France in the Eastern 
moiety of Maine; and LcCaron, an ambitious 
Franciscan, the companion of Champlain, had passed 
into the hunting-grounds of the Wyandots, and, 
bound by the vows of his life, had, on foot or pad- 
dling a bark canoe, gone onward, taking alms of the 
savages until he reached the rivers of Lake 



Huron." This was in 1015 or Ifilfi, and only 
eight years after Champlain bad sailed up the wa- 
ters of the St. Lawrence, and on the foot of a bold 
cliff laid the foundation of the present City of 
Quebec. From this place, fimnded to bold the 
country, and to perpetuate the religion of his King, 
went forth thos(- eniis.saries of tbe ('ross, whose zeal 
h;is been the admiration of the world. The French 
Colony in Canada was suppressed soon after its es- 
tablishment, and ftir fivc^ years, until 1(522, its im- 
munities were enjoyed by the coh)nist.s. A grant 
of New France, as the country was then known, Wius 
made by Louis XIII to Richelieu, Chamjilain, 
Razilly and others, who, immediately after the res- 
toration of'Quebec by it,s English con(|uerors, entered 
upon the control and government of their province. 
Its limits embraced the whole baj-in of the St. 
Lawrence and of such other rivers in New France 
as flowed directly into the sea. While aw;iy to 
the south on the Gulf coast, was also included a 
country rich in foliage and claimed in virtue of 
the unsuccessliil efforts of Coligny. 



i^ 



20 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



Religious zeal as much aa eommereial prosperity 
had influenced France to obtain and retain the de- 
pendency of Canada. The commercial monopoly 
of a privileged company could not foster a 
colony ; the climate was too vigorous for agricult- 
ure, and, at first there was little else except relig- 
ious enthusiasm to give vitality to the province. 
Chaniplain had been touched by the simplicity of 
the Order of St. Francis, and had selected its priests 
to aid him in his work. But another order, more 
in favor at the Court, was interested, and succeed- 
ed in excluding the mendicant order from the New 
World, established themselves in the now domain 
and, by thus enlarging the borders of the French 
King, it became entrusted to the Jesuits. 

This "Society of Jesus," founded by Loyola 
when Calvin's Institutes first saw the light, saw an 
unequaled opportunity in tlie conversion of the 
heathen in the Western wilds; and, as its mem- 
bers, pledged to obtain power only by influence of 
mind over mind, sought the honors of opening the 
way, there w;is no lack of men ready for the work 
Through them, the motive power in opening the 
wilds of the Northwest was religion. " Religious 
enthusiasm," says Bancroft, "colonized New Eng- 
land, and religious enthusiasm founded Montreal, 
made a conquast of the wilderness about the upper 
lakes, and explored the Mississippi." 

Through these priests — ^increascd in a few years 
to fifteen — a way was made across the West from 
Quebec, above the regions of the lakes, below 
which they dared not go for the relentless Mohawks. 
To the northwest of Toronto, near the Lake Iro- 
quois, a bay of Lake Huron, in September, 1634, 
they raised the first humble house of the Society of 
Jesus among the Ilurons. Through them they 
learned of the gi'eat lakes beyond, and resolved 
one day to explore them and carr^' the Gospel of 
peace to the heathen on their shores. Before this 
could be done, many of them were called upon to 
give up their lives at the martyr's stake and re- 
ceive a martyr's crown. But one by one they 
went on in their good work. If one fell by hun- 
ger, cold, cruelty, or a terrible death, others stood 
ready, and carrying their lives in their hands, 
established other missions about the eastern shores 
of Lake Huron and its adjacent waters. The 
Five Nations were for many years hostile toward 
the French and murdered them and their red 
allies whenever opportunity presented. For a 
quarter of century, they retarded the advance of 
the missionaries, and then only after wearied with 
a Vmg struggle, in which they began to see their 



power declining, did they relinquish their warlike 
propensities, and allow the Jesuits entrance to their 
country. Wiiile this was going on, the traders 
and Jesuits had penetrated farther and farther 
westward, until, when peace was declared, they 
had seen the southwestern shores of Lake Superior 
and the northern shores of Lake Blichigan, called 
by them Lake Illinois.* In August, 1654, two 
young adventurers penetrated the wilds bordei'ing 
on these western lakes in company with a band of 
Ottawas. Returning, they tell of the wonderful 
country they have seen, of its vast forests, its 
abundance of game, its mines of copper, and ex- 
cite in their comrades a desire to see and explore 
such a country. They tell of a vast expanse of 
land before them, of the powerful Indian tribes 
dwelling thoi'e, and of their anxiety to become an- 
nexed to the Frenchman, of whom they have 
hoard. The reque.st is at once granted. Two 
missionaries, Gabriel Dreuillettes and Leonard 
Gareau, were selected as envoys, but on their way 
the fleet, propelled by tawny rowers, is met by a 
wandering band of Mohawks and by them is dis- 
persed. Not daunted, others stood ready to go. 
The lot fell to Rene Jlesnard. He is charged to 
visit the wilderness, select a suitable place for a 
dwelling, and found a mission. With only a short 
warning he is ready, "trusting," he says, "in the 
Providence which feeds the little birds of the 
desert and clothes the wild flowers of the forest." 
In October, 1660, he reached a bay, which ho 
called St. Theresa, on the south shore of Lak ■ 
Superior. After a residence of eight months, he 
yielded to the invitation of the Hurons who had 
taken refuge on the Island of St. IMichael, and 
bidding adieu to his neophytes and the French, lie 
departed. While on the way to the Bay of Che- 
goi-me-gon, probably at a portage, he became 
separated from his companion and was never after- 
ward heard of Long after, his cassock and his 
breviary wore kept as amulets among the Sioux. 
Difliculties now arose in the management of the 
colony, and for awhile it was on the verge of dis- 
solution. The King sent a regiment under com- 
mand of the aged Tracy, as a safeguard against 
the Iroquois, now proving themselves enemies to 

*Mr. C. W. Butterfield, author of CrawforcCs Campaign, and 
good authority, sjivs: "John Nicholet, a Frenchman, Ipft Qnt'bcc 
and Three Rivers in the snnimer of 1634, and visite.l the Hnriins on 
Georgian Bay, the Ciiippewaa at tlie Sault Ste. Marie, and the Win- 
nebagoes in Wisronsin, returning to Quebec in ihe summer of lfj35 
Thia was the first white mwn to see any part of the Nortliwest 
Territory. In 1641, two Jesuit priests were at the Sault Ste. Marie 
for a brief time. Then two Frencli traders reached Lake Superior, 
and after them came that tide of emigration on which the French 
based Ihelr claim lo the country." 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



the French. Acfoinp:in3'ing him were Coureelles, 
!is Governor, and M. Taloii, who sub.se(|uontIy fijr- 
iire-s in Northwe-stern lii.story. By I tiU.j, affairs 
were settled and n.'W attempts to found a mission 
amon_ij tlie laiie tribes were projected. 

"With better liopes — undismayed by the sad 
fate of tlieir predeees.scirs'' in Aujrnst. Claude 
Allouez embarked on a mission by way of Ottawa 
to the Far West. Early in Septc^mber he reached 
the rapids through which rush the waters of the 
lakes to Huron. Sailing by lolty sculptured rocks 
and over watei^s of crystal purity, he reached the 
Chippewa village j ust ;us the young warriors were 
bent on organizing a war cxjiedition against the 
Sioux. Commanding peace in the name of his 
King, he called a council and offered the commerce 
and protection of his nation. He was obeyed, and 
soiin a chapel arose on the shore of the bay, to 
which admiring crowds from the south and west 
gathered to listen to the story of the Cro.ss. 

The scattered Hurons and Ottawits north of 
Lake Superior; the Pottawatomiesfrom Lake Mich- 
igan; the Sacs and Foxes from the Far W^est ; the 
Illinois from the prairies, all came to hear him, and 
all besought him to go with them. To the last 
nation .\llouez desired logo. They told him of a 
" great river that flowed to the sea, "and of 'Hheir 
Vitst prairies, where herds of buffalo, deer and 
other animals grazed on the tall gra.ss.'' ''Their 
country," said the missionary, "is the best field 
for the Grospel. Had I had leisure, I would have 
gone to their dwellings to see with my own ej'es 
all the good that was told me of them." 

He remained two years, teaching the natives, 
studying their language and habits, and then 
returned to Quebec. Such wa.s the account that 
he gave, that in two days he was joined by 
Louis \i(,hoIas and was on his way back to liis 
mission. 

Peace being now established, more missionaries 
came from France. Among them were Claude 
Hablon and Jaci|Ues Marquette, both of whom 
went on to the nii.^^sion among the Cliippewas at the 
Sault. They reached there in l(j()8 and found 
Alhrnez bu.sy. The mission w:i.s now a reality and 
given the name of St. Mary. It is often written 
" Sault Ste. :Marie," after the French method, and 
is the oldest .settlement by white men in the bounds 
of the Northwest Tepritory. It ha.s been founded 
over two hundred years. Here on the inhospitable 
northern shores, hundreds of miles away from 
friends, did this triumvirate employ themselves in 
extending their relisjion and the influence of their 



King. Traveling the .shores of the great lakes 
near them, they pa.ss down the western bank of 
Lake Michigan lus far as Green Bay, along the 
southern shore of Lake Superior to it.s western ex- 
tremity, everywhere preaching the story of Jesus. 
'■ Though sufrering be their lot and martyrdom 
their crown," they went on, only conscious that 
they were laboring for their Master aud would, in 
the end, win the crown. 

The great river away to the West of which they 
heard .so much was yet unknown to them. To ex- 
jilore it, to visit the tribes on its banks and preach 
to them the(jo.spcl aud .secure their trade, became 
the aim of Marquette, who originated the idea of 
its discovery. While engaged at the mission at the 
Sault, he resolved to attempt it in the autumn of 
KiliO. Delay, however, intervened — for Allouez 
had exchanged the mission at Che-goi-me-gon for 
one at Green Bay, whither Manpette was .sent. 
While here he employed a young Illinois Indian 
to teach him the language of tiiat nation, and there- 
by prepare himself for the enterprise. 

Continued commerce! with the Western Indians 
gave protection and coniirmed their attachment. 
Talon, the intendaut of the colony of New France, 
to further spread its power and to learn more of the 
country and its inhabitants, convened a congress 
of the Indians at the Falls of St. Mary, to which 
he sent St. Ln.sscm on his behalf Js'ichoUui Perrot 
sent invitations in every direction for more than a 
hundred leagues roundabout, and fourteen luitions, 
among them Sacs, Foxes and Miamis, agreed to be 
present by tlieir embiussadors. 

The congress met on the fourth day of June, 
1(571. St. Lus.son, through Allouez, his interpre- 
ter, announced to the itssembled natives that they, 
and through them their nations, were j)laced under 
the protection of the French King, and to him 
were their furs and peltries to be traded. A cross 
of cedar was raised, and amidst the groves of ma- 
ple and of pine, of elm and hendoek that are so 
strangely intermingled on the banks of the St. 
]\Iary, the whole company of the French, bowing 
before the emblem of man's redemption, chanted to 
its glory a hymn of the seventh century-: 

"The banners of licaven's King advance; 
The mysteries uf llie Cross shines forth."* 

A cedar column w:vs planted by the cross and 
marked with the lilies of the Bourbon.s. The 
power of France, thus uplifted in the West of 
which Ohio is now a part, was. however, not destined 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



to endure, and the ambition of its iiKniaixhs was 
to litive only a partial fulfillment. 

The same year that the congress was held, Mar- 
quette lunl founded a mission among the Hurons 
at Point St. Ignace, on the continent north of the 
peninsula of Michigan. Although the climate 
was severe, and vegetation scarce,yct fish abounded, 
and at this establishment, long maintained as a 
key to further explorations, prayer and praise were 
heard daily for many years. Here, also, Marquette 
gaiiK-d a footing among the founders of Michigan. 
While he was doing this, Allouez and Dablon were 
exploring countries south and west, going as far as 
the Mascoutins and Kickapoos on the Jlilwaukee, 
and the iMiamis at the head of Lake ^lichigan. 
Allouei! continued even a,s far as the Sacs and Foxes 
on the river which bears their name. 

The discovery of the Mississippi, heightened by 
these explorations, was now at hand. The enter- 
prise, projected by Marquette, was received with 
favor by M. Talon, who desired thus to perpetuate 
his rule in New France, now drawing to a close. 
He was joined by Joliet, of Quebec, an emissary 
of his King, commissioned by royal magnate to 
take possession of the country in the name of the 
French. Of him but little else is known. This 
one excursion, however, gives him inuuortality, 
and as long as time shall last his name and that of 
Marquette will endure. When Mar([uette made 
kiKiwn his intention to the Pottawatomies, they 
were filled with wonder, and endeavored to dis- 
suade him from his purpose. "Tho.se distant na- 
tions," said they, " never spare the strangers; the 
Great River abounds in monsters, ready to swal- 
low both men and canoes; there are great cataracts 
and rapids, over which you will be dashed to 
pieces; the excessive heats will cause your death." 
"I shidl gladly lay down my life for the salvation 
of souls," reiilicd the good man; and the docile 
nation joined him. 

On the 9th day of June, 1(!7.^, they reached 
the village on Fox River, where were Kickapoos, 
Jlascoutins and Miamis dwelling together on an 
expanse of lovely prairie, dotted here and thereby 
groves of magnificent trees, and where was a 
cross garlanded by wild flowers, and bows and ar- 
rows, and skins and belts, offerings to the Great 
Manitou. Allouez had been here in one of his 
wanderings, and, as was his wont, had left this 
emblem of his faith. 

AsscMiibliiig the natives, Marquette .said, " My 
conipaniim is an envoy of France to discover new 
countries; and I am an embassiidor from God to 



enlighten them with the Gospel." Offering pres- 
ents, he begged two guides for the moiTow. The 
Indians answered courteously, and gave in 
return a mat to serve as a couch during the long 
voyage. 

Early irj the morning of the next day, the 10th 
of June, with all nature in her brightest robes, 
these two men, with five Frenchmen and two Al- 
gonquin guides, set out on their journey. Lifting 
two canoes to their shoulders, they quickly cross 
the narrow portage dividing the Fox from the 
Wiscon.sin River, and prepare to embark on its 
clear waters. "Uttering a special prayer to the 
Immaculate Virgin, they leave the stream, that, 
flowing onward, could have borne their greetings 
to the castle of Quebec. 'The guides returned,' 
says the gentle Marquette, 'leaving us alone in 
this unknown land, in the hand of Providence.' 
France and Christianity stood alone in the valley 
of the Mississip])i. Embarking on the broad 
Wisconsin, the discoverers, as they sailed west, 
went solitarily down the stream between alternate 
prairies and hillsides, beholding neither man nor 
the wonled beasts of the forests; no sound broke 
the silence but the ripple of the canoe and the 
lowing of the buffalo. In seven days, 'they en- 
tered happily the Great River, with a joy that 
could not be expressed ; ' and the two birchbark 
canoes, raising their happy sails under . new skies 
and to unknown breezes, floated down the calm 
magnificence of the ocean stream, over the broad, 
clear sand-bars, the r&sort of innumerable water- 
fowl — gliding pa,st islets that swelled from the 
bosom of the stream, with their tufts of massive 
thickets, and between the wild plains of Illinois 
and Iowa, all garlanded with majestic forests, or 
checkered by island groves and the open vastness 
of the prairie."* 

Continuing on down the mighty stream, they 
saw no signs of human life until the 25th of 
June, when they discovered a suuill foot-path on the 
west bauk of the river, leading away into the 
prairie. Leaving their companions in the canoes, 
Marquette and Joliet followed the jiath, resolved 
to brave a meeting alone with the savages. After 
a walk of six miles they came in sight of a village 
on the banks of a river, while not far awaj' they 
discovered two others. The river was the " JIou- 
in-gou-e-na," or Moingona, 'now corrupted into 
Bes Moines. These two men, the first of their 
race who ever trod the soil west of the Great 



^1 



£>L 



IIISTOKY OF OHIO. 



Rivor, coiiimcnili'il tliomsi^lves to God, and, utterinp; 
a loud cry, advanced to the nearest vilhifre. 
The Indians hear, and thinking their visitors 
ci'lostiall^'inirs, four old men advance with rever- 
ential mien, and ofl'er tlu; pipe of peace. " We 
are Illinois," said they, and they offered the calu- 
met. They had heard of the Frenchmen, and 
welcomed them to their wigwams, followed by the 
devouring gaze of an astonished crov.d. At a 
great couneil held soon arter, Marijuettc published 
to them the true God, their Author. He also 
spoke of his nation and of his King, who had 
chastised the Five Nation.s and commanded peace. 
He questioned them concerning the Great llivcr 
and it.s tributaries, and the tribes dwelling on its 
banks. A magnificent feast was spread before 
them, and the conference continued several days. 
At the clo.se of the sixth da}', the chieftains of the 
tribes, with nunu'rous trains of wairiors, attended 
the visitors to tlu^ir canoes, and .selecting a peace- 
pipe, gayly caparisoned, they hung the sacred 
calumet, emblem of peace to all and a safeguard 
among the nations, about the good Father's neck, 
and bid the stran-ers gund speed. "I did not 
fear death," \viii.< M,iii|Mette; "I should have 
esteemed it tiie greati>i happiness to have died 
for the glory of God." On their journey, they 
piussed the peqiendicular rocks, who.se sculptured 
sides showed them the monstei"s they .should meet. 
Farther down, they pa.ss the turgid flood of the 
Missouri, known to them by it.s Algonquin name, 
Pekitanoni. Resolving in his heart to one day 
explore its flood, Manjuette rejoiced in the new 
world it evidently could open to him. A little 
farther down, they pa.ss the bluffs where now Ls a 
mighty emporium, then silent as when created. In 
a little less than forty leagues, they pass the clear 
waters of the beautiful Ohio, then, and long after- 
ward, known as the Wabitsh. Its banks were in- 
habited by numerous villages of the peaceful 
Shawanees, who then (piailcd under the incursions 
of the dreadful Iroquois. As they go on down the 
mighty stream, the canes become thicker, the in.sects 
more fierce, the heat more intolerable. The prairies 
and their cool breezes vani.sh, and forests of white- 
wood, admirable for their viustness and height, crowd 
close upon the pebbly shore. It Ls observed that the 
Chickasaws have guns, and have learned how to 
use them. Near the latitude of '.i'.] degrees, they 
encounter a great village, whose inhabitants pre- 
sent an inhospitable and warlike frout. The pipe 
of peace is held aloft, and instantly the savage foe 
drops his arms and extends a friendly greeting. 



Remaining here till the next day, they are escorted 
for eight or ten leagues to the village of Akansea. 
They are now at the limit of their voyage. The 
Indians speak a dialect unknown to them. The 
natives show furs and axes of steel, the latter prov- 
ing they have traded with Europeans. The two 
travelers now learn that the Father of Wa- 
ters went neither to the Western sea nor to the 
Horida coast, but straight south, and ccmclude not 
to encounter the burning heats of a tropical clime, 
but ret\irn and find the outlet again. They 
had done enough now, and must report their dis- 
covery. 

On the ITth day of July, 167.i, one hundred 
anil thirty-two ye;irs after the di.sastrous journey 
of I)e Soto, whi('h led to no permanent results, 
Marquette and Joliet left the village of Akan.sea 
on their way back. iVt the 38th degree, they en- 
counter the waters of the Illinois wliich they had 
before iiotieed, and which the natives told tlieni 
afforded a much shorter route to the lakes. Pad- 
dling up it.s limpid waters, they see a country un- 
surpassed in beauty. Broad prairies, beautiful up- 
lamls, luxuriant groves, all miugled in excellent 
harmony :ts they ascend the river. Near the head 
of the river, they pause at a great village of the 
Illinois, and across the river behold a rocky prom- 
ontory standing boldly out against the landscape. 
The Indians entreat the gentle missionary to re- 
main among them, and teach them the way of life. 
He cannot do this, but promises to return when he 
can and instruct them. The town was on a plain 
near the present village of Utica, in La Salle 
County, 111., and the rock was Starved Rock, 
afterward noted in thi! annals of the Northwest. 
One of the chief's and some j'oung men conduct 
the party to the Chicago River, where the present 
mighty city is, from where, continuing their jour- 
ney along the western shores of the lake, they 
reach Green Bay early in Sejitendjcr. 

The gnuit vallej' of the West was now open. 
The '-Me.ssippi" rolled its mighty flood to a .south- 
ern sea, and must be sully explored. Marquette's 
health had keenly suffered by the voyage and he 
cuncluded to remain here and rest. Joliet hasterf- 
ed on to Quebec to report his discoveries. During 
the journey, each had preserved a description of 
the route they liad passed over, as well as the 
country and its inhabitants. While on the way 
to Q\iebec, at thi^ liiot olthe rapids near Montreal, 
by some means one of Joliet's canoes became cap- 
sized, and by it he lost liis box of papers and two 
of his men. A greater calamity could have 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



In 



letter to Guv. 



liiirilly liapjienc'J him. 
Frontenac, Joliet says : 

" I had escaped every peril from the Indians ; I 
had passed forty-two rapids, and was on the point 
of di.sembarkinL;, tiill of ji>3' at the success of so 
luns; and difficult an enterprise, when my canoe 
capsized after all the danger seemed over. I lost 
my two men and box of papers within sight of the 
French settlements, which I had left almost two 
years before. Nothing remains now to me but 
my life, and the ardent desire to employ it in any 
service you may please to direct." 

When Joliet made known his discoveries, a 
Te Deum was chanted in tlie Cathedral at Quebec, 
and all Canada was filled with joy. The news 
crossed the ocean, and the French saw in the vista 
of coming years a vast dependency arise in the val- 
ley, partially explored, which was to extend her 
domain and enrich her treasury. Fearing En- 
gland might jirofit by the discovery and claim the 
country, she attempted as fiir as possible to prevent 
the news from becoming general. Joliet was re- 
warded by the gift of the Island of Anticusti, in 
the St. Lawrence, while Marquette, conscious of 
his service to his Master, was content with the 
salvation of souls. 

Jlarquette, left at Green Bay, suffered long with 
his malady, and was not permitted, until the au- 
tumn of the following year (1674), to return and 
teach the Illini;)is Indians. With this purpose in 
view, he left Green Bay on the 25th of October 
with two Frenchmen and a number of Illinois and 
Pottawatomie Indians for the villages on the 
Chicago and Illinois Rivers. Entering Lake 
Jlichigan, they encountered adverse winds and 
waves and were more than a month on the way. 
Going some distance up the Chicago River, they 
found Marquette too weak to proceed farther, liis 
malady having assumed a violent form, and land- 
ing, they erected two huts and prepared to pass 
the winter. The good missionary taught the na- 
tives here daily, in spite of his afflictions, while 
his companions supplied him and themselves with 
food by fishing and hunting. Thus the winter 
wore away, and Jlarquotte, renewing his vows, pre- 
pared to go on to the village at tlie foot of the 
rooky citadel, where he had been two years before. 
On the 13th of March, 1675, they left their huts 
and, rowing on up tlie Chicago to the portage be- 
tween that and the Desplainos, embarked on their 
way. Amid the incessant rains of spring, they 
were rapidly borne down that stream to the Illi- 
nois, on whose rushing flood they floated to the 



object of their destination. At the great town the 
missionary wa.s received as a heavenly messenger, 
and as he preached to them of heaven and hell, 
of angels and demons, of good and bad deeds, 
they regarded hiui as divine and besought him to 
remain among them. The town then contained an 
immense concourse of natives, drawn hither by the 
reports they heard, and assembling them before him 
on the plain near tlieir village, where now are pros- 
perous farms, he held before their astonished gaze 
four large pictures of the Holy Virgin, and daily 
harangued them on the duties of Christianity and 
the necessity of conforming their conduct to the 
words they heard. His strength was fast declining 
and warned him he could not long remain. Find- 
ing he must go, the Indians furnished him an 
escort as far as the lake, on whose turbulent waters 
he embarked with his two faithful attendants. 
They turned their canoes for the Mackinaw Blis- 
sion, which the afflicted missionary hoped to reach 
before death came. As they coasted along the 
eastern shores of the lake, the vernal hue of May 
began to cover the hillsides with robes of green, 
now dimmed to the eye of the departing Father, who 
became too weak to view them. By the 19th of 
the month, he could go no farther, and requested 
his men to land and build him a hut in which he 
might pass away. That done, he gave, with great 
composure, directions concerning his burial, and 
thanked God that he was permitted to die in the 
wilderness in the midst of his work, an unshaken 
believer in the faith he had so earnestly preached. 
As twilight came on, he told his weary attendants 
to rest, promising that when death should come he 
would call them. At an early hour, on the morn- 
ing of the 20th of May, 1675, they heard a feeble 
voice, and hastening to his side found that the gen- 
tle spirit of the good missionary had gone to heav- 
en. His hand grasped the crucifix, and his lips 
bore as their last sound the name of the Virgin. 
They dug a grave near the banks of the stream 
and Ijuried him as he had requested. There in a 
lonely wilderness the peaceful soul of Marquette 
had at last found a rest, and his weary labors closed. 
His companions went on to the mission, where 
the news of his death caused great sorrow, for he 
was one beloved by all. 

Three years after his burial, the Ottawas, hunting 
in the vicinity of his grave, determined to carry 
his bones to the mission at their homo, in accor- 
dance with an ancient custom of their tribe. Hav- 
ing opened the grave, at whose head a cross bad 
been jilanted, they carefully removed the bones and 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



25 



cliaiiin;j: tiu'iu, a funeral [irocession of thirty canoes 
Ixjro tlicm to tlio Maekiuaw Mission, singing tlic 
songs ho had taught them. At the shores of the 
Mission the bones were received by the priests, and, 
witli great ceremony, buried under the floor of the 
rude chapel. 

While -Marquette and Jolict were exploring the 
head-waters of the "Great River,'' another man, 
fearless in purpose, pious in heart, and loyal to 
his country, was living in Canada and watching 
the operations of his fellow countrymen with 
keen ej-es. When the French first saw the in- 
hospitable shores of the St. Lawrence, in 1535, 
niiiler the lead of Jaci|ues Cartier, and had opened 
a new country to their crown, men were not 
lacking to furtlier e.Ktxmdthe discovery. In IGOS, 
Champlain came, and at the foot of a cliff on that 
river founded Quebec. Seven years after, he 
brought four RecnUet monks; and through thcni 
and the Jesuits the discoveries already narrated 
occurred. Champlain died in 1(535, one hundred 
years after Cartier"s first visit, but not until he 
had explored the northern lakes as far as Lake 
Huron, on whose rocky shores he, as the pr<igenitor 
of a mighty race to follow, set his feet. lie, with 
others, held to the idea that somewhere across the 
country, a river highway extended to the Western 
ocean. The reports from the missions wlu)se 
history has l)een given aided this belief; and not 
until Mar((uette and Joliet returned was the delu- 
sion in any way dispelled. Before this was done, 
however, the man to whom reference lias been 
made, Robert Cavalier, better known as La Salle, 
had endeavored to solve the mystery, and, while 
living on his grant of land eight miles above 
Montreal,had indeed effected iiajiortant discoveries. 

La Salle, the next actor in the field of explor- 
ation after Champlain, was born in 1G43. His 
father's family was among the old and w'ealthy 
burghers of Rouen, France, and its members 
were fie(|uently entrusted with important govern- 
mental ])ositions. He early exhibited such traits 
of character as to mark him among his associates. 
Coming from a wealthy family, he enjoyed all the 
advantages of his day, and received, for the times, 
an excellent education. He was a Catholic, 
though his subsequent life does not prove him 
to have been a religious enthu.sia.st. From some 
cause, he joined the Order of Loyola, but the cir- 
cumscribed sphere of action set for him in the 
order illy concurred with his independent dis- 
position, and led to hLs separation from it. This 
was effected, however, in a good spirit, a.s thej' 



considered him fit for a different field of action 
than any presented by the order. Having a 
brother in Canada, a member of the order of St. 
Snlpiee, he determined to join him. By his 
connection with the Jesuits he had lost his share 
of his father's estate, but, by some means, on his 
death, which occurred about this time, he was 
given a small share; and with this, in lOOtJ, 
he arrived in Jloutreal. All Canada was alive 
with the news of the explorations; and La 
Salle's mind, actively grasping the ideas he 
afterward carried out, began to mature plans for 
their p('rfection. At Montreal he found a semi- 
nary cif priests of the St. Sulpice Order who were 
luu-ouraging settlers by grants of land on easy 
terms, hoping to establish a barrier of settlements 
between themselves and the Indians, made ene- 
mies to the French by Champlain's actions when 
founding Quebec. The Superior of the seminary, 
U'arning of LaSalle's arrival, gratuitou.-^ly nHrnd 
liim a grant of land on the St. Lawrence, eight 
miles above Montreal. The grant, though danger- 
ously near the ho.stile Indians, was accepted, and 
LaSalle soon enjoyed an excellent trade in furs, 
\Vhile employed in developing his claim, he learned 
of the great unknown route, and burned with a 
desire to solve its existence. He applied him.self 
clo.sely to the study of Indian dialects, and in 
three years is said to have made great progress 
in their language. While on his farm his 
thoughts ofU;n turned to the unknown land away 
to the west, and, like all men of his day, lie 
desired to explore the rout<; to the Western sea, 
and thence obtain an easy trade with China and 
Japan. The " (Ireat River, which flowed to the 
sea," must, thought they, find an outlet in the 
(Julf of California. W'hile musing on the.se 
things, Marquette and Joliet were preparing to 
descend the Wisconsin; and LaSalfe himself 
learned from a wandering band of Senecas that a 
river, called the Ohio, arose in their country and 
flowed to the sea, but at such a distance that it 
W(udd require eight months to reach its mouth. 
This nmst be the (3reat River, or a part of it: 
for all geographers of the day cfinsidered the 
Mi.ssLssippi and its tributary as one stream. Plac- 
ing great confidence on this hypothesis, La Salle 
repaired to Quebec to obtain the sanction 
of Gov, Courcelles. His plausible statements 
soon W(m him the Governor and M, Talon, and 
letters patent were issued granting tlic exploration. 
No pecuniary aid was offered, and La Salle, hav- 
ing expended all his means in improving his 



^a 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



estate, was ubligeil to sell it to procure the 
necessary outfit. The Superior of the seminary 
being favorably disposed toward him, purchased 
the greater part of his improvement, and realiz- 
ing 2,800 livres, he purchased four canoes and the 
necessary supplies for the expedition. The semi- 
nary was, at the same time, preparing for a similar 
exploration. The priests of this order, emulating 
the Jesuits, had establislied missions on the north- 
ern .shore of Lake Ontario. Hearing of jiopulous 
tribes still further west, they resolved to attempt 
their conversion, and deputized two of their number 
for the purpose. On going to Quebec to procure 
the neces.sary supplies, they were advised of La 
Salle's expedition down the Ohio, and resolved to 
unite them.selves with it. La Salle did not alto- 
gether favor their attempt, as he believed the 
Jesuits already had the field, and would not care 
to have any aid from a rival order. His dispo- 
sition also would not well brook the part they 
assumed, of asking him to be a co-laborer rather 
than a leader. Howevrr, the expeditions, merged 
into one body, left the mission on the St. Law- 
rence on the Gth of July, 1GG9, in seven canoes. 
The party numbered twenty-four persons, who 
were accompanied by two canoes filled with 
Indians who had visited La Salle, and who now 
acted as guides. Their guides led them up the 
St. Lawrence, over the expanse of Lake Ontario, 
to their village on the banks of the Genesee, 
where they expected to find guides to lead them 
on to the Ohio. As La Salle only partially under- 
stood their language, he was compelled to confer 
with them by means of a Jesuit stationed at the 
village. The Indians refu.sed to furnish him the 
expected aid, and even burned before his eyes a 
prisoner, the only one who could give him any 
knowledge he desired. Ho surmised the Jesuits 
were at the bottom of the matter, fearful lest the 
disciples of St. Sulpioe should gain a foothold in 
the West. He lingered here a month, with the 
hope of accoiupli.shing his object, when, by chance, 
there came by an Iroquois Indian, who assured 
them that at his colony, near the head of the lake, 
they could find guides ; and offered to conduct 
them thither. Coming along the southern shore 
of the lake, they jiassed, at its western extremity, 
the mouth of the Niagara River, where they heard 
for the fir.st time the thunder of the mighty cata- 
ract between the two lakes. At the village of the 
Ir("|U(iis they met a friendly reception, and were 
inlornied by a Shawanese prisoner that they could 
reach the Ohio in six weeks' time, and that he 



would guide them there. While preparing to 
commence the journey, they heard of the missions 
to the northwest, and the priests resolved to go 
there and convert the natives, and find the river 
by that route. It appears that Louis Joliet met 
them here, on his return from visiting the copjier 
mines of Lake Superior, under command of M. 
Talon. He gave the priests a map of the country, 
and informed them that the Indians of those 
regions were in great need of spiritual advisers. 
This strengthened their intention, though warned 
by La Salle, that the Jesuits were undoubtedly 
there. The authority for Joliet's visit to them 
here is not clearly given, and may not be true, 
but the same letter which gives the account of 
the discovery of the Ohio at this time by La Salle, 
states it as a fact, and it is hence inserted. The 
missionaries and La Salle separated, the former to 
find, as he had predicted, the followers of Loyola 
already in the field, and not wanting their aid. 
Hence they return from a ft'uitless tour. 

La Salle, now left to himself and just recovering 
from a violent fever, went on his journey. From 
the paper from which these statements are taken, 
it appears he went ou to OncmJaga, where he pro- 
cured guides to a tributary of the Ohio, down 
which he proceeded to the principal stream, on 
whose bosom he continued his way till he came to 
the falls at the present city of Louisville, Ky. It 
has been asserted that he went on down to its 
mouth, but that is not well authenticated and is 
hardly true. The statement that he went as far as 
the falls is, doubtless, correct. He states, in a letter 
to Count Frontenac in 1677, that he discovered 
the Ohio, and tliat he descended it to the falls. 
Moreover, Joliet, in a measure his rival, for he was 
now preparing to go to the northern lakes and 
from them search the river, made two maps rejjre- 
senting the lakes and the Mississippi, on both of 
which he states that La Salle had discovered the 
Ohio. Of its course beyond the falls. La Salle 
does not seem to have learned anything definite, 
hence his discovery did not in any way settle the 
great question, and elicited but little comment. 
Still, it stimulated La Salle to more effort, and 
while musing on his plans, Joliet and IMarquette 
push on from Green Bay, and discover the river 
and ascertain the general course of its outlet. On 
Joliet's return in 1073, he seems to drop from 
further notice. Other and more venturesome souls 
were ready to finish the work begun by himself 
and the zealous Marquette, who, left among the 
far-away nations, laid down his life. The spirit of 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



La Salle was equal to the enterprise, and as he now 
had returned from one voyage of discovery, he 
stood ready to solve the mystery, and gain the 
fountr}' for liis King. Before this could lie ac- 
complLshed, however, he saw other things must be 
done, and made preparations on a scale, for the 
time, truly marvelous. 

Count Frouteuac, the new troveruor. had no 
sooner established himself in power than he gave a 
searching glance over the new realm to see if any 
undeveloped resources lay jet unnoticed, and what 
country j'et remained open. He learned from the 
exploits of La .Salle on the Ohio, and from Joliet, 
now returned from the West, of that immense 
country, and r<,'solving in his mind on siuue plan 
whereby it could be formally taken, entered 
heartily into the plans of La Salle, who, anxious to 
solve the mystery concerning the outlet of the 
Great River, gave him the outline of a ])lan, saga- 
cious in its conception and grand in its compre- 
hension. La Salle had also informed him of the 
endeavors of the KnglLsh on the Atlantic coa.st to 
divert the trade with the Indians, and partly to 
counteract this, were the plans of La Salle adopted. 
They were, briefly, to build a chain of forts fi'om 
Canada, or New France, along the lakes to the 
Mississippi, and on down that river, thereby hold- 
ing the country by power as well as by discovery. 
A fort was to be built on the Ohio as soon as the 
means could be obtained, and thereby hold that 
country by the same policy. Thus to La Salle 
alone may be ascribed the bold plan of gaining the 
whole West, a ])lan ouly thwarted by the force of 
arms. Through the aid of Frontenac, he was 
given a proprietary and the rank of nobility, and 
on his pro])rietary was erected a fort, which he, in 
honor of his (lovernor, called Fort Frontenac. It 
stood on the site of the present city of Kingston, 
Canada. Through it he obtained the trade of the 
Five Nations, and his fortune was so far assured. 
He next repaired to France, to perfect his arrange- 
ments, secure his title and obtain means. 

On his return he built the fort alluded to, and 
prepared to go on in the pro.secution of his plan. 
A civil discord arose, however, which for three 
years prevailed, and seriously threatened his 
projects. As soon as he could extricate himself, 
he again repaired to France, receiving additional 
encouragement in money. grants, and the exclusive 
privilege of a trade in buffalo skins, then coasid- 
ered a source of great wealth. On liis return, he 
was accompanied by Henry Tonti, son of an illus- 
trious Italian nobleman, who had fled from his 



own country during one of its political revolutions. 
Coming to France, he made himself famous as the 
founder of Tontine I^ife In.surance. Henry Tonti 
jHW.ses.sed an indomitable will, and though he had 
sufl'ered the loss of one of his hands by the ex- 
plosion of a grenade in one of the Sicilian wars, 
his courage was undaunted, and his ardor un- 
dimmed. La Salle also brought recruits, mechanics, 
sailors, cordage and sails fcjr rigging a ship, and 
merchandise for trafiie with the natives. At 
Montreal, he secured the services of M. LaMolte, a 
person of much energy and integrity of character. 
He also secured several missionaries before he 
reached Fort Frontenac. Among them were 
Louis Hennepin, Gabriel llibourde and Zeuabe 
3Iembre. All these were Flemings, all Kecollets. 
Hennej)in, of all of them, proved the best assist- 
ant. They arrived at the fort early in the autumn 
of 1C78, and preparations were at once made to 
erect a ve.«sel in which to navigate the lakes, and 
a fort at the mouth of the Niagara River. The 
Senecas were rather adverse to the latter proposals 
when La Mottc and Hennejiin came, but by 
the eloquence of the latter, they wore pacified 
and rendered friendly. Afler a number of vexa- 
tious delays, the vessel, theGriflin, the first on the 
lakes, was built, and on the 7th of August, a year 
after La Salle came here, it was launched, passed 
over the watere of the northern lakes, and, after a 
tempestuous voyage, lan<l(>d at (Jreeu Bay. It was 
soon after stored with furs and sent back, while 
La Salb and his men awaited its return. It was 
never afterward heard of La Salle, becoming 
impatient, erected a fort, pushed on with a 
part of his men, leaving part at the fort, 
and passed over the St. .Joseph and Kankakee 
Rivers, and thence to the Illinois, down whose 
flood they proceeded to Peoria Lake, where 
he was obliged to halt, and return to Canada 
for more men and supplies. He left T(uiti 
and several men to complete a fort, called 
Fort " Crevecoeur " — broken-hearted. The Indians 
drove the French away, the men mutinieil, and 
Tonti was obliged to flee. When La Salle returned, 
he found no one there, and going down as far as 
the miiuth of the Illinois, he retraced his steps, to 
find some trace of his garrison. Tonti was found 
safe anuing the Pottawatomies at Green Bay, and 
Hennepin and his two followers, sent to explore 
the head-waters of the Mi,ssis.sippi, were again 
homo, after a captivity among the Sioux. 

La Salle renewed his force of men, and the third 
time set out for the outlet of the Great River. 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



He left Canada early in December, 1681, and by 
February (!, 1G82, reached the majestic flood of 
the mighty stream. On the 24th, they ascended 
the Chickasaw Bluffs, and, while waiting to find 
a sailor who had strayed away, erected Fort Prud- 
homme. They passed several Indian villages fur- 
ther down the river, in some of which they met 
with no little opposition. Proceeding onward, ere- 
long they encountered the tide of the sea, and 
April C, they emerged on the broad bosom of the 
Gulf, "tossing its restless billows, limitless, voice- 
less and lonely as when born of chaos, vfithout a 
sign of life." 

Coasting about a short time on the shores of 
the Gulf, the party returned until a sufficiently 
dry place was reached to effect a landing. Hero 
another cross was raised, also a column, on which 
was inscribed these words: 

" Lours i.E Gr.\ni), Roi de Fbance et de Navakbe, 
Regne; Le Neuvie.me, Avril, 1(J82." ■' 

"The whole party," says a "proocs verbal, ' in 
the archives of France, " chanted the Te Dcum, 
the Exaudiat and the Dmniiiesalvnin fac Rcgvm, 
and then after a salute of fire-arms and cries of 
Vive le Roi, La Salle, standing near the column, 
said in a loud voice in French : 

"In the name of the most high, mighty, invin- 
cible and victorious Prince, Louis the Great, by 
the grace of God, King of France and of Navarro, 
Fourteenth of that name, this ninth day of April, 
one thousand six hundred and eighty two, I, in 
virtue of the commission of His Majesty, which I 
hold in my hand, and which may be seen by all 
whom it may concern, have taken, and do now 
take, in the name of His Majesty and of his suc- 
cessors to the crown, possession of this country of 
Louisiana, the seas, harbor, ports, bays, adjacent 
st niights, and all the nations, people, provinces, cities, 
towns, villages, mines, minerals, fisheries, streams 
and rivers, comprised in the extent of said Louisiana, 
from the north of the great river St. Louis, other- 
wise called the Ohio, Alighin, Sipore or Chukago- 
na, and this with the consent of the Chavunons, 
Chickacliaws, and other people dwelling therein, 
with whom we have made alliance; as also along 
the river Colbert or Mississippi, and rivers which 
discharge themselves therein from its source beyond 
the Kious or Nadduessious, and this with their 
consent, and with the consent of the Illinois, Mes- 
igameas, Natehez, Koroas, which are the most con- 
siderable nations dwelling therein, with whom also 



we have made alliance, either by ourselves or others 
in our behalf, as far as its mouth at the sea or 
Gulf of Mexico, about the twenty-seventh degree 
of its elevation of the North Pole, and also to the 
mouth of the River of Palms ; upon the assurance 
which we have received from all these nations that 
we are the first Europeans who have descended or 
a.sccnded the river Colbert, hereby protesting 
against all those who may in future undertake to 
invade any or all of these countries, peoples or 
lands, to the prejudice of the right of His Majesty, 
ac(|uired by the consent of the nations herein 
named." 

The whole assembly responded with shouts and 
the salutes of fire-arms. The Sieur de La Salle 
caused to be planted at the foot of the column a 
plate of lead, on one side of which was inscribed 
the arms of France and the following Latin inscrip- 
tion : 

Robertvs Cavellier, cvm Domino de Tonly, Legato, 
R. P. Zeiiobi Membro, Recollecto, et, Viginti Gallis 
rrinios Hoc Flvmen inde ab ilineorvm Pago, enavigavit, 
eiv.'sqve ostivm fecit Pervivvm, nono Aprilis cio ioc 

Lxxxn. 

The whole proceedings were acknowledged be- 
fore La Metaire, a notary, and the conquest was 
considered complete. 

Thus was the foundation of France laid in the 
new republic, and thus did she lay claim to the 
Northwest, which now includes Ohio, and the 
county, whose history this book perpetuates. 

La Salle and his party returned to Canada soon 
af\er, and again that country, and France itself, 
rang with anthems of exultation. He went on to 
France, where he received the highest honors. 
He was given a fleet, and sailors as well as colon- 
ists to return to the New World by way of a south- 
ern voyage, expecting to find the uuuith of the 
Blississippi by an ocean course. Sidling past the 
outlets, he was wrecked on the coast of Texas, and 
in his vain endeavors to find the river or return to 
Canada, he became lost on the plains of Arkansas, 
where he, in 1087, was basely murdered by one of 
his followers. " You are down now. Grand Ba.shaw," 
exclaimcdhisslayer,and despoiling his remains, they 
left them to be devoured by wild beasts. To such 
an ignominious end came this daring, bold adven- 
turer. Alone in the wilderness, he was left, with 
no monument but the vast realm he had discov- 
ered, on whose bosom he was left without cover- 
ing and without protection. 

"For force of will and vast conception; for va- 
rious knowledge, and quick adaptation of his genius 



J±=l±^ 



IIISTOHY OF OHIO. 



to untried circumstauces ; for a sublime magnani- 
mity, tliat ro.sij;ned itself to the will of Heaven, 
and yet triumjiliod over affliction by energy of 
purpose and unfaltering hope — he had no superior 
among his countrymen. He had won the affec- 
tions of the governor of Canada, the esteem of 
Colliert, the confidence of Seignelay, the favor of 
Louis XIV. Afler the beginning of the coloniza- 
tion of Upper Canada, he perfected the discovery 
of the Jlissi.ssippi from the Falls of St. Anthony 
to its mouth ; and he will be remembered through 
all time as the father of colonization in the great 
central valley of the West."* 

Avarice, p;\asion and jealousy were not calmed by 
the blood of La Salle. All of liis conspirators per- 
ished by ignoble deaths, while only seven of the six- 
teen succeeded in continuing the journey until 
they reached Canada, and thence found their way 
to France. 

Tonti, who had been left at Fort St. Louis, on 
"Starved Rock" on the Illinois, went down in 
search of his beloved commander. Failing to find 
him, he returned and remained here until 1700, 
thousands of miles away from friends. Then ho 
went down the Missi.s.^ippi to join D Iberville, who 
had made the discovery of the mouth of the Mis- 
sissippi by an ocean voyage. Two years later, he 
went on a mission to the Chickasaws, but of his 
suksequent hi.story nothing is known. 

The West was now in po.ssession of the French. 
La Salle's plans were yet feasible. The period of 
exploration was now over. The great river and 
its outlet was known, and it only remained for that 
nation to enter in and occupy what to many a 
Frenchman was the " Promised Land." Only 
eighteen years had elapsed since ]\Lvr(|uette and 
Joliet had descended the river and shown the 
course of its outlet. A spirit, less bold than La 
Salle's would never in so short a time have pene- 
trated for more than a thousand miles an unknown 
wilderness, and solved the mystery of the world. 

When Joutel and his companions reached France 
in 1(;S8, all Europe was on the eve of war. Other 
nations than the French wanted part of the New 
World, and when they saw that nation greedily 
and rapidly accumulating territory there, they en- 
deavored to stay its progress. The league of Augs- 
burg was formed in 1 (iST by the princes of the Em- 
pire to n strain the ambition of Louis XIV, and 
ill lfi>S, ht! began hostilities by the capture of 
I'hilipsbiirg. The next year, England, under the 



lead of William III, joined the alliance, and Louis 
found himself compelled, with only the aid of the 
Turks, to contend against the united forces of the 
Empires of England, Spain, Holland, Denmark, 
Sweden and Norway. Yet the tide of battle wa- 
vered. In 1()89, the French were defeated at 
Walcourt, and the Turks at Widin; but in KJiM), 
the French were victorious at Chai-leroy, and the 
Turks at Belgrade. The next year, and also the 
next, victory inclined to the French, but in JtiSJH, 
Louvois and Luxemberg were dead and Namur 
surrendered to the allies. The war extended to the 
New World, where it was maintained with more 
than equal success by the French, though the En- 
glish population exceeded it more than twenty to one. 
In 1G88, the French were estimated at about 
twelve thousand souls in North America, while the 
English were more than two hundred thousand. 
At first the war was prosecuted vigorously. In 
1089, De. Ste. Helene and D' Iberville, two of the 
sons of Charles le Morne, ero.sscd the wilderness 
and reduced the English forts on Hud.son's Bay. 
But in August of the same year, the Iroquois, the 
hereditary foes of the French, captured and burned 
Montreal. Frontenac, who had gone on an ex- 
pedition against New York by sea, was recalled. 
Fort Frontenac was abandoniHl, and no Freni:h 
posts left in the West between Trois Rivieres and 
Mackinaw, and were it not for the Jesuits the en- 
tire West would now have been abandoned. To 
recover their influence, the French planned three 
expeditious. One resulted in the destruction of 
Schenectady, another, Salmon Falls, and the third, 
Casco Bay. On the other hand, Nova Scotia was 
reduced by the colonies, and an expedition against 
Montreal went as far as to Lake Ohamplain, where 
it failed, owing to the dissensions of the leaders. 
Another expedition, consisting of twenty-four ves- 
sels, arrived before Quebec, which also i'ailed 
through the incompetency of Sir William Phipps. 
During the succeeding years, various border con- 
flicts occurred, in all of which border scenes of 
savage cruelty and savage ferocity were enacted. 
The peace of Ryswick, in 1097, closed the war. 
France retained ILuLson's Bay, and all the places 
of which she was in po.ssession in 1 ()88 ; but the 
boundaries of the English and French claims in 
the New World were still unsettled. 

The conclusion of the conflict left the French 
at liberty to pursue their scheme of colonization 
in the Mississippi Valley. In 1698, D'Ibervillc 
was sent to the lower province, which, erelong, 
was made a separate independency, called Louisiana. 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



Forts were erected on Mobile Bay, and tlio division 
of the territory between the French and the 
Spaniards was settled. Trouble existed between 
the French and the Chickasaws, ending in the 
cruel deaths of many of the leaders, in the 
fruitless endeavors of tlie Canadian and Louisi- 
anian forces combining against the Chickasaws. 
For many years the conflict raged, with unequal 
successes, until the Indian povror gave way before 
superior military tactics. In the end, New Orleans 
wiis founded, in 1718, and the French power 
secured. 

Before this was consunniiated, however, France 
became entangled iu another war against the 
allied powers, ending in her defeat and the loss 
of Nova Scotia, Hudson's Bay and Newfound- 
land. The peace of Utrecht closed the war 
in 1713. 

The French, weary with prolonged strife, 
adopted the plan, nmro peaceful in its nature, of 
giving out to distinguished men the monopoly of 
certain districts in the fur trade, the most pros- 
perous of any avocation then. Crozat and 
Cadillac — the latter the founder of Detroit, in 
1701 — were tlie chief ones concerned in this. 
The founding of the villages of Kaskaskia, Ca- 
hokia, Vincennes, and others in the Mississippi 
and Wabash Valleys, led to the rapid develop- 
ment, according to the French custom of all 
these parts of the West, while along all the chief 
water-courses, other trading jiosts and forts were 
established, rapidly fulfilling the hopes of La 
Salle, broached so many years before. 

The French had, at the beginning of the 
eighteenth century, lour ])rincipal routes to their 
western towns, two of which jiassod over the soil 
of Ohio. The fir.st of these was the one followed 
by Mar<)uette and Joliet, by way of the Lakes to 
Green Bay, in Wisconsin ; thence across a portage 
to the ^Vi.sconsin River, down which they floated 
to the Mississippi. On their return they came 
up the Illinois River, to the site of Chicago, 
whence Joliet returned to Quebec by the Lakes. 
La Salle's route was first by the Lakes to the St. 
Joseph's River, which ho followed to the portage 
to the Kankakee, and thence downward to the 
Mississippi. On his second and third attempt, 
he crossed the lower peninsula of Michigan to 
the Kankakee, and again traversed its waters to 
the Illinois. The third route was establi.-ihed 
aliout 171(5. It followed the .southern shores of 
Ltike ]"jrie to the mouth of the Maumee River; 
following this stream, the voyagers went on to the 



junction between it and the St. Mary's, which 
they followed to the " Oubache " — Wabash — and 
then to the French villages in Vigo and Knox 
Counties, in Indiana. Vincennes was the oldest 
and most important one here. It had been 
founded in 1702 by a French trader, and was, at 
the date of the establishment of the third route, 
in a prosperous condition. For many years, the 
traders cro.ssed the plains of Southern Illinois to 
the French towns on the bottoms opposite St. 
Loins. They were afraid to go on down the 
"Waba" to the Ohio, as the Indians had fright- 
ened them with accounts of the great monsters 
below. Finally, some adventurous spirit went 
down the river, found it emptied into the Ohio. 
and solved the problem of the true outlet of the 
Ohio, heretofore supposed to be a tributary of the 
Waliash. 

The fourth route was from tlie southern shore 
of Lake Erie, at Presqueville, over a portage of 
fifteen miles to the head of French Creek, at 
AV'aterford, Penn.; thence down that stream to the 
Ohio, and on to the Missi.ssippi. Along all these 
routes, ports and posts were carefully maintained. 
Many were on the soil of Ohio, and were the fir.st 
attempts of the wliite race to possess its domain. 
Many of the ruins of these posts are yet found on 
the southern shore of Lake Erie, and at the 
outlets of streams flowing into the lake and the Ohio 
River. The principal forts were at INIackinaw, at 
Presijueville, at the mouth of the St. Joseph's, on 
Starved Rock, and along the Father of Waters. 
Yet another power was encroaching on them: a 
sturdy race, clinging to tlie inhospitable Atlantic 
shores, were coming over the mountains. The 
murmurs of a conflict were already heard — a con- 
flict that would change the fate of a nation. 

The French were extending their explorations 
beyond the Mississippi; they were also forming a 
political organization, and increasing their influence 
over the natives. Of a ])assive nature, however, 
their power and their influence could not with- 
stand a more aggressive nature, and they were 
obliged, finally, to give way. They had the 
fruitful valleys of the West more than a century ; 
yet they developed no resources, opened no mines 
of wealth, and left the country as pa.ssivc as they 
found it. 

Of the growth of the West under French rule, 
but little else remains to be said. The sturdy 
Anglo-Saxon race on the Atlantic coast, and their 
progenitors in England, began, now, to turn their 
attention to this vast country. The voluptuousness 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



of tlic; French court, tlicir neglect of the true 
ba^is of wealth, agriculture, ami the repressive 
tendencies laid on the colonist-s, led the latter to 
adojit a hunter's life, and leave the country unde- 
veloped and ready for the penile who claimed the 
enuMtry finm "sea to sea.'' Tlieir explorers were 
iihw at wiirk. The change was at hand. 

()i(:i>iiinal mention has been made in the his- 
tory of the State, in preceding pages, of settle- 
ments and trading-posts of the French traders, 
explorers and missionaries, within the limit.s of 
Ohio. The French were the first white men to 
occupy the northwestern part of the New V\'orld, 
and though their stay was brief, yet it ojiened the 
way to a sinewy race, living on the .shores of the 
Atlantic, who in timo came, saw, and cuniiuered 
that part of America, making it what tlie jicople 
of t(j-day enjoy. 

As early as 16G9, four years before the discov- 
ery of the Jlississippi by Joliet and Jlarquette, 
La Halle, the faniniis exiilorer, discovered the Ohio 
Kiver, and ]iaddlcd dnwn its gentle current a.s far 
as the falls at the pn-sent city of Louisville, but he, 
like others of the day, made no settlement on its 
banks, only claiming the country for his King by 
virtue of this discovery. 

Early iu the beginning of the eighteenth cent- 
ury, French traders and voyagers passed along the 
southern shores of Lake Erie, to the mouth of the 
Maumee, up whose waters they rowed their bark 
canoes, on their way to their outposts in the Wa- 
bash and Illinois '\^1lleys, established between 
1675 and 1700. As .soon as they could, without 
danger from their inveterate enemies, the Iro([Uois, 
ma.stere of all the lower lake country, erect a 
trading-post at the mouth of this river, they did 
so. It was made a depot of considerable note, 
and was, probably, the first permanent habitation 
of white men in Ohio. It remained until after 
the peace of 1703, the termination of the French 
and Indian war, and the occupancy of this country 
by the English. On the site of the French tradiiig- 
pnst, the British, in 1704, erected Fort Jliami, 
which they garrisoned until the country came 
under the control of Americans, Now, -Maumee 
City covers the ground. 

The French had a trading-post at the mouth of 
the Huron Kiver, in what is now Erie County. 
When it was built is not now known. It was, how- 
ever, probably one of their early outposts, and 
may have been built before 17.50, They had an- 
other on the shore of tlio bay. on or near the site 
of Sandusky Cit}'. Both this and the one at the 



mouth of tlie Huron River were abandoned before 
the war of the Revulution. On Lewis Evan's map 
of the British jMiddle Colonies, iiubli.shed in 175.'j, 
a French fort, called "Fort Junandat, built in 
17.'J4," is marked on the cast bank of the San- 
dusky River, several miles below its mouth. Fort 
Sandusky, on the western bank, is also noted. 
Several Wyandot towns are likewise marked. But 
very little is known concerning any of these 
trading-posts. They were, evidently, only tempo- 
rary, and were abandoned when the English came 
into jKissession of the country. 

The mouth of the Cuyahoga River was another 
important place. On Evan's map there is marked 
on the west bank of the Cuyahoga, some distance 
from its mouth, the words '-French IIousi," doubts 
less, the station of a French trader. The ruins 
of a house, found about five miles from the mouth 
of the river, on the west bank, are suppo.sed to 
be those of the trader's station. 

In 17S(!, the Moravian missionary, Zeisberger, 
with his Indian converts, left Detroit in a vessel 
called the Jlackinaw, and sailed to the mouth of 
the Cuyahoga. From there they went up the 
river about ten mites, and settled in an abandoned 
Ottawa village, where Independence now is, which 
place they called "Saint's liest." Their stay wsis 
brief, for the following April, they left for the 
Huron River, and settled near the site of Milan, 
Eric County, at a locality they called New Salem. 

There are but few records of settlements made 
])y the FreiKrli until after 1750. F]vcn the.se can 
hardly be called settlements, as they were simply 
trading-post.s. The French easily affiliated with 
the Indians, and had little energy beyond trading. 
They never ctdtivated fields, laid low forests, and 
subjugated the ctumtry. They were a half-Indian 
race, so to speak, and hence did little if anything 
ill developing the West. 

About 1740, some English traders came to a 
place in what is now Shelby County, on the 
banks of a creek since known as Loramie's 
Creek, and e.stablishod a trading-station with the 
Indians. This was the first English trading-place 
or attempt at settlement iu the State. It was here 
but a short time, however, when the French, hear- 
ing of its existence, sent a party of soldiers to the 
Twiirtwees, among whom it was founded, and de- 
manded the traders as intruders upon French ter- 
ritory. The Twigtwees refu.sing to deliver up 
their friends, the French, a.ssistetl by a large party 
of Oftawas and Chippewas, attacked the trading- 
house, jirobably a block-house, and, after a severe 



r^ 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



battle, captured it. The trailers were taken to 
Canada. Tiiis fort was called by the English 
" Piokawillauy," from which ''Piqua" is probably 
derived. About the time that Kentucky was set- 
tled, a Canadian Frenchman, named Lorauiie, 
established a store on the site of the old fort. He 
was a bitter enemy of the Amoricans, and for a 
long time Loramie's store was the headquarters of 
mischief toward the settlers. 

The French had the faculty .of endearing them- 
selves to the Indians by their easy assimilation of 
their habits; and, no doubt, Loraniie was equal to 
any in this respect, and hence gained great influ- 
ence over them. Col. Johustijn, many years an 
Indian Ageut from the United States among the 
Western tribes, stated that he had often seen the 
" Indians bur.st into tears when speaking of the 
times when their French fiither had dominion 
over them ; and their attachmeut alvrays remained 
unabated." 

So much influence had Loramie with the In- 
dians, that, when Gen. Clarke, from Kentucky, 
invaded the Miami Valley in 17S2, his attention 
was attracted to the spot. He came on and burnt 
tlie Indian settlement here, and destroyed the store 
of the Frenchman, selling his goods among the 
men at auction. Loramie fled to the Shawanees, 
and, with a colony of that nation, emigrated west 
of the Mississippi, to the Spanish possessions, 
where he again bsgan his life of a trader. 

In 1794, during the Indian war, a fort was 
built on the site of the store by Wayne, and 
named Fort Loramie. The last ofliecr who had 
command here was Capt. Butler, a nephew of 
Col. Kiehard Butler, who fell at St. Clair's defeat. 
While here with his family, he lost an interesting 
boy, about eight years of age. About his grave, 
the sorrowing father and mother built a substantial 
picket-fence, planted honeysuckles over it, which, 
long after, remained to mark the grave of the 
soldier's boy. 

The site of Fort Loramie was always an im- 
portant point, and was one of the places defined 
on the boundary line at the Greenville treaty. 
Now a barn covers the spot. 

At the junction of the Auglaize and JIauniee 
Rivers, on the site of Fort Defiance, built by Gen. 
Wayne in 1791, was a settlement of traders, 
established some time before the Indian war 
began. " On the high gi'ound extending from the 
Maumee a quarter of a mile up the Auglaize, 
about two hundred yards in width, was an open 
space, on the west and south of which were oak 



Woods, with hazel undergrowth. Within this 
opening, a few hundred yanls above the point, on 
the steep bank of the Au-hiize. were five or six 
cabins and log hou.ses, inhabited principally by 
Indian traders. The most northerly, a large 
hewed-log house, divided below into three apart- 
ments, was occupied as a warehouse, store and 
dwelling, by George Ironside, the most wealthy 
and influential of the traders on the point. Next 
to his were the houses of Pirault (Pero) a French 
baker, and McKenzie, a Scot, who, in addition to 
merchandising, followed the occupation of a silver- 
smith, exchanging with the Indians his brooches, 
ear-drops and other silver ornaments, at an 
enormous profit, for skins and furs. 

Still further up were several other femi- 
lies of French and English; and two Ameri- 
can prisoners, Henry Ball, a soldier taken in St. 
Clair's defeat, and his wife, Polly Jleadows, 
captured at the same time, were allowed to live 
here and pay their masters the price of their 
ransom — he, by boating to the rapids of the Jlau- 
mee, and she by washing and sewing. Fronting 
the house of Ironside, and about fifty yards from 
the bank, was a small stockade, inclosing two 
hewed-log houses, one of which was occupied by 
James Girty (a brother of Simon), the other, 
occasionally, by Elliott and McKee, British 
Indian Agents living at Detroit."* . 

The post, cabins and all they contained fell 
under the control of the Americans, when the 
British evacuated the shores of the lakes. 
^Vhile they existed, they were an undoubted 
source of Indian discontent, and had much to do 
in prolonging the Indian war. The country 
hereabouts did not settle until some time after 
the creation of the State government. 

As soon as the French learned the true source 
of the Ohio and Wabash Rivers, both were made 
a highway to convey the products of their hunt- 
ers. In coursing down the Ohio, they made 
trading-places, or depots, where they could obtain 
furs of the Indians, at acce.^.sible points, generally 
at the mouths of the rivers emptying into the 
Ohio. One of these old forts or trading-places 
stood about a mile and a half south of the outlet 
of the Scioto. It was here in 1740; but when 
it was erected no one could tell. The locality 
must have been pretty well known to the whites, 
however; for, in 1785, three years before the 
settlement of JIarietta was made, four families 

*Xarrativo of 0. M. Spencer. 



r^ 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



35 



made an ineffectual attempt to settle near the same 
place. They were from Kentucky, but were 
driven away by the Indians a short time after 
they airived, not beini; allowed to build cabins, 
and had onlj- made preparations to plant corn 
and other necessiiries of life. While the men 
were cncamj)ed near the vicinity of Piketown, 
in Pike County, when on a hunting expedition, 
they were surprised by the Indians, and two of 
them slain. The others hastened back to the 
encampment at the mouth of the Scioto, and 
hurriedly gathering the families together, fortu- 
nately got them on a flat-boat, at that hour on its 
way down the river. By the aid of the boat, 
they were enabled to reach JIaysville, and gave 
up the attempt to settle north of the Ohio. 

The famous '-old Scioto Salt Works," in Jack- 
son County, on the banks of Salt Creek, a tributary 
of the Scioto, were long known to the whites before 
any attempt w;is made to settle in Ohio. They 
were indicated on the maj)s published in 1755. 
They were the resort, for generations, of the In- 
dians in all parts of the West, who annually came 
here to make salt. They often brought white 
prisoners with them, and thus the salt works bo- 
came known. There were no attempts made to 
settle here, however, until after the Indian war, 
which closed in 1795. As soon a.s peace was a.s- 
sured, the whites came here for salt, and soon after 
made a settlement. Another early salt spring 
was in what is now Trumbull County. It is also 
noted on Evan's map of 1755. They were occu- 
pied by the Indians, French, and by the Americans 
;js early as 17S0, and perhaps earlier. 

As early as 1701 iMoravian missionaries came 
among the Ohio Indians and began their labors. 
In a few years, under the lead of Ecvs. Fredrick 
Post and John Heckewelder, permanent stations 
were established in several parts of the State, chief- 
ly on the Tuscarawas River in Tuscarawas County. 
Here were the three Indian villages — Shocnhurn, 
Gnadenhutten and Salem. The site of the first is 
about two miles south of New Philadelphia ; Gna- 
denhutten was seven miles further south, anil about 
five miles still on was Salem, a short distance from 
the jiresent village of Port Washington. The first 
and last named of these villages were on the west 
side of the Tuscarawas River, near the margin of 
the Ohio Canal. Gnadenhutten was on the east 
side of the river. It was here that the brutal 
ma.ssacre of these Christian Indians, by the rangers 
under Col. Williamson, occurred March 8, 1782. 
The account of the massacre and of these tribes 



appears in these pages, and it only remains to 
notice what became of them. 

The hospitable and friendly character of these 
Indians had extended beyond their white breth- 
ren on the Ohio. The .Vmerican people at large 
looked on the act of Williamson and his men as an 
outrage on humanity. Congress felt its influence, 
and gave them a tract of twelve thousand acres, 
embracing their former homes, and induced them 
to return from the northern towns whither they had 
fled. As the whites came into the country, their 
manners degenerated tintil it became necessary to 
remove them. Through Gen. Cass, of Michigan, 
an agreement was made with them, whereby Con- 
gress paid them over S(j,000, an aniuiity of S400, 
and 24,000 acres in some territory to l>e designated 
by the United States. This treaty, by some means, 
was never effectually carried out, and the princi- 
pal part of them took up their residence near a 
-Moravian mis.sionary station on the River Thames, 
in Canada. Thi:lr old churchyard still exists on 
the Tuscarawas River, and here rest the bones of 
several of their devoted teachers. It is proper 
to remark here, that JIary Heckewelder, daughter 
of the missionary, is generally believed to have 
been the first white child born in Ohio. How- 
ever, this is largely conjecture. Captive women 
among the Indians, before the birth of Mary 
Heckewelder, are known to have borne children, 
which afterward, with their mothers, were restored 
to their friends. The assertion that IMary 
Heckewelder w;is the first child born in Ohio, is 
therefore incon-ect. She is the first of whom any 
definite record is made. 

These outposts are about all that are known 
to have existed prior to the settlement at Mari- 
etta. About one-half mile below Bolivar, on 
the western line of Tuscarawas County, are the 
remains of Fort Laiuens, erected in 1778, by 
a detachment of 1,000 men under Gen. Mc- 
Intrish, from Fort Pitt. It was, however, occu- 
pied but a short time, vacated in August, 1770, as 
it w;us deemed untenable at such a distance from 
the frontier. 

During the existence of the six years' Indian 
war, a settlement of French emigrants was maile 
on the Ohio River, that deserves notice. It illus- 
trates very clearly the extreme ignorance and 
credulity prevalent at that day. In May or June 
1 of 1788, Joel Barlow left this country for Europe, 
I " authorized to dispose of a very large body of 
I land in the West. " In 1700, he distributed pro- 
I posals in Paris for the disposal of lands at five 



sc, 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



shillings ]i"r acre, which, says Volnej', '• promised 
a climate healthy and delightful ; scarcely such a 
thing as a frost in the winter ; a river, called by 
way of eminence ' The Beautiful, ' abounding in 
fish of au enormous size ; magnificent forests of a 
tree li-om which sugar flows, and a shrub which 
yields caudles ; venison in abundance ; no military 
enrollments, and no quarters to find for soldiers." 
Purchasers became numerous, individuals and 
whole families sold their property, and in the 
course of 1791 many embarked at the various 
Frencli sea-ports, each with his title in his pocket. 
Five hundred settlers, among whom were many 
wood carvers and guilders to His Majesty, King of 
France, eoachmakers, fi-iseur.s and peruke makers, 
and other artisans and artistes, e((ually well fitted 
for a frontier life, arrived in the United States in 
1791-92, and acting without concert, traveling 
without knowledge of the language, customs and 
roads, at last managed to reach the spot designated 
for their residence. There they learned they had 
been cruelly deceived, and that the titles they held 
were worthless. Without food, shelterless, and 
danger closing around them, they were in a position 
that none but a Frenchman could be in without 
despair. Who brought them thither, and who was 
to blame, is yet a disputed point. Some affirm 
that those to whom large grants of land were made 
when the Ohio Company procured its charter, were 
the real instigators of the movement. They failed 
to pay for their lands, and hence the title reverted 
to the Government. This, comiug to the ears of 
the poor Frenchmen, rendered their situation more 
distressing. They never paid for their lands, and 
only through the clemency of Congress, who after- 
ward gave them a grant of land, and confirmed 
them in its title, were they enabled to secure a foot- 
hold. Whatever doubt there may be as to the 



causes of these people being so grossly deceived, 
there can be none regarding their sufferings. They 
had followed a jack-o-lantern into the howling 
wilderness, and must work or starve. The land 
upon which they had been located was covered 
with immense forest trees, to level which the coach- 
makers were at a loss. At last, hoping to conquer 
by a coup de main, they tied ropes to the branches, 
and while a dozen pulled at them as many fell at 
the trunk with all sorts of edged tools, and thus 
soon brought the monster to the earth. Yet he 
was a burden. He was down, to be sure, but as 
much in the way as ever. Several lopped off' the 
branches, others dug an immense trench at his side, 
into which, with might and main, all rolled the 
large log, and then buried him from sight. They 
erected their cabins in a cluster, as they had seen 
them in their own native land, thus affording some 
protection from marauding bands of Indians. 
Though isolated here in the lonely wilderness, and 
nearly out of funds with which to purchase pro- 
visions from descending boats, yet ones a week 
they met and drowned care in a merry dance, 
greatly to the wonderment of the scout or lone 
Indian who chanced to witness their revelry. 
Though tlieir vivacity could work wonders, it woidd 
not pay for lands n(ir buy provisions. Some of those 
at Gallipolis (for such they called their settlement, 
from Gallia, in France) went to Detroit, some to 
Kaskaskia. and some bought land of the Ohio 
Company, who treated them liberally. Congress, 
too, in 1795, being informed of their sufferings, 
and how they had been deceived, granted them 
24,000 acres opposite Little Sandy River, to which 
grant, in 1798, 12,000 acres more were added. 
The tract has since been known as French Grant. 
The settlement is a curious episode in early West- 
ern history, and deserves a place in its annals. 




ENGLISH EXPLORATIOXS • 



CHAPTER III. 

-TRADERS— FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR IN THE WEST — ENGLISH 
POSSESSION. 



AS has been noted, the French title rested on 
the di-scoveries of their missionaries and 
traders, ujiou the occupation of the country, and 
upon the construction of the treaties of Ry.swick, 
Utrecht and Aix la Chapelle. The Engli.sh 
claims to the same regiou were based on the fact 
of a jirior occupation of the correspondinj; coast, 
on an oj)posite construction of the .same treaties, 
and an alleiced cession of the rights of the 
Indians. The rights acquired by discovery were 
conventional, and in equity were good only 
between European powers, and could not affect the 
rights of the natives, but this distinction was dis- 
rcg-arded by all European powers. The inquiry of 
an Indian chief embodies the whole controversy: 
" Where are the Indian lands, since the French 
claim all on the north .side of the Ohio and the 
English all on the south side of it?" 

The English charters expressly granted to all 
the original colonies the country westward to the 
South Sea. and the claims thus set up in the West, 
though held in abeyance, were never relinquished. 
The primary distinction between the two nations 
governed their actions in the New World, and led 
finally to the supremacy of the English. They 
were fixed agricultural communities. The French 
were mere trading-posts. Though the French 
were the prime movers in the exploration of the 
West, the English made discovc'rics during their 
occupation, however, mainly by their traders, who 
penetrated the Western wilderness by way of the 
Ohio River, entering it from the two streams which 
uniting form that river. Daniel Coxie, in 1722, 
published, in London, "A description of the 
English itrovince of Carolina, by the Spaniards 
called Florida, and by the French called La Louis- 
iane, a.s also the great and famous river Mesclui- 
cebe, or ilississippi, the five vast navigable lakes 
of fresh water, and the parts adjacent, together 
with an account of the commodities of the grpwth 
and pniduition of the said jirovince." The title 
of this wiirk exhibits very clearly the opinions of 
the Eniilish people respecting the West. As early 
as Idijd, Charles I granted to Sir Robert Heath 
" All that part of America lying between thirty- 



one and thirty-six degrees north latitude, from sea 
to sea," out of which the limits of Carolina were 
al'terward taken. This immense grant was con- 
veyed in 1U38, to the Earl of Arundel, and after- 
ward came into the possession of Dr. Daniel Coxie. 
In the prosecution of this claim, it appeared that 
Col. Wood, of Virginia, from 1()54 to 16(J4, ex- 
plored .several branches of the Ohio and "Mescha- 
ccbe," as they spell the Mis.sissippi. A Mr. Need- 
ham, who was employed by Col. Wood, kept a 
journal of the exploration. There is also the ac- 
count of some one who had explored the Missis- 
sippi to the Yellow, or Missouri River, before lliTti. 
Tliese, and others, arc said to have been there 
when La Salle explored the outlet of the Great 
River, as he found tools among the natives which 
were of European manufacture. They had been 
brought here by J<>nglish adventurers. Also, when 
Iberville was colonizing the lower part of Louis- 
iana, these same persons vLsited the Chickasaws 
and stirred thcTii up against the French. It is also 
stated that La Salli' I'oiiikI that some one had been 
among the Natclicz tribes when he returned from 
the discovery of the outlet of the Mississippi, and 
excited them against him. There is, however, no 
good authority for the.sc statements, and they arc 
doubtless incorrect. There is also an account that 
in KJTS, several persons went from New England 
as far south as New Mexico, " one hundred and 
fifty leagues beyond the Mcschacebe," the narrative 
reads, and on their return wrote an account of the 
expedition. This, also, cannot be traced to good 
authority. The only accurate account of the 
English reaching the West was when Bienville 
met the British vessel at the '-F^nglish Turn." 
about 1701 1. A few of their traders may have 
been in the valley west of the Alleghany Mount- 
ains before 1700, though no reliable accounts are 
now found to confirm these suppositions. Still, 
from the earliest occupation of the Atlantic Coast 
by the English, they claimed the country, and, 
though the policy of its occupation rested for a 
time, it was never ftilly abandoned. Its revival 
dates from 1710 properly, though no immediate 
endeavor was made i'or many years after. That 



38 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



year, Alexander Spottswood was made Governor of 
Virginia. No sooner did he assume the functions 
of ruler, than, c;isting his eye over his dominion, lie 
saw the great West beyond the Alleghany Mount- 
ains unoccupied by the English, and rapidly filling 
with the French, who he olaserved were gradually 
confining the English to the Atlantic Coast. His 
prophetic eye saw at a glance the animus of the 
whole scheme, and he determined to act promptly 
on the defeasive. Through his representation, the 
Virginia Assembly was induced to make an appro- 
priation to defray the expense of an exploration of 
the mountains, and see if a suitable pass could not 
then be found where they could be crossed. The 
Governor led the expedition in person. The pass 
was discovered, a route marked out for future em- 
igrants, and the party rcturni'il to Williamsburg. 
There the Governor estaiilishrd the order of the 
'•Knights of the Golden llnrseshoe," presented 
his report to the Colonial As.sembly and one to his 
King. In each report, he exposed with great bold- 
ness the scheme of the French, and advised the 
building of a chain of forts across to the Ohio, and 
the formation of settlements to counteract them. 
The British Government, engrossed with other 
matters, neglected his advice. Forty years after, 
they rfiLicuibcred it, only to regret that it was so 
thoi 1 -1 1 1 1 . 'ssly 1 1 isregarded. 

Individuals, however, profited by his advice. By 
1730, traders began in earnest to cross the mount- 
ains and gather from the Indians the stores beyond. 
They now began to adopt a system, and abandoned 
the heretofore renegade habits of those who had 
superseded them, many of whom never returned to 
the Atlantic Coast. In 1742, John Howard de- 
scended the Ohio in a skin canoe, and, on the 
Mississippi was taken prisoner by the French. His 
captivity did not in the least deter others from 
coming. Indeed, the date of his voyage was the 
commencement of a vigorous trade with the In- 
dians by the English, who crossed the Alleghanies 
by the route discovered by Guv. Sjiottswood. In 
1748, Conrad Weiser, a German of J lercnljerg, who 
had acqviired in early life a knowledge of the JMo- 
hawk tongue by a residence among them, was sent 
ou an embassy to the Shawanees on the Ohio. He 
went as for as Log'.stown,a Shawanee village on the 
north bank of the Ohio, about seventeen miles be- 
h.iw the site of Pittsburgh. Here he met the chiefs 
in counsel, and secured tlieir promise of aid against 
the French. 

The principal ground of the claims of the 
English in the Northwest was the treaty with the 



Five Nations — the Iroquois. This powerful confed- 
eration claimed the jurisdiction over an immense 
extent of country. Their policy differed considera- 
bly from other Indian tribes. They were the only 
confederation which attempted any form of gov- 
ernment in America. They were often termed the 
" Six Nations." as the entrance of another tribe 
into the confederacy made that number. They 
were the conquerors of nearly all tribes from Lower 
Canada, to and beyond the Mississippi. They only 
exacted, however, a tribute from the conquered 
tribes, leaving them to manage their own internal 
affairs, and stiimlaliiig that to them alone did the 
right of cession lielong. Their country, under 
these claims, embraced all of America north of the 
Cherokee Nation, in Virginia; all Kentucky, and 
all the Northwest, save a district in Ohio and Indi- 
ana, and a small section in Southwestern Illinois, 
claimed by the IMiami Confederacy. The Iroquois, 
or Six Nations, were the terror of all other tribes. 
It was they who devastated the Illinois country 
about Rock Fort in IGSO, and caused wide-spread 
alarm among all the Western Indians. In ltiS4, 
Lord Howard, Governor of Virginia, held a treaty 
with the Iroquois at Albany, when, at the request 
of Col. Duncan, of New York, they placed them- 
•selves under the protection of the English. They 
made a deed of sale then, by treaty, to the British 
Government, of a vast tract of country south and 
east of the Illinois River, and extending into Can- 
ada. In 172G, another deed was drawn up and 
signed by the chiefs of the national confederacy by 
which their lands were conveyed in trust to 
England, '■ to be protected and defended by His 
Jlajesty. to and for the use of the grantors and 
their heirs."* 

If the Six Nations had a good claim to the West- 
ern country, there is but little doubt but England 
was justified in defending their country against the 
French, as, by the treaty of Utrecht, they had 
agreed not to invade the lands of Britain's Indian 
allies. This claim was vigorously contested by 
France, as that country claimed the Iroquois had 
no lawful jurisdiction over the West. In all the 
disputes, the interests of the contending nations 
was, however, the paramount consideration. The 
rights of the Indians were little regarded. 

The British also purchased land by the treaty 
of Lancaster, in 1744, wherein they agreed to pay 
the Six Nations for land settled unlawfully in 
Pennsylvania, Virginia and IMaryland. The In- 

* Annals of the West. 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



dians wore given goods and gold amounting to 
near a tluju.sand pounds sterling. They \vt>re also 
promised the protection of the English. Had this 
latter provision been faithfully carried out, much 
blood would have been saved in after yeai-s. The 
treaties with the 8ix Nations were the real basis 
of the claims of Great Britain to the We.st; claims 
that were only settled by war. The Shawanee In- 
dians, on the Ohio, were also becoming hostile to 
the Engli.sh, and began to assume a threatening 
e.xterior. Peter Churtier, a half-breed, residing in 
Philadelphia, escaped Irom the authorities, tho.se 
by whom he was held ibr a violation of the laws, 
and joining the Shawanees, persuaded them to join 
the French. Soon after, in 174:5 or 17-14, he 
placed himself at the head of -100 of their war- 
riors, and lay in wait on the Alleghany lliver for 
the provincial traders. He captured two, exhib- 
ited to them a captain's commission from the 
French, and seized their goods, worth .£1,()()(). 
The Indians, after this, emboldened by the aid 
given them by the French, became more and more 
hostile, and Weiser was again sent across the mount- 
ains in 1748, with presents to conciliate them and 
sound them on their feelings for the rival nations, 
and also to see what they thought of a settlement 
of the I'jnglish to be made in the West. The visit 
of Conrad ^Veiser'was successful, and Thomas Leo, 
with twelve other Mrginians, among whom were 
Lawrence and .\ugustine Washington, brothers of 
(Jeorge Washington, formed a company which 
they .styled the Ohio Company, and, in 1748, peti- 
tioned the King for a grant beyond the mountains. 
The raonarth ajiproved the petition and the gov- 
ernment of A'irginia wa.s ordered to grant tlie Com- 
pany r)0(),()()ll acres within the bounds of that 
colony beyond tlie Alleghanies, 200,000 of which 
were to be located at once. This provision was to 
hold good for ten years, free of quit rent, provided 
the Company would settle 100 families within 
seven years, and build a fort sufficient for their 
protection. These terms the Company accepted, 
and sent at once to Limdon for a cargo suitable for 
the Imlian trade. This was the beginning of 
Fnglisli Com])anies in the West; this one forming 
a prominent part in the history of Ohio, as will 
be seen hereafter. Others were also formed in 
Virginia, wh<ise object was the colonization of the 
West. One of those, the lioyal Company, received, 
on the 12th of June, 1749, a grant of 800,000 
acres, from the line of Canada on the north and 
west, and on the 20th of October, 1751. the Green- 
briar Company received a grant of 100,000 acres. 



To the.se encroachments, the French wen; by no 
moans blind. They saw plainly enough that if 
the English gained a foothold in the West, they 
would inevitably endeavor to obtain the country, 
and one day the issue could only be decided by 
war. Vaudreuil, the French Governor, had long 
anxiously watched the coming .struggle. In 1774, 
he wrote home representing the conse(|uencos that 
would surely come, should the English succeed in 
their plans. The towns of the French in Illinois 
were producing large amounts of bread-stuffs and 
provisions which they sent to New Orleans. These 
provinces were becoming valualile, and must not be 
allowed to come under control of a rival power. 
In 1740, Louis Celeron was sent by the Governor 
with a party of soldiers to plant leaden plates, suit- 
ably inscribed, along the ()hio at the mouths of 
the principal streams. Two of these plates were 
afh^rward exhumed. One was .sent to the Mary- 
land Historical Society, and the inscription* deci- 
phered by De ^Vltt Clinton. On these plates was 
clearly stated the claims of France, as will be seen 
from the translation below. 

F]ngland's claim, briefly and cloarlj' stated, read 
as follows: "That all lands, or countries west- 
ward from the Atlantic Ocean to the South Sea, 
between 48 and i54 degrees of North Latitu<lo, 
were expressly included in the grant of King 
James the First, to divers of his subjects, .so long 
time since as the year 1606, and aflerwards con- 
firmed in the year 1620; and under this grant, 
the colony of Virginia claims extent .so far west 
as the South Sea, and the ancient colonies of Ma.ss- 
achusetts Bay and Connecticut, were by their 
respective charters, made to extend to the said 
South Sea, so that not only the right to the sea 
coast, but to all the Inland countries from sea to 
sea, has at all times been asserted by the Crown of 
England."! 

To make good their titles, both nations were now 
doing their utmost. Profe.s.sedly at peace, it only 
needed a torch ajiplied, as it were, to any point, to 
instantly precipitate hostilities. The French were 

*Tho fnltowing is the trau.slation of the inscriplion of the plate 
found at Venango : " In tho year 1745, roign of Louis XV, King of 
Fnmi-e, we, Celeron, commantljint . T ,i il I i lnn-iit by Monsieur 
til') Marquis of Galllsoniere, Cnnim i i : i i I of New France, 

to o.stal>liRli tranquillity in certain I i' , , i l - in these Cantons, 
have buried this plate at the cniitlii n .,i i]i ■ Toraclakoin, this 
twenty-ninth of July, near the liivir ubio, oiherwiso Beautiful 
River, as a monument of renewal of possession which we have taken 
of the said river, and all its tributaries; and of all the land on lioth 
sides, as far as the sonrcenof snid rivers; inasmuch as the preceding 
Kings of France have enjoyed it, and maintained it by thnir arms 
and by treaties; especially by those of Byswick, Utrecht, and Aix 
La Chapelle." 

1 Colonial Reconls of Pennsilvania. 



40 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



bu.'^ily fiiiragcd erecting forts from the southern 
shores of Lake Erie to the Ohio, and on down in 
the Illinois Valley ; up at Detroit, and at all its 
posts, preparations were constantly going on for the 
crisis, now sure to come. The issue between the 
two governments was now fully made up. It ad- 
mitted of no compromise but the sword. To that, 
however, neither power desired an immediate ap- 
peal, and both sought rather to establish and fortify 
their interests, and to conciliate the Indian tribes. 
The English, through the Ohio Company, sent out 
Christopher Gist in the fall of 175(1, to explore the 
regions west of the mountains. He was instructed 
to examine the passes, trace the courses of the 
rivers, mark the falls, seek for valuable lands, ob- 
serve the strength, and to conciliate the friendship 
of the Indian tribes. He was well fitted for such 
an enterprise. Hardy, sagacious, bold, an adept in 
Indian character, a hunter by occupation, no man 
was better qualitied than he for such an undertak- 
ing. He visited Logstown, where he was jealously 
received, passed over to the Sluskingum River and 
Valley in Ohio, where he found a village of Wyan- 
dots, divided in sentiment. At this village he met 
Crogan, another e(jually famous frontiersman, who 
had been sent out by Pennsylvania. Together 
they held a council with the chiefs, and received 
assurance of the friendship of the tribe. This 
done, they passed to the Shawnee towns on the 
Scioto, received their assurances of friendship, and 
went on to the JMiami Valley, which they crossed, 
remarking in Crogan's journal of its great fertili- 
ty. They made a rafl of logs on which they 
crossed the Great Miaini, visited Piqua, the chief 
town of the Pickawillanies, and here made treaties 
with the Weas and Piankeshaws. While here, a 
(k'liutation of the Ottawas visited the Jliami Con- 
fetleracy to induce them to unite with the French. 
They were repulsed through the influence of the 
English agents, the Jliamis sending Gist word that 
they would " stand like the mountains. " Crogan 
now returned and published an account of their 
wanderings. Gist followed the JMiami to its 
mouth, passed down the Oliio till within fifteen 
miles of the falls, then returned by way of the 
Kentucky River, over the highlands of Kentucky 
to Virginia, arriving in May, 1751. He had 
visited the JMingoes, Delawares, Wyandots, Shawa- 
nees and Miamis, proposed a union among these 
tribes, and appointed a grand council to meet at 
Logstown to form an alliance among themselves 
and with ^'irgiiiia. His journc}' was marvelous 
for the day. It was extremely hazardous, as he 



was part of the time among hostile tribes, who 
could have captured him and been well rewarded 
by the French Government. But Gist knew liow 
to act, and was successful. 

While Gist wiis doing this, some English traders 
established themselves at a place in what is now 
known as Shelby County, Ohio, and opened a 
store for the purpose of trading with the Indians. 
This was clearly in the limits of the West, claimed 
by the French, and at once aroused them to actiim. 
The fort orstockade stood on the banks of Loriunii;'s 
Creek, abinit sixteen miles northwest of the present 
city of Sydney. It received the name Loramie 
from tlie creek by the French, which received 
its name in turn from the French trader of 
that name, who had a trading-post on this 
creek. Loramie had fled to tlie Spanish country 
west of the Mississijipi, and for many years 
was a trader there ; his store being at the junc- 
tion of the Kansas and Missouri, near the present 
city of Kansas City, Mo. When the English 
traders came to Lorsmiie's Creek, and erecteil 
their trading-place, they gave it the name of I'ick- 
awillany, from the tribe of Indians there. The 
Miami confederacy granted them this privilege 
as the result of the presents brought by Crogan and 
Gist. It is also asserted that Andrew Montour, 
a half-breed, son of a Seneca chief and the famous 
Catharine IMontour, who was an important fac- 
tor af\;erwurd in the EnglLsh treaties with the 
Indians, wa.s with them, and by his influence did 
much to aid in securing tlie privilege. Thus was 
establLshed the first English trading-post in the 
Northwest Territory and in Ohio. It, however, 
enjoyed only a short duration. The French could 
not endui'c .so clear an invasion of their country, 
and gathering a force of Ottawas and Chippewas, 
now their allies, they attacked the stockade in 
June, 1752, At first they demanded of the Miamis 
the surrender of the fort, as they were the real 
cause of its location, having granted the English 
the privilege. The Miamis not only refused, but 
aided the British in the defense. In the battle that 
ensued, fourteen of the Miamis were slain, and all 
the traders captured. One account says they were 
burned, another, and probably the correct one, 
states that they were taken to Canada as prisoners 
of war. It is probable the traders were fi-om Penn- 
sylvania, as that commonwealth made the Miamis 
presents as condolence for their warriors that were 
slain. 

Blood had now been shed. The opening gun of 
the French and Indian war had been fired, and both 



HISTOKY OF OHIO. 



nations became more deeply interested in affairs in 
the West. The Enirlish were determined to secure 
additional title to the West, and, in 1752, sent 
Messre. Fry, Lomax and Patton as commissioners 
to Logstown to treat with the Indians, and confirm 
the Lancaster treat}'. 'J'hey met the Inilians on 
the Uth of June, stated their desires, and on the 
11th received their answer. At first, the sav- 
ages were not inclined to recognize the Lancaster 
treaty, but agreed to aid the linglish, as the French 
had already made war on the Twigtees ( at Picka- 
willany), and con.sented to the establishment of a 
fort and trading-post at the forks of the Ohio. 
Tiiis was not all tho Virginians wanted, however, 
and taking a.side Andrew Jlontour, now chief of the 
Six Nations, persuaded him to use his influence 
with the red men. By such means, they jvere in- 
duced to treat, and on the loth they all united in 
signing a deed, confirming the Lancaster treaty in 
its full extent, consenting to a.settlement.s()Uthwest 
of the Ohio, and covenanting that it .'ihonld not be 
disturbed by them. By such means was obtained 
the treaty with the Indians in the Ohio Valle}'. 

All this time, the home governments were en- 
deavoring to out-maneuver each other with regard 
to the lands in the West, though there the outlook 
only betokened war. The French understood bet- 
ter than the English how to manage the Indians, 
and succeeded in attaching them firmly to their 
cause. The English were not honest in their 
actions with them, and henee, in afler years, the 
massacres that followed. 

At the close of 1752, Gist was at work, in con- 
formity with the Lancaster and Logstown treaties, 
laying out a fort and town on Chartier's Creek, 
about ten miles below the fork. Eleven families 
had crossed the mountains to settle at (jist's resi- 
dence west of Laurel Hill, not far from the Yough- 
iogheny. Goods had come from ]M)gland for the 
Ohio Company, which were carried as far West a.s 
Will's Creek, where Cumberland now stimds ; and 
where the}' were taken by the Indians and traders. 

On the other hand, the Frenih were gathering 
canncm and stores on Lake Eric, and, without 
treaties or deeds of land, were gaining the good 
will of the inimical tribes, and jireparing, when all 
was ready, to strike the blow. Their f'ortilicutions 
consisted of a chain of forts from Lake Erie to 
the Ohio, on the border. One was at Presque Isle, 
on the site of Erie ; one on French Creek, on the 
site of Waterford, Penn.; one at the mouth of 
French Creek, in Venango County, Penn.; while 
opposite it was another, effectually eonimandini: 



that .section of country. These forts, it will be 
observed, were all in the limits of the Pennsyl- 
vania colony. The Governor informed the Assem- 
bly of their existence, who voted £(jl}0 to be used 
in purchasing ])rescuts for the Indians near the 
forts, and thereby hold their l'riend.ship. Virginia, 
also, took similar nieasures. Trent was sent, with 
guns and ammunition and presents, to the friendly 
tribes, and, while on his mission, learned of the 
platfts of lead planted by the French. In October, 
1753, a treaty w;is eonsumiuated with representa- 
tives of the Iro(|Uois, Delawarcs, Shawanees, Twig- 
twees and Wyandots, by commissioners from 
Pennsylvania, one of whom was the philosopher 
Franklin. At the conferences held at this time, 
the Indians com])lained of the actions of the 
French in forcibly taking posscs-sion of the dis- 
puted country, and al.so bitterly denounced them 
for u.sing rum to intoxicate the red men, when 
they desired to gain any advantage. Not long 
after, they had similar grounds of complaint against 
the English, whose lawless traders cared fornothing 
but to gain the furs of the savage at as little ex- 
pense as po.ssible. 

The encroachments of the French on what was 
regarded as English territory, created intense feel- 
ing in the colonies, especially in Virginia. The 
purpose of the French to iiK.losc the Engli.sh on 
the Atlantic Coast, and thus prevent their extension 
over the mountains, became more and more ap- 
parent, and it was thought that this was the open- 
ing of a scheme already planned by the French 
Court to reduce all North America under the do- 
minion of France. Gov. .Dinwiddie determined 
to send an ambassador to the French posts, to as- 
certain their real intentions and to observe the 
amount and disposition of their forces. He.selected 
a young \'irginian, then in bis twenty-fii-st year, 
a surveyor by trade and one well qualified for the 
duty. That young man at^terward led the Ameii- 
can Colonies in their .struggle for liberty. George 
Washington and one coiiqianion, Mr Gist, suc- 
cessfully made the trip, in the solitude of a severe 
winter, received a.ssurance from the French com- 
mandant that they would by no means abandon 
their outposts, and would not yield nnless coni- 
])elled by force of arms. The commandant was 
exceedingly ])olite, but firm, and assured the young 
American that '• we claim the country on the Ohio 
by virtue of the di.seovery of La Salle (in ItJOO) 
and will not give it up to the Engli.sh. Our orders 
are to make prisoners of every Englishman found 
tradimr in the Ohio \'allev. " 



p) ^ 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



During Washington's absence steps were taken 
to fortify the point formed by the junction of the 
Monougahela and Alleghany ; and when, ou his 
return, he met seventeen horses loaded with mate- 
rials and stores for a fort at the forks of the Ohio, 
and, soon after, some families going out to settle, 
ho knew the defense had begun. As soon as 
AV'ashington made his report. Gov. Diuwiddic 
wrote to the Board of Trade, stating that the 
French were building a tort at Venango, and that, 
in JIarch, twelve or fifteen hundred men would 
be ready to descend the river with their Indian 
allies, for which purpose three hundred canoes had 
been collected ; and that Logstown was to be made 
headquarters, while forts were to be built in other 
places. He sent expresses to the Governors of 
Pennsjdvania and New York, apprising them of the 
nature of affairs, and calling upon them for assist- 
ance. He also raised two companies, one of which 
was raised by Washington, the other by Trent. 
The one under Trent was to be raised on the 
frontiers, and was, as soon as possible, to repair to 
the Fork and erect there a fort, begun by the Ohio 
Company. Owing to various conflicting opinions 
between the Governor of Pennsylvania and his 
Assembly, and the conference with the Six Nations, 
held by New York, neither of those provinces put 
forth any vigorous measiires until stirred to action 
by the invasions on the fi-ontiers, and until directed 
by the Earl of Holderness, Secretary of State. 

The fort at Venango was finished by the French 
in April, 1754. All along the creek resounded 
the clang of arras and the preparations for war. 
New York and Pennsylvania, though inactive, 
and debating whether the French really had in- 
vaded English territory or not, sent aid to the 
Old Dominion, now all alive to the conquest. The 
two companieshadbeen increased to six; Washing- 
tun was raised to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, 
and made second under command of Joshua 
Fry. Ten cannon, lately from England, were for- 
warded fnmi Alexandria ; wagons were got ready 
to carry westward provisions and stores through 
the heavy spring roads; and everywhere men were 
enlisting under the King's promise of two hundred 
thousand acres of land to those who would go. 
They were gathering along Will's Creek and far 
beyond, while Trent, who had come for more men 
and supplies, left a little band of forty-one men, 
working away in hunger and want at the Fork, to 
which both nations were looking with anxious eyes. 
Though no enemy was near, and only a few Indian 
scouts were seen, keen eyes had observed the low 



fortifications at the Fork. Swift feet had borne 
the news of it up the valley, and though Ensign 
Ward, left in command, felt himself secure, on the 
17 th of April he saw a sight that made his heart 
sick. Sixty batteaux and three hundred canoes 
were coming down the Alleghany. The com- 
mandant sent him a summons, which evaded no 
words in its meaning. It was useless to contend, 
that evening he supped with his conqueror ; the 
next day he was bowed out by the polite French- 
man, and with his men and tools marched up the 
Jlonongahela. The first birds of spring were fill- 
ing the air with their song ; the rivers rolled by, 
swollen by April showers and melting snows; all 
nature was putting on her robes of green ; and the 
fortress, which the English had so earnestly strived 
to obtain and fortify, was now in the hands of the 
French. Fort Du Quesne arose on the incomplete 
fortifications. The seven years' wai- that followed 
not only affected America, but spread to all quar- 
ters of the world. The war made England a great 
imperial power ; drove the French from Asia and 
America; di.spclled the brilliant and extended 
scheme of Louis and his voluptuous empire. 

The active field of operations was in the Canadas 
principally, and along the western borders of Penn- 
sylvania. There were so few people then in the 
present confines of Ohio, that only the pos.session 
of the country, in common with all the West, 
could be the animus of the conflict. It so much 
concerned this part of the New World, that a brief 
resume of the war will be necessary to fully under- 
stand its history. 

The fall of the post at the fork of the Ohio, Fort 
Du Quesne, gave the French control of the AVest. 
Washington went on with his few militia to re- 
take the post. Though he was successftil at first, 
he was in the end defeated, and surrendered, 
being allowed to return with all his munitions of 
war. The two governments, though trying to 
come to a peaceful solution of the question, were 
getting ready for the conflict. France went stead- 
ily on, thougli at one time England gave, in a 
measure, her consent to allow the French to retain 
all the country west of the Alleglianies and south 
of the lakes. Had this been done, what a diflerent 
future would have been in America ! Other des- 
tinies were at work, however, and the plan fell 
stillborn. 

England sent Gen. Braddock and a fine force 
of men, who marched directly toward the post on 
the (_)hio. His ill-fated expedition resulted only 
in the total defeat of his army, and his own death. 



HISTOKY OF OHIO. 



Washington saved a romiiant of the army, and 
made his way back to the colonies. Tlie Kn- 
<rlish needed a leader. They next planned lour 
(•:ii)ipaii.'ii-;; one against Fort Du Quesne; one 
i-iiii-i Crown Point; one against Niagara, and 
oil.' auaiii>t the French settlements in Nova Scotia. 
Neiuly every one proved a failure. The English 
were defeated (m sea and on laud, all owing to the 
incapacity of Parliament, and the want of a suit- 
able, vigorous hiader. The settlements on the front- 
iers, now exposed to a cruel foe, prepared to defend 
themselves, and already the signs of a government 
of their own, able to defend itself, began to 
appear. They received aid from the colonics. 
Though the French were not n^pulsed, tlioy and 
their red allies i'ound they could not murder with 
impunity. Self-preservation was a stronger incen- 
tive in conflict than aggrandizement, and the 
cruelty of the Indians found avengers. 

The great i^itt became Prime Minister June 29, 
1757. The leader of the English now appeared. 
The British began to regain their losses on sea and 
land, and for them a brighter day wa.s at hand. 
The key to the West mu.st be retaken, and to Gen. 
Forbes wa.s a.ssigned the duty. Preceding him, 
a trusty man was .sent to the Western Indians 
at the head-waters of the Ohio, and along the Mo- 
nongahela and Alleghany, to sec if some compro- 
mise with them could not be made, and their aid 
secured. The French had been busy through their 
ti-aders inciting the Indians against the English. 
The lawless traders were another source of trouble. 
Caring nothing for either nation, they carried on a 
dLstr&ssing traffic in direct violation of the laws, 
continually engendering ill-feeling among the na- 
tives. "Your traders," said one of them, "bring 
scarce anything but rum and flour. They bring 
little powder and lead, or other valuable goods. 
The rum ruins us. We beg you would ])revent 
its coming in such quantities by regulating the 
traders. * * * These wicked whiskj- sell- 
ers, when they have got the Indians in li((uor, make 
them sell the very clothes off their backs. If this 
practice be continued, we must be inevitably ruined. 
We mostcarnestly. therefore, beseech you to remedy 
it." They comjilained of the Frc^neh trad(!rs the same 
way. The\' were also beginning to see the animus 
of the whole conflict. Neither power cared as 
much for them as for their land, and flattered and 
bullied jjy turns as served their purpcjses best. 

The man selected to go upon this undertaking 
was Christian Frederic Post, a Moravian, who had 
lived among the Indians seventeen years, and mar- 



ried into one of their tribes. He was ami.ssionary, 
and though obliged to cross a couiiiiy whose every 
stream had been dyed by blood, and every hillside 
rung with the death-yell, and grown red with the 
light of burning huts, he went willingly on his way. 
Of his journey, sufferings and doings, his own 
journal tells the story. lie left Philadelphia on the 
1.5th of July, 1758, and on the 7th of August 
safely passed the French postal Venango, went on 
to Big Beaver Creek, where he held a conference 
with the chiefs of the Indians gathered there. It 
was decided that a great conference should be 
held opposite Fort Du Quesne, where there were 
Indians of eight nations. "We will bear you in 
our bosoms," .said the natives, when Post expressed 
a fear that he might be delivered over to the 
French, and royally they fulfilled their promises. 
At the conference, it was made clear to Post that 
all the Western Indians were wavering in their 
allegiance to the French, owing largely to the fail- 
ure of that nation to fulfill their promises of aid to 
prevent them from btnug deprived of their land by 
the Six Nations, and through that confederacy, by the 
English. The Indians complained bitterly, more- 
over, of the disposition of the whites in over-run- 
ning and claiming their lands. "Why did you not 
fight your battles at home or on the sea, instead of 
coming into our country to fight them?" they 
ivsked again and again, and mournfully shook their 
heads when they thought of the future before them. 
" I'oiir heart is good," said they to Po.st. " Von 
speak sincerely ; but we know there is always a great 
number who wish to get rich ; they have enough ; 
look ! we do not want to be rich and t:ike away 
what others have. The white peojjle think we 
have no brains in our heads ; that they are big, 
and we are a handful ; but remember when you 
hunt for a rattlesnake, you cannot always find it, 
and perhaps it will turn and bite you before you see 
it."* When the war of Pontiac came, and all 
the West was desolated, this saying might have 
been justly remembered. After concluding a peace. 
Post set out for Philadelphia, and after incredi- 
ble hard.ships, reached the settlement uninjured 
early in September. His mission had more to do 
than at first is apparent, in the success of the 
Engli.sh. Had it not been for him, a second Brad- 
dock's defeat might have befiiUen Forbes, now on 
his way to subjugate Fort Du Quesne. 

Through the heatsof Augu.st, the armj- hewed its 
way toward the West. Early in September it 



•Post's Journal. 



-.'Z 



iiiSTony OF OHIO. 



reached Raystown, whitlier Wasliiniiteu liaj been 
ordered with his troops. Sickness liad jirevented 
him from being here ah'eady. Two officers were 
sent out to reeonnoiter the fort, who returned and 
gave a very good account of its condition. Gen. 
Forbes desired to know more of it, and sent out 
Maj. Grant, with 800 men, to gain more complete 
knowledge. Maj. Grant, supposing not more than 
-DO soldiers to bo in the fort, marched near it and 
made a feint to draw them out, and engage them 
in battle. He was greatly misinl'ormed as to the 
strength of the Frencli, and in the engagement 
that followed he was badly beaten — 270 of his men 
killed, 42 wounded, and several, including himself, 
taken prisoners. Tlie French, elated with their 
victory, attacked the main army, but were repulsed 
and obliged to retreat to the fort. The army con- 
tinued on its march. On the 24th of November 
they reached Turtle Creek, where a council of war 
was held, and where Gen. Forbes, who liad been so 
ill as to be carried on a litter from the start, de- 
clared, with a mighty oath, he would sleep that 
night in the fort, or in a worse place. The Indi- 
ans had, however, carried the news to the French 
that the English were as plenty as the trees of the 
woods, and in their fright they set fire to the fort in 
the night and left up and down the Ohio lliver. 
The next mcirning the English, who had heard the 
explosion of the magazine, and seen the light of 
the burning walls, marched in and took peaceable 
possession. A small fortification was thrown up 
on the bank, and, in honor of the great English 
statesman, it was called Fort Pitt. Col. Hugh Mer- 
cer was left in command, and the main body of the 
army marched back to the settlements. It reached 
Piiiladelphia January 17, 1759. On the 11th of 
3Iarch, Gen. Forbes died, and was buried in the 
chancel of Christ's Church, in that city. 

Post was now sent on a mission to the Six Na- 
tions, with a report of the ti-eaty of Easton. He 
was again instrumental in preventing a coalition of 
the Indians and the French. Indeed, to this ob- 
scure Jloravian missionary belongs, in a largo 
measure, the lionor of the capture of Fort Du 
Quesne, for by his influence had the Indians been 
restrained from attacking the army on its march. 

The garrison, on leaving the fort, went up and 
down the Ohio, part to Presque Isle by land, part to 
Fort A'enango, while some of them went on down 
the Ohio nearly to the Mississippi, and there, in 
what is now Massac County, 111., erected a fort, 
called by them Port Massac. It was afterward 
named by many Fort Massacre, from the erroneous 



supposition that a gai'ri.son had been massacred 
there. 

The French, though dejirived of the key to 
the West, went on preparing stores and ammunition, 
expecting to retake the fort in the spring. Before 
they could do this, however, other places demanded 
their attention. 

The success of the campaign of 1758 opened 
the way for the consummation of the great scheme 
of Pitt — the complete reduction of Canada. Three 
expeditions were planned, by which Canada, 
already well nigh annihilated and suflering for 
food, was to be subjugated. C)n tlie west, Prideaux 
was to attack Niagara ; in the center, Amherst was 
to advance on Ticonderoga and Crown Point ; on 
the east, Wolfe was to besiege Quebec. All these 
points gained, the three armies were to be united 
in the center of the province. 

Amherst appeared before Ticonderoga July 22. 
The French blew up their works, and retired 
to Crown Point. Driven from there, they re- 
treated to Isle Aus Nois and entrenched them- 
selves. The lateness of the season prevented fur- 
ther action, and Amherst went into winter quar- 
ters at Crown Point. Early in Juno, Wolfe 
appeared before Quebec with an army of 8,000 
men. On the night of September 12, he silently 
ascended the river, climbed the heights of Abra- 
liam, a spot considered impregnable by the 
French, and on the summit formed his army of 
5,000 men. Montcalm, the French commander, 
was compelled to give battle. The British col- 
umns, flushed with success, charged his half-formed 
lines, and dispersed them. 

"They fly! they fly!" heard Wolfe, just as he 
expired from the effect of a mortal wound, though 
not till he had ordered their retreat cut off', and 
exclaimed, "Now, God be praised, I die happy." 
Montcalm, on hearing from the surgeon that death 
would come in a few hours, said, "I am glad of it. 
I shall not live to see the surrender of Quebec." At 
five the next morning he died happy. 

Prideaux moved up Lake Ontario, and on the 
6th of July invested Niagara. Its capture would 
cut off' the French from the west, and every en- 
deavor was made to hold it. Troops, destined to 
take the small garrison at Fort Pitt, were held to 
assist in raising the siege of Niagara. M. de 
Aubry, commandant in Illinois, came up with 400 
men and 200,000 pounds of flour. Cut oft' by the 
abandonment of Fort Du Quesne front the Ohio 
route, he ascended that river as far as the Wabash, 
thence to portage of Fort Miami, or Fort Wayne, 



rxl 



^, 



down the Maunioe to Lake Eric, and on to Presqu- 
ville, or Presque Isle, over the portage to Le Boeuf, 
and thence down French Creek to Fort Venango. 
He was chosen to lead the expedition for the relief 
of Niagara. Thej' were pursued by Sir William 
Johnson, successor to Prideaux, who had lost his 
life by the bursting of a cannon, and were obliged to 
flee. The next day Niagara, cut off from succor, 
surrendered. 

All America rang with exultation. Towns were 
bright with illuminations ; the hillsides shone with 
bonfires. From press, from pulpit, from platform, 
and from speakers' desks, went up one glad song of 
rejoicing. England was victorious everj-where. 
The colonics had done their fiiU share, and now 
learned their strength. That strength was needed 
now, ibr ere long a different conflict raged on the 
soil of America — a conflict ending in the birth of 
a new nation. 

The English sent Gen. Stanwix to fortify Fort 
Pitt, still looked upon as one of the principal for- 
tresses in the West. He erected a good fortifica- 
tion there, which remained under British control 
fifteen years. Now nothing of the fort is left. No 
memorial of the British passessicm remains in the 
West but a single redoubt, built in 1764 by Col. 
Bouquet, outside of the fort. Even this can hardly 
now be said to exist. 

The fall of Quebec did not immediately produce 
the submi.ssion of Canada. M. de Levi, on whom 
the command devolved, retired with the French 
Army to Jlontreal. In the spring of 17t!0, he bo- 
sieged Queb(!c, but the arrival of an English fleet 
caused him to again retreat to Montreal. 

Amherst and Johnson, meanwhile, effected a 
union of their forces, the magnitude of whose 
armies convinced the French that resistance would 
be useless, and on the 8th of September, M. de 
Vaudreuil, the Governor of Canada, surrendered 
Montreal, Quebec, Detroit, Mackinaw and all other 
posts in Canada, to the English commander-in- 
chief, Amherst, on condition that the French in- 
habitants should, during the war, be "protected 
in the full and free exercise of their religion, and 
the full enjoyment of their civil rights, leaving 
their future destinies to be decided by the treaty 
of peace. " 

Though peace was concluded in the New World, 
on the Continent the Powers experieiuM'd some 
diflieulty in arriving at a satisfactory sittlcincnt. 
It was finally .settled bj' what is known in historj- 
as the ''family compact." France and Spain saw 
in the conquest the growing power of England, 



and saw, also, that its continuance only extended 
that power. Negotiations were re-opened, and on 
the 3d of November, 1762, preliminaries were 
agreed to and signed, and afterward ratified in 
Paris, in February, 1763. By the terms of the 
compact, Spain ceded to Great Britian East and 
West Florida. To compensate Spain, France 
ceded to her by a secret article, all Louisiana west 
of the Mississippi. 

The French and Indian war was now over. 
Canada and all its dependencies were now in pos- 
session of the English, who hold undisputed sway 
over the entire West as far as Jlississippi. It only 
remaineil for them to take po.ssession of the out- 
posts. Major Robert Rogers was sent to take po.s- 
session of Detroit and establish a garrison tliere. 
lie was a partisan officer on the borders of New 
Hampshire, where he earned a name for braver}', 
but afterward tarnished it by trea.sonable acts. On 
his way to Detroit, on the 7th of November, 1760, 
he Wits met by the renowned chief, Pontiac, who 
authoritatively commanded him to pause and ex- 
plain his acts. Rogers replied by explaining the 
conquest of Canada, and that he was acting under 
orders from his King. Thrt>ugh the influence of 
Pontiac, the army was saved from the Indians 
sent out by the French, and was allowed to pro- 
ceed on its wa}'. Pontiac had iissured his protec- 
tion as long as the English treated him with due 
deference. Beletre, the commandant at Detroit, 
refused to surrender to the English commander, 
until he had received positive aissurance from his 
Governor, Vaudreuil, that the country was indeed 
conquered. On the 29th of September, the colors 
of France gave way to the ensign of Great Britain 
amid the shouts of the soldiery and the astonish- 
ment of the Indians, whose savage natures could 
not understand how such a simple act declared one 
nation victors of another, and who wondered at 
the forbearance? disjilayed. The lateness of the 
season prevented i'nrther operations, but early the 
next spring, Mackinaw. Green Bay, Ste. Marie, St. 
Jo.seph and the t)uitenon surrounded, and nothing 
was left but the Illinois towns. These were se- 
cured as soon as the necessary arrangements could 
be made. 

Thougli the English were now masters of the 
We.st, and had, while many of these events naiv 
rated were transpiring, extended their .settlements 
beyond the Alleghanies, they were by no means 
.secure in their possession. The woods and prairies 
were full of Indians, who, finding the English like 
the French, caring more for gain than the welfare 



Ai 



48 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



of the natives, began to exhibit impatience and re- 
sentment as they saw their lands gradually taken 
from them. The English policy differed very 
materially from the French. The French made 
the Indian, in a measure, independent and taught 
him a desire for European goods. They also 
affiliated easily with them, and became thereby 
strongly endeared to the savage. The French 
were a merry, easy-going race, fond of gayety and 
delighting in adventure. The English were harsh, 
stern, and made no advances to gain the friend- 
ship of the savage. They wanted land to cultivate 
and drove away the Indian's game, and forced him 
farther west. "Where shall we go?" said the 
Indian, despondently ; "you drive us farther and 
farther west; by and by you will want all the 
laud." And the Anglo-Saxon went sturdily on, 
paying no heed to the complaints. The French 



traders incited the Indian to resent the encroach- 
ment. " The English will annihilate you and take 
all your land," said they. " Their father, the King 
of France, had been asleep, now he had awakened 
and was coming with a great army to reclaim Can- 
ada, that had been stolen from him while he slept." 
Discontent under such circumstances was but 
natural. Soon all the tribes, from the mountains 
to the Mississippi, were united in a plot. It was 
discovered in 1761, and arrested. The next sum- 
mer, another was detected and arrested. The 
officers, and all the people, failed to realize the 
danger. The rattlesnake, though not found, was 
ready to strike. It is only an Indian discontent, 
thought the people, and they went on preparing to 
occupy the country. They were mistaken — the 
crisis only needed a leader to dii'ect it. That 
leader appeared. 



CHAPTER IV. 



PONTIAC'S CONSPIRACY— ITS FAILURE— BOUQUET'S EXPEDITION— OCCUPATION BY THE 

ENGLISH. 



PONTIAC, the greatchief of the Ottawas, was 
now about fifty years old. He had watched 
the conflict between the nations with a jealous eye, 
and as he saw the gradual growth of the English 
people, their encroachment on the lands of the In- 
dians, their gi-eed, and their assumption of the soil, 
his soul was stirred within him to do something 
for his people. He had been a true friend of the 
French, and had led the Indians at the defeat of 
Braddock. Amid all the tumult, he alone saw the 
true state of affiiirs. The English would inevit- 
ably cru.sh out the Indians. To save his race he 
saw another alliance with the French was neces- 
sary, and a restoration of their power and habits 
needed. It was the plan of a statesman. It only 
failed because of the perfidy of the French. Matur- 
ing his plans late in the autumn of 17C2, he sent 
messengers to all the Western and Southern tribes, 
with the black wampum and red tomahawk, em- 
blems of war, from the great Pontiac. " On a cer- 
tain day in the next year," said the messenger, "all 
the tribes are to rise, seize all the English posts, 
and then attack the whole frontier." 

The gxeat council of all the tribes was held at 
the river Ecorces, on the 27tli of April, 1703. 
There, before the assembled chiefs, Pontiac deliv- 



ered a speech, full of eloquence and art. He 
recounted the injuries and encroachments of the 
English, and disclosed their designs. The French 
king was now awake and would aid them. Should 
they resign their homes and the graves of their 
fathers without an eScn't? Were their young men 
no longer brave? Were they squaws? The 
Great Master of Life had eliided them for their 
inactivity, and had sent his commands to drive 
the "Red Dogs" from the earth. The chiefs 
eagerly accepted the wampum and the tomahawk, 
and separated to prepare for the coming strife. 

The post at Detroit was informed of the plot 
the evening before it was to occur, by an Ojibway 
girl of great beauty, the mistress of the com- 
mander. Major Gladwin. Pontiac was foiled here, 
his treacheiy discovered, and he was sternly ordered 
fi-om the conference. A regular seige followed, 
but he could not prevail. He exhibited a degree 
of sagacity unknown in the annals of savage war- 
fare, but all to no purpose ; the English were too 
strong for him. 

At all the other posts, save one, however, the 
plans of Pontiac were carried out, and atrocities, 
unheard of before in American hi.story, resulted. 
The Indians attacked Detroit on the first of 5Iay, 






l^ 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



49 



and, foiled in tlicir plans-, a siege immediately fol- 
lowed. On the IGtli, a party of Indians appeared 
before the fort at Sandusky. Seven of them were 
admitted. Suddenly, while smokinj;, the nia.ssacre 
begins. All but Ensign PauUi, the commander, 
fall. He is carried its a trophy to I'ontiac. 

At the mouth of the St. Joseph'.s, the mission- 
aries had maintained a mission station over sixty 
yeai-s. Thej' gave way to an Engli.<li garrison of 
fourteen soldiers and a few traders. On the 
morning of May 25, a deputation of Pottawato- 
raies are allowed to enter. In less than two min- 
utes, all the g'jirrison but the commander are slain. 
He is sent to Pontiac. 

Near the present city of Fort Wayne, Ind., 
at the junction of the waters, stood Fort Miami, 
garrisoned by a few men. Holmes, the com- 
mander, is asked to visit a sick woman. He is 
slain on the way, the sergeant following is made 
prisoner, and the nine soldiei-s surrender. 

On the night of the last day of May, the wam- 
pum reaches the Indian village below La Fayette, 
Ind., and near Fort Ouitcnon. The commander 
of the fort is lured into a cabin, bound, and his 
gaiTison surrender. Through the clemency of 
French settlers, they are received into their houses 
and protected. 

At Michilimackinac, a game of ball is projected. 
Suddenly the ball is thrown through the gate of the 
stockade. The Indians press in, and, at a signal, 
almo.st all are slain or made prisoners. 

The fort at Presque Isle, now Erie, was the 
point of communication between Pittsburgh and 
Niagara and Detroit. It was one of the most 
tenable, and had a garrison of four and twenty 
men. On the 22d of June, the commander, to 
save his forces from total annihilation, surrenders, 
and all are carried prisoners to Detroit. 

The capitulation at Erie left Le Bosnf with- 
out hope. He Wius attacked on the ISth, 
but kept off tlie Indians till midnight, when he 
made a successful retreat. As they passed Ve- 
nango, on their way to Fort Pitt, they saw only 
the ruins of that ganxson. Not one of its immates 
had been spared. 

Fort Pitt was the mo.st important station west 
of the Alleghanies. " Escape ! " said Turtle's 
Heart, a Delaware warrior ; " you will all be 
.slain. A gi-eat army is coming." "There are 
three large English armies coming to my aid," 
said Ecuyer, the commander. " I have enough 
pro\Tsions and ammunitiou to stand a siege of three 
years' time." A second and third attempt was 



made by the savages to capture the post, but all to 
no avail. Baffled on all .sides here, they destroy 
Ligonier, a few miles below, and massacre men, 
women and childnai. Fort Pitt was besieged till 
the la.st day of July, but withstood all attacks. 
Of all the outposts, only it and Detroit were left. 
All had been captured, and the majority of the 
garrison slain. Along the frontier, the war was 
waged with fiiry. The Indians were fighting for 
their homes and their hunting-grounds; and i'or 
these they fought with the fury and zeal of 
fanatics. 

Detachments sent to aid Detroit arc cut off. 
The prisonere are burnt, and Pontiac, infusing his 
zealous and demoniacal sjiirit into all his savage 
allies, pressed the siege with vigor. The French 
remained neutral, yet Pontiac made requisitions 
on them and on their neighbors in Illinois, issuing 
bills of credit on birch-bark, all of which were 
faithftdly redeemed. Though these two posts 
could not be captured, the frontier could be 
annihilated, and vigorously the Indians pursued 
their policy. Along the borders of Pennsylvania 
and Virginia a relentless warfare was waged, 
sparing no one in its way. Old age, feeble infancy, 
strong man and gentle woman, fair girl and hope- 
ful boy — all fell before the scalping-knife of the 
merciless savage. The fi-ontiers were devastated. 
Thousands were obliged to flee, leaving their 
possessions to the torch of the Indian. 

The colonial government, under Briti.sh direc- 
tion, was inimical to the borders, and the colonists 
saw they must depend only upon their own arms 
for protection. Already the struggle for ft-ecdom 
was upon them. They could defend only them- 
selves. They must do it, too; for that defense is 
now needed in a different c;iuse than settling dis- 
putes between rival powers. " We have millions 
for defense, but not a cent for tribute," said they, 
and time verified the remark. 

Gen. Amherst bestirred himself to aid the 
frontiers. He sent Col. Henry Bouquet, a native 
of Switzerland, and now an officer in the English 
Army, to relieve the garrison at Fort l*itt. They 
followed the route made by (Jen. Forbes, aiul on 
the way relieved Forts Bedford and Ligonier, both 
beleaguered by the Indians. About a day's jour- 
ney beyond Ligonier, he was attacked by a body 
of Indians at a place called Bushy Hun. For 
awhile, it seemed that he and all his army would 
be destroyed ; but Bou(iuet was bold and brave 
and, under a feint of retreat, routed the savages. 
He pas.sed on, and relieved the garrison at Fort 



V 



50 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



Pitt, and thus secured it against the assaults of 
the Indians. 

The campaign had been disa.strous to the Kn- 
glish, but fatal to the jilaus of Fontiac. He could 
not capture Detroit, and he knew the great scheme 
must fail. Tlio ])attle of Bushy Run and the 
relief of Fort Pitt closed the campaign, and all 
hope of co-operation was at an end. Circum- 
stances were combined against the confederacy, 
and it was fast falling to pieces. A proclamation 
was issued to the Indians, explaining to tliem the 
existing state of affairs, and showing to them the 
futility of their plans. Pontiac, however, would 
not give up. Again he renewed the siege of De- 
troit, and Gen. Gage, now in command of the 
army in the colonies, resolved to carry the war 
into their own country. Col. Bradstreet was or- 
dered to lead one army by way of the lakes, 
against the Northern Indians, while Col. Bouquet 
was sent against the Indians of the Ohio. Col. 
Bradstreet went on his way at the head of 1,200 
men, but trusting too much to the natives and 
their promises, his expedition proved largely a fail- 
ure. He relieved Detroit in August, 1764, which 
had been confined in the garrison over fifteen 
months, and dispersed the Indians that yet lay 
around the fort. But on his way back, he saw how 
the Indians had duped hiui, and that they were 
still plundering the settlements. His treaties were 
annulled by Gage, wlio ordered him to destroy 
their towns. The sciison was far advanced, liis 
provisions were getting low, and he was obliged to 
return to Niagara chagrined and disappointed. 

Col. Bouquet knew well the character of the 
Indians, and shaped his plans accordingly. He 
had an army of 1,500 men, 500 regulars and 1,000 
volunteers. They had had experience in fighting 
the savages, and could be depended on. At Fort 
Loudon, he heard of Bradstreet's ill luck, and saw 
through the deception practiced by the Indians. 
He arrived at Fort Pitt the 17th of September, 
where he an'csted a deputation of chiefs, who met 
him with the same promises that had deceived 
Bradstreet. He sent one of their number back, 
threatening to put to death the chiefs unless they 
allowed his messengers to safely pass through their 
country to Detroit. The decisive tone of his 
words convinced them of the fate that awaited 
tlieni unless they complied. On the 3d of Octo- 
ber the army left Fort Pitt, marched down the 
river to and across the Tuscarawas, arriving in the 
vicinity of Fredrick Post's late mission on the 17th. 
There a conference was held with the assembled 



tribes. Bouquet sternly rebuked them i'or their 
i'aithlessness, and when told by the chiefs they could 
not restrain their young men, lie as sternly told 
them they were responsible for their acts. He 
told them he would trust them no longer. If they 
delivered up all their prisoners within twelve days 
they might hope for peace, otherwise there would 
be no mercy shown them. They were completely 
humbled, and, separating hastily, gathered their 
captives. On the 25th, the army proceeded down 
to the Tuscarawas, to the junction with White 
Woman lliver, near the town of Coshocton, in 
Coshocton County, Ohio, and there made jirepa- 
rations for the reception of the captives. There 
they remained until the 18th of November; from 
day to day prisoners were brought in — men, women 
and children — and delivered to their friends. JIany 
were the touching scenes enacted during this time. 
The separated husband and wife met, the latter 
often carrying a child born in captivity. Brothers 
and sisters, separated in youth, met ; lovers rushed 
into each other's arms ; children found their 
parents, mothers their sons, fathers their daughters, 
and neighbors those from whom they had been 
separated many years. Yet, there were many dis- 
tressing scenes. Some looked in vain for long-lost 
relatives and friends, that never should return. 
Others, that had been captured in their infiiuey, 
would not leave their savage friends, and when 
force was used some fled away. One mother 
looked in vain for a child she had lost years be- 
fore. Day by day, she anxiously watched, but no 
daughter's voice reached her ears. One, clad in 
savage attire, was brought before her. It could 
not be her daughter, slie was grown. So was the 
maiden before her. " Can not you remember some 
mark'?" asked Bouquet, whose sympathies were 
aroused in this case. "There is none," said the 
anxious and sorrowful mother. "Sing a song you 
sang over her cradle, she may remember," suggested 
the commander. One is sung by her mother. As 
the song of childhood floats out among the trees 
the maiden stops and listens, then approaches. 
Yes, she remembers. Blother and daughter are 
held in a close embrace, and the stern Bouquet 
wipes away a tear at the scene. 

On the IStli, the army broke up its encamp- 
ment and started on its homeward march. Bouquet 
kept six principal Indians as hostages, and re- 
turned to the homes of the captives. The Indians 
kept their promises faithftilly, and the next year 
representatives of all the Western tribes met Sir 
William Johnson, at the German Flats, and made 



1^ a 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



■4- 



a treaty of peace. A tract of land in the Indian 
country wius ceded to the wliites for the benefit of 
those who liad suffered in the late war. The In- 
dians desired to make a treaty with Joliuson, 
wlurelpy the Alleirliaiiy Kivcr .should be the we.st- 
ern boundary of the Knglish, but he excused him- 
self on the ground of [troper power. 

Not long after this the Illinois settlement!?, too 
remote to know much of the .struggle or of any of 
the great event.s that had convulsed an empire, and 
changed the destiny of a nation, were brought 
under the English rule. There were five villages 
at this date: Ka.skaskia, Cahokia, St. Philip, Vin- 
cennes and Prairie du Kocher, ne:ir Fort Chartrcs, 
the military headquartei's of these Fnncli posses- 
sions. They were under the control or command 
of M. de_ Abadie, at New Orleans. They had also 
ext-ended explorations west of the MissLssippi, and 
made a few settlements in what was Spanish terri- 
tory. The country had been, however, ceded to 
France, and in February, lT<i4. the country was 
formally taken possession of and the present city 
of St. Jjouis laid out. 

As soon a.s the French knew of the change of 
government, many of them went to the west side of 
the river, and took up their residence there. They 
were protected in their religion and civil rights by 
the terms of the treaty, but preferred the rule of 
their own King. 

The British took possession of this country early 
in ITG.T. Gen. Gage sent Capt. Stirling, of the 
English Army, who arrived before summer, and to 
whom St. Ange, the nominal commandant, surren- 
dered the authority. The British, through a suc- 
cession of commanders, retiiined control ofthecoun- 
try until deU^ated by George Rogers Clarke, and 
his "nigged \'irginia militia." 

After a short time, the French again ceded the 
country west of the Mississippi to Spain, and re- 
limiuislird forever their control of all the West in 
the New World. 

The population of Western Louisiana, when the 
exchange of governments occurred, was estimated 
to be 13,588, of which 891 were in the Illinois 
country — as it was called — west of the MissLssippi. 
Eitst of the river, and before the French crossed 
into Spanish country, the population was estimated 
to be about 3,000. All the.se had grown into 
communities of a peculiar character. Indeed, that 
peculiarity, as ha.s beim observed, never changed 
until a gradual amalgamation with the American 
people effected it, and that took more than a cen- 
tury of time to accomplish. 



The English now owned the Northwest. True, 
they did not yet occupy but a small part of it, but 
traders were ag;iin crossing the mountains, ex- 
plorers fur lands were on the Ohio, and families 
for settlement were beginning to look upon the 
West a.s their future home. Companies were again 
forming to purchase large tracts in the Ohio coun- 
try, and open them for emigration. One thing yet 
stood in the way — a definite boundary line. That 
line, however, was between the English and the 
Indians, and not, as had heretofore been the case, 
between rival European Powers. It was necessary 
to arrange some definite boundary before land com- 
panies, who wore now actively pushing their claims, 
could safely survey and locate their lands. 

Sir William Johnson, who had at previous times 
been instrumental in securing treaties, wrote re- 
peatedly to the Board of Trade, who controlled the 
greater part of the commercial tran.sactions in the 
colonies — and who were the first to ext-laim against 
extending English settlements beyond a limit 
whereby they would need manufactures, and there- 
by become independent of the Mother Country — 
urging upun them, and through them the Crown, the 
necessity i>f a fixed bcjundiLrv, else another Indian 
war was prubul)le. The Indians found themselves 
gradually hemmed in by the growing power of tlu; 
whites, and began to exhibit hostile ieelings. The 
irritation became so great that in the summer of 
1767, Giige wrote to the Governor of Pennsylvania 
concerning it. The Governor communicated his 
letter to the General Assembly, who sent repre- 
sentatives to England, to urge the immediate set- 
tlement of the question. In com|)liance with these 
requests, and the letters of prominent citizens, 
Franklin among the number, instructions were sent 
to Johnson, ordering him to complete the purchase 
from the Six Nations, and settle all differences. 
He sent word to all the Western tribes to meet 
him at Fort Stanwix, in October, 17(i8. The con- 
ference Wiis held on the 24th of that month, and 
was attended by colonial representatives, and by 
Indians from all parts of the Northwest. It was 
determined that the line .should begin on the Ohio, 
at the mouth of the Ciienikee (Tennes.see), thence 
up the river to the Alleghany and on to Kittan- 
ning, and thence across to the Susquehanna. By 
this line, the whole country south of the Ohio and 
Alleghany, to which the Six Nations liad any 
claim, was transferred. Part of this land was 
made to compensate twenty-two traders, whose goods 
had been stolen in 1703. The deeds made, were 
upon the express agreement that no claims should 






HISTORY OF OHIO. 



ever be based on the treaties of Lancaster, Logs- 
town, etc., and were signed by the chiefs of the Six 
Nations for themselves, their allies and dependents, 
and the Sliawanees, Delawares, Mingoes of Ohio, 
and others; though the Shawanees and Delaware 
deputies did not sign them. On this treaty, in a 
great me;isure, rests the title by purchase to Ken- 
tucky, Western Virginia and Western Pennsylva- 
nia. The rights of the Chcrokces were purchased 
by Col. Donaldson, either for the King, Virginia, 
or for himself, it is impossible to say which. 

The grant of the northern confederacy was now 
made. The white man could go in and possess 
these lands, and know that an army would protect 
him if necessary. Under such a guarantee, West^ 
ern lands came rapidly into market. In addition 
to companies already in existence for the purchase 
of land, others, the most notable of these being the 
"Walpole" and the "Mississippi" Land Companies, 
were formed. This latter had among its organizers 
such men ;is Francis Lightfoot Lee, Kichard 
Henry Lee, George Washington and Arthur Lee. 
Before any of these companies, some of whom ab- 
sorbed the Ohio Company, could do anything, the 
Revolution came on, and all land transactions were 
at an end. Atler its close. Congress would not 
sanction their claims, and they fell through. This 
did not deter settlers, however, from crossing the 
mountains, and settling in the Ohio country. In 



spite of troubles with the Indians — some of whom 
regarded the treaties with the Six Nations as un- 
lawful, and were disposed to complain at the rapid 
influx of whites — and the failure of the land com- 
panies, settlers came steadily during the decade 
from 17G8 to 1778, so that by the close of that 
time, there was a large population south of the 
Ohio River ; while scattered along the northern 
banks, extending many miles into the wilderness, 
were hardy adventurers, who were carving out 
homes in the magnificent forests everywhere cov- 
ering the country. 

Among the foremost speculators in Western 
lands, was George Washington. As early as 17G3, 
he employed Col. Crawford, aflerward the leader in 
" Crawford's campaign," to purchase lands for him. 
In 1770, lie crossed the mountains in company 
with several gentlemen, and examined the country 
along the Ohio, down which stream he passsed to 
the mouth of the Great Kanawha, where he shot 
some buffalo, then plenty, camped out a few nights, 
and returned, fully convinced, it seems, that one 
day the West would be the best part of the New- 
World. He owned, altogether, nearly fifty thou- 
sand acres in the West, which he valued at §3.33 
per acre. Had not the war of the Revolution just 
then broken out, he might have been a resident of 
the West, and would have been, of course, one of 
its most prominent citizens. 



CHAPTER V. 



AMERICAN EXPLORATIONS — DUNMORES WAR — CAMPAIGN OF GEORGE ROGERS CLARKE- 
LAND TROUBLES— SPAIN IN THE REVOLUTION — MURDER OF 
THE MORAVIAN INDIANS. 



MEANWHILE, Kentucky was filling with 
citizen.s, and though consideraliK' tioiilile 
was experienced with the Indians, and the <i]]erati.ins 
of Col. Richard Henderson and others, who made 
unlawful treaties with the Indians, yet Daniel 
Bocme and his lussociates had established a 
commonwealth, and, in 1777, a county was 
formed, which, erelong, was divided into three. 
Louisville was laid out on land belonging to 
Tories, and an important start made in this part 
of the West. Emigrants came down the Ohio 
River, saw the northern shores were inviting, and 
sent back such accounts that the land north of the 
river rapidly grew in favor with Eastern people. 



One of the most important Wastern characters, 
Col. (afterward Gen.) George Rogers Clarke, had 
had much to do in forming its character. He 
was born November 19, 1732, in Albemarle 
County. Va., and early came West. He had an 
unusually sagacious sjiirit, was an excellent sur- 
veyor and general. andl(ii)k an active interest in 
all State and national affairs. He understood the 
animus of the Revolution, and was prepared to 
do his part. Col. Clarke was now meditating a 
move unequaled in its boldness, and one that luid 
more to do with the success of America in the 
struggle for independence than at first appears. 
He saw through the whole plan of the British, 



:i: 



'-^ 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



who held all the outposts, Kaskaskia, Detroit, 
Vincennes and Niagara, and determined to circum- 
vent thcni and wrest the West from their power. 
The British hoped to encircle the Americans by 
these outposts, and also unite the Indians in a 
common war against them. That had been 
attempted by the French when the English con- 
fjuered them. Then the French had a powerful 
ally in the person of Pontiac, yet the brave front- 
iersmen heltl their homes in many places, though 
the Indians "drank the blood of many a Briton, 
scooping it up in the hollow of joined hands." 
Now the Briton had no Pontiae to lead the scat> 
tered tribes — tribes who now feared the unerring 
aim of a settler, and would not attack him oju-nl}- — 
Clarke knew that the Delawares were divided in 
feeling and that the Shawanees were but imperfectly 
united in favor of England since the murder of 
their noted chiefs. He was convinced that, if the 
British could be driven from the Western po.sts, 
the natives could easily be awed into submission, 
or bribed into neutrality or friendship. They 
admired, from their savage views of valor, the 
side that became victorious. They cared little for 
the cause for which either side was fighting. 
Clarke sent out spies among them to ascertain the 
feasibility of his plans. The spies were gone 
from April 20 to June 22, and fully corroborated 
his views concerning the English policy and the 
fejlings of the Indians and French. 

Before proceeding in the narrative of this expe- 
dition, however, it will be well to notice a few acts 
transpiring north of the Ohio Eiver, espeeiallj' re- 
lating to the land treaties, as they were nut without 
effect on the British policy. Many of tlie Inilians 
north and south of the Ohio would not recognize 
the validity of the Fort Stanwix treaty, claiming 
the Iroquois had no right to the lands, despite 
their conquest. These discontented natives har- 
assed the emigrants in such a manner that many 
Indians were slain in retaliation. This, and the 
working of the French traders, who at all times 
were bitterly opposed to the English nde, filled the 
bre;ists of the natives with a malignant hate, which 
years of bloodslu-d could not wash out. The 
murder of several Indians by lawless whites fanned 
the coal into a blaze, and, by 1774, .several retalia- 
tory murdei-s oceuiTcd, committed by the natives 
in revenge for their fallen friends. The Indian 
slew any white man he found, as a revenge on some 
friend of his slain ; the frontiersman, acting on the 
same principle, made the borders extremely dan- 
gerous to invaders and invaded. Another cause 



of fear occurred about this time, which threatened 
seriously to retard emigration. 

Pittsburgh had been claimed by both Pennsyl- 
vania and Virginia, and, in endeavoring to settle 
the dispute, Lord Dunmore s war followed. Dr. 
John Connelly, an ambitious, intriguing person, 
induced Lord Dunmore to assert the claims of Vir- 
ginia, in the name of the King. In attempting to 
carry out his intentions, he was arrested by Arthur 
St. Clair, representing tlu^ ]>ro]irietors of Pennsyl- 
vania, who wa.s at Pittsburgh at the time. Con- 
nelly was relea.scd on bail, but went at once to 
Staunton, where he was sworn in as a Justice of 
Peace. Returning, he gathered a force of one 
hundred and fitly men, suddenly took po.ssession of 
Pittvsburgh, refused to allow the magistrates to 
enter the Court House, or to exercise the functions 
of their offices, unless in conformity to his will. 
Connelly refused any terms offered by the Penn- 
.sytvania deputies, kept possession of the place, 
acted very harshly toward the inhabitants, stirred 
up the neutral Indians, and, for a time, threatened 
to make the boundary line between the two colonies 
a very serious question. His actions led to hostile 
deeds by some Indians, when the whites, no doubt 
urged by him, murdered seven Indians at the 
mouth of the Captina River, and at the house of 
a settler named Baker, where the Indians were 
decoyed under promises of friendship and offers of 
rum. Among those murdered at the latter j)laee, 
was the entire family of the famous Mingoe chief, 
Logan. This has been charged to Jlichael Cre.sap; 
but is untrue. Daniel Greathouse had command 
of the part}', and though Cresap ma}' have been 
among them, it is unjust to lay the blame at his 
feet. Both murders, at Captina and Yellow Creek, 
were cruel and unwarranted, and were, without 
doubt, the cause of the war that followed, though 
the root of the matter lay in Connelly's arbitrary 
actions, and in his needlessly alarming the Indians. 
Whatever may have been the facts in relation to 
the murder of Logan's family, they were of such 
a nature a.s to make all feel sure of an Indian war, 
and preparations were made for the conflict. 

An army was gathered at Wlieeling, which, 
some time in July, under command of Col. 3Ie- 
Donald, descended the Ohio to the mouth of Cap- 
tina Creek. They proposed to march ag-ainst an 
Indian town on the Muskingum. The Indians 
sued for peace, but their pretensions being found 
spurious, their towns and crops were destroyed. 
The army then retreated to Williamsburg, having 
accomplished but little. 



54 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



TliG Delaware's were anxious for peace ; even the 
Mingoes, wliosc relatives had been slain at Yellow 
Creek, and Captina, were restrained; but Logan, 
who had been turned to an inveterate foe to the 
AnjiiiraMs. luiiie .siuldeuly upon the Monongahela 
setilriiii lit-, iiiiik thirtet-ii fiealps in revenge for the 
loss of ills family, returned home and expressed 
himself ready to treat with tlie Long Knives, the 
Virginians. Had Connelly acted properly at this 
juncture, the war might have been ended; but 
his actions only incensed both borderers and In- 
dians. So obnoxious did he become that Lord 
Dunmore lost fliith in him, and severely repri- 
manded him. 

To put a stop to the depredations of the Indians, 
two large bodies of troops were gathered in Vir- 
ginia, one under Gen. Andrew Lewis, and one 
under command of Dunmore himself. Before 
the armies could meet at the mouth of the Great 
Kanawha, their objective ]ioint, Lewis' army, which 
arrived first, was attacked by a furious baud of Dela- 
wares, iShawanees, Imquois and Wyaudots. The 
conflict was bitterly prolonged by the Indians, who, 
under the leadership of Cornstalk, were deter- 
mined to make a decisive efl'ort, and fought till 
late at night (October 10, 1774), and then only by 
a strategic move of Lewis' command — which re- 
sulted in the defeat of the Indians, compelling them 
to cross the Ohio — was the conflict ended. Mean- 
while, Dunmore's army came into the enemy's 
country, and, being joined by the remainder of 
Lewis' command, pressed forward intending to an- 
nihilate the Indian towns. Cornstalk and his 
chiefs, however, sued for peace, and the conflict 
closed. Dunmore established a camp on Sippo 
Creek, whore he held conferences with the natives 
and concluded the war. When he left the country, 
he stationed 100 men at the mouth of the Great 
Kanawha, a few more at Pittsburgh, and another 
corps at Wheeling, then called Fort Fincastle. 
Dunmore intended to return to Pittsburgh the 
next spring, meet tlic Indians and form a definite 
peace ; but the revolt of the cokmies prevented. 
However, he opened several offices for the sale of 
lands in the West, some of which were in the limits 
of the Pennsylvania colony. This led to the old 
boundary dispute again; but before it could be 
settled, the Revolution began, and Lord Dunmore'.s, 
a.s well as almost all other land speculations in the 
AVest, were at an end. 

In 1775 and 177C, the chief events transpiring 
in the West relate to the treaties with the Indians, 
and the endeavor on the part of the Americans to 



liavc them remain neutral in the family quarrel now 
coming on, which they could not understand. The 
British, like the French, however, could not let 
them alone, and finally, as a retaliatory measure. 
Congress, under advice of Washington, won some of 
them over to the side of the colonies, getting their 
aid and holding them neutral. The colonies only 
oflered them rewards for prisoners ; never, like tlie 
British, offering rewards for scalps. Under such 
rewards, the atrocities of the Indians in some quar- 
ters were simply horrible. The scalp was enough 
to get a reward, that was a mark of Indian valor, 
too, and hence, helpless innocence and decrepit old 
age were not spared. They stirred the minds of 
the pioneers, who saw the protection of their fire- 
sides a vital point, and led the way to the scheme 
of Col. Clarke, who wa.s now, a.s has been noted, the 
leading spirit in Kentucky. He saw through the 
scheme of the British, and determined, by a quick, 
decisive blow, to put an end to it, and to cripple 
their power in tlie West. 

Among the acts stimulating Clarke, was the attack 
on Fort Henry, a garrison about one-half mile 
above Wheeling Creek, on the Ohio, by a renegade 
white man, Simon Girty, an agent in the employ of 
the British, it is thought, and one of the worst 
wretches ever known on the frontier. When Girty 
attacked Fort Henry, he led his red allies in regu- 
lar military fashion, and attacked it without mercy. 
The defenders were brave, and kriew with whom 
they were contending. Great bravery was displayed 
by the women in the fort, one of whom, a Miss 
Zane, carried a keg of gunpowder from a cabin 
to the fort. Though repeatedly fired at by the sav- 
ages, she reached the fort in safety. After awhile, 
however, the effect of the frontiersmen's shots began 
to be felt, and the Indians sullenly withdrew. 
Re-enforcements coming, the fort wa.s heki, and 
Girty and his band were obliged to flee. 

Clarke saw that if the British once got con- 
trol over the Western Indians the scene at Fort 
Henry would be repeated, and would not likely, 
in all eases, end in favor of the Americans. Witli- 
out communicating any of his designs, he left Har- 
rodsburg about tlie 1st of October, 1777, and 
reached the capital of Virginia by November 5. 
Still keeping liis mind, lie awaited a favorable op- 
portunity to broach his plans to those in power, 
and, in the meanwhile, carefully watched the exist- 
ing state of feeling. When the opportunity came, 
Clarke broached his plans to Patrick Henry, Gov- 
ernor of Virginia, who at once entered warmly 
into them, recognizing their great importance. 






A' 



■ ^ 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



Through his aid, Clarice jiroeuretl the nocessary au- 
thority to jirusocute his plaus, ami returned at once 
to Pittsburirh. He intended raising men about 
this post, but found them iearful of leaving their 
lionies unprotected. However, he secured three 
companies, and, with these and a number of volun- 
teers, picked up on the way down the UhioKiver, 
ho fortified Corn Island, near the falls, and made 
ready for his expedition. He had some trouble in 
keeping his men, some of those from Kentucky 
refusing to aid in subduing stations out of their 
own countr}-. He did not announce his real inten- 
tions till he had reached this point. Here Col. 
Bowman joined him with his Kentucky militia, 
and, on the 24tli of June, 1778, during a total 
eclipse of the sun, the party left the fort. Before 
his start, he learned of the capture of Burgoyne, 
and, when nearlj' down to Fort Miissac, he met 
some of his spies, who informed him of the exag- 
gerated accounts of the ferocity of the Long 
Knives that the French had received from the 
British. By proper action on his part, Clarke saw 
both these items of information could be made 
very beneficial to him. Leaving the river near 
Fort Massac, he .set out on the march to Kaskas- 
kia, through a hot summer's sun, over a country 
full of Siivage foes. They reached the town un- 
noticed, on the evening of July 4, and, before 
the astonished British and French knew it. they 
were all prisoners. M. Ilocheblave, the English 
commander, w;i3 secured, but his wife adroitly con- 
cealed the pa[)ers belonging tt) the garrison. In 
the person of M. Gibault,the French priest, Clarke 
found a true friend. When tlie ti-ue character of 
the A irginians became apparent, the French were 
easily drawn to the American side, and the priest 
secured the surrender and allegiance of Cahokia 
through his personal influence. M. Gibault told 
him he would also secure the post at St. Vincent's, 
which he did, returning from the mission about 
the Lst of August. During the interval, Clarke re- 
enlLsted his men, formed his plans, sent his pris- 
oners to Kentucky, and w;is ready for future action 
when M. (Jibault arrived. He sent Cai)t. Helm 
and a single .soldier to Vincenncs to hold that fort 
until he could put a garrison there. It is but 
proper to state that the English commander. Col. 
Hamiltrin, and his band of soldiers, were absent at 
Detroit when tlie priest secured tlic village on the 
"Ouabaclu'.' When Hamilton returned, in the 
autumn, he was greatly .surprised to see the Amer- 
ican flag floating from the ramparts of the fort, 
and when approaching the gate he was abruptly 



halted by Capt. Helm, who stood with a lighted fuse 
in liis hand by a cannon, answering Hamilton's 
demand to surrender with the imperative inquiry, 
'• Upon what terms, sir?" "Upon the honors of 
War,' answered Hamilton, and he marched in 
greatly chagrined to see he had been halted by 
two men. The British commander sat quietly 
down, intending to go on down the river and sub- 
duo Kentucky in the spring, in the mean time 
offering rewards for American sculps, and thereliy 
gaining the epithet " Hair-buyer General." Clarke 
heard of his actions late in January, 1779, and, as 
he says, " I knew if I did not take liiin he would 
take me,"' set out early in February with his troops 
and marched across the marshy plains of Lower 
lUinoi.s, reaching the Wabash post by the 22d of 
that month. The unerring aim of the Westerner 
Wiis cftectual. " They will .shoot your eyes out," 
said Helm to the British troops. " There, I told 
you so," he further exclaimed, as a soldier vent- 
ured near a port-hole and received a shot directly 
in his eye. On the 24th the fort surrendered. 
The American flag waved again over its ramparts. 
The " Hair-buj'er General" was sent a prisoner to 
Virginia, where he was kept in close confinement 
for his cru(^I acts. Clarke returned to Kaskaskia, 
pc^rfected his plans to hold the Illinois settlements, 
went on to Kentucky, from where he sent word to 
the colonial authoriiies of the success of his expe- 
dition. Had he received the aid promised him, 
Detroit, in ea.sy reach, would have fallen too, but 
Gen. Gri'en, failing to send it as jiromised, the capt- 
ure of that important po.st was delayed. 

Had Clarke failed, and Hamilton succeeded, the 
whole West would have been swept, from the AUe- 
ghanies to the Mississippi. But for this small 
army of fcarle-ss Virginians, the union of all the 
tribes from Georgia to JIaine against the colonies 
might have been effected, and the whole current 
of American history changed. America owes 
Clarke and his band more than it can ever pa^'. 
Clarke reported the capture of Kaskxskia and the 
Illinois country Ciirly after its surrender, and in 
October the county of Illinois was established, 
extending over an unlimited expanse of country, 
by the Virginia Legislature. John Todd was 
appointed Lieutenant Colonel and Civil Governor. 
In November, Clarke and his men received the 
thanks of the same body, who, in after years, 
secured them a grant of land, which they selected 
on the right bank of the Ohio Biver, opposite 
Louisville. They expected hero a city would rise 
one day, to be the peer of Loui.sville, then coming 



■^ 



HISTORY OP OHIO. 



into prominence as an important place. By some 
means, tlieir expectations failed, and only the 
dilapidated village of Clarkesburg perpetuates 
their hopes. 

The conquest of Clarke changed the face of 
affairs in relation to the whole country north of 
the Ohio lliver, which would, in all probability, 
have been made the boundary between Canada and 
the United States. When this was proposed, the 
strenuous arguments based on this conquest, by 
the American Commissioners, secured the present 
boundary line in negotiating the treaty of 1793. 

Though Clarke had failed to capture Detroit, 
Congress saw the importance of the post, and 
resolved on securing it. Gen. McCosh, commander 
at Port Pitt, was put in command, and $1,000,- 
000 and 3,000 men placed at his disposal. By 
some dilatory means, lie got no further than the 
Tuscarawas River, in Ohio, where a half-way 
house, called Fort Laurens, for the President of 
Congress, was built. It was too far out to be of 
practicable value, and was soon after abandoned. 

Indian troubles and incursions by the British 
were the most absorbing themes in the West. 
The British went so far as Kentucky at a later 
date, while they intended reducing Fort Pitt, only 
abandiming it wlien learning of its strength. 
Expeditions against the We.stern Indians were led 
by Gen. Sullivan, Col. Daniel Broadhead, Col. 
Bowman and others, which, for awhile, silenced 
the natives and taught them the power of the 
Americans. They could not organize so readily 
as before, and began to attach themselves more 
closely to the British, or commit their depredations 
in bands, fleeing into the wilderness as soon as 
they struck a blow. In this way, several localities 
sufl'ered, until the settlers became again exasper- 
ated; other expeditions were formed, and a second 
chastisement given. In 17S1, Col. Broadhead 
led an expedition against the Central Ohio Indians. 
It did not prove so successful, as the Indiaus were 
led by the noted chief Brant, who, though not 
cruel, was a foe to the Americans, and assisted the 
British greatly in their endeavors to secure the West. 

Another class of events occuiTcd now in the 
West, civil in their relations, yet destined to form 
an important part of its history — its land laws. 

It must be borne in mind, that Virginia claimed 
the greater portion of the country north of the 
Ohio River, as well as a large part south. The 
other colonies claimed laud also in the West under 
the old Crown grants, which extended to the 
South or Western Sea. To more complicate mat- 



ters, several land companies held proprietary rights 
to portions of these lands gained by grants from 
the Crown, or from the Colonial Assemblies. 
I Others were based on land warrants issued 
j in 170;!; others on selection and survey and 
' still others on settlement. In this state of 
mixed affairs, it was difficult to say who held a 
secure claim. It was a question whether the old 
French grants were good or not, especially since 
the change in government, and the eminent pros- 
pect of still another change. To, in some way, 
aid in settling these claims, Virginia sent a com- 
mission to the West to sit as a court and determine 
the proprietorship of these claims. This court, 
though of as doubtful authority as the claims 
themselves, went to work in Kentucky and along 
the Ohio River in 1779, and, in the course of one 
year, granted over three thousand certificates. 
These were considered as good authority for a 
definite title, and were so regarded in after pur- 
chases. Under them, many pioneers, like Daniel 
Boone, lost their lands, as all were required to 
hold some kind of a patent, while others, who 
possessed no more principle than "land-sharks" 
of to-day, acquired large tracts of land by holding 
a patent the court was bound to accept. Of all 
the colonies, Virginia seemed to have the best 
title to the Northwest, save a few parcels, such as 
the Connecticut or Western Reseri'c and some 
similar tracts held by New York, Massachusetts 
and New Jersey. When the territory of the 
Northwest was ceded to the General Government, 
this was recognized, and that country was counted 
as a Virginia county. 

The Spanish Government, holding the region 
west of the Mississippi, and a portion east toward 
its outlet, became an important but secret ally of 
the Americans. When the French revolt was 
suppressed by O'Reilly, and the Spanish assumed 
the government of Louisiana, both Upper and 
Lower, there was a large tract of country, known 
as Florida (East and West), claimed by England, 
and duly regarded as a part of her dominion. 
The boundaries had been settled when the French 
first occupied Lower Louisiana. The Spaniards 
adopted the patriarchal form of rule, as much as 
was consistent with their interests, and allowed the 
French full religious and civil liberty, save that all 
tribunals were after the Spanish fashion, and 
governed by Spanish rules. The Spaniards, long 
jealous of England's gi-owing power, secretly sent 
the Governors of Louisiana word to aid the 
Americans in their struggle for freedom. Though 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



57 



they controlled the ^lississippi River, they allowed 
an American officer (Capt. Williiij;) to descend the 
river in January, 1T7S, with a ])arty of lilty men, 
and ravage the British shore lioni ^lanchcz Bayou 
to Natchez. 

On the 8th of May, 1779, Spain declared war 
apiiust (heat Britain; and, on the 8tli of July, 
the people of Jjouisiana were allowed to take a 
j)art in the war. Accordinglj', Lialvez collected a 
force of 1,400 men, and, on the 7th of September, 
took Fort Manchae. By the 21st of September, 
111- had rakcn Baton Rouge and Natchez. Eight 
V. '>>.■]- Wire cajjtured by the Spaniards on the 
Mississippi and on the lakes. In 1780 Jlobile 
fell; in March, 1781, Pensacola, the chief British 
post in West Florida, succumbed after a long 
>i.-.'. :iiid, on the 9th of May, all West Florida 
\v;i^ Miiiviidered to Spain. 

'fills war, or the war on the Atlantic Coa.st, did 
not immediately affect Upper Louisiana. Great 
Britain, however, attenij)ted to cajiture St. Louis. 
ThuU'jli the cnniniander was stmngly suspected of 
l.( ill- liiil.ril by the Fiigli>h. yi't the place stood 
tlic sir;^c Ihini the combined tbrcc of Indians and 
Canadians, and the assailants were dispersed. This 
was done during the summer of 1 (580, and in the 
autumn, a company of Spanish and Frencli resi- 
dcnt.s, under La Balme, went on an expedition 
against Detroit. They marched a,s far north as 
the Briti.sh trading-post Ke-ki-ong-a, at the head 
of the ."^laumee River, but being surpri.sed in the 
night, and the eomniandcr slain, the expedition 
wa.s defeated, having ilmu' Imt little. 

Spain may have had personal interests in aiding 
the Americans. She was now in control of the MLs- 
.'issippi River, the natural outlet of the Northwest, 
and, in 1780, began the troubles relative to the 
navigation of that stream. The claims of Spain 
were considered very unjust by the Continental 
Congre.¥.s, and, while deliberating over the question, 
Virginia, who was jealously alive to her Western 
interests, and who yet held jurisdiction over Ken- 
tucky, sent through J(^fferson, the Governor, (Jen. 
George Rogers CIark(!, to erect a fort below the 
mouth of the Ohio. This proceeding was ratlier 
•unwarrantable, especially as the fort was built in 
the country of the Chickasaws, who had thus far 
been true friends to the Americans, and who looked 
upon the fort as an innovation on their territory. 
It was completed and occupied but a short time, 
Clarke being recalled. 

Virginia, in 1780, did a very important thing; 
namely, establishing an institution for higher edu- 



cation. The Old Dominion confiscated the lands 
of •■ Robert JIcKenzie, Henry Collins and Alex- 
ander McKee, Britons, eight thousand acres," and 
invested the proceeds of the sale in a public semi- 
nary. Tran.sylvania University now lives, a monu- 
ment to that spu'it. 

While Clarke was building Fort Jefferson, a i'orce 
of British and Indians, under command of Caj)t. 
Bryd, came down from (Janada and attacked the 
Kentucky settlements, getting into the country be- 
fore any one was aw;ire. The winter before had 
been one of unusual severitj', and game was ex- 
ceedingly scarce, hence the army was not pre]iared 
to conduct a campaign. After the capture of Rud- 
dle's Station, at the south fork of the Licking, Bryd 
abandoned any further attempts to reduce the set- 
tlements, except capturing Martin's Station, and 
returned to D(^troit. 

This expedition gave an additional motive for 
the chastisement of the Indians, and Clarke, on his 
return from Fort Jefferson, went on an expedition 
against the Miami Indians. IIi^ destroyed their 
towns at Loramie's store, near the present city of 
Sydney, Ohio, and at I'iqua, humliling the natives. 
While on the way, a part of the army remained 
on the north bank of tht; Ohio, and erected two 
block-houses on the present site of Cincinnati. 

The exploits of Clarke and his men .«o effectually 
chastised the Indians, that, for a time, the West 
was safe. During this period of quiet, the meas- 
ures which led to the cession of Western lands to 
the General Government, began to assume a defi- 
nite form. All the colonies clainiing Western 
lands W(;re willing to cede them to the (jovernment, 
save Virginia, which colony wanted a large scope 
of Soutliern country southeast of the Ohio, as far 
as South Carolina. All recognized the justice of 
all Western lands becoming pulilic jiroperty, and 
thereby aiding in extinguishing the debts caused by 
the war of the Revolution, now about to close. 
As Virginia held a somewhat different view, the 
ces.sion was not made until 178.3. 

The subject, however, could not be allowed to 
rest. The war of the Revolution was now drawing 
to a close ; victory on the part of the colonies was 
apparent, and the Western lands must be a part of 
the public dcmiain. Subse((uent events brought 
about the desired cession, though several events 
transpired before the plan of cession was consum- 
mated. 

Before the close of 1780, the Legislature of 
Virginia passed an act, establishing the " town of 
Louisville," and confiscated the lands of John 



58 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



Cuunelly, who was one of its original proprietors, 
and who distinguished himself in the commence- 
ment of Lord Dunmore's war, and who was now a 
Tory, and doing all he could against the patriot 
cause. The proceeds of the sale of liis lands were 
divided between Virgiuiaand the county of Jefferson. 
Kentucky, the next year, was divided into three 
counties, Jefferson, Lincoln and Fayette. Courts 
were appointed in each, and the entry and location 
of lands given into their hands. Settlers, in spite 
of Indian troubles and British intrigue, were 
pouring over the mountains, particularly so during 
the years 1780 and 1781. The expeditions of 
Clarke against the Miami Indians ; Boone's cap- 
tivity, and escape from them ; their defeat when 
attacking Boonesboro, and other places — all 
combined to weaken their power, and teach them 
to respect a nation whose progress they could not 
stay. 

The pioneers of the West, obliged tn drpi'iid on 
themselves, owing to the struggle nf tli.' ci.l.inies 
for freedom, grew up a hardy, seli-reliant race, 
with all the vices and virtues of a border life, and 
with habits, manners and customs necessary to 
their peculiar situation, and suited to their peculiar 
ta.ste. A resume of their experiences and daily 
lives would be quite interesting, did the limits of 
this history admit it here. In the part relating 
directly to this county, the reader will find such 
lives given ; here, only the important events can 
be noticed. 

The last event of consequence occurring in the 
West before the close of the Revolution, is one 
that might well have been omitted. Had such 
been the ca.se, a great stain would have been spared 
the character of Western pioneers. Reference is 
made to the ma,ssacre of the Moravian Christian 
Indians. 

These Indians were of the Delaware nation 
chiefly, though other Western tribes were visited 
and many converts made. The first converts were 
made in Xew York and Connecticut, where, after 
a good start had been made, and a prospect of 
many souls being saved, they incurred the enmity 
of the whites, who, becoming alarmed at their suc- 
cess, persecuted them to such an extent tluit they 
were driven out of New York into Pennsylvania, 
where, in 1 744, four years after their arrival in 
the New World, they began new missions. In 
1 748. the New York and Connecticut Indians fol- 
lowed their teachers, and were among the founders 
of Friedenshutten, "Tents of Peace," a liamlet 
near Bethlehem, where their teachers were sta- 



tioned. Other hamlets grew around them, \intil 
in the interior of the colony, existed an Indian 
community, free from all savage vices, and grow- 
ing up in Christian virtues. As their strength 
grew, lawless whites again liegan to oppress them. 
They could not understand tlie war of 1754, and 
were, indeed, in a truly embarrassing position. 
The savages could form no conception of any cause 
for neutrality, save a secret sympathy with the 
English ; and if they could not take up the hatchet, 
they were in the way, and must be removed. Fail- 
ing to do this, their red brothers became hostile. 
The whites were but little better. The old suspi- 
cions which drove them from New York were 
aroused. They were secret Papists, in league with 
the French, anil furni^lied tljcm with arms and in- 
telligence; they were interfering with the licjuor 
traffic; they were enemies to the Government, 
and the Indian and the white man combined against 
them. They were oblii:vd tn Mmw from place to 
place; were at one timr jnutrrtid nearly a year, 
near Philadelphia, frimi lawless whites, and finally 
were compelled to go far enough West to be out 
of the way of French and English arms, or the 
Iroquois and Cherokee hatchets. They came 
finally to the Muskingum, where they made a set- 
tlement called Schonbrun, "beautiful clear spring," 
in what is now Tuscarawas County. Other settle- 
ments gathered, from time to time, as the years 
went on, till in 1772 large numbers of them were 
within the borders of the State. 

Until the war of independence broke out, they 
were allowed to peaceftilly pursue their way. When 
that came, they were between Fort Pitt and De- 
troit, one of which contained British, the other 
Americans. Again tliey could not understand the 
struggle, and couki not take up the hatchet. This 
brought on them the enmity of both belligerent 
parties, and that of their own forest companions, 
who could ucit see wherein their natures could 
change. Among the mn.st ho.stile persons, were 
the white renegades JlcKee, Girty and P^lliott. 
On their instigation, several of them were slain, 
and by their advice they were obliged to leave their 
fields and homes, where they had many comforts, 
and where they had erected good chapels in which 
to worship. It was jtist before one of these forced 
removals that Mary, daughter of the missionary 
Heckewelder, was born. She is supposed to be 
the first white female child born north of the Ohio 
River. Her birth occurred April IG, 1781. It 
is but proper to say here, that it is an open ques- 
tion, and one that will probably never be decided. 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



59 



(■. c. Who wiw the first wliito cliilil born in Ohio ? 
In all probabiUty, the child was born during the 
captivity of its mother, as history plainly shows 
that when white women were relciuscd from the 
Indians, some of them carried children born while 
anionp; the natives. 

Wlien the .Moravians were forced to leave their 
scttleinonts on the Muskingum, and taken to San- 
dusky, they left growing fields of corn, to which 
they were obliged to return, »o gather food. This 
aroused the whites, only wanting some pretest 
whereby they might attack them, and a party, 
headed by Col. David William.'son, determined to 
exterminate them. The Moravians, hearing of their 
approach, fled, but too late to warn other settle- 
ments, and Gnadenhutten, Salem and one or two 
smaller settlements, were surprised and taken. 
Under deceitfiil promises, the Indians gave up all 
their arms, showed the wliites their treasures, and 
went unknowingly to a terrible death. When ap- 
prised of their fate, determined on by a majority 
of the rangers, they begged only time to prepare. 
They were led two by two, the men into one, the 
women and children into another "slaughter- 
house," as it was termed, and all but two lads were 
wantonly slain. An infamous and more bloody 
deed never darkened the pages of feudal times ; 
a deed that, in after years, called aloud for venge- 
ance, and in some mea.sure received it. Some of 
Williamson's men wrung their hands at the cruel 
fate, and endeavored, by all the means in their 
power, to prevent it ; but all to no purpose. The 
blood of the rangers was up, and they would not spare 
'■man, woman or child, of all that peaceful band." 

Having completed their horrible work, ( Mardi 
8, 1782), Williamson and his men returned to 
Pittsburgh. Everywhere, the Indians lamented 
the untimely death of their kindred, their savage 
relatives determining on their revenge; the Chris- 
tian ones could only be resigned and weep. 

Williamson's succe.ss, for such it was viewed by 
many, excited the borderers to another invasion, 
and a second army was rai.sed, this time to 
go to the Sanduskj' town, and annihilate the 
Wyandots. Col. William Crawford was elected 
leader ; he accepted reluctantly ; on the way, 
the army was met by hordes of savages on the 5th of 



June, and totally muted. They were away north, 
in what is now \Vyandot County, and were obliged 
to flee for their lives. The blood of the murdered 
Moravians called for revenge. The Indians de- 
sired it ; were they not relatives of the fallen 
Christians ? Crawford and many of his men fell 
into their hands ; all suft'ered unheard-of tortures, 
that of Crawford being a.s cruel its Indian cruelty 
could devise. He was pounded, pierced, cut with 
knives an<l burned, all of which occupied nearly 
three hours, and finally lay down insensible on abed 
of coals, and died. The savage captors, in demoni- 
acal glee, danced around him, and upbraided him 
for the cruel murder of their relatives, giving him 
this only consolation, that had they captured Will- 
iamson, he might go free, but he must answer for 
Williamson's brutality. 

The war did not cease here. The Indians, now 
aroused, carried their attack as far south as into 
Kentucky, killing Capt. Estill, a brave man, and 
some of liis companions. The British, too, were 
active in aiding them, and the 14th of August a 
large force of them, under Girty, gatliered silently 
about Bryant's Station. They were obliged to re- 
treat. The Kenfuckians pursued them, but were 
repulsed with considerable loss. 

The attack on Bryant's Station aroused the peo- 
ple of Kentucky to strike a blow that would be 
felt. Gen. Clarke was put at the head of an army 
of one thousand and tifly men, and the Jliami 
country was a second time destroyed. Clarke even 
went as far north as the British trading-post at the 
head of the Miami, where he captured a great 
amount of [)roperty, and destroyed the post. Other 
outposts also fell, the invading army suffering but 
little, and, by its decisive action, practically closing 
the Indian wars in tlu> West. Pennsylvania suf- 
fered some, losing Ilannahstown and one or two 
small settlements. Williamsons and Crawford's 
campaigns aroused the fury of the Indians that 
took time and nmch blood and war to subdue. The 
Revolution wa.^, however, drawing to a close. Amer- 
ican arms were victorious, and a new nation was 
now coming into existence, who woiild change the 
whole current of Western matters, and make of the 
Northwest a land of liberty, equality and union. 
That nation was now on the stage. 



HISTOltY OF OHIO. 



CHAPTER VI. 

AMERICAN OCCUPATION— INDIAN CLAIMS — SURVEYS — EARLY LAND COMRAXIES- COMPACT 
OF 1787 — ORGANIZATION OF THE TERRITORY- EARLY AMERICAN SETTLE- 
MENTS IN THE OHIO VALLEY — FIRST TERRITORIAL 
OFFICERS— ORGANIZATION OF COUNTIES. 



THE oceupntion of the West by the Amoriean. 
really dates from the campaign of Gen. Clarke in 
1778, when he captured the British posts in the 
Illinois country, and Vincennes on the Wabash. 
Had he been properly supported, he would have 
reduced Detroit, then in easy reach, and poorly de- 
fended. As it was, however, that post remained in 
charge of the British till after the close of the war 
of the Revolution. They also held other lake 
posts ; but these were included in the terms of 
peace, and came into the possession of the Ameri- 
cans. They were abandoned by the British as 
soon as the different commanders received notice 
from their chiefs, and British rule and English 
occupation cea.sed in that part of the New World. 

The war virtually clo.sed by the surrender of 
Lord Cornwallis at Yorktown, Va., October 19, 
1781. The struggle was prolonged, however, by 
the British, in the vain hope that they could re- 
trieve the disaster, but it was only a useless waste 
of men and money. America would not be sub- 
dued. "If we are to be taxed, we will be repre- 
sented," said they, "else we will be a free govern- 
ment, and regulate our own taxes." In the end, 
they were free. 

Provisional articles of peace between the United 
States and Great Britain were signed in Paris on 
the oOth of November, 1782. This was followed 
by an armistice negotiated at Versailles on the 20th 
of January, 1783; and finally, a definite treaty of 
peace was concluded at Paris on the .3d of the next 
September, and ratified by Congress on the -Ith of 
January, 1784. By the second article of the defi- 
nite treaty of- 1783, the boundaries of the United 
States were fixed. A glance at the map of that 
day shows the boundary to have been as follows: 
Beginning at Passama(]uoddy Bay, on the coast of 
IMaino, the line ran north a little above the forty- 
fifth parallel of latitude, when it diverged southwest- 
erly, irregularly, until it reached that parallel, when 
it followed it until it reached the St. Lawrence River. 
It followed that river to Lake Ontario, down its 
center ; up the Niagara River ; through Lake Erie, 



up the Detroit River and through Lakes Huron and 
Superior, to the northwest extremity of the latter. 
Then it pursued another irregular western course 
to the Lake of the Woods, when it turned south- 
ward to the Mississippi River. The commissioners 
insisted that should be the western boundary, as 
the lakes were the northern. It followed the ]Mis- 
sissippi south until the mouth of Red River was 
reached, when, turning east, it followed almost a 
direct line to the Atlantic Coast, touching the 
coast a little north of the outlet of St. John's 
River. 

From this outline, it will be readily seen what 
boundary the United States possessed. Not one- 
half of its present domain. 

At this date, there existed the original thirteen 
colonies : Virginia occupying all Kentucky and 
all the Northwest, save abouthalf of Michigan and 
Wisconsin, claimed by IMassachusetts; and the upper 
part of Ohio, Indiana and Illinois, and the lower 
part (a narrow strip ) of Michigan, claimed by CVm- 
necticut. Georgia included all of Alabama and 
IMississipjii. The Spaniards claimed all Florida 
and a narrow j)art of lower Georgia. All the coun- 
try west of the Father of Waters belonged to Spain, 
to whom it had been secretly ceded when the fam- 
ily c()ni|iact was made. That nation controlled the 
]\Ii>.4N>i|i|ii. and gave no small uneasiness to tlie 
young gnvrniiiic lit. It was, however, happily set- 
tled finally, by the sale of Louisana to the United 
States. 

Pending the settlement of these questions and 
the formation of th;- Federal Union, the cession of 
the Northwest by Virginia again came before 
Congress. That body found itself unable to fulfill 
its promises to its soldiers regarding land, and 
again urgc^d the Olil Dominion to cede the Terri- 
tory to tin' ( icncral (Jdvoriuiunt, for the good of 
all. Congress fdiliade settlers from occupying the 
Western lands till a definite cession had been 
made, and the title to the lands in question made 
good. But speculation was stronger than law, 
and without waiting for the slow processes of courts. 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



the adventurous settlers were pourins;; into the 
country at a rapid rate, only retarded by the rifle 
and scalping-kuifb of the savage — a temporary 
chock. The polic}' of allowing any parties to obtain 
land from the Indians was strongly discounigctl 
by Washington. Ho advocated the idea that only 
the General Government could do that, and, in a 
letter to James Duane, in Congress, he strongly 
urged such a course, and pointed out the danger 
of a border war, unless some such measure was 
stringently followed. 

Under the circumstances. Congress pressed the 
claims of cessiim upon Virginia, and finally in- 
duced the Dominion to modify the terms proposed 
two years before. On the 20th of December, 
17'33, \'irgiuia accepted the proposal of Congress, 
and authorized her delegates to m;ike a deed to 
the United States of all her right in the territory 
northwest of the Ohio. 

The Old Dominion stipulated in her deed of 
cession, that the territory should bo divided into 
States, to be admitted into the Union a.s any other 
State, and to bear a proportionate share in the 
maintenance of that Union; that Virginia should 
be rc-iml)ursed for the expen.se incurred in subduing 
the British po.sts in the territory; that the French 
and Canadian inhabitants should be protected in their 
rights ; that the grant to Gen. George Rogers Clarke 
and his men, as well us all other similar grants, 
should be confirmed, and tiiat the lands should be 
considered as the common property of the United 
States, the proceeds to be applied to the use of the 
whole country. Congress accepted these condi- 
tions, and the deed was made March 1, 1784. 
Thus the country came from under the dominion 
of Virginia, and became common property. 

A serious difficulty arose about this time, that 
threatened for awhile to involve England and 
America anew in war. Virginia and several 
other States refused to abide by that part of the 
treaty relating to the paymimt of debts, especially 
so, when the British carried away quite a number 
of negroes claimed by the Americans. This re- 
fusal on the part of the Old Dominion and her 
abettors, caused the English to retain her North- 
western outposts, Detroit, Mackinaw, etc. She 
held these till 178G, when the questions were 
finally settled, and then readily abandoned them. 

The return of peace greatly augmented emigra- 
tion to the West, especially to Kentucky. When 
the war closed, the pojtulation of that county ( the 
three counties having been made one judicial dis- 
trict, and Danville designated as the seat of gov- 



ernment) was estimated to be about twelve thousand. 
In one year, ailer the close of the war, it increased 
to 30,000, and steps for a State government were 
taken. Owing to the divided sentiment among its 
citizens, its perplexing (|uestions of laud titles 
and proprietary rights, nine conventions were held 
before a definite course of action could be reached. 
This prolonged the time till 1792, when, in De- 
cember of that year, the election for persons to 
form a State constitution was held, and the vexed 
and comj)licated C|uestions settled. In 1783, the 
first wagons bearing merchandise came across the 
mountains. Their contents were received on flat- 
boats at Pitt.sburgh. and taken down the Ohio to 
Louisville, which that spring boasted of a store, 
opened by Daniel Broadliead. The next year, 
James Wilkinson opened one at Lexington. 

Pittsburgh was now the principal town in the 
West. It occuj)ied the same position regarding 
the outposts that Omaha ha,s done for several years 
to Nebraska. The town of Pittsburgh was laid 
out immediately after the war of 1764, by Col. 
Campbell. It then consisted of four squares about 
the fort, and received its name from that citadel. 
The treaty with the Six Nations in 1768, con- 
veyed to the j)roprietaries of Pennsj'lvania all the 
lands of the Alleghany below Kittanniug, and all 
the country south of the Ohio, within the limits of 
Penn's charter. This deed of cession was recog- 
nized when the line between Pennsylvania and 
Virginia was fixed, and gave the post to the Key- 
stone State. In accordance with this deed, the 
manor of Pittsburgh was withdrawn from market 
in 1769, and was lield as the property of the Penn 
family. When Washington visited it in 1770, it 
seems to have declined in consei(uence of the 
afbre-mentioned act. He mentions it as a '-town of 
about twenty log houses, on the Monongahela, 
about three hundred j'ards from the fort." The 
Penn's remained true to the King, and hence all 
their laud that had not been surveyed and returned 
to the land office, was confiscated by the common- 
wealth. Pittsburgh, having been surveyed, was 
still left to them. In the spring of 1784, Tench 
Francis, the agent of the Penns, was induced to 
lay out the manor into lots and offer them for sale. 
Though, for many years, the place was rather un- 
promising, it eventually became the chief town in 
that part of the West, a position it yet holds. In 
1786, John Scull and Joseph ILlll started the 
I'lttsburgh Gaxtite, the first ]iaper jiubli.shed west 
of the mountains. In the initial number, appeared a 
lengthy article from the pen of II. II. Brackenridge, 



63 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



afterward one of the must prominent mouiborrf 
of the Peunsylvauui bar. He had loeated in 
Pittsburgh in 1781. His letter gives a most hope- 
ful ])rospect in store for the future city, and is a 
highly descriptive article of the Western country. 
It is yet preserved in the "Western Annals," and 
is well worth a perusal. 

Under the act of peace in 1783, no provision was 
made by the British for their allies, especially the 
Six Nations. The question wa.s ignored by the 
English, and was made a handle by the Americans 
in gaining them to their cause before the war had 
fully closed. The treaties made were regarded by 
the Indians as alliances only, and when the En- 
glish left the country the Indians began to assume 
rather a hostile bearing. This excited the whites, 
and for a while a war with that formidable con- 
foili'raey was imminent. Bettor councils prevailed, 
anil (Ji ingress \vi.sely adopted the policy of acquiring 
their lands by purchase. In accordance with this 
policy, a treaty was made at Fort Stanwix with 
the Six Nations, in October, 1784:. By this treaty, 
all lands west of a line drawn from the mouth of 
(Jswego Creek, about four miles east of Niagara, 
to the mouth of Buffalo Creek, and on to the 
northern boundary of Pennsylvania, thence west 
along that boundary to its western extremity, 
thence south to the Ohio Biver, should be ceded 
to the United States. (They claimed west of this line 
by conquest.) The Six Nations were to be secured 
in the lands they inhabited, reserving only six miles 
square around Oswego fort for the sujjport of the 
same. By this treaty, the indefinite claiiii uf the 
Six Nations to the West was extinguished, and the 
question of its ownership settled. 

It was now occupied by other Western tribes, 
who did not recognize the Iro(|unis claim, and who 
would not yield without a purchase. Esp(_'cially 
was this the case with those Indians living in the 
northern part. To get possession of that country 
by the same process, the United States, through 
its cnniniissioncre, held a treaty at Fort Blclntosh 
on the lilst of January, 1785. The Wyandot, 
Drlaware, Chippewa and Ottawa tribes were pres- 
ent, and, through their chiefs, sold their lands to 
the Government. The Wyandot and Delaware 
nations were given a reservation in the north part 
(if < )hio, wluTo they were to be protected. The 
others were allotted reservations in Michigan. To 
all was given complete control of their lands, allow- 
ing them to punish any white man attempting to 
settle thereon, and guaranteeing them in their 
risfhts. 



By such means Congress gained Indian titles to 
the vast realms north of the Ohio, and, a few 
months later, that legislation was commenced that 
should determine the mode of its dispoisal and the 
plan of its settlements. 

To facilitate the settlement of lands thus acquired. 
Congress, on May 20, 1785, passed an act for dispos- 
ing of lands in the Northwest Territory. Its main 
provisions were : A surveyor or surveyors should be 
appointed from the States ; and a geographer, and 
his assistants to act with them. The surveyors 
were to divide the territory into townships of six 
miles square, by lines running due north and 
south, and east and west. The starting-place 
was to be on the Ohio River, at a point wiiere the 
western boundary of Pennsylvania crossed it. 
This would give the first range, and the first 
township. As soon as seven townships were 
surveyed, the maps and plats of the same were to 
be sent to the Board of the Treasury, who would 
record them and proceed to place the land in the 
market, and so on with all the townships as fast as 
they could be prcpiirrd ready for sale. Each town- 
ship was to be divided into thirty-six sections, or 
lots. Out of the.se sections, numbers 8, 11, 2(j and 
29 were reserved for the use of the Government, 
and lot No. K!, fur the establishment of a common- 
school fund. ()ne-thiril(il'all niiiu'sand iiiinerals was 
also reservedfor the United States. . Three townships 
on Lake Erie were reserved for the use of officers, 
men and others, refugees from Canada and from 
Nova Scotia, who were entitled to grants of land. 
The Moravian Indians were also exempt fi-om 
molestation, and guaranteed in their homes. Sol- 
diers' claims, and all others of a like nature, were 
also recognized, and land reserved for them. 

Without waiting for the act of Ci ingress, settlers 
had been pouring into the country, and, when or- 
dered by Congress to leave undisturbed Indian 
lands, reftised to do so. They went into the In- 
dian country at their peril, however, and when 
driven out by the Indians could get no redress 
from the Government, even when life was lost. 

The Indians on the Wabash made a treaty at 
Fort Finney, on the Miami, January 31, 178t), 
promising allegiance to the United States, and were 
allowed a reservation. This treaty did not include 
the Piankeshaws, as was at first intended. These, 
refusing to live peaceably, stirred up the Shawa- 
nees, who began a series of predatory excursions 
against the settlements. This led to an expedition 
against them and other restless tribes. Gen. Clarke 
commanded part of the army on that expedition. 



^ a_ 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



but p;ot no ferthcr than \'in(vnius, when, owing to 
tlie discontent of his Kentueivy troops, he was 
obHged to return. Col. Benjamin Logan, how- 
ever, marched, at the liead of tour or five hundred 
mounted riflemen, into the Indian country, i>ene- 
trating ;is far as tlio head-waters of Mad River. 
He destroyed several towns, much corn, and took 
about eighty prisoners. Among these, was the 
chief of the nation, who was wantonly slain, 
greatly to Logau's regret, who could imt restrain 
his men. His expedition taught the Indians sub- 
mission, and that they must adhere to their con- 
tracts. 

.^I^ an while, the difficulties of the navigation of 
i\:r M;-•i.-^ippi arose. Spain would not relimiui.-ih 
the ri-!it lo control the entire southern part of the 
river, allowing no free navigation. She was secretly 
hoping to cause a revolt of the Western provinces, 
especially Kentucky, and openly favored such a 
move. She also claimed, by cou(|Uest, much of the 
land on the east side of the river. The slow move- 
mentjs of Congress; the failure of Virginia to 
properly protect Kentucky, and the inherent rest- 
lessness iu some of the Western men, well-nigh 
j)recijiitated matters, and, for a while, serious results 
were imminent. The Kcntuckiaus, and, indeed, 
all the people of the West, were determined the 
river should be free, and even went so far as to 
raise a regiment, and forcibly seize Siianish prop- 
erty in the West. Great Britain stood ready, too, 
to aid the West should it succeed, jiroviding it 
would make an alliance with her. But while the 
excitement was at its height, Wa.shington coun- 
seled better ways and patience. The decisive time 
of the new republic, though almost overwhelmed 
with a burden of debt, and with no credit, debarred 
the Spanish from too forcible measures to assert 
their claims, and held back the disloyal ones from 
attempting a revolt. 

Xiw i'ork, Massachusetts and Connecticut ceded 
their lauds, and now the United States were ready 
to fulfill their promises of land grants, to the sol- 
diers who had preserved the nation. This did 
much to heal the breach in the West, and restore 
confidence there; .so that the ]\Ii.ssissippi (|Uestion 
was overlooked for a time, aud Kentucky forgot her 
animosities. 

The cession of their claims was the signal for 
the formation of land companies in the Ivust ; com- 
panies whose object was to settle the Western coun- 
try, and, at the same time, enrich the founders of 
the companies. Some of these companies had been 
formed in the old colonial da^s, but the recent war 



had put a stop to all tluir jiroceedings. Congress 
would not recognize their claims, and new com- 
panies, under old names, were the result. By such 
means, the Ohio Company emerged from the past, 
and. in 17^>t), took an active existence. 

Benjamin Tuppcr, a Revolutionary soldier, and 
since then a government surveyor, who had been 
west as far as Pittsburgh, revived the question. 
He w;is prevented from pro.se(;utiug his surveys by 
hostile Indians, and returned to Ma.ssachusctts. 
He broached a plan to Gen. Rufus Putnam, as to 
the renewal of their memorial of 1783. which re- 
sulted in the publication of a plan, aud inviting all 
those interested, to meet in February in their re- 
spective counties, and choose delegates to a con- 
vention to be helil at the '■ Buncli-of-grapes Tav- 
ern." in Boston, on the first of March, 1786. On 
the day appointed, eleven persons appeared, and 
by the iJd of March an outline was drawn up, and 
subscriptions jinder it began at once. The leading 
features of the i)lan were : " A fund of S 1 ,O0(),(IUU, 
mainly in Continental certificates, was to be raised 
for the purpose of purchasing lands in the Western 
country; there were to be 1,000 shares of $1,000 
each, and upon each share $10 in specie were to 
be paid for contingent expenses. One year's inter- 
est was to be appropriated to the charges of making 
a settlement, and assisting those unable to move 
without aid. The owners of every twenty shares 
were to choose an agent to represent them and 
attend to their interests, and the agents were to 
choose the directors. The plan was ajjproved, and 
in a year's time from that date, the Company was 
organized."* 

By the time this Company was organized, all 
claims of the colonies in th(! coveted tt'rritory were 
done away with by their deeds of cession, Connect- 
icut being tlie last. 

While troubles were still existing south of the 
Ohio River, regarding the navigation of the Mis- 
sissipjii, and many urged the formation of a sepa- 
rate, independent State, and while Congress and 
Washington were doing what they could to allay 
the feeling north of the Ohio, the New England 
associates were busily engaged, now that a Com- 
pany was formed, to obtain the land they wished 
to purchase. On the 8th of March, 1787, a meet- 
ing of the agents chose Gen. Parsons, Gen. Put- 
nam and the Rev. Mann:us.soh Cutler, Directors for 
the Company. The last selection was quite a 
fitting one for such an enterprise. Dr. Cutler was 

*ni6toricaI Collectiond. 



66 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



an accomplished scholar, au excellent gentleman, 
and a firm believer in freedom. In the choice of 
him as the agent of the Company, lies the fact, 
though unforeseen, of the beginning of anti-slavery 
in America. Through him the famous " compact 
of 1787," the true corner-stone of the Northwest, 
originated, and by him was safely passed. He 
was a good "wire-puller," too, and in this had an 
advantage. Mr. Hutchins was at this time the 
gc( iiirapher for the United States, and was, prob- 
aljly, the best-posted man in America regarding 
the West. Dr. Cutler learned from him that the 
most desirable portions were on the jMuskingum 
River, north of the Ohio, and was advised by him 
to buy there if he coukl. 

Congress wanted money badly, and many of the 
members favored the plan. The Southern mem- 
bers, generally, were hostile to it, as the Doctor 
would listen to no grant which did not embody 
the New England ideas in the charter. These 
members were finally won over, some bribery be- 
ing used, and some of their favorites made officers 
of the Territory, whose formation was now going 
on. This took time, however, and Dr. Cutler, be- 
coming impatient, declared they would purchase 
from some of the States, who held small tracts in 
various parts of the West. This intimation brought 
the tardy ones to time, and, on the 23d of July, 
Congress authorized the Treasury Board to make 
the contract. On the 26th, Messrs. Cutler and 
Sargent, on behalf of the Company, stated in 
writing their conditions; and on the 27th, Con- 
gress referred their letter to the Board, and an 
order of the same date was obtained. Of this Dr. 
Cutler's journal says: 

" By this gTant we obtained near five millions 
of acres of land, amounting to $.3,500,000 ; 1 ,500,- 
000 acres for the Ohio Company, and the remainder 
for a private speculation, in which many of the 
principal characters of America are concerned. 
Without connecting this peculation, similar terms 
and advantages for the Ohio Company could not 
have been obtained." 

Messrs. Cutler and Sargent at onee closed a ver- 
bal contract with the Treasury Board, which was 
executed in form on the 27th of the next Octo- 
ber.* 

By this contract, the va.st region bounded on the 
.south by the Ohio, west by the Scioto, east by the 
seventh range of townships then surveying, and 
north by a due west line, drawn from the north 



boundary of the tenth township from the Ohio, 
direct to the Scioto, was sold to the Ohio associ- 
ates and their secret copartners, for $1 per acre, 
subject to a deduction of one-third for bad lands 
and other contingencies. 

The whole tract was not, however, paid for nor 
taken by the Company — even their own portion of 
a million and a half acres, and extending west to the 
eighteenth range of townships, was not taken ; and 
in 1792, the boundaries of the purchase proper 
were fixed as follows : the Ohio on the south, the 
seventh range of townships on the east, the six- 
teenth range on the west, and a line on the north 
so drawn as to make the grant 750,000 acres, be- 
sides reservations ; this grant being the portion 
which it was originally agreed the Company might 
enter into at once. In addition to this, 214,285 
acres were granted as army bounties, under the 
resolutions of 1779 and 1780, and 100,000 acres 
as bounties to actual settlers; both of the latter 
tracts being within the original grant of 1787, and 
adjoining the purchase as before mentioned. 

While these things were progressing. Congress 
was bringing into form an ordinance for the gov- 
ernment and social organization of the North- 
west Territory. Virginia made her cession in 
March, 1784, and during the month following the 
plan for the temporary government of the newly 
acquired territory came under discussion. On the 
1 9th of April, Mr. Spaight, of North Carolina, 
moved to strike from the plan reported by Jlr. 
Jefierson, the emancipationist of his day, a provis- 
ion for the prohibition of slavery north of the Ohio 
after the year 1800. The motion prevailed. From 
that day till the 23d, the plan was discussed and 
altered, and finally passed unanimously with the ex- 
ception of South Carolina. The South would have 
slavery, or defeat every measure. Thus this hide- 
ous monster early began to assert himself. By the 
proposed plan, the Territory was to have been 
divided into States by parallels of latitude and merid- 
ian lines. This division, it was thought, would make 
ten States, whose names were as follows, beginning 
at the northwest corner, and going southwardly : 
Sylvania, Michigania, Cheresonisus, Assenispia, 
Metropotamia, Illinoia, Saratoga, Washington, 
Polypotamia and Pelisipia.* 

A more serious difiiculty existed, however, to 
this plan, than its catalogue of names — the number 
of States and their boundaries. The root of the evil 
was in the resolution passed by Congress in October, 

* Spark's Wiiahington. 



•^ i 



.^ 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



67 



1 TSfl, wliich fixed the size of the States to be formed 
from the ceded lands, at one hundred to one hundred 
and fifty miles sijuare. The terms of tliat resolu- 
tion being called up both by Virj^inia and Massa- 
chusetts, furtlier legislation was deemed necessary 
to change them. July 7, 1780, this subject came 
up in Congress, and a resolution passed in favor of 
a division into not less than three nor more than 
five States. Virginia, at the close of 1788, assented 
to this proposition, which became the basis upon 
which the division should be made. On the 29th 
of September, Congress having thus changed the 
plan for dividing the Northwestern Territor}' into 
ten St;ites, proceeded again to consider the terms of 
an ordinance for the government of tliat region. At 
this juncture, the genius of Dr. Cutler displayed 
itself. A graduate in medicine, law and divinity ; 
an ardent lover of liberty ; a celebrated scientist, 
and an accomplished, portly gentleman, of whom 
the Southern senators said they had never before 
seen so fine a specimen from the New England colo- 
nies, no man was better prepared to form a govern- 
ment for the new Territory, than he. The Ohio 
Company was hLs real object. He was backed by 
them, and enough Continental money to purchase 
more than a million acres of land. This was aug- 
mented by other parties until, as has been noticed, 
he represented over five million acres. This would 
largely reduce the public debt. Jefferson and Vir- 
ginia were regarded as authority concerning the 
land Virginia had just ceded to the General Gov- 
ernment. Jefierson s policy w;is to provide for the 
national credit, and still check the growth of slavery. 
Here was a good opportunity. Ma.ssachusetts 
owned the Territory of Maine, which she was crowd- 
ing into market. She opposed the opening of 
the Northwest. This stirred Virginia. The South 
caught the inspu'ation and rallied around the Old 
Dominion and Dr. Cutler. Thereby he gained the 
credit and good will of the South, an auxiliary he 
used to good purpose. Mas.saehu.setts could not 
vote against him, because many of the constituents 
of her members were interested in the Ohio Com- 
pany. Thus the Doctor, using all the arts of the 
lobbyist, was enabled to hold the situation. True to 
deeper convictions, he dictated one of the most com- 
pact and finished documents of wise statesmanship 
that h;x3 ever adorned any statute-book. Jefferson 
g'.ve it the term, "Articles of Compact," and 
rendered him valuable aid in its construction. This 
" Compact" preceded the Federal Con.stitution, in 
b(ith of which are seen Jefferson's master-mind. 
Dr. Cutler followed closely the constitution of Mas- 



s;ichusetts, adopted three years before. The prom- 
inent features were : The exclusion of slavery from 
tjio Territory forever. Provision for public schools, 
giving one townshi]i for a seminary, and every si.x- 
teentli section. (That gave one thirty-sixth of all 
the laud ibr public education. j A prcjvision pro- 
hibiting the adoption of any c<mstitution or the 
enactment of any law that would nullify pre-exist- 
ing contracts. 

The compact further declared that " Keligion, 
morality and knowledge being necessary to good 
government and the happiness of mankind, schools 
and the means of education shall always be en- 
couraged." 

The Doctor planted himself firmly on this plat- 
form, and would not yield. It was that or nothing. 
Unless they could make the land desirable, it was 
not wanted, and, taking his horse and buggy, he 
started for the Constitutional Convention in Phil- 
adelphia. His iufliience succeeded. On the 13th 
of July, 1787, the bill was put upon its passage 
and was unanimously adopted. Every member 
from the South voted for it ; only one man, Mr. 
Yates, of New York, voted against the measure ; 
but as the vote was made by States, his vote was 
lost, and the " Compact of 1787 " was beyond re- 
peal. Thus the great States of the Northwest 
Territory were consecrated to freedom, intelligence 
and morality. This act was the opening step for 
freedom in America. Soon the South saw their 
blunder, and endeavored, by all their power, to re- 
peal the compact. In 1803, Congress referred it 
to a committee, of which John Randolph was 
chairman. He re])orted the ordinance was a com- 
pact and could not be repealed. Thus it stood, 
like a rock, in the way of slavery, which still, in 
spite of these provisions, endeavored to plant that 
infernal institution in the West. Witness the 
early days of Ohio, Indiana and Illinois. But the 
compact could n(jt be violated ; New England ideas 
could not bo put down, and her sons stood ready 
to defend the soil of the ^Vest from that curse. 

The pa.ssage of the ordinance and the grant of 
land to Dr. Cutler and his a-ssociates, were soon fol- 
lowed by a request fi-om John Cleve Symmes, of 
New Jersey, for the country between the Jliamis. 
Symmes had visitird that partof the Westin 1781), 
and, being pleased with the valleys of the Miamis, 
had apj)lie(i to the Board of the Treasury for 
their purchase, as soon as they were open to set- 
tlement. The Board was empowered to act by 
Congress, and, in 1788, a contract was signed, giv- 
ing him the country he desired. The terms of his 



G8 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



l)uroba.se were similar to those of the Ohio Com- 
pany. His appHcation was followed by others, 
whose success or failure will appear in the narrative. 

The New England or Ohio Company was all 
this time busily engaged perfecting its arrange- 
ments to occupy its lands. The Directors agreed 
to reserve 5,760 acres near the confluence of the 
Ohio and Muskingum for a city and commons, for 
the old ideas of the English plan of settling a 
country yet prevailed. A meeting of the Direct- 
ors was held at Bracket's taveru, in Boston, No- 
vember 23, 1787, when four surveyors, and tweu- 
ty-two attendants, boat-builders, carpenters, black- 
smiths and common workmen, numbering in all 
forty persons, wore engaged. Their tools were 
l)urchased, and wagons were obtained to transport 
them across the mountains. Gen. Kufus Putnam 
was made superintendent of the company, and 
Ebenezer Sproat, of Rhode Island, Anselm Tup- 
per and John Matthews, from Massachusetts, and 
R. J. Meigs, fiom Connecticut, as surveyors. At 
the same meeting, a suitable person to instruct them 
in religion, and prepare the way to open a school 
when needed, was selected. This was Rev. Daniel 
Storey, who became the first New England minis- 
ter in the Northwest. 

The Indians were watching this outgrowth of 
affairs, and felt, from what tliey could learn in Ken- 
tucky, that they would be gradually surrounded by 
the whites. This they did not relish, by any 
means, and gave the settlements south of the Oliio 
no little uneasiness. It was thought best to hold 
another treaty with them. In the mean time, to 
insure peace, the Governor of Virginia, and Con- 
gress, placed troops at Venango, Forts Pitt and 
Mcintosh, and at Miami, Vinccnnes, Louisville, 
and Muskingum, and the militia of Kentucky 
were held in readiness should a sudden outbreak 
occur. These measures produced no results, save 
insuring the safety of the whites, and not until 
January, 1789, was Clarke able to carry out his 
plans. During that mt)nth, he held a meeting at Fort 
Harmar,* at the mouth of the Muskingum, where 
the New England Colony expected to locate. 

The hostile character of the Indians did not 
deter the Ohio Comjiany from carrying out its 
plans. In the winter of 1787, Gen. Rufus Put- 

* Fort Harmar was built in 17S5, by a detachment of United States 
soldiers, under command of Maj. John Dongbty. It was named in 
honor of Col. Josiah llarmar, to whoso regmi'.nt Maj. Doughty was 
attached. It wad the fii-at military post erected by the Americans 
within tlie limits of Ohio, except Fort Laurens, a temporary struct- 
ure built in 1778. When Marietta was founded it was the military 
post of that part of the country, and was for many years an impor- 
tatit station. 



nam and forty-seven pioneers advanced to the 
mouth of the Youghiogheny River, and began 
building a boat for transportation down the Ohio 
in the spring. The boat was the largest craft, that 
had ever descended the river, and, in allusion to 
their Pilgrim Fathers, it w;is called the Mayflower. 
It was 45 feet long and 12 feet wide, and esti- 
mated at 50 tons burden. Truly a formidable afl'air 
for the time. The bows were raking and curved 
like a galley, and were strongly timbered. The 
sides were made bullet-proof, and it was covered 
with a deck roof Capt. Devol, the first ship- 
builder in the West, was placed in command. On 
tlie 2d of April, the Mayflower was launched, 
and for five days the little band of pioneers sailed 
di:)wu the jMonongahela and the Ohio, and, on the 
7.th, landed at the mouth of the Muskingum. 
There, opposite Fort Harmar, they chose a loca- 
tion, moored their boat for a temporary shelter, 
and began to erect houses for their occupation. 

Thus was begun th(5 first English settlement in 
the Ohio Valley. About the 1st of July, they 
were re-enforced by the arrival of a colony from 
Massachusetts. It had been nine weeks on the 
way. It had hauled its wagons and driven its 
stock to Wheeling, where, constructing flat-boats, 
it had floated down the river to the settlement. 

In October preceding this occurrence, Arthur . 
St. Clair had been appointed Governor of the Ter- 
ritory by Congress, which body also appointed 
Winthrop Sargent, Secretary, and Samuel H. 
Parsons, James ftl. Varnum and John Armstrong 
Judges. Subsequently Blr. Armstrong declined 
the appointment, and jMr. Symmes was given the 
vacancy. None of these were on the ground 
when the first settlement was made, though the 
Judges came soou after. One of the first things the 
colony found necessary to do was to organize 
some form of government, whereby difficulties 
might be settled, though to the credit of the colony 
it may be said, that during the first three months 
of its existence but one difference arose, and that 
was settled by a compromise.* Indeed, hardly a 
better set of men for the purpose could have been 
selected. Washington wrote concerning this 
colony : 

"No colony in America was ever settled under 
such favorable auspices as that which has com- 
menced at the Muskingum. Information, prop- 
erty and strength will be its characteristics. I 
know many of the settlers personally, and there 

*'* Western Monthly Magazine." 



^- 



iii^ 



never were men betU r eakulated to promote the 
welfare of such a community." 

On the 2d of July, a meeting of the Directors 
and agents was held on the banks of the Mus- 
kingum for the purpose of naming the newborn 
city and its squares. As yet, the settlement had 
been merely "The Muskingum;" but the name 
Marietta was now formally given it, in honor of 
Marie Antoinette. The square upon which the 
blockhouses stood was called Campus Martins; 
Square No. 19, CapitoUum ; Square No. 01, Ce- 
cilia, and the great road running through the 
covert-way. Sacra Via* Surely, classical scholars 
were not scarce in the colony. 

On the Fourth, an oration was delivered by 
James M. Varnum, one of the Judges, and a 
public demonstration held. Five da^'s afler, the 
Governor arrived, and the colony began to assume 
form. The ordinance of 1787 provided two dis- 
tinct giades of government, under the first of 
which the whole power was under the Governor 
and the three Judges. This form was at once 
recognized on the arrival of St. Clair. The first 
law established by this court was passed on the 
25th of July. It established and regulated the 
militia of the Territory. The next day after its 
publication, appeared the Governor's proclamation 
erecting all the country that had been ceded by 
the Indians east of the Scioto River, into the 
county of Washington. Marietta was, of course, 
the county seat, and, from that day, went on 
prosperously. On September 2, the first court 
was held with becoming ceremonies. It is thus 
related in the American Pioneer: 

"The procession was formed at the Point 
("where the most of the settlers resided), in the 
following order: The High Sheriff, with his 
drawn sword; the citizens; the officers of the 
garrison at Fort Harmar; the members of the 
bar; the Supreme Judges; the Governor and 
clergyman ; the newly appointed Judges of the 
Court of Common Pleas, Gens. Ilufus Putnam 
and Benjamin Tupper. 

"They marched up the path that had been 
cleared through the forest to Campus Martins 
Hall (stockade ), where the whole countermarched, 
and the Judges (Putnam and Tupper) took their 
seats. The clergyman, Rev. Dr. Cutler, then 
invoked the di\-ine blessing. The Sheriff, Col. 
Kbenezer Sproat, proclaimed with his solemn 'Oh 
yes!' that a court is oj>en for the administration of 

*" Carey's Museum," Vol. 4. 



even-handed justice, to the poor and to the rich, 
to the guilty and to the innocent, without respect 
of persons; none to be punished without a trial of 
their peers, and then in pursuance of the laws and 
evidence in the case. 

" Although this scene was exhibited thus early 
in the settlement of the West, few ev(!r ecpaled it 
in the dignity and exalted character of its princi- 
pal participators. Many of them belonged U) the 
history of our country in the darkest, as well as 
the most splendid, period of the Revolutionary 
war." 

Many Indians were gathered at the same time 
to witness the (to themj strange spectacle, and for 
the purpose of forming a treaty, though how 
fiir they canied this out, the Pioneer does not 
relate. 

The progress of the settlement was quite satis- 
factory during the year. Some one writing a 
letter from the town says: 

"The progress of the settlement is sufficiently 
rapid for the first year. We are continually erect- 
ing houses, but arrivals are constantly coming 
faster than we can possibly provid(! convenient 
covering. Our first ball was opened about the 
middle of December, at which were fifteen ladies, 
as well accomplished in the manner of polite 
circles as any I have ever seen in the old(!r States. 
I mention this to show the progress of society in 
this new world, where, I believe, we shall vie with, 
if not excel, the old States in every accom- 
plishment necessary to render life agreeable and 
happy." ^ 

The emigration westward at this time was, 
indeed, exceedingly large. The commander at 
Fort Harmar reported 4,500 persons as having 
passed that post between February and June, 
1788, many of whom would have stopped there, 
had the associates been ])ro(iarcd to receive them. 
The settlement was free from Indian depredations 
until January, 1791, during which interval it 
daily increased in numbers and strength. 

Symmcs and his friends were not idle during this 
time. He had secured his contract in October, 
1787, and, soon after, issued a j)amphlct stating 
the terms of his purchase and the mode he intended 
to follow in the di.sposid of the lauds. His plan 
wus, to issue warrants for not less than one-quarter 
.section, which might be located anywhere, save on 
reservations, or on land previously entered. The 
locator could enter an entire section should he de- 
sire to do so. The price was to be CO5 cents per 
acre till ?Iay, 1788 ; then, till November, §1 ; and 



70 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



after that time to be regulated by the demand for 
land. Each purchaser was bound to begin im- 
provements within two years, or forfeit one-sixth 
of the land to whoever would settle thereon and 
remain seven years. Military bounties might be 
taken in this, as in the purchase of the associates. 
For himself, Symmes reserved one township near 
the mouth of the Miami. On this he intended to 
build a great city, rivaling any Eastern port. He 
offered any one a lot on which to build a house, 
providing he would remain three years. Conti- 
nental certificates were rising, owing to the demand 
for land created by these two purchases, and Con- 
gress found the burden of debt correspondingly 
lessened. Symmes scion began to experience diffi- 
culty in procuring enough to meet his payments. 
He had also some trouble in arranging his boundary 
with the Board of the Ti'easury. These, and other 
causes, laid the foundation for another city, which is 
now what Symmes hoped his city would one day be. 

In January, 1788, Mathias Denman, of New 
Jersey, took an interest in Symmes' purchase, 
and located, among other tracts, the sections upon 
which Cincinnati has since been built. Retaining 
one-third of this purchase, he sold the balance to 
Robert Patterson and John Filson, each getting 
I he same share. These three, about August, agreed 
to lay out a town on their land. It was designated 
as opposite the mouth of the Licking River, to 
which place it was intended to open a road from 
Lexington, Ky. These men little thought of the 
great emporium that now covers the modest site of 
this town they laid out that summer. Mr. Filson, 
who had been a schoolmaster, and was of a some- 
what poetic nature, was appointed to name the 
town. In respect to its situation, and as if with 
a prophetic perception of the mixed races that 
were in after yeara to dwell there, he named it Los- 
antiville,* " which, being interpreted," says the 
" Western Annals," "means I'j'ffi', the town; and, 
opposite to ; os, the mouth ; L, of Licking. This 
may well put to the blu.sh the Campus Marlins 
of the Marietta scholars, and the Fort Soloit of 
the Spaniards." 

Meanwhile, Symmes was busy in the East, and, 
by July, got thirty people and eight four-horse 
wagons under way for the West. These reached 
Limestone by September, where they met Mr. 
Stites, with several persons fi'om Redstone. All 

* Judge Burnett, in his notes, disputes the above account of the 
origin of the city of Cincinnati. Ho says tlio name "LusantiTille" 
was determined on, but not adopted, when the town was laid out. 

-sion is probably the correct one,, and will be found fully 

1 the detailed history of the settlements. 



came to Symmes' purchase, and began to look for 
homes. 

Symmes' mind was, however, ill at rest. He 
could not meet his first payment on so vast a realm, 
and there also arose a difference of opinion be- 
tween him and the Treasury Board reg;irding the 
Ohio boundary. Symmes wanted all the land be- 
tween the two Miamis, bordering on the Ohio, 
while the Board wished him confined to no more 
than twenty miles of the river. To this proposal 
he would not agree, as he had made sales all along 
the river. Leaving the bargain in an unsettled 
state, CongTess considered itself released from all 
its obligations, and, but for the representations of 
many of Symmes' friends, he would have lost all 
his money and labor. His a)ij)ointment as Judge 
was not favorably received by many, as they 
thought that by it he would acejuire unlimited 
power. Some of his associates also complained of 
him, and, for awhile, it surely seemed that ruin 
only awaited him. Btit he was brave and hope- 
ful, and determined to succeed. On his return 
from a visit to his purchase in September, 1788, 
he wrote .Jonathan Dayton, of New Jersey, one of 
his best friends and associates, that he thought 
some of the land near the Great Miami " positively 
worth a silver dollar the acre in its present state." 

A good many changes were made in his original 
contract, gi'owing out of his inability to meet his 
payments. At first, he was to have not less than 
a million acres, under an act of CmigivsK jms'iei] in 
October, 1787, authorizing the Ticasury Board to 
contract with any one who could pay for such 
tracts, on the Ohio and Wabash Rivers, whose 
fronts should not exceed one-third of their depth. 

Dayton and Marsh, Symmes' agents, contracted 
with the Board for one tract on the Ohio, begin- 
ning twenty miles up the Ohio from the mouth of 
the Great Jliami, and to run back for quantitj' be- 
tween the Miami and a line drawn from the Ohio, 
parallel to the general course of that river. In 
1791, three years after Daj'ton and Marsh made 
the contract, Symmes found this would throw the 
purchase too far back fi-om the Ohio, and applied 
to Congress to let him have all between tlu^ Mi- 
amies, running back so as to include 1, 000, 000 
acres, which that body, on April 12, 1792, agreed 
to do. When the lands were surveyed, however, it 
was found that a line drawn from the head of the 
Little Miami due west to the Great Bliami, would 
include south of it less than six hundred thousand 
acres. Even this Symmes could not pay for, and 
when his patent was issued in September, 1794, it 



-7- 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



71 



gave him and his associates 248,540 acres, exclu- 
^ive of reservations which amouuted to Glj,142 
acres. This tract was bounded by the Ohio, the 
two 31iauiis and a due eitst and west line run so 
as to iuchide tlio desired quantity. Syuimes, how- 
ever, made no f urtlier payments, and the rest of 
his purchase reverted to the I'uited States, who 
gave those who liad bought under liini ample pre- 
emption rights. 

The Government was able, also, to give him and 
his colonists but little aid, aud as danger from hos- 
tile Indians wa.sin a measure imminent (though all 
the natives were friendly to Symmes), settlers wore 
slow tc come. However, the band led by Mr. 
Stites arrived before the 1st of January, 1789, 
and locating themselves near the mouth of the 
Little Miami, on a tract of 10,OilO acres which 
Mr. Stites had purchased from Symmes, formed 
the second settlement in Ohio. They wore soon 
afterward joined by a colony of twenty-six persons, 
who assisted them to erect a block-house, and 
gather their corn. The ti)wn was named Columbia. 
While here, the great flood of January, 178'J, oc- 
curred, which did much to ensure the future 
growth of Jjosantiville, or more properly, Cincin- 
nati. Symmes City, which was laid out near the 
mouth of the Great Miami, and which he vaiuly 
strove to make the city of the future. Marietta 
and Columbia, all suffered severely b}' this flood, 
the greatest, the Indians said, ever known. The 
site of Cincinnati was not ovei-flowed, and hence 
attracted the attention of the settlers. Denman's 
warrants had designated his purchase as opposite 
the mouth of the Licking; and that point escaj)- 
ing the overflow, late in December the place was 
visited by Israel Ludlow, Symmes' surveyor, Mr. 
Patterson and Mr. Denman, and about fourteen oth- 
ers, w^ho left ilaysville to "form a station and lay 
off a town opposite the Licking." The river Wiis 
filled with ice "from shore to shore;" but, says 
Symmes in May, 1789, " Perseverance triumphing 
over difficulty, and they landed safe on a most de- 
lightful bank of the Ohio, where they founded 
the town of Losantiville, which populates consid- 
erably." The settlers of Losantiville built a few 
log huts and block-houses, and proceeded to im- 
prove the town. Symmes, noticing the location, 
says: "Though they placed their dwellings in the 
most marked position, yet they suffered nothing 
from the freshet." This would seem to give cre- 
dence to Judge Burnett's notes regarding tlie origin 
of Cincinnati, who states the settlement was made 
at this time, and not at the time mentioned when 



3Ir. Filsou named the town. It i.s further to be 
nut iced, that, before the town was located by Mr. 
Ludlow and Mr. Patterson, !Mr. Filson had been 
killed by the Miami Indians, aud, as he had not paid 
for his one-third of the site, the claim was sold to 
Mr. Ludlow, who thereby became one of the origi- 
nal owners of the place. Just what day the town 
was laid out is not recorded. All the evidence 
tends to show it must have been late in 1788, or 
early in 1789. 

AV'^hile the settlements on the north side of the 
Ohio were thus progressing, south of it fears of the 
Indians prevailed, and the separation sore was 
kept open. The country was, however, so torn by 
internal factions that no plan was likely to suc- 
ceed, and to this fact, in a large measure, may be 
credited the reason it did not secede, or join the 
Spanish or French faction, both of which were 
intriguing to get the commonwealth. During 
this year the treasonable acts of James Wilkinson 
came into view. For a while he thought success 
was in his grasp, but the two governments were at 
peace with America, aud discouutenanced any such 
efforts. Wilkinson, like all traitors, relapsed into 
nonentity, and became mistrusted by the govern- 
ments he attempted to befriend. Treason is al- 
ways odious. 

It will be borne in mind, that in 1778 prepa- 
rations had been made for a treaty with the Indi- 
ans, to secure peaceful possession of the lands 
owned in the West. Though the whites held 
these by purchase and treaty, yet many Indians, 
especially the Wabash and some of the Miami In- 
dians, objected to their occupation, claiming the 
Ohio boundary as the original division line. Clarke 
endeavored to obtain, by treaty at Fort Harmar, 
in 1778, a confirmation of these grants, but was 
not able to do .so till January, 9, 1789. Rep- 
resentatives of the Six Nations, and of the Wjan- 
dots, Delawares, Ottawa.s, Chippcwas, Pottawato- 
mies and Sacs, met him at this date, and confirmed 
and extended the treaties of Fort Stanwix and 
Fort Mcluto.sh, the one in 1784, the other in 
1785. This secured peace with the most of them, 
save a few of the Wabash Indians, whom they 
were compelled to comiuer by arms. When this 
was accomplLshcd, the borders were thought safe, 
and Virginia ])ro]ioscd to withdraw her aid in sup- 
port of Kentucky. This opened old troubles, and 
the separation dogma came out afresh. Virginia 
offered to allow the erection of a separate State, 
providing Kentucky would a-ssume ]jart of the old 
debts. This the young commonwealth would not 



sr 



72 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



do, and sent a remonstrance. Virginia withdrew 
the proposal, and ordered a ninth convention, 
which succeeded in evolving a plan whereby Ken- 
tucky took her place among the free States of the 
Union. 

North of the Ohio, the prosperity continued. 
In 1789, Rev. Daniel Story, who had been ap- 
pointed missionary to the West, came out as a 
teacher of the youth and a preacher of the Gospel. 
Dr. Cutler had preceded him, not in the capacity 
of a minister, though he had preached ; hence Mr. 
Story is truly the first missionary from the Prot- 
estant Church who came to the Ohio Valley in 
that capacity. When he came, in 1789, he found 
nine associations on the Ohio Company's purchase, 
coui[irising two hundred and fifty persons in all ; 
and, by the close of 1790, eight settlements had 
been made: two at Belpre (belle prairie), one at 
Newbury, one at Wolf Creek, one at Duck Creek, 
one at the mouth of Meigs' Creek, one at Ander- 
son's Bottom, and one at Big Bottom. An ex- 
tended sketch of all these settlements will be found 
farther on in this volume. 

Symmes had, all this time, strenuously endeav- 
ored to get his city — called Cleves City — favorably 
noticed, and filled with people. He saw a rival in 
Cincinnati. That place, if made military head- 
quarters to protect the Miami Valley, would out- 
rival his town, situated near the bend of the 
Miami, near its mouth. On the 15th of June, 
Judj;e Synimes received news that the Wabash 
Inilians threatened the Miami settlements, and as 
he had received only nineteen men for defense, he 
applied for more. Before July, Maj. Doughty 
arrived at the "Slaughter House " — as the Miami 
was sometimes called, owing to previous murders 
that had, at former times, occurred therein. 
Through the influence of Symmes, the detach- 
ment landed at the North Bend, and, for awhile, 
it was thought the fort would be erected there. 
This was what Symmes wanted, as it would 
secure him the headquarters of the military, and 
aid in getting the headquarters of the civil gov- 
ernment. The truth was, however, that neither 
the ]iroposed city on the INIiami — North Bend, as 
it alterward became known, from its location — or 
South Bend, could compete, in point of natural 
advantages, with the plain on which Cincinnati is 
built. Had Port Washington been built elsewhere, 
after the clo.se of the Indian war, nature would 
have asserted her advantages, and insured tlie 
growth of a city, where even the ancient and mys- 
terious dwellers of the Ohio had reared the earthen 



walls of one of their vast t<imples. Another fact 
is given in relation to the erection of Port Wash- 
ington at Losantiville, which partakes somewhat of 
romance. The Major, while waiting to decide at 
which place the fort should be built, happened to 
make the acquaintance of a black-eyed beauty, the 
wife of one of the residents. Her husband, notic- 
ing the affair, removed her to Losantiville. The 
Major followed; he told Symmes he wished to see 
how a fort would do there, but promised to give his 
city the preference. He found the beauty there, and 
on his return Symmes could not prevail on him to 
remain. If the story be true, then the importance 
of Cincinnati owes its existence to a trivial circum- 
stance, and the old story of the ten years' war 
which terminated in the downfall of Troy, which 
is said to have originated owing to the beauty of 
a Spartan dame, was re-enacted here. Troy and 
North Bend fell because of the beauty of a wo- 
man ; Cincinnati was the result of the downfall of 
the latter place. 

About the first of January, 1790, Governor St. 
Clair, with his officers, descended the Ohio River 
from IMarietta to Fort Washington. There he es- 
tablished the county of Hamilton, comprising the 
immense region of country contiguous to the 
Ohio, from the Hocking River to the Great 
Miami; appointed a corps of civil and military 
officers, and e.stablished a Court of Quarter Ses- 
sions. Some state that at this time, he changed 
the name of the village of Losantiville to Cin- 
cinnati, in allusion to a society of that name 
which had recently been formed among the officers 
of the Revolutionary army, and established it as 
the seat of justice for Ilaniilton. This latter fact 
is certain; but as regards changing the name of 
the village, there is mi good authority for it. With 
this importance attached to it, Cincinnati began at 
once an active growth, and from that day Cleves' 
city declined. The next summer, frame houses 
began to appear in Cincinnati, while at the same 
time forty new log cabins appeared about the 
fort.. 

On the Sth of January, the Governor arrived at 
the falls of the Ohio, on his way to establish a 
government at Vinc(!nnes and Kaskaskia. Prom 
Clarkesville, he disjiatched a messenger to Major 
Hamtramck, commander at Vincennes, with 
speeclies to the various Indian tribes in this part 
of the Northwest, who had not fully agreed to the 
treaties. St. Clair and Sargent followed in a few 
days, along an Indian trail to Vincennes, where he 
organized the county of Knox, comprisi'':; all the 



'C a 



-» S 'y 



:^i 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



73 



country along the Ohio, from th<' Miami to the 
Wabaf-h, aud made Vineennos the county seat. 
Then they proceeded across the lower part of Illi- 
nois to Kaskaskia, where he established the county 
of St, Clair (so named by Sargent), coni])risini; all 
the country from the Wabash to the ^lis,sis.sippi. 
Thus the Northwest was divided into three coun- 
ties, and courts established therein. St. Clair 
called upon the French inhabitants at Vincennes 
and in the Illinois country, to show the titles to 
their lands, and also to defray the expense of a 
survey. To this latter demand they replied through 
their priest, Pierre (Jibault, showing their poverty, 
and inability to comply. They were confirmed in 
their grants, and, as they had been good friends to 
the patriot cause, were relieved from the expense 
of the .survej". ' 

While the Governor was managing these affairs. 
Major Hamtraniik was engaged in an effort to con- 
ciliate the Wabash Indians. For this purpose, he 
sent Antoine (Jamelin, an intelligent French mer- 
chant, and a tjue friend of America, among them to 
carry messages sent by St. Clair and the Govern- 
ment, and to learn their sentiments and dispositions. 
Gamelin performed this important niission in the 
spring of 1790 with much sagacity, and. as the 



French were good friends of the natives, he did 
much to conciliate these half-hostile tribes. He 
visited the towns of these tribes along the Wabash 
and a-s far north and ca.st as the Miami village, 
Ke-ki-ong-ga — St. Mary's — at the junction of the 
St. Mary's and St. Joseph's Rivers (Fort Wayne). 

Gameliii's report, and the intelligence brought by 
some traders from the Upper Wabash, were con- 
veyed to the Governor at Ka.ska.skia. The reports 
convinced him that tlii' Indians of that part of the 
Northwest were pre]iaring for a war on the settle- 
ments north of the Ohio, intending, if possible, to 
drive them .south of it ; that river being still con.sid- 
ered by them a-s the true boundary. St. Clair left 
the administration of affairs in the Western counties 
t« Sargent, and returned at once to Fort Wa.shing- 
ton to provide for tlu; defense of the frontier. 

The Indians had begun their predatory incur- 
sions into the country settled by the whites, and 
had committed some depredations. The Kentuek- 
ians were enlisted in an attack against the Scioto 
Indians. April 18, Gen. Harmar, with 100 
regulars, and Gen. Scott, with 230 volunteers, 
marched from Limestone, by a circuitous route, to 
the Scioto, accomplishing but little. The savages 
had fled. 



CHAPTER "VII. 



THE INDIAN AVAR OF 17!ir) — H.VRMAR'S CAMPAIGN— ST. CLAIRS CAMPAIGN — WAYNE'S 
CAMPAIGN— CLOSE OF THE WAR. 



A GREAT deal of the hostility at this period 
was directly traceable to the British. They 
yet held Detroit and several posts on the lakes, in 
violation of the treaty of 17S3. They alleged as 
a reason for not abandoning them, that the Ameri- 
cans had not fulfilled the conditions t)f the treaty 
regarding the collection of debts. Moreover, they 
did [ill they could to remain at the frontier and en- 
joy the emoluments derived from the fur trade. 
That the}' aided the Indians in the ccjnflict at this 
time, is undeniable. Just /loir, it is difficult to 
say. But it is well known the savages had all the 
ammunition and fire-arms they wanted, more than 
they could have obtained from American and 
French renegade traders. They were aLso well 
supplied with clothing, and were able to prolong 
the war some time. A great confederation was on 
the eve of formation. The leading sjiirits were 



Cornplanter, Brant, Little Turtle aud other noted 
chiefs, and had not the British, as Brant said, 
"encoiu-aged us to the war, and promised us aid, 
and then, when we w(Te driven away by the Amer- 
icans, shut the doors of their fortresses against us 
and refused us food, when they saw us nearly con- 
quered, we would have effected our object." 

McKee, Elliott and Girty were also actively en- 
gaged in aiding the natives. All of them were in 
the interest of the British, a f^ict clearly proven 
by the Indians themselves, and by other traders. 

St. Clair and Gen. Harmar determined to send 
an expedition against the Slaumee towns, and se- 
cure that p.irt of the country. Letters were sent 
to the militia officers of Western Pennsylvania, 
Virginia and Kentucky, calling on them for militia 
to co-operate with the regular troops in the cam- 
paign. According to the plan of the campaign. 



74 



HISTORY or OHIO. 



;5()0 militia were to rendezvous at Fort Steuben 
(. Jefferson ville), march thence to Fort Knox, at 
Vincennes, and join Maj. Hamtramck in an expe- 
dition up the Wabash ; 700 were to rendezvous at 
Fort Washington to join the regular army against 
the Maumee towns. 

While St. Clair was forming his army and ar- 
ranging for the campaign, three expeditions were 
sent out against the Bliami towns. One against 
the Miami villages, not far from the Wabash, was 
led by den. Harmar. He had in his army about 
fourteen hundred men, regulars and militia. These 
two parts of the army could not be made to affili- 
ate, and, as a consequence, the expedition did little 
beyond burning the villages and destroying corn. 
The militia would not submit to discipline, and wovild 
not serve under regular officers. It will be .seen 
what this spirit led to when St. Clair went on his 
march soon after. 

The Indians, emboldened by the meager success 
of Ilarmar's command, continued their depreda- 
dations against the Ohio settlements, destroying 
the community at Big Bottom. To hold them in 
check, and also punish them, an army under Cliarlos 
Scott went against the Wabash Indians. Little 
was done here but destroy towns and the standing- 
corn. In July, another army, under Col. Wilkin- 
son, was sent against the Eel River Indians. Be- 
coming entangled in extensive morasses on the 
river, the army became endangered, but was finally 
extricated, and accomplished no more than either 
the other armies before it. As it was, however, the 
three expeditions directed against the Miamis and 
Shawanees, served only to exasperate them. The 
burning of their towns, the destruction of their 
corn, and the captivity of their women and chil- 
dren, only aroused them to more desperate efforts 
to defend their country and to harass their in- 
vaders. To accomplish this, the chiefs of the 
Miamis, Shawanees and the Delawares, Little 
Turtle, Blue Jacket and Buckongahelas, were en- 
gaged in forming a confederacy of all the tribes of 
the Northwest, strong enough to drive the whites 
beyond the Ohio. Pontiac had tried that before, 
even when he had open allies among the French. 
The Indians now had secret allies among the Brit- 
ish, yet, in the end, they did not succeed. While 
they were preparing for the contest, St. Clair was 
gathering his forces, intending to erect a chain of 
forts from the Ohio, by way of the Miami and 
Maumee valleys, to the lakes, and thereby effect- 
ually hold the savages in check. Washington 
warmly seconded this plan, and designated the 



junction of the St. Mary's and St. Joseph's Rivers as 
an important post. This had been a fortification 
almost from the time the English held the valley, 
and only needed little work to make it a formid- 
able fortress. Gen. Knox, the Secretary of War, 
also favored the plan, and gave instructions con- 
cerning it. Under these instructions, St. Clair 
organized his forces as rapidly as he could, although 
the numerous drawbacks almost, at times, threat- 
ened the defeat of the campaign. Through the 
summer the arms and accouterments of the army 
were put in readiness at Fort Washington. Many 
were found to be of the poorest quality, and to be 
badly out of repair. The militia came poorly 
armed, under the impression they were to be ]iro- 
vided with arms. While waiting in camp, habits 
of idleness engendered themselves, and drunken- 
ness followed. They continued their accustomed 
freedom, disdaining to drill, and refused to submit 
to the regular officers. A bitter spirit broke out 
between the regular troops and the militia, which 
none could heal. The insubordination of the mi- 
litia and their officers, caused them a defeat after- 
ward, which they in vain attempted to fasten on 
the busy General, and the regular troops. 

The army was not ready to move till September 
17. It wiis then 2,300 strong. It then moved 
to a point upon the Great Miami, where tliey 
erected Fort Hamilton, the first in the proposed 
chain of fortresses. Afler ite completion, tliey 
moved on forty-four miles farther, and, on the 12th 
of October, began the erection of Fort Jefferson, 
about six miles south of the present town of Green- 
ville, Darke County. On the 24th, the army again 
took up its line of march, through a wilderness, 
marshy and boggy, and full of savage foes. The 
army rapidly declined under the hot sun ; even the 
commander was sufl'ering from an indisposition. 
The militia deserted, in companies at a time, leav- 
ing the bulk of the work to the regular troops. 
By the 3d of November, the army reached a 
stream twelve yards wide, which St. Clair sup- 
posed to be a branch of the St. Mary of the Mau- 
mee, but which in reality wa,s a tributary of the 
Wabash. Upon the banks of that stream, the 
army, now about fourteen hundred strong, en- 
camped in two lines. A slight protection was 
thrown np as a safeguard against the Indians, who 
were known to be in the neighborhood. The Gen- 
eral intended to attack them next day, but, about 
half an hour before sunrise, just after the militia 
had been dismissed from parade, a sudden attack 
was made upon them. The militia were thrown 



HISTOKY OF OHIO. 



75 



into confusion, and disregarded tlic command of 
the officers. They had not been sufficiently drilled, 
and now was seen, too late and too plainly, the evil 
effects of their insubordination. Through the 
morning the battle waged furiously, the men falling 
by scores. About nine oclock the retreat began, 
covered by Maj. Cook and hisj troops. The re- 
treat was a dLsgraceful, precipitate flight, though, 
after four miles had been piussed, the enemy re- 
turned to the work of scalping the dead and 
wounded, and of j>illaging the camp. Through 
the day and the night their dreadful work con- 
tinued, one squaw alk'rward declaring " lier arm 
wiis weary scalping the white men." The army 
reached Fort Jeflersou a little after sunset, having 
thrown away much of its arms and baggage, though 
the act was entirely unnecessary. After remain- 
ing here a short time, it was decided by the officers 
to move on toward Fort Hamilton, and thence to 
Fort Wa.shington. 

The defeat of St. Clair was the most terrible re- 
verse the Americans ever suffered i'rom the Indi- 
ans. It was greater than even IJraddock's defeat. 
His army consisted of 1,200 men and 80 officers, 
of whom 714 men and G3 officers were killed or 
wounded. St. Clair's army consisted of 1,400 
men and 8G officers, of whom 800 men and 16 
officers were killed or wounded. The comparative 
effects of the two engagements very inadequately 
represent the cru.shing effect of St. Clair's defeat. 
An unprotected frontier of more than a thousand 
miles in extent was now thrown open to a foe made 
merciless, and anxious to drive the whites from the 
north side of the Ohio. Now, settlers were scat- 
tered along all the streams, and in all the forests, ex- 
liosed to the cruel enemy, who stealthily ajiproached 
the homes of the pioneer, to murder him and his 
family. Loud calls arose from the pcu]ile to defend 
and jirotect them. St. Clair was covered with abuse 
for ids defeat, when he really was notalone to blame 
fir it. The militia would not be controlled. Had 
Clarke been at their head, or Wayne, who succeeded 
St. Clair, the result might have been different. As 
it was, St. Clair resigned ; though ever after lie en- 
joyed the confidence of Wa-shington and Congress. 

Four days after the defeat of St. Clair, the army, 
in its straggling condition, reached Fort Washing- 
ton, and paused to rest. On the Dth, St. Clair 
wrote fully to the Secretary of War. ( >n the 1 2th, 
Gen. Knox communicated the information to Con- 
gress, and on tlie 26th, he laid before the Presi- 
dent two reports, tlie second containing sugges- 
tions regarding future operations. His sugges- 



tions urged the establishment of a strong United 
States Army, as it wa.s jilain the States could not 
control the matter. He also urged a thorough 
drill of the soldiers. No more insubordination 
could be tolerated. General Wayne was selected 
by Wiishington as the commander, and at once pro- 
ceeded to the task as.signed to him. In June, 1792, 
he went to Pittsburgh to organize the army now 
gathering, which was to be the ultimate argu- 
ment with the Indian confederation. Through the 
summer he was steadily at work. "Train and dis- 
cipline them for the work they are meant for," 
wrote Washington, "and do not spare powder and 
lead, so the men be made good marksmen." In 
December, the forces, now recruited and trained, 
gathered at a point twenty-two miles below I'itts- 
burgh, on the Ohio, called JiCgioMville, the army 
itself being denominated the Legion of the United 
States, divided into four sub-legions, and provided 
with the proper officers. Meantime, Col. Wilkinson 
succeeded St. (Jlair as commander at Fort Wash- 
ington, and sent out a force to examine the field of 
defeat, and bury the dead. A shocking sight met 
their view, revealing the deeds of cruelty enacted 
upon their comrades by the savage enemy. 

While Wayne's army was drilling, peace meas- 
ures were pressed forward by the United States 
with ecjual pers(;verance. The Iro(|uois were in- 
duced to visit Philad(^l[ihiu, and partially secured 
from the general confedi^racy. Tlu'y were wary, 
however, and, expecting aid from the British, held 
aloof. Brant did not come, as was hoped, and it 
was plain there was intrigue somewhere. Five 
indej)endent embiissies were sent among the West- 
ern tribes, to endeavor to pi-event a war, and win 
over the inimical tribes. But the victories they 
had won, and the favorable whispers of the British 
agents, closed tlie e.us of the red men, and all 
propositions were riyeeted in some form or other. 
All the embassadors, save Putnam, suffered death. 
He alone was able to reach his goal — the Wabash 
Indian.s — and effect any treaty. On the 27th of 
Beeember, in company with Ileckewelder, the Mo- 
ravian missionary, he reached Vinccnnes, and met 
thirty-one chiefs, representing the Weas, Pianke- 
shaws, Kaskaskias, Peorias, Illinois, Pottawatomies, 
Slascoutins, Kiekapoos and Eel llivcr Indians, and 
concluded a treaty of peace with them. 

The fourth article of this treaty, however, con- 
tained a provision guaranteeing to the Indians 
their lands, and when the treaty was laid before 
Congress, February 13, 1793, that body, afler 
much discussion, refused on that account to ratify it. 



76 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



A great council of the Indians was to be held 
at Auglaize during the autumn of 1792, when 
the assembled nations were to discuss fully their 
means of defense, and determine their future line 
of action. The council met in October, and v/as 
the largest Indian gathering of the time. The 
chiefs of all the tribes of the Northwest were there. 
The representatives of the seven nations of Canada, 
were in attendance. Cornplanter and forty-eight 
chiefs of the New York (Six Nations) Indians re- 
paired thither. " Besides these," said Cornplanter, 
"there were so many nations we cannot tell the 
names of them. There were three men from the 
Gora nation; it took them a whole season to come; 
and," continued he, "twenty-seven nations from 
beyond Canada were there." The question of 
peace or war was long and earnestly debated. Their 
future was solemnly discussed, and around the 
council fire native eloquence and native zeal 
shone in all their simple strength. One nation 
after another, through their chiets, presented their 
views. The deputies of the Six Nations, who had 
been at Philadelphia to consult the "Thirteen 
Fires," made their report. The Western bound- 
ary was the principal question. The natives, with 
one accord, declared it must be the Ohio River. 
An address was prepared, and sent to the President, 
wherein their views were stated, and agreeing to 
abstain from all hostilities, until thej' could meet 
again in the spring at the rapids of the Maumee, 
and there consult with their white brothers. They 
desired the President to send agents, "who are 
men of honesty, not proud land-jobbers, but men 
who love and desire peace." The good work of 
Penn was evidenced here, as they desired that the 
embassadors " be accompanied by some Friend or 
Quaker." 

The armistice they had promised was not, how- 
ever, faithfully kept. On the 6th of November, 
a detachment of Kentucky cavalry at Fort St. 
Clair, about tn'enty-iive miles above Fort Hamil- 
ton, Wiis attacked. The commander, IVIaj. Adair, 
was an excellent officer, well versed in Indian tac- 
tics, and defeated the savages. 

This infraction of their promises did not deter 
the Uniti^d States fi'om taking measures to meet 
the Indians at the rapids of the Maumee " when 
the leaves were fully out." For that purpose, the 
President selected as commissioners, Charles Car- 
roll and Charles Thompson, but, as they declined 
the nomination, lie appointed Benjamin Lincoln, 
Beverly Randolph and Timothy Pickering, the Lst 
of March, 1793, to attend the convention, which. 



it was thought best, should be held at the San- 
dusky outpost. About the last of April, these 
commissioners left Philadelphia, and, late in May, 
reached Niagara, where they remained guests of 
Lieut. Gov. Simcoe, of the British Government. 
This oificer gave them all the aid he could, yet it 
was soon made plain to them that he would not 
object to the confederation, nay, even rather fav- 
ored it. They speak of his kindness to them, in 
grateful terms. Gov. Simcoe advised the Indians 
to make peace, but not to give up any of their 
lands. That was the pith of the whole matter. 
The Briti.sh rather claimed land in New York, 
under the treaty of 1783, alleging the Americans 
had not fiiUy complied with the terms of that 
treaty, hence they were not as anxious for peace 
and a peaceful settlement of the difficult boundary 
question as they sometimes rejjresented. 

By July, "the leaves were fully out," the con- 
ferences among the tribes were over, and, on the 
loth of that month, the commissioners met Brant 
and some fifty natives. In a strong speech, Brant 
set forth their wishes, and invited them to accom- 
pany him to the place of holding the council. The 
Indians were rather jealous of Wayne's continued 
preparations for war, hence, just before setting out 
for the Maumee, the commissioners sent a letter to 
the Secretary of War, asking that all warlike 
demonstrations cease until the result of their mis- 
sion be known. 

On 21st of July, the embassy reached the head 
of the Detroit River, where their advance was 
checked by the British authorities at Detroit, com- 
pelling them to take up their abode at the house 
of Andrew Elliott, the famous renegade, then a 
British agent under Alexander McKee. McKee 
was attending the council, and the commissioners 
addressed him a note, borne by Elliott, to inform 
him of their arrival, and asking when they could 
be received. Elliott returned on the 2'Jth, bring- 
ing with him a deputation of twenty chiefs from 
the council. The next day, a conference was held, 
and the chief of the Wyandots, Sa-wagh-da-wunk, 
presented to the commissioners, in writing, their 
explicit demand in regard to the boundary, and 
their purposes and powers. "The Ohio must be 
the boundary," said he, " or blood will flow." 

The commissioners returned an answer to the 
proposition brought by the chiefs, recapitulating 
the treaties already made, and denying the Ohio 
as the boundary line. On the 16th of August, 
the council sent them, by two Wyandot runners, 
a final- answer, in which they recapitulated their 



>>. 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



fi)rmer assertious, aud exhibited great powers of 
reasoning and clear logic in defense of their po- 
sition. The commbsioncrs reply that it is impos- 
blo to accept the Ohio as the boundary, and declare 
the negotiatiun at an end. 

This closed the efforts of the Government to ne- 
gotiate with the Indians, aud there remained of 
necessity no other mode of settling the dispute 
l)ut war. Liberal terms had been offered them, 
but nothing but the boundary of the Ohio lliver 
Would suffice. It was the only cunditi(jn upon 
which the confederation would lay down its arms. 
'■ -Vmong the rude statesmen of the wilderness, 
there was exhibited as pure patriotism and as lofty 
devotion to the good of their race, as ever won ap- 
plause among civilized men. The white man had, 
ever since he came into the country, been encroach- 
ing on their lands. He had long occupied the 
regions beyond the mountains. He had crushed 
the conspiracy' formed by Pontiac, thirty years be- 
fore, lie had taken possession of the common 
hunting-ground of all the tribes, on the faith of 
treaties they did not acknowledge. He was 
now laying out settlements and building forts in 
the heart of the country to which all tlie tribes 
had been driven, and which now was all they could 
call their own. And now they ;i.skrd that it should 
be guaranteed to them, that the boundary which 
tliey had so long asked for should be drawn, and 
a iiual end be made to the continual aggressions of 
the whites ; or, if not, they solemnly determined to 
stake their all, against fcarfid odds, in defense of 
their homes, their country and the inheritance of 
their children. Nothing could be more patriotic 
than the position they occupied, and nothing could 
be more noble than the declarations of their 
council.'* 

They did not know the strength of the whites, 
and based their success on the victories already 
gained. They hoped, nay, were promised, aid from 
the British, and even the Spanish had held out to 
them assurances of help when the hour of conflict 
came. 

The Americans were not disposed to yield even 
to the confederacy of the tribes backed by the two 
rival nations, forming, as Wayne characterized it, a 
" hydra of British, Spanish and Indian hostility." 
On the 16th of August, the commissioners re- 
ceived the final answer of the council. The 17th, 
they left the mouth of the Detroit River, and the 
2!Jd, arrived at Fort Erie, where they immediately 

* AnDaU of the West. 



dispatched messengers to Gen. Wayne to inform 
him of the i.ssue.of the negotiation. Wayne had 
spent the winter of 171)2-93, at Legiouville, in col- 
lecting and organizing his army. April 30, 1793, 
the army moved down the river and encimipcd at 
a point, called by the soldiers " Ilobson's choice," 
because from the extreme lieight of the river they 
were prevented from landing elsewhere. Here 
Wayne w;is engaged, during the negotiations lor 
peace, in drilling his soldiers, in cutting roads, and 
collecting sup])lics for the army. He was ready 
for an immediate campaign in ca.se the council 
failed in its object. 

While here, he sent a letter to the Secretary- of 
War, detailing the circumstances, and suggesting 
the jirobable course he should follow. He re- 
mained hero during the summer, and, when apprised 
of the issue, saw it was too late to attempt the 
campaign then. He sent the Kentucky militia 
home, and, wilh his regular soldiers, went into 
winter quarters at a fort he built on a trib\itary 
of the Great Miami. He called the fort Green- 
ville. The present town of Greenville is near the 
site of the fort. During the winter, he scut a de- 
tachment to visit the scene of St. Clair's defeat. 
They found more than six hundred skulls, and 
were obliged to "scrape the bones together and 
carry them out to get a place to make their beds." 
They buried all they could find. Wayne was 
steadily preparing his forces, so as to have every- 
thing ready for a sure blow when the time came. 
All his information showed the faith in the British 
which still animated the doomed red men, and 
gave them a hope that could cnil only in defeat. 

The conduct of the Indians fully corroborated 
the statements received by Gen. Wayne. On the 
30th of June, an escort of ninety riflemen and 
fifty dragoons, under command of Jlaj. McMahon, 
w;us attacked under the walls of Fort Recovery by 
a force of more than one thou.sand Indians under 
charge of Little Turtle. They were rejmlsed and 
badly defeated, and, the next day, driven away. 
Their mode of action, their arms and ammunition, 
all told plainly of British aid. They also ex- 
pected to find the cannon lost by St. Clair Novem- 
ber 4, 1791, but which the Americans had secured. 
The 26th of July, Gen. Scott, with 1,G00 
mounted men from Kentucky, joined Gen. Wayne 
at Fort Greenville, and, two days after, the legion 
moved forward. The Sth of Augu.st, the army 
reached the junction of the Auglaize and Mau- 
mee, and at once proceeded to erect Fort Defiance, 
where the waters meet. The Indians had abandoned 



78 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



their towns on the ajiproach of tlie ai'uiy, and 
were congregating further northward. 

While engaged on Fort Defiance, Wajne 
received continual and full reports of the Indians — 
of their aid from Detroit and elsewhere ; of the 
nature of the ground, and the circumstances, 
fivorable or imfavorable. From all he could 
learn, and considering the spirits of his army, 
now thoroughly disciplined, he determined to 
march forward and settle matters at once. Yet, 
true to his own instincts, and to the measures of 
paace so forcibly taught by Washington, he sent 
Christopher Jliller, who had been naturalized 
among the Shawanees, and taken prisoner by 
Wayne's .spies, as a messenger of peace, ofieriug 
terms of i'riendship. 

Unwilling to waste time, the troops began to 
move forward the 15th of August, and the next 
day met Jliller with the message that if the Amer- 
icans would wait ten days at Auglaize the Indians 
would decide for peace or war. Waj'ue knew too 
well the Indian character, and answered the mes- 
sage by simply marching on. The 18th, the legion 
had advanced forty-one miles from Auglaize, and, 
bjing near the long-looked-for foe, began to take 
some measures for protection, should they be at- 
tacked. A slight breastwork, called Fort Deposit, 
was erected, wherein most of their heavy baggage 
was placed. They remained here, building their 
works, until the 2f)th, when, storing their baggage, 
the army began again its march. After advancing 
about five miles, they met a large ibrce of the ene- 
my, two thousand strong, who fiercely attacked 
them. Wayne was, however, prepared, and in the 
short battle that ensued they were routed, and 
large numbers slain. The American loss was very 
slight. The horde of savages were put to flight, 
leaving the Americans victorious almost under 
the walls of the British gan-ison, under Maj. 
Campbell. This officer sent a letter to Gen. 
Wayne, asking an explanation of his conduct in 
fighting so near, and in such evident hostility to 
the British. Wayne replied, telling him he was 
in a country that did not belong to him, and one 
he was not authorized to hold, and also charging 
him with aiding the Indians. A spirited corre- 
spondence followed, which ended in the American 
commander marching on, and devastating the In- 
dian country, even burning McKee's house and 
stores under the muzzles of the English guns. 

The 14lh of September, the army marched from 
Fort Defiance for the Miami village at the junc- 
tion of the St. Mary's and St. Joseph Rivers. It 



readied there on the 1 Tth, and the next day Gen. 
Wayne selected a site lor a fort. The 22d of Oc- 
tober, the fort was completed, and garrisoned by a 
detacliment under Maj. Ilamtramck, who gave to it 
the name of Fort Wayne. The 14th of October, 
the mounted Kentucky volunteers, who had be- 
come dissatisfied and mutinous, were started to 
Fort Washington, where they were immediately 
mustered out of service and discharged. The 28th 
of October, the legion marched fi-om Fort Wayne 
to Fort Greenville, where Gen. Wayne at once 
established his headquarters. 

The campaign had been decisive and short, and 
liad taught the Indians a severe lesson. The Brit- 
ish, too, had failed them in their hour of need, and 
now they began to see they had a foe to contend 
whose resources were exhaustlcss. Under these 
circumstances, losing faith in the English, and at 
last impressed with a respect for American power, 
after the defeat experienced at the hands of the 
"Black Snake," the various tribes made up their 
minds, by degrees, to ask for peace. During the 
winter and spring, they exchanged prisoners, and 
made ready to meet Gen. W^ayne at Greenville, in 
June, for the purpose of forming a definite treaty, 
as it had been agreed should be done by the pre- 
liminaries of January 24. 

During the month of June, 1795, representa- 
tives of the Northwestern tribes began to gather at 
Greenville, and, the 16th of the month. Gen. Wayne 
met in council the Delawares, Ottawas, Pottawato- 
mies and Eel River Indians, and the conferences, 
which lasted till August 10, began. The 21st 
of June, Buckongahelas arrived ; the 23d, Little 
Turtle aud other Miamis ; the loth of July, 
Tarhe and other Wyandot chiefs ; and the 18th, 
Blue Jacket, and thirteen Shawanees and Massas 
with twenty Cliippewas. 

jMcst of these, as it appeared by their statements, 
had been tampered with by the English, especially 
by JIcKee, Girty and Brant, even alter the pre- 
liminaries of Januarjf 24, and while iNIr. Jay was 
perfecting his treaty. They had, however, all de- 
termined to make peace with the "Thirteen Fires," 
and although some difficulty as to the ownership of 
the lands to be ceded, at one time seemed likely to 
arise, the good sense of AVayne and the leading 
chiefs prevented it, and, the .30th of July, the treaty 
was agreed to which should bury the hatchet for- 
ever. Between that day and the 3d of August, 
it was engrossed, and, having been signed by the 
various nations upon the day last named, it was 
finally acted upon the Tth, and the presents from 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



79 



the United States distributed. The basis of this 
treaty was the previous one made at Fort Harniar. 
The boundaries made at that time were re-affirmed ; 
the whites were secured on the lands now occu- 
pied by them or secured by former treaties ; and 
among all the assembled nations, presents, in value 
not less than one thousand pounds, were distributed 
to each through its representatives, many thousands 
in all. The Indians were allowed to ren)ove and 



punish intruders on their lands, and were permitted 
to hunt on the ceded lands. 

" This great and abiding peace document w;ts 
signed by the various tribes, and dated August 3, 
1705. It was laid before the Senate December 9, 
and ratified the 22d. So closed the old Indian 
wars in the West." * 

* AoDalB of the West." 



CHAPTER VIII. 

JAY'S TREATY— THE QUESTION OF STATE RIGHTS AND NATIONAL SUPREMACY — EXTENSION 
OF OHIO SETTLEMENTS— LAND CLAIMS— SPANISH BOUNDARY QUESTION. 

which may be necessary respecting the delivery 
of the said posts; the IJnited States, in the mean 
time, at theii- discretion, extending their settle- 
ments to any part within the said boundary line, 
except within the precincts or jurisdiction of any 
of the said posts. 

■ All settlers and all traders within the precincts 
or jurisdiction of the said posts shall continue to 
enjoy, unmolested, all their property of every 
kind, and shall be protected therein. They shall 
be at full liberty to remain there or to remove 
with all, or any part, of their eft'ects, or retain the 
property thereof at their discretion ; such of them 
as shall continue to reside within the said boundary 
lines, shall not be compelled to become citizens of 
the United States, or take any oath of allegiance 
to the Government thereof; but they shall be at 
full liberty- so to do, if they think proper; thej' 
shall make or declare their election one year after 
the evacuation aforesaid. And all persons who 
shall continue therein after the expiration of the 
said year, without having declared tlu'ir intention 
of remaining subjects to His Britannii- Majesty, 
shall be considered a.s having elected to become 
citizens of the United States." 

The Indian war had settled all fears from that 
source; the treaty with (I reat Britain had estab- 
lished the boundaries between the two countries 
and secured peace, and the treaty with Spain had 
secured the privilege of navigating the Jlississippi, 
by paj-ing only a nominal sum. It had also bound 
the people of the ^Vest together, and ended the 
old separation question. There was no danger 
from that now. Another difficulty arose, however, 
relating to the home rule, and the organization of 



WHILE these six years of Indian wars were 
in progress, Kentucky was admitted as a 
State, and Pinckney's treaty with Spain was com- 
pleted. This last occurrence was of vital impor- 
tance to the West, as it secured the free navigation 
of the jNIississippi, charging only a fair price for 
the storage of goods at Spanish ports. This, 
though not all that the Americans wished, was a 
great gain in their favor, and did much to stop 
those agitations regarding a separation on the part 
of K<'ntncky. It also quieted affiiirs further 
.-until than Kentucky, in the Georgia and S(mth 
Cariilina Territory, and put an end to French 
and Spanish intrigue for the Western Territory. 
The treaty wa.s signed November 24, 1794. 
Anotlier treaty was concluded by ISIr. John .Jay 
between the two governments. Lord Greenville 
representing the English, and Mr. Jay, the Ameri- 
cans. The negotiations lasted from April to 
November 19, 179.5, when, on that day, the treaty 
was signed and duly recognized. It decided 
cftectualiy all the questions at i.ssue, and was the 
signal for the removal of the British troops from 
the Northwestern outposts. This Wiis effected as 
soon as the proper transfers could be made. The 
second article of the treaty provided that, "His 
^lajesty will withdraw all his troops and garrisons 
from all posts and places within the boundary 
lines assigned by the treaty of peace to the United 
States. This evacuation shall take place on or 
before the 1st day of .June, 179(>, and all the 
proper measures shall be taken, in the interval, by 
concert, between the Government of the United 
States and His Majesty's Governor General in 
America, for setthng the previous arrangements 



80 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



the home government. There were two parties in 
the country, known as Federalist and Anti-Federal- 
ist. One liivored a central government, whose au- 
thority sliould be supreme ; the other, only a 
ecinijiact, leaving the States sujjreme. The worth- 
Icssiic'ss of the old colnnial system became, daily, 
mure apparent. AV'hile it existed no one felt safe. 
There was no prospect of paving the debt, and, 
hence, no credit. When Mr. Hamilton, Secretary 
of the Treasury, offered his iinaucial plan to the 
country, favoring centralization, it met, in many 
places, violent opposition. Washington was strong 
enough to carry it out, and gave evidence that he 
would do so. When, therefore, the excise law 
passed, and taxes on whisky were collected, an 
open revolt occurred in Pennsylvania, known as 
the " Whisky Insurrection." It was put down, 
finally, by military power, and the malcontents 
made to know that the United States was a gov- 
ernment, not a compact liable co rupture at any 
time, and by any of its members. It taught the 
entire nation a lesson. Centralization meant pres- 
ervation. Should a " compact" form of government 
prevail, then anarchy and ruin, and ultimate sub- 
jection to some foreign power, met their view. 
That they had just fought to dispel, and must it 
all go for naught? The people saw the rulers 
were right, and gradually, over the West, spreada 
spirit antagonistic to State supremacy. It did not 
revive till Jackson's time, when he, with an iron 
hand and iron will, crushed out the evil doctrine 
of State supremacy. It revived again in the late 
war, again to be crushed. It is to be hoped that 
ever thus will bo its fate. " The Union is insepa- 
rable," said the Government, and the people echoed 
the words. 

During the war, and while all these events had 
been transpiring, settlements had been taking place 
upon the Ohio, which, in their influence upon the 
Northwest, and especially upon the State, as soon 
as it was created, were deeply felt. The Virginia 
and the Connecticut Reserves were at this time 
peopled, and, also, that part of the Miami Valley 
about Dayton, which city dates its origin from that 
period. 

As early as 1787, the reserved lands of the Old 
Dominion north of the Ohio were examined, and, 
in August of that year, entries were made. As 
no good title could be obtained from Congress at 
this time, the settlement practically ceased until 
1790, when the prohibition to enter them was 
withdrawn. As soon as that was done, surveying 
began again. Nathaniel Massie was among the 



foremost men in the survey of this tract, and lo- 
cating the lands, laid off a town about twelve miles 
above Maysville. The place was called Manchester, 
and yet exists. From this point, Massie continued 
through all the Indian war, despite the danger, to 
survey the surrounding country, and prepare it for 
settlers. 

Connecticut had, as has been stated, ceded her 
lands, save a tract extending one hundred and 
twenty miles beyond the western boundary of 
Pennsylvania. Of this Connecticut IJcserve, so 
far as the Indian title was extinguished, a survey 
was ordered in October, 1780, and an office opened 
for its disposal. Part was soon sold, and, in 1792, 
half a million of acres were given to those citizens 
of Connecticut who had lost jtroperty by the acts 
of the British troops during the Revolutionary 
war at New London, New Haven and elsewhere. 
These lauds thereby became known as " Fire lands" 
and the "Sufferer's lands," and were located in the 
western part of the Reserve. In May, 1795, the 
Connecticut Legislature authorized a committee to 
dispose of the remainder of the Reserve. Before 
autumn the committee sold it to a company known 
as the Connecticut Land Company for $1,200,000, 
and aliout the 5th of September (juit-claimed the 
land to tlie Company. The same day the Company 
received it, it sold 3,000,000 acres to John Mor- 
gan, John Caldwell and Jonathan Brace, in trust. 
Upon these (juit^claim titles of the land all deeds 
in the Reserve are based. Surveys were com- 
menced in 1796, and, by the close of the next 
year, all the land east of the Cuyahoga was divided 
into townships five miles square. The agent of the 
Connecticut Land Company was Gen. IMoses Cleve- 
land, and in his honor the leading city of the Re- 
serve was named. That township and five others 
were reserved for private sale; the balance were 
disposed of by lottery, the first drawing occurring 
in February, 1798. 

Dayton resulted from the treaty made by Wayne. 
It came out of the boundary ascribed to Symmes, 
and for a while all such lands were not recognized 
as sold by Congress, owing to the failure of 
Symmes and his associates in paying for them. 
Thereby there existed, for a time, considerable un- 
easiness regarding the title to these lands. In 
1799, Congress was induced to issue patents to the 
actual settlers, and thus secure them in their pre- 
emption. 

Seventeen days after Wayne's treaty, St. Clairs 
Wilkinson, Jonathan Dayton and Israel Ludlow 
contracted with Symmes for the seventh and eighth 



'-^ 



UISTOKY OF OHIO. 



ranj^es, between JIaJ River and the Little Miami. 
Three settlements were to be made: one at the 
mouth of Mad lliver, one on the Little Miami, in 
the seveutli range, and another on Mad River. On 
the 21st of September, IT'J.i, Daniel C. Cooper 
started to survey and mark out a road in the pur- 
chiisc, and Joliu Duulaj) to run its boundaries, 
which was completed before October 4. On No- 
vember 4, Mr. Ludlow laid off the town of Day- 
ton, which, like land in the Connecticut Reserve, 
wa.s sold by lottery. 

A gigantic scheme to purchase eighteen or 
twenty million acres in Michigan, and then pro- 
cure a good title from the Government — who alone 
had such a right to procure land — by giving mem- 
bers of Congress an interest in the investment, 
appeared .shortly after Wayne's treaty. When 
some of the members were approached, however, 
the real spirit of the scheme appeared, and, instead 
of gaining ground, led to the exposure, resulting 
in the reprimanding severely of Robert Randall, 
the principal mover in the whole plan, and in its 
speedy disappearance. 

Another enterprise, equally gigantic, also ap- 
peared. It was, however, legitimate, and hence 
successful. On the 20th of February, 1795, the 
North American Land Company was formed in 
Philadelphia, under the management of such pat- 
riots as Robert Morris, John Nicholson and James 
Greenleaf. This Company purchased large tracts 
in the West, which it di.-<posed of to actual settlers, 
and thereby aided greatly in populating that part 
of the country. 

Before the close of 1795, the Governor of the 
TeiTitory, and his Judges, published sixty-four 
statutes. Thirty-four of these were adopted at 
Cincinnati during June, July and August of that 
year. They were known as the Maxwell code, 
irom the name of the publisher, but were pas.sed 
by Governor St. Clair and Judges Symmes and 
Turner. Among them w;is that which provided 
that the common law of ]"]ngland, and all its stat- 
utes, made previous to the fourth year of James 
the First, should be in full force within the Terri- 
tory. "Of the system as a whole," says Mr. C;i.so, 
"with its many imperfections, it may be doubted 
that any colony, at so early a period after its first 
establishment, ever had one so good and applicable 
to all." 

The Union had now safely passed through it.s 
most critical period af\er the close of the war of 
independence. The danger from an irruption of 
its own members; of a war or alliance of its West- 



ern portion with France and Spain, and many 
other perplexing questions, were now eflTectually 
settled, and the population of the Territory began 
rapidl}' to increase. Before the close of the year 
179t), the Northwest contained over five thousand 
inhabitants, the requisite number to entitle it to 
one representative in the national Congress. 

Western I'euusylvauia also, despite the various 
conflicting claims regarding the land titles in that 
part of the State, began raj)idly to fill with emigrants. 
The "Triangle" and the '• Struck Di.strict '' were 
surveyed and put uj)on the market under the act 
of 1792. Treaties and purchases from the various 
Indian tribes, obtained control of the remainder of 
the lands in that part of the State, and, by 1796, 
the State owned all the land within its boundaries. 
Towns were laid off, land put upon the market, so 
that by the year 18(10, the western part of the 
Keystone State was divided into eight counties, viz., 
Beaver, Butler, Mercer, Crawford, Erie, Warren, 
\'enango and Armstrong. 

The ordinance relative to the survey and dis- 
posal of lands in the Northwest Territory has 
already been given. It was adhered to, save in 
minor ca.ses, where necessity required a slight 
change. The reservations were recognized by 
Congi-ess, and the titles to them all confirmed to 
the grantees. Thus, Clarke and his men, the 
Connecticut Reserve, the Refugee lands, the 
French inhabitants, and all others holding patents 
to land from colonial or foreign governments, were 
all confirmed in their rights and protected in their 
titles. 

Before the close of 179(), the upper North- 
western posts were all vacated by the Briti.sh, 
under the terms of Mr. Jay's treaty. Wayne at 
once transferred his headquarters to Detroit, where 
a county was named i()r him, including the north- 
western part of Ohio, the northeast of Indiana, 
and the whole of Michigan. 

The occupation of the Territory by the Ameri- 
cans gave additional ini])ulse to emigration, and a 
better feeling of security to emigrants, who fol- 
lowed closely upon the path of the army. Na- 
thaniel Masr-ie, who has alread}- been noticed as 
the fuunder of Manchester, laid out the town of 
Chillicothe, on the Scioto, in 1790. Before the 
clo.se of the year, it contained several stores, 
shops, a tavern, and was well populated. With 
the increase of settlement and the security guar- 
anteed by the treaty of Greenville, the arts of 
civilized life began to appear, and their influence 
upon pioneers, especially those born on the frontier, 



"xl 



84 



HISTOKY OF OHIO. 



bogau to manifest itself. Better dwellings, schools, 
churches, dress and manners prevailed. Life 
began to assume a reality, and lost much of 
that recklessness engendered by the habits of a 
frontier life. 

Cleveland, Cincinnati, the Miami, the Mus- 
kingum and the Scioto Valleys were filling with 
people. Cincinnati had more than one hundred 
log cabins, twelve or fifteen frame houses and a 
l)01iulati(jii tif more than si.'c hundred persons. In 
1 7 1'ti, the first house of worship for the Presby- 
terians in that city was built. 

Before the close of the same year, Jlanchester 
contained over thirty families ; emigrants from 
A'iri;iiiia were goiui;: up all the valleys from the 
(_)liio; anil lOlifii •Z'.r Zaue had opened a bridle- 
patii ti'um the Ohio lliver, at Wheeling, across the 
country, by Chillicothe, to Limestone, Ky. The 
next year, the United States mail, for the first 
time, traversed this route to the Vfest. Zane was 
given a section of land for his path. The popu- 
lation of the Territory, estimated at from five to 
eight thousand, was chiefly distributed in lower 
valleys, bordering on the Ohio lliver. The French 
still occujiied the Illinois country', and were the 
principal iiihaliitants about Detroit. 

South of the Ohio Kiver, Kentucky was pro- 
gressing favorably, while the '' Southwestern Ter- 
ritory," ceded to the United States by North 
Carolina in 1790, had so rapidly populated that, 
in 1793, a Territorial form of government was 
allowed. The ordinance of 1787, save the clause 
prohibiting slavery, was adopted, and the Territory 
named Tennessee. On June U, 179G, the Terri- 
tory contained more than seventy-five thousand 
inhabitants, and was admitted into the Union as a 
State. Four years after, the census showed a 
population of 105,602 souls, including 13,58-1: 
slaves and persons of color. The same year 
Tennessee became a State, Samuel Jackson and 
Jonathan Sharpless erected the Redstone Paper 
Mill, four miles east of Brownsville, it being the 
fir.st manufactory of the kind west of the AUc- 
ghanies. 

In the month of December, 1796, Gen. Wayne, 
who had done so much for the develo]>ment of the 
West, while on his way from Detroit" to Philadel- 
phia, Wiis attacked with sickness and died in a 
cabin near Erie, in the north part of Penn.sylvania. 
He was nearly fifty-one years old, and was one of 



the bravest officers in the Revolutionary war, and 
one of America's truest patriots. In 18U9, liis 
remains were removed iiom Erie, by his sou. Col. 
Isaac Wayne, to the Radnor churchyard, near the 
place of his birth, and an elegant monument erected 
on his tomb by the Pennsylvania Cincinnati So- 
ciety. 

After the death of Wayne, Gen. Wilkinson was 
appointed to the command of the Western army. 
While ho was in coniniaiid, Carondeltt, the Spanish 
governor of West Florida and Louisian.i, made one 
more effort to separate the Union, and set up either 
an independent government in the West, or, what 
was more in accord with his wi.shes, effect a 
uuinn with the Spanish nation. In June, 1797, 
he sent Power again into the Northwest and into 
Kentucky to sound the existing feeling. Now, 
however, they were not easily won over. The 
home government was a certainty, the breaches had 
been healed, and Power was comjjelled to abandon 
the mission , not, however, until he had received a 
severe reprimand from many who saw through his 
plan, and openly exposed it. His mission closed 
the efforts of the Spanish authorities to attempt 
the dismemberment of the Union, and showed 
them the coming downfiill of their power in Amer- 
ica. They were obliged to surrender the posts 
claimed by the United States under the treaty of 
1795, and not many years after, sold their Amer- 
ican possessions to the United States, rather than 
see a rival J'^uropean power attain control over them. 

On the 7th of April, 1798, Congress passed an 
act, appointing Winthrop Sargent, Secretary of the 
Northwest Territory, Governor of the Territory of 
the Jlississipjii, formed the same day. In 1801, 
the boundary between America and the Sj)anish pos- 
sessions was definitely fixed. The Spani.sli retired 
from tlie disputed territory, and henceforward their 
attempts to dissolve the American Union ceased. 
The seat of the Mississipjii Territory was fixed at 
Loftus Heights, six miles north of the thirty-first 
degi'ee of latitude. 

The appointment of Sargent to the charge of the 
Southwest Territory, led to the choice of William 
Henry Harrison, who had been aid-de-camp to 
Gen. Wayne in 1794, and whose character stood 
very high among the people of the West, to the 
Secretaryship of the Northwest, which place he held 
until appointed to represent that Territory in Con- 



mSTOKY OF OHIO. 



85 



CIIAl'TER I.\. 

FIRST TERRITORIAL REPRESENTATIVES IN CONGRESS— DIVISION OF THE TERRITORY— FORMA- 
TION OF STATES— MARIETTA SETTLEMENT— OTHER SETTLEMENTS— SETTLEMENTS IN 
THE WESTEIIN RESERVE — SETTLEMENT OF THE CENTRAL VALLEYS- 
FURTHER .-ETTLEMENTS IN THE RESERVE AND ELSEWHERE. 



THE ordinance of 1787 provided that as soon 
as there were 5,000 persons in the Territory, 
it was entitled to a representative assembly. On 
October 29, 1798, Governor St. Clair gave notice 
by proclamation, that the refjuired population ex- 
i.ste<l, and directed that an election be hold on the 
third Monday in December, to choose representa- 
tives. These representatives were required, when 
assembled, to nominate ten persons, whose names 
were sent to the President of the United States, 
who selected five, and with the advice and cousiint 
of the Senate, appointed them for the legislative 
coimcil. In this mode the Northwest passed into 
the second grade of a Territorial government. 

The representatives, elected under the proclama- 
tion of St. Clair, met in Cincinnati, January 22, 
1799, and under the provisions of the ordinance 
of 1787, nominated ten persons, whose names were 
sent to the President. On tlie 2d of March, he 
selected from the list of candidates, the names of 
Jacob Burnet, James Findlay, Henry \'ander- 
burgh, Rdbert Oliver and David Vance. The 
next day the Senate confirmed their nomination, 
and the first legislative council of the Northwest 
Territory was a reality. 

The Territorial Legislature met again at Cincin- 
nati, September 10, but, for want of a rpiorum, 
was not organized until the 24th of that month. 
The Hou.sc of Representatives consisted of nine- 
teen members, of whom seven were from Hamilton 
County, four from Ross — erected by St. Clair in 
1798; three from Wayne — erected in 179G; two 
from Adams — erected in 1797; one from Jeffer- 
son — erected in 1797; one from W;t«hington — 
erected in 1788; and one from Knox — Indiana 
Territory. None seem to have been present from 
St. Clair County (Illinois Territory). 

After the organization of the Legislature, Gov- 
ernor St. Clair addre-ssed the two houses in the Rep- 
resentatives' Chaml)er, recommending such meas- 
ures ;is, in his judgment, were suited to the con- 
dition of the countr}' and would advance the safety 
and prosperity of the people. 



The Logi.slature continued in ses.sion till the 19th 
of December, when, having finished their business, 
they were prorogued by the Governor, by their 
own request, till the first Monday in November, 
1800. This being the first .session, there was, of 
necessity, a great deal of business to do. The 
transition from a colonial to a semi-independent 
form of government, called for a general revision 
as well as a considerable enlargement of the stat- 
ute-book. Some of the adopted laws were re- 
peahid, many others altered and amended, and a 
long list of new ones added to the code. New 
offices were to be created and filled, the duties at- 
tached to them prescribed, and a jilan of ways and 
means devLsed to meet the increased expenditures, 
occasioned by the change which bad now occurred. 

As Mr. Burnet was the principal lawyer in the 
Council, much of the revision, and putting the laws 
into proper legal form, devolved upon him. He 
seems to have been well fitted for the place, and 
to have performed the laborious ta.sk. in an excel- 
lent manner. 

The whole number of acts passed and approved 
by the Governor, was thirty-.seven. The most im- 
portant related to tlu^ militia, the administration of 
ju.stice, and to taxation. During the ses.sion, a bill 
authorizing a lotter}' was passed by the council, 
but rejected by the Legislature, thus interdicting 
this demoralizing feature of the disposal of lands 
or for other put poses. The example luus always been 
followed by subsecjuent legislatures, thus honorably 
characterizing the Assembly of Ohio, in this re- 
spect, an example Kentucky and several other 
States might well emidate. 

Before the Assembly adjourned, they issued a 
congratulatory address to the pc^ople, enjoining 
them to " Inculcate the principles of humanity, 
benevolence, honesty and punctuality in dealing, 
sincerity and charity, and all the social affections." 
At the same time, they ).ssued an address to the 
Pre«sid(!nt, expressing entire confidence in the wis- 
dom and purity of his government, and their 
warm attachment to the American Constitution. 






HISTORY OF OHIO. 



The vote on this address proved, hnwrvrr, that the 
diiferences of oj)inion agitating the Eastern States 
had penetrated the West. Eleven Iveprcscutativcs 
voted for it, and five against it. 

One of the important duties that devolved on 
this Legislature, was the election of a delegate to 
Congress. As soon as the Governor's proclama- 
tion made its appearance, the election of a person 
to fill that position excited general attention. Be- 
fore the meeting of the Legislature public opinion 
had settled down on William Henry Harrison, and 
Arthur St. Clair, Jr., who eventually were the only 
candidates. On the 3d of October, the two houses 
met and proceeded to a choice. Eleven votes were 
cast for Harrison, and ten for St. Clair. The Leg- 
islature prescribed the form of a certificate of the 
election, which was given to Harrison, who at once 
resigned his office as Secretary of the Territory, 
proceeded to Philadelphia, and took his seat. Con- 
gress being then in session. 

'' Though he represented the Temtory but one 
year, " says Judge Burnett, in his notes, " he ob- 
tained some important advantages for his coustitu- 
cnt,s. He introduced a resolution to sub-divide 
the surveys of the public lands, and to ofi'er them 
for sale in smaller tracts ; he succeeded in getting 
that measure through both houses, in opposition to 
the interest of .speculators, who were, and who 
wished to be, the retailers of the land to the poorer 
classes of the community. His proposition be- 
came a law, and was hailed as the most beneficent 
act that Congress had ever done for the Territory. 
It put in the power of every industrious man, how- 
ever poor, to become a freeholder, and to lay a 
foundation for the future support and comfort of 
his family. At the .same session, he obtained a 
liberal extension of time for the pre-emptioners in 
the northern part of the Miami purchase, which 
enabled them to secure their farms, and eventually 
to become independent, and even wealthy." 

The first session, as has been noticed, closed 
December 19. Gov. St. Clair took occasion to 
enumerate in his speech at the close of the session, 
eleven acts, to which he saw fit to apply his veto. 
These he had not, however, returned to the Assem- 
bly, and thereby saved a long struggle between the 
executive and legislative branches of the Territory. 
Of the eleven acts enumerated, six related to the 
formation of new counties. These were mainly 
disproved by St Clair, as he always sturdily main- 
tained that the power to erect new counties was 
vested alone in the Executive. This free exercise 
of the veto power, especially in relation to new 



counties, and his controversy with the Legislature, 
tended only to strengthen the jiopular discontent 
regarding the Governor, who was never fully able 
to regain the standing he held before his in- 
glorious defeat in his campaign against the Indians. 

While this was being agitated, another question 
came into prominence. Ultimately, it settled the 
powers of the two branches of the government, 
and caused the removal of St. Clair, then very 
distasteful to the people. The opening of the 
present century brought it fully before the 
people, who began to agitate it in all their 
assemblies. 

The great extent of the Territory made the 
operations of government extremely uncertain, 
and the power of the courts practically worthless. 
Its division was, therefore, deemed best, and a 
committee was appointed by Congress to inquire 
into the matter. This committee, the 3d of 
March, 1800, reported upon the subject that, "In 
the three western counties, there lias been but 
one court having cognizance of crimes in five 
years. The immunity which offenders experience, 
attracts, as to an asylum, the most vile and aban- 
doned criminals, and, at the same time, deters 
useful and virtuous citizens from making settle- 
ments in such society. The extreme necessity of 
judiciary attention and assistance is experienced 
in civil as well as criminal cases. The supplying 
to vacant places such necessary officers as niaj' be 
wanted, such as clerks, recorders and others of 
like kind, is, from the impossibility of correct 
notice and information, utterly neglected. This 
Territory is exposed as a frontier to foreign nations, 
whose agents can find .sufficient interest in exciting 
or fomenting insurrection and discontent, as 
thereby they can more easily divert a valuable 
trade in furs from the United States, and also have 
a part thereof on which they border, which feels 
so little the cherishing hand of their proper gov- 
ernment, or so little dreads its energy, as to render 
their attachment perfectly uncertain and am- 
biguous. 

" The committee would further suggest, tliat 
the law of the 3d of March, 1791, granting land 
to certain persons in the western part of said Ter- 
ritory, and directing the laying-out of the same, 
remains unexecuted; that great discontent, in 
consequence of such neglect, is excited in those 
who are interested in the provisions of said laws, 
which ro((uire the immediate attention of this 
Legislature. To minister a remedy to these evils, 
it occurs to this committee, that it is expedient 



^ s r- 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



8T 



that a division of said Territory into two distinct 
and separate governments sliould be made ; and 
that such division be made by a lino beginning; at 
tlie umuth of the great Miami Ilivcr, running 
directly north until it int<?rsect,s the boundary 
between the United States and Canada." * 

The recommendations of the connnittee were 
favorably received by Congress, and, the 7th 
of May, an act Wius passed dividing the Tc r- 
ritorv. The main provisiuus of the act are as 
follows: 

"That, from and after the 4th of July next, 
all that part of the territory of the Unit<'d States 
northwest of the Ohio Kiver, which lies to the 
westward of a line beginning at the Ohio, opposite 
to the mouth of the Kentucky River, and running 
thence to Fort Recover}', and thence north until 
it intersects the territorial line between the l'nit<'d 
States and Canada, shall, fur the purpose of tem- 
porary government, eunstitute a separate Territory, 
and be called the Indiana Territory. 

" There shall be^established within the said Ter- 
ritory a government, in all respects similar to that 
provided by the ordinance of CongTess passed July 
13, 1707." t 

The act further provided for representatives, and 
for the establishment of an a.ssembly, on the same 
plan as that in force in the Northwest, stipulating 
that until the uumbcr of inhabitants reached five 
thousand, the whole number of representatives to 
the General Assembly should not be less than seven, 
nor more than nine ; apportioned by the Governor 
among the several counties in the new Terri- 
tory. 

The act further provided that " nothing in tlie 
act should be so construed, so as in any manner 
to affect the government now in force in the terri- 
tory of the United States northwest of the Ohio 
River, further than to prohibit the exercise thereof 
within the Indiana Territory, from and af\<;r the 
aforesaid 4th of July nest. 

" Whenever tliat part of the territory of the 
I'nited States, which lies to the ea.stward of a line 
beginning at the mouth of the Great Miami River, 
and running thence due north to the territorial 
line between the United States and Canada, shall 
be erected into an independent State, and admitted 
into the Union on an cipial footing with the orig- 
inal States; thenceforth said line shall become and 
remain permanently, the boundary line between 
such State and the Indiana Territory." 



tLanJ Luws 



Suto P.niers. 



It was further enacted, " that, nntil it shall be 
otherwise enacted by the legislatures of the said 
territories, respectiveK', Chillicothc, on the Scioto 
River, shall be the seat of government of the ter- 
ritory of the United States northwest of the Ohio 
River; and that St. A'inccnt's, on the Wabash 
River, .shall be the seat of government for the 
Indiana Ti^rritory." * 

St. Clair Was continued as Governor of the old 
Territory, and William Henry Harri.son appointed 
Governor of the new. 

Connecticut, in ceding her territory in the West 
to the General Government, reserved a portion, 
known :is the Connecticut Reserve. When .she 
afterward disposed of her claim in the manner 
narrated, the citizens found themselves without any 
government on which to lean for support. At that 
time, .settlements had begun in thirty-five of the 
townships into which the Reserve had been divided ; 
one thousand persons had established homes there ; 
mills had been built, and over seven hundred miles 
of roads opened. In ISflO, the settlers petitioned 
for acceptance into the Union, as a part of the 
Northwest ; and, the mother State releasing her judi- 
ciary claims. Congress accepted the trust, and 
granted the re(iuest. In December, of that year, 
the population had so increased that the county of 
Trumbull was erected, including the Reserve. 
Soon after, a large number of settlers came from 
Fenn.sylvania, from which State they had been 
driven by the dispute (■oncerning land titles in its 
western part. Unwilling to cultivate land to 
which they could only get a doubtful deed, they 
abandoned it, and c;inie where the titles were 
sure. 

Congress having made Chillicothe the capital of 
the Northwest Territory, as it now existed, on the 
3d of November the General Assembly met at that 
place. Gov. St. Clair had been made to feel the 
odium ca.st upon his previous acts, and, at the open- 
ing of this session, expressed, in strong terms, his 
disapprobation of the censure cast upon him. He 
had endeavored to do his duty in all cases, he .said, 
and yet held the confidence of the President and 
Congress. He still held the office, notwithstanding 
the strong dislike against him. 

At the second session of the A.ssembl}% at Chil- 
licothe, held in the autumn of lS01,so much out- 
spoken enmity was cxpres,«ed, and so much abu.se 
heaped u|ion the Governor and the Assembly, that 
a law was passed, removing the capital to Cincinnati 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



ag:iiu. It was not dostiuoil, however, that the 
Ten-itorial Assembly should meet again anywhere. 
The unpopularity of the Governor caused many to 
long tur a State government, where they could 
choose their own rulers. The unpopularity of St. 
Clair aro.se partly from the feeling connected with 
his defeat ; in part from his being connected with 
the Federal party, fast falling into disrepute ; and, 
in part, from liis assuming powers which most 
thought he had no right to exercise, especially the 
power of subdividing the counties of the Terri- 
tory. 

The opposition, though ]iowerful out of the 
Assembly, was in the minority there. During the 
month of December, lS01,it was forced to protest 
against a measure brought forward in the Council, 
for changing the ordinance of 1787 in such a man- 
ner as to make the Scioto, and a line drawn from 
the intersection of that river and the Indian 
boundary to the western extremity of the Reserve, 
the limits of the most eastern State, to be formed 
from the Territory. Had this change been made, 
the formation of a State government beyond the 
Ohio woidd have been long delayed. Against it, 
llcnresontativosWorthingtonJjangham, Darlington, 
Massie, Dunlavy and Morrow, recorded their pro- 
test. Not content with this, they sent Thomas 
Worthington, who obtained a leave of absence, to 
the seat of government, on behalf of the objectors, 
there to protest, before Congress, against the pro- 
posed boundary. While Worthington was on his 
way, Massie presented, the 4th of January, 1802, 
a resolution for choosing a committee to address 
Congress in respect to the proposed State govern- 
ment. This, the next day, the House refused to 
do, by a vote of twelve to five. An attempt 
was next made to procure a census of the Ter- 
ritory, and an act for that purpose passed the 
House, but the Council postponed the considera- 
tion of it until the next session, which would com- 
nionre at Cincinnati, the fourth Monday of No- 
vember. 

Meanwhile, Worthington pursued the ends of 
his mission, using his influence to effect that organ- 
ization, "which, terminating the influence of tyr- 
anny," was to "meliorate tlie circumstances of thou- 
sands, by freeing them from the domination of a 
despotic chief." His efforts were successful, and, 
the 4th of March, a report was made to the 
House in favor of authorizing a State convention. 
This report was based on the assumption that there 
were now over sixty thousand inhabitants in the 
proposed boundaries, estimating that emigration had 



increased the census of 1800, which gave the Ter- 
ritory forty-five thousand inhabitants, to that num- 
ber. The conveuti(jn was to ascertain whether it 
were expedient to form such a government, and to 
prepare a constitution if such organization were 
deemed best. In the formation of the State, a 
change in the boundaries was proposed, by which 
all the territory ncu'th of a line drawn due east 
from the head of Lake Michigan to Lake Erie was 
to be excluded fi'om the new government about to 
be called into existence. 

The committee appoiated by Congress to report 
upon the feasibility of forming the State, suggested 
tlyat Congress reserve out of every township sections 
numbered 8, 11, 2G and 29, for their own use, and 
that Section IG be reserved for the maintenance 
of schools. The committee also suggested, that, 
"religioD, education and morality being necessary 
to the good government and happiness of mankind, 
schools and the means of education shall be forever 
encouraged." 

Various other recommendations were given by 
the committee, in accordance with which, Congress, 
April 30, passed the resolution authorizing the 
calling of a convention. As this accorded with 
the feelings of the majority of the inliabitants of the 
Northwest, no opposition was experienced ; even 
the Legislature giving way to this embryo gov- 
ernment, and failing to assemble according to ad- 
journment. 

The convention met the 1st of November. Its 
members were generally JefFersonian in their na- 
tional politics, and had been opposed to the change 
of boundaries proposed the year before. Before 
proceeding to busiii&ss. Gov. St. Clair proposed to 
address them in his oflScial character. This propo- 
sition was re.si,sted by .several of the "members; but, 
after a motion, it was agreed to allow him to speak 
to them as a citizen. St. Clair did so, advising 
the postponement of a State government until the 
people of the original eastern division were plainly 
entitled to demand it, and were not subject to be 
bound by conditions. This advice, given as it was, 
caused Jefferson instantly to remove St. Clair, at 
which time his office cea.sed.* "When the vote 
was taken," says Judge Burnet, "ujion doing what 

* After this, St. CL-iir rpturned to his old home in the Ligonier 
Vall'-y. Pennsjiviinia, where he live.l wilh his chil.lr.-n in alinoat 
ahject poverty. He harl lost money in his public lilc, as b'> gave 
cloae attention to public affairs, to llie detriment of his own business. 
He presented a chiint to Concress, afterward, for supplies furni-lied 
to the army, but the claim was outlawed. After trying in vain to 
get the cl-.ii'il allowed, he returned to his home. Pennsylvania, 
leirning of his distress, granted bira an annuity of $350, afterward 
raised toSCf^O. He lived to en.ioy this hut a short time, his death 
occurring August 31, 1S18. He was eighty-four yeara of age. 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



8i) 



he advised tliem not to do, but one of thirty-three 
(Ephraim Cutler, of Washington County) voted 
with the Governor." 

On one ]x)iut only were the proposed boundaries 
of the new State altered. 

■' To every person who has attended to this sub- 
ject, and who has consulted the maps of the West- 
ern country extant at the time the ordinance of 
1787 was passed, Lake 3Iieliigan was believed to 
be, and was represented by all the maps of that 
day as being, very far north of the position which 
it ha.s since been ^iscertained to occupy. I have 
seen the map in the Department of State which 
was before the committee of Congress who framed 
and reported the orJiuaiice for the government of 
the Territory. On that map, the southern bound- 
ary of Michigan was represented its being above 
the forty-second degree of north latitude. And 
there w;is a pencil line, said to have been uvmIc by 
the committee, pa-s.sing through the .southern bend 
of the lake to the Canada line, which struck the 
strait not far below the town of Detroit. The 
line was manifestlj' intended by the committee 
and by Congress to be the northern boundary of 
our State; and, on the principles by which coui'ts 
of chancery construe contracts, accompanied by 
plats, it would seem that the map, and the line 
referred to, should be conclusive evidence of our 
boundary, without reference to the real position of 
the lakes. 

'■ When the convention sat, in 1802, the under- 
derstanding was, that the old maps were nearly 
correct, and that the line, as defined in the ordi- 
nance, would terminate at some point on the strait 
above the Maumee Bay. While the convention 
was in session, a man who had hunted many years 
on Lake Michigan, and w;is well acquainted with 
its position, happened to be in Chillicothe, and, in 
conversation with one of the members, told him 
that the lake extended much farther south than 
was generally supposed, and that a niaj) of the 
country which he had seen, placed its southern 
bend many miles north of its tme position. This 
information excited some unea-siness, and induced 
the convention to modify the clause describing the 
north boundary of the new State, .so as to guard 
against its being depro.sed below the most north-' 
em cape of the Maumee Bay."* 

With this change and .some extension of the 
school and road donations, the convention agreed 
to the proposal of Congress, and, November 29, 

» Uislorical Transactiuns of Ohio— Judoe Blksett. 



their agreement was ratified and signed, as was 
also the constitution of the State of Ohio — so 
named from its river, called by the Shawunees Ohio, 
meaning beautiful — forming its .southern bound- 
ary. Of this nothing need be .said, save that it 
bore the marks of true democratic feeling — of full 
foith in the people. By them, however, it was 
never voted for. It stood firm until 1852, when 
it was superseded by the present one, made neces- 
sary by the advance of time. 

The General Assembly was required to meet at 
Chillicothe, the first Tuesday of 3Iarch, 1803. 
This change left the territory northwest of the 
Ohio River, not included in the new State, in the 
Territories of Indiana and Michigan. Subse- 
quently, in 181(), Indiana was mad(! a State, and 
confined to her present limits. Illinois was made 
a Territory then, inchidins;- Wi.scon.sin. In 1818, 
it became a State, and Wisconsin a Territory at- 
tached to iMichigan. This latter was made a State 
in 1837, and Wisconsin a separate Territorj', which, 
in 1847, was made a State. Minnesota was made 
a Tin'ritory the same year, and a State in 1857, 
and the five contemplated States of the temtory 
were complete. 

Preceding pages have shown how the tcrritor}' 
north of the Ohio Biver vi'as peopled by the 
French and English, and how it came under the 
rule of the American people. The war of the 
Revolution closed in 1783, and left all America in 
the hands of a new nation. That nation brought 
a change. Before the war, various attempts had 
been made by residents in New England to people 
the country west of the Alleghanies. Land com- 
panies were formed, principal among which were 
the Ohio Company, and the company of which 
John Cleves Symmes was the agent and chief 
owner. Large tracts of land on the Scioto and 
on the Ohio were entered. The Ohio Company 
were the first to make a settlement. It was or- 
ganized in the autumn of 1787, November 27. 
They made an'angimients for a party of forty-seven 
men to set out for the West under the superrision of 
Gen. Rufus Putnam, Superintendent of the Com- 
pany-. Early in the winter they advanced to the 
Youghiogheny River, and there built a strong boat, 
which they named "Mayflower." It was built by 
Capt. Jonathan Devol. the first shii)-builder in the 
West, and. when completed, was placed under his 
command. The boat was launched .Vpril 2, 1 788, 
and the band of pioneers, like the Pilgrim Fathers, 
began their voyage. The 7th of the month, 
they arrived at the mouth of the JIuskingum, 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



>>. 



their destination, opposite Fort Harmar,* erected 
in the autumn of 1785, by a detachment of 
United States troops, under command of Maj. 
Jolin Doughty, and, at the date of the 3Iayflower's 
arrival in possession of a company of soldiers. 
Under the protection of these troops, the little band 
of men began their labor of laying out a town, 
and comm^jnced to erect houses for their own and 
subse([uent emigrants' occupation. The names of 
these pioneers of Ohio, as far as can now be 
learned, are as follows; 

Gen. Putnam, Return Jonathan Meigs, Win- 
throp Sargeant ( Secretary of the Territory ), Judges 
Parsons and Varnum, Capt Dana, Capt. Jonathan 
Devol, Joseph Barker, Col. Battelle, jMaj. Tyler, j 
Dr. True, Capt. Wm. Gray, Capt. Lunt, the 
Bridges, Ebenezer and Thomas Cory, Andrew Mc- 
Clure, Wm. Mason, Thomas Lord, Wm. Gridley, 
Gilbert Devol, Moody Russels, Deavens, Oakes, 
Wright, Clough, Green, Sbipman, Dorance, the 
Masons, and others, whose names are now be- 
yond recall. 

On the 19th of July, the first boat of families 
arrived, after a nine- weeks joui'ney on the way. 
They had traveled in their wagi ms as far as Wheel- 
ing, where they built large fiat-lioats, into which 
they loaded their effects, iucluJiug their cattle, and 
thence passed down the Ohio to then- destination. 
The families were those of Gen. Tupper, Coh 
Ichabod Nye, Col. Cushing, Maj. Coburu, and 
Maj. Goodale. In these titles the reader will ob- 
serve the preponderance of military distinction. 
Many of the founders of the colony had served 
with much valor in the war for freedom, and were 
well ]ircpared for a life in the wilderness. 

They began at once the eon.strnrtinn of houses 
from the forests about the conflueuee of the rivers, 
guarding their stock by day and penning it by 
night. Wolves, bears and Indians were all about 
them, and, here in the remote wilderness, they 
were obliged to always be on their guard. From 
the ground where they obtained the timber to erect 
their houses, they soon produced a few vegetables, 
and when the families arrived in August, they 
were able to set before them food raised for the 

*The outlines of Fort Harmar formed a regular pentagon, 
embracing wirhin tli'- area about three-fourths of an acre. Its 
walls were fniid-.i (,f l:ii-.- horizontiil timbers, and the bastions 
of large uprii,'lit I iiiil>'r^.ibi lilt fiurteen feet in height, fastened to each 
other by stni's ( l timiu i, tree-riaileil iiit') each i)icket. In the rear 
iiikIiI.v laid out fine (raid.-ns. It rc.ntinned to be 
ted States troops until .s.pti'inli-r ITitii. when 
to Cincinnati. A comp i:i\ . ini.I. r (^ipT, Haskell, 



of the fort JLij. I't 

occupied b3' Ciii 

they were ordered to Cincinnati. A comp m 

continued to make the fort their heai! jnarl 

war, occasionally assisting the coloiii>ti a 

Waterford against the ludians. When not 

the fort was used by the people of Marietta. 



the Inilii 



.Ma 



first time by the hand of American citizens in the 
Ohio Valley. One of those who came in August, 
was Mr. Thomas Guthrie, a settler in one of the 
western counties of Pennsylvania, who brought a 
bushel of wheat, which he sowed on a plat of 
ground cleared by himself, and from which that 
fall he procured a small crop of wheat, the first 
grown in the State of Ohio. 

The Marietta settlement was the only one made 
that summer in the Territory. From their arrival 
until October, when Governor St. Clair came, they 
were busily employed making houses, and prepar- 
ing for the winter. The little colony, of which 
Washington wrote so favorablj', met on the 2d day 
of July, to name their newborn city and its pub- 
lic sqares. Until now it had been known as "The 
Muskingum" simply, but on that day the name 
Blarietta was formally given to it, in honor of Ma- 
rie Antoinette. The 4th of July, an ovation was 
held, and an oration delivered by James M. ^'ar- 
num, who, with S. H. Parsons and John Arm- 
strong, had been appointed Judges of the Terri- 
tory. Thus, in the heart of the wilderness, 
miles away fi-om any kindred post, in the forests 
of the Great West, was the Tree of Liberty watered 
and given a hearty growth. 

On the morning of the 9th of July, Governor 
St. Clair arrived, and the colony began to assume 
form. The ordinance of 1787 had provided for 
a form of government under the Governor and 
the three Judges, and this form was at once put 
into force. The 25th, the first law relating to the 
militia was published, and the next day the Gov- 
ernor's proclamation appeared, creating all the 
country that had been ceded by the Indians, east 
of the Scioto River, into the county of Washing- 
ton, and the civil machinery was in motion. From 
that time forward, this, the pioneer settlement in 
Ohio, went on prosperously. The 2d of Septem- 
ber, the first court in the Territory was held, but 
as it related to the Territory, a narrative of its pro- 
ceedings will be found in the history of that part 
of the country, and need not be repeated here. 

The 15th of July, Gov. St. Clair had published 
the ordinance of 1787, and the commissions of 
himself and the three Judges. He also assenililed 
the people of the settlement, and explained to 
them the ordinance in a speech of considerable 
length. Three days after, he sent a notice to the 
Judges, calling their attention to the subject of 
organizing the militia. Instead of attending to 
this important matter, and thus providing for their 
safety should trouble with the Indians arise, the 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



Judges (lid not even reply t(p tho fiovcrnor's letter, 
but sent hi n what they ealled a ''project" of a 
law for divi:liri:r real estate. The bill Wiis so 
loosely drawn that St. Clair immediatelj- rejected 
it. and set about organizing the militia himself. 
He divided the militia into two cla.ssi's, "Senior" 
and '-Junior, ' and organized them b}' ajipointing 
their officers. 

In the Senior Cla.ss, Nathan Cushing was ap- 
pointed Cajitain; George Inger.sol, Lieutenant, 
and James Backus, Ensign. 

In the Junior Class, Nathan Goodale and Charles 
Knowls were made Captiiins ; Watson Casey and 
Samuel Stebbins, Lieutenants, and Joseph Lincoln 
and Arnold Colt, Ensigns. 

The Governor next erected the Courts of Pro- 
bate and Quarter Sessions, and proceeded to ap- 
point civil officers. Rufus Putnam, Benjamin 
Tupper and Winthrop Sargeant were made Jus- 
tices of the Peace. The 3(lth of August, the day 
the Court of Quarter Sessions was appointed, 
Archibald Cary, Lsaac Pierce and Thomas Lord 
were also appointed Justices, and given power to 
hold this court. They were, in fact. Judges of a 
Court of Connuon Pleas. Return Jonathan Meigs 
was appointed Clerk of this Court of Quarter 
Sessiions. Ebenezor Sproat was appointed Sheriff of 
Washington County, and also Colonel of the militia; 
\\'illiam Callis, Clerk of the Supreme CViurt; 
Rufus Putnam, Judge of the Probate Court, and 
R. J. Meigs, Jr., Clerk. Following these appoint- 
ments, setting the machinery of government in 
motion, St. Clair ordered that the 2oth of Decem- 
ber be kept as a day of tlianksgiving by the infant 
colonj' for its safe and [ roj.itious beginning. 

During the fall and winter, the settlement was 
daily increased by emigrants, so much so, that the 
greatest difficulty was experienced in finding them 
lodging. During the coldest part of the winter, 
when ice covered the river, and prevented navi- 
gatit)n, a delay in arrivals was experienced, only to 
be broken ;is soon as the river opened to the beams 
of a spring sun. While locked in the winter's 
embrace, the colonists amused themselves in vari- 
ous ways, dancing being one of the most promi- 
nent. At Christmas, a grand ball was held, at 
which there were fifteen ladies, "whose grace," 
sa}"s a narrator, "equaled any in the East." 
Though isolated in the wilderness, they knew a 
brilliant prospect lay Ijcfore them, and lived on in 
a jo3'ous hope for the future. 

Soon after their arrival, the settlers began the 
erection of a stockade fort ( Campus Martius ), 



which occu{iied their time until the winter of 
I79I. During the interval, fortunately, no hos- 
tilities from the Indians were experienced, though 
they were abundant, and were frequent visitors to 
the settlement. 

From a communication in the American Pioneer, 
by Dr. S. P. Hildreth, the following description of 
Campus Martius is d(!rived. As it will apply, in 
a measure, to many early structures for defense in 
the West, it is given entire: 

" The fort was made in the form of a regular 
parallelogram, the sides of each being ISO feet. 
At each corner was erected a strong block-house, 
surmounted by a tower, and a sentry box. These 
houses were twenty feet square below and twenty- 
four feet sijiiare above, and projected six feet be- 
yond the walls of the fort. The intermediate walls 
were made up with dwelling-houses, made of wood, 
whose ends were whip-sawed into timbers four 
inches thick, and of the requisite width and length. 
These were laid up similar to the structure of log 
houses, with the ends nicely dove-tailed together. 
The whole were two stories high, and covered with 
shingle roofs. Convenient chimney's were erected 
of bricks, for cooking, and warming the rooms. A 
number of the dwellings were built and owned by 
individuals who had families. In the west and 
south fronts were strong gateways ; and over the 
one in the center of the front looking to the Mus- 
kingum River, wils a belfry. The chamber beneath 
was occupied by Winthrop Sargeant, as an office, 
he being Secretary to the Governor, and perform- 
ing the duties of the office during St. Clair's ab- 
sence. This room projected over the gateway, like 
a block-house, and was intended for the protection 
of the gate beneath, in time of an assault. At 
the outer corner of each block-house was erected a 
bastion, standing on four stout timbers. The floor 
of the bastion was a little above the lower story of 
the block-house. They were S([uare, and built up 
to the height of a man's head, so that, when he 
looked over, ho stepped on a narrow pilatform or 
" banquet " running around thesides of the bulwark. 
Poii>holes were made, for musketr}' as well as for 
artillery, a single piece of which was mounted in 
the southwest and northeast bastions. In these, 
the sentrie-s were regularly posted every night, as 
more convenient than the towers ; a door leading 
into th(;m from the upper story of the block-houses. 
The lower room of the southwest block-house was 
occupied as a guard-house. 

" Running from corner to corner of the block- 
houses was a row of palisades, sloping outward. 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



and restini; on .stout rails. Twenty feet in advance 
of these, was a row of very strong and large pick- 
ets, set upright in the earth. Gateways through 
these, admitted the inmates of the garrison. A 
few feet beyond the row of outer palisades was 
placed a row of abattis, made from the tops and 
branches of trees, sharpened and pointing outward, 
so that it would have been very difficult for an 
enemy to have penetrated within their outworks. 
The dwelling-houses occupied a space from fifteen 
to thirty feet each, and were sufficient for the ac- 
couiuiodation of forty or fifty families, and did 
actually contain from two hundred to three hun- 
dred persons during the Indian war. 

" Before the Indians commenced hostilities, the 
bloek-hou-ses were occupied as follows : The south- 
west one, by the family of Gov. St. Clair; the 
northeast one as an office fur the Directors of the 
Company. The area within the walls was one 
hundred and forty-four feet square, and affijrded a 
fine parade ground. In the center, was a well 
eighty feet in depth, for the supply of water to the 
inhabitants, in case of a siege. A large sun-dial 
stood for many years in the square, placed on a 
handsome post, and gave note of the march of 
time. 

" After the war commenced, a regular military 
corps was organized, and a guard constantly kept 
night and day. The whole establishment formed 
a very strong work, and reflected great credit on 
the head that planned it. It was in a manner im- 
pregnable to the attacks of Indians, and none 
but a regular army with cannon could have reduced 
it. Tlie Indians possessed no such an armament. 

" The garri.son stood on the verge of that beauti- 
ful plain overlooking the Muskingum, on which 
are seated tho.se celebrated remains of anti(|-.iity, 
erected probalily for a similar purpose — the defense 
of the inhabitant.s. The ground descends into shal- 
low I'avines on the north and south sides ; on the 
west is an abrupt descent to the river bottoms or 
alluvium, and the east passed out to a level plain. 
On this, the ground was cleared of trees beyond 
the reach of rifle shots, so as to affiird no shelter 
to a hidden foe. Extensive fields of corn were 
grown in the midst of the standing girdled trees be- 
yond, in after years. The front wall of palisades 
was about one hundred and fifty yards from the 
Muskingum River. The appearance of the fort 
from without was imposing, at a little distance re- 
sembling the military castles of the feudal ages. 
Between the outer palisadea and the river were 
laid out neat srardens for the use of Gov. St. Clair 



and his Secretary, with the officers of the Com- 
pany. 

" Opposite the fort, on the shore of the river, 
was built a substantial timber wharf, at which was 
moored a fine cedar barge for twelve rowers, built 
by Capt. Jonathan Devol, for Gen. Putnam ; a 
number of pirogues, and the light canoes of the 
country ; and last, not least, the Mayflower, or 
' Adventure Galley,' in which the first detach- 
ments of colonists were transported from the shores 
of the ' Yohiogany ' to the banks of the Muskingum. 
In these, especially the canoes, during the war, 
most of the communications were carried on between 
the settlements of the Company and the more re- 
mote towns above on the Ohio River. Traveling 
by land was very hazai-dous to any but the rangers 
or .spies. There were no roads, nor bridges aero.ss 
the creeks, and, for many years after the war had 
ceased, the traveling was nearly all done by canoes 
on the river.' 

Thus the first settlement of Ohio pro^^ded for 
its safety and comfort, and provided also for that 
of emigrants who came to share the toils of the 
wilderness. 

The next spring, the influx of emigration was 
so great that other settlements were determined, 
and hence arose the colonies of Belpre, AVaterford 
and Duck Creek, where they began to clear land, sow 
and plant crops, and build houses and stockades. 
At Belpre (French for "beautiful meadow"), were 
built three stockades, the upper, lower and middle, 
the last of which was called " Farmers' Castle," 
and stood on the banks of the Ohio, nearly oppo- 
site an island, afterward famous in Western history 
as Blennerhasset's Island, the scone of Burr's con- 
spiracy. Among the persons settling at the upper 
stockade, were Capts. Dana and Stone, Col. Bent, 
William Browning, Judge Foster, John Rowso, 
Israel Stone and a Jlr. Keppel. At the Farmers' 
Castle, were Cols. Gushing and Fisher, Maj. Has- 
kell, Aaron Waldo Putnam, Mr. Sparhawk, and, 
it is believed, George and Israel Putnam, Jr. At 
the lower, were Maj. Goodale, Col. Rice, E.S(iuire 
Pierce, Judge I.sracl Loring, Deacon Miles, JIaj. 
Bradford and Mr. Goodenow. In the summer of 
1789, Col. Ichabod Nye and some others, built a 
block-house at Newberry, below Belpre. Col. Nye 
sold his lot there to Aaron W. Clough, who, with 
Stephen Guthrie, Joseph Leavins, Joel Oakes, 
Eleazer Curtis, Mr. Denham J. Littleton and Mr. 
Brown, was located at that place. 

'•Every exertion po.ssible," says Dr. Hildreth, 
who has preserved the above names and incidents. 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



93 



'• for men in these circumstances, w:is made to se- 
cure iiiDil fur future difficulties. Col. Oliver, JIaj. 
Hatfield White and John Dodije, of the Water- 
ford settlement, began luilLs on Wolf Creek, about 
three miles fi'om the fort, and got tliem running; 
and these, the fir.st mills in Ohio, wvre never de- 
stro3'ed during the subse(|uent Indian war, though 
the proj)rietors removed their fauiiles to the fort 
at Marietta. Col. E. Sproat and Enoch Shep- 
herd began mills on Duck Creek, three miles from 
JIarietta, from the completion of which they were 
driven by the Indian war. Thomas Stanley be- 
gan mills farther up, near the Duck Creek settle 
ment. These were likewise unfinished. The Ohio 
Coinjiany built a large liorsc mill near Campus 
Marlins, and soon after a floating mill." 

The autumn before the settlements at Belpre, 
Duck Creek and Waterford, were made, a colony 
was planted near the mouth of the Little Miami 
River, on a tract of ten thousand acres, purchased 
fromSyninies by !Maj. Benjamin Stites. Inthepre- 
ceding jiages may be found a history of Symmcs' 
purchase. Tliis colony maj- be counted the second 
settlement in the State. Soon after the colony at 
Marietta was founded, steps were taken to occupy 
separate portions of Judge Symmcs' jnirchase, be- 
tween the Miami Rivers. Throe parties were 
formed for this purpose, but, owing to various 
delay.s, chiefly in getting the present colony stead- 
fast and safe from future encroachments by the 
•savages, they did not get started till late in the fall. 
The firstofthe.se parties, consisting of fifteen or 
twenty men, led by Jlaj. Stites, landed at the 
mouth of the Little Miami in November, 1788, 
and, constructing a log fort, began to lay out a 
village, called by them Columbia. It soon grew 
into prcmincnce, and, before winter had thonjughly 
■set in, they were well prepared for a frontier life. 
In the party were Cols. Spencer and Brown, Majs. 
Gano and Kibbey, Judges Goforth and Fijstcr, 
Rev. John Smith, Francis Dunlavy. C;'.pt. Flinn, 
Jacob White, John Riley, and Mr. Hubbell. 

All the.se were men of energy and enterprise, 
and, with their comrades, were more numerous 
than cither of the other parties, who commenced 
their settlements below thf^ra on the Ohio. This 
village was also, at first, more flcmrishing; and, for 
two or three years, contained more inhabitants 
than any other in the Miami purchase. 

The second Miami party was formed at Lime- 
stone, under Matthias Denham and Robert Pat- 
terson, and consisted of twelve or fifteen persons. 
They lauded on the north bank of the Ohio, oppo- 



site the mouth of the Licking River, the 24th of 
December, 1788. They intended to establish a 
station and lay out a town on a plan prepared at 
Limestone. Some statements affirm that the town 
was to be called " L-os-auti'-viUc,'' by a romantic 
school-teacher named Filson. However, be this as 
It may, Mr. Filson was, unfortunately for himself, 
not long al^er, slain by the Indians, and, with him 
piobably, the name disappeared. He was to have 
one-third interest in the propo.sed city, which, 
when his death occuiTed, w;ts transferred to Israel 
Ludlow, and a new plan of a city adopted. Israel 
Ludlow surveyed the proposed town, whose lots were 
principally donated to settlers upon certain condi- 
tions as to settlement and improvement, and the 
embryo city named Cincinnati. Gov. St. Clair 
very likely had .something to do with the naming 
of the village, and, by some, it is asserted that lie 
changed the name from Lo.santiville to Cincinnati, 
when he created the county of Hamilton the en- 
suing winter. The original purcha.se of the eit^-'s 
site was made by .'Mr. Denham. It included about 
eight hundred acres, for which he paid 5 shillings 
per acre in Continental certificates, then worth, in 
specie, about 5 shillings per pound, gro.ss weight, 
pjvidently, the original site was a good investment, 
could Mr. Denham have lived long enough to see 
its present condition. 

The third party of settlers for the Miami pur- 
chase, were under the care of Judge Symmes, 
hini.self They left Limestone, January 29, 1789, 
and were much delayed on their downward jour- 
ney by the ice in the river. They reached the 
'Bend,' as it was then known, early in February. 
The Judge had intended to found a city here, 
which, in time, would be the rival of the Atlantic 
cities. As each of the three settlements a.spired 
to the same po'^ition, no little rivalry' soon mani- 
fested itself. The Judge named his proposed city 
North Bend, from the fact that it was the most 
northern bend in the Ohio below the mouth of the 
Great Kanawha. These three .settlements ante- 
dated, a few months, those made near .Marietta, 
already described. They arose so ."'oon after, partly 
from the extreme desire of Judge Symmes to settle 
liis pureha.se, and induce emigration here instead 
of on the Ohio Company's ])urcha.se. The Judge 
labored earnestly for this pur])ose and to further 
secure him in his title to the land he had aerpiired, 
all of which he had so far been unable to retain, 
owing to his inability to meet his payments. 

All these emigrants came down the river in the 
flat-boats of the day. rude affairs, sometimes called 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



" Ark.s,' auJ then tlie ouly safe mode of travel in 
the West. 

Judge Symmes found he mu.st provide fur the 
safety of the settlers on his purchase, and, after 
earnestly soliciting Gen. Ilarmar, commander of 
the Western posts, succeeded in obtainins; a de- 
tachment of furty-eiuht men, under Capt. Kearsey, 
to protect the inijirciveuunts ju.st commencing' on 
the Miami. This detachment reached Limestone 
in December, 1788. Part was at once sent for- 
ward to guard Jtaj. Stites and his pioneers. Judge 
Symmes and his party started in January, and, 
about February 2, reached Columbia, wliere the 
Captain e.^cpected to find a fort erected for his use 
and shelter. The flood on the river, however, de- 
feated his purpose, and, as he was unprepared to 
erect another, he determined to go on down to the 
garrison at the falls at Louisville. Judge Symmes 
was strenuously opposed to his conduct, a.s it left 
the colonies unguarded, but, all to no purpose; the 
Captain and his command, went to Louisville early 
in March, and left the Judn;e and his settlement 
to protect themselves. Judge Symmes immedi- 
ately sent a strong letter to Maj. Willis, command- 
ing at the Falls, complaining of the conduct 
of Capt. Kear.sey, representing the exposed situ- 
ation of the Miami settlements, stating the indi- 
cations of hostility manifested by the Indians, 
and requesting a guard to be sent to the Bend. 
This request was at once granted, and Ensign 
Luce, with seventeen or eighteen soldiers, sent. 
They were at the settlement but a short time, 
when they were attacked by Indians, and one of 
their number killed, and four or five wounded. 
They repulsed the savages and saved the set- 
tlers. 

The site of Symmes City, for such he designed it 
should ultimately be called, was above the reach of 
water, and sufficiently level to admit of a conven- 
ient settlement. The city laid out by Symmes 
was truly magnificent on paper, and promised in 
the future to fulfill his most ardent hopes. The 
plat included the village, and extended across the 
peninsula between the Ohio and Miami Elvers. 
Each settler on this plat was promised a lot if he 
would improve it, and in conformity to the stipu- 
lation. Judge Symmes soon found a large number 
of persons applying for residence. Astlie number 
of these adventurers increased, in consequence of 
this provision and the protection of the military, 
the Judge was induced to lay out another village 
six or se\cn miles up the rivei", which he called 
South Bend, where he di.sposed of some donation 



lots, but the jiroject failing, the village site was de- 
serted, and converted into a farm. 

During all the time these various events we^e 
transpiring, but little trouble was experienced with 
the Indians. They were not yet disposed to evince 
hostile feelings. This would have been their time, 
but, not realizing the true intent of the whites until 
it was too late to conquer them, they allowed them 
to become prepared to withstand a warfare, and in 
the end were obliged to suffer their hunting-grounds 
to be taken from them, and made the homes of a 
race destined to entirely supercede them in the 
New World. 

By the means sketched in the foregoing pages, 
were the three settlements on the Miami made. By 
the time those adjacent to IMariettawere well estab- 
lished, these were firmly fixed, each one striving to 
become the rival city all felt sure was to arise. For 
a time it was a matter of doubt which of the rivals, 
Columbia, North Bend or Cincinnati, would event- 
ually become the chief seat of business. 

In the beginning, Columbia, the eldest of the 
three, took the lead, both in number of its in- 
habitants and the convenience and appearance of 
its dwellings. For a time it was a flourishing place, 
and many believed it would become the great busi- 
ness town of the Miami country. That apparent 
fact, however, lasted but a short time. The garri- 
son was moved to Cincinnati, Fort Wa.shington 
built there, and in spite of all that Maj. Stites, or 
Judge Symmes could do, that place became the 
metropolis. Fort Wa.shington, the mo.st exten.sive 
garrison in the West, was built l>y JIaj. Doughty, 
in the summer of 1789, and from tliat time the 
growth and future greatness of Cincinnati were 
assured. 

The first house in the city was built on Front 
street, east of and near Slain street. It was 
simiily a strong log cabin, and was erected of the 
forest trees cleared away from the ground on which 
it stood. The lower part of the town was covered 
with sycamore and niajile trees, and the upper with 
beech and oak. Through this dense forest the 
streets were laid out, and their corners marked on 
the trees. 

The settlements on the Miami had become 
sufficiently numerous to warrant a separate county, 
and, in January, 17iH), Gov. St. Clair and his 
Secretary arrived in Cincinnati, and organized tlie 
county of Hamilton, so named in honor of the 
illustrious statesman by that name. It included 
all the country north of the Ohio, between the 
Miamis, as fiu- as a line running '' due east from the 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



Standing Stone forks " of Big Miami to its inter- 
section with the Little Miami. Tlie erection of 
the new county, and the aiij)ointmeiit of Cincin- 
nati to be tile scat of justice, gave the town a I'resh 
impulse, and aided greatly in its growth. 

Through the summer, but little interruption in 
the growth of the settlements occurred. The 
Indians liad permitted the erection of defensive 
works ill their midst, and could not now destroy 
them. They were also engaged in traffic with the 
whites, and, though they evinced signs of discon- 
tent at their .settlement and occupation of tlie 
countrj-, yet did not openly attack them. The 
truth was, they saw plainly the whites were always 
prepared, and no opportunity was given them to 
plunder and destroy. The Indian would not 
attack unless success was almost sure. An oppor- 
tunity, unfortunately, came, and with it the hor- 
rors of au Indian war. 

In the autumn of 1700, a company of thirty- 
six men went from Marietta to a place on the 
Muskingum known as the Big Bottom. Here 
they built a block-house, on the cast bank of the 
river, four miles above the mouth of Meigs Creek. 
They were chiefly young, single men, but little 
ac()uainted with Indian warfare or military rules. 
The savages had given signs that an attack on the 
settlement was meditated, and .several of the know- 
ing ones at the strongholds strenuously opiiosed 
any now settlements that fall, advising their post- 
ponement until the next .spring, when the cjuestion 
of peace or war would probably be settled. Even 
Gen. Putnam and the Directors of the Ohio Com- 
pany advi.sed the po.stponement of the .settlement 
until the next spring. 

The young men were impatient and lestless, and 
declared them.selves able to protect their fort 
against any number of assailants. They might 
have easily done so, had they taken the necessary 
precautions ; but, after they had erected a rude 
block-house of unchinked logs, they began to pa.ss 
the time in various pursuits; setting no guard, and 
taking no precautionary measures, they left them- 
selves an e;tsy prey to any hostile savages that 
might choose to come and attack them. 

About twenty rods from the block-house, and a 
little back from the bank of the river, two men, 
Francis and Isaac Choate, members of the com- 
pany, had erected a cabin, and commenced clearing 
lots. Thomas Shaw, a hired laborer, and James 
Patten, another of the a.s.sociates, lived with them. 
About the same distance below the block-house 
was an old "Tomahawk Improvement" and a 



small Ciibin, which two men, Asa and Eleazur 
Bullard, had fitted up and occupied. The Indian 
war-path, from Sandusky to the mouth of the 
Muskingum, passed along the opposite shore of 
the river. 

" The Indians, who, during the summer," says 
Dr. Hildreth, '• had been hunting and loitering 
about the Wolf Creek ami Plainfield .settlements, 
holding fre(|uent and friendly intercourse with the 
settlers, selling them venison and bear's meat in ex- 
change for gi-een corn and vegetables, had with- 
drawn and gone up the river, early in the au- 
tumn, to their towns, preparatory to going into 
winter (piartcrs. They very seldom entered on 
any warlike expeditions during the cold weather. 
But they had watched the gradual encroach- 
ment of the whites and planned an expedition 
against them. They .saw them in fancied security 
in their cabins, and thought their capture an easy 
task. It is said they were not aware of the Big 
Bottom settlement until tliey came in sight of it, 
on the opposite shore of the river, in the afternoon. 
From a high hill opposite the garrison, they had a 
view (if all that ])art of the bottom, and could sec 
how the men were occuiiied and what was doing 
about the block-house. It was not jtroiected with 
pali.sades or pickets, and none of the men were 
aware or prepared for an attack. Having laid 
their plans, about twilight they cros.sed the river 
above the gan'i.son, on the ice, and divided their 
men into two parties — the larger one to attack the 
block-hon.se, the smaller one to capture the cabins. 
As the Inilians catitiously approached the cabin 
they found the inmates at supper. Part entered, 
addressed the whites in a friendly manner, but 
soon manifesting their designs, made them all pris- 
oners, tieing them with leather thongs they found 
in the cabin." 

At the block-house the attack was far different. 
A stout Mohawk suddenly burst open the door, 
the first intimation the inmates had of the pres- 
ence of the foe, and while he held it open his 
comrades shot down tho.-ic that were within. Bush- 
ing in, the deadly tomah.awk completed the on- 
slaught. In the assiiult, one of the savages was 
struck by the wife of Isaac Woods, with an ax, 
but only slightly injured. The heroic wonum was 
immediately slain. .\11 the men but two were 
.slain before they had time to secure their arms, 
thereby paying for their failure to properly secure 
themselves^ with their lives. The two excepted 
were John Stacy and his brother Philip, a lad six- 
teen years of age. John escaped to the roof. 



r 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



where he was shot by the Indians, while begging 
for his Ufe. The firing at the block-house alarmed 
the Bullards in their cabin, and hastily barring the 
door, and securing their arms and ammunition, the}' 
fled to the woods, and escaped. After the slaughter 
was over, the Indians began to collect the plunder, 
and in doing so discovered the lad Philip Stacy. 
They were about to dispatch him, but his entrea- 
ties softened the heart of one of the chiefs, who 
took him as a captive with the intention of adopt- 
ing him into his family. The savages then piled 
the dead bodies on the floor, covered them with 
other portions of it not needed for that purpose, 
and set fire to the whole. The building, being 
made of green logs, did not burn, the flames con- 
suming only the floors and roof, leaving the walls 
standing. 

There were twelve persons killed in this attack, 
all of whom were in the prime of life, and valuable 
aid to the settlements. They were well provided 
with arras, and had they taken the necessary pre- 
cautions, always pressed upon them when visited 
by the older ones from Marietta, they need not 
have suffered so terrible a fate. 

The Indians, exultant over their horrible victory, 
went on to Wolf's mills, but here they found the 
people prepared, and, after reconnoitering the place, 
made their retreat, at early dawn, to the great re- 
lief of the inhabitants. Their number was never 
definitely known. 

The news reached Marietta and its adjacent 
settlemants soon after the massacre occun-ed, and 
struck terror and dismay into the hearts of all. 
Many had brothers and sons in the ill-fated party, 
and mourned their loss. Neither did they know 
what place would fall next. The Indian hostilities 
had begun, and they could only hope for peace 
when the savages were efiectually conquered. 

The next day, Capt. Rogers led a party of men 
over to the Big Bottom. It was, indeed, a melan- 
choly sight to the poor borderers, a.s they knew not 
now how soon the same fate might befall them- 
selves. The fire had so disfigured their comrades 
that but two, Ezra Putnam and William Jones, 
were recognized. As the ground was frozen out- 
side, a hole was dug in the earth underneath the 
block-house floor, and the bodies consigned to one 
grave. No further attempt was made to settle 
here till after the peace of 1795. 

The outbreak of Indian hostilities put a check 
on further settlements. Those that were estab- 
lished were put in a more active state of defense, 
and every preparation made that could be made 



for the impending crisis all felt sure must come. 
Either the Indians must go, or the whites must 
retreat. A few hardy and adventurous persons 
ventured out into the woods and made settle- 
ments, but even these were at the imminent risk 
of their lives, many of them perishing in the 
attempt. 

The Indian war that followed is given fullj^ in 
preceding pages. It may be briefly sketched by 
stating that the first campaign, under Gen Har- 
mar, ended in the defeat of his army at the Indian 
villages on the JMiami of the lake, and the rapid 
retreat to Fort Washington. St. Clair was next 
commissioned to lead an army of nearly three thou- 
sand men, but these were furiously attacked at 
break of day, on the morning of November 4, 
1791, and utterly defeated. Indian outrages 
sprung out anew after each defeat, and the borders 
were in a continual state of alarm. The most ter- 
rible sufferings were endured by prisoners in the 
hands of the savage foe, who thought to annihilate 
the whites. 

The army was at once I'e-organized, Gen. An- 
thony Wayne put in command by Washington, 
and a vigorous campaign inaugurated. Though 
the savages had been given great aid by the Brit- 
ish, in direct violation of the treaty of 1783, Gen. 
Wayne pursued them so vigorously that they could 
not withstand his army, and, the 20th of August, 
179-4, defeated them, and utterly anniliilated their 
forces, breaking up then- camps, and laying waste 
their country, in some places under the guns of 
the British forts. The victory showed them the 
hopelessness of contending against the whites, and 
led their chiefs to sue for peace. The British, as 
at former times, deserted them, and they were again 
alone, contending against an invincible foe. A 
grand council was held at Greenville the 3d day 
of August, 1795, where eleven of the most power- 
ful chiefs made peace with Gen. Wayne on terms 
of his own dictation. The boundary established 
by the old treaty of Fort JMcIntosh was confirmed, 
and extended westward from Loramie's to Fort 
Reoovei-y, and thence southwest to the mouth of 
the Kentucky River. He also purchased all the 
territory not before ceded, within certain limits, 
comprehending, in all, about four-fifths of the State 
of Ohio. The line was long known as " The Green- 
ville Treaty line." Upon these, and a lew other 
minor conditions, the United States received the 
Indians under their protection, gave them a large 
number of presents, and practically closed the war 
with the savages. 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



97 



The only s^L'ttloiucnt ul'any consequence made dur- i 
iu<;the Indian war, was that on tlie plat of Hamilton, j 
laid out by Israel Ludlow in Decemlior, I7!I4. Soon 
after, Darius C. Orcutt, John Green, William Mc- 
Clennan, John Sutherland.JdlinTorrenei, Benjamin 
F. Randolph, Benjamin Uavis, I.-Jaae Wiles, Andrew 
Christy and William Hubert, located here. The 
town wa.s laid out under the name of Fairfield, but 
was known only a short time by that name. Until 
isol, all the lands on the west side of the Great 
Miami were owned by the General Government; 
hence, until after that date, no improvements were 
made there. A single log cabin stood there until 
the .sale of lands in April, 1801, when a company 
purcha.sed the site of Ros.svillc, and, in March, 
1804, laid out that t^^iwn, and, before a year had 
passed, the town and country about it was well 
settled. 

The close of the war, in 1795, insured peace, 
and, from that date, Hamilton and that part of the 
Aliami Valley grew remarkably fast. In 1803, 
Butler County was formed, and Hamilton made 
the county seat. 

On the site of Hamilton, St. Clair built Fort 
Hamilton in 1701. For some time it was under 
the command of Maj. Rudolph, a cruel, arbitrary 
man, who was displaced by Gen. Wayne, and who, 
it is said, perished ignobly on the high seas, at the 
hands of some Algerine pirates, a fitting end to a 
man who caused, more than once, the death of 
men under his control for minor offenses. 

On the return of peace, no part of Ohio grew 
more rapidly than the Miami A'alley, especially 
that part eomjirised in Butler County. 

While the war with the Indians continued, but 
little extension of settlements was made in the 
State. It was too perilous, and the settlers pre- 
ferred the security of the block-house or to engage 
with the army. Still, however, a few bold spirits 
ventured away from the settled parts of the Tcn-i- 
tor}', and began life in the wildcrne.'^s. In tracing 
the histories of these settlements, attention will be 
paid to the order in which they were made. They 
will be given somewhat in detail until the war of 
1 S 1 2, after which time they become too numerous 
to follow. 

The settlements made in Washington — Marietta 
and adjacent colonics — and Hamilton Counties 
have already been given. The settlement at (Jal- 
lia is also n(jted, hence, the narration can be re- 
sumed where it ends prior to the Indian war of 
1705. Before this war occurred, there were three 
small settlements made, however, in addition to 



those in Wa.shington and Hamilton Counties. 
They Were in what are now Adams, Belmont and 
Morgan Counties. They were block-hr)use settle- 
ments, and were in a continual state of defense. 
The first of the.se, Adams, wits settled in the winter 
of 1700-91 by Gen. Nathaniel Ma.ssie. near where 
Manchester now is. Gen. Ma.ssie determined to 
settle here in the Virginia Military Tract — in the 
winter of 1700, and sent notice throughout Ken- 
tucky and other Western settlements that he would 
give to each of the first twenty-five fitmilics who 
would settle in the town he proposed laying out, 
one in-lot, one out-lot and one hundred acres of 
land. Such liberal terms were soon accepted, and 
in a short time thirty families were ready to go 
with him. After various consultations with his 
friends, the bottom on the Ohio River, opposite 
the lower of the Three Islands, was selected as 
the most eligible spot. Here Ma-ssie fixed his sta- 
tion, and laid off' into lots a town, now called 
Manchester. The little confederacy, with Massie 
at the helm, went to work with spirit. Cabins 
were raised, and by the middle of March, 
1701, the whole town was inclosed with strong 
pickets, with block-houses at each angle for de- 
fense. 

This was the first settlement in the bounds of 
the Virginia District, and the fourth one in the 
State. Although in the midst of a savage foe, 
now inflamed with war, and in the midst of a 
cruel conflict, the settlement at Manchester suf- 
fered le-ss than any of its cotcmporaries. This 
was, no doubt, due to the watchful care of its in- 
habitants, who were inured to the rigoi-s of a front- 
ier life, and who well knew the danger about them. 
" These were the Bcasleys. Stouts, Washburns, 
Lcdoms, Edgingtons, Denings, Ellisons, Utts, 
McKenzies, Wades, and others, who were fully 
equal to the Indians in all the savage arts and 
stratjigems of border war." 

As soon as they had completed preparations for 
defense, the whole population went to work and 
cleared the lowest of the Three I.slands, and planted 
it in corn. The soil of the island was very rich, 
and produced abundantly. The woods supplied an 
abundance of game, while the river furnished a 
variety of excellent fish. The inhabitants thus 
found their simple wants fully supplied. Their 
nearest neighbors in the new Territory were at 
C.)lumbia, and at the French settlement at Gallip- 
olis; but with these, owing to the state of the 
country and the Indian war, they could hold little, 
if anj', intercourse. 



98 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



The station being established, Massie continued 
to make locations and surveys. Great precautions 
were necessary to avoid the Indians, and even the 
closest vigilance did not always avail, as the ever- 
watchful foe was always ready to spring upon the 
settlement, could an unguarded moment be ob- 
served. During one of the spring months, Gen. 
Massie, Israel Donalsun, William Lytic and James 
Little, while out on a survey, were surprised, and 
Mr. Donalson captured, the others escaping at 
great peril. Mr. Donalson escaped during the 
march to the Indian town, and made his way to 
the town of Cincinnati, after suffering great hard- 
ships, and almost perishing from hunger. In the 
spring of 1793, the settlers at Manchester com- 
m;'nced clearing the out-lots of the town. While 
doing so, an incident occurred, which shows the 
danger to which they were daily exposed. It is 
thus related in Howe's Collections : 

" Mr. Andrew Ellison, one of the settlers, 
cleared an out-lot immediately adjoining the fort. 
He had completed the cutting of the timber,rolled 
the logs together, and set them on fire. The next 
morning, before daybreak, Mr. Ellison opened one 
of the gates of the fort, and went out to throw his 
logs together. By the time he had finished the 
job, a number of the heaps blazed up brightly, and, 
as he was passing from one to the other, he ob- 
served, by the light of the fires, three men walking 
Iiriskly toward him. This did not alarm him in 
the least, although, he said, they were dark-skinned 
fellows; yet he concluded they were the Wades, 
whose compli'sions were very dark, going early to 
hunt. He continued to right his log-heaps, until 
one of the fallows seized him by the arms, calling 
out, in broken English, ' How do ? how do ? ' He 
instantly looked in their faces, and, to his surprise 
and horror, found himself in the clutches of three 
Indians. To resist was useless. 

" The Indians fpiickly moved off with him in 
the direction of Paint Creek. When breakfast 
was ready, Mrs. Ellison sent one of her children 
to ask its father home ; but he could not be found 
at the log-heaps. His absence created no immedi- 
ate alarm, as it was thcmght he might have started 
to hunt, after conij)leting his work. Dinner-time 
arrived, and, Ellison not returning, the family 
became uneasy, and began to suspect some acci- 
dent had happened to him. His gun-rack was 
examined, and there hung his rifles and his pouch. 
Gen. Jlassie raised a party, made a circuit around 
the place, finding, after some search, the trails of 
four men, one of whom had on shoes; and the 



fact that Jlr. Ellison was a prisoner now became 
apparent. As it was almost night at the time the 
trail was discovered, the party returned to the 
station. Early the next morning, preparations 
were made by Gen. Massie and his friends to con- 
tinue the search. In doing this, they fimiid great 
difiiculty, as it was so early in the spring that the 
vegetation was not grown sufl&ciently to show 
plainly the trail made by the savages, who took 
the precaution to keep on high and dry ground, 
where their feet would make little or no imj)res- 
sion. The party were, however, as unerring as a 
pack of hounds, and followed the trail to Paint 
Creek, when they found the Indians gained so 
fast on them that pursuit was useless. 

"The Indians took their prisoner to Upper 
Sandusky, where he was compelled to run the 
gantlet. As he was a large, and not very active, 
man, he received a severe flogging. He was then 
taken to Lower Sandusky, and again compelled to 
run the gantlet. He was then taken to Detroit, 
where he was ransomed by a British officer for 
$100. The officer proved a good friend to him. 
He sent him to Montreal, whence he returned 
home before the close of the summer, much to the 
joy of his family and friends, whose feelings can 
only be imagined." 

"Another incident occurred about this time," 
says the same volume, "which so aptly illustrates 
the danger of frontier life, that it well deserves a 
place in the history of the settlements in Ohio. 
John and Asahel Edgington, with a comrade, 
started out on a hunting expedition toward Brush 
Creek. They camped out six miles in a northeast 
direction from where West Union now stands, and 
near the site of Treber's tavern, on the road from 
Chillicothe to ]Ma3-sville. The}' had good success 
in hunting, killing a number of deer and bears. 
Of the deer killed, they saved the skins and hams 
alone. They fleeced the bears; that is, they cut 
off all the meat which adhered to the hide, with- 
out skinning, and left the bones as a skeleton. 
They hung up the proceeds of their hunt, on a scaf- 
fold out of the reach of wolves and other wild ani- 
mals, and returned to Manchester for pack-horses. 
No one returned to the camp with the Edgingtons. 
As it was late in December, few apprehended dan- 
ger, as the winter season was usually a time of re- 
pose from Indian incursions. When the Edgingtons 
arrived at their camp, they alighted from their 
horses and were preparing to start a fire, when a 
platoon of Indians fired upon them at a distance 
of not more than twenty paces. They had 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



101 



cviJently fouud tho results of the whito men's labor, 
and expected they would return for it, and pre- 
pared to waylay them. Asaliel Edginjitun fell 
dead. John was more fortunate. The sharp 
crack of the rifles, and the hcrrrible yells of the 
savages as they leaped from their j)lace of ambush, 
frightened the horses, who took the track for 
home at full speed. John w:us very active on foot, 
and now an opporttinity offered which required his 
utmo.st speed. The moment the Indians leaiied 
from their hiding place, they threw down their 
guns and took after him, yelling with all their 
power. Edgiugton did not run a booty race. For 
about a mile, the savages stepped in liis tracks al- 
most before tho bending gra.-^s could rise. The 
uplifted tomahawk w;is freijuently so near his head 
that he thought he felt its edge. lie exerted 
himself to his utmost, while the Indians strove 
with all their might to catch him. Finally, he be- 
gan to gain on his pursuers, and, after a long race, 
distanced them and made his escape, safely reach- 
ing home. This, truly, was a most fearful and 
well-contested race. The big Shawancc chief, Capt. 
John, who headed the Indians on this occasion, 
after peace was made, in narrating the particulars, 
said, "The white man who ran away was a smart 
fellow. The white man run ; and I run. He run 
and run ; at last, the wliite man run clear off' from 
me. ' 

The settlement, despite its dangers, prospered, 
and after the close of the war continued to grow 
rapidly. In two years after peace was declared, 
Adams County was erected by proclamation of 
Gov. St. Clair, the next year court was held, and 
in 1804, West Union was made the county seat. 

During the war, a settlement was commenced 
near the present town of Bridgeport, in Belmont 
County, by Capt. Jo.scph Belmont, a noted Dela- 
ware Revolutionary officer, who, because his State 
could furnish only one company, could rise no 
higher than Captain of tliat company, and hence 
alwa3s maintained that grade. He settled on a 
beautiful knoll near the present county seat, but 
erelong suff'ered from a night attack by the In- 
dians, who, though unable to drive him and his 
companions from the cabin or con(iuer them, 
wounded some of them badly, one or two mortally, 
and caused the Captain to leave the frontier and 
return to Newark, Del. The attack was made 
in the .spring of 1791, and a .sliort time atlcr, 
the Captain, having provided for the safety of his 
family, accepted a commission in St. Clair's army, 
and lo.st Ids life at the defeat of the General in 



November. Shortly after the Captain settled, a 
fort, called Dillie's Fort, was built on the Ohio, 
opposite the mouth of (Jrave Creek. About two 
hundred and fifty yards below this fort, an old 
man, named Tato, was shot down at his cabin door 
by the Indians, just as he was in the act of entering 
the house. His body was pulled in by his daugh- 
ter-in-law and grandson, who made an heroic de- 
fense. They were overpowered, the woman slain, 
and the boy badly wounded. He, however, man- 
aged to secrete himself and afterward escaped to 
the fort. The Indians, twelve or thirteen in num- 
ber, went off" unmolested, though the men in the 
fort saw the whole transaction and could have 
punished them. Why they did not was never 
known. 

Ou Captiua Creek in this same county, occurred, 
in May, 1704, the '-battle of Captina," a fa- 
mous local skirmish between some A'irginians fi-om 
Fort Baker, and a party of Indians. Though the 
Indians largely outnumbered the whites, they were 
severely punished, and compelled to abandon the 
contest, losing several of their bravest warriors. 

These were the only settlements made until 
1795, the clo.se of the war. Even these, as it will 
be observed from the foregoing pages, were tem- 
porary in all cases' save one,*and were maintained 
at a great risk, and the lo.ss of many valuable lives. 
They were made in the beginning of tlu' war.and such 
were their experiences that fuiilur attempts were 
abandoned until the treaty of Greenville w;ts made, 
or until the prospects for peace and safety were 
assured. 

No sooner, however, had the prospect of quiet 
been established, than a revival of emigration be- 
gan. Before the war it had been large, now it 
was largely increased. 

Wayne's treaty of peace with tho Indians was 
made at Greenville, in what is now Darke County, 
the 3d of August, 179'). The number of Indians 
present was estimated at 1 ,800, divided among the 
principal nations as follows: 180 Wyaudots, 381 
Delawarcs, 143 Shawanecs, 45 Ottawas, 46 Cliip- 
pewas, 240 Pottawatomies, 73 Miamis and Eel 
lliver, 12 Wcas and Piankcshaws, anil 10 Kicka- 
poos and Ka.skaskia.s. Tho principal chiefs were 
Tarhe, Buckongahelas, Black Hoof, Blue Jacket 
and Little Turtle. Most of them had been tam- 
jiered with by the British agents and traders, but 
all had been so thonjughly cluLStiscd by Wayne, and 
found that the Briti.sh only used them as tools, 
that they were quite anxious to make ])cace with 
the '■ Thirteen Fires." By the treaty, former ones 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



were established, the boundary lines confirmed and 
enlai'ged, an exchange and delivery of prisoners 
eflFccted, and permanent peace assured. 

In the latter part of September, after the treaty 
of Greenville, Mr. Bedell, from New Jersey, 
selected a site for a home in what is now Warren 
County, at a place since known as " Bedell's Sta- 
tion,'' about a mile south of Union Village. Here 
ho erected a block-house, as a defense against the 
Indians, among whom were many renegades as 
among the whites, who would not respect the 
terms of the treaty. Whether Mr. Bedell was 
alone that fall, or whether he was joined by others, 
is not now accurately known. However that may 
be, ho was not long left to himself; for, ere a year 
had elapsed; quite a number of settlements were 
made in this part of the Territory. Soon after 
his settlement was made, Gen. David Sutton, Capt. 
Nathan Kelley and others began pioneer life at 
Deerfield, in the same locality, and, before three 
years had gone by, a large number of New Jersey 
people wore established in their homes; and, in 
1803, the county was formed from Hamilton. 
Among the early settlers at Deerfield, was Capt. 
Robert Benliam, who, with a companion, in 1779, 
sustained themselves ^nany days when the Captain 
had lost the use of his legs, and his companion 
his arms, from musket-balls fired by the hands of 
the Indians. They were with a large party com- 
manded by Maj. Rodgers, and were furiously 
attacked by an immense number of savages, and 
all but a few slain. The event happened during 
the war of the Revolution, before any attempt 
was made to settle the Northwest Territory. The 
party were going down the Ohio, probably to the 
fells, and were attacked when near the site of 
Cincinnati. As mentioned, these two men sus- 
tained each other many days, the one having per- 
fect legs doing the necessary walking, carrying his 
comrade to water, driving up game for him to 
shoot, and any other duties necessary; while the 
one who had the use of his arms could dress his 
companion's and his own wounds, kill and cook 
the game, and perform his share. They were 
rescued, finally, by a flat-boat, whose occupants, 
for awhile, passed them, fearing a decoy, but, 
becoming convinced that such was not the case, 
took them on down to Louisville, where they were 
nursed into perfect health. 

A settlement was made near the present town of 
Lebanon, the county seat of Warren County, in 
the spring of 1796, by Henry Taylor, who built a 
mill one mile west of the town site, on Turtle 



Creek. Soon after, he was joined by Ichabod 
Corwin, John Csbourn, Jacob Vorhees, Samuel 
Shaw, Daniel Bonte and a Mr. Manning. When 
Lebanon was laid out, in 1803, the two-story log 
house built in 1797 by Ichabod Corwin was the 
only building on the plat. It was occupied by 
Ephraim Hathaway a.s a tavern. He had a black 
horse painted on an immense board for a sign, and 
continued in business here till 1810. The same 
year the town was laid out, a store was opened by 
John Huston, and, from that date, the growth of 
the county was very prosperous. Three years 
after, the Western Star was established by 
Judge John McLain, and the current news of 
the day given in weekly editions. It was one of 
the first newspaj)ers established in the Territory, 
outside of Cincinnati. 

As has been mentioned, the opening cif naviga- 
tion in the spring of 1796 brought a great flood 
of emigration to the Territory. The little settle- 
ment made by Mr. Bedell, in the autumn of 1795, 
was about the only one made that fidl ; others made 
preparations, and many selected sites, but did not 
settle till the following spring. That .spring, colo- 
nies were planted in what are now Montgomery, 
Eoss, Madison, Mahoning, Trumbull, Ashtabula 
and Cuyahoga Counties, while preparations were 
in turn made to occupy additional territory that 
will hereafter bo noticed. 

The settlement made in Montgomery County 
was begun early in the spring of 1796. As early 
as 1788, the land on which Dayton now stands was 
selected by some gentlemen, who designed laying 
out a town to be named Venice. They agreed 
with Judge Synimes, whose contract covered the 
place, for the purchase of the lands. The Indian 
war which broke out at this time prevented an 
extension of settlements from the immediate 
neighborhood of the parent colonies, and the proj- 
ect was abandoned by the purchasers. Soon after 
the treaty of 1795, a new company, composed of 
Gens. Jonathan Dayton, Arthur St. Clair, James 
Wilkinson, and Col. Israel Ludlow, purchased the 
land between the Miamis, around the mouth of 
Mad River, of Judge Symmes, and, the 4th of 
November, laid out the town. Arrangements were 
made for its settlement the ensuing spring, and 
donations of lot.s, with other privileges, were offered 
to actual settlers. Forty-six persons entered into 
engagements to remove fiom Cincinnati to Day- 
ton, but during the winter most of them scat- 
tered in different directions, and only nineteen ful- 
filled their contracts. The first families who 



'-^ 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



103 



made a perniauent rcMilciicL' here, ari-ivod on the 
first day of April, ITSHi, and at once set about 
establi.sliintr liomes. Judge Symmos, however, 
becomiiiu: unable soon after to pay for his jiureha-se, 
the land reverted to the United States, and the set- 
tlers in and about Dayton found themselves with- 
out titles to their lands. Congress, however, eauie 
to the aid of all such persons, wherever they had 
purchased laud of Syinnies, and pa.ssed a jire-emp- 
tion law, under which they could enter their lands 
at the regular governmenl price. Some of the set- 
tlers entered their lands, and obtained titles directly 
from the United States; others made arrangements 
with Daniel (". Cooper to receive their deeds from 
him, and he entered the residue of the town lands. 
He had been the surveyor and agent of the first 
company of proprietors, and they a.ssigned to him 
certain of their rights of pre-emption, by which he 
became the titular owner of the land. 

AV'lien the State government was organized in 
18(i3, Dayton was made the seat of justice for 
Montgomery County, erected the same year. At 
that time, owing to the title question, only five 
families resided in the place, the other .settlers hav- 
ing gone to farms in the vicinity, or to other 
parts of the country. The increase of the town 
was gradual until the war of 1812, wlien its 
growth was more rapid until 182((, when it was 
again checked by the gcmeral depression of busi- 
ness. It revived in 1827, at the commencement 
of the Miami Canal, and since then its growth has 
always been prosperous. It is now one of the 
best cities in (_)hio. The first canal boats fi'om 
Cincinnati arrived at Dayton January 25, lS2il, 
and the first one fi-om Lake Krie the 24fh of 
June, 184.5. In 1823, a weekly lino of stages 
was e.stablishcd between Columbus and Cincinnati, 
via Dayton. One day was occupied in coming 
from Cincinnati to Dayton. 

On the 18th of September, 1808, the Dayton 
Repfflon/ wa.s established by William McCIureand 
George Smith. It was printed on a foolscap sheet. 
Soon after, it was enlarged and changed from a 
weekly to a daily, and, ere long, found a number 
of competitors in the field. 

In the lower part of Miamisburg. in this county, 
are the remains of ancient works, scattered about 
over the bottom. About a mile and a rpiarter 
southeast of the village, on an elevation more than 
one hundred feet above the level of the Miami, 
is the largest mound in tlie Northern Staters, ex- 
cepting the mammoth mound at Grave Creek, on 
the ()hii>, below Wheeling, which it nearly equals 



in dimensions. It is about eight hundred feet 
around the base, and rises to a height of nearly 
seventy feet. When first known it was covered 
with forest trees, whose size evidenced great age. 
The Indians could give no account of the mound. 
Kxcavalions revealed bones and charred earth, 
but what wa.s its use, will always remain a con- 
jecture. 

One of the most important early settlements 
was made cotemporary with that of Dayton, in 
what is now lloss County. The same sj)ring, 
ITOti, i|uite a colony came to the banks of tlu; 
Scioto River, and, near the mouth of Paint Creek, 
began to plant a crop of corn on the bottom. The 
site had been selected as early as 17!'2, by Col. 
Nathaniel Ma.ssie* and others, who were so de- 
lighted with th(; country, and gave such glowing 
descrijitions of it on their return — which accounts 
soon circulated through Kentucky — that portions 
of the Presbyterian congregations of Cancridge and 
Concord, in Bourbon County, under Kev. llobert 
W. Finley, determined to emigrate thither in a 
body. They were, in a measure, indviced to take 
this step by their dislike to slavery, and a desire 
for freedom from its baleful influences and the un- 
ccirtiunty that existed regarding the validity of the 
land titles in that Slate. The Rev. Finley, as a 
]ireliminary step, liberated his slaves, and addres.sed 
to Col. Ma,ssie a letter of inquiry, in December, 
1794, resi'arding the laud on the Scioto, of which 
he and his people had heard such glowing ac- 
counts. 

"The letter induced Col. Massie to vi.sit Mr. 
Finley in the ensuing March. A large concourse 
of people, who wished to engage in the enterprLse, 
assembled on the occa.sion, and fixed on a day to 
meet at the Three Islands, in Manchester, and 
proceed on an exploring expedition. Mr. Finley 
also wrote to his friends in Western Pennsylvania 

* Nathaniel Musfcie was born in Goochland County, Vs., Decem- 
ber 28, 17(a. In 1780, hn i-ngagecl, for n short timi>, in the Revolu- 
tionary war. In 1783, he left for Kentucky, where ho acted as a 
Burveyor. He was afterward made a Government surveyor, and 
labored much in thatcapacity for early Ohio proprielora lieinp paid 
in laiidH, the aniounls graded by the danger attached to the aitrvey. 
In I7!ll, ho estibliahed Ibe sellleuient at Manchester, and a year or 



afle 



nlin 



cd hi! 



I Ihi- S.-i 



He 



he\ 



tinually in preat danger from the Indians, but knew well how tc 
guard aealiiat them, and thus preserved himself. In 1790, ho eatah 
lislied the C'hillicothe settlement, an'l made his home in the Scioto 
Vallev, b.ing now ar. ext.ri.;ive land owner bv reason ot hia Ions 
surveying service. In 1K(17. he and Return J, Meigs wore cnipet- 
itnra for Iho office of Governor el Ohio. Meiga was elecl.-l. but 
Maasie contested hia eligibility to the .iftice, on the ground- ef his 
ahaeucofrom the Slate and Insumciency of time a« a resident, :oi 
required by the Constitution. Meigs was di-clared ineliirible by the 
General Assembly, and Masaie declared Governor. He. however, 
resigned the office at once, not desiring it. He waa often Bepre- 
aenlative afterward. He died November 13, 1813. 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



iuforming tbom of the time und place of rendez- 
vous. 

" About sixty men met, according to appoint- 
ment, wlu) were divided into tliree companies, 
under Jla.ssie, Finley and Falenash. They pro- 
ceeded on their route, without interruption, until 
they struck the falls of Paint Creek. Proceeding 
a short distance down that stream, they suddenly 
found themselves in the vicinity of some Indians 
who had encamped at a place, since called Keeve's 
Crossing, near the present town of Bainbridge. 
The Indians were of thase who had refused to 
attend Wayne's treaty, and it was determined to 
give them battle, it being too late to retreat with 
safety. The Indians, on being attacked, soon fled 
with the loss of two killed and several wounded. 
One of the whites only, Joshua Robinson, was 
mortally wounded, and, during the action, a Jlr. 
Armstrong, a prisoner among the savages, escaped 
to his own people. The whites gathered all their 
plunder and retreated as far as Scioto Brush 
Creek, where they were, according to expectation, 
attacked early the next morning. Again the In- 
dians were defeated. Only one man among the 
whites, Allen GilfiUan, was wounded. The party 
of whites coutinued their retreat, the next day 
reached Manchester, and separated for their homes. 

"After Wayne's treaty. Col. Massie and several 
of the old explorers again met at the house of 
Ilev. Finley, formed a company, and agreed to 
make a settlement in the ensuing spring (1796), 
and rai.se a crop of corn at the mouth of Paint 
Creek. According to agreement, they met at Man- 
chester about the first of April, to the number (jf 
forty and upward, from Mason and Bourbon 
Counties. Among them were Joseph McCoy, 
Benjamin ami William Koilgers, David Shelby, 
-lamL'S llurrod, Henry, Bazii and Reuben Abrams, 
William Jamison, .James Crawford, Samuel, An- 
thony and Robert Smith, Thomas Dick, William 
and James Kerr, George and James Kilgrove, 
John Brown, Samuel and Robert Templeton, Fer- 
guson Moore, William Nicholson and James B. 
Finley, later a prominent local Methodist minister. 
On starting, they divided into two companies, one 
of which struck across the country, while the 
other came on in pirogues. The first arrived 
earliest on the .spot of their intended settlement, 
and had comnien -ed erecting log hut.s above the 
mouth erf Paint Creek, at the ' Prairis Station,' 
before the others had come on by water. About 
three hundred acres of the prairie were cultivated 
in corn that season. 



" In August, of this year — 179C — Chillicothe* 
was laid out by Col. Massie in a dense forest. He 
gave a lot to each of the first .settlers, and, by the 
beginning of winter, about twenty cabins were 
erected. Not long after, a ferry was established 
across the Scioto, at the north end of Walnut 
street. The opening of Zane's trace produced a 
great change in travel westward, it having pre- 
viously been along the Ohio in keel-boats or canoes, 
or by land, over the Cumberland Mountains, 
through Crab Orchard, in Kentucky. 

" The emigrants brought corn-meal in their jii- 
rogues, and after that was gone, their jirineipal 
meal, until the next summer, was that pounded in 
hominy mortars, which meal, when made into 
bread, and anointed with bear's-oil, was quite jjuI- 
atable. 

" When the settlers first came, whisky was $4. .50 
per gallon; but, in the spring of 1797, when the 
keel-boats began to run, the Monongahela whisky- 
makers, having found a good market for their fire- 
water, rushed it in, in such quantities, tliat the 
cabins were crowded with it, and it soon fell to 50 
cents. Men, women and children, with s<.>me excep- 
tions, drank it freely, and many who had been 
respectable and temperate became inebriates. 
Many of Wayne's soldiers and camp-women settled 
in the town, so that, for a time, it became a town 
of drunkards and a sink of corruption. There 
was, however, a little leaven, which, in a few 
months, began to develop itself. 

"In the spring of 1797, one Brannon stole a 
great coat, handkerchief and shirt. He and his 
wife absconded, were pursued, caught and brought 
back. Samuel Smith was appointed Judge, a 
jury impanneled, one attorney apjiointed by the 
Judge to manage the prosecution, and another the 
defense; witnesses were examined, the case argued, 
and the evidence summed up by the Judge. The 
jury, having retired a few moments, returned with 
a verdict of guilty, and that the culprit be sen- 
tenced according to the discretion of the Judge. 
The Judge soon announced that tlie criminal 
should have ten lashes on his naked back, or that 
he should sit on a bare pack-saddle on his pony, 
and that his wife, who was supposed to have had 
some agency in the theft, should lead the p<iny to 
every house in the village, and proclaim, 'This is 

♦ehillicnthe appears to have been a favorite name among the 
iTidians, as many localities were known l>y that name. Col. John 
Johnston says : "Chillicothe is the name of one ol the principal 
trilies of the Shawanees. They wonld .say, CliU-i-rolht, olmiy, i. e, 
Chillicothe town. The Wyandots wonld say. tor Chillicothe town, 
Tat-u-ru-ra, Do-tta, or town at the leaniug of the bank." 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



105 



Bi-duuou, wlio stole the g:reat coat, handkerchief 
auil sliirt ; ' and that Jauies B. Finley, afterward 
Chaplain in the State Penitentiary, should see the 
sentence faithfully carried out. Brannon chose 
the latt<>r sentence, and the ceremony was feith- 
fully performed by his wife in the presence of 
every cabin, under Sir. Finley 's care, after which 
the couple made ofl'. This was rather rude, but 
effective ] urisprudence. 

" Dr. Kdward Tiffin and .Mr. Tlinnia< Wortli- 
ington.of Berkley County. \' a., were brothers-in-law, 
and being moved by abolition principles, liberated 
their slaves, intending to remove into the Ter- 
ritory. For this purpose. .Mr. M'lirthington visited 
ChilHcothe in the autumn of 17117, and iiurchiUM-d 
several in and out lots of the town. On one of the 
former, he erected a two-story frame house, the 
first of the kind in the village. On his return, 
having purcha.sed a part of a farm, on which his 
family long afterward resided, and another at the 
north fork of Paint Creek, he contracted with Mr. 
Joseph Yates, a millwright, and Mr. George Haines, 
a blacksmith, to come out with him the following 
winter or spring, and erect for him a grist and saw 
mill on his north-fork tract. The summer, fall 
and following winter of that year were marked by 
a rush of emigration, which spead over the high 
bank prairie. Pea-pea, Westfidl and a few miles 
up Paint and Deer Creeks. 

" Nearly all the first settlers were either regular 
members, or had been raised in the Presbyterian 
Church. Toward the fall of 1797, the leaven of 
piety retained by a portion of the first settlers be- 
gan to diffuse itself through the mass, and a large 
log meeting-house was erected near the old grave- 
yard, and llev. William Speer, from Pennsylvania, 
took cliarge. The sleepers at first served ;is .seats for 
hearers, and a split-log table was used its a jiulpit. 
Mr. Speer was a gentlemanly, moral man, tall and 
cadaverous in person, and wore the cocked hat of 
the Revolutionary era. 

'•Thomas Jones arrived in February, 1798, 
bringing with him the first load of bar-iron in the 
Scioto Vallev, and about the same time Maj. Elias 
Langham, an officer of the Revolution, arrived. Dr. 
Tiffin, and his brother. Jo.seph, arrived the same 
month fi'om Virginia and opened a store not far 
from the log meeting-house. A store bad been 
openi'il previously by J(phn McDougal. The 17th 
of .Vprii. the families of Col. Wortliington an<l 
Dr. Tiffin arrived, at which time the first marria;;e 
in the Scioto A'^alley was celebrated. The parties 
were Georire Kilirore and Klizabeth Cochran. The 



ponies of the attendants were hitched to tlu^ trees 
along the streets, which were not then cleared out, 
nearly the whole town being a wilderness. Josepli 
Yates, (icorge Ilaincs, and two or three others, 
arrived with tlu' families of Tiffin and Worthing- 
ton. On their arrival there were but four shingled 
roofs in town, <in oni' of which the shingl(« 
were fastened with pegs. Col. Worthington's 
house was the only one having glas« windows. The 
sash of the hotel windows was filled with greased 
pa])er. 

" Col. Worthington was appointed by Gen. Ru- 
fus Putnam, Surveyor (reneral of the Northwest 
Territory, surveyor of a large district of CongTess 
lands, on the c;i.st side of the Scioto, and Maj. 
Langham and a Mr. Matthews, were apjiointed to 
.survey the residue of the lands whiih afurward 
composed the Chillicotlu? land district. 

"The same .season, settlements were made about 
the Walnut Plains by Samuel McCulloh and 
others; Springer, Osbourn, Dyer, and Thomas and 
Hiijah Cheiiowith, on Darly Creek ; Lamberts and 
others on Sippo; on Fost<'r's Bottom, the Fosters, 
Samuel Davis and others, while the following fam- 
ilies .settled in atul about Chillieollie: .iohn Cnmse, 
William Keys, William Lamb, John Carlisle, John 
McLanberg, William Chandless, the Stoctons, 
Greggs, Bates and somi; others. 

'• Dr. Tiffin and his wife were the first Metho- 
dist.-i in the Sciotii ^'alley. He was a local preacher. 
Li the fall, Worthington's gTi.st and saw mills on 
the north fork of Paint Creek were fini.shed, the 
first mills worthy tlie name in the valley. 

"ChilHcothe was the point from which the set- 
tlements diverged. Li May, 17!'!t, a post ofiice 
was established here, and Joseph Tiffin made Post- 
master. Mr, Tiffin and Thomas Gregg opened 
taverns; the first, under tlu; sign of Gen. Antlnmy 
Wayne, was at the corner of Water and Walnut 
streets; and the last, under the sign of the 'Green 
Tree,' was on the corner ol' Paint and Water 
streets. In 1801, Nathaniel Willis moved in and 
established the Scioto Gazette, probably, the sec- 
ond paper in the Territory,"* 

In 1800, the ,';eat of government of tlie North- 
west Territory was removed, by law of Congress, 
from Cincinnati to Chillicothe. The .ses,sions of 
the Territorial A,sseinbly for that and the next 
vcar were held in a small two-story, hewed-log 
house, erected in 1798, by Bazil Abrams. A wing 
was added to the main [lart, of two stories in 

• RcrollertionB of Hon. Thomas Scott, of CbillicoUie— Howe's 



lOG 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



height. Ill the lower room of this wing, Col. 
Thomas Gibsou, Auditor of the Territory, kept 
hi.s offii^e, aud in the upper room a small fiiniily 
lived. In the upper room of the main building 
a billiard table \v;w kept. It was also made a re- 
sort of gamblens and disreputable characters. The 
lower room was used by the Legislature, and as a 
court room, a church or a school. In the 
war of 1812, the building was a rendezvous and 
barracks for soldiers, and, in 1840, was pulled 
down. 

Tlie old State House was commenced in 1800, 
and finished the next year for the accommodatiim 
of tlie Legislature and the courts. It is said to 
be the first public stone edifice erected in the Ter- 
ritory. .Maj. William Kutledge, a llevolutionary 
soldier, did the mason work, and William Guthrie, 
the carpenter. In 1801, the Territorial Legislature 
held their first se.ssion in it. In it was also held 
the Ci institutional Convention of Ohio, which be- 
gan its sessions the first Monday in November, 
1802. In March, lb03, the first State Legislature 
met in the house, and continued their sessions here 
until 1810. The sessions of 1810-11, and 1811- 
12, were held in Zauesville, and from there re- 
moved back to Chillicothe and held in the old 
State IIousj till 1 81 C, when Columbus became the 
permanent capital of the State. 

ftlaking Chillicothe the State capital did much 
to enhance its growth. It was incorporated in 
1802, aud a town council elected. In 1807, the 
town had fourteen stores, six hotels, two newspa- 
pers, two churches — both brick buildings — and 
over two hundred dwellings. The removal of the 
capital to Columbus checked its growth a little, still, 
being in an excellent country, rajiidly tilling with 
settlers, the town has always remained a prominent 
trading center. 

During the war of 1812, Chillicothe was made 
a rendezvous for United States soldiers, and a 
prison established, in which many British prison- 
ers were confined. At one time, a conspiracy for 
escape was di.scovered just in time to prevent it. 
The plan was for the prisoners to disarm the 
guard, proceed to jail, release the officers, burn the 
town, and escape to Canada. The plot was fortu- 
nately disclosed by two senior British officers, upon 
which, as a measure of security, tlie officers and 
chief conspirators were sent to the penitentiary 
at Frankfort, Kentucky. 

Two or three miles northwest of Chillicothe, on 
a beautiful elevation, commanding an extensive 
view of the valley of the Scioto, Thomas Worth- 



ington,* one of the most prominent and influential 
men of his day, afterward Governor of the State, 
in 1806, erected a large stone mansion, the wonder 
of the valley in its time. It was the most elegant 
mansion in the West, crowds coming to see it 
when it was completed. Gov. Worthiugton named 
the place Adena, " Paradise " — a name not then 
considered hyperbolical. The large panes of glass, 
and the novelty of papered walls especially attracted 
attention. Its architect was the elder Latrobe, of 
Wasliington City, from which place most of the 
workmen came. The glass was made in Pitts- 
burgh, and the fireplace fronts in Philadelphia, the 
latter costing seven dollars per hundred pounds for 
transportation. The mansion, built as it was, cost 
nearly double the expense of such structures now. 
Adena was the home of the Governor till his deatli, 
in 1827. 

Near Adena, in a beautiful situation, is Fruit 
Hill, the seat of Gen. Duncan McArtliur,| and 
later of ex-(lo v. William Allen. Like Adena, Fruit 
Hill is one of the noted places in the Scioto Val- 
ley. Many of Ohio's best men dwelt in the valley ; 
men who have been an honor and ornament to the 
State and nation. 

Another settlement, begun soon af^cr the treaty 
of peace in 1705, was that made on the Licking 
Bivcr, about four miles below the present city of 
Newark, in Licking County. In the fall of 1798, 
John Ratlifi" ami Elias Hughes, while prospecting 
on this stream, found some old Indian cornfields, 
and determined to locate. They were from West- 
ern Virginia, and were true pioneers, living mainly 
by hunting, leaving the cultivation of their small 
cornfields to their wives, much after the style of 

* Gov. W'ortbington was born in Jefferson County, Va , about the 
year 1769. He setlleit in Obioin 17'J8. lie was a firm believer in 
liberty and came to the Territory after liberating bio slaves. He wm 
oti6 of the niiisi efficient men of bis day ; was a member of tlio 
ConstitutiniKiU'nnvHuiion, and was sent on an important mission 
toCon^^ti- i>l:i;-. I. the admiesiun of Ohio to the Union. Ho 
was afi III Jr to Congress, and then Governor. On 

tbeexi'iii; ' I h, I '•-■riiatoriai terra, be was appointed a men\- 
berof 111 ■ I. i-.l I I iilic Works.in wliiehcapacity lie did mui:h 
to advame tlie canals aTid ra I roads, and otlier public improve- 
ments. He remained in this office till his death. 

tGen. Mc.irlhur w.as born in Dnlchess County, N. Y., in 1772. 
When tight jeara of age, his father removed to Western Pennsyl- 
vaiiia. When eighteen years of age, he served in Harmar'a 
campaign. In 1792, he was a very eflRci-ntsoldier aniungtbe front- 
iersmen, and gained their approbation by bis bravery. In 1793, he 
was connected with Gen. Massie, and afierwaid was engaged in 
land speculations and became very weallliy. He was made n mem- 
ber of the Legislature, in 1S05; in ISUO, a Colonel, and in ISI18, a 
Majc.rGaneral of the militia. In this capacity he was in Hull's 
surrender at Detroit. On his return ho was elected to Congress, 
and in 1S13 commissioned Brigadier General. He was one of the 
most efficient olTicers in the war of 1812, and held many important 
posts. After the war, lie was again sent to the Legislature ; in 1822 
to Congress, and in 1830 elected G..vernor of the State. By an un- 
fortunate accident in 183(!. he was maimed for life, and gradually 
declined till death came a few years after. 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



107 



their dusky neighbors. They were botli inveterate 
Indian haters, and never allowed an oj)portuuity to 
piiss without carrying out tluir hatred. For this, 
tliey were apprehended after the treaty; but, 
though it was clearly proven they had murdered 
some inoffensive Indians, the state of feeling was 
such that they were allowed to go unpunished. 

A short time after their settlement, others joined 
them, and, in a few years, tpiite a colony had 
gathered on the banks of the Licking. In 1802, 
Newark was laid out, and, in three or four ye;irs, 
there were twenty or thirty families, several stores 
and one or two hotels. 

The settlement of Granviile Township, in this 
county, is rather an important epoch in the history' 
of this part of the State. From a sketch pub- 
lished by Rev. Jacob Little in LS48, in Howe's 
Collections, the subjoined statements are taken: 

"In 1804, a company was formed at Granville, 
Mass., with the intention of making a settlement 
in Ohio. This, called the Scio/o Compdiii/, was 
the third of that name which effected settlements 
in Ohio. The project met with great favor, and 
mui'h enthusiasm was elicited, in illustration of 
which a .song was composed and sung to the 
tune of ' Pleiusant Ohio ' by the young people in 
the house and at labor in the field. We annex 
two stanzas, which are more curious than poetical: 

"'When rambling o'er these mountains 

.\nd rocks where ivies grow 
Thick as the hairs upon your head, 

'Mongst which you cannot go — 
Great storms of snow, cold wmds that blow, 

We scarce can undergo — 
Says I, my boys, we'll leave this place 

For the pleasant Ohio. 

"'Our precious friends that stay behind, 

We're sorry now to leave; 
But if they'll stay and break their shins, 

For them we'll never grieve 
Adieu, my friends I — Come on, my dears, 

This journey we'll forego, 
And settle Licking Creek, 

In yonder Ohio.' " 

" The Scioto Company consisted of one hundred 
and fourteen proprietors, who made a purcha.se of 
twenty-eight thousand acres. In the autumn of 
1805, two iiundred and thirty-four persons, mustly 
from East Granville, M;iss., came on to the pur- 
chase. Although they had been forty-two days on 
the road, their first bu.sinc.ss, on their arrival, hav- 
ing organized a church before they left the East, 
was to hear a sermon. The first tree cut was that 



by which public worship w;us held, which stood 
just in front of the Presbyterian church. 

On the first Sabbath, November Itj, although 
only about a dozen trees had been felled, they held 
divine service, both forcmoon and afternoon, on 
that spot. The novelty of worshiping in the 
woods, the forest extending hundreds of miles each 
way; the hard.ships of the journey, the winter set- 
ting in, the thoughts of home, with all the friends 
and privileges left behind, and the impression that 
such must be the accommodations of anew country, 
all rushed on their minds, and made this a day of 
varied ilitercst. When they began to sing, the 
echo of their voices among the trees was so differ- 
ent from what it was in the beautiful meeting- 
house tliey had left, that they could no longer 
restrain tluiir tears. T/iej/ uijit ichintheij remem- 
hrrtd Z!<in. The voices of (lart of the choir were, 
for a sea.son, sujipressed with emotion. 

'■An incident occurred, which many said Mrs. 
Sigourncy should have put into verse. Deacon 
Theophilus Ree.se, a Welsh Baptist, had, two or 
three years i)efore, built a cabin, a mile and a half 
north, and lived all this time without public wor- 
ship. He had lost his cattle, and, hearing a low- 
ing of the oxen belonging to the Company, .set out 
toward them. As he ascended the hills overlook- 
ing the town plot, he heard the singing of the 
choir. The reverberation of the sound from hill- 
tops and trees, threw the good man into a serious 
dilemma. The music at first seemed to be behind, 
then in the tree-tops, or in the clouds. He stopped, 
till, by accurate listening, he caught the direction 
of the sound ; wcnit on and pa.ssing the brow of 
the hill, he saw the audience sitting on the 
level below. He went home and told his wife that 
' the promise of God is a bond ' ; a Welsh proverb, 
signifying that we have security, equal to a bond, 
that religion will prevail everywhere. He said : 
' These must be good peoj)le. I am not afi'aid to 
go among them.' Though he could not under- 
stand English, he ci instantly attended the reading 
meeting. Hearing the music on that occasion 
made such an impicssiun on his mind that, when 
he became old and met the first settlers, he would 
always tell over this story. The first cabin built 
was that in which they worshiped succeeding 
Sabbaths, and, before the clo.se of the winter, they 
had a schoolhouse and a school. That church, in 
forty j-ears, received more than one thousand per- 
sons into its membership. 

"Elder Jones, in 180(5, preached the first ser- 
mon in the log church. The Welsh Baptist 



108 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



Churcli was organized in the cabin of David 
Thomas, September 4, 1808. April 21, 1827, 
the (iranville members were organized into the 
(Jranville Cluireli, and the corner-stone of their 
house of worship hiid September 21, 1829. In 
the fall of 1810, the first Methodist sermon was 
preached here, and, soon after, a class organized. 
In 1824, a church was built. An Episcopal 
church was organized in May, 1827, and a 
church consecrated in 1838. In 1840, there 
were in this township 405 families, of whom 214 
sustain family worship ; 1431 persons over four- 
teen years of age, of whom over 800 belong to 
church. The town had 1 50 families, of whom 80 
have family worship. In 1846, the township 
furnished 70 school teachers, of whom 62 prayed 
in .school. In 1840, the township took 621 peri- 
odical papers, besides three small monthlies. The 
first temperance society west of the mountains was 
organized July 15, 1828, in this township; and, 
in 1831, the Congregational Church passed a by- 
law to accept no member who trafficked in or used 
ardent .spirits." 

It is .said, not a settlement in the entire West 
could present so moral and upright a view as that 
of Granville Township; and nowhere could so 
perfect and orderly a set of people be found. 
Surely, the fact is argument enough in flivor of 
the religion of Jesus. 

The narrative of Mr. Little also states that, 
when (xranville was first settled, it was supposed 
that Vforthington would be the capital of Ohio, 
between which and Zanesville, Granville would 
make a great half-way town. At this time, wild 
animals, snakes and Indians abounded, and many 
are the marvelous stories preserved regarding the 
destruction of the animals and reptiles — the 
Indians being bound by their treaty to remain 
peaceful. Space forbids their repetition here. 
Suffice it to say that, as the whites increased, the 
Indians, animals and snakes disappeared, until 
now one is as :nuch a curiosity as the other. 

The remaining settlement in the southwest- 
ern parts of Ohio, made immediately afler the 
treaty — fall of 1795 or year of 1790 — was in 
what is now Madison County, about a mile north 
of where the village of Amity now stands, on the 
banks of the Big Darby. This stream received its 
name from the Indians, from a Wyandot chief, 
named Darliy, who for a long time resided upon it, 
near the Union County line. In the fall of 1795, 
Benjamin Springer came from Kentucky and selected 
some land on the banks of the Big Darby, cleared 



the ground, built a cabin, and returned for his 
family. The next spring, he brought them out, 
and began his life here. The same summer he was 
joined by William Lapin, Joshua and James Ew- 
ing and one or two others. 

When Springer came, he found a white man 
named Jonathan Alder, who for fifteen years had 
been a captive among the Indians, and who could 
not speak a word of English, living with an Indian 
woman on the banks of Big Darby. He had been 
exchanged at Wayne's treaty, and, neglecting to 
profit by the treaty, was still living in the Indian 
style. When the whites became numerous abnut 
him his desire to find his relatives, and adopt the 
ways of the whites, led him to discard his squaw — 
giving her an unusual allowance — learn the English 
language, engage in agricultural pursuits, and be- 
come again civilized. Fortunately, he could remem- 
ber enough of the names of some of his parents' 
neighbors, so that the identity of his relatives and 
friends was easil}' established, and Alder became a 
most u.seful citizen. He Wiis very influential with 
the Indians, and induced many of them t^i remain 
neutral during the war of 1812. It is stated that 
in 1800, Mr. Ewing brought four .sheep intd the com- 
munity. They were strange animals tuthe Indians. 
One day when an Indian hunter and his dog were 
passing, the latter caught a sheep, and was shot by 
Mr. Ewing. The Indian would havi; shot Ewing in 
retaliation, had not Alder, who' was fortunately 
present, with much difficulty prevailed upon him 
to rt'frain. 

While the southern and southwestern pai'ts of 
the State were filling with settlers, assured of safety 
by Wayne's victories, the northern and eastern 
jiarts became likewise the theater of activities. 
Ever since the French had explored the southern 
shores of the lake, and English traders had car- 
ried goods thither, it was expected one day to be 
a valuable part of the West. It will be remem- 
bered that Connecticut had ceded a large tract of 
land to the General Government, and as soon as 
the cession was confirmed, and land titles became 
assured, settlers flocked thither. Even before that 
time, hardy adventurers had explored some of (he 
country, and iirunouiiccd it a "goodly land,'' 
ready for the hand of enterprise. 

The first settlement in the Western Reserve, 
and, indeed, in the northern part of the State, was 
made at the mouth of Conneaut* Creek, in Ash- 
tabula County, on the 4th of July, 1796. That 

* Conneaut, in tbe Senoca language, eignifics " many fish." 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



109 



(lav. the first surveyiiv.; juirty lamlcil at tlic! mouth 
of tills CRi'k, and, (ii iis i'a.sl<-'iu bank, iioar tho 
hike shore, in tin cups, pledged — as the}- drank the 
limpid waters of the lake — their country's welfare, 
with the ordnance accompaniment of two or three 
fowling-pieces, discharging the recjuired national 
salute. 

The whole party, on this occasion, iniinbered 
fifty-two persons, of whom two were i'cnialcs (Mrs. 
Stiles and Mr.s. Gunn) and a child, and all deserve 
a la.sting place in the history of the State. 

The next day, they began the erection of a large 
log huilding on the sainly beach on the ca.st .side 
of the stream. When done, it was named " Stow 
Ciistle," after one of the party. It was the dwell- 
ing, storehouse and general habitation of all the 
pioneers. The party made this their head<|uar- 
ters part of the summer, and continued busily 
engaged in the sun'cy'of the Ileserve. James 
Kingsbury, afterward Judge, anived soon after 
the party began work, and, with his family, was 
the first to remain here during the winter follow- 
ing, the rest returning to the Ka.st. or going .south- 
ward. Through the winter, Mr. Kingsbury's 
family suff'ered greatly for provisions, so much so, 
that, during the absence of the head of the family 
in New York for provisions, one child, born in his 
absence, died, and the mother, reduced by her suf- 
ferings and solitude, was only saved by the timely 
arrival of the hu.sband and father with a sack of 
flour he had carried, many weary miles, on liis 
back. Ho remained here but a short time, re- 
moving to Cleveland, which was laid out that same 
fall. In the .spring of 17!)S, .\le.\ander llarjier, 
William McFarland and Ezra Gregory, with thoir 
families, started from IIarpersfi<>ld, Dt^laware Co., 
N. Y., and arrived the la.st of June, at their new 
homes in the Far West. The whole ])opulati(in on 
the Reserve then amounted to le.ss than on(^ hun- 
dred and fiftj' persons. These were at Cleveland, 
Youngstown and at Mentor During the summer, 
three families came to Burton, and Judge llud.son 
settled at Hudson. All these ]noneers suffered 
severely for food, and from the icver induced by 
chills. It took several years to become accli- 
mated. Sometimes the entire neighborhood 
would be down, and only one or two, who could 
wait on the rest "between chills," were able to do 
anything. Time and courage overcame, final!}'. 

It was not until 1798, that a piermanent .settle- 
ment was made at the mouth of Conneaut Creek. 
Those who came there in 179(5 went on with their 
surveys, part remaining in Cleveland, laid out that 



summer. Judge Kingsbury could n(it ri'niain at 
Conneaut, and went nearer the settU'Uieiits made 
about the Cuyahoga. In thesjiring of 17'.)S, TlKjmas 
Montgomery and Aaron Wright .settled here an<l 
remained. Up the stream they tiiund some thirty 
Indian cabins, or huts, in a good .state of jii-cserva- 
tion, which they occupied until they c(juld erect 
their own. Soon after, they were joined by others, 
and, in a year or two, the .settlement was permanent 
and pro.sperous. 

The site of the present town of Au.stinburg in 
A.shtabula County was settled in the year 1799, 
by two families ii-oin Connecticut, who were in- 
duced to come thither, by Judge Austin. The 
Judge preceded them a short time, driving, in 
1 company with a hired man. some cattle about one 
' hundred and fifty miles through the woods, follow- 
' ing an old Indian trail, while the rest of the party 
came in a boat across the lake. When they ar- 
rived, there were a few- families at Harpcrsburg; 
one or two famihcs at Wind.sor, twenty miles 
southwest; also a few familicis at Elk Creek, forty 
miles northeast, and at \'ernon, the .same distance 
! southeast. All thc-se were in a destitute condition 
for provisions. In 1800, another family moved 
j from Norfolk, Conn. In the spring of 1801, sev- 
eral families came from the .same place. Part came 
by land, and part by water. During that season, 
wheat was carried to an old mill on Elk Creek, 
forty miles away, and in some instances, half was 
given for carrying it to mill and returning it in 
flour. 
i Wednesday. October 21. 18(1], a church of six- 
; teen members Wiis constituted in Austinburg. 
This was the first church on the Reserve, and was 
founded ))y Rev. Joseph Badger, the first mission- 
ary there. It is a fact worthy of note, that in 
1802. Mr. Badger moved his family from Ijuffalo 
I to this town, in the first wagon that ever came 
from that place to the Reserve. In 180.S, noted 
revivals occurred in this part of the West, attended 
by the peculiar bodily phenomenon known as the 
" shakes " or "jerks." 

The surveying party which landed at the mouth 
of Conneaut Creek, July 4, 179(J, .soon completed 
their labors in this part of the Reserve, and ex- 
tended them westward. By the first of September, 
they had explored the lake coast as far west as the 
outlet of the Cuyahoga* River, then considered 

•Cuyahoga, in tlio Indian languOBP, siglilfiis "crooliod."— 
//oire"« 0'ltfction$. 

•Tlioln.liiinBCillcd llie rivor 'Cn.v«h"(!linn-iili,' 'Lalio River' 
It i?, cmpli tlicillv. fi T^ice riv^r. It rises ia lalces and emptiea into 
H lake."— .Kico/e-'sr Hi li'rij 0/ Ohio. 



^1 



110 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



by all an important Western place, and one des- 
tined to be a great commercial mart. Time has 
verified the projihecies, as now the city of Cleve- 
land covers the site. 

As early as 1755, the mouth of the Cuyahoga 
River was laid down on the maps, and the French 
had a station here. It was also considered an im- 
portant post during the war of the Revolution, 
and later, of 1812. The British, who, after the 
Revolution, refused to abandon the lake country 
west of the Cuyahoga, occupied its .shores until 
1790. Their traders had a house in Ohio City, 
north of the Detroit road, on the point of the hill 
near the river, when the surveyors arrived in 
1796. Washington, Jefferson, and all statesmen 
of that day, regarded the outlet of the Cuyahoga 
as an important place, and hence the early at- 
tempt of the surveyors to reach and lay out a town 
here. 

The corps of surveyors arrived early in Septem- 
ber, 1796, and at once proceeded to lay out a town. 
It was named Cleveliind, in honor of Gen. Moses 
Cleveland, the Land Company's agent, and for 
years a very prominent man in Connecticut, where 
he lived and died. By the 18th of October, the 
surveyors had completed the survey and left the 
place, leaving only Job V. Stiles and family, and 
Edward Paine, who were the only persons that 
passed the succeeding winter in this place. Their 
residence was a log cabin that stood on a spot of 
ground long afterward occupied by the Commercial 
Bank. Their nearest neighbors were at Conne- 
aut, where Judge Kingsbury lived; at Fort 
Mcintosh, on the south or east, at the mouth of 
Big Beaver, and at the mouth of the river Raisin, 
on the west. 

The next seas(.)n, the surveying party came again 
to Cleveland, which they made their headquarters. 
Early in the spring, Judge Kingsbury came over 
from Conneaut, bringing with him Elijah Gunn, 
who had a short time before joined him. Soon 
after, Maj. Lorenzo Carter and Ezekiel Hawley 
came with their families. These were about all 
who are known to have settled in this place that 
summer. The next year, 1798, Rodolphus Ed- 
wards and Nathaniel Doane and their families set- 
tled in Cleveland. Mr. Doane had been ninety- 
two days on his journey from Chatham, Conn. In 
the latter part of the summer and fidl, nearly every 
person in the settlement was down with the bil- 
ious fever or with the ague. Mr. Doane's family 
consisted of nine persons, of whom Seth, a lad six- 
teen years of age, was the onlyone able to care for 



them. Such was the severity of the fever, that 
any one having only the ague was deemed quite 
fortunate. ]\Iueh suifering for proper food and 
medicines followed. The only way the Doane 
family was supplied for two months or more, was 
through the exertions of this boy, who went daily, 
after having had one attack of the chills, to Judge 
Kingsbury's in Newburg — five miles away, where 
the Judge now lived — got a peck of corn, mashed it 
in a hand-mill, waited until a second attack of the 
chills passed over, and then returned. At one time, 
for several days, he was too ill to make the trip, 
during which turnips comprised the chief article 
of diet. Fortunately, Maj. Carter, having only 
the ague, was enabled with his trusty rifle and dogs 
to procure an abundance of venison and other wild 
game, His fiimily, being somewhat acclimated, 
suffered less than many others. Their situation can 
hardly now be realized. " Destitute of a physician, 
and with few medicines, necessity taught them to 
use such means as nature had placed within their 
reach. They substituted pills fi'om the extract of 
the bitternut bark for calomel, and dogwood and 
cherry bark for quinine." 

In November, four men, who had so far recov- 
ered as to have ague attacks no oftener than once 
in two or three days, started in the only boat for 
Walnut Creek, Penn., to obtain a winter's supply 
of flour. When below Euclid Creek, a storm 
drove them ashore, broke their boat, and compelled 
their return. During the winter and summer fol- 
lowing, the settlers had no flour, except that 
ground in hand and coffee mills, which was, how- 
ever, considered very good. Not all had even that. 
During the summer, the Connecticut Land Com- 
pany opened the first road on the Reserve, which 
commenced about ten miles south of the lake 
shore, on the Pennsylvania State line, and extended 
to Cleveland. In January, 1799, 3Ir. Doane 
moved to Doane's Corners, leaving only IMaj. Car- 
ter's family in Cleveland, all the rest leaving as 
soon as they were well enough. For fifteen months, 
the Major and his family were the only white per- 
sons left on the town site. During the spring, 
Wheeler W. Williams and Maj. Wyatt built the 
first grist-mill on the Reserve, on the site of New- 
burg. It was looked ujjon as a very valuable acces- 
sion to the neighborhood. Prior to this, each fam- 
ily had its own baud-mill in one of the corners of 
the cabin. The old mill is thus described by a 
pioneer : 

'• The stones were of the common grindstone 
grit, about four inches thick, and twenty in diame- 



HISTORY OF OHIO 



111 



kT. Tho ruiinor, or upjior, w;i.s tmneJ l)y liaiiJ, 
by a pule sot in the top of it, near the outer edge. 
The upper end of the pole was inserted into a hole 
in a board fastened above to the joist.s, immedi- 
ately over the hole in the verge of the runner. 
One person fed the corn. into tho eye — a hole in 
the center of the runner — while another turned. 
It was very hard work to grind, and the operatoi'S 
alternately exchanged places." 

In 1800, several settlers came to the town and 
a more active life was the result. From this time, 
Cleveland began to progress. The 4th of July, 
ISOl, the first ball in town was held at JIajur 
Carter's log cabin, on the hill-side. John and 
Benjamin Wood, and 11. II. Blinn were managcre; 
and Maj-. Samuel Jones, musician and master of 
ceremonies. The company numbered ab(jutthirty, 
very evenly divided, for the times, between tlie 
seses. " Notwithstanding the dancers had a rough 
puncheon floor, and lu) better beverage to enliven 
their spirits than sweetened whisky, yet it is doubts 
ful if the anniversary of American independence 
was ever celebrated in Cleveland by a more joyful 
and harmonious comj)any than those who danced 
the scamper-down, double-shuffle, western-swing 
and half-moon, that day, in Maj. Carter's cabin." 
The growth of the town, fi'om this period on, re- 
mained prosperous. The usual visits of the Indi- 
ans were made, ending in their drunken carousals 
and fights. Deer and other wild animals furnished 
abundant meat. The settlement was constantly 
augmented by new arrivals, so that, by 1814, Cleve- 
lanrl was incorporated as a town, and, in ISLJO, as 
a city. Its harbor is one of the best on the lakes, 
and hence the merchandise of the lakes has always 
been attracted thither. Like Cincinnati and Chil- 
lic(jthe, it became the nucleus of settlements in this 
part of the State, and now is the largest city in 
Northern Ohio. 

One of the earliest settlements made in the 
Western Reserve, and by .'^ome claimed as the first 
therein, was made on the site of Youngstown, Ma- 
honing County, by a Mr. Young, afterward a J udge, 
in the summer of 1796. During this summer, 
before the settlements at Cuyahoga and Conneaut 
were made, Mr. Young and Mr. Wilcott, proprie- 
tors of a town.ship of land in Xortheastcrn Ohio, 
came to their po.ssessions and began the survey of 
their land. Ju.st when they <-amc is not known. 
They were found here by Col. James Ilillniaii, 
then a trader in the employ of Duncan & Wilson, 
of Pittsburgh, '• who had been forwarding goods 
across the country by pack-saddle horses since 



1781), to the mouth of tho Cuyahoga, thence to be 
.shipped on the schooner Mackinaw to Detroit. 
Col. Hillman generally had charge of all these 
caravans, consisting sometimes of ninety horses 
and ten men. They commonly crossed the Big 
Beaver four miles below the mouth of the She- 
nango, thence up the left bank of the Mahoning — 
called by the Indians " Mahi»ii" or '' Mahunicb." 
signifying the " lick ". or "at the lick" — cros.sing 
it about three miles below the site of Youngstown, 
thence by way of the Salt Springs, over the sites 
of Milton and Ravenna, crossing the Cuyahoga at 
thv- mouth of Breakneck and again at the mouth 
of Tinker's Creek, thence down the river to its 
mouth, where they had a log hut in which to 
store their goods. This hut was there when the 
surveyors came, but at the time unoccujiied. At 
the mouth of Tinker's Creek were a few log huts 
built by Moravian Missionaries. These were used 
only one year, as the Indians had gone to the Tus- 
carawiis River. The.se and three or four cabins at 
the Salt Springs were the only buildings erected 
by the whites prior to 1700, in Northeastern Ohio. 
Those at the Salt Springs were built at an early- 
day for tho accommodation of whites who came 
from West(!rn Pennsylvania to make salt. The 
tenants were dispossessed in 1785 by Gen. Ilarniar. 
A short time after, one or two white men were 
killed by the Indians hero. In 1788, Col. Hill- 
man settled at Beavertown, where Duncan & 
Wilson had a store for the purpose of trading 
with the Iiiilians. He went back to Pittsl)urgh 
soon after, however, owing to the Indian war, and 
remained there till its close, continuing in his busi- 
ness whenever opportunity oflered. In 1706, 
when returning from one of his trading expeditions 
alone in his canoe down the JIalioning River, he 
discovered a smoke on the bank near the present 
town of Y'oungstown, and on going to the spot 
found Mr. Ycuing and ^Ir. Woleott, as before men- 
tioned. A part of Col. Ilillman's cargo consisted 
of whisky, a gallon or so of which he still had. 
The price of " fire-water " then was SI per quart 
in the currency of the country, a deerskin being 
legal tender for SI, and a doe.skin for 50 cents. 
Mr. Young pro])osed j)urchasing a quart, and 
having a frolic on its contents during the even- 
ing, and insi.sted on paying Ilillman his cus- 
tomary price. Ilillman urged that inasmuch as 
thev were strangers in the country, civility ro- 
(|uired him to furni.sh the means for the entertain- 
ment. Young, however, insisted, and taking the 
deerskin used for his bed — the onlv one he had — 



f' 



113 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



paid for his quart of whisky, and an evening's 
froHc was tlic result. 

" Hillman remained a few days, when they ac- 
companied him to Beaver Town to celebrate the 
4tli, and then all returned, and Hillman erected a 
cabin on the site of Youngstown. It is not cer- 
tain that they remained here at this time, and 
hence the priority of actual settlement is generally 
conceded to Conneaut and Cleveland. The next 
year, in the fall, a Mr. Brown and one other per- 
son came to the banks of the Mahoning and made 
a permanent settlement. Tiie same season Uriah 
Holmes and Titus Hayes came to the same locality, 
and before winter ((uite a settlement was to be seen 
here. It proceeded quite prosperously until the 
wanton murder of two Indians occurred, which, 
for a time, greatly excited the whites, lest the In- 
dians should retaliate. Tlirough the efforts of 
Col. Hillman, who had great influence with tlie 
natives, they agreed to let the murderers stand a 
trial. They were acquitted upon some technicality. 
The trial, however, pacified the Indians, and no 
trouble came from the unwarranted and unfortu- 
nate circumstance, and no check in the emigration 
or prosperity of tlie colony occurred."* 

As soon as an effective settlement had been es- 
tablished at Youngstown, others were made in the 
surrounding country. One of these was begun by 
William Fenton in 1798, on the site of the pres- 
ent town of Warren, in Trumbull County. lie 
remained here alone one year, when he was joined 
by Capt. Ephraim Quimby. By the last of Sep- 
tember, the next year, the colony had increased to 
sixteen, and from that date on continued prosper- 
ously. Once or twice they stood in fear of the 
Indians, as the result of quarrels induced by 
whisky. Sagacious persons generally saved any 
serious outbreak and pacified the nativ'es. Mr. 
Badger, the first mi'-sionary cm the Reserve, came 
to the settlement here and on the Mahoning, as 
soon as each was made, and, by his earnest labors, 
succeeded in forming churches and schools at an 
early day. He was one of the most efficient men 
on the Reserve, and throughout his long and busy 
life, was well known and greatly respected. He 
died in 1846, aged eighty-nine years. 

The settlements given are about all that were 
made before the close of 1797. In following the 
narrative of these settlements, attention is paid to 
the chronological order, as far as this can be done. 
Like those settlements already made, many which 

« U»collectlons of Cul Hi:lman.— //oice's Aar.nh. 



are given as occurring in the next year, 1798, 
were actually begun earlier, but were only tem- 
porary preparations, and were not considered as 
made until the nest year. 

Turning again to the southern portion of Ohio, 
the Scioto, MuskingunI and Miami Valleys come 
jirominently into notice. Throughout the entire 
Eastern States they were still attracting attention, 
and an increased emigration, busily occupying their 
verdant fields, was the result. All about Chilli- 
cothe was now well settled, and, up the banks of 
that stream, prospectors were selecting sites for 
their future homes. 

In 1797, Robert Armstrong, George Skidmorc, 
Lucas SuUivant, William Domigan, James Mar- 
shall, John Dill, Jacob Grubb, Jacob Overdier, 
Arthur O'Hara, John Brickell, Col. Culbertson, 
the Deardorfs, McElvains, Selles and others, came 
to what is now Franklin County, and, in August, 
Sir. Sullivant and some others laid out the town of 
Franklinton, on the west bank of the Scioto, oppo- 
site the site of Columbus. The country about this 
locality had long been the residence of the Wyan- 
dots, who had a large town on the city's site, and 
cultivated extensive fields of corn on the river bot- 
toms. The locality had been visited by the whites 
as early as 1780, in some of their expeditions, and 
the fertility of the land noticed. As soon as peace 
was assured, the whites came and began a settle- 
ment, as has been noted. Soon after Franklinton 
was established, a Mr. Springer and his son-in-law, 
Osborn, settled on the Big Darby, and, in the sum- 
mer of 1798, a scattering settlement was made on 
Alum Creek. About the same time settlers came 
to the mouth of the Gahannah, and along other 
water-courses. Franklinton was the point to which 
emigrants came, and from which the}' always made 
their permanent location. For several years there 
was no mill, nor any such commodity, nearer than 
Chillieothe. A hand-mill was constructed in 
Franklinton, which was eommonl}' used, unless the 
settlers made a trip to Chillieothe in a canoe. 
Next, a horse-mill was tried ; but not till 1805, 
when Col. Kilbourne built a mill at Worthington, 
settled in 1803, could any efficient grinding be 
done. In 1789, a small store was opened in Frank- 
linton, by James Scott, but, for seven or eight 
years, Chillieothe was the nearest post ofiice. 
OfVen, when the neighbors wanted mail, one of 
their number was furnished money to pay the 
postage on any letters that might bo waiting, and 
sent for the mail. At first, as in all new localities, 
a great deal of .sickness, fever and ague, prevailed. 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



113 



As the people became acclimated, this, however, 
ilisiippeared. 

The township of Sharon in this county has a 
history similar to that of (Jranviile Township in 
Licking County. It was settled by a " Scioto 
Company," formed in Granby, Conn., iu the winter 
of 1801-U2, consisting at first of eight a.s.soci:itcs. 
They drew up articles of ;issociation, among which 
was on:3 limiting their number to forty, each of 
whom must be unanimously chosen by ballot, a 
single negative being sufficient to prevent an election. 
Col. James Ki'bourne was sent out the succeeding 
spring to explore the country and select and pur- 
chase a township for settlement. He returned in 
the fall without making any purcluise, through 
fear that the State Constitution, then about to be 
formed, would tolerate slavery, in which citse the 
project would liave been abandoned. While on 
this visit, Col. Kilbournc compiled from a variety 
of sources the firet map made of Ohio. Although 
much of it was conjectured, and hence inaccurate, 
it was very valuable, being correct as far as the 
State was then known. 

"As soon as information was received that the 
constitution of Ohio prohibited slavery, Col. Kil- 
bourne purchased the township he had previously 
selected, within the United States military land 
district, and, in the spring of 18i);5, returned to 
Ohio, and began improvements. By the succeed- 
ing December, one hundred settlers, mainly from 
Hartford County, Conn., and Hampshire Count}-, 
Miiss., arrived at their new home. Obeying to the 
letter the agreement made iu tlie I'iast, the first 
cabin erected was used for a schoolhouse and a 
church of the Protestant Episcopal denomination ; 
the first Sabbath alter the arrival of the colony, 
divine service was held therein, and on the arrival 
of the eleventh family a school was opened. This 
early attention to education and religion has left 
its favorable impress upon the people until this day. 
The first 4th of July was unirjuely and appropri- 
ately celebrated. Seventeen gigantic tretw, em- 
blematical of the seventeen States forming the 
Union, were cut, so that a few blows of the ax, at 
sunrise on the 4th, prostrated each successively 
with a tremeudoiLS crash, forming a national salute 
novel in the world's history."'* 

The growth of this part of Ohio continued 
without interruption until the establishment of the 
State capital at Columbus, in 1S16. The town was 
laid out in 1812, but. as that date is considered re- 



mote in the early American settlements, its history 
will be left to succeeding pages, and there traced 
when the history of the State capital and State 
government is given. 

The site of Zanesville, in JIuskingum County, 
was early looked upon as an excellent place to form 
a settlement, and, had not hostilities opened in 
1791, with the Indians, the place would have been 
one of the earliest .settled in Ohio. As it was, the 
war so disarranged matters, that it was not till 
1T!)7 that a permanent .s(!ttlement was effected. 

The ^Muskingum (country w;ts principally occu- 
pi(>d, in aboriginal times, by the ^Vyandots, Dela- 
wares, and a few Senecas and Shawanees. An In- 
dian town once stood, yeai-s before the settlement 
of the country, in the vicinity of Duncan's Falls, 
in Muskingum Count}', from which circumstance 
the place is often called "Old Town." Near Dres- 
den, was a large Shawanee town, called Wakato- 
maca. The graveyard was (juite large, and, when 
the whites first settled here, remains of the town 
were abundant. It was in this vicinity that the 
venerable Maj. Ca.ss, father of Lewis Cass, lived 
and died. He owned 4,000 acres, given him for 
his military services. 

The first settlers on the site of Zanesville were 
William McCulloh and Henry Crooks. The lo- 
cality was given to I'Ibenezcr Zane, who had been 
allowed three sections of land on the Scioto, Mus- 
kingum and Ilockhocking, wherever the road 
cros.sed these rivers, provided other prior claims 
did not interfere, for opening " Zane's trace." 
When he located the road across the Muskingum, 
he selected the place where Zanesville now stands, 
being attracted there by the excellent water privi- 
leges. He gave the section of land here to his 
brother Jonathan Zane, and J. Mclntire, who 
lea.sed the ferry, established on the road over the 
Mu.skingum, to William .McCulloh and Henry 
Crooks, who became thereby the finst .settlers. The 
feiT}' was kept about where the old ii]i])cr bridge 
was afterward placed. The ferry-boat was made 
by fastening two canoes together with a stick. 
Soon after a flat-boat was used. It was brought 
from Wheeling, by Mr. Mclntire, in 171)7, the 
year after the ferry was establi.«hed. The niad cut 
out through Ohio, ran from Wheeling, Va., to 
Maysville, Ky. Over this road the mail was car- 
ried, and, in 179.S, the firet mail ever carried 
wholly in Ohio was brought up from Marietta to 
JlcCulloh's cabin by Daniel Convers, where, by 
arrangement of the Postmaster tJeneral, it met 
a mail from Wheeling and one from Maysville. 



^1 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



JlcCuUoh, who could liardly road, was authorized 
to assort the mails and send each package in its 
proi^cr direction. For this service he received 
$30 per annum ; but owing to his inability to read 
well, Mr. Couvcrs generally performed the duty. 
At that time, the mails met here once a week. 
Four years after, the settlement had so increased 
that a regular post office was opened, and Thomas 
Dowden appointed Postmaster. He kept his office 
in a wooden building near the river bank. 

^Messrs. Zane and jMcIutire laid out a town in 
1799, which they called Westbourn. When the 
post office was established, it was named Zanesville, 
and in a sliort time the village took the same name. 
A few families settled on the west side of the river, 
soon after McCulloh arrived, and as this locality 
grew well, not long after a .store and tavern was 
. opened here. Mr. Mclntire built a double log 
cabin, which was used as a hotel, and in which 
Louis Philippe, King of France, was once enter- 
tained. Although the fare and accommodations 
were of the pioneerperiod, the honorable guestseems 
to have enjoyed his visit, if the statements of Lewis 
Cass in his " Camp and Court of Louis Philippe" 
may be believed. 

In 1804, Bluskingum County was formed by the 
Legislature, and, for a while, strenuous efforts made 
to secure the kState capital by the citizens of Zanes- 
ville. They even erected buildings for tlie use of 
the Legislature and Governor, and during the ses- 
sion of 1810-11, the temporary seat of govern- 
ment was fixed here. When the permanent State 
capital was chosen in 1816, Zanesville was passed 
by, and gave up the hope. It is now one of the 
most enterprising towns in the Muskingum Valley. 

During the summer of 1797, John Knoop, then 
living four miles above Cincinnati, made several 
expeditions up the Miami Valley and selected the 
land on which he afterward lt>cated. The next 
spring Mr. Knoop, his l)rother Benjamin, Henry 
Garard, Benjamin Hamlet and John Tildus estab- 
lished a station in what is now Miami County, near 
the present town of Staunton A'illagc. That sum- 
mer, Jlrs. Knoop planted the first apple-tree in 
the Miami * country. They all lived togetlier for 
greater safety for two years, during wliicli time 
they were occupied clearing their farms and erect- 
ing dwellings. During the summer, the site of 
Piqua was settled, and three young men located at a 
place known as " Freeman's Prairie." Those who 

*The word Miami in the Indian tongue signified mother. The 
Miamis were the original owners of the valley by that name, and 
affirmed they were created there. 



settled at Piqua were Samuel Hilliard, Job Garard, 
Shadrac Hudson, Jonah Rollins, Daniel Cox, 
Thomas Rich, and a Mr. Hunter. The last named 
came to the site of Piqua first in 1797, and 
selected his home. Until 1799, these named were 
the only ones in this locality ; but that year emi- 
gration set in, and very shortly occupied almost all 
the bottom land in Miami County. With the 
increa.se of emigration, came the comforts of life, 
and mills, stores and other necessary aids to civil- 
ization, were ere long to be seen. 

The site of Piqua is quite historic, being the 
theater of many important Indian occurrences, 
and the old home of the Shawances, of which 
tribe Tecumseh was a chief During the Indian 
war, a fort called Ftnt Piqua was built, near tlie 
residence of Col. John Johnston, so long the faith- 
ful Indian Agent. The fort was abandoned at the 
close of hostilities. 

When the Miami Canal was opened through this 
part of the State, the country began rapidly to 
improve, and is now jjrobably one of the best por- 
tions of Ohio. 

About the same time the Jliami was settled, a 
company of people from Pennsylvania and Vir- 
ginia, who were princijially of German and Irish 
descent, located in Lawrence County, near the iron 
region. As soon as tbat ore was made available, 
that part of the State rapidly filled with settlers, 
most of whom engaged in the mining and working 
of iron ore. Now it is very prosperous. 

Another settlement was made the same season, 
1797, on the Ohio .side of the river, in Columbiana 
County. The settlement progressed slowly for a 
while, owing to a few difficulties with the Indians. 
The celebrated Adam Poe had been here as early 
as 1782, and several localities are made locally 
famous by his and his brother's adventures. 

In this county, on Little Beaver Creek, near its 
mouth, the second paper-mill west of the AUe- 
ghanies was erected in 1805-(5. It was the pioneer 
enterjirise of the kind in Ohio, and was named the 
Ohio Paper-Mill. Its proprietors were John 
Bever and John Coulter. 

One of the most noted localities in the State is 
comprised in Greene County. The Shawanee 
town, " Old Chillicothe," was on the Little Miami, 
in this county, about three miles north of the site 
of Xenia. This old Indian town was, in the an- 
nals of the West, a noted place, and is frequently 
noticed. It is first mentioned in 1773, by Capt. 
Thomas Bullitt, of Virginia, who boldly advanced 
alone into the town and obtained the consent of 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



115 



the Inilkn.s to go on to Ki-ntmky and niiiko liis 
settlement at the falls of the Ohio. His aiulucioiis 
bravery gained bis request. Daniel Boone \v;i.s 
taken prisoner early in 1778, with twenty-seven 
others, and kept for a time at Old Cbillicotbe. 
Through the influenee of the British Governor, 
Hamilton, who had taken a great fancy to Boone, 
be and ten others were sent to Detroit. The In- 
dians, however, bad an equal fancy for the brave 
fi-ontiersman, and took bim back to Cbillicotbe, 
and adopted him into their tribe. About the 1st 
of June be escaped from tbcui, and made his way 
back to Kentucky, iu time to prevent a univers;il 
niassiicre of the whites. In July, 17"!), the town 
was destrojed by Col. John Bowman and one 
hundred and si.\ty Kentuckians, and the Indians 
dispersed. 

The Americans made a permanent settlement in 
this county in 1797 or 1798. This latter year, a 
mill was erected in the confines of the county, 
which implies the settlement was made a slmrt 
time previou.sly. A short distance east of the 
mill two block-bouses were erected, and it was in- 
tended, should it become necessary, to surround 
them and the mill with pickets. The mill was 
used by the settlers at " Dutch Station," in Jliami 
County, fully thirty miles distant. The richness 
of the country in this part of the State attracted a 
great number of settlers, so that by 1803 tbe 
county waa establisbed, and Xcnia laid out, and des- 
ignated iis the county seat. Its first court liouse, 
a primitive log structure, was long preserved as a 
curiosit)'. It would indeed be a curiosity now. 

Zane's trace, passing from Wheeling to Mays- 
ville, crossed the Hockhocking* River, in Fairfield 
County, where Lancaster is now built. 3Ir. Zaue 
located one of his three sections on this rivt'r, 
covering the site of Lancaster. Following this 
trace in 1797, many individuals noted the desira- 
bleness of tbe locality, .some of whom detennined 
to return and settle. "The site of the city had 
in former times been the home of the Wyandots, 
who had a town here, that, in 1790, contained 
over .500 wigwams and more than 1 ,000 souls. 
Their town was called Tftiliec, or, in English, the 
Crane-toiviijUnd derived its name from the prinei- 

•The word Hock -hock-ing in the Ddaworo language signifies 
a bcWe : tlie Shan'ances have it Wen-lha-kiiyh-<iua »t'pv, f c ; boltle 
river. John Wliite in tlie Anierioan rioneor says: "Alx>nt seven 
miles norl «e.^t of Lancaster, there is a faU In the noekh..rkinE of 
alioilt twt nty t.-et. Above Ihe fall for a short distince, the creek 
is very narr.nv u-\i straight forming a nerk, while at the falls it 
eiidfienly widens on each side and swells into the appearance of the 
hody of alMttle. The whole, when seen fmm almve, appears exactly 
in the shape of a bottle, and from tin-* fact the Indians called the 
river Hock-hock-ing."— Boioe's CoUccHom. 



jial chief of that tribe. Another portion of tbe 
tribe then lived at Toby-town, nine miles west of 
Tarhe-town (now Koyaltown), and was governed 
by an inferior chief called Toby. The chief's wig- 
wam in Tarbe stood on the bank of the prairie, 
near a beautiful and abundant spring of water, 
whose outlet was tbe river. The wigwams of the 
Indians were built of the bark of trees, set on 
poles, in tbe form of a sugar camp, with one square 
open, fronting a fire, and about the height of a 
man. The Wyandot tribe that day numbered 
about .500 warriors. By the treaty of Greenville, 
they ceded all their territory, and the majority, un- 
der their chief, removed to Upper Sandusky. The 
remainder lingered awhile, loath to leave the Lome 
of their ancestors, but as game became scarce, they, 
too, left for better bunting-grounds."* 

In April, 1798, Capt. Joseph Hunter, a bold, 
enterprising man, settled on Zane's trace, on tbe 
bank of the prairie, west of tbe cros.sings, at a 
place since known as " Hunter's settlement." For 
a time, he bad no neighbors nearer than tbe set- 
tlers on tbe Muskingum and Scioto Rivers. He 
lived to see the country he had found a wilderness, 
full of the honu'S of industry. His wife was the 
first white woman that settled in the valley, and 
shared with him all the privations of a pioneer 
life. 

Mr. Hunter bad not been long in the valley till 
he was joined by Nathaniel Wilson, John and Al- 
len Green, John and Joseph JIcMidlen, Robert 
Cooper, Isiuic Shaefer, and a few otht^rs, who 
erected cabins and planted corn. The next year, 
the tide of emigration came iu with great force. 
In the spring, two settlements were made in Green- 
field Township, each settlement containing twenty 
or more families. One was called tbe Forks of 
tbe Hockhocking, the other, Yankeetowu. Set- 
tlements were also made along the river below 
Hunter's, on Ru.sb Creek, Raccoon and Indian 
Creeks, Plea.sant Run, Felter'sRun, at Tobeytown, 
Muddy Prairie, and on Clear Creek. In the fall, 
— 171)9 — Joseph Loveland and Hezekiab Smith 
built a log grist-mill at tbe Tjiper Falls of the 
Hockhocking. afterward known its Rock Mill. 
This was the first mill on this river. In the latter 
part of the year, a mail route was establiiihed over 
the trace. The mail was earned through on horse- 
back, and. in the .settlements in this locality, was 
lefl at ibe cabin of Samuel Coates, who lived cm 
the prairie at the crossings u\' the river. 

• Lecture of Gtorgu S.iniUis.i!i.— /foirr'i <„:U<Uioiu. 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



In the fall of tho next year, Ebenezer Zane laid 
out Lancaster, which, until 1805, was known as 
New Lancaster. The lots sold very rapidly, at 
$50 each, and, in less than one year, quite a vil- 
lage appeared. December 9, the Governor and 
Judges of the Northwest Territory organized 
Fairfield County, and made Lancaster the county 
seat. The year following, the Rev. John Wright, 
a minister of the Presbyterian Church, came, and 
ft'oni that time on schools and churches were estab- 
lished and tlieroaftcr regularly maintained at this 
place. 

Not far from Lancaster are immense mural es- 
carpments of sandstone formation. They were 
noted among the aborigines, and were, probably, 
used by them as places of outlook and defense. 

The same summer Fairfield County was settled, 
the towns of Bethel and Williamsburg, in Cler- 
mont County, were settled and laid out, and in 
1800, the county was erected. 

A settlement was also made immediately south 
of Fairfield County, in Hocking County, by Chris- 
tian Westenhaver, a German, from near Ilagers- 
towu, Md. He came in the spring of 179^, and 
was soon joined by several families, who formed 
quite a settlement. The territory included in the 
county remained a part of Ros', Athens and 
Fairfield, until 1 8 1 S, when Hocking t^ounty was 
erected, and Logan, which had been laid out in 
181 G, was made the cuunl}' seat. 

The country comprised in the county is rather 
broken, especially along the Hockhocking River. 
This broken country was a fiivorite resort of the 
Wyandot Indians, who could easily hide in the 
numerous grottoes and ravines made by the river 
and its aftluents as the water cut its way through 
the .sandstone rooks. 

In 1798, soon afler Zane's trace was cut through 
the country, a Mr. Graham located on the site of 
Cambridge, in Guernsey County. His was then 
the only dwelling between Wheeling and Zanes- 
ville, on the trace. He remained here alone about 
two years, when he was succeeded by George Bey- 
mer, from Somers(;t, Pcnn. Both these persons 
kept a tavern ami ferry over Will's Creek. In 
April, 1801], Jlr. Beymer was succeeded by John 
Beatty, who came from Loudon, Va. His family 
consisted of eleven persons. The Indians hunted 
in this vicinity, and were frequent visit(jrs at the 
tavern. In June, 1806, Cambridge w;is laid out, 
and on the day the lots were offered for sale, sev- 
eral families from the British Isle of Guernsey, 
near the coast of France, stopped here on their 



way to the West. They were .satisfied with the 
location and purchased many of the lots, and some 
land in the vicinity. They were soon followed by 
otlier families trom the same place, all of whom 
settling iu this locality gave the name to the county 
when it was erected in 1810. 

A settlement was made in the central part of the 
State, on Darby Creek, in Union County, in the 
summer of 1798, by James and Joshua Ewing. 
The nest year, they were joined by Samuel and 
David Mitchell, Samuel Mitchell, Jr., Samuel 
Kirkpatrick and Samuel McCullough,and, in 1800, 
by George and Samuel Reed, Robert Snodgrass 
and Paul Hodgson. 

'•James Ewing'.s farm was the site of an an- 
cient and noted Mingo town, which was deserted 
at the time the jMingo towns, in what is now Logan 
County, were destroyed by Gen. Logan, of Ken- 
tucky, in 17SG. When Mr. Ewing took posses- 
sion of his farm, the cabins were still standing, 
and, among others, the remains of a blacksmith's 
shop, with coal, cinders, iron-dross, etc. Jonathan 
Alder, formerly a prisoner among the Indians, 
says the shop was carried on by a renegade white 
man, named Butler, who lived among the Mingoes. 
Extensive fields had formerly been cultivated in 
the vicinity of tho town."* 

Soon after the settlement was establi.-hed. Col. 
James Curry located here. He was quite an influ- 
ential man, and, in 1820, succeeded in getting the 
county formed from portions of Delaware, Frank- 
lin, JVIadison and Logan, and a jiart of the old In- 
dian Territory. IMarysville was made the county 
seat. 

During the year 1789, a fort, called Fort Steu- 
ben, was built on the site of Steubenville, but 
was dismantled at the conclusion of hostilities in 
1795. Three years after, Bezaleel Wells and Hon. 
James Ross, for whom Ross County was named, 
located the town of Steubenville about the old 
fort, and, by lilwral offers of lots, soon attracted 
quite a number oi' settlers. In 1805, the town 
was incorporated, and then had a population of 
several hundred persons. Jefierson County was 
created by Gov. St. Clair, July 29, 1797, the year 
before Steubenville was laid out. It then included 
the large scope of country west of Penn.sylvania; 
east and north of a line from the mouth of the 
Cuyahoga ; southwardly to the Muskingum, and 
cast to the Ohio ; including, in its territories, the 
cities of Cleveland, Canton, Steubenville and War- 

* Howe's Collections. 



IIISTOKY OF OHIO. 



rcn. Only a sliort timt;, however, was it allowed 
to retain this size, as the increase in emigration 
rendered it necessary to erect new counties, which 
was ra])idly done, especially on the adoption t"the 
State jrovernmeut. 

The county is rich in early history, prior to its 
settlement by the Americans. It was the homt of 
the celebrated JIinj;;o chief, Logan, who resid h1 
awhile at an old Ming(j town, a lew miles below t le 
site of .Steubeiivillo, the jilace whore the troo )s 
under Col. William.son rendezvoused on their i i- 
famous raid against the Moravian Indians ; at d 
also where Col. Crawford and his men met, whf n 
starting on their unfortunate expedition. 

In the Reserve, settlements were often made 
remote from populous localities, in accordance witli 
the wish of a proprietor, who might own a tract of 
couutr}' twenty or thirty miles in the interior. In 
theprasentcounty of Geauga, three families located 
at Burton in 1798. They lived at a considerable 
distance from any other settlement for some time, 
and were greatly inconvenienced for the want of 
mills or .shops. As time progressed, however, 
these were brought nearer, or built in their midst, 
and, ere long, almost all parts of the Reserveoiould 
show some settlement, even if isolated. 

The next year, 1TU9, .settlements were made at 
Ravenna, Deerfield and Palmyra, in Portage 
County. lion. Benjamin Tajipan came to the site 
of Ravenna in June, at which time he found one 
white man, a ^Ir. Honey, living there. At this date, 
a solitary log cabin occupied the sites of Buffalo and 
Cleveland. On his journey from New England, 
Mr. Tapjiau fell in with David Ilud.son, the founder 
of the Huilscin settlement in Summit County. 
After many days of travel, they landed at a prairie in 
Summit County. Mr. Tappan left, his goods in a 
cabin, built fi ir the purpose, under the care of a hired 
man, and went on his way, cutting a road to the 
site of Ravenna, where his land lay. On his return 
fur a second load of goods, they found the cabin 
deserted, and evidences of its plunder by the In- 
dians. Not long after, it was learned that the man 
left in charge had gone to Mr. Hudson's settle- 
ment, he having set out immediately on his arrival, 
for his <iwn land. Mr. Taj)j)an gathered the re- 
mainder of his goods, and started back for Ravenna. 
On his way one of his oxen died, and he found 
himself in a vast forest, away from any habitation, 
and with one dollar in money. He diil not falter 
a moment, but sent his hired man, a faithful fellow, 
to Eric, Penn., a distance of one hundred miles 
through the wilderness, with the compass for his 



guide, requesting from Capt. Lyman, the com- 
mander at the fort there, a loan of money. At 
the same time, he followed the township lines to 
Youngstown, where he became ac([uaintod with 
Col. James Hillman, who did not hesitate to sell 
him an ox on credit, at a fair price. He returned 
to his load in a few days, found his ox all right, 
hitched the two together and went on. He wa.s 
soon joined by his hired man, with the money, and 
together they spent the winter in a log cabin. He 
gave his man one hundred acres of land as a reward, 
and iiaid Col. Hillman for the ox. In a j'car or 
two he had a prosperous settlement, and wdien the 
county w;is erected in 1807, Ravenna was made 
the seat of justice. 

About the same time Mr. Tappan began his 
settlement, others were commenced in other locali- 
ties in this county. Early in May, 1799, Lewis 
Day and his son Horatio, of Granby, Conn., and 
Moses Tibbals and (jreen Frost, of Granville, 
Mass., lefl (heir homes in a one-horse wagon, and, 
the 29th of May, arrived in what is now Deerfield 
Township. Theirs was the first wagon that had 
ever penetrated farther westward in tliis region 
than Canfield. The country west of that place 
had been an unbroken wilderness until within a 
few days. Capt. Caleb Atwater, of Wallingford, 
Conn., had hired some men to open a road to 
Town.ship No. 1, in the Seventh Range, of which 
he was the owner. This r(jad passed through 
Deerfield, and was completed to that place when 
the party arrived at the point of their destination. 
These emigrants selected sites, and commenced 
clearing the land. In July, Lewis Ely arrived 
li-oni Granville, and wintered here, while those 
wlio came first, and had made their improvements, 
returned East. The 4th of March, 1800, Alva 
Day (son of Lewis Day), John Camj)bell and 
Joel Thrall arrived. In April, George and Rob- 
ert Taylor and James Laughlin, from Pennsylvania, 
with their families, came. Mr. Laughlin built a 
grist-mill, which was of great convenience to the 
settlers. July 29, Lewis Day returned with 
his family and his brother-in-law, JIaj. Rogers, 
who, the next year, also brought his family. 

"3Iuch suffering was experienced at first on 
account of the scarcity of provisions. They were 
chiefly supplied from the settlements east of the 
Ohio River, the nearest of which was Georgetown, 
liirty miles away. The provisions were brought 
on pack-horses through the wilderness. August 
22, Mrs. Alva Day gave birth to a child — a fe- 
male — the first child born in the township. 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



November 7, the first wedding took place. John 
Cainpljcll and Sarah Ely were joined in wedlock 
by Calvin Austin, E.sq., of Warren. He wa.s 
accompanied from WaiTen, a distance of twenty- 
seven miles, by jMr. Pease, then a lawyer, after- 
ward a well-known Judge. They came on foot, 
there being no road; and, as they threaded their 
way through the woods, young Pease taught the 
Justice the maiTiage ceremony by oft repetition. 

" In 1802, Franklin Township was organized, em- 
bracing all of Portage and parts of Trumbull and 
Summit Counties. About this time the settlement 
received accessions from all parts of the East. In 
February, 1801, Ilev. Badger came and began his 
labors, and two years later Dr. Shadrac Bostwick 
organizf^d a Methodist Episcopal church.* The 
remaining settlement in this county. Palmyra, was 
begun abnut the same time as the others, by David 
l>aniels, in lUi Salisbury, Conn. The next year he 
brouglit out his family. Soon after he was joined 
by E. N. and W. Bacon, E. Cutler, A. Thurber, 
A. Preston, N. Buis, J. T. Baldwin, T. and C. 
Giiliert, D. A. and S. Waller, N. Smith, Joseph 
Fislier, J. Tuttle and others. 

'• When this region was first settled, there was 
an Indian trail commencing at Fort Mcintosh 
( Beaver, Penn. ), and extending westward to San- 
dusky and Detroit. The trail fciUowed the highest 
ground. Along the trail, parties of Indians were 
frequently seen passing, for several years after the 
whites came. It seemed to be the great aboriginal 
thoroughfare from Sandusky to the Ohio River. 
There were several large piles of stones on the 
trail in this locality, under which human skeletons 
have been discovered. These are supposed to be 
the remains of Indians slain in war, or murdered 
by their enemies, as tradition says it is an Indian 
custom for each one to ca.st a stone on the grave 
of an enemy, whenever he pa-sses by. These stones 
appear to have been picked up along the trail, and 
cast upon the heaps at different times. 

"At the point where this trail crosses Silver 
Creek, Fredrick Daniels and others, in 1814, dis- 
covered, painted on several trees, various devices, 
evidently the work of Indians. The bark was 
carefully shaved off two-thirds of the way around, 
and figures cut upon the wood. On one of these 
was dehneated seven Indians, equipped in a par- 
ticular manner, one of whom was without a head. 
This was supposed to have been made by a party 
on their return westward, to give intelligence to 

* Uowe'B Collectione. 



their friends behind, of the loss of one of their 
party at this place ; and, on making search, a hu- 
man skeleton was discovered near by." * 

The celebrated Indian hunter, Brady, made his 
remarkable leap across the Cuyahoga, in this 
county. The county also contains Brady's Pond, 
a large sheet of water, iu which he once made his 
escape from the Indians, from which cii'cumstance 
it received its name. 

The locality comprised in Clark County was 
settled the same summer as those in Summit County. 
John Humphries came to this part of the State 
with G-en. Simon Kenton, in ITUO. With them 
came six families from Kentucky, who settled 
north of the site of Springfield. A fort was 
erected on Mad River, for security against the In- 
dians. Fourteen cabins were soon built near it, 
all being surrounded by a strong picket fence. 
David Lowery, one of the pioneers here, built the 
first flat-boat, to operate on the Great INIiami, and, 
in 1800, inade the first trip on that river, coming 
down from Dayton. He took hi.-< boat and cargo 
on down to New Orleans, where he disposed of bis 
load of " five hundred venison hams and bacon." 

Sjiringfield was laid out in March, 1801. Griffith 
Foos, who came that spring, built a tavern, which 
he completed and opened in June, remaining in 
this place til! 1814. He often stated that when 
emigrating West, his party were four days and a 
half getting from Franklinton, on the Scioto, to 
Springfield, a distance of forty-two miles. When 
crossing the Big Darby, they were obliged to carry 
all their gocjds over on horseback, and then drag 
their wagons across with ropes, while some of the 
party swam by the side of the wagon, to prevent 
its upsetting. The site of the town was of such 
practical beauty and utility, that it soon attracted 
a large number of settlers, and, in a few years, 
Springfield was incorporated. In 1811, a church 
was built by the residents for the use of all denom- 
inations. 

Clark County is made famous in aboriginal 
history, as the birthplace and childhood home of 
the noted Indian, Tecumseh.j" He was born in 

♦ Howe's CoUections. 

f Tecumseh, or Tecumshe, waa a son of Puckeshinwa, a member 
of the Kiacopoke tribe, and Methoataake, of the Turtle tribe of the 
Shawanee nation. They removed from Florida to Ohio soon after 
theirmarriage. The father, Puckeshinwa, rose to the rank of a chief, 
and fell at the battle of Point Pleasant, in 1774. After his death, 
the mother, Methoataske, returned to the south, where she died at 
an advanced age. Tecumseh was born about the year 1768. He 
early showed a passion for war, and, when only 27 years of age, was 
made a chief. The next year he removed to Deer Creek, in the 
vicinity of Urbana, and from there to the site of Piqua, on the 
Great Miami. In 1798 he accepted the invitation of the Delawares 
in the vicinity of White River, Indiana, and from that time made 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



121 



the iiiJ Iiiuian town of Piqua, the ancient Pi(iua 
of the Shawanees, on the north side of JIad River, 
about five miles west of Sprinirfield. Tlie town 
was destrojed hy tlie Kentucky Kangr'rs under 
Gen. (ieorge Rogers Chirke in 17S0, at the suno 
time he destroj"ed •' Okl ChilUcothe." Immense 
fields of standing corn about both towns were cut 
down, compelling the Indians to resort to tlie hunt 
with mure than ordinary vigor, to sustain them- 
selves and their wives and children. This search 
insured safety for some time on the borders. The 
site of Cadiz, in Harrison County, was settled in 
April, 1799, by Alexander Henderson and his 
fiuiiily, from AViishinirton Count}', Penn. When 
they arrived, they found neighbi)rs in tlie persons 
of Daniel Peterson and his family, who lived near 
the forks of Short Creek, and who had preceded 
them but a very short time. The next year, emi- 
grants began to cross the Ohio in gT<^at numbers, 
and iu five or six j-ears large settlements could be 
seen in this part of the State. The county was 
erected in 1814, and Cadiz, laid out in 18U3, made 
the county seat. 

While the settlers were locating in and about 
Cadiz, a few families came to what is now Monroe 
County, and settled near the present town of 
Beallsville. Shortly after, a few persons settled on 
the Clear Fork of the Little Muskingum, and a 
few others on the east fork of Duck Creek. The 



next season all these settlements received addi- 
tions and a few other localities were also occupied. 
Before long the town of Beallsville was laid 
out, and in time became quite populous. The 
county was not erected until 1818, and in 181,5 
Woudsfield Wiis laid out and made the seat of 
justice. 

The opening of tlie sea.son of 1 800 — the dawn 
of a new century — saw a vast emigration west 
ward. Old settlements in Ohio received immense 
increase of emigrants, while, branching out in all 
directions like the radii of a circle, other .settle- 
ments were ccmstantly formed until, in a few years, 
all j)arts of the State knew the presence of the 
white man. 

Towns sprang into existence here and there ; 
mills and factories were erected ; po.st ofiices and 
post-routes were established, and the comforts and 
conveniences of life began to appear. 

With this came the desire, so potent to the mind 
of all American citizens, to rule themselves through 
representatives chosen by their own votes. Hith- 
erto, they had been rul(Kl by a Governor and Judges 
ujipoiuted by the President, who, in turn, appointed 
county and judicial ofiiccrs. The arbitrary rulings 
of the Governor, St. Clair, had arrayed the mass 
of the people against him, and made the desire for 
the second grade of government stronger, and 
finally led to its creation. 



CHAPTER X. 



FORMATION' OF THE STATE GO-V-ERXMENT— OHIO A ST.\TE— THE STATE CAPITALS— LEGIS- 
LATION— THE "SWEEPING RESOLUTIONS' —TERRITORIAL AND STATE GOVERNORS. 



SETTLEMENTS increased so rapidly in that 
part of the Northwest Territory included in 
Ohio, during the decade from 1788 to 1798, 
des]iite the Indian war, that the demand for an 
election of a Territorial Assembly could uot be 
ignored by Gov. St. Clair, who, having ascertained 
that 5,000 free males resided within the limits of 
the Territory, issued his proclamation October 29, 
1798, directing the electors to elect re])re,sentatives 
to a General Assembly. He ordered the election 

bis homo with them. Ho was most actiTo in tbo war of 1812 
against tho Americans, and from tht? tim*^ tie began his work to 
unite the trib<?9, his history is so closely identified therewith that 
the reader is referred to the history of that wur in siiccee<ling pages. 
It may notbe amiss to say that all stories regarding the manner 
of his death are considered erroneous. He was undouhtedly killed 
in the outset of the battle of the Thames in Canada in 1814. and his 
liody secretly buried by the Indians. 



to be held on the third Jlonday in December, and 
directed the representatives to meet in Cincinnati 
January 22, 1799. 

On the day designatccl, the representatives* 
a.s.sembled at Cincinnati, nominated ten persons, 
whose names were sent to the President, who 
selected five to constitute the Legislative Council, 

♦Those elected were: from Washington County, Rotun) Jona- 
than Meigs and Paul Fearing; from Hamilton County, William 
Guforth, William McMillan, John Smith, John Ludlow, Robert 
Benham, Aaron Caldwell and Isaac Martin; from St. Clair County 
(Illinois), Shadrach Bond; from Knox County (Indiana\ John 
Small; from Itandulpb County (Illinois), John Kdgar; from Wayne 
County, Solomon Sibley, Jacob Visgar and Charles F. < 'habert de 
Joncaire; from Adams County, Jo?*eph I'arlington and Nathaniel 
Massie; from Jefferson County, James I'ritciiarJ; from Uoss County, 
Thomas Worthington, Elias Langham, Samuel Findley and Kdwanl 
Tiffin. Tho five gentlemen, except Vanderburgh, chosen as tbo 
Upper nouSB were all from counli.-< nfterwiirJ included in Ohio. 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



cir Upper House. Tlie.se five were Jacob Burnet, 
James Findloy, Henry Vanderburgh, llobert 
Oliver and David "V'anee. On the od of March, 
the Senate confirmed their uomination, and the 
Territorial Government of Ohio* — or, more prop- 
erly, the Northwest — was complete. As this 
comprised the essential business of this body, it 
was prorogued by the Governor, and the Assembly 
directed to meet at the .same place September 1 6, 
1799, and proceed to the enactment of laws for 
the Tenitory. 

That day, the Territorial Legislature met again 
at Cincinnati, but, for want of a quorum, did not 
organize until the 24th. The House consisted of 
nineteen members, seven of whom were from Ham- 
ilton County, four from Ross, three from Wayne, 
two from Adams, one from Jefferson, one from 
Washing-ton, and one from Knox. Assembling 
both branches of the Legislature, Gov. St. Clair 
addressed them, recommending such measures to 
their consideration as, in his judgment, were suited 
to the condition of the country. The Council 
then organized, electing Henry Vanderburgh, Presi- 
dent ; William C. Schenck, Secretary, George 
Howard, Doorkeeper, and Abraham Carey, Ser- 
geant^at-arms. 

The House also organized, electing Edward Tif- 
fin, Sjieaker ; John Reilly, Clerk ; Joshua Row- 
land, Doorkeeper, and Abraham Carey, Sergeant- 
at-arms. 

This was the first legislature elected in the old 
Northwestern Territory. During its first session, 
it pa.ssed thirty bills, of which the Governor vetoed 
eleven. They also elected WiUiam Henry Harri- 
son, then Secretary of the Territory, delegate to 
Congress. The Legislature continued in session 
till December 19, having much to do in forming 
new laws, when they were prorogued by the Gov- 
ernor, until the first Monday in November, 1800. 
The second session was held in Chillicothe, which 
had been designated as the seat of government by 
Congress, until a permanent capital should be 
selected. 

May 7, 1800, Congress passed an act establish- 
ing Indiana Territory, including all the country 
west of the Great jMiami River to the Mississippi, 
and appointed William Henry Harrison its Gov- 
ernor. At the autumn session of the Legislature 

* Ohio never existed as a Territory proper. It was known, both 
before and after the division of the Northwest Territory, as the 
"Territory northwest of the Ohio River." Still, as the country 
comprised in its limits was the principal theater of action, the short 
resume given here is made necessary in the logical course of events. 
Ohio, as Ohio, never existed until the creation of the State in 
March, 1803. 



of the eastern, or old part of the Territory, Will- 
iam McMillan was elected to the vacancy caused 
by this act. By the organization of this Territory, 
the counties of Knox, St. Clair and Randolph, 
were taken out of the jurisdiction of the old Ter- 
ritory, and with them the representatives, Henry 
Vandenburgh, Shadrach Bond, John Small and 
John Edgar. 

Before the time for the next Assembly came, a 
new election had occurred, and a few changes were 
the result. Robert Oliver, of Marietta, was cho- 
sen Speaker in the place of Henry ^^anderbuigb. 
There was considerable business at this sessidii ; 
several new counties were to be erected ; the couu-' 
try was rapidly filling with people, and where the 
scruples of the Governor could be overcnme. some 
organization was made. He was very tciiacimis of 
his power, and arbitrary in his rulings, affiiiiiiiig 
that he, alone, had the power to create new coun- 
ties. This dogmatic exercise of his veto power, 
his rii;lifs as vuh'r. and his defeat by the Indians, 
all tiihl. il ;rj,iiiist him. resulting in his displace- 
ment by tlic 1 'resident. This was done, however, 
just at the time the Territory came ft'om the second 
grade of government, and the State was created. 

The third session of the Territorial Legislature 
continued from November 24, 1801, to January 
23, 1802, when it adjourned to meet in Cincin- 
nati, the fourth Monday in November, but 
owing to reasons made obvious by subsequent 
events, was never held, and the third session 
marks the decline of the Territorial government. 

April 30, 1802, Congress passed an act "to 
enable the people of the eastern division of the 
territory northwest of the Ohio River, to form a 
constitution and State government, and for the 
admission of such States into the I'nion on 
an equal footing with the original States, and for 
other purposes." In pursuance of this act, an 
election had been held in this part of the Territory, 
and members of a constitutional convention cho- 
sen, who were to meet at (Jliillicothe, November 
1, to perform the duty assigned them. 

The people throughout the country contemplat- 
ed in the new St.ate were anxious for the adoption 
of a Stat* government. The arbitrary acts of the 
Territorial Governor had heightened this feeling ; 
the census of the Territory gave it the lawful 
number of inhabitants, and nothing stood in its 
way. 

The convention met the day designated and 
proceeded at once to its duties. 'When the time 
arrived for the opening of the Fourtli Territorial 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



123 



Leijjislature, the couvention w:us in session and had 
evidently about completed its labors. The mem- 
bers of the Legislature ( eight of whom were mem- 
bers of the convention ) seeing that a .speedy 
terminatidn of the Territurial government Wius inev- 
itable, wisely concluded it was inexpedient and 
unnecessary to hold the propo.sed .session. 

The convention concluded it.s laboi-s the 29th of 
Xovember. The Constitution adopted at that time, 
thiiugh rather crude in .«unie nf its details, was an 
excellent organic in-strument, and remained almost 
entire until 1851, when the pre.sent one was 
adopted. Either is too long for insertion here, 
but either will well pay a perusal. 1'he one adojited 
by the convention in 18(12 was never .•submitted 
to the people, owing to the circumstances of the 
times; but it was submitted to Congress February 
19, 1803, and by that body accepted, and an act 
p;u*sed admitting Ohio to the Union. 

The Territorial governnuMit ended March .3, 
lS(i;5, by the organization, that day, of the State 
government, which organization detined the pres- 
ent limits of the State. 

" We, the people of the Eastern Division of the Ter- 
ritory of the United States, Northwest of tlic Itivcr 
Ohio, having the riglil of aJmission into tlie General 
Government as a member of tlic Union, consistent with 
the Constitution of the United States, the (hdinance 
of Congress of one thousand seven hundred and eighty- 
seven, and of the law of Congress, entitled ' An act to 
enable the people of the Eastern Division of the Terri- 
tory of the United States Northwest of the River Ohio, 
to form a Constitution and a State Government, and for 
the admission of such State into the Union on an efiual 
footing with the original States, and for other purpo- 
ses;' in order to establish justice, promote the well- 
fare and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves 
and our posterity, do ordain and establish the follow- 
ing Constitution or form of government: .and ilo mu- 
tually agree with cich other to form ourselves into a 
free and independent State, by the name of the State 
of Ohio. "* — Preamble, ConstUuHon of 1802. 

When the convention fonning the Constitution, 
completed it,s labors and presented the resultvS to 
Congress, and that body passed the act forming 

* The name of the State is derived from the river forming its 
Boiithern Iwundarj.. Ita origin is somewhat obscure, but is com- 
monly a*icribed to tlie Indians. On this point, C<d. Johnston says: 
" The Sliawanoeso called the Ohio River 'A'is-fce-pi-tn, Sfpe, i. c, ^Englc 
River: The Wyandols were in tlie country generations t)efore the 
Shawanoese, and, consequently, their nameof the river is the prim- 
itive one and sliuuld stand in preference to all others. Ohio may 
t>e called an improvement on the expression, *0-fce-.TnA,' and wai?, no 
doubt, adopted by the early Frencti voyagers in their iK)at-^ong8, 
and is sub^lantialiy the same wort as used by the W'yandots: the 
meaning applied by ttie French, fair and beautiful ' /.i Mte ritrr,' 
being the same precisely as that meant tiy the Indians — 'great, 
grand and fair to lootc upon.' " — //oice'i CoUedinna. 

Welwter's Dictionary gives the word as of Indian origin, and its 
meaning to be, " Beautiful." 



the State, the territory included therein was di- 
vided into nine counties, whose names and dates of 
erection were as fidlows: 

Wtushingtou, July 27, 1788; Hamilton, Janu- 
ary 2, 179II; (owing to the Indian war no other 
countic-s were erected till peace was restored); Ad- 
ams, July 10, 1797; Jt^fferson, July 29, 1797; 
Ro.s,s, Autjust 20, 1798; Clermont, Fairfield and 
Trumbull, December 9, 1800; Belmont, Septcm- 
iicr 7, ISOl. These counties were the thickest- 
.-icttled part of the State, ytrt many other localities 
needed organization and were clamoring for it, but 
owing to St. Clair's views, he refused to grant 
their reipiests. One of the fir.st acts on the a.s- 
sombling of the State Legislature, March 1, 1803, 
w;us the creation of seven new counties, viz., Gal- 
lia, Scioto, Geauga, Hutlcr, Warren, Greene and 
Montgomery. 

Section Sixth of the "Schedule" of the Consti- 
tution retiuired an election for tlie various officers 
and Representatives necessary under the new gov- 
ernment, t« be held the second Tuesday of Janu- 
ary, 1803, the.se officers to take their seats and a.s- 
suine their duties March 3. The Second Article 
provided for the regular elections, to be held on 
the second Tiie.sday of October, in each year. The 
Governtn- elected at first was to hold liis office 
until the first regular election could be held, and 
thereafter to continue in office two years. 

The January elections jilactid Edward Tiffin in 
the Governor's office, sent Jeremiah Munow to 
Congress, and chose tin Assembly, who met on the 
day designated, at Chillicothe. Michael Baldwin 
was chosen Speaker of the House, and Nathaniel 
.Massie, of the Senate. The Assembly ajipointed 
William Creighton, Jr., Secretary of State ; Col. 
Thomas Gibson, Auditor ; William McFarland, 
Trea.surer; Return J. Meigs, Jr., Samuel Hun- 
tington and William Sjirigg, Judges of the Sti- 
]ireine Court; Francis Dunlevy. Wyllys Sillitnan 
and Calvin I'ea.'^e, President Judges of the First, 
Second and Third Districts, and Thomas Worth- 
ington and Jnhn Smith, United States Senators. 
Charles Willing Byrd was made the United States 
District Judge. 

The :ict of Congress forming the State, con- 
tained certain requisitions regarding public schools, 
the " salt springs," public hinds, taxation of Gov- 
ernment lands, ■'^ymmes' purchase, etc., which the 
constitutional cnnvention agreed to with a few 
minor cimsiderations. These Congres.s accepted, 
and pa.s.sed the act in accordance thereto. The 
First General Assembly found abundance of work 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



to do regarding these various items, and, at once, 
set themselves to the task. Laws were passed re- 
garding all these ; new counties created ; officers 
iipiiiilnted for the same, until they could be elected, 
and courts and machinery of government put in 
motion. President Judges and lawyers traveled 
their circuits holding courts, often in the open air 
or in a log shanty ; a constable doing duty as 
guard over a jury, jtrobably seated on a log under 
a tree, or in the bushes. The President Judge in- 
s(ructed the officers of new counties in their duties, 
and though the whole keeping of matters accorded 
with the times, an honest feeling generally pre- 
vailed, inducing each one to perform his part as 
effectually as his knowledge permitted. 

The State continually filled with people. New 
towns arose all over the country. Excepting the 
occasional sicknesses caused by the new climate and 
ficsh soil, the general health of the people im- 
proved as time went on. They were fully in ac- 
cord with the President, Jelferson, and carefully 
nurtured those principles of personal liberty en- 
grafted in the fundamental law of 1 7 87, and later, 
in the Constitution of the State. 

Little if any change occurred in the natural 
course of events, following the change of govern- 
ment until Burr's expedition and plan of secession 
in 1805 and 180(3 appeared. What his plans 
were, have never been definitely ascertained. His 
action related more to the General Government, 
yet Ohio was called upon to aid in putting down 
his insurrection — for such it was thought to be — 
and defeated his purposes, whatever they were. 
His plans ended only in ignominious defeat ; tlie 
breaking-up of one of the finest homes in the 
Western country, and the expulsion of himself and 
all those who were actively engaged in his scheme, 
whatever its imports were. 

Again, for a period of four or five years, no 
exciting events occurred. Settlements continued ; 
mills and flictories increased ; towns and cities 
grew ; counties were created ; trade enlarged, and 
naught save the common course of events trans- 
pired to mark the course of time. Other States 
were made fi'om the old North wast Territijry, all 
parts of which were rapidly being occupied by 
settlers. The danger from Indian hostilities was 
little, and the adventurous wliites were rapidly 
occupying their country. One thing, however, 
was yet a continual source of annoyance to the 
Americans, viz., the British interference with the 
Indians. Their traders did not scrapie, nor fail 
on every oppt)rtunity, to aid" these sons of the 



forest with arms and ammunition as occasion 
offered, endeavoring to stir them up against the 
Americans, until events here and on the high seas 
culminated in a declaration of hostilities, and the 
war of 1812 was the result. The deluded red 
men found then, as they found in 1795, that they 
were made tools by a stronger power, and dropped 
when the time came that they were no longer 
needed. 

Before the opening of ho.stilities occurred, how- 
ever, a series of acts passed the General Asisembly, 
causing considerable excitement. These were the 
famous "Sweeping Resolutions," passed in 1810. 
For a few years prior to their passage, considera- 
ble discontent prevailed among many of the legis- 
lators regarding the rulings of the courts, and by 
many of these embryo law-makers, the legislative 
power was considered omnipotent. They could 
change existing laws and contracts did they desire 
to, thought many of them, even if such acts con- 
flicted with the State and National Constitutions. 
The •' Sweeping Resolutions " were brought about 
mainly by the action of the judges in declaring 
that ju.stices of the peace could, in the collection 
of debts, hold jurisdiction in amounts not exceed- 
ing fitly dollars without the aid of a jury. The 
Constitution of the United States gave the jury 
control in all such cases where the amount did not 
exceed twenty dollars. There was a direct con- 
tradiction against the organic law of the land — to 
which every other law and act is subversive, and 
when the judges declared the legislative act uncon- 
stitutional and hence null and void, the Legisla- 
ture became suddenly inflamed at then- independ- 
ence, an<I proceeded at once to punish the admin- 
istrators of justice. The legislature was one of 
the worst that ever controlled the State, and was 
composed of many men who were not only igno- 
rant of common law, the necessities of a State, and 
the dignity and true import of their office, but 
were demagogues in every respect. Having the 
power to impeach officers, that body at once did 
so, having enough to carry a two-thirds majority, 
and removed several judges. Further maturing 
their plans, the " Sweepers," as they were known, 
construed the law appointing certain judges and 
civil officers for seven years, to mean seven years 
fi'om the organization of the State, whether they 
had been officers that length of time or not. All 
officers, whether of new or old counties, were con- 
strued as included in the act, and, utterly ignoring 
the Constitution, an act was passed in January, 
1810, removing every civil officer in the State. 



HISTOKY OF OHIO. 



125 



February 1(), tlioy i)roceeded to fill all these va- 
cant offices, from State officers down to the lowest 
county office, citlior by appointment or by ordering 
an election in tlio njanner prescribed by law. 

The Constitution provided that the office of 
judges should continue for seven years, evidently 
seven years from the time they were elected, and 
not from the date of the admission of the State, 
which latter construction this headlong Legisla- 
ture had construed as tlic meaning. Manj' of the 
counties had been organized but a j'ear or two, 
others three or four years ; hence an indescribable 
confusion arose as soon as the new set of officers 
were appointed or elected. The new order of 
things could not be made to work, and finally, so 
utterly impu.^sible did the injustice of the proceed- 
ings become, that it was dropped. The decisions 
of the courts were upheld, and the invidious doc- 
trine of supremacy in State legislation received 
such a check that it is not likely ever to be repeated. 

Another act of the Assembly, during this pe- 
riod, shows its construction. Congress had granted 
a township of land for the use of a university, and 
located the townsliip in Symmes' purcha.se. This 
Assembly located the university on land outside 
of this purcha.se, ignoring tlie act of Congress, as 
tliey had done before, showing not only ignorance 
of the true scope of law, but a lack of respect un- 
becoming such bodies. 

The seat of government was also moved from 
Chillicothe to Zancsville, which vainly hoped to be 
made the permanent State capital, but the next 
session it was again taken to Chillicothe, and com- 
missioners appointed to locate a permanent capital 
site. 

These commissioners were James Findlcy, Jo- 
seph Darlington, Wyllys Silliman, Roa.son Bcall, 
and William McFarland. It is stated that they 
rep<irte<l at first in fovor of Dublin, a small town 
on the Scioto about fourteen miles above Colum- 
bus. At the session of 1812-13, the A.s.sembly 
accepted the proposals of Col. James Johnston, 
Alexander McLaughlin, John Kerr, and Lyne 
Starling, who owned the site of Columbus. The 
As,scmbly also decreed that the t«mporar\' seat of 
government should remain at Chillicothe until the 
buildings necessary for the State officers should be 



erected, when it would be taken there, forever to 
remain. This was done in ISlti, in December of 
that year the first meeting of the Assembly being 
held there. 

The site selected for the capital was on the east 
bank of the Scioto, about a mile below its junction 
with the Olentangy. Wide streets were laid out, 
and preparations for a city made. The expecta- 
tions of the founders have been, in this respect, re- 
alized. The town was laid out in the .springof 1812, 
under the direction of Moses Wright. A .sliort 
time after, the contract for making it the capital Wits 
signed. June IS, the same day war was declared 
against Great Britain, the sale of lots took place. 
Among the early settlers were George 3IcCor- 
mick, Gc(jrge B. Harvey, John Shields, jMichael 
Patton, Alexander Pattoii, William Altman, John 
Collett, William Mcl-^lvain, Daniel Kooscr, Peter 
Putnam, Jacob Hare, Christian Heyl, Jarvis, George 
and Benjamin Pike, William Long, and Dr, John 
M. Edmin.soii. In 1814, a house of worship was 
built, a .school opened, a new.spaper — The Wt stern 
Intdligeiicer and Columbus Gazette, now the 
Ohio State Journal — was started, and the old 
State House erected. In 1816, the "Borough of 
Columbus" wa.s incorporated, and a mail route once 
a week between Chillicothe and Columbus started. 
In 1819, the old United States Court House was 
erected, and the seat of justice removed from 
Franklinton to Columbus. Until 182(), times were 
exceedingly '■ slow " in the new capital, and hut lit- 
tle growth experienced. The improvement period 
revived the capital, and enlivened its trade and 
growth so that in 1834, a city charter was granted. 
The city is now about third in size in the State, 
and contains man}' of the most prominent public 
institutions. The jiresent capitol building, one of 
the best in the West, is patterned somewhat after 
the national Capitol at Washington Citj'. 

From the clo.se of the agitation of the " Sweeping 
Resolutions," until the opening of the war of 1812, 
but a short time elapsed. In fact, scarcclj' had 
one subsided, ere the other was upon the country. 
Though the war was national, its theater of opera- 
tions wa-s partly in Ohio, that State taking an act- 
ive part in its operations. Indeed, its liberty 
depended on the war. 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



LIST OF TERRITORIAL AND STATE GOVERNORS, 

From the organization of the first civil government in the Northwest Territory (1788 to 1802), 0/ wAi'cA the State of 
Ohio was apart, until the year 1880. 



(a) Arthur St. Clair 

*Charles Willing Byrd 

(A) Edward Tiffin 

(c) fThomas Kirker 

Samuel Huntington 

(d) Return Jonathan Meigs.. 

■[■(Jthniel Looker 

Thomas Wortliington 

(p) Ethan Allen Brown 

fAIlen Trimble 

Jeremiah Morrow 

Allen Trimble 

Duncan McArthur 

Robert Lucas 

Joseph Vance 

W ilson Shannon 

Thomas Corwiu 

(f) Wilson Shannon 

JThomas W. Hartley 

Mordecai Hartley 

William Bebb 

(g) Seabury Ford 

\k) Reuben Wood 

(./)^ William Medill 

Salmon P. Chase 

W illiam Dennison 

David Tod 

(k) John Brough 

^Charles Anderson 

Jacob D. Cox 

Rutherford B. Hayes 

Edward F. Noyes 

William Allen 

(I) Rutherford B. Hayes 

(m) Thomas L. Young 

Richard M. Bishop 

Charles Foster 



Hamilton 

Ross 

Adams 

Trumbull 

Washington... 

Hamilton 

Ross 

Hamilton 

Highland 

Warren 

Highland 

Ross 

Pike 

Champaign ... 

Belmont 

Warren 

Belmont 

Richland 

Richland 

Butler 

Geauga 

Cuyahoga 

Fairfield 

Hamilton 

Franklin 

Mahoning 

Cuyahoga 

Montgomery.. 

Trumbull 

Hamilton 

Hamilton 

Ross 

Sandusky 

Hamilton 

Hamilton 

Sandusky 



July 1£ 

Nov. 

March 

March 

Dec. 

Dec. 

April 



Dee. 

Dec. 

Jan. 

Dec. 

Dec. 

Dec. 

Dec. 

Dec. 

Dec. 

Dec. 

Dec. 

April 

Dec. 

Dec. 

Jan. 

Dec. 

July 

.Fan. 

Jan. 

.Ian. 

Jan. 

Aug. 

Jan 

Jan. 

.Ian. 

Jan. 

Jan. 

March 

Jan. 

Jan. 



1788 
1802 
1803 
1807 
1808 
1810 
1814 
1814 
1818 
1822 
1822 
1820 
1830 
1832 
1836 
1838 
1840 
1842 
1844 
1844 
184(i 
1849 
1850 
L85; 
18.56 
1860 
1862 
1864 
1865 
186t 



Nov. 

March 3, 
March 4, 
Dec. I2I 
Dec. 8, 
.March 25, 
Dec. 8 



Dec. 

Jan. 

Dec. 

Dec. 

Dec. 

Dec. 

Dec. 

Dec. 

Dec. 

Dec. 

.\pril 

Dec. 

Dec. 

•Tan. 

Dec. 

July 

Jan. 

Jan. 

Jan. 

Jan. 

Aug. 

Jan. 

Jan. 



1808 Jan. 
1872 Jan. 



1874 
1876 
1877 
1878 
1880 



Jan. 
March 
Jan. 
Jan. 



1802 
1803 
1807 
1808 
1810 
1814 
1814 
1818 
1822 
1822 
1826 
1830 
1832 
1836 
1838 
1840 
1842 
1844 
1844 
1846 
1849 
1850 
1853 
1856 
1860 
1862 
1864 
18G5 
1866 
1868 
1872 
1874 
1876 
1877 
1878 
1880 



(a) Arthur St. Clair, of Pennsylvania, was Governor of the North- 
west Territory, of which Ohio was a part.from July l.?, 1788, when the 
first civil government was estahlished in the Territory, until about 
the close of the year 1802, when he was removed by the President. 

* Secretary of the Territory, and was acting Governor of the 
Territory after the removal of Gov. St. Clair. 

(6) Resigned March 3, 1807, to accept the otSce of U. S. Senator. 

(c) Return Jonathan Meigs waH elected Governor on the second 
Tuesday of October, 1807, over Nathaniel Massie, who contested the 
election of Meiga, on the ground that "he had not been a resident of 
this State for four years next preceding the election, as required by 
the Constitution,"' and the General Assembly, in joint convention, 
declared tliat he was not eligible. The office was not given to 
Massie, nor does it appear, from the records that he claimed it, but 
Thomas Kirker, acting Governor, continued to discharge the duties 
of the office until December 12, 1808, when Samuel Huntington was 
inaugurated, he having been elected on the second Tuesday of 
October in that year. 

(d) Resigned March 25, 1814, to accept the oflnce of Postmaster- 
General of the United States. 



i of Consul to Val- 



(e) Resigned January 4, 1822. 10 accept the office of United 
States Senator. 

( f) Resigned April 13, 1844, to accept the office of Minister to 
Mexico. 

I.g) The result of the election in 1848 was not finally determined m 
joint convention of the two houses of the General Assembly until 
January 19,1849, and the inauguration did not take place until the 
22d of that month. 

(70 Resigned July 15, 1853 to accept th 
paraiso. 

(;■) Elected in October, 1853, for the regular term, to commence 
on the srccmd Monday of January, 1854. 

(Jl Died August 29, 1SG5. 

f Acting Governor. 

X Acting Governor, vice Wilson Shannon, resigned. 

If Acting Governor, vice Reuben Wood, resigned. 

i Acting Governor, vice John Brough, deceased. 

(I) Resigned March 2, 1877, to accept the office of President of 
the United States. 

(m) Vice Rutherford B. Hay< 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



J27 



CHAPTER XL 

THE WAR OF 1S12— GROWTH OF THE STATE— CANAL, RAILROADS AND OTHER IMPROVEMENTS 
—DEVELOPMENT OF STATE RESOl'RCE.S. 



IN June, 1812, war was declared against Great 
Britain. Befure this, an act was passed liy Con- 
gress, autliorizing tiie increase oi" the regular army 
to thirty-five thous;»nd troops, and a large force of 
volunteers, to serve twelve months. Under this 
act, Return J. Meigs, then (JovtM-nor of t)hio, in 
April and May, 1812, raised three regiments of 
troops to serve twelve months. They rendez- 
voused at Dayton, elected their officers, and pre- 
pared for the campaign. These regiments were 
numbered First, Second and Third. Duncan Me- 
Arthur was Colonel of the First ; James Findlay, 
of the Second, and Lewis ('iiss, of the Third. 
Early in June these troops marched to Urbana, 
where they were joined by Boyd's Fourth Regiment 
of regular troo]is, under command of Col. Miller, 
who hail been in the battle of Tippecanoe. Near 
the miiMIe of Juno, this little army of about 
twenty-five hundred nun. under command of Gov. 
William Hull, of Michigan, who had been author- 
ized by Congress to raise the troops, started on 
its northern march. By the end of June, the 
army had reached the JIaumee, after a very severe 
march, erecting, on the way, Forts McArthur, Ne- 
cessitj' and Findlay. By some carelessness on the 
part of the American Government, no official word . 
had been sent to the tronticrs ng:inlini: the war, 
while the British had taken an early precaution to 
prepare for the crisis. Gov. Hull was very care- 
ful in military etiquette, and refiised to march, or 
do any offensive acts, unless commanded by his 
superior officers at Washington. While at the 
Maumec, by a careless move, all his personal 
eflfects, including all his plans, number and strength 
of his army, etc., fell into the hands of the enemy. 
His campaign ended only in ignominious defeat, 
and wtll-uigh paralyzed future cft'urts. All Jlich- 
igan tell into the hands of the Brilish. The com- 
mander, though a good man, lacked bravery and 
promptness. Had Gen. Harrison been in com- 
mand no such results would have been the case, 
and the war would have probably ended at the 
outset. 

Before Hull had surrendered, Charles Scott, 
Governor of Kentucky, invited Gen. Hanison, 



Governor of Indiana Territory, to visit Frankfort, 
to consult on the subject of ditcnding the North- 
west, (rov. Harrison had visited (iov. Scott, and 
in August, 1812, accepted the appointment of 
Major General in the Kentucky militia, and, by 
hasty traveling, on the receijit of the news of the 
surrender of Detroit, reached Cincinnati on the 
morning of the 27th of that month. On the HOth 
he left Cincinnati, and the next day overtook the 
army he was to command, on its way to Dayton. 
Afler leaving Dayton, he was overtaken by an ex- 
press, informing him of his appointment by the 
Government as Commander-in-Chief of the armies 
of the Indiana and Illinois Territories. The army 
reached Piqua, September 3. From this place 
Harrison sent a body of troops to aid in the de- 
fense of Fort Wayne, threatened by the enemy. 
On the Gth he ordered all the troops forward, and 
while on the march, on September 17, he was 
informed of his appointment as commander of the 
entire Northwestern troops. He found the army 
poorly clothed fi)r a winter campaign, now ap- 
proaching, and at once issued a stirring addre.ss to 
the people, asking for food and comfortable cloth- 
ing. The address was not in vain. After his 
apjiointment, Gen. Harrison pushed on to Au- 
glaize, where, leaving the army under command of 
Gen. Winchester, he returned to the interiorof the 
State, and establishing his headcjuarters at Frank- 
linton, began active measures for the campaign. 

Early in March, 1812, Col. John Miller rai.sed, 
under orders, a regiment of infantry in Ohio, and 
in July assembled his enlisted men at Chillicothe, 
where, placing them — only one hundred and forty 
in number — under command of Captain Angus 
Lewis, he .sent them on to the frontier. Thcj' erect- 
ed a block-house at I'iqua and then went on to 
Defiance, to the main bod)' of the armv. 

In July, 1812, Gen. Edward W.."Tupper, of 
Grallia County, raised one thousand men for six 
months' duty. Under orders fmni Gen. AVinches- 
ter, they marched through Chillicothe and Urbana, 
on to the Maumee, where, near the lower end of 
the rapids, they made an inefl'ectual attempt to 
drive off the enemy. Failing in this, the enemy 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



attiicked Tujiper and his troops, who, thougli worn 
down with the march and not a Httle disorganized 
through tho jealousies of the officers, withstood 
the attack, and repulsed the British and their red 
allies, who returned to Detroit, and the Aiuericuus 
to Fort McArthur. 

In the fall of 1812, Gen. Harrison ordered a 
detachment of six hundred men, mostly mounted, 
to destroy the Indian towns on the Missisineway 
River, one of the head-waters of the Wabash. 
The winter set in early and with unusual severity. 
At the same tiiue this expedition was carried on, 
Bonaparte was retreating from ^Moscow. Theexpe- 
ditiiin accomplished its design, though the troops 
suffered greatly from the cold, no less than two 
hundred men being more or less frost bitten. 

<Ti>n. Harrison determined at once to retake 
^Michigan and establish a line of defense along the 
southern shores of the lakes. Winchester was 
sent to occupy Forts Wayne and Defiance; Perkins' 
brigade to Lower Sandusky, to fortify an old 
stockade, and some Pennsylvania troops and artil- 
lery sent there at the same time. As soon as 
Gen. Harrison heard the results of the Missis- 
ineway expedition, he went to Chillicothe to con- 
sult with Gov. Meigs about further movements, 
anil the best methods to keep the way between the 
Upper Miami and the Maumee continually open. 
Ho also sent Gen. Winchester word to move for- 
ward to the rapids of the jVIaumee and prepare for 
winter quarters. This Winchester did by the 
middle of January, 1813, establishing himself on 
the northern bank of the river, just above Wayne's 
old battle-ground. He was well fixed here, and 
was enabled to give his troops good bread, made from 
corn gathered in Indian corn-fields in this vicinity. 

While here, the inhabitants of Freni-litown, on 
the RaLsin River, about twenty miles from Detroit, 
sent W^inchester word claiming protection from tlie 
threatened British and Indian invasion, avowing 
themselves in sympathy with the Americans. A 
council of war decided in favor of their request, 
and Col. Lewis, with .550 men, sent to their relief. 
Soon aft«r. Col. Allen was sent with more troops, 
and the enemy easily driven away from about 
Frenchtown. Word was sent to Gen. Winchester, 
who determined to march with all the men he 
could spare to aid in holding the post gained. He 
left, the 19th of January, with 250 men, and ar- 
rived on the evening of the 20th. Failing to 
take the necessary precaution, from some unex- 
plained reason, the enemy came up in the night, 
established his batteries, and, the next day, sur- 



prised and defeated the American Army with a 
terrible loss. Gen. Winchester was made a pris- 
oner, and, finally, those who were intrenched in 
the town surrendered, under promise of Proctor, 
the British commander, of protection from the 
Imlians. This promise was gi-ossly violated the 
next day. The savages were allowed to enter the 
town and enact a massacre as cruel and bloody as 
any in the annals of the war, to the everhisting 
ignominy of the British General and his troops. 

Tliiise of the American Army that escaped, ar- 
rived at the rapids on the evening of the 22d of 
January, and soon the sorrowful news spread 
throughout the army and nation. Gen. Hamson 
set about retrieving the disaster at once. Delay 
could do no good. A fort was built at the rapids, 
named Fort Meigs, and troops from the south and 
west hurriedly advanced to the scene of action. 
The investment and capture of Detroit was aban- 
doned, that winter, owing to the defeat at French- 
town, and expiration of the terms of service of 
many of the troops. Others took their places, 
all parts of Ohio and bordering States sending 
men. 

The erection of Fort Meigs was an obstacle in 
the path of the British they determined to remove, 
and, on the 28th of February, 1813, a large band 
of British and Indians, under command of Proc- 
tor, Tecumseh, Walk-in-the-water, and other In- 
dian chiefs, appeared in the Maumee in boats, and 
prepared for the attack. Without entering into 
details regarding the investment of the fort, it is 
only necessary to add, that after a prolonged siege, 
lasting to the early part of May, the British were 
obliged to abandon the fort, having been severely 
defeated, and sailed for the Canadian shores. 

Next followed the attacks on Fort Stephenson, 
at Lower Sandusky, and other predatory excur- 
sions, by the British. All of these failed of their 
design; the defense of Maj. Croghan and his men 
constituting one of the most brilliant actions of the 
war. For the gallant defense of F'ort Stephenson by 
Maj. Croghan, then a young man, the army merited 
the highest honors. The ladies of Chillicothe voted 
the heroic Major a fine sword, while the whole 
land rejoiced at the exploits of him and his band. 

The decisive efforts of the army, the gi-eat num- 
ber's of men offered — many of whom Gen. Harrison 
was obliged to send home, much to their disgust^ — 
Perry's victory on Lake Erie, September 10, 
1813 — all presaged the triumph of the American 
arms, soon to ensue. As soon as the battle on 
the lake was over, the Briti.sh at Maiden burned 



:"!- 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



tlicir stores, ami fled, while the Americans, under 
their g:illant couuuander, followed them in Perry's 
vessel to the Canada shure, overtaking them on 
the Kiver Thames, October 5. In tlie battle that 
ensued, Tecumseh was slaiu,and the BritLsh Army 
routed. 

The war was now practically closed in the West. 
Ohio troops had done nobly in defending their 
northern frontier, and in regaining the Northwest- 
ern country. Gen. Harrison was s<ion after elected 
to Congress by the Cincinnati district, and Oen. 
]>uncan IMcArthur was appointed a Brigadier 
General in the regular army, and assigned to the 
command in his place. Gen. JIcArthur made an 
expedition into Upper Canada in the spring of 
1814, destroying considerable property, and driv- 
ing the British farther into their own dominions. 
Peace w;i3 declared early in 1815, and tliat .spring, 
the troops were mustered out of service at Chilli- 
cothe, and peace with England reigned supreme. 

The results of the war iu Ohio were, for awhile, 
similar to the Indian war of 1795. It brought 
many people into the State, and opened new por- 
tions, before unknown. Many of the .soldiers im- 
mediately invested thi;ir money in lands, and became 
citizens. The war drove many jjyople from the 
Atlantic Coast west, and as a result much money, 
for awhile, circulated. Labor and provisions ro.se, 
which enabled both workmen and tradesmen to 
enter tracts of land, and aided emigration. At the 
conclusion of Wayuj's war in 179."), probably 
not more than five thousand people dwelt in tiie 
limits of the State ; at the clo.se of the war of 1812, 
that number was largely increa.sed, (!ven with the 
odds of war against them. Aft«rthe last war, the 
emigration was constant and gradual, building up 
tlie State in a manner that betokened a healthful 
life. 

As soon as the effects of the war had worn off, 
a period of depression set in, as a result of too 
free speculation indulged in at its close. Gradu- 
ally a stagnation of business ensued, and many 
who found themselves unable to meet contracts 
luade in " flush " times, found no alternative but 
to fail. To relieve the pressure in all parts of 
the West, Congress, about 1815, reduced the 
price of public lands from S2 to 81.25 
per acre. This measure worked no little 
hardship on those who owned large tracts of 
lands, for portions of which they had not fully 
paid, and ius a consec|Ucnce, these lands, as well 
as all others of tliis class, reverted to the 
Government. The general market was in New 



Orleans, whither goods weie transported iu flat- 
boats built especially for this jjuposi;. This com- 
merce, though small and poorly rejiaid, wa.s the 
main avenue of trade, and did much for the slow 
prosperit}' prevalent. The few banks in the State 
found their bills at a discount abroad, and gradu- 
ally becoming drained of their specie, either clo.sed 
business or fiiiled, the major part of them adopt- 
ing the latter course. 

The steamboat began to be an important factor 
in the river navigation of the West about this 
period. The first boat to descend the Ohio was 
the Orleans, built at Pitt.sburg iu 1812, and in 
December of that year, while tlie fortunes of war 
hung over the land, she made her first trip from the 
Iron City to New Orleans, being just twelve days 
on the way. The second, built by Samuel Smith, 
was called the Comet, and made a trip as far 
south as Louisville, in the summer of 1813. The 
third, the Vesuvius, was built by Fulton, and went 
to New Orleans in 1814. The fourth^ built by 
Daniel French at Brownsville, Penn., made two 
trips to Louisville in the summer of 1814. The 
next vessel, the iEtua, was built by Fulton & 
Company in 1815. So fast did the business 
increase, that, four years after, more than 
forty steamers floated on the Western waters. 
Improvements in machinery kept pace with the 
building, until, in 1888, a competent writer stated 
there were no less than four hundred steamers iu 
the West. Since then, the erection of railways 
has greatly retarded ship-building, and it is alto- 
gether probable the number has increased but 
little. 

The question of canals began to agitate the 
Western country during the decade succeeding the 
war. They had been and were being constructed 
in older countries, and presaged good and prosper- 
ous times. If only the waters of the lakes and 
the Ohio Kiver could be united b)' a canal run- 
ning through the midst of the State, thought the 
jjeople, prosjierous cities and towns would arise on 
its banks, and counnerce flow through the land. 
One of the firmest friends of .such im]irovemcnts 
was De Witt Clinton, who had been the chief man 
in forwarding the " Clinton Canal,'' in New York. 
He was among the first to advocate the feasibility 
of a canal connecting Lake Erie and the Ohio 
River, and, by the success of the New York canals, 
did much to bring it about. Popular writers of the 
day all urged the scheme, so that when the A.ssem- 
bly met, early in December, 1821, the resolution, 
offered by Micajah T. Williams, of Cincinnati, 



130 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



for the appointment of a committee of five mem- 
bers to take into consideration so much of the 
Governor's message as related to canals, and see if 
some feasible plan could not be adopted whereby a 
beginning could be made, was quickly adopted. 

The report of the committee, advising a survey 
and examination of routes, met with the approval 
of the Assembly, and commissioners were ap- 
pointed who were to employ an engineer, examine 
the country and report on the practicability of a 
canal between the lakes and the river. The com- 
missioners employed James Geddes, of Onondaga 
County, N. Y., as an engineer. He arrived in 
Columbus in June, 1822, and, before eight months, 
the corps of engineers, under his direction, had 
examined one route. During the next two sum- 
mers, the examinations continued. A number of 
routes were examined and surveyed, and one, from 
Cleveland on the lake, to Portsmouth on the Oliio, 
was recommended. Another canal, from Cincin- 
nati to Dayton, on the JMiami, was determined on, 
and preparations to commence work made. A 
Board of Canal Fund Commissioners was created, 
money was borrowed, and the morning of July 
4, 1825, the first shovelful of earth was dug near 
Newark, with imposing ceremonies, in the presence 
of De Witt Clinton, Governor of New York, and 
a mighty concourse of people assembled to witness 
the auspicious event. 

Gov. Clinton was escorted all over the State to 
aid in developing the energy everywhere apparent. 
The events were important ones in the history of 
the State, and, though they led to the creation of 
a vast debt, yet, in the end, the canals were a 
benefit. 

The main canal — the Ohio and Erie Canal^ 
was not ciiuipleted till 1832. The Jlaumee Canal, 
from Dayton to Cincinnati, was finished in 1834. 
They cost the State about §G,OU((,000. Each of 
the main canals had branches leading to important 
towns, where their construction could be made 
without too much expense. The IMiamiand Mau- 
mve. Canal, from Cincinnati northward along the 
Mianu River to Piqua, thence to the Maumee 
and on to the lake, was the largest canal made, 
and, for many years, was one of the most important 
in the State. It joined the Wabash Canal on the 
eastern boundary of Indiana, and thereby saved 
the construction of many miles by joining this 
great canal from Toledo to Evansville. 

The largest artificial lake in the world, it is said, 
was built to supply water to the Miami Canal. It 
exists yet, though the canal is not much used. It 



is in the eastern part of Mercer County, and is 
about nine miles long by from two to four wide. 
It was formed by raising two walls of earth from 
ten to thirty feet high, called respectively the east 
and west embankments ; the first of which is about 
two miles in length ; the second, about four. These 
walls, with the elevation of the ground to the 
north and south, formed a huge basin, t(j retain 
the water. The reservoir was commenced in 1837, 
and finished in 1845, at an expense of several 
hundred thousand dollars. When first built, dur- 
ing the accumulation of water, much malarial 
disease prevailed in the surrounding country, owing 
to the stagnant condition of the water. The citi- 
zens, enraged at what they considered an innova- 
tion of their rights, met, and, during a dark night, 
tore out a portion of the lower wall, letting the 
water flow out. The damage cost thousands cif 
dollars to repair. All who participated in the 
proceedings were liable to a severe imprisonment, 
but the state of feeling was such, in fiercer County, 
where the offense was committed, that no jury 
could be found that would try them, and the afiair 
gradually died out. 

The canals, so efficacious in their day, were, 
however, superseded by the railroads rapidly find- 
ing their way into the West. From England, 
where they were early used in the collieries, the 
transition to America was easy. 

The first railroad in the United States was built 
in the summer of 182G, from the granite quarry 
belonging to the Bunker Hill Monument Associa- 
tion to tlie wharf landing, three miles distant. The 
road was a slight decline from the Cfuarry to 
the wharf, hence the loaded cars were pro- 
pelled by their own gravity. On their return, 
when empty, they were drawn up by a single 
horse. C)ther roads, or tramways, quickly followed 
this. They were built at the Pennsylvania coal 
mines, in South Carolina, at New Orleans, and at 
Baltimore. Steam motive power was u.sed in 1831 
or 1832, first in America on the Baltimore & Ohio 
Railroad, and in Charlestown, on a railroad there. 

To transfer these highways to the West was the 
cjuestion of but a, few years' time. The prairies of 
Illinois and Indiana offered superior inducements 
to such enterprises, and, early in 1835, they began 
to be agitated there. In 1838, the first rail was 
laid in Illinois, at Meredo.sia, a little town on the 
Illinoi.s River, on what is now the Wabash Railway. 

"The first railroad made in Ohio," writes Caleb 
Atwater. in his "History of Ohio," in 1838, "was 
finished in 183G by the people of Toledo, a town 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



131 



some two years old then, situated near the mouth 
of Maumee River. The road extends westward in- 
to Michigan and is some thirty miles in length. 
There is a road ahout to bo made from Cincinnati 
to Springfield. This road follows the Ohio River 
up to the Little Jliami River, and there turns 
northwardly up its valley to Xenia, and, passing 
the Yellow Springs, reaches Springfield. Its length 
must be about ninety miles. The State will own 
one-half of the road, individuals and the city of 
Cincinnati the other half. This road will, no 
doubt, be extended to Lake Krie, at Sandusky 
City, within a few short years." 

'• There is a railroad." continues 3Ir. Atwater, 
"about to be made from Painesville to the Ohio 
River. There are many charters for other roads, 
which will never be made." 

Mr. Atwater notes also, the various turnpikes as 
■well as the famous National road trom Baltimore 
westward, then completed only to the mountains. 
This latter did a-s much as any enterprise ever en- 
acted in building up and populating the West. 
It gave a uaticmal thoroughfare, which, for many 
years, was the ]irincipal wagon-way from the At- 
lantic to the [Mississippi Valley. 

The railroad to which jMr. Atwater refers a.s 
about to be built from Cincinnati to Springfield, 
was what w;ls known as the Mad River Raih'oad. 
It is commonly conceded to be the first one built 
in Ohio.* Its hustory shows that it was chartered 
March 11, 1830, that work began in 1837; that 
it was completed and opened for business from 
Cincinnati to Milford, in December, 1S42; to Xe- 
nia, in Augu.st, 184.^, and to Springfield, in Au- 
gu.st, 1841). It was laid with strap rails until 
about 1848, when the present form of rail was 
adopted. 

()ne of the earliest roads in Ohio was what w;ls 
known as the Sandusky, Mansfield & Newark Kail- 
road. It was chartered at first as the Mom-oevillc 
& Sandusky City Railroad, March 0, 183.5. March 
12, 1836, the Mansfield & New Haven road was 
chartered; the Columbus & Lake Erie, March 12, 

1845, and the Huron & Oxford, February 27, 

1846. At first it ran only from Sandusky to 
Monroeville, then from Mansfield to Huron. These 

* Hon. E D. Mansfield states, in 1873, tli«t tlie " flmt a/-tiiai piece 
of milroaJ liii.l in Ohio, was made on thn Cincinnali A Sandusky 
Railroad; but, .al»>ut the same time we tiavo tlie Little Miami Rail- 
roa.l, which w.is surveyed in 18;!G and LsriT. If this, the generally 
accepted opinion, Is correct, then Mr. Atwater*8 statement as given, 
la wrong. His hittorv is, however, generally concede<l to be correct. 
Written in 1838, he surely ought to know whereof he was writing, 
aa the railroads were then only in construction ; but few, if any, 
in operation. 



two were connected and consolidated, and then ex- 
tended to Newark, and finally, by connections, to 
Columbus. 

It is unnecessary to follow closely the history of 
these improvements through the yeare succeeding 
their introduction. At first the State owned a 
share in nearly all railroads and canals, but finally 
finding it.solf in debt about 815,000,1)00 for such 
improvements, and learning by its own and neigh- 
bors' experiences, that such policy was detrimental 
to the best interests of the people, abandoned the 
plan, and allowed j)rivate parties entire control of 
all such works. After the close of the Jloxican 
war, and the return to solid values in 1854 or there- 
abouts, the increa.se of railroads in all jiarts of Ohio, 
as well as all parts of the West, was simply marvel- 
ous. At this date there are more than ten thou- 
s;md miles of railroads in Ohio, alongside of which 
stretch innumerable lines of telegraph, a system of 
switt messages invented by Prof Slorse, and adopted 
in the United States about 1851. 

About the time railroad building began to as- 
sume a tangible shape, in 1840, occurred the cele- 
brated political campaign known in history as the 
" Hard Cider Campaign." The gradual encroach- 
ments of the slave power in the West, its arrogant 
attitude in the Congress of the United States and 
iu several State legislatures : its forcible .seizure of 
slaves in the free States, and the enactment and 
attem])ted enforcement of the " fugitive slave" law 
all tended to awaken in the minds of the Northern 
people an antagonism, terminating only in the late 
war and the abolishment of that hideous system iu 
the United States. 

The " Whig Party" strenuously urged the 
abridgm<>nt or confinement of slavery in the 
Southern States, and in the contest the party took 
a most active part, and elected William Henry 
Harrison President of the United States. As he 
had been one of the foremost leadei-s in the war of 
1812, a resident of Ohio, and one of its most pop- 
ular citizens, a log cabin and a ban-el of cider were 
adopted as hLs exponents of popular opinion, as 
expressive of the rule of the common ])eo)ilc repre- 
sented in the cabin and cider, in turn representing 
their ])rimitive and simple habits of life. He 
lived but thirty days after his inauguration, dying 
on the !»th of April, 1841, when John Tyler,' the 
Vice President, succeeded him as Chief Executive 
of the nation. 

The building of railroads; the extension of com- 
meree; the settlement of all part>s of the State; 
its growth in commerce, education, religion and 



132 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



population, are the chief events from 1841 to the an insane idea that something could be had for 

Mexican war. Hard times occurred about iis often j nothing. The bubble burst as often as inflated, 

as they do now, preceded by " flush" times, when I ruining many people, but seemingly teaching few 

speculation ran rife, the people all infatuated with \ lessons. 



CHAPTER XII. 



MEXICAN WAR- 



- CONTINUED GROWTH OF THE STATE— WAR OF THE REBELLION- 
PART IN THE CONFLICT. 



THE Mexican War grew out of the question of 
the annexation of Texas, then a province of 
Jlexico, whose territory extended to the Indian 
Territory on the north, and on up to the Oregon 
Territory on the Pacific Coast. Texas had been 
settled largely bj' Americans, who saw the condi- 
tion of affairs that would inevitably ensue did the 
country remain under Mexican rule. They first 
took steps to secede from Mexico, and then asked 
the aid of America to sustain them, and annex the 
country to itself. 

The Whig party and many others opposed this, 
chiefly on the grounds of the extension of slave 
territory. But to no avail. The war came on, 
Mexico was conquered, the war lasting from April 
20, 18-46, to May 30, 1848. Fifty thousand vol- 
unteers were called for the war by the Congress, 
and $10,000,000 placed at the disposal of the 
Pre.sident, James K. Polk, to sustain the army and 
prosecute the war. 

The part that Ohio took in the war may be 
briefly summed up as follows : She had five vol- 
unteer regiments, five companies in the Fifteenth 
Infantry, and several independent companies, with 
her full proportion among the regulars. When 
war was declared, it was something of a crusade to 
many ; full of romance to others ; hence, many 
more were offered than could be received. It was 
a campaign of romance to some, yet one of reality, 
ending in death, to many. 

When the first call for troops came, the First, 
Second and Third Reuimi'iils nf infantry responded 
at once. Alexander Mitclicll was made Colonel of 
the First; John B. Wellerits Lieutenant Colonel ; 
and Major L. Giddings, of Dayton, its Major, 
Thos. L. Hamer, one of the ablest lawyers in Ohio, 
started with the First as its Major, but, before the 
regiment left the State, he was made a Brigadier 
General of Volunteers, and, at the battle of Mon- 
terey, distinguished himself; and there contracted 



disease and laid down hi.s life. The regiment's 
Colonel, who had been wounded at Monterey, came 
home, removed to 3Iinnesota, and there died. 
Lieut. Col. Weller went to California after the 
close of the war. He was United States Senator 
from that State in the halls of Congress, and, at 
last, died at New Orleans. 

The Second Regiment was commanded by Col. 
George W. Morgan, now of Mount Vernon ; Lieut. 
Col. William Irwin, of Lancaster, and Maj. Will- 
iam Wall. After the war closed, Irwin settled in 
Texas, and remained there till he died. Wall lived 
out his days in Ohio. The regiment was never in 
active field service, but was a credit to the State. 

The officers of the Third Regiment were. Col. 
Samuel R. Curtis; Lieut. Col. G. W.'McCookand 
JMaj. John Love. Tlie first two are now dead ; 
the Major lives in McConnellsville. 

At the close of the finsl year of the war, these 
regiments (First, Second and Third) were mustered 
out of service, as their term of enlistment had 
expired. 

When the second year of the war began, the 
call for more troops on the part of the Government 
induced the Second Ohio Infantry to re-organize, 
and again enter the service. William Irwin, of the 
former organization, was chosen Colonel; William 
Latham, of Columbus, Lieutenant Colonel, and 
William H. Link, of Circleville, Major. Nearly 
all of them are now dead. 

The regular army was increased by eight Ohio 
companies of infantry, the Third Dragoons, and 
the Voltigeurs — light-armed soldiers. In the Fif- 
teenth Regiment of the United States Army, there 
were five Ohio companies. The others were three 
from Michigan, and two from Wisconsin. Col. 
Morgan, of the old Second, was made Colonel of 
the Fifteenth, and John Howard, of Detroit, an 
old artillery officer in the regular army. Lieutenant 
Colonel. Samuel Wood, a captain in the Sixth 



^1 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



133 



United States lutiintry, was luado Jlajiir ; but was 

afterward sueeeedeJ by Mill, uf" Vermont. 

The Fifteenth was iu a number of skirmishes at first, 
and later in the battles of Contreras, Cherubusco 
and Chapultepec. At the battle of Cherubusco, 
the Colonel was severely wounded, and Maj. Mill, 
with several officers, and a large number of men, 
killed. For gallant service at Contrcnis, Col. Mor- 
gan, though only twenty-seven years old, w.is made 
a Brevet Brigadier Genend in the United States 
Army. Since the war he has delivered a number 
of addresses in Ohio, on the campaigns in Mex- 
ico. 

The survivors of the war arc now few. Though 
seventy-five thousand men from the United States 
went into that conflict, less than ten thousand now 
survive. They are now veterans, and as such de- 
light to recount their reminiscences on tlie fields of 
Mexico. They ai'e all in the decline of life, and 
ere a generation passes away, few, if any, will be 
left. 

After the war, the continual growth of Ohio, 
the change in all its relations, necessitated a new 
organic law. The Constitution of 1852 was the 
result. It re-affirmed the political principles of 
the "ordinance of 1787 " and the Constitution of 
1802, and made a few changes necessitated by the 
advance made in the interim, [t created the 
office of Lieutenant Governor, fixing the term of 
service at two years. This Constitution yet stands 
notwithstanding the prolonged attempt in 187"5-74: 
to create a new one. It is now the organic law of 
Ohio. 

From this time on to the opening of the late war, 
the prosperity of the State received no check. 
Towns and cities grew ; railroads multiplied; com- 
merce w;ls extended; the vacant lands were raj)idly 
filled by settlers, and everything tending to the 
advancement of the people was well prosecuted. 
Banks, after much tribulation, had become in a 
measure somewhat secure, their only and serious 
drawback being their isolation or the confinement 
of their circulation to their immediate localities. 
But signs of a mighty contest were apparent. A 
contest almost without a parallel in the annals of 
history ; a contest between freedom and slavery ; 
lictwcen wrong and right; a contest that could 
only end in defeat to the wrong. The Republican 
party came into existence at the close of President 
Tierce's term, in 1855. Its object then was, prin- 
cipally, the restriction of the slave jiower ; ultimately 
its extinction. One of the chief e.xponcntsand sup- 
porters of this growing party in Ohio, wa.-^Salmon P. 



Chase; one who never faltered nor lost faith; and 
who was at the helm of Stale; in the halls of Con- 
gress; chief of one the most important bureaus of 
the Government, and, finally, Chief Justice of the 
United States. When war came, after the election 
of Abraham Lincoln by the Republican party, Ohio 
was one of the first to answer to the call for troops. 
Mr. Chase, while Governor, had re-organized the 
militia on a sensible basis, and rescued it from the 
ignominy into which it had fallen. When Mr. 
Lincoln asked for seventy-five thousand men, 
Ohio s (juota w:is thirteen regiments. The various 
chaotic regiments and militia troops in the State 
did not exceed 1 ,500 men. The call was issued 
April 15, 18()1 ; by the 18th, two regiments were 
organized iu Columbus, whither tlu^se companies 
had gathered; before sunrise of the l!)th the Jii-xt 
and second regiments were on their way to Wash- 
ington City. The President had only a.skcd for 
thirteen regiments; thirty were gathering; the 
Government, not yet fully comprehending the 
nature of the rebellion, refused the surplus troops, 
but G<iv. Dennison Wiis authorized to put ten 
additional regiments in the field, as a defensive 
measure, and was also authorized to act on tlie 
defensive as well as on the offensive. The immense 
extent of southern bordt^' made this necessary, 
as all the loyal people in West Virginia and Ken- 
tucky asked for help. 

In the limits of this history, it is impossible to 
trace all the steps Ohio took in the war. One of 
her most talented sons, now at the head of one of 
the greatest newspapers of the world, says, regard- 
ing the action of the people and their Legislature : 

" In one part of the nation there existed a grad- 
ual growth of senliiMcnt against the Union, ending 
in o|ien hostility against its integrity and its Con- 
stitutional law; on tint other side stood a resolute, 
and determined people, though divided in minor 
matters, firmly united on the question of national 
supremacy. The jieojile of Ohio stood squarely 
on this side. Belore this her people had been di- 
vided up to the hour when — 

"'That fierce and sudilen Hash across the nigged black- 
ness broke. 

And, with a voice that shook the land, the guns of Sum- 
ter spoke ; 

**»***»♦* 

And whereso'cr the summons came, there rose the 

angry din. 
As when, upon a rocky coast, a stormy tide sets in.' 

" All waverings then ceased among the people 
and in the Ohio Legislature. The Union must be 



■f- 



IIISTOKY OF OHIO. 



preserved. Tlie wliite heat of patriotism and fe- 
alty to the flag that had beeu vietoriou.s in three 
wars, and had never met but temporary defeat 
then mehed all parties, and dissolved all hesitation, 
and, .Vjiril 18, 18G1, by a unanimous vote of 
ninety-nine llepreseutativcs in its favor, there was 
passed a bill appropriating §500,000 to carry into 
effect the requisition of the President, to protect 
the Xational tlovernment, of which sum §450,000 
were to purchase arms and e(pipments for the 
troops requireil by that re(juisition as the quota of 
Ohio, and §50,00(1 as an extraordinary contingent 
fund for the Governor. The commissioners of the 
State Sinking Fund were authorized, by the same 
bill, to borrow this money, on the G per cent bonds 
of the State, and to issue for the same certificates, 
freeing such bonds from taxation. Then followed 
other such legislation that declared the property of 
volunteers free from execution tor debt during 
their term of service; that declared any resident 
of the State, who gave aid and comfort to the 
enemies of the Union, guilty of treason against 
the State, to be punished by imprisonment at hard 
labor for life; and, as it hail become already evi- 
dent that thousands of militia, beyond Ohio's 
quota of the President's call, would volunteer, the 
Legislature, adopting the sagacious suggestion of 
Gov. Dennison, resolved that all excess of volunteers 
should be retained and paid for service, under 
direction of the Governor. Thereupon a bill 
was passed, authorizing the acceptance of volunteers 
to form ten regiments, and providing §500,000 
for their arms and equipments, and §1,500,000 
more to be disbursed for troops in case of an in- 
vasion of the State. Then other legislation was 
enacted, looking to and providing against the ship- 
ment from or through the State of arms or mu- 
nitions of war, to States either assuming to be 
neutral or in open rebellion; organizing the whole 
body of the State militia; providing suitable oiE- 
cers for duty on the staff of the Governor ; re- 
(juiring contracts for subsistence of volunteers to 
be let to the lowest bidder, and authorizing the 
appointment of additional general oificers. 

" Beibre the adjournment of that Legislature, 
the Speaker of the House had resigned to take 
command of one of the regiments then about to 
start for Washington City ; two leading Senators 
liad beeu appointed Brigadier Generals, and many, 
in fact nearly all, of the other members of both 
houses had, iu one capacity or another, entered the 
military service. It was the first war legislature 
ever elected in Ohio, and, under sudden pressure. 



nobly met the first shock, and enacted the first 
measures of law for war. Laboring under difficul- 
ties inseparable from a condition so unexpected, 
and in the performance of duties so novel, it may 
be historically stated that fljr patriotism, zeal and 
ability, the Ohio Legislature of 1861 was the 
equal of any of its successors ; while in that exu- 
berance of patriotism which obliterated party lines 
and united all in a common effort to meet the 
threatened integrity of the United States as a 
nation, it surjsassed them both. 

" The war was fought, the slave power forever 
destroyed, and under additional amendments to her 
organic law, the Ll^nited States wi]ied the stain of 
human slavery from her escutchenn. lilnTatingover 
four million human beings, niuetccn-twentieths of 
whom were native-born residents. 

" When Lee surrendered at Appomattox Court 
House, Ohio had two hundred regiments of all 
arms in the National service. In the course of 
the war, she had furnished two hundred and thirty 
regiments, besides twenty-six independent batteries 
of artillery, five independent companies of cavalry, 
several companies of sharii.-.h(Mjters. largf jiarts of 
five regiments cvi'ilited to the AVest A'iigiuia con- 
tingent, two regiments ereilited to the Kentucky 
contingent, two transferred to the United States 
colored troops, and a large proportion of the rank 
and file of the Fitly-fourth and Sixty-fifth Massa- 
chusetts lii'giuieuts. also colored men. Ofthe.se or- 
ganizations, twenty-three were infantry regiments 
furuished on the first call of the President, an ex- 
cess of nearly one-half over the State's quota ; one 
hundred and ninety-one were infantry regiments, 
furnished on sui>sequent calls of the President — 
one hundred and seventeen for three years, twenty- 
seven for one year, two for six uinnths, two for 
three months, and forty-two for one hundred days. 
Thirteen were cavalry, and three artillery for three 
years. Of these three-years troops, over twenty 
thousand re-enlisted, as veterans, at the cml of 
their long term of service, to fight till the war 
would end. " 

As original members of these organizations, Ohio 
furuished to the National service the magnificent 
army of 310,G54 actual soldiers, omitting from 
the above number all those who paid commuta- 
tion money, veteran enlistments, and citizens who 
enlisted as soldiers or sailors in other States. The 
count is made from the reports of the Provost 
Marshal General to the War Department. Penn- 
sylvania gave not quite 28,000 more, while Illinois 
fell 48,000 behind; Indiana, 116,000 less; 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



^^ 



Kentucky, 235,000, and Massachusetts, 104,000. 
Tims Oliio more than maintained, in the National 
army, tiie ranic among her sisters which her popu- 
lation supported. Ohio furnished more troops than 
the President ever required of her ; and at the 
end of the war, with more than a thousand men in 
the camp of the State who were never mu.stered 
into the .service, she still had a credit on the rolls 
of the War Dejjartment for 4,332 soldiers, beyond 
the aggregate of all quotas ever assigned to her; 
and, besides all these, 6,479 citizens had. in lieu of 
])ersonal service, paid the commutation ; while In- 
diana, Kentucky, Pennsylvania and New York 
were all from five to one hundred thousand behind 
their quota-s. So ably, through all those years of 
trial and death, did she keep the promise of the 
memorable disj)atch from her first war Governor : 
" If Kentucky refuses to till her quota, Ohio will 
fill it for her." 

"Of the.se troops 11,237 were killed or mor- 
tally wcmnded in action, and of these 6,563 were 
left dead on the field of battle. They fought on 
well-uigh every battle-field of the war. AVithin 
forty-eight houi-s after the first call was made for 
troops, two rcgiment.s were on the way to Wash- 
ington. An Ohio brigade covered the retreat from 
the first battle of Bull Run. Ohio troops formed 
the bulk of army that saved to the Union the 
territory afterward erected into West Virginia ; 
the bulk of the army that kept Kentucky from 
seceding ; a large part of the army that captured 
F(jrt Donclson and Island No. 1 ; a great part of 
the array that from Stone River and Chiekamauga, 
and Mission Ridge and Atlanta, swept to the sea 
and captured Fort McAllister, and north through 
the Carolinas to Virginia." 

When Sherman started on his famous march to 
the sea,, some one .said to President Lincoln, '-They 
will never get through; they will all be captured, 
and the l.'nion will be lost." " It is impossible," 
re])lied the President ; "it cannot be done. Thrre 
is a ml;iliii/ sight of fight in one hundred thou- 
sand iVfsti^rn men.' 

Ohio troops fought at Pea Ridge. They charged 
at Wagner. They helped redeem North Carolina. 
They were in the sieges of A'icksburg, Charleston, 
Mobile and Richmond. At Pittsburg Landing, 
at Antietam, Gettysburg and Corinth, in the 
Wilderness, at Five Forks, before Nashville and 
Appomattox Court House ; " their bones, reposing 
on the fields they won and in the graves they fill, are 
a perpetual pledge that no fliur shall ever wave over 
their graves but that flag they died to maintain." 



Ohio's soil gave birth to, or furnished, a Grant, 
a Sherman, a Sheridan, a McPherson, a Rosecrans, 
a MeClellan, a McDowell, a Mitchell, a Gilmore, a 
Hazen,a Sill, a Stanley, a Stcadman.and others — all 
but one, children ofthe country, reared at West Point 
for such emergencies. Ohio's w;ir record shows 
one General, one Lieutenant General, twenty- Major 
Generals, twenty-seven Brevet Major Generals, and 
thirty Brigadier Generals, and one hundred and 
fifty Brevet Brigadier Generals. Her three war 
Governors were William Dennison, David Todd, and 
John Brough. She furnished, at the same time, 
one Secretary of War, Edwin M. Stanton, and 
one Secretary of the Treasury. Salmon P. Chase. 
Her Senators were Benjamin F. Wade and John 
Sherman. At least three out of five of Ohio's 
able-bodied men stood in the line of battle. On 
the head stone of one of these soldiers, who gave 
his life for the country, and who now lies in a 
National Cemetery, is inscribed these words : 

" \Vc charge the Iivin<; lo preserve that Constitution we 
have died to defend." 

The close of the war and return of peace brought 
a period of fictitious values on the country, occa- 
sioned by the immense amount of currenc)' afloat. 
Property rose to unheard-of values, and everything 
with it. Ere long, however, the decline came, and 
with it " hard times." The climax broke over the 
countr}- in 1873, and for awhile it seemed as if 
the country was on the verge of ruin. People 
found again, as preceding generations had found, 
that real value was the only basis of true prosper- 
ity, and gradually began to work to the fact. The 
Government established the specie basis by 
gradual means, and on the 1st day of January, 
1879, began to redeem its outstanding obligatiims 
in coin. The efi"ect was felt everywhere. Busi- 
ness of all kinds sprang anew into life. A feeling 
of confidence grew as the times went on, and now, 
on the threshold of the year 1 880, the State is en- 
tering on an era of steadfast prosperity ; one which 
has a sure and certain foundation. 

Nearly four years have ela])ed since the great 
Centennial Exhibition was held in Philadelphia ; 
an exhibition that brought from every State in the 
Union the best products of her soil, fiictorias, and 
all industries. In that exhibit Ohio made an ex- 
cellent display. Her stone, iron, coal, cereals, 
woods and eveiything pertaining to lier welfare were 
all represented. Ohio, occupying the middle ground 
of tlie Union, was expected to show to foreign na- 
tions what the valleys of the Mississippi and Ohio 



138 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



coukl jmiducc. The State nobly stood the test 
aud ranked foremost among all others. Her cen- 
tennial building was among the first completed 
and among the neatest and best on the grounds. 
During the summer, the Centennial Commission 
extended invitations to the Governors of the several 
States to appoint an orator and name a day for his 



delivery of an address on the history, progi'ess and 
resources of his State. Gov. Hayes named the 
Hon. Edward D. Mansfield for this purpose, and 
August 9th, that gentleman delivered an address 
so valuable for the matter wliieli it contains, that 
we here give a synopsis of it. 



CHAPTER XIII. 



OHIO IN THE CENTENNIAL— ADDRESS OF EDWARD D. MANSFIELD, LL. D., PHILADELnilA, 

AUGUST 9, 1870. 



ONE hundred j-ears ago, the whole territory, 
from the Alleghany to the Rocky ^Iduutains 
was a wilderness, inhabited only by wild beasts and 
Indians. The Jesuit and Moravian missionai'ies 
were the only white men who had penetrated the 
wilderness or ])eheld its mighty lakes and rivers. 
While the thirteen old colonies were declaring 
their independence, the thirteen new States, which 
now lie in the western interior, had no existence, 
and gave no sign of the future. The solitude of 
nature was unbroken by the steps of civilization. 
The wisest statesman had not contemplated the 
probability of the coming States, and the boldest 
patriot did not dream that this interior wilderness 
should soon contain a greater population tlian the 
thirteen old States, with all the added growth of 
one hundred years. 

Ten years after that, the old States had ceded 
their Western lands to the General Government, 
and the Congress of the United States had passed 
the ordinance of I7S5, for the survey of the pub- 
lic territory, and, in 1787, the celebrated ordinance 
which organized the Northwestern Territory, and 
dedicated it to freedom and intelligence. 

Fifteen years after that, and more than a quarter 
of a century after the Declaration of Independ- 
ence, the State of Ohio was admitted into the 
Union, being the seventeenth which accepted the 
Constitution of the United States. It has since 
grown up to be great, populous and prosperous 
under the influence of those ordinances. At her 
admittance, in 1803, the tide of emigration had 
begun to flow over the Alleghanies into the Valley 
of the Mississippi, and, although no steamboat, no 
railroad then existed, nor even a stage coach helped 
the immigrant, yet the wooden " ark " on the 
Ohio, and the heavy wagon, slowly winding over 



the mountains, bore these tens of thou.sands to the 
wilds of Kentucky and the plains of Ohio. In 
the spring of 1788 — the first year of settlement — 
four thousand five hundred persons passed the 
mouth of the Muskingum in three months, and 
the tide continued to pour on for half a century in 
a widening .stream, mingled with all the races of 
Europe and America, until now, in the hundredth 
yearof America'sindependence, thefive Statesof the 
Northwestern Territory, in the wilderness of 1776, 
contain ten millions of people, enjoying all the 
blessings which peace and prosperity, freedom and 
Christianity, can confer upon any people. Of these 
five States, born under the ordinance of 1787, Ohio 
is the first, olde.st, and, in many things, the gi'eatest. 
In some things it is the greatest State in the Union. 
Let us, then, attempt, in the briefest terms, to 
draw an outline portrait of this great and remark- 
able commonwealth. 

Let us observe its physical aspects. Ohio is 
just one-sixth part of the Northwestern Territory 
— 10,000 S((uare miles. It lies between Lake Erie 
and the Ohio River, having 200 miles of navigable 
waters, on one side flowing into the Atlantic Ocean, 
and on the other into the Gulf of Mexico. Through 
the lakes, its vessels touch on 6,000 miles of 
interior coast, and, through the Mississippi, on 
36,000 miles of river coast; so that a citizen of 
Ohio may pursue his navigation through 42,000 
miles, all in his own country, and all within naviga- 
ble reach of his own State. He who has circumnavi- 
gated the globe, has gone but little more than 
half the distance which the citizen of Ohio finds 
within his natural reach in this vast interior. 

Looking upon the .surface of this State, we find 
no mountains, no barren sands, no marshy wastes, 
no lava-covered plains, but one broad, compact 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



body of arable land, intci'seetcJ with rivers and 
sitreaius and runiiiny; wat<rs, whik' the beautiful 
Ohio flows trauciuilly b}' its side. More; than three 
tfmes the surface of Belgium, and one-third of the 
whole of Italy, it has more natural resources in 
[iroportion than either, and is eajiable of ultimately 
supporting a larger [)o]mlation than any equal sur- 
face ill Europe. Looking from this great arable 
surface, where upon the very hills the gra.ss and 
the forest trees now grow exuberant and abundant, 
we find that underneath this surface, and easily 
accessible, lie 10,000 .scjuare miles of coal, and 
4,000 square miles of iron — coal and iron enough 
to supply the basis of manufacture for a world ! 
All this vast deposit of metal and fuel does not in- 
terrupt or take fi-om that arable surface at all. 
There you may find in one place the same machine 
bringing up coal and salt water from below, while 
the wheat and the corn grow upon the surface 
above. The immense masses of coal, iron, salt and 
freestone deposited below have not in anj' way 
diminished the fertility and production of the soil. 

It has been said by some writer that the char- 
acter of a people is shaped or modified by the 
character of the countiy in which they live. If 
the people of Switzerland have acquired a certain 
air of liberty and indejiendence from the rugged 
mountains around which they live; if the people 
of Southern Italy, or beautiful France, have ac- 
quired a tone of ease and politeness from their 
mild and genial clime, so the people of Ohio, 
placed amidst such a wealth of natur<', in the tem- 
perate zone, should show the be.st fruits of peace- 
ful industry and the best culture of Christian 
civilization. Have they done so? Have their 
own labor and arts and culture come up to the ad- 
vantages of their natural situation? Let us exam- 
ine this growth and their product. 

The first settlement oi' Ohio was made by a 
colony from New England, at the mouth of the 
Muskingum. It was literally a remnant of the 
officers of the Revolution. Of this colony no 
praise of the historian can be its competent, or as 
strong, as the language of Washington. He says, 
in answer toin(|uirics addressed to him: "No col- 
<itiy in .\^merica was ever .settled under such favor- 
able ausiiices as that which has ju.st commenced at 
the Muskingum. Information, prosperity and 
strength will be its characteristics. I know many 
of the settlers personally, and there never were 
men better calculated to promote the welfare of 
.such a community;" and he adds that if he were 
a young man, he knows no country in which he 



would sooner settle than in this Western region." 
This colony, lefl alone for a time, made it,s own 
government and nailed its laws to a tree in the vil- 
lage, an early indication of that law-abiding and 
peaceful spirit which has .since made Ohio a just 
and well-ordered community. The subsequent 
settlements' on the Miami and Scioto were made by 
citizens of New Jersey and Virginia, and it is cer- 
tainly remarkable that among all the early immi- 
gration, there were no ignorant people. In the 
language of Washington, they came with " infor- 
mation," qualified to promote the welfare of the 
community. 

Soon afler the settlement on the 3Iuskingum 
and the Miami, the great wave of migration 
flowed on to the plains and valleys of Ohio and Ken- 
tucky. Kentucky had been .settknl earlier, but the 
main body of emigiants in subsequent yc;irs 
went into Ohio, influenced partly by the great 
ordinance of 1787, securing freedom and schools 
forever, and partly by the greater security of 
titles under the survey and guarantee of the 
United States Government. So(jn the new State 
gTew up, with a rapidity which, until then, was 
unknown in the history of civilization. On the 
Muskingum, where the buffalo had roamed ; on 
the Scioto, where the Shawances had built their 
towns; on the Miami, where the great chiefs of 
the Miamis had reigned ; on the plains of San- 
dusky, yet red with the blood of the white man ; 
on the >Iaume«'. where Wayne, by the victory of 
the '■ Fallen Timbers," had broken the power of 
the Indian confederacy — the emigrants from the 
old States and from Europe came in to cultivate 
the fields, to build up towns, and to rear the insti- 
tutions of Christian civilization, until the single 
State of Ohio is greater in numbers, wealth, and 
education, than was the whole American Union 
when the Declaration of Independence was made. 

Let us now look at the statistics of this growth 
and magnitude, as they arc exhibited in the cen- 
sus of the United States. Taking intervals of 
twenty years, Ohio had: In ISIO, 230,700; in 
18.30, 937,90.3; in 1850, 1,980,329; in 1870, 
2,665,260. Add to this the increase of population 
in the last six years, and Ohio now has, in round 
numbers, 3,000,000 of peoiile — half a million 
more than the thirteen States in 1770 ; and 
her cities and towns have to-day six times the 
population of all the cities of America one hund- 
red years ago. This State is now the third in 
numbers and wciilth. and the first in some of 
those institutions which mark the progress of 



140 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



mankind. That a .small part of the wilderness of 
177G should be more populous than the whole 
Union was then, and that it .should have made a 
social and moral advance greater tlian that of any 
nation in the same time, must be regarded as one 
of the most startling and instructive ficts which 
attend this year of commemoration. If such has 
been the social growth of Ohio, let us look at its 
physical development ; this is best expressed by the 
aggregate productions of the labor and arts of a 
people applied to the earth. In the census statistics 
of the United States these are expressed in the 
aggregate results of agriculture, mining, manufact- 
ures, and commerce. Lot us simplify these statis- 
tics, by comparing the aggregate and ratios as 
between several States, and between Ohio and some 
countries of Europe. 

The aggTegate amount of grain and potatoes — 
farinaceous food, produced in Ohio in 1870 was 
134,938,413 bushels, and in 1874, there were 157,- 
323,597 bushels, being the largest aggregate 
amount raised in any State but one, Illinois, and 
larger per square mile than Illinois or any other 
State in the country. The promises of nature 
wore thus vindicated by the labor of man ; and 
the industry of Ohio has fulfilled its whole duty 
to the sustenance of the country and the world. 
She has raised more grain than ten of the old 
States together, and more than half raised by 
Great Britain or by France. I have not the 
recent statistics of Europe, but McGregor, in liis 
statistics of nations for 1832 — a period of pro- 
found peace — gives the following ratios for the 
leading countries of Europe : Great Britain, area 
120,324 miles; amount of grain, 202,500,000 
bushels; rate per square mile, 2,190 to 1; 
Austria — area 258,603 miles ; amount of grain, 
3GG, 800, 000 bushels; rate per square mile, l,422to 
1; France — area 215,858 miles; amount of grain, 
233,847,300 bushels ; rate per square mile, 1,080 
to 1. The State of Ohio — area per scjuare miles, 
40,000; amount of grain, 150,000,000 bushels; 
rate per square mile, 3,750. Combining the great 
countries of Great Britain, Austria, and France, 
we find that they had 594,785 square miles and 
produced 803,147,300 bushels of grain, which was, at 
the time these statistics were taken, 1 ,450 bushels per 
square mile, and ten bushels to each one of the 
population. Ohio, on the other hand, had 3,750 
bushels per square mile, and fifty bushels to each 
one of the population ; that is, there was five 
times as much grain rai.sed in Ohio, in proportion 
to the people, as in these great countries of Europe. 



As letters make words, and words express ideas, so 
these dry figures of statistics express facts, and 
these facts make the whole history of civilization. 

Lot us now look at the statistics of domestic 
animals. These are always indicative of the state 
of society in regard to the physical comforts. The 
horse must furni.sh domestic conveyances; the 
cattle must furnish the products of the dairy, as 
well as meat, and the sheep must furnish wool. 

Let us see how Ohio compares with other States 
and with Eurojje : In 1870, Ohio had 8,818,000 
domestic animals ; Illinois, 6,925,000 ; New York, 
5,283,000; Pennsylvania, 4,493,000; and other 
States less. The proportion to population in these 
States was, in Ohio, to each penson, 3.3 ; Illinois, 
2.7; New York, 1.2; Pennsylvania, 1.2. 

Let us now see the proportion of domestic ani- 
mals in Europe. The results given by McGregor's 
statistics are : In Great Britain, to each person, 
2.44; llus.sia, 2.00 ; France, 1.50 ; Prussia, 1.02; 
Austria, 1.00. It will be seen that the proportion 
in Great Britain is only two-thirds that of Ohio; 
in France, only one-half; and in Austria and 
Prussia only one-third. It may be said that, in 
the course of civilization, the number of animals 
diminishes as the density of population increases ; 
and, therefore, this result might have been ex- 
pected in the old countries of Europe. But this 
does not apply to Rus.sia or Germany, still less to 
other States in this country. Kussia in Europe 
has not more than half the density of population 
now in Ohio. Austria and Prussia have less than 
150 to the square mile. The whole of the north 
of Europe has not so dense a population as the 
State of Ohio, still less have the States of Illinois 
and Missouri, west of Ohio. Then, therefore, 
Ohio showing a larger proportion of domestic ani- 
mals than the north of Europe, or States west of 
her, with a population not so dense, we see at once 
there must be other causes to produce such a 
phenomenon. 

Looking to some of the incidental results of this 
vast agricultural production, we see that the United 
States exports to Europe immense amounts of 
grain and provisions ; and that there is manufact- 
ured in this country an immense amount of woolen 
goods. Then, taking these statistics of the raw 
material, we find that Ohio produces one-fifth of 
all the wool; one-seventh of all the cheese; one- 
eighth of all the corn, and one-tenth of all the 
wheat ; and yet Ohio has but a fourteenth part of 
the population, and one-eightieth part of the sur- 
face of this country. 






HISTORY OF OHIO. 



Let us take anotlier — a ccimmereial view of this 
matter. AVe have seen that Ohio raises five times 
as much grain per sijuarc mile as is raised per 
square mile in the empires of Great Britain, France 
and Austria, t;iken toj^etlier. Aft«r makiiip: allow- 
ance for the differences of living:, in the working 
cla.sses of this country, at least two-thirds of the 
food and grain of Ohio are a surplus beyond the 
necessities of life, and, therefore, so much in the 
commercial balance of exports. This corresponds 
with the fact, that, in the shape of grain, meat, 
licjuors and dairy products, this v.ist surplus is con- 
stantly moved to the Atlantic States and to Europe. 
The mono}' value of this exported product is equal 
to 8100,0(KI.0(I0 per annum, and to a solid capital 
of 81,500,000,000, after all the sustenance of the 
people has been taken out of the annual crop. 

We are speaking of agriculture alone. We arc 
speaking of a State which began its career more 
than a quarter of a century after the Declaration 
of Independence was made. And now, it may be 
asked, what is the real cause of this extraordinary 
result, which, without .saying anything invidious of 
other States, we may safely say has never been 
surpiLssed in any country ? We have already 
stated two of the advantages po.sse.ssed by Ohio. 
The first is that it is a comjiact, unbroken body of 
arable land, surrounded and intersected by water- 
courses, equal to all the demands of commerce and 
navigation. Xcxt, that it was .secured forever to 
freedom and intelligence b}' the ordinance of 1787. 
The intelligence of it,s future people was secured 
by immense grants of public lands for the purpose 
of education; but neither the blessings of nature, 
nor the wisdom of laws, could obtiijn such results 
without the continuous labor of an intelligent 
people. Such it had. and we have only to take 
the testimony of Wa.shington, already quoted, and 
the statistical results I have given, to prove tliat 
no people has exhibited more steady industry, nor 
has any people directed their labor with more in- 
telligence. 

After the agricultural capacity and production 
of a country, its most important physical feature 
is its mineral products; its capacity for coal and 
iron, the two great olenicnta of material civiliza- 
tion. If we were to take away from Great Britain 
her capacity to produce coal in such v:ist fjuanti- 
ties, we should reduce her to a third-rate position, 
no longer numbered among the great nations of the 
earth. Coal has smelted her iron, run her steam 
engines, and is the basis of her manufactures. 
But when we compare the coal fields of Great 



Britain with those of this country, they are in.sig- 
nificant. The coal fields of all Hurope are small 
compared with those of th(^ central United States. 
The coal district of Durham and Northumberland, 
in England, is only 880 square miles. There are 
other districts of smaller extent, making in the 
whole probably one-half the extent <jf that in 
Ohio. The English coal-beds are representiKi as 
more important, in reference to extent, on account 
of their thickness. There is a small coal district 
in Lanca-shire, where the workable coal-beds are in 
all 150 feet in thickness. But this involves, as is 
well known, tlu; necessity of going to immense 
depths and incurring immense expense. On the 
other hand, the workable coal-beds of Ohio are 
near the surface, and some of them require no ex- 
cavating, except that of the horizcmtal lead from 
the mine to the river or the railroad. In one 
county of Ohio there are thn* beds of twelve, six 
and four feet eich, within fifty feet of the surface. 
At some of the mines having the best coal, the 
lead from the mines is nearly horizontal, and just 
high enough to dump the coal into the railroad 
cars. These coals are of all qualities, from that 
adapted to the domestic fire to the very best qual- 
ity for smelting or manufacturing iron, llecollect- 
ing these facts, let us try to get an idea of the coal 
district of Ohio, The bituminous coal region de- 
escending the western slopes of the Alleghanios, 
occupies large portions of Western Pennsylvania, 
West Virginia, Ohio, Kentucky and Tennessee, I 
suppose that this coal field is not less than fifty 
thousand square miles, exclusive of Western Mary- 
land and the southern terminations of that field in 
Georgia and Alabama. Of this vast field of coal, 
exceeding an3'thing found in Hurope, about one- 
fifth part lies in Ohio. Prof. Mather, in his 
report on the geology of the State (first Geologi- 
cal Report of the State) says: 

" The coal-measures within Ohio occupy a space 
of about one hundred and eighty miles in li-ngth by 
eighty in breadth at the widest part, with an area 
of about ten thojLsand s(|uare miles, extending 
along the Ohio from Trumbull County in the north 
to near the mouth of the Scioto in the south. 
The regularity in the dip, and the moderate incli- 
nation of the .strata, aff<ird iiicilities to the mines 
not known to tho.se of most other countries, espe- 
cially Great Britain, where the strata in which the 
coal is imbedded have been broken and thrown out 
of place .since its deposit, occa.sioning many slips 
and fiiults, and causing much labor and expens<; in 
again recovering the bed. In Ohio there is very 



5 "V 



142 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



little difficulty uf this kiud, the faults being small 
aud seldom found." 

Now, taking into consideration these geological 
facts, let us look at the extent of the Ohio coal 
field. It occupies, wholly or in part, thirty-six 
counties, including, geographically, 1-1,000 S(juare 
miles ; but leaving out tractions, and reducing the 
Ohio coal field within its narrowest limits, it is 
10,000 S([uare miles in extent, lies near the surface, 
and lias on an average twenty feet thickness of work- 
able coal-beds. Let us compare this with the coal 
mines of Durham and Northumberland (England), 
the largest and best coal mines there. That coal 
district is estimated at 850 s((uare miles, twelve 
feet thick, and is calculated to contain 9,000,000,- 
000 tons of coal. The coal field of Ohio is twelve 
times larger and one-third thicker. Estimated by 
that standard, the coal field of Ohio contains 180,- 
000,000,000 tons of coal. Marketed at only m 
per ton, this coal is worth §300,000,000,000, or, 
in other words, ten times as much as the whole 
valuation of the United States at the present time. 
But we need not undertake to estimate either its 
(juantity or value. It is enough to say that it is a 
((uautity which we can scarcely imagine, which is 
tenfold that of England, and which is enough to 
supply the entire continent for ages to come. 

After coal, iron is beyond doubt the most val- 
uable mineral product of a State. As the mate- 
rial of manufacture, it is the most important. 
What are called the " precious metals" are not to 
be compared with it as an clement of industry or 
profit. But since no manufactures can be success- 
fully carried on without fuel, coal becomes the first 
material element of the arts. Iron is unquestion- 
ably the next. Ohio has an iron district extending 
from the mouth of the Scioto River to some point 
north of the Mahoning River, in Trumbull County. 
The whole length is nearly two hundred miles, aud 
the breadth twenty miles, making, as near as we can 
ascertain, 4,000 s<|uare miles. The iron in this dis- 
trict is of various (jualities, and is manufactured 
largely into bars and castings. In this iron dis- 
trict are one hundred furnaces, forty-four rolling- 
mills, and fifteen rail-mills, being the largest num- 
ber of either in any State in the Union, except 
only Pennsylvania. 

Although only the seventeenth State in its admis- 
sion, I find that, by the census statistics of 1870, 
it is the third State in the production of iron and iron 
manufactures. Already, and within the life of 
one man, this State begins to show what must in 
future time be the vast results of coal and iron, 



applied to the arts and manufactures. In the 
year 1874, there were 420,000 tons of pig iron 
produced in Ohio, which is larger than the prod- 
uct of any State, except Penn.sylvania. The 
product and the manufacture of iron in Ohio 
have increased so rapidly, and the bajiis for 
increase is so great, that we may not doubt that 
Ohio will continue to be the greatest producer of 
iron and iron fabrics, except only Pennsylvania. 
At Cincinnati, the iron manufacture of the Ohio 
Valley is concentrating, and at Cleveland the ores 
of Lake Superior are being smelted. 

After coal and iron, we may place salt among 
the necessaries of life. In connection with the 
coal region west of the Alleghanies, there lies in 
Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Ohio, a large 
space of country underlaid by the salt rock, which 
already produces immense amounts of salt. Of 
this, Ohio has its ftill proportion. In a large 
section of the southeastern portion of the State, 
salt is produced without any known limitation. 
At Pomeroy and other points, the salt rock lies 
about one thousand feet below the surface, but 
salt water is brought easily to the surface by the 
steam engine. There, the salt rock, the coal 
seam, and the noble sandstone lie in successive 
strata, while the green corn and the yellow wheat 
bloom on the surface above. The State of Ohio 
produced, in 1874, 3,500,000 bushels of salt, 
being one-fifth of all produced in the United 
States. The salt section of Ohio is exceeded only 
by that of Syracuse, New York, and of Saginaw, 
Michigan. There is no definite limit to the 
underlying salt rock of Ohio, and, therefore, the 
production will be proportioned only to the extent 
of the demand. 

Having now considered the resources aud the 
products of the soil and the mines of Ohio, we 
may properly ask how far the people have employed 
their resources in the increase of art and manu- 
facture. We have two modes of comparison, the 
rate of increase within the State, and the ratio 
they bear to other States. The aggregate value 
of the products of manufacture, exclusive of 
mining, in the last three censuses were: in 1850, 
$G2.(5'92.000 ; in 1860, §121,091,000; in 1870, 
$269,713,000. 

The ratio of increase was over 100 per cent in 
each ten years, a rate far beyond that of the in- 
crease of population, and much beyond the ratio of 
increase in the whole country. In 1850, the man- 
ufactures of Ohio were one-sixteenth part of the 
aggregate in the country; in 1860, one-fifteenth 



L^ 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



143 



part; in 1870, one-twelfth part. In addition to 
tlii.s, we find, fi'oni the returns of Cincinnati and 
C'levehind, that the vahie of the manufactured prod- 
ucts of Ohio in IS";), must have reached 8-IUO,- 
000,000, and, by reference to the census tables, it 
will be seen that the ratio of increase exceeded that 
of tlic LiTi'at manufacturing States of New York, 
Massarliu.setts and Connecticut. Of all the States 
adiiiittL-d into the Union prior to Ohio, Pcnn.sylvauia 
alone has kept pace in the progress of manufacture. 
Some little reference to the manufacture of leading 
articles may throw some light on the cause of this. 
In the productitm of agricultural machinery and 
implements, Ohio is the first State ; in animal and 
vegetable oils and in pig iron, the second ; in cast 
iron and in tobacco, the third ; in salt, in machinery 
and in leather, the fourth. These facts show how 
largely the resources of coal, iron and agriculture 
have entered into the manufactures of the State. 
This great adrance in the manufactures of Ohio, 
when we consider that this State is, relatively to 
its surface, the first agricultural State in the 
country, leads to the inevitable inference that its 
people are remarkably industrious. When, on 
forty thousand square miles of surface, three mill- 
ions of people raise one hundred and fif^y million 
bushels of grain, and produce manufactures to the 
amount of §269,000,000 (which is fifty bushels 
of breadstuff to each man, woman and child, and 
S13;> of manufacture), it will be difficult to find 
an}' community surpassing sucli results. It is a 
testimony, not only to the State of Ohio, but to 
the industry, sagacity and energy of the American 
people. 

Looking now to the commerce of the State, we 
have said there are six hundred miles of coast line, 
which embraces some of the principal internal ports 
of the Ohio and the lakes, such as Cincinnati, Cleve- 
land, Toledo and Portsmouth, but whose commerce 
Ls most wholly inland. Of course, no comparison 
can be made with the foreign commerce of the 
ocean ports. On the other hand, it is well known 
that the inland trade of the country far exceeds 
that of all its foreign conmierce, and that the larg- 
est j)art of this interior trade is carried on its 
rivers and lakes. The materials for the vast con- 
sumption of the interior must be conveyed in its 
vessels, whether of sail or steam, adapted to these 
waters. Let us take, then, the ship-building, the 
navigation, and the exchange trades of Ohio, as 
elements in determining the position of this State 
in reference to the commerce of the country. At 
the ports of Cleveland, Toledo, Sandusky and Cin- 



cinnati, there have been built one thousand sail and 
steam vessels in the last twenty years, making an 
average of fifty each year. The number of sail, 
steam and all kinds of vessels in Ohio is eleven 
hundred and ninety, which is equal to the number 
in all the other States in the Ohio Valley and the 
Upper Mississippi. 

When we look to the navigable points to which 
these vessels are destined, we find them (jn all this 
vast coast Une, which extends fi-om the Gulf of 
Mexico to the Yellowstone, and from Duluth to 
the St. Lawrence. 

Looking again to see the extent of this vast in- 
terior trade which is handled by Ohio alone, we 
find that the imports and exports of the principal 
articles of Cincinnati, amount in value to SoOO,- 
000,000; and when we look at the great trade of 
Cleveland and Toledo, we shall find that the an- 
nual trade of Ohio exceeds §700,000,000. The 
lines of railroad which connect with its ports, are 
more than four thousand miles in length, or rather 
more than one mile in length to each ten square 
miles of surface. This great amount of railroads is 
engaged not merely in transporting to the Atlantic 
and thence to Europe, the immense surplus grain 
and meat in Ohio, but in carrying the largest part 
of that greater surplus, which exists in the States 
west of Ohio, the granary of the West. Ohio 
holds the gateway of every railroad north of the 
Ohio, from the Mississipj)i to the Atlantic, and 
hence it is that the great transit lines of the coun- 
try pass through Ohio. 

Let us now turn from the progress of the arts 
to the progress of ideas ; from material to intellect- 
ual development. It is said that a State consists 
of men, and history shows that no art or scicmce, 
wealth or power, will compensate for the want of 
moral or intellectual stabilitj' in the minds of a 
nation. Hence, it is admitted that the strength 
and perpetuity of our republic must consist in the 
intelligence and morality of the people. A re- 
public can last only when the people are enlight- 
ened. This was an axiom with the early legislators 
of this country. Hence it was that when A'ir- 
ginia, Connecticut and the original colonies ceded 
to the General Government that vast and then un- 
known wilderness which lay west of the Allegha- 
nies, in the valleys of the Ohio and jMississippi, they 
took care that its future inhabitants should be an 
educated people. The Constitution was not formed 
when the celebrated ordinance of 1787 was passed. 

That ordinance provided that, " Religion, mor- 
ality, and knowledge being necessary to good 



^1 






HISTORY OF OHIO. 



goverament and tLe happiness of mankind, schools 
and the means of education shall be forever en- 
couraged;" and by the ordinance of 1785 for the 
survey of public lands in the Northwestern Terri- 
tory, Section 16 in each township, that is, one 
thirty-sixth part, was reserved for the maintenance 
of public schools in said townships. As the State 
of Ohio contained a little more than twenty-five 
millions of acres, this, together with two special 
grants of three townships to universities, amounted 
to the dedication of 740,000 acres of land to the 
maintenance of schools and colleges. It was a 
splendid endowment, but it was many years before 
it became available. It was sixteen years after the 
passage of this ordinance (in 1803), when Ohio 
entered the Union, and legislation upon this grant 
became possible. The Constitution of the State 
pursued the language of the ordinance, and de- 
clared that "schools and the means of education 
shall forever be encouraged by legislative provision." 
The Governors of Ohio, in successive messages, 
urged attention to this subject upon the people ; 
but the thinness of settlement, making it impossi- 
ble, except in few districts, to collect youth in suf- 
ficient numbers, and impossible to sell or lease 
lands to advantage, caused the delay of efficient 
school system for many years. In 1825, however, 
a general law establishing a school system, and levy- 
ing a tax for its support, was passed. 

This was again enlarged and increased by new 
legislation in 188G and 18-16. From that time to 
this, Ohio h;is had a broad, liberal and efficient sys- 
tem of public instruction. The taxation for schools, 
and the number enrolled in them at different pe- 
riods, will best show what has been done. In 
1855 the total taxation for school purposes was 
$2,672,827. The proportion of youth of school- 
able age enrolled was 67 per cent. In 1874 the 
amount raised by taxation was 87,425,135. The 
number enrolled of schoolable age was 70 per 
cent, or 707,1143. 

As the schoolable age extends to twenty-one 
years, and as there are very few youth in school 
afler fifteen years of age, it follows that the 70 
per cent of schoolable youths enrolled in the pub- 
lie schools must comprehend nearly the whole 
number between four and fifteen years. It is im- 
portant to observe this fact, because it has been 
inferred that, as the whole number of youth be- 
tween five and twenty-one have not been enrolled, 
therefore they are not educated. This is a 
mistake; nearly all over fifteen years of age have 
been in the public schools, and all the native 



youth of the State, and all foreign born, young 
enough, have had the benefit of the public schools. 
But in consecjuence of the large number who 
have come from other States and from foreign 
countries, there are still a few who are classed by 
the census statistics among the "illiterate;" the 
proportion of this class, however, is let^s in jiropor- 
tion than in twenty-eight other States, and less in 
proportion than in Connecticut and Ma.'^sachu.setts, 
two of the oldest States most noted for popular 
education. In fact, every youth in Ohio, under 
twentv-one vears of age, may have the benefit of a 
public- cihu-ation; and, since the system of graded 
and high .schools has been adopted, may obtain a 
common knowledge from the alphabet to the classics. 
The enumerated branches of study in the pub- 
lic schools of Ohio are thirty-four, including 
mathematics and astronomy, French, German and 
the classics. Thus the State which was in the 
heart of the wilderness in 1776, and was not a 
State until the nineteenth century had begun, now 
presents to the world, not merely an unrivaled de- 
velopment of material prosperity, but an unsur- 
passed system of popular education. 

In what is called the higher education, in the 
colleges and universities, embracing the classics 
and sciences taught in regular classes, it is the pop- 
ular idea, and one which few dare to cjuestion, that 
we must look to the Eastern States for superiority 
and excellence ; but that also is becoming an as- 
sumption without proof; a proposition difficult to 
sustain. The facts in regard to the education of 
universities and colleges, their faculties, studcmts 
and course of instruction, are all set forth in the 
complete statistics of the Bureau of Education for 
1874. They show that the State of Ohio had the 
largest number of such institutions; the largest 
number of instructors in their faculties, except one 
State, New York ; and the largest number of stu- 
dents in regular college classes, in proportion to 
their population, except the two States of Connect- 
icut and Massachusetts, Perhaps, if we look at 
the statistics of classical students in the colleges, 
disregarding preparatory and iiTegular cour.ses, we 
.shall get a more accurate idea of the progress of 
the higher education in those States which claim 
the best. In Ohio, 36 colleges, 258 teachers, 
2,139 students, proportion, 1 in 124; in Penn- 
sylvania. 27 colleges, 239 teachers, 2,359 students, 
proportion, 1 in 150; in New York, 26 colleges, 
343 teachers, 2,764 .students, proportion, 1 in 176; 
in the six NewEngland States, 17 colleges, 252 teach- 
ers, 3,341 students, proportion, 1 in 105; in Illi- 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



145 



nois, 24 colleges, 211) teachers, 1.701 students, 
proportion, 1 in 140. 

This shows there are more collegiate institutions 
in ( )lii<) than in all New Enirland ; a irreator num- 
luT of cdllfire teachers, and only a little smaller ratio 
of students to tlu' jwpulation ; a greater number of 
such students than either in New York or Pennsyl- 
vania, and, as a broad, general fact, Ohio has made 
more progress in education than either of the old 
States which formed the American Union. Such 
a fact is a higher testimony to the strength and the 
beneficent influence of the American (lovernment 
than any which the statistician or the historian 
can advance. 

Let us now turn to the moral aspects of the 
people of Ohio. No human society is found with- 
out its poor and dependent classes, whether made 
so by the defects of nature, by acts of Providence, 
or by the accidents of fortune. Since no society 
is exempt from these classes, it must be judged 
not so much by the fact of their existence, as by 
the manner in which it treats them. In the civil- 
ized nations of antiipiity, such as Greece and 
Rome, hospitals, infirmaries, orphan homes, and 
a.sylums for the infirm, were unknown. These 
an" the creations of Christianity, and that must be 
istcemcd practically the most Christian State which 
most practices this Christian beneficence. In Ohio, 
:ls in all the States of this country, and of all 
Christian countries, there is a large number of the 
infirm and dependent clas.ses; but, although Ohio 
is the third State in population, she is only the 
fourteenth in the projiortiou of dependent classes. 
The more important point, however, was, how does 
she treat them? Is there wanting any of all 
the varied institutions of benevolence? llow does 
she compare vfith other States and countries in 
this respect? It is believed that no State or coun- 
try can present a larger proportion of all these 
institutions which the benevolence ol' the wise and 
good have suggested for the alleviation of suffer- 
ing and misfortune, than the State of Ohio. With 
3,500 of the insane within her borders, she lias 
five great lunatic asylums, capal)le of accommodat- 
ing them all. She has a.sylums for the deaf and 
dumb, the idiotic, and the blind. She has the 
best hosjiitals in the country. She has schools 
of reform and hou.ses of refuge. She has "homes" 
for the hoys and girls, to the number of SdO, who 
arc children of .soldiers. She has p<'nitentiaries 
and jails, orphan a.sylums and infirmaries. In 
every county there is an infirmary, and in every 
public ins-titution, except the jienitcntiary, there is a 



school. So that the State has u.-ed every human 
means to relieve the suffering, to instruct the igno- 
rant, and to reform the criminal. There are in 
the State 80,000 who come under all the various 
forms of the infirm, the poor, the sick and the 
criminal, who, in a greater or less degree, make 
the dependent class. For these the State has 
made every provision which humanity or justice 
or intelligence can require. A young State, de- 
veloped in the wilderness, she challenges, without 
any invidious comj)arison, both Eurojic and Amer- 
ica, to show her superior in the development of 
humanity manifested in the benefaction of public 
institutions. 

Intimately connected with public morals and 
with charitable in.stitutions, is the religion of a 
people. The people of the United States arc a 
Christian people. The people of Ohio liave man- 
ifested their zeal by the erection of churches, of 
Sunday schools, and (if religious institutions. So 
far as these are outwardly manifested, they are 
made known bj' the social statistics of the census. 
Tlie number of church orgiinizations in the leading 
States were: In the State of Ohio, 0,488; in 
the State of New York, 5,027 : in the State of 
Pennsylvania, 5,084 ; in the State of Illinois, 4,298. 
It thus appears that Ohio had a larger number 
of churches than any State of the Uni<in. The 
number of sittings, however, was not (juite as 
large as those in New York and Peni'..\vlvania. 
The denominations are of all the sects known in 
this country, about thirty in number, the majority 
of the whole being Methodists, Pre.«byterians and 
Baptists. Long before the American liiil(]iend- 
ence, the Moravians had settled on the .Alalii'iiing 
and Tuscarawas Rivers, but only to be destroyed ; 
and when the peace with Great Britain was made, 
not a vestige of Christianity remained on the 
soil of Ohio ; yet we see that within ninety ye^irs 
fi-om that time the State of T)hio was, in the num- 
ber of its churches, the first of this great Union. 
In the beginning of this address, I said that 
Ohio was the oldest and first of these great States, 
carved out of the Northwestern Territory, and that 
it was in some things the greatest State of tlu^ 
American Union. I have now traced the Jihysi- 
cal, commercial, intellectual and moral features of 
the State during the seventy-five years of its 
constitutional history. Tiie result is to establish 
fully the propositions with which I began. Tlicse 
facts have brought out : 

1. That Ohio is, in reference to the square 
miles of its surfoce, the first State in agriculture 



14G 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



(if the Aiii'iicaii Union; tliis, too, iivitwithstaiid- 
iug it lias 800,000 in cities au J towns, and a large 
develojjment of capital and products in manu- 
factures. 

2. That Ohio has raised more frrain per square 
mile than either France, Austria, or Great Britain. 
They raised 1,450 bushels per S((uare mile, and 
10 bushels to each person. Ohio raised 3,750 
bushels per square mile, and 50 bushels to each 
one of the population ; or, in other words, five 
times the proportion of grain raised in Europe. 

3. Ohio was the first State of the Union in 
the production of domestic animals, being far in 
advance of either New York, Pennsylvania or Illi- 
nois. The proportion of domestic animals to each 
person in Ohio was three and one-third, and in 
New York aud Pennsylvania less than lialf that. 
The largest proportion of domestic animals pro- 
duced in Europe was in Great Britain and Russia, 
neither of which come near that of Ohio. 

4. The coal-field of Ohio is vastly greater than 
that of Great Britain, and we need make no com- 
parison with other States in regard to coal or iron ; 
for the 10,000 square miles of coal, and 4,000 
square miles of iron in Ohio, are enough to supply 
the whole American continent for ages to come. 

5. Neither need we compare the results of 
commerce and navigation, since, from the ports of 
Cleveland and Cincinnati, the vessels of Ohio 
touch on 4:^,000 miles of coast, and her 5,000 
miles of raih'oad carry her products to every part 
of the American continent. 

G. Notwithstanding the immense proportion 
aud products of agriculture in Ohio, yet she has 
more than kept pace with New York and New 
England in the progress of manufactures during 
the last twenty years. Her coal and iron are pro- 
ducing their legitimate results in making her a 
great manufacturing State. 

7. Ohio is the first State in the Union as to 
the proportion of youth attending school ; and the 
States west of the Alleghanies and north of the 
Ohio have more youth in school, proportionably, 
than New England and New York. The facts on 
this subject are so extraordinary that I may be 
e.Keused for giving them a little in detail. 

The proportion of youth in Ohio attending 
school to the population, is 1 in 4.2; in Illinois, 1 
in 4.3; in Pennsylvania, 1 in 4.8; in New York, 
1 in .").2 ; iu Connecticut and Massachusetts, 1 iu 
8.7, 

Thi'se proportions show that it is in the West, 
and not in the East, that education is now advanc- 



ing; aud it is here that we see the stimulus given 
by the ordinance of 1787, is working out its great 
and beneficent results. The land grant for educa- 
tion was a great one, but, at last, its chief eifort 
was in stimulating popular education ; for the State 
of Ohio has taxed itself tens of millions of dollars 
beyond the utmost value of the land grant, to 
found and maintain a system of public education 
which the world has not surpassed. 

We have seen that above and beyond all this 
material and intellectual development, Ohio has 
provided a vast benefaction of asylums, liospitals, 
and infirmaries, and special schools for the support 
and instruction of the dependent classes. There is 
not within all her borders a single one of the deaf, 
dumb, and blind, of the poor, sick, and insane, not 
an orphan or a vagrant, who is not provided for 
by the broad and generous liberality of the State 
and her people. A (ihaiity which the classic ages 
knew nothing of, a beneficence which the splendid 
hierarchies and aristocracies of Eiu'ope cannot 
equal, has been exhibited in this young State, 
whose name was unknown one hundred years ago, 
whose people, from Europe to the Atlantic, and 
from the Atlantic to the Ohio, were, like Adam 
and Eve, cast out — " the ivorld hefore them where 
to choose^ 

Lastly, vre see that, although the thi)-d in pop- 
ulation, and the seventeenth in admission to the 
Union, Ohio had, in 1870, 6,400 churches, the 
largest number in any one State, and numbering 
among them every form of Christian worship. 
The people, whose fields were rich with grain, 
whose mines were boundless in wealth, and whose 
commerce extended through thousands of miles 
of lakes and rivers, came here, as they came to 
New England's rock-bound coast — 

" With freedom to worship God." 

The cluireh and the schoolhouse rose beside the 
green fields, and the morning bells rang forth to 
cheerful children going to school, and to a Chris- 
tian people going to the church of God. 

Let us now look at the possibilities of Ohio in 
the future development of the American Repub- 
lican Republic. The two most populous parts of 
Europe, because the most food-producing, are the 
Netherlands and Italy, or, more precLsely, Belgium 
and ancient Lombardy ; to the present time, their 
population is, in round numbers, three hundred to 
the square mile. The density of population in 
England proper is about the same. We may 
assume, therefore, that three hundred to the square 



IIISTOEY OF OHIO. 



147 



luilo is, in round nurabors, tliu limit of comfortable 
subsistence under modern civilization. It is true 
that modern improvements in agricultural macbin- 
erv and fertilization liave greatly increased the 
capacity of production, on a given amount of 
land, with a given amount of labor. It is true, 
also, that the old countries of Europe do not 
po.sse.s,s an c(jual amount of arable land with Ohio 
in proportion to the same surface. It would seem, 
therefore, that the density of po]iulation in Ohio 
might exceed that of any part of Europe. On 
the otlicr hand, it may bo said with truth that the 
American people will not become so dense as in 
Europe while they have new lands in the West 
to occupy. This is true ; but lauds such as those 
in the valley of the Ohio are now becoming 
scarce in the West, and we thiuk tliat, with lier 
great capacity for the production of grain on one 
hand, and of illimitable quantities of coal and 
iron to manufacture with on the other, that Ohio 
will, at no remote period, reach nearly tlic density 
of Belgium, which will give her 10,0()0,()()(l of 
people. This seems extravagant, but the tide of 
migration, which flowed so fast to the West, is 
beginning to ebb, while the manufactures of the 
interior ofl'er gTeater inducements. 

With population comes wealth, the material for 
education, the development of the arts, advance 
in all the material elements of civilization, and the 
still grander advancements in the strength and 
elevation of the human mind, coni|uering to itself 
new realms of material and intellectual power, 
acquiring in the future what we have seen in the 
pa.st,a wealth of resources unknown and undreamed 
of wh(!n, a hundred years ago, the fathers of the 
republic declared their inde])endcnce. I know 
how ea,sy it is to treat this statement with ea,sy 
incredulity, but statistics is a certain science ; the 
elements of civilization are now measured, and we 
know the progress of the human race as we know 



that of a cultivated plant. We know the resources 
of the country, its food-jnoducing capacity, its 
art processes, its power of education, and the unde- 
fined and illimitable power of the human mind 
for new inventions and uuimagincd progress. With 
this knowledge, it is not difficult nor unsafe to say 
that the future will produce more, and in a far 
greater ratio, than the piust. The pictured scenes 
of the prophets have already been more than ful- 
filled, and the visions of beauty and glory, which 
their imagination failed fully to describe, will be 
more than realized in the bloom of that garden 
which republican America will present to the 
eyes of a.stoni.shed mankind. Long before another 
century shall have jiassed by, the single State of 
Ohio will present fourtbld the population with which 
the thirteen States began their independence, more 
wealth than the entire Union now has ; greater 
universities than any now in the country, and a 
developmimt of arts and manufacture which the 
world now knows nothing c}f You have seen 
more than that since the Constitution was adopted, 
and what right have you to say tlie future shall 
not equal the jjast ? 

I have aimed, in this address, to give an exact 
picture of what Ohio is, not more for the sake of 
Ohio than as a representation of the products 
which the American Republic has given to the 
world. A State which began long after the 
Declaration of Independence, in the then unknown 
wilderness of North America, presents to-daj' 
the fairest example of what a republican govern- 
ment with Christian civilization can do. Look 
upon this picture and upon those of Assyria, 
of Greece or Rome, or of Europe in her best 
estate, and .say where is the civilization of the 
earth which can equal this. If a Roman citizen could 
say with pride, " Civis Jioninnvs fnini," with far 
greater pride can you say this day, "I am an 
American citizen." 




CHAPTER XIV. 

EDUCATION* — EARLY SCHOOL LAWS — NOTES— INSTITUTES AND EDUCATIONAL JOURNALS- 
SCHOOL SYSTEM — SCHOOL FUNDS— COLLEGKS (VND UNIVERSITIES. 



WHEN the survey of the Nortliwest Terri- 
tory was ordered by Congress, March 20, 
1785, it was decreed that every sixteenth section 
of land sliould be reserved for the "maintenance 
of pubhc schools within each township." The 
ordinance of 1787 — thanks to the New England 
Associates — proclaimed that, " religion, morality 
and kiiipwk'dgc being essential to good guvcrnuient, 
scliudls and the nicansnl" educatinn should forever 
be eucouragcil," The tState Con.stitution of lb((2 
declared that " schools and the means of instruc- 
tion should be encouraged by legislative provision, 
not inconsistent with the rights of conscience." 
In 1825, through the persevering efforts of Nathan 
Guilford, Senator from Hamilton County, Ephraim 
Cutler, Representative from Washington County, 
and other friends of education, a bill was passed, 
" laying the foundation for a general system of 
common schools." This bill provided a tax of one- 
half mill, to be levied by the County Commis- 
sioners for school purposes ; provided for school 
examiners, and made Township Clerks and County 
Auditors school officers. In 1829, this county 
tax was raised to three-fourths of a mill ; in 1834 
to one mill, and, in 1836, to one and a half mills. 
In March, 1837, Samuel Lewis, of Hamilton 
County ,was appointed State Superintendent of Com- 
mon Schools. He was a very energetic worker, trav- 
eling on horseback all over the State, delivering ad- 
dresses and encouraging school officers and teachers. 
Through his efforts mncli good was done, and 



* From tho Schoiil Commissioners' Reporfs, principally those of 
Tliomas W. Harvey, A. M. 

Note 1.— The first school taught in Ohio, or in tho Northwestern 
Territ<>ry, was in 1791. The first teacher was JIaj. Austin Topper, 
eldestson of Gen. Benjamin Tupper, hoth Revolutionary nfficers. 
The room occupied was the same as that iu which the first Court was 
held, and was situated In the northwest hlock-houseof Ihefxarrieon, 



ng 111.' IndiHii 



called the stockade, at Marietta. r>i 

w a,s also taught at Fort Ilarmar. Pi 

tiements. A meeting was held in r 

Eider the erection of a school bniMitu 

of the youth, and for conductiii;,' i- 

were adopted which led to the 'ivf 

Muskingum Academy. The builiiinij 

and twenty-four feet wide, and is y t 

was twelve feet high, with an arcln-d 

foundation, three steps from tho ground-. Ther<' were two ch: 

and a l.ihby projection. There wiui a cellar under the whole bu 

ing. It stood upon a heaulirul lot, fronting the Muskingum Ri\ 

and about sixty feet back fioni the street. Some large trees w 



l;''snlntions 

ling called the 

forty feet long 

Thebuilding 

Ddupon a stone 

eys 

ild- 



j many important features engrafted on the school 
system. He resigned in 1839, when the office was 
abolished, and its duties imposed on the Secretary 
of State. 

The most important adjunct in early education 
in the State was the college of teachers organized 
in Cincinnati in 1 831 . Albert Pickett, Dr. Joseph 
Ray, William H. McGuftey — so largely known by 
his Readers — and Milo G. Williams, were at its 
head. Leading men in all piu'ts of the West at- 
tended its meetings. Their published deliberations 
did much for the advancement of education among 
the people. Through the effcirts of the college, 
the first convention held in Ohio for educational 
purposes was called at Columbus, January 13, 
1836. Two years after, in December, the first 
convention in which the different sections of the 
State were represented, was held. At both these 
conventions, all the needs of the schools, both com- 
mon and higher, were ably and fully discussed, 
and appeals made to the people for a more cordial 
support of the law. No succesisftil attempts were 
made to organize a permanent educational society 
until December, 1847, when the Ohio State Teach- 
ers' As.sociation was formed at Akron, Summit 
County, with Samuel Galloway as President; T. 
W. Harvey. Recording Secretary; M. D. Leggett, 
Corresponding Secretary ; William Bowen, Treas- 
urer, and M. F. Cowdrey, Chairman of the Executive 
Committee. This Association entered upon its 
work with commendable earnestness, and has since 

upon tho lot and on the street in front. Across the street was an 
open common, and beyond that the river. Immediately opposite 
the door, on entering, was a broad aisle, and, at the end of the 
aisle, against the wall, was a desk or pulpit. On the right and left 
of the pulpit, against the wall, and fronting tho pulpit, was a row 
of slips. On each sideof the door, facing the pulpit, were two slips, 
and, at each end of the room, one slip. These slips were stationary, 
and were fitted with desks that could be let down, and there were 
boxes in the desks for holding bo<iks and papers. In the center of 
the room was an open space, which could be filled with movable 
Beata. The first school was opened here in 1800."— ieMer of A. T. 

Note 2. — Another evidence of the character of the New England 
Associates is the founding of a public library as early as 179G, or 
before. Another was also established at Belpre about the same time. 
Abundant evidence proves the existence of these libraries, all tend- 
ing to the fact that the early settlers, though conquering a wilder- 
ness and a savage foe, would not allow their mental faculties to 
lack for food. The cliaracter of the books shows that "solid" 
reading predominated. 



^^ 



^ 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



never abated its zeal. Semi-annual meetings were 
at first held, but, since 185S, only annual meetings 
occur. They are always largely attended, and al- 
ways by the bust and most energetic teachers. 
The Association lias given tone to the educational 
interests of the State, and has done a vast amount 
of good in jiojjularizing education. In the spring 
of 18.51, Lorin Andrews, then Superintendent of 
the Ma-ssillon .school, resigned his place, and be- 
Ciime a common-schocjl missionary. In July, the 
A.ssociation, at Cleveland, madi^ him its ageut, aud 
instituted measures to sustain him. He remained 
zealously at work in this relation until 185;}, when 
he resigned to accept the presidency of Kenyon 
College, at Gambier. Dr. A. Lord w;us then chosen 
general agent and resident editor of the Joimial 
of Edxcatioii, which positions he filled two years, 
with eminent ability. 

The year that Dr. Lord resigned, the ex officio 
relation of the Secretary of Stale to the (-onimon 
schools was abolished, and the office of school com- 
missioner again created. H. 11. Barney was 
elected to the place in October, 1853. The office 
has since been held by llcv. Ans(m Smyth, elected 
in 185G, and re-eh^cted in 18511 ; K. E. White, 
api>ointed by the Governor, November 11, 18G3, 
to till the vacancy caused by the resignation of C. 
W. H. Cathcart, who was elected in 18G2; John 
A. Xorris, in 1865; W. D. Ilenkle, in 18(58; 
Thomas W. Harvey, in 1871; C. S. Smart, in 
1875, and the present incumbent, J. J. Burns, 
elected in 1878, his term expiring in 1881. 

The first teachers' institute in Northern Ohio 
was held at Sandusky, in September, 184.5, con- 
ducted by Salem Town, of New York, A. D. Lord 
and M. F. Cowdrey. The .second was held at Char- 
don, Geauga Co., in November of the same year. 
The first institute in the southern part of the 
State w;\s held at Cincinnati, in February, 1837; 
the fii-st in the central part at Newark, in March, 
1848. Since then the.se meeting's of teachers have 
occurred annually, and have been the means of 
great good in elevating the teacher and the public 
in educational int4'rests. In 1848, on petition of 
forty teachers, county commissioners were author- 
ized to pay lecturers from surplus revenue, and the 
next year, to appropriate §100 for institute pur- 
poses, upon pledge of teachers to raise half that 
amount. By the statutes of 1804, applicants for 
teachers were re<|uirod to pay 50 cents each as an 
examination fee. Onii-third of the amount thus 
raised was allowed the use of examiners as trav- 
eling expenses, the remainder to be applied to in- 



stitute instruction. For the year 1871, sixty-eight 
teachers' institutes were held in the State, at which 
308 instructors and lecturers were employed, and 
7,158 teachers in attendance. The expense incurred 
was §16,361.91), of which 810,127.13 was taken 
from the institute fund; §2,730.34, was contrib- 
uted by members; §680, by county commis- 
sioners, and the balance, §1,371.50, was ob- 
tained from other sources. The last report of the 
State Commissioners — 1878 — shows that eighty- 
five county in.stitutes were held in the State, con- 
tinuing in session 748 days; 416 instructors were 
employed; 11,466 teachers attended ; §22,531.47 
were received from all sources, and that the ex- 
penses were §10,587.51, or §1.71 per member. 
There was a balance on hand of §!),4t)0.74 to com- 
mence the next year, just now closed, who.se work 
has been as progressive and thorough as any former 
year. The State Association now comprises three 
sections; the general a.ssociation, the superintend- 
ents' section and the ungraded school section. All 
have done a good work, and all rejiort progress. 

The old State Constitution, adopted by a con- 
vention in 1802, was supplemented in 1851 by 
the present one, under which the General As.sem- 
bly, elected under it, met in 1852. Harvey lliee, 
a Senator from Cuyahoga County, Chairman of 
Senate Committee on "Common Schools and 
School Lands," reported a bill the 20th of March, 
to provide "for the re-organization, supervision 
and maintenance of common schools. " This bill, 
amended in a few particulars, became a law 
March 14, 1853. The prominent features of the 
new law were : The substitution of a State school 
tax for the county tax ; creation of the office of 
the State School Commissioner; the creation of a 
Township Board of Education, consisting of repre- 
sentiitives from the subdistricts ; the abolition of 
rate-bills, making education free to all the youth of 
the State; the raising of a fund, by a tax of one- 
tenth of a mill yearly, " for the purpose of fur- 
nishing school libraries and apparatus to all the 
common schools." This "library tax" was abol- 
ished in 1860, otherwise the law has remained 
practically unchanged. 

School journals, like the popular press, have 
been a potent agency in the educational history of 
the State. As early as 1838, the Ohio School 
Director was i.ssued by Samuel Lewis, by K'gisla- 
tive authority, though after -six months' continu- 
ance, it ceased for want of support. The same 
year the Pattalozzian, by E. L. Sawtell and H. 
K. Smith, of Akron, and the Common School 



ikv 



150 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



Advocnfc, of Cincinnati, \vei\' i^isucd. In 184G, 
the School Journal began to be published by A. 

D. Lord, of Kirtlaud. The same year saw the 
Free School Clarion, by W. Bowen, of Massillon, 
and the School Friend, by W. B. Smitli & Co., 
gf Cincinnati. The next year, W. H. Moore & 
Co., of Cincinnati, started the Western School 
Journal. In 1851, the Ohio Teacher, by 
Thomas Rainey, appeared; the Neivs and Edu- 
cator, in 1863, and the Educational Times, in 
18GG. In 1850, Dr. Lord's Journal of Educa- 
tion was united with tlie School Friend, and 
became the recognized organ of tlie teachers in 
(_)!iio. Tiie Doctor remained its principal editor 
until 185(5, when he was succeeded by Anson 
Smyth, who edited the journal one year. In 1857, 
it was edited by John D. Caldwell; in 1858 and 
and 1859, by W. T. Coggeshall; in 1860, by Anson 
Smyth again, when it passed into the hands of 

E. E. White, who yet controls it. It has an 
immense circulation among Ohio teachers, and, 
though competed by other journals, since started, 
it maintains its place. 

The school system of the State may be briefly 
explained as follows: Cities and incorporated vil- 
lages are independent of township and county con- 
trol, in the management of schools, having boards 
of education and examiners of their own. Some 
of them are organized for school jjurposes, under 
special acts. Each township has a board of edu- 
cation, composed of one member from each sub- 
district. The township clerk is clerk of this board, 
but has no vote. Each subdistrict has a local 
board of trustees, which manages its school affairs, 
subject to the advice and control of the township 
board. These officers are elected on the first 
Monday in April, and hold their offices three 
years. An enumeration of all the youth between 
the ages of five and twenty-one is made yearly. 
All public schools are required to be in session at 
least twenty-four weeks each year. The township 
clerk reports annually such facts concerning school 
affairs as the law requires, to the county auditor, 
who in tuiri r<']iorts to the State Commissioner, 
who r(illi.'i-t« thi/^o reports in a general report to 
the Legislature each year. 

A board of examiners is appointed in each 
county by the Probate Judge. This board has 
power to grant certificates for a term not exceed- 
ing two years, and good only in the county in 
which they are executed ; they may be revoked on 
sufficient cause. In 1864, a State Board of 
Examiners was created, with power to issue life cer- 



tificates, valid in all jiarts t)f the State. Since 
then, up to January 1, 1879, there have been 188 
of these issued. They are considered an excellent 
test of scholarship and ability, and ai'e very credit- 
able to the holder. 

The school funds, in 1865, amounted to $3,271,- 
275.66. They were the proceeds of appropriations 
of land by Congress for school purposes, upon 
which the State pays an annual interest of 6 per 
cent. The funds are known as the Virginia Mili- 
tary School Fund, the proceeds of eightetui quar- 
ter-town.ships and three sections of land, selected 
by lot from lands lying in the United States 
Military Reserve, appropriated for the use of 
schools in the Virginia Military Reservation; the 
United States Military School Fund, the proceeds 
of one thirty-sixth part of the land in the United 
States Military District, appropriated '• for the use 
of schools within the same ;" the Western Reserve 
School Fund, the proceeds from fourteen quarter- 
townships, situated in the United States Military 
District, and 37,758 acres, most of which was lo- 
cated in Defiance, Williams, Paulding, Van Wert 
and Putnam Counties, appropriated for the use of 
the schools in the Western Reserve; Section 
16, the proceeds fi-om the sixteenth section of 
each township in that part of the State in which 
the Indian title was not extinguished in 1803; tlie 
Moravian School Fund, the proceeds from one 
thirty-sixth part of each of three tracts of 
4,000 acres situated in Tuscarawas County, orig- 
inally granted by Congress to the Society of United 
Brethren, and reconveyed by this Society to the 
United States in 1824. The income of these funds 
is nut distributed by any uniform rule, owing to 
defects in the gnaiting of the funds. The territo- 
rial divisions designated receive the income in 
proportion to the whole number of youth therein, 
while in the remainder of the State, the rent of 
Section 16, or the interest on the proceeds 
arising from its sale, is paid to the inhabitants of 
the originally surveyed townships. In these terri- 
torial divisions, an increase or decrease of popula- 
tion must necessarily increase or diminish the 
amount each youth is entitled to receive ; and the 
fortunate location or judicious sale of the sixteenth 
section may entitle one township to receive a large 
sum, while an adjacent township receives a mere 
pittance. This inequality of benefit may be good 
for localities, but it is certainly a detriment to the 
State at large. There seems to be no legal remedy 
for it. In addition to the income from the before- 
mentioned funds, a variable revenue is received 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



151 



from certain tiufs ami liceuscs paid to either county 
or township treasurers for the use of schools; 
from the sale of swamp lands ($25,720.07 allotted 
to the State in 1850), and from personal property 
LSc-luMtcd to the State. 

Aside from the funds, a State school tax is fixed 
by statute. Local taxes vary with the needs of 
localities, are limited by law, and are contingent 
on the liberality and public spirit of different com- 
munities. 

The State contains more than twenty colleges 
and universities, more than the same number of 
female seminaries, and about tliirty normal schools 
and academies. The amount of property invested 
in these is more than SC.ddii.ddd. The Ohio 
University is the oldest c(.ill<>ge in the State. 

In addition to the regular colleges, the State 
controls the Ohio State University, formerly the 
Agrictdtural and ilechanical College, established 
from the proi-ecds of the land scrip voted by Con- 
gress to Ohio for such purposes. The amount 
realized from the sale was nearly $500,000. This 
is to constitute a permanent fund, the interest only 
t(.lK. usrd. Tn ad.lltinn, the sum of $300,000 
\va^ \ntcd liv ihi' ( iiizi'us of Franklin County, in 
consiiloratiiiii of the location of the college in that 
county. Of this sum $111,000 was paid for three 
hundred and fifteen acres of land near the city of 
Columbus, and $112,000 for a college building, 



the balance being expended as circumstances re- 
quired, for additional buildings, laboratory, appa- 
ratus, etc. Thorough instruction is given in all 
branches relating to .igriculturo and the mechanical 
arts. Already cxcellciil results are attained. 

By the provisions of the act of .March 14, 1853, 
township boards are made bodies politic and cor- 
porate in law, and are invested with the title, care 
and cu.stody of all school property belonging to 
the school district or town.ship. They hav(^ control 
of the central or high schools of their townships ; 
prescribe rules for the district schools ; may appoint 
one of their number manager of the schools of the 
township. aM<l allow him reasonable pay for his 
services; deienninc the text-books to be used ; fix 
the liouudarics of district.s and locate schoolhouse 
sites ; make estimates of the amount of money re- 
quired ; apportion the money among the districts, 
and are required to makt; an annual report to the 
County Auditor, who incorpoiates ilie same in his 
report to the State Conimissioncr, by whom it 
reaches the Legislature. 

Local directors control the subdistricts. They 
enumerat(; the children of school age, employ and 
dismiss teachers, make contracts for building and 
furnishing schoolhouses, and make all necessary 
provision for the convenience of the district schools. 
Practically, the entire management rests with 
them. 



CHAPTER XV. 

.\GRICULTURE— AREA OF THE STATE— EARLY AGRICULTURE IN THE WEST— MARKETS— LIVE 

STOCK — NURSERIES, FRUITS, ETC. — CEREALS — ROOT AND CUCURBITACEOUS 

CROPS— AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENTS— AGRICULTURAL SOCIETIES— 

PO.MOLOGICAL AND HORTICULTURAL SOCIETIES. 



" Oft (lid (he harvest to their sickles yielil, 

Their t'urruw oft the .stubborn glebe has broke ; 

How jocund did they drive their teams afield ! 

How bowed the woods beueatli their sturdy stroke." 

THE majority of the readers of these pages arc 
farmers, hence a resume of agriculture in the 
State, would not only be appropriate, but valuable 
as a matter of history. It is the true basis of 
national prosperity, and, therefore, justly occupies 
a foremost place. 

In the year 1800, the Territory of Ohio con- 
tained a population of 45,305 inhabitants, or a 
little more than one person to the square mile. At 



this date, the admission of the Territory into the 
Union as a State began to be agitated. When the 
census was made to ascertain the legality of the 
act, in conformity to the "Conqiact of 1787," ni> 
endeavor was made t(j asccrtaiti additional .statis- 
tics, as now ; hence, the cultivated land was not 
returned, and no account remains to tell how 
much existed. In 1805, three years after the ad- 
mission of the State into the Union, 7,252,850 
acres had been purchased from thi' (rcneral Gov- 
ernment. Still no returns of the cultivated lands 
were made. In 1810, the population of Ohio was 
230,760, and the land purchased from the Gov- 



153 



HISTOr.Y OF OHIO. 



erameut amounted to 9,933,150 acres, of which 
iiiiiouiit, however, 3,569,314 acres, or more than 
one-third, was held by non-residents. Of the lands 
occupied by resident laud-owners, there apjjear to 
have been 100,968 acres of first-rate, 1,929,600 
of second, and 1,538,745 acre.s of third rate lauds. 
At this period there were very few exports trcjm 
tlie farm, loom or shop. The people still needed 
all they produced to sustain themselves, and were 
yet in that pioneer period where they were obliged 
to produce all they wanted, and yet were opening 
new farms, and bringing the old ones to a productive 
state. 

Kentucky, and the country on the Monongahela, 
lying along the western slopes of the Alleghany 
Mountains, having been much longer settled, had 
begun, as early as 1795, to send considerable quan- 
tities of flour, whisky, bacon and tobacco to the 
lower towns on the Mississippi, at that time in the 
possession of the Spaniards. At the French set- 
tlements on the Illinois, and at Detroit, were 
being raised much more than could be used, and 
these were exporting also large quantities of these 
materials, as well as peltries and such commodities 
as their nomadic lives furnished. As the Missis- 
sippi was tlie natural outlet of the West, any at- 
tempt to impede its free navigation by the various 
powers at times controlling its outlet, would lead 
at once to violent outbreaks among the Western 
settlers, some of whom were aided by unscrupulous 
persons, who thought to form an independent 
Western country. Providence seems to liave had 
a watchful eye over all these events, and to have 
so guided them that the attempts with such objects 
in view, invariably ended in disgrace to their per- 
petrators. This outlet to the West was thought 
to be the only one that could carry their [jnnluce to 
market, for none of the Westerners tlien dreamed 
of the immense system of railways now covering 
that part of the Union. As soon as ship-building 
commenced at Marietta, in the year 1800, the 
farmers along the borders of the Ohio and Musk- 
ingum Ilivers turned their attention to the culti- 
vation of hemp, in addition totheirothercrops. Ina 
few years sufficient was raised, not only to furnish 
cordage to the ships in the West, but large quan- 
tities were worked iqj in the various rope-walks 
and sent to the Atlantic cities. Iron had been 
discovered, and forges on the Juniata were busy 
converting that necessary and valued material into 
implements of industry. 

By tlie year 1805, two ships, seven brigs and 
three schocniers had been built and rigged by the 



citizens of ^larietta. Their construction gave a 
fresh impetus to agriculture, as bj' means of them 
the surplus products could be carried away to a 
foreign market, where, if it did not bring money, 
it could be exchanged fiir merchandise equally 
valuable. Captain David Devoll was one of the 
earliest of Ohio's shipwrights. He settled on the 
fertile ^Muskingum bottom, about five miles above 
Marietta, soon after tlie Indian war. Here he 
built a "floating mill," for making flour, and, in 
1801, a ship of two hundred and fifty tons, called 
the Muskingum, and the brig Eliza Greene, of one 
hundred and fifty tons. In 1804, he built a 
schooner on his own account, and in tlie spring 
of the next year, it was finished and loaded for a 
voyage down the Mis>issi]ipi. It w;is small, only of 
seventy tons burdrn. nl'u liglit draft, and intended 
to run on the lakes i-,ist of New Orlean.s. In 
shape and model, it fully sustained its name, Nonpa- 
reil. Its complement of sails, small at first, was 
completed when it arrived in New Orleans. It 
had a large cabin to accommodate passengers, was 
well and finely painted, and sat gracefully on the 
water. Its load was of assorted articles, and shows 
very well the nature of exports of the day. It con- 
sisted of two hundred barrels of flour, fifty barrels of 
kiln-dried corn meal, four thousand pcjuuds of 
cheese, six thousand of baciin, one hundred sets 
of rum puncheon shooks, and a few grindstones. 
The flour and meal were made at Captain Devoll's 
floating mill, ami the cheese made in Beljire, at that 
date oneof ( (hid's must tlniivi>liinL; imrieultural dis- 
tricts. TheCaiitaiiiaiiilotliersearrieil mi Ijoatingas 
well as the circumstances of the days permitted, fear- 
ing only the hostility of the Indians, and the duty 
the Spaniards were liable to levy on Imats iioing 
down to New Orlcaas, even if they did m.t lake 
it into their erratic heads to stop the entire navi- 
gation of the great river by vessels other than 
their own. By such means, merchandise wa.s car- 
ried on almost entirely until the construction of 
canals, and even then, until modern times, the 
flat-boat was the main-stay of the shipper inhabits 
ing the country adjoining the upjier Ohio and 
Mississippi Rivers. 

Commonly, very little stock was kept beyond 
what was necessary ibr the use of the family and 
to perform the labor on the farm. The Scioto 
Valley was perhaps the only exception in Ohio to 
this general condition. Horses were brought by the 
emigrants from the East aii<l were charaet<>visfic 
of that region. In the Freneh settlements in Illi- 
nois and about Detroit, Freneh ponies, marvels of 



a fc,^ 



±iL^ 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



oil Jurance, were chiefly used. They were impractic- 
able in hauling the immense emigrant wagons over 
I lie mountains, and hence were comparatively 
unknown in Ohio. Until 1828, draft horses 
wi-re chiefly used liere, the hest strains being 
brought bj- the ''Tunkers," " Mcnnonites," and 
'' Ormish," — three risligious sects, whose members 
were invariably agriculturists. In Stark, Wayne, 
Ui limes, and Richland Counties, as a general thing, 
they ciiugTcgated in communities, where tlie neat- 
nes.s of their farms, tlie excellent condition of 
their stock, and the primitive simplicity of their 
manners, made them conspicuous. 

In 1828, the French began to settle in Stark 
County, where thoy introduced the stock of horses 
known iis " Selim," "Florizel," "Post Boy" and 
"Timolen." These, crcssed upon the descents of 
the Norman and Conestoga, produced an excellent 
stock of farm horses, now largely used. 

Ta the Western Reserve, blooded horses were in- 
troduced as early :ls 1825. John I. Van Meter 
brought fine hor-scs into the Scioto Valley in 1815, 
or thereabouts. Soon after, fine horses were 
brought to Steubenville from Virginia and Penn- 
sylvania. In Xorthern Ohio the .stock w;us more 
miscellaneous, until the introduction of improved 
breeds from 1815 to 1835. By the latter date 
the strains of horses had greatly improved. The 
.same could be said of other parts of the State. 
Until after 1S25, only farm and road horses were 
re((uired. That j'ear a race-course — the first in 
the State — was established in Cincinnati, shortly 
followed by others at Chillicothe, Dayton and Ham- 
ilton. From that date the race-horse steadily im- 
proved. Until 1838, however, all race-courses 
were rather irregular, and, of those named, it is 
difficult to determine whicli one has priority of 
date over the others. To Cincinnati, the prece- 
dence is, however, generally given. In 1838, the 
Buckeye Course was established in Cincinnati, and 
before a year had clap.sed, it is stated, there were 
fifteen regular race-courses in Ohio. The efl^ect 
of these courses was to greatly stimulate the stock 
of racers, and rather detract from draft and road 
hor.scs. The organization of companies to import 
blooded horses has again renved the interest in 
this class, and now, at annual stock sales, these 
strains of horses are eagerly sought after by tho.se 
having occasion to use them. 

Cattle were brought over the mountains, and, 
for several years, were kept entirely Ibr domestic 
uses. By 1805, the country had so far settled 
that the surplus stock was liittened on com and 



fodder, and a drove was driven to Baltimore. The 
drove was owned by George Reuick, of Chillicothe, 
and the feat was looked u]jon as one of great im- 
portance. The drove arrived in Baltimore in ex- 
cellent condition. The imjietus given by this 
movement of Jlr. Rcnick stimulated greatly the 
feeding of cattle, and led to the im]irovement of 
the breed, heretofore only of an ordinary' kind. 

Until the advent of railroads and the .shipment 
of cattle thereon, the number of cattle driven to 
e;ustern markets from Ohio alone, was estimated at 
over fifteen thousand annually', whose value was 
placed at §(500,000. Besides this, large numbers 
were driven fiom Indiana and lUinoi.s, whose 
boundless prairies gave free scojjc to tlie herding of 
cattle. Improved breeds, ''Short Horns," "]jong 
Horns" and others, were introduced into Ohio as 
early as 1810 and 1815. Since then the stock 
has been gradually improved and acclimated, until 
now Ohio produces as fine cattle as anj' State in 
tlie Union. In some localities, especially in the 
Western Reserve, cheesemaking and dairy interests 
are the chief occupations of whole neighborhoods, 
where may be found men who have grown wealthy 
in thLs business. 

Sheep were kept by almost every family, in jiio- 
neer times, in order to be supplied with wool for 
clothing. The wool was carded by hand, spun in 
the cabin, and frequently dyed and woven as well 
as shaped into garments there, too. All emigrants 
brought the best household and fanning imple- 
ments their limited means w^ould allow, so also did 
they bring the best strains of horaes, cattle and 
sheep they could obtain. About the year 180U, 
Mr. Thomas Rotch, a (Quaker, emigrated to Stark 
County, and brought with him a small flock of 
Merino sheep. They were good, and a part of 
them were from the original flock brought over 
from Spain, in 1801, by Col. Humphrey, United 
States Minister to that country. He had brought 
200 of these .sheep, and hoped, in time, to see 
every part of the United States stocked with Jle- 
rinos. In this he partially succeeded only, owing 
to the prejudice against them. In 181 G, Messrs. 
Wells & Dickenson, who were, for the day, exten- 
sive w^oolen manufacturers in Steubenville, drove 
their fine flocks out on the Stark County Plains 
for the summer, and brought them back fiir the 
winter. This course was pursued for several 3'cars, 
until farms were prepared, when they were per- 
manently kept in Stark County. This flock was 
originally derived from the Humphrey importation. 
The failure of Wells & Dickenson, in 1824, placed 



156 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



a good portion of tliis flock in the hands of Adam 
Hildebrand, and became the ba.^is of liis celebrated 
flock. Mr. T. S. HumrieklidU.^e, oi' t'oshoeton, 
in a eommunicatiou regarding slieep, writes as fol- 
io w.s : 

'• The first merinos brought to Ohio were doubt- 
less by Seth Adams, of Zanesville. They were 
Humphrey's Merinos^undoubt<.^dly the best ever 
imported into the United States, by whatever 
name called. He kept them part of the time in 
AVashington, and afterward in Muskingum County. 
He had a sort of partnership agency from Gen. 
Humphrey for keeping and selling them. They 
were scattered, and, had they been taken care of 
and appreciated, would have laid a better found- 
ation i)f flocks in Ohio than any sheep brought 
into it from that time till 1852. The precise date 
at which Adams brought them cannot now be as- 
certained ; but it was prior to 1813, perhaps as 
early as 1804." 

"The first Soiii-hdowns," continues Mr. Hum- 
rickhouse," " New Leicester, Lincolnshire and Cots- 
wold sheep I ever saw, were brought into Coshocton 
County from England by Isaac Maynard, nephew 
of the famous Sir John, in 1834. There were 
about ten Southdowns and a trio of each of the 
other kinds. He was offered 1500 for his Lin- 
colnshire ram, in Buffalo, as lie passed through, 
but refused. He was selfish, and unwilling to put 
them into other hands when he went on a farm, 
all in the woods, and, in about three years, most of 
them had perished." 

The raising and improvement of sheep has kept 
steady tread with the growth of the State, and 
now Ohio wool is known the world over. In (|uan- 
tity it is e(|ual to any State in America, while its 
quality is unequaled. 

The first stock of hogs brought to Ohio were 
rather poor, scrawny creatures, and, in a short 
time, when lefl to themselves to pick a livelihood 
from the beech mast and other nut« in the woods, 
degenerated into a wild condition, almost akin to 
their originators. As the country settled, however, 
they were gathered from their lairs, and, by feed- 
ing them corn, the farmers soon brought them out 
of their semi-barbarous state. Improved breeds 
were introduced. The laws for their protection 
and guarding were made, and now the hog of to- 
day .shows what improvement and civilization can 
do for any wild animal. The chief city of the 
State has become famous as a slaughtering place; 
her bacon and sides being known in all the civil- 
ized World. 



Otlier domestic animals, mules, asses, etc., have 
been brought to tlie State as occasion rc([uired. 
Wherever their use has been demanded, they have 
been obtained, until the Stat* has her complement 
of all animals her citizens can use in their daily 
labors. 

Most of the early emigrants brought with them 
young fruit trees or gi-afts of some favorite variety 
fi'om the " old homestead. ' Hence, on the West- 
ern Reserve are to be found chiefly — especially in 
old orchards — New England varieties, while, in the 
localities immediately south of the Reserve, Penn- 
sylvania and Maryland varieties predominate ; but 
at Marietta, New England fruits are again found, 
as well as throughout Southeastern Ohio. One of 
the oldest of tb.ese orchards was on a Mr. Dana's 
farm, near Cincinnati, on the Ohio River bank. It 
consisted of five acres, in which apple seeds and 
seedlings were planted as early as 1790. Part of 
the old orchard is yet to be seen, though the trees 
are almost past their usefldness. Peaches, pears, 
cherries and apples were planted by all the pioneers 
in their gardens. As soon as the seed produced 
seedlings, these were transplanted to some hillside, 
and the orchard, in a few years, was a productive 
unit in the life of the settler. The first fruit 
brought, was, like everything else of the pioneers, 
rather inferior, and admitted of much cultivation. 
Soon steps were taken by the more enterprising 
settlers to obtain better varieties. Israel Putnam, 
as early as 1796, returned to the East, partly to 
get scions of the choicest apples, and, partly, on 
other business. He obtained quite a quantity of 
choice apples, of some forty or fifty varieties, and 
set them out. A portion of them were distrib- 
uted to the settlers who had trees, to ingrafl. 
From these old grafts are yet to be traced some of 
the best orchards in Ohio. Israel Putnam was one 
of the most prominent men in early Ohio days. 
He was always active in promoting the interests of 
the settlers. Among his earliest efibrts, that of 
improving the fruit may well be mentioned.' He 
and his brother, Aaron W. Putnam, living at Bel- 
pre, opposite Blennerhasset's Island, began the 
nursery business soon afl«r their arrival in the 
West. The apples brought by them from their 
Connecticut home were used to commence the busi- 
ness. These, and the apples obtained from trees 
planted in their gardens, gave them a beginning. 
They were the only two men in Ohio engaged in 
the business till 1817. 

In early times, in the central part of Ohio, 
there existed a cui-ious character known as "Johnny 



^ 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



Appleseed." His real name w;is John Chapiuau. 
He reuoived his namo frum his habit of planting, 
along all the streams in that part of the State, 
aj)plo-secds fioui which sprang many of the old 
orclianls. Ho did this as a religious duty, think- 
ing it to be his especial mission. He had, it is 
said, been disappointed in his youth in a love 
aftkir, and came West about 1800, and ever after 
followed his singular life. He was extensively 
known, was quite harndess, very patient, and did, 
without doubt, much good. He died in 1817, at 
the house of a 3Ir. Worth, near Fort Wayne, 
Indiana, who had long known him, and often 
befriended him. He was a minister in the Swed- 
enborgian Church, and, in his own way, a zealous 
worker. 

The settlers of the Western Reserve, coming 
from New England, chiefly from Connecticut, 
brought all varieties of fruit known in their old 
homes. These, whether seeds or grafts, were 
j)lanted in gardens, and as soon as an orchard 
could be cleared ou some favorable hillside, the 
young trees were transplanted there, and in time 
an orchard was the result. Much confusion 
regarding the kinds of fruits thus produced arose, 
partly from the fact that the trees grown from 
seeds did not always prove to be of the .same (|ual- 
ity as the seeds. Climate, soil and surroundings 
often change the character of such fruits. 
Many m:\v varieties, unknown to the growers, 
were the result. The fiuit thus produced was 
oft«n of an inferior growth, and when grafts were 
brought from the old New England home and 
grafted into the Ohio trees, an im])rovement as 
well :is the old home fruit was the result. After 
the orchards in the Reserve bi^gan to bear, the 
fruit was very often taken to the Ohio lliver for 
shipment, and thence found its way to the South- 
ern and Kastcrn scalinard cities. 

Among tln' individuals ]ininiiiu'nt in introducing 
fruitsintolhc State, wrrr Mr. Diile, of Euclid, Judge 
Fuller, Judge Whittlesey, and Mr. Lindley. 
George Hoadly was also very prominent and ener- 
getic in the matter, and was, perhaps, the first to 
introduce the])(^ar to any extent. Ho was one of 
the most persistent and enthusiastic amateurs in 
horticulture and pomology in the West. About 
the year 1810, Dr. Jarcd Kirtland, father of 
Prof J. P. Kirtland, so favorably known 
among horticulturists and pomologists, came from 
Connecticut and .settled in Poland, Mahoning 
County, with his family. This family has done 
more than any other in the State, perhap.s, to 



advance fruit culture. About the year 1824, 
Prof J. P. Kirtland, in connection with his brother, 
e.stabli.shed a nursery at Poland, then in Trumbull 
County, and brought on from New I'jngland aljove 
a hundred of their best varieties of apples, ciicrries, 
peaches, pears, and smaller fruits, and a year or 
two aft«r brought from New Jersey a hundred of 
the best varieties of that State; others were ob- 
tained in New York,. so that they jxjsse.ssyd the larg- 
est and most varied stock in the Western i-ountry. 
These two men gave a great impc'tus to fruit cult- 
ure in the West, and did more than any others 
of that day to introduce imjirovcd kinds of all 
fruits in that jiart of the United States. 

Another proujinent man in this branch of nidus- 
try was Mr. Andrew H. Ern.st, of Cincinnati. 
Although not so early a settler as the Kirtlands, 
he was, like them, an ardent student and iiroi)a- 
gator of line fruits. He introduced more than 
six hundred varieties of apjiies and .seven hun- 
dred of pears, both native and foreign. His 
object was to test by actual experience the most 
valuable sorts for the diversified soil and climate 
of the Western country. 

The name of Nichohis Longworth, also of Cin- 
cinnati, is one of tin; most extensively known of any 
in the .science of Injrticulture and pomology. For 
more than fifty years he made the.se his especial 
delight. Having a large tract of land in the 
lower part of Cincinnati, he established nur.series, 
and planted and disseminated every variety of 
fruits that could be found in the United States — 
East or West — making occasional importations 
from European countries of siu-h varieties as 
were thought to be adapt(!d to the Western climate. 
His success has been variables, governed by the 
season, and in a measure b}' his numerous experi- 
ments. His vineyards, cultivated by tenants, gen- 
erally Germans, on the EumpeaM plan, during the 
latter years of his ex|MTicMcc paiil liini a hand- 
some revenue. He introdiicci! the famous Catawba 
grape, the standard grape of the West. It is 
stated that Mr. Longwortli bears the same relation 
t« vineyard culture tjiat Fulton did to steam navi- 
gation. Others made earlier effort, but he was the 
first to establish it on a permanent ba.sis. He Inis 
also been eminently successful in the cultivation of 
the strawberry, and was the first to firmly establish 
it on Western soil. He also brought the Ohio J'lver- 
bearing Ra.s])l)erry into notice; in the State, and 
widely disseminateel it throughout the country. 

Other smaller fruits were brought out to the 
West like those mentioned. In some ca.ses fruits 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



imlinonous to the soil were cultivated and improved, 
aud as improved fruits, are known fiivorably where- 
ever used. 

In chronology and importance, of all the cereals, 
corn stands foremost. During the early pioneer 
period, it was the staple article of food for both 
man and bea,st. It could be made into a variety 
of firms of food, and as such was not only palata- 
ble but highly nutritious and strengthening. 

It is very difficult to deterniiuc wlietlier corn 
originated in America or in the Old World. Many 
prominent botanists assert it is a native of Turkey, 
and originally was known as " Turkey wheat." Still 
others claimed to have found mention of maize in 
Chinese writings antrduting the Turkish <lisciivory. 
Grains of maize were found in an Egyi)tian mum- 
my, which goes to prove to many the cereal was 
known in Africa since the earliest times. Maize 
wa,s found in America when first visited by white 
men, but of its origin Indians could give no ac- 
count. It had always been known among them, 
and constituted their chief article of vegetable diet. 
It wa,s cultivated exclusively by their squaws, the 
men coiisidi-riiig it beneath their dignity to engage 
in any manual labcpr. It is altoLirtlh'r |irolinlile coin 
was known in the Old ^Vorld long before the New 
was discovered. The Arabs or Crusaders probably 
introduced it into Europe. How it was introduced 
int« America will, in all jmibability, remain un- 
known. It may have been an indigenous jilant, 
like many others. Its introduction into Ohio dates 
with the settlement of the whites, especially its 
cultivation and use as an article of trade. True, 
the Indians had cultivated it in .small (|uantities ; 
each lodge a little for itself, but no eft'ort to make 
of it a national support began until tlie civilization 
of the white race became established. From that 
time on, the increase in crops has grown with the 
State, and, excepting the great corn States of the 
West, Ohio produces an amount e<(ual to any State 
in the Uni(in. The statistical tables printed in 
agricultural reports show the acres planted, and 
bushels grown. Figures speak an unanswerable 
logic. 

Wheat is probably the next in importance of the 
cereals in the State. Its origin, like corn, is lost 
in the mists of antiquity. Its berry was no doubt 
used as food by the ancients for ages anterior to 
any historical records. It is often called corn in 
<ild writings, and under that name is frequently 
mentioned in the Bible. 

"As far back in the vistas of ages as human 
records co, we find that wheat has been cultivated. 



and, with corn, aside from animal food, has formed 
one of the chief alimentary articles of all nations ; 
but as the wheat plant has nowhere been found wild, 
or in a state of nature, the inference has been 
drawn by men of un([uestioned scientific ability, 
that the original plant from which wheat has been 
derived was either totally annihilated, or else cul- 
tivation has wrought so great a change, that the 
original is by no means obvious, or manifest to bot- 
anists." 

It is supposed by many, wheat originated in 
Persia. Others affirm it was known and cultivated 
in Egypt long ere it found its way into Persia. It 
was certainly grown on the Nile ;iges ago, and 
among the tombs are found grains of wheat in a 
perfectly sound condition, that unquestionably 
have been buried thou.sands of years. It may be, 
however, that wheat was grown in Persia first, and 
thence found its way into Egypt and Africa, or, 
vice versa. It grew first in Egypt and Africa and 
thence crossed into Persia, and from there found 
its way into India and all parts of Asia. 

It is also claimed that wheat is indigenous to 
the island of Sicily, and that from there it spread 
ajouii the shoi-es of the Mediterranean into Asia 
Minor and Egypt, and, as communities advanced, 
it was cultivated, not only to a greater extent, but 
with greater success. 

The goddess of agriculture, more especially of 
grains, who, by the Greeks, was called Demeter, 
and, by the Romans, Ceres — hence the name ce- 
reals — was said to have her home at Enna, a fertile 
region of that island, thus mdicating the source 
from which the Greeks and Romans derived their 
(\iiili<i. Homer mentions wheat and .spelt as 
bread; also corn and barley, aud describes his 
heroes as using them as fodder for their horses, as 
the people in tlie South of Europe do at present. 
Rye was introduced into Greece from Thrace, or 
by way of Thrace, in the time of Galen. In 
Cae.sar's time the Romans grew a species of wheat 
enveloped in a husk, like barley, aud by them 
called "Far." 

During the excavations of Herculaneum and 
Pompeii, wheat, in an excellent state of preserva- 
tion, was frequently found. 

Dr. Anson Hart, Superintendent, at one time, of 
Indian Affiiivs in Oregon, states that he found 
numerous patches of wheat and flax growing wild 
in the Vackemas country, in Upper Oregon. There 
is but little doubt that both cereals were intro- 
duced into Oregon at an early period by the Hud- 
son Bay, or other fur companies. Wheat was also 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



159 



found by Dr. Boyle, of Colunibus, Ohio, growing 
in a similar state in the Carson Valley. It was, 
doubtless, brought there by the early .Spaniard.?. 
In 15SII, one oi' Cortex's slaves found several grains 
of wheat aeeideiilally mixed willi the riee. The 
careful negro jilanted the handful of grains, and 
succeeding years saw a wheat crop in Mexico, 
which found its way uortliward, probably int<j 
California. 

Turn where we may, wherever the foot of civil- 
ization has trod, there will we find this wheat 
plant, which, like a monument, has perpetuated 
the memory of the event; but nowhere do we find 
the plant wild. It is the result of cultivation in 
bygone ages, and lias been produced by "progress- 
ive development.' 

It is beyond the limit and province of these 
pages to discuss the composition of this important 
cereal ; only its hi.storic j)ro])erties can be noticed. 
With the advent of the white men in America, 
wheat, like corn, came to bo one of the staple prod- 
uces of life. It followed the pioneer over the 
mountains westward, where, in the rich Missis- 
sippi and Illinois bottoms, it has been cultivated 
by the French since lli'JO. When the hardy New 
Englanders came to the alluvial lands adjoining 
the Ohio, Muskingum or Miami Rivers, tliey 
brought with them this "staff of life," and forth- 
with began its cultivation. Who sowed the first 
wheat in Ohio, is a question .Mr. A. S. Guthrie 
answers, in a letter jiublished in the Agi-icultural 
Report of 1857, as follows: 

"My father, Thomas (luthrie, emigrated to the 
Northwest Tt^-ritory in the year 17HH, and arrived 
at the mouth of the ^Muskingum in July, alxnit 
three months after (ien. Putnam had arrived with 
the first pioneers of Ohio. .My fatlua- brought a 
bushel of wheat with him from one of the frontier 
counties of Pennsylvania, which h(^ sowed on a 
lot of land in Marietta, which he clean^l for that 
purpose, on the second bottom or plain, in the 
neighborhood of where the Court House now 
stands." 

Mr. Guthrie's ojiinion is corroborated by Dr. 
Samuel I'. Ilildrelli, in his "Pioneer Settlers of 
Ohio," and is, no doubt, correct. 

From that date (jn down through the years of 
Ohio's growth, the crops of wheat have kept pace 
with the advance and growth of civilization. The 
soil is admirably adapted Ui the growth of this ce- 
reiil, a large luimber of varieties being grown, and 
an excellent (juality produced. It is firm in body, 
and, in many citses, is a successful rival of wheat 



produced in the great wheat^jjroducing regions of 
the United States — Minnesota, and the farther 
Northwest. 

Oats, rye, barley, and other grains wore also 
brought to Ohio i'rom the Atlantic Coa.st, though 
some of them had been cultivated liy the French 
in Illinois and about Detroit. They were at first 
used only as food for houu; ('onsumption, and, until 
the successful attcmj)t.s at river and canal naviga- 
tion were brought about, but little was ever sent 
to market. 

Of all the root crops known to man, the potato 
is probably the most valuable. Next to wluiat, 
it is clainu^d by many as the staff of life. In 
some localities, this a.ssumption is undoubtedly 
true. What would Ireland have done in her fam- 
ines but for this simple vegetable? The potato is 
a native of the mountainous districts of tropical 
and subtropical America, probably from (!hili to 
Mexico ; but there is considerable difficulty in 
deciding where it is really indigenous, and where 
it has spread after being introduced by man. 
Humboldt, the learned savant, doubted if it had 
ever been fimnd wild, but scholars no less famous, 
and of late date, have expressed an o|)pnsit(' 
opinion. In the wild plant, as in all others, the 
tubers are smaller than in the cultivated. The 
potato had been cultivat<:d in America, and its 
tubers used for food, long l)efore the advent of the 
Europeans. It .seems to have been first lirought 
to ]"]urope by the Si)aniards, from the neighbor- 
hood of Quito, in the beginning of the sixteenth 
century, and spread through Spain, the Netherlands, 
Burgundy and Ital}-, cultivated in gardens as an 
ornament only and not for an article of food. 
It long received through Huropean countries the 
same nana; with the batata.s — sweet potato, whi(;h 
is the plant meant by all English writers down to 
the seventeenth century. 

It appears that the jiotato was brought from 
Virginia to Ireland by Hawkins, a slave-trader, 
in 15(55, and to England by Sir Francis Drake, 
twenty years later. It did not at first attract much 
notice, and not until it wa.s a third time imimrted 
from America, in 1()2H, by Sir \Valter Ualiigh, 
did the Europeans make a practical use of it. 
Even then it was a long time before it was exten- 
sively cultivated. It is noticed in agiicu'tural 
journals a.s food for cattle only as late as 17 lit. 
Poor people began using it, however, and finding it 
highly nutritious, the Royal Geograpliiial Society, 
in ICGij, adojited measures for its propagation. 
.\bout this time it began to be used in Ireland a.s 



1^ 



IGO 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



food, and from the begiuniug of the eighteenth cent- 
ury, its use has never declined. It is now known 
in every quarter of the world, and has, by cultiva- 
tion, been greatly improved. 

The inhabitants of America learned its use 
from the Indians, who cultivated it and other 
root crops — rutabagas, radishes, etc., and taught 
the whites their value. When the pioneers of 
Ohio came to its fertile valleys, they brought 
improved species with them, wliich by cultiva- 
tion and soil, are now greatly increased, and are 
among the standard crops of the State. 

The cucurbitaccous plants, squashes, etc., were, 
like the potato and similar root crops, indigenous 
to America — others, like the melons, to Asia — 
and were among the staple foods of the original 
inhabitants. The early French missionaries of 
the West speak of both root crops and cucurbi- 
taccous plants as in useamong theaborigiiial inhab- 
itants. "They are very sweet and uiii>li'S(inic," 
wrote Manjuette. Others .speak in the. same terms, 
though some of the plants in this order had found 
their way to these valleys through tlie Spaniards 
and others through early Atlantic Coast and ^Ick- 
ican inhabitants. Their use by the si'ttlcrs of (be 
West, especially Ohio, is traced to New I'higlaud, 
as the first settlers came from that portion of the 
Union. They grow well in all parts of the State, 
and by cultivation have been greatly improved in 
(juality and variety. All cucurbitaeeous plants 
recjuire a rich, porous soil, and by proper atten- 
tion to their cultivation, excellent results can be 
attained. 

Probably the earliest and most im])ortant imj)le- 
ment of husbandry known is the plow. Grain, 
plants and roots will not grow well unless the soil 
in which they are planted be properly stirred, 
hence the first rei|uirement was an instrument that 
would fulfill such conditions. 

The first imiilcnients were rude indeed ; gener- 
ally, stout wooden sticks, drawn through the earth 
by thongs attached to rude ox-yokes, or fastened 
to the animal's horns. Such plows were in use 
among the ancient Rgy))tians, and may yet be 
found among uncivilized nations. The Old Testa- 
ment furnisiies numerous instances of the use of 
the plow, while, on the ruins of ancient cities and 
among tlie pyramids of Egypt, and on the buried 
walls of Babylon, and other ixtinct cities, are rude 
drawings of this useful inqilcnicnt. As the use 
of iron became apparent ami general, it was util- 
ized for plow-points, where the wood alone would 
not penetrate the earth. They got their plow- 



sliares sharpened in Old Testament days, also 
coulters, which shows, beyond a doubt, that iron- 
pointed plows were then in use. From times 
mentioned in the Bible, on heathen tombs, and 
ancient catacombs, the improvement of the plow, 
like other farming tools, went on, as the race of 
man grew in intelligence. Extensive manors in 
the old country required increased means of turning 
the ground, and, to meet these demands, ingenious 
meclianics, from time to time, invented improved 
plows. Strange to say, however, no improvement 
was ever made by the farmer liimself. This is ac- 
counted for in his habits of life, and, too often, 
the disposition to "take things as they are." When 
America was settled, the plow bad become an im- 
plement capable of turning two or three acres per 
day. Still, and for many years, and even until 
lately, the mold-board was entirely wooden, the 
point only iron. Later developments changed the 
wood for steel, which now alone is used. Still 
later, especially in prairie States, riding plows are 
used. Like all other improvements, they were 
obliged to combat an obtuse public mind among 
the ruralists, who surely combat almost every 
move made to better their condition. In many 
places in America, wooden plows, straight ax 
handles, and a stone in one end of the bag, to bal- 
ance the grist in the other, are the rule, and for no 
other reason in the world are they maintained than 
the laconic answer: 

" My father did so, and why should not I? Am 
I better than he? " 

After the plow comes the harrow, but little 
changed, save in lightness and beauty. Formerly, 
a log of wood, or a brush harrow, supplied its 
place, but in the State of Ohio, the toothed instru- 
ment has nearly always been used. 

The hoe is lighter made than formerly, and is 
now made of steel. At first, the common iron 
hoe, sliarpened l)y the blacksmith, was in constant 
use. Now, it is rarely seen outside of the South- 
ern States, where it has long been the chief inqile- 
ment in agriculture. 

The various small phiws iiir the cidtivation of 
corn and such other cro])s as necessitated their use 
are all the re.sult of modern civilization. Now, 
their number is large, and, in many places, there 
are two or more attached to one carriage, whose 
ojierator riiles. These kinds are much used in the 
Western States, whose rootless and stoneless soil is 
admii'alily adapted to sucli machinery. 

When the grain became ripe, implements to cut 
it were in demand. In ancient times, the sickle 



HISTORY OF OUIO. 



was the only iiistruiiK'iit used. It was a short, 
curved iron, wIkpso inner edge was sharpened anil 
serrated. In its most ancient form, it is dimhtfhl 
if the etlge was but little, if any, serrated. It is 
mentioned in all ancient works, and in the Bible is 
freiiuently referred to. 

" Thrust in the sickle, for the harvest is 
ripe." wrott! the sacred New Testament, while 
the Old chronicles as early its the time of Moses: 
'• As thou beginnest to put the sickle to the 
corn." 

In more modern times, the handle of the sickle 
was lengthened, then the blade, which in time led 
to the scythe. Both are yet in use in many parts 
of the world. The use of the scythe led some 
thinking person to add a " finger " or two, and to 
change the .shape of the handle. The old cradle 
was the result. At first it met considerabli' oppn- 
sition from the laborers, who brought forward tlu^ 
old-time argumimt of ignorance, that it would 
cheajien labor. 

Whether the cradle is a native of America or 
Europe is not accurately decidi'd; probably of the 
mother country. It came into common u.se about 
1818, and in a few years had found its way into 
the wheat-pnjducing regions of the West. Where 
small crops are rai.scd, the cradle is yet much used. 
A man can cut from two to four acres per day, 
hence, it is much cheaper than a reaper, where the 
crop is small. 

The mower and reaper are comparatively mod- 
ern inventions. A rude rca]iing machine is men- 
tioned ))y Pliny in the first century. Itwas pushed 
by an ox through the standing grain. On its 
front was a sharp edge, which cut the grain. It 
was, however, impracticable, as it cut only a por- 
tion of the grain, and the pc^asiuitry ]ircfcrrc<l the 
sickle. Other and later attempts to make r<'a]icrs 
do not seem to have been successful, and not till 
the present century wa.s a machine made that would 
do the work required. In 1826, Mr. Bell, of 
Scotland, constructed a machine which is yet used 
in many parts of that country. In America, Mr. 
Hu.ssey and Mr. MeCormick took out patents for 
reaping machines of superior character in 188:1 
and 18.S4. At first the cutters of these machines 
were various contrivances, but both manufacturers 
soon adojitcd a s(Trated knife, triangular shaped, at- 
tached to a bar, and driven through '■ finger 
guards" attached to it. by a forward and backward 
motion. These are the common ones now in use, 
save that all do not use serrated knives. Siner 
these pioneer machines were introduced into the 



harvest fields they have been greatly improved and 
changed. Of late years they have been constructed 
so as to bind the sheaves, and now a good stout 
boy, and a team with a " harvester," will do as 
much iis many men could do a few years ago, and 
with much greater case. 

As was e.vpccted by the inventors of reapers, 
they met with a determined resistance from those 
who in former times made their living by harvest- 
ing. It w;us again absurdly argued that they would 
cheapen labor, and hence were an injury to the 
laboring man. Indeed, when tlu; first machines 
were brimght into Ohio, many of them were torn 
to pieces by the ignorant hands. Others left fields 
in a body wlu^n tlui j)roi)rietor brought a reaper to 
his farm, l-ike all such fallacies, these, in time, 
pa.ssed away, Ic-aving only their stain. 

Following the rea|jcr came the thresher. As 
the country (illcd with inhabitants, and men in- 
creased their possessions, more rapid means than 
the old flail or roller method were demanded. At 
first the grain was trodden out by horses driven over 
the bundh's, which were laid in a circular inclosurc. 
The old flail, th(! tramping-out by horses, and the 
cleaning by the .sheet, or throwing the grain up 
against a current of air, were too slow, and 
machines were the result of the demand. In Ohio 
the manufacture of threshers began in 1846, in 
the southwestern part. Isaac Tobias, who cauu; 
to Hamilton Irom Mianiisburg that year, com- 
menced building the threshers then in u.se. They 
were without the cleaning attachment, and simply 
hulled the gi-ain. Two yenrs later, he began 
manufacturing the combiiicd thresher and cleaner, 
which were then coming into use. He continued 
in business till 1851. Four years after, the in- 
crca.scd demand for such machines, con.sec|uent 
upon the increa.sed agricidtural products, induced 
the firm of Owens, Lane & Dyer to fit their estab- 
ILshment for the manufijcture of threshers. They 
afterward added the matiufacture of steam engines 
to be used in the place of horse power. Since 
then the manufacture of these machines, as well as 
that of all other agricultural machinery, lias greatly 
multiplied and improved, until now it seems as 
though but little room for inijirovi'ment remains. 
One of the largest firms engaged in the manufact- 
\u-e of threshers and their comiionent machinery is 
located at Mansfield— the Anltman it Taylor 
Co. Others are at Ma.ssillon, and at other cities 
in the West. 

Modern times and modern enterprise have devel- 
oped a marvelous variety of agricultural iinplement.s 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



— too many to bo meutioneil in a volume like 
this. Under special subjects they will occasionally 
be found. The fanner's life, so cheerless in pioneer 
times, and so full of weary labor, is daily becom- 
ing less laborious, until, if they as a class profit 
by the advances, they can find a life of ease 
in farm pursuits, not attainable in any other 
profession. Now machines do almost all the work. 
TJiey sow, cultivate, cut, bind, thresh, winnow 
and carry the grain. They, cut, rake, load, mow 
and dry the hay. They husk, shell and clean the 
corn. They cut and split the wood. They do al- 
most all ; until it seems as though the day may 
come when the farmer can sit in his house and 
simply guide the affairs of his farm. 

Any occupation prospers in proportimi to the 
interest taken in it by its members. This interest 
is always heightened by an exchange of views, hence 
societies and periodicals exercise an influence at 
first hardy realized. This feeling among prominent 
agriculturists led to the formation of agricultural 
societies, at first by counties, then districts, then 
by States, and lastly by associations of States. 
The day may come when a national agricul- 
tural fair may be one of the annual attractions of 
America. 

Without noticing the early attempts to found 
such societies in Kurope or America, the narrative 
will begin with those of Ohio. The first agricul- 
tural society organized in the Buckeye State was 
the Hamilton County Agi'icultural Society. Its 
exact date of organization is not now preserved, 
but to a certainty it is known that the Society held 
public exhibitions as a County Society prior to 
1823. Previous to that date there were, doubt- 
less, small, private exhibitions held in older local- 
ities, probably at Marietta, but no regular organi- 
zation seems to have been maintained. The 
Hamilton County Society held its fairs annually, 
with marked success. Its successor, the present 
Society, is now one of the largest county societies 
in the Union. 

During the legislative session of 1832-3.3, the 
subject of agriculture seems to have agitated the 
minds of the people through their representatives, 
for the records of that session show the first laws 
passed for their benefit. The acts of that body 
seem to have been productive of some good, for, 
though no records of the number of societies or- 
ganized at that date exist, yet the record shows 
that " many societies have been organized in con- 
formity to this act," etc. No doubt many societies 
held fairs from this time, for a ereater or less 



number of years. Agricultural journals* were, 
at this period, rare in the State, and the subject of 
agricultural improvement did not receive that at- 
tention from the press it does at this time ; and, 
for want of public spirit and attention to sustain 
these fairs, they were gradually discontinued until 
the new act respecting their organization was 
passed in 1846. However, records of several 
county societies of the years between 1832 and 
1846 yet exist, showing that in some parts of the 
State, the interest in these fairs was by no means 
diminished. The Delaware County Society re- 
ports for the year 1833 — it was organized in June 
of that year — good progress for a beginning, and 
that much interest was manifested by the citizens 
of the county. 

Ross County held its first exhibition in the 
autumn of that year, and the report of the mana- 
gers is quite cheerful. Nearly all of the exhibited 
articles were sold at auction, at greatly advanced 
prices from the cuiTcnt ones of the day. The en- 
try seems to have been free, in an open inclosure, 
and but little revenue Wiis derived. Little was ex- 
pected, hence no one was disappointed. 

Washington County reports an excellent cattle 
show for that year, and a number of premiums 
awarded to the successful exhibitors. This same 
year the Ohio Importation Company was organ- 
ized at the Ross County fair. TJie Company began 
the next season the importation of fine cattle from 
England, and, in a few years, did incalculable good 
in this respect, as well as make considerable money 
in the enterprise. 

These societies were re-organized when the law 
of 1846 went into effect, and, with those that had 
gone down and the new ones started, gave an im- 
petus to agriculture that to this day is felt. Now 
every county has a society, while district. State 
and inter-State societies are annually held; all 
promotive in their tendency, and all a benefit to 
every one. 

The Ohio State Board of Agriculture was organ- 
ized by an act of the Legislature, passed February 
27, 184G. Since then various amendments to the 
organic law have been passed from time to time as 



ultur 



ritiiiD 



The Farmera^ Record \v:i9 published in Ciucinnati, in 1831, and 
continued for several years. 

The Ohio Fanner was published at Batavia, Clermont County, in 
1833. by Hon. Samuel Medary. 

These were the early agricultural journals, some of which yet 
survive, though in new names, and under new management. Others 
have, also, since been added, some of which have an exceedingly 
large circulation, and are an influence for much good in the State. 



i. 



■^ 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



1G3 



tlie iiecessities of the Board ami of agriculture in 
the State (loruandcd. The same day that the act 
was passed crcaliiiir the State Board, an act was 
alsii ]ia.-sod iirovidiiijr for tlic erection of nmiilyand 
(li>Iri(t sniictics, midcr wliic-li law, with .-ulisc(|UL'iit 
amciiiliiieiits. the jircseut county and district agri- 
cidttiral societies are luauajred. Duriuji the years 
from 184() down to the ])rcseiit time, great improve- 
ments have been made in the manner of conduct 
ing these societies, rcstdting in exhiUitions unsur- 
passed in any other State. 

Pomology and horticulture are branches of in- 
dustry so closely allied with agriculture that a 
bri(?f n-siime of their operations in Ohio will he 
eminently ada])ted to these pages. The early 
])lanting ami care of fruit in Ohio has already been 
noticed, .\mong the earliest ])ioueers were men of 
fine t;Lstcs, who not only desired to benefit them- 
selves anil their country, but who were pos,scssed 
with a laudable ambition to produce the lust fruits 
and vegetables the State could raise. For this end 
they studied carefullj- the to]iography of the coun- 
tr}', its soil, climate, and various influences upon 
.such culturi', and by careful i xpiTinicnts with fruit 
and vegetables, proiluced tlie exeellenl varieties now 
ill use. ^Mention has been made of .Mr. Loiigworth 
and Mr. Krn.st, of Cincinnati ; and Israel and Aaron 
W. Putnam, on the Muskingum River ; Mr. Dillc, 



Judges Fuller and Whittlesey. Dr. .Tared Kirtland 
and his sons, and others — all practical eiithusiast.s in 
these departments. At first, individual efforts alone, 
owing to the condition of the country, could be 
made. As the State filled with .settlers, and ini'aiis 
of communii-ation became better, a diwire for an in- 
terchange of views became apparent, resulting in 
the establishment of periodicals devoted to these 
subjects, and societies wluire diflereut tines could 
meet and discuss these things. 

A Horticultural and Pomologieal Society wa.s 
organized in Ohio in 18(Jt5. Before the organiza- 
tion of Stat* societies, however, several distinct or 
independent societies existed; in fact, out of tlu'.se 
grew the State Society, which in turn ]iroduced 
good by stimulating the creation of county societies. 
All these societies, aids to agriculture, have pro- 
gressed a.s the Stjite developed, and have done much 
in advancing fine fruit, and a taslc for lesthetic cul- 
ture. In all parts of the West, their influence is 
seen in better and improved fruit ; its culture and 
its demand. 

To-day, Oliio stands in the van of the Western 
States in agriculture and all its kindrcMl associa- 
tions. It only needs the active energy of her 
citizens to keep her in this i)lace, advancing 
as time advances, until the goal of her ambition is 
reached. 



CHAPTER XVI. 



CLIMATOLOGY— OITLIXE—V.VRI.VTION 



IN OHIO -E.STIM ATE IN 
— VAIUAIJILITV. 



DEGREES— RAINFALL— AMOUNT 



Till-; climate of Ohio varies about tour degrees. 
Though originally liable to malaria in many 
di.striets when first settled, in coiisei|uence of a 
dense vegetation induced by summer heats and 
rains, it has became very healthful, owing to clear- 
ing away this vegetation, and proper drainage. 
The State is as favurable in its .sanitary char- 
acteristics as any other in its locality. Ohio is re- 
markable for its high iiroductive caiiacity, almost 
every thing grown in the temperate climates being 
within its range. Its e.vtremes of heat and cold 
are less than almost any other Stat(> in or near the 
same latitude, hence (_)hio sufl'ers less from the <x- 
treme dry or wet sca.sons which aft'ect all adjoining 
States. These modifications are mainl}' due to the 
influence of the Lake Erie waters. The.se not 



only modify the heat of sumiii 
winter, but a]iparetitly rediK 



I the cold of 
profusion of 
infall in summer, and favor iiKiisturc in dry pe- 
riods. No finer climate exists, all (■ondilions consid- 
ered, for delicate vegetable growths, than that por- 
tion of Ohio bordering on Lake Krie. This is 
abundantly attested by the recent extensive devel- 
(p]iinent there of grape culture. 

Mr. Lorin Blodget, author of "American Clima- 
tology,"' in the agricultural report of 1 8.5:5, says; 
"A district bordering on the Southern and West- 
ern porticiiis of Jjake Krie is more favorable in this 
respect (grape cultivation ) than any other on the 
Atlantic sid(> of thi' Rocky Mountiiins, and it will 
ultimately prove capable of a very liberal extension 
of vine culture." 



:>£ 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



Experience has proven Mr. Blodget correct in 
hia theory. Now extensive fields of grapes are 
everywhere found on the Lake Erie Slope, while 
other small fruits find a sure footing on its soil. 

" Considering the climate of Ohio by isother- 
mal lines and rain shadings, it must be borne in 
mind," says Mr. Blodget, in his description of 
Ohio's climate, from which these facts are drawn, 
" that local influences often require to be considered. 
At the South, from Cincinnati to Steubenville, the 
deep river valleys are two degrees warmer than the 
hilly districts of the same vicinity. The lines arc 
drawn intermediate between the two extremes. 
Thus, Cincinnati, on the plain, is 2° warmer than 
at the Observatory, and 4° warmer for each year 
than Ilillsboro, Highland County — -the one being 
500, the other 1,00(1, feet above sea-level. The 
immediate valley of the Ohio, from Cincinnati to 
Galli[)olis, is about 75° for the summer, and 54° 
for the year; while the adjacent hilly districts, 
300 to 500 feet higher, are not above 7o° and 52° 
respectively. For the summer, gwierally, the 
river valleys are 73° to 75° ; the level and central 
portions 72° to 73°, and the lake border 70° to 
72°. A peculiar mildness of climate Ix^longs to 
the vicinity of Kelley's Island, Sandusky and 
Toledo. Here, both winter and sunnuer, the cli- 
mate is 2° warmer than on the highland ridge ex- 
tending from Norwalk and Oberlin to Hudson and 
the niirtlieastern border. This ridge varies from 
500 to 750 feet above the lake, or "850 to 1,200 
feet above sea level. This high belt has a summer 
temperature of 70°, 27° for the winter, and 49° 
for tlie year ; while at Sandusky and Kelley's 
Island the summer is 72°, the winter 29°, and the 
year 50°. In the central and eastern parts of 
the State, the winters are comparatively cold, the 
average falling to 32° over the more level districts, 
and to 29° on the highlands. The Ohio River 
valley is about 35°, but the highlands near it fall 
to 31° and 32° for the winter." 

As early as 1 824, several persons in the State 
began taking the temperature in their respective 
localities, for the spring, summer, autumn and win- 
ter, averaging them for the entire year. From time 
to time, these were gathered and published, inducing 
others to take a step in the same direction. Not 
long since, a general table, from about forty local- 



ities, was gathered and compiled, covering a period 
of more than a quarter of a century. This table, 
when averaged, showed an average temperature of 
52.4°, an evenness of temperature not equaled 
in many bordering States. 

Very imperfect observations have been made 
of the amount of rainfall in the State. Until 
lately, only an individual here and there through- 
out the State took enough interest in this matter 
to faithfully observe and record the averages of 
several years in succession. In consequence of 
this fact, the illustration of that feature of Ohio's 
climate is less satisfactory than that of the 
temperature. "The actual rainfall of different 
months and years varies greatly," says Jlr. Blod- 
get. "There may be more in a month, and, 
again, the ((uantity may rise to 12 or 15 inches 
in a single month. For a year, tlie variation may 
be from a minimum of 22 or 25 inches, to a maxi- 
mum of 50 or even 00 inches in the southern part 
of the State, and 45 to 48 inches along the lake 
border. The average is a fixed quantity, and, 
although re((uiring a period of twenty or twenty- 
five years to fix it absolutely, it is entirely certain 
and unchangeable when known. On charts, these 
average quantities are represented by depths 
of shading. At Cincinnati, the last fifteen years 
of okservation .somewhat reduce the average of 
48 inches, of former years, to 40 or 47 inches." 

Spring and summer generally give the most rain, 
there being, in general, 10 to 12 inches in the 
spring, 10 to 14 inches in the summer, and 8 to 
10 inches in the autumn. The winter is the mo.st 
variable of all the seasons, the soutliern j)art of 
the State having 10 inches, and the northern part 
7 inches or less — an average of 8 or 9 inches. 

The charts of rainfall, compiled fin- the State, 
show a fall of 30 inches on the lake, and 46 inches 
at the Ohio River. Between these two points, the 
fall is marked, beginning at the north, 32, 34, 36 
and 38 inches, all near the lake. Farther down, 
in the latitude of Tuscarawas, Monroe and IMercer 
Counties, the fall is 40 inches, while the soutli- 
western part is 42 and 44 inches. 

The clearing away of forests, the drainage of 
the land, and other causes, have lessened the rain- 
fall, making considerable difference since the days 
of the aborigines. 



'-iU. 



HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY. 



CHAPTER I.* 

PHYSICAL FKATIRES— GEOLOGICAL SUKVKV— ROCK SECTION— COALS OK STAUK COINTV— BLACK- 

liANU IRON ORE— SURFACE PRODUCTS— EARLY EXPERIENCES IN AGKICULT- 

URE— IMPROVEMENTS IN FARMING AND STOCK-RAIS- 

ING—AGRICILTIRAL SOCIETIES. 

n^HE sm-f ace of Stai-k Coimty is without any adjacent counties, wo find many drained or 



J- striking featiu-es. It is generally rolling, 
and along the southern border may be called 
hilly, since the valleys of some of the draining 
streams are cut to a depth of 300 feet. In 
most j)arts of the county, the surface is pleas- 
antly diversified by rounded hills, with very 
gentle slopes, and which are cultivated to 
their summits. The valleys that divide these 
hills !U'i> broad and shallow, and rarely show 
precipitous sides or exposxu'es of rock. The 
soil is generally light, often loam, sand or 
gi'avel, and was originally covered with a for- 
est composed principally of oak, Ijut, in the 
central ])ortion of the county there were many 
glades and ojjeniugs, where the timber was 



tilled lake-basins, where peat and marl now 
hold the place formerly occupied by water. 
The extent of this kind of sm-f acc> is, however, 
not gi-eat, as Stark has little marsh land, and, 
since it is so abundantly supplied with excel- 
lent coal, it is scarcely proliable that the scat- 
tered patches of peat will ever become of im- 
portance, as a som'ce of fuel. As fertilizers, 
however, the muck and shell -marl will ho of 
gi-eat practical vahus, especially on light and 
open soils, such as that which covers most of 
the county. It may be important, therefore, 
for the fai-mers who have patches of swamp 
upon their land to test them by boring, to 
ascertain whether they are underlain l)y strata 



light. This consisted hu-gely of willow-oak of peat or marl, which may be used to cheajily 
and blackjack- oak, which formed clumps and fertilize their fields. 

islands, separated by spaces overgrown with In most parts of Stark County, the siu-face 

wild gi-asses, flowers' and serab-oak. From deposits are such as have been transported to 
the natiu-e of the soil, the farmers of the ' gi-eater or less distances fi'om tlnnr places of 
county have usually been cultivators of gi'ain, , origin, and it is only on the hills of the south- 
and Stark has long been famous for its crops i ern townshif)s that we find the soil derived 
of wheat. ! from the decomposition of the undi>rlying 

The altitude of the county is from 350 to rocks. Niimerous facts indicate that the coun- 
7r)0 feet alwve Lake Erie, its eastern portion ty has formerly been traversed from north to 
r(;aching up on the gi-eat divide or water-shed south by a great line of drainage. This is 



Ix'twoen the Ohio and Lake Erie. Like most 
of the counties tliat lie along the water-shed, 
the surface of Stark County is dotted over 
with lakes; of these. Congress Lake, in Lake 
Township, Myer's Lake, Sippo Lake, etc., 
may be taken !is examples. Here, too, as in 

•Cunlributril l.y J II. Baltic. 



now imperfectly represented by the Tuscara- 
was River, but it is evident that this, though 
a noble stream, is but a rivulet compared with 
the flood which once flowed somewhat in the 
direction it follows, fi'om the lake basin into 
the Ohio. The records of this ancient river 
are seen in the deeply excavated channels. 



166 



HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY. 



now filled with gravel, in the Tuscarawas Val- 
ley, and between Canton and Massillon. In 
the valley of the Tuscarawas an extensive 
series of borings has been made for coal, and 
these have revealed the fact that this stream 
is now running far above its former bed, and 
that it does not accurately follow the line of 
its ancient valley. That old valley is in many 
places filled with gravel, and is now so thor- 
oughly obliterated as to give to the common 
observer little indication of its existence. A 
few facts will show, however, that this inter- 
esting featiu-e in the surface geology of Stark 
County has a real existence. The borings made 
for coal east of the })resent river, in Lawi'ence 
and Jackson Townshij)s, have, in many in- 
stances, been carried below the jiresent streams 
without reaching solid rock, and heavy beds 
of gi'avel are found to occujiy a broad and 
deep valley, which lies for the most jiart on 
the east side of the present water-course. 
From Fulton to Milliiort, and thence to Mas- 
sillon, many borings have been made, and in 
these, where the coiu-se of the auger was not 
aiTested liy l>owlders, the di-ift deposits have 
often lieen found to be more than 100 feet in 
thickness. As the rock is exposed on both 
sides of the river at Massillon and Millport, 
it is seen that the river is riuining on the 
west side of its ancient trough, and, though it 
here has a rocky bottom, east of the present 
course, the rock would not be found, even at 
a considerably gi-eater depth. Just how deep 
the ancient valley of the Tuscarawas is in 
this section of the county, there are no means 
at hand of ascertaining; but we learn from 
the salt-wells bored at Canal Dover that the 
bottom of the rocky valley is there 175 feet 
below the surface of the stream. Another, 
and perhaps the most important of these an- 
cient lines of di-ainage, runs between Canton 
and Massillon. At the " Fom-Mile Switch," 
half way between these towns, rock comes 
near the surface, and coal has been worked at 
Bahney's mine and other places in this vicin- 
ity. Explorations have been made, which 
show that between " Four-Mile Switch" and 
Massillon is a ridge of rock, which lies be- 
tween two valleys, viz., that through which 
the Tuscarawas flows, and another, completely 
filled, between Massillon and Canton. 



Between Massillon and Navarre, the road 
for the most part lies upon a terrace, the 
surface of which is about seventy- five feet 
above the river. This terrace is part of a pla- 
teau, which extends in some places more than 
a mile east of the river. It is composed of 
gi'avel and sand, of which the depth is not 
known. On the other side of the Tuscarawas, 
the rock comes to the surface, quarries have 
been opened, and borings for coal have been 
made, which show that, for- some miles below 
Massillon, comparatively little di-ift covers the 
rock. It is evident, therefore, that the ancient 
river channel passed under the terrace over 
which the road runs from Massillon to Na- 
varre. Below Navarre, the river sways over 
to the east side of its ancient valley, striking 
its rocky border on the " Wetmore Tract." 
Here the gravel-beds, which filled the old 
valley, are on the west side of the river. 

The succession of the rocks which come to 
the siu'face in Stark Coimty will be most 
readily learned by reference to the general 
section, which is as follows: 

1. Soil and drift deposits 10 to 100 

3. Slialeand.siindstoiicot'liarrt'iicoal mcas- 
lU'es only found in hilltops of Osna- 
biirg. Paris, Ximisliillcn and Wash- 
ington 30 to no 

3. Buff fcn-uginoiis limtstoue, O.snaljtirg 

and Paris to 6 

4. Black-band-iron ore. Osuabin-g and 

Paris : Oto 10 

■■). Coal No. 7, same lofalities as No. 4. . . . 1 to 3 

6. Fire day 1 to 3 

7. Shale and sandstone, sometimes con- 

taining a thin coal seam near the 
middle hills of Washington. Nimi- 
shillen, Paris. Osnaburg and Sandy ; 
hilltops of Pike, Bethlehem and Su- 
gar Creek 75 to 110 

8. Coal No. 6, same localities as No. 7. ... 3 to 6 

9. Fii;e clay 3 to S 

10. Gray and black sliales, with iron ore 

near base 40 to 60 

11. Coal No. 5, "thirtj'-inch seam," .south- 

ern and eastern portion of the county. 3 to 3 
13. Fire clay 3 to .5 

13. Shale and sand.stone, sometimes con- 

taining thin coal 40 to 60 

14. Putnam Hill limestone to 4 

15. Coal No. 4, "upper limestone seam". . 1 to 6 

16. Fire elay 1 to 5 

17. Shale and sandstone, sometimes with 

thin eoal and limestone 20 to 50 

18. Zoar limestone to 4 

19. Coal No. 3, "lower limestone coal ". ... to 3 
30. Fire elav 1 to 8 



^^ 



HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY. 



FEET. 

21. Shale and sandstone, sometimes with 

thin coal at ba.sc 50 to 60 

23. Massillon sandstone, sometimes with 

thin coal at lm.se 30 to 100 

'2'S. Gray or l>laek shale 5 to 50 

24. Con] Xo. 1, "Massillon eoal ■" to (J 

2."). Kill' elav 1 to 5 

2t>. Shal V .sandstone 80 to 50 

2T. Conijldmerate 20 to 50 

The strata pniimcr.ited in the foregoing sec- 
tion all l)elong to the carhoniferotis sj'stem, 
and, with the exeeptiou of a limited area iir 
thi' northwe.stc^rn corner, wheri' the conglomer- 
ate appears, the entire area of the connty is 
occui)ied by the coal mea.sures. The only 
outcrops of the conglomerate occur in the 
extreme northwestern i)ortion of the county, 
in the corner of LawTene(> Township, so that 
it might as well be omitted fi-om enumeration 
among the rocks of the eijunty. exei'i)t that it 
underlies, at no great depth, all portions of 
the surface, and deserves notice as the easily 
recognizable base of the jiroductive coal meas- 
ures. It should also be mentioned in this 
connection that some of the higher sandstones 
of the coal measures sometimes contain ])eb- 
bles, especially that over Coal No. (5; but the 
jiebbles in these beds ai'e usually quite small 
— riirely exceeding a betm in size— so that 
there is little danger that they will be con- 
founded with the tnie conglomerate. 

The coal measiu'es of Stark ('ounty are 
c')m])osed, as usual, of sandstone, limestone, 
shale, fire-clay, coal, etc., and include all the 
lower group of coal seimis — seven in number. 
Of these, the low'est, or, as we have named it. 
Coal No. 1, the Massillon, or Briar Hill seam, 
is one of the most valuable in the entire series. 
This is well developed in Stark County, and 
forms one of the most important sources of 
business and wealth. The coal which is ob- 
tained from this seam is generally called the 
Massillon coal, and is so well known that little 
need be said of its character. Thou-j;h vary- 
ing somewhat in different kx'iilities, as a gen- 
eral rule it is bright and handsome in appear- 
ance, contains little sul])hur and ash, is open- 
burning, and jHjssesses high heating power. 
By long and varied trial, it has ))roved to be 
one of the most serviceable coals found in the 
State. In Stark County, it is somewhat more 
bituminous than the coal of the same seam in 



the Mahoning Valley, but it is more like it in 
composition than its a])pearanee would indi 
cate. The Massillon coal is well adapted l<> 
a great variety of uses. It is successfully 
employed in the smelting of iron in blast fur 
naces, and is there used in the raw state. It 
is also a good •rolling-mill coal, serves an 
excellent purjxjse tor tln> generation of steam, 
would jjp well for the manufactm'e of gas, and 
is the most highly esteemed household fuel in 
all the districts where it is used. This combi 
nation of excellences makes it a special favor 
ite in the markets of the lake ports, and main 
tains for it an active demantL 

The Massillon coal seam, being generally 
cut by the valley of the Tuscariiwas, forms a 
gi'eat numb(>r of outcrops in the western part 
of the county, and in that region more than a 
hundi'ed mines are o}iened into it, Asthedii" 
of all the rocks in the county is southeast, it 
passes out of sight east of the Tuscarawas 
Valley, and along the etistern margin of tlie 
county it is at least 2(10 feet below the surface. 
It will thus be seen that it ought to underlie 
nearly all the county, but it unfortunately 
hapj)ens here, as in Siunmit and ^lalioning. 
this coal lies in limited basins, and is absent 
from a larger part of the territory where it 
belongs. It is therefore of much less practi- 
cal value than it was supposed to be before 
the iiTegidarity of its distribution was ascer- 
tiiined. Nevertheless, the most important 
question conne<'ted with the geology of Stark 
County is that of the presence or absence of 
the Massillon coal in the townships e;ist of 
where it is mined. X'n fortunately, but little 
light has been thrown upon this subject by 
any explorations yet made, and, from the 
peculiar character of this coal setmi, it is 
quite impossible to predict, with any certainty, 
what will be the result of a systematic search 
for it vrhere it lies deeply buried. Between 
the valley of the TusciU'awas and the western 
margin of the coal iU"ea in \Vayn<' County, 
numeroi;s otitcrops of the Massillon coal have 
been found, a number of important basins 
have been oi)ened, and now many thousand 
tons !ire annually mined in this district. 

East of the Tuscarawas \' alley, the geolog- 
icid structure is obsciu-ed by heavy masses of 
drift, and Coal No. 1 has not been mined or 



168 



HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY. 



found to any extent on thcat side of the river. 
Near Millport, however, and still further 
north, and east around Mud Brook Ghiu'ch, 
important l)asins of coal have been discovered, 
and it is probable that, vfhen the real difficul- 
ties of the search on this side of the river are 
overcome, i. e., when certain clews that can be 
followed up shall have been fomid it will be 
learned that valuable deposits of coal stretch 
eastward far beyond any present knowledge. 

Considerable boring has been done in the 
central and eastern portions of the county, 
and such as might be su])posed would go far 
to decide the question of the reach eastward 
of the Massillon coal, but these explorations 
have not proven the existence of any consider- 
able body of this coal east of the river. It 
should be said, however,' that of the borings 
made, only such as were made for the express 
puiTiose of tinding coal ai'e worthy of anv 
confidence. The oil-wells, by which the whole 
county has lieen pierced, were bored for oil, 
and nothing else. As a general rule, every 
other product was neglected, and where coal 
seams were jiassed throiigh, the evidence of 
the fact afforded by the sand- pump was im- 
heeded. 

On the eastern line of the coiinty, few bor- 
ings have been made which can be depended 
upon for giving any acciu'ate information. 
At Limaville, in the northeastern corner of the 
county, the Briar Hill coal has been struck in 
several holes. These borings, and others at 
Canton, show that the belief that no valuable 
deposits of the Massillon coal exist east of the 
Tuscarawas River, is without a solid founda- 
tion, and it is predicted that some most im- 
portant and valuaVile coal basins will be 
reached in the eastern portion of the county, 
and where their presence has not been sus- 
pected. The borings at Limaville show the 
lower coal of workable thickness. It exists 
over a considerable area in that vicinity, as it 
was found in a munber of holes running with 
gi-eat regularity. The well was located near 
Limaville Station, the well head ten feet 
above, or oTO above Lake Erie. The coal was 
struck 165 feet from the surface, or 405 feet 
above the lake. This -shows a dip of about 
1(1(1 feet from the nearest outcrop of the coal 
in Tallmadge, eighteen miles north of west. 



and about the same dip fi'om the vicinity of 
Ravenna, fifteen miles due north; but the 
coal lies higher here than at Massillon, south- 
west, or Youngstown, northeast, a fact due, 
doubtless, to one of the folds which traverse 
our coal fields. 

The Massillon coal district is. practically, 
one of the most important in the State. The 
niimlier of miners employed here is about fif- 
teen hundi-ed. A capital of over !f2,( )()(),()()() 
is used in the production of coal, and the an- 
nual yield of the mines mav be estimated at 
l,(t00',()(j() tons. Most of this coal goes to 
Cleveland, by way of the Lake Shore & Tus- 
carawas Valley, Cleveland, Mt. Vernon & Co- 
lumbus, and other railroads, and by the Ohio 
Canal. A large amount is consumed in and 
about Massillon, where it is used for a consid- 
erable variety of manufactiu-es. The most 
important use to which this coal is here put 
is for iron-smelting, since it is the fuel exclu- 
sively used in the two furnaces at Massillon, 
and one at Dover. These fiu-naces have been 
in operation for many years, and that which 
they produce has a well-established and excel- 
lent reputation. It is for the most part made 
of black-baud iron ore, and closely resembles 
the Scotch pig. This is not sur]irising, since 
the materials and methods emialoyed are almost 
exactly the same as those used in Scotland. 
These have proved remunerative during jeiirs 
of experience, yet the methods of the Scotch 
iron-masters can be easily shown to be suscep- 
tible of improvement. By adding close tops 
to the furnaces, increasing their dimensions 
and the temperature of the blast, there is 
little doubt that most important economy in 
the use of the fuel may be eft'ected. ^Vith the 
jiresent method of manufacture, the Massillon 
fiu-naces consume three and a half to foiu- 
tons of coal for every ton of iron made. This 
is certainly a wasteful itse of fxtel, which, from 
its gi'eat excellence and limited quantity, 
ought to be husbanded with the greatest care. 
The Massillon coal constitutes a gi'eat source 
of wealth to the county, and is the mainspring 
of many industries; but the fact should be 
recognized that this is a capital which is daily 
being exhausted, and. when exhausted, can 
never be rejinxluced. All the coal basins now 
known aliout Massillon will be worked out 



HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY. 



l(i!) 



within a generation, and, although new dis- 
coveries will certainly be made, and much 
territory will become ))roductive whore the 
coal is not now sujijiosed to exist, still the 
value of the coal is so gi-oat. and the consiunj)- 
tion of it so rapidly increasing, that it is to 
he feai'ed not many years will elapsi' before 
the supply fi'om this region will be exhausted. 
A list of the principal mines in the Massil- 
lon district is as follows:* 

T...1S. 

Rliodc'S & Co. (01(1 Willow IBank), dailv pioiliu- 

tioii 4.")0 

Rhodes Coal Co.. daily production 3.j0 

C. H. Clark A: Co.. daily production 150 

Williain.son Coal Co.. daily production 150 

The Ridsrcway (J. P. Burton), daily production 75 
Massillon Coal Mining Co., daily production. . . . 3-50 

Voun>;sfc]\vii Coal Co., daily production 8.")0 

Crawfonl Coal Co., daily production 4.50 

Willow Bank (new), Henry Holtz. dailv produc- 
tion ■ 300 

Buckeye, daily production 100 

Fulton Coal Mining Co., daily production 1.50 

There are many other mines — the " Grove," 
the " Brookfield," the "Mountain," the " Stof- 
fer," the " McCue," etc. — of which there is no 
detailed report at hiind. The analysis of 
this coal is as follows: 

SperiBc gravity 1.253 1.209 1.247 1.337 1.25U 1.328 

Water 7.60 5 fiO 0.95 3.70 4.10 2.40 

Ash 1.00 3.90 3.18 1.60 1.00 13.50 

Volatile combMlible 31.00 3O..30 32.33 30 50 32.90 35.20 

Fixed carbon Rl.OO 60 20 57.49 04.20 01.40 48.90 



Total 10.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 lOOOO 

Sulphur 0.49 0.19 0.88 008 1.07 0.975 

Gas, CDl)ic feet per pound... 3 42 3..')0 3 64 3.15 

The specimens are from the following 
mines: 1. Lawrence Coal Company, lower 
bench. 2. The same, u))])or Ijench. 8. Blue 
Chippewa. 4. Fulton Mining Company. ■">. 
Burton's coal, lower bench. <i. Stmie. n]}per 
bench (thin and slaty). 

Some doubt has lieeii expressed mnoug the 
residents of Massillon whether the coal that 
crops out at Bridgeport is identical with that 
worked elsewhere in this vicinity. It is thin- 
ner, and lies somewhat higher than that in 
most of the neighboring mines. Still, its 
physical character and composition, as well 
as its rt^lation to the associated rocks, seem to 
prove that it is really (,'f>al No. 1. A simihu- 
phase of the Massillon coal is seen in the mine 
of the German Coal Coin]);iny, just north of 

*SUte Report, 1878. 



the stone (jUiUTV ()f Wiuthorst & Co., at Miis- 
sillon. Here, also, the coal is thin, very much 
laminated, and even somewhat slaty. This 
peculiiu'ity of stiiictiu'e may i)e iittributwl to 
the fact that the coiil seam in these two 
mines is ov(>rlain by a gi-eat mass of sandstone, 
which, when all the materiiils wei'e in a soft 
and plastic condition, must have pressed down 
u])ou the coal in such ;i way tis to reduce its 
thif'kness ;uid give it its laminated struetui-e. 
Borings made in the vicinity of Briilgeport 
and JVIassillon h.ive failed to Hud any lower 
seam, and it is scarcely possible thiit there 
should be another below th.it mined. The 
section at Bridgeport is precisely what it 
should be if the ]5ridgeport coal were Coal 
Xo. 1. 

The diminished thickness of the coal in the 
Bridgeport and German Companies' mines 
may be due to another cause, i. e., as well in 
the bottom of the marsh, where the coal accu- 
mulated as ])eat, and on which, being relatively 
high, the petit was thin. It is well known 
thtit the ■' swamps," or lowest portions of the 
coal mines, have the thickest coal in them, 
and this is simply because the peat was deep- 
est thei'e. On the ridges or swells of the bot- 
tom, the coal is thin and high, because the top 
only of the peat-b(>d reached over them. The 
b.uTen ridges which so often sepai'ate the coal 
" swamps " were islands in, or the shores of the 
coal mai'shes. These rose above the watei- 
level, and on their slopes the peat diminished 
in thickness upwiU'd till it came to an edge. 
When covered with clay and sand, and com- 
pressed to solid coal, thsit was thickest where 
the peat w.vs thickest in the bottoms of thi> 
basins, tind thinned tnit to nothing on the 
slopes which l)otinded these btisins. 

The ^Massillon coal is usually overlain by a 
few feet of shale, and above this is found a 
massive sandstone, which is known as the 
Massillon sandsU)ue. The stone of this sti'at- 
um varies considerably in texture in different 
localities and different layers, but much of it 
iiffords very e.xcelleut l)uilding material, as 
well as good giindstone. In these, a large 
iind active iiuliistry h;is lieen create*! about 
Massillon, Warthorst & Co. giving employ- 
ment to II HI men, and shipjiing ^(K) and 4<M) 
car-loads of block-stones, iind 1,r)(t() to 2,itOlt 



170 



HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY. 



tins of grindstones per aunnm. The product 
of this quarry is mainly sold in Pittshiu'gli, 
Philadelphia and Baltimore. The stones for 
ilry grinding — plows and springs, etc. —are 
especially esteemed. In Paul's quarries, near 
Fulton, a light vai'iety of this stone is ground 
up. and the sand shijipod to Pittsburgh for 
the manufacture of glass. 

In man}' parts of Stark County, borings 
have indicated the existence of a thin seam of 
coal above the massive Massillon sandstone, 
and it is sometimes referred to by drillers as 
the "Fifteen-inch Seam," but it is oftener 
from six to twelve inches. Though persistent 
over a large area, it has rarely any economic 
value, and deserves notice simply as a tolera- 
bly constant featui'e in the section, and one 
that is liable to be mistaken for the lower coal. 
The distance which separates it fi'om the Mas- 
sillon seam is qiiite inconstant, and vai'ies 
fi'om sixty to one hundred feet. In another 
county, this seam becomes of workable thick- 
ness, and it has therefore been named in the 
reports as Coal No. 2. Another thin coal- 
seam is also sometimes found immediately 
beneath the Massillon sandstone, but this is 
frequently cut away by the forces which de- 
posited this rock. It may be seen, however, 
at several of the quarries in the vicinity of 
Massillon. 

At a distance of from 150 to 200 feet above 
Coal No. 1 , occurs the lowest of the two lime- 
stone seams which traverse this as they do many 
other, of our coal-bearing counties. In Stark 
County, Coal No. 3 is sometimes absent, some- 
times has a thickness of a few inches, and 
rarely becomes of any economic importance. 
From twenty-five to fifty feet above it occm's 
the second limestone coal (Coal No. 4). This 
is well develojied in Stark County, and in 
some cases has considerable vahie. In the 
subterranean, rocky ridge, which lies between 
the valley of the Tuscarawas and the old 
channel west of Canton, both the limestones 
refeiTed to, and sometimes both limestone 
coals, may be seen, the upper one only being 
of workable thickness. Coal No. 5 lies usually 
about fifty feet abovi* the gray limestone over 
Coal No. 4. As a general rule, in Stark 
County it is two and a half to three feet in 
thickness, and has much less value than in 



Tuscarawas County, where it is sometimes 
four feet thick and of superior quality. West of 
Navarre, Coal No. 3 has been opened in several 
places, and is about three feet thick — a soft 
coking coal, of fair quality. In Pike Town- 
ship, this coal is found on both sides of the 
Nimishillen, somewhat back fi'om the stream, 
here, as at Mineral Point, holding its normal 
l^osifion about midway between Coals No. 4 
and 0. It is in this region, known as Ihe 
" Thirty- inch Seam," and the coal it furnishes 
is generally good. Toward the south, this 
seam attains its best development at Mineral 
Point, in the adjacent county. 

Typical exposures of Coal No. 3 may be 
seen at the mine of David Miller, in Section 
12, Canton Townshiji, three miles east of the 
city of Canton, and in several other openings 
made in this seam south of this point. The 
coal in Miller's mine is twenty- eight to thirty 
inches thick, overlain by gray shale, with its 
characteristic deposit of nodular iron ore. 
The coal is bright and good, more free from 
sulphur than that of the seam below, more 
open-burning than the next higher seam (No. 
fi ), which is so extensively mined in Osnaburg 
Township. In that part of the county lying 
south and east of Canton Tovvuship, the higher 
hills reach up to the Bowen Coal Measures, 
and the black-band ore, which lies over Coal 
No. 7. ocem's in some of the hilltops of Osna- 
biu'g and Paris. Coal No. () is here the prin- 
cipal seam worked. This generally lies con- 
veniently above di'ainage in the valleys of 
Osnaburg and Paris, while in the lower part 
of these valleys, which are traversed by 
streams draining into the Sandy, Coal No. 5 
is exposed in numerous localities as far up 
the Sandy as Minen'a, and it is opened on 
many farms for local uses. In the very bot- 
toms of these valleys, in a few places, Coal No. 
4, with its overlying Putnam Hill limestone, 
is reached, l)ut it is scarcely worked, except 
along the Sandy. In Nimishillen and Wash- 
ington Townships, as the land is high. Coal 
No. 5 is generally buried beneath the sm'- 
face. In Lexington Township, however, on 
the north side of the divide, the tributaries of 
the Mahoning have opened the lower coals 
fi'eely, and, at Alliance, Coal No. 5 lies ten 
feet below the station (TiOO feet above Lake 



HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY. 



Erie), ami is worked in a shaft thirty -one feet 
deep, in the western part of the village. The 
coal is here tliree and a half to foiir feet in 
thickness, of fairly good (pudify, hnt, from 

I the want of cover, I'ather soft, and contains 

! considerable sulj)hur. 

Coal No. f) lies some fifty feet above Coal 
No. 5, or from eighty to one hundred feet 
above the upper of the two lower limestones, 
and is one of the most imf)ortant and wide- 
spread coal seams in the State. It is the " Big 
Vein" of Columbiana County, the shaft coal 
at Steubenville. the most important seam of 
Holmes, Tuscarawas and Coshocton Counties, 
and is also thti " Groat Vein" of the Hocking 
Valley district. In Stiu-k County, it runs 
tlirough all the hills east and south of Canton. 
It is the coal mined at several of the mines in 
Osnaburg, and is thence transported for black- 
smiths' use to all parts of the county. In this 
region, it vai'ies fi'om four to six feet in thick- 
ness, and crops out and is worked in numerous 
localities in Osiiabiu-g and Mapleton. Passing 
thence southward, it loses iu thickness and 
importance, imtil, in the edge of Tuscarawas 
County, it becomes less valuable than the next 
lower seam. At Wapiesbm-g it appears well, 
and then reaches around through the high- 
lands of Paris and Washington into Colmubi- 
ana County, retaining its volume and value 
all the way to the State line. At New Frank 
lin, in Paris, it shows a seam live feet ten 
inches thick, with the usual slate psu-tiug 
eighteen inches above the bottom. It extends 
from this point northward, thi'ough Washing- 
ton, as fai- as Alliance, but becomes thinner 
in this direction. In all pai-tsof Stark Coun- 

j ty. Coal No. (i is a coking coal, generally of 
good thickness, and capable of affording an 
excellent fuel for blacksmiths" use or the; gen- 
eration of steam. ^Vhen coked, it may be 
used for iron-smelting. It sometimes con- 
tpins considerable sulphtu-, but this may, how- 
ever, be eliminated by washing. In the 
southern tier of townships — Sugar Creek, 
Bethlehem, Pike and Sandy — Coal No. I) is 
foimd in most of the higher hills. It is, how- 
ever, iu this region, thinner and less pm'e than 
in the southeastern portion of the c(junty. Its 
best development seems to be in Osnaburg and 
Paris. It here lies for the most part, conven- 



iently above drainage, is fi-om foiu- to six feet 
in thickness, with a slate ])arting from twelve 
to twenty inches abovi! the Ixittom. Th(i coal 
of the lower bench is much piu-er than that of 
the upper, smd is the portion so much esteemed 
for blacksmiths' use. From the large area it 
occupies, its thickness and its adaptation to 
manufacturing jiurposes, this coal holds a 
prominent place in the mineral resources of 
the county, and fonns a capital which will 
doubtless be lai-gely di-awn upon in the dev3l- 
opment of various industries. 

Coal No. 7 is the highest of the lower coal 
gi'ouji, and no workable coal is found aliove it 
in this section of the State. In the counties 
lying south and east of Stark, where the mem- 
bers of the upper coal series are represented. 
Coal No. 7 is overlain by a mass, some 400 
feet in thickness, of shales and sandstones, 
the former frequently colored red, which con- 
tain little coal, and hence are called the Bar- 
ren Coal Measm-es. The highest hills iu 
Stiirk County ai'e composed of the lowest por- 
tion of this series, generally a mass of gi"ay 
shale, with more or less sandstone. The hill- 
tops on both sides of the valley of the Sandy 
have this chai'acter, and it is only here that 
Coal No. 7 is found. In this region it is a 
thin seam, fi-om one and a half to two and a 
half feet thick, and the coal is of inferior 
quality, so that in Stark County it has no 
considerable value. It Ijecomes, however, of 
much greater consequence in the counties 
which lie fiu'ther south. 

The chief interest which attaches to Coal 
No. 7 in Stalk County comes fi'om the fact of 
its association with the black-band ore which 
overlies it. This is a bituminous shale, highly 
impregnated with iron. It often, though not 
eonstanth', forms the roof of Coal No. 7, and, 
wher(! present, attains a thickness of fi'om three 
to eight feet The ijlack-band ore is generally, 
though not always overlain by a ferruginous 
limestone, in which the ijuantity of iron is 
sometimes sufficient to render it a calc.u'eous 
iron ore. From the fact that this is only 
found in the to]is of the hills, it is sometimes 
designated as the mountain ore; and the 
limestone, fi'om its ferruginous character, 
assumes, on weathering, a brownish color, and 
hence is often referred to as the "bufT" lime- 



172 



HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY. 



stone, to distinguish it from the bhie lime- 
stone below. These ore-beds are detached 
outlyers of a gi'eat feiTiiginous sheet, which 
once covered much of Stark and Carroll, and 
all of Tuscarawas County. Patches of this 
ore sheet, separated from their connections by 
the erosion of the valleys of the Sandy, Con- 
notton and Tuscarawas, occur in the isolated 
hills of Osnaljiu'g and Paris, the only portions 
of the county geologically high enough to 
include them. Such being the geological 
position of this important formation, it cannot 
be expected to be found in any othsi- portion 
of the county. 

With such natural resources, it follows that 
the manufacturing interests should lie ra])idly 
developed, and this result has followed liuilding 
of the tlu'iving manufacturing and mining com- 
munities of Canton and Massillon. But Stark 
is no less favored in point of piu-ely agi-icult^ 
lu'al resom'ces. The varied productiveness 
of the soil with which it is provided, has made 
it one of the chief wheat and fruit producing 
counties in the State, and enables its agricult- 
ure to divide the domain with manufactiu'es. 

The first settlers here found a country 
thickly covered with a heavy growth of tim- 
ber, and the land, shielded from the piercing 
rays of the siui by the dense forest foliage, 
saturated with the moisture which the charac- 
ter of a large part of the country favored. 
To erect here a home, and render the land 
subject to an amiual tribute for the siipport 
of his familj'. tasked the powers of the pio- 
neers to their utmost. It was an even-handed 
struggle for subsistence, and anything accom- 
plished might safely be set down as an im- 
provement. This was practically true for the 
first twenty years in the history of a settle- 
ment. An average of tive years was consumed 
before the frontier fann coiild be relied upon 
to furnish support, anil, in the meantime, the 
fare fm-nished by the abundance of game and 
wild frait was eked oxit with economical pui'- 
chases of corn and wheat from the older set- 
tlements. After erecting a cabin, with the aid 
of hospitable neighbors, from live to ten acres 
were felled. This was then " chopped over," 
i. e., the trees were cut into suitalile lengths 
for rolling into piles for bvrrning. After the 
universal bee for rolling came the burning. 



which fi-equently engaged the services of the 
wife in attending the Hre, while the husband 
chopped by the light thus afforded, carrying on 
their labors often to the small hours of the night. 
On a single farm, this much was freijuently 
accomjslished in three months, and a small 
crop of corn hai'vested in the fii'st year; but 
the average results were not so favorable. 
The efforts of the settler were directed toward 
getting ready for the "bee" as early as possi- 
ble, for when the " rolling season " began, 
there was an uuinterru})ted demand upon the 
settler for from six to eight weeks in the fields 
of his neighbors. Many were called upon 
when they could least afford the time, but, 
from the necessities of the situation, there was 
no refusal possible, and, large as this demand 
ajipears, it will not be considered exorbitant 
when it is remembered that a " neighborhood " 
covered an area of miles in extent. With such 
an abundance of timber and the total lack of 
foreign demand, the prevailing tendency is to 
underrate the value of timber, and to carry 
the work of clearing to the very verge of de- 
nuding the land of this important aid to agri- 
cultm'e. This tendency seems to have been 
quite marked in Stai'k County. There was 
c{uite an extent of plains in the county, known 
for some time as " Canton Plains." running 
thi'ough the townships of .Jackson. Perry, 
Canton anj Bethlehem. This ])lain country 
was avoided by the early settlers, as it did not 
meet their judgment as to what a pioneer farm 
should be, and the earlier settlements were 
made in the wood. The county but partially 
supplied with timber at tii-st. the rapid clear- 
ing of the remaining forest was soon sensibly 
felt. The discovery of coal, and its use as 
fuel as early as 1806, in gi-eat measm-e re- 
lieved the later demand on the timber. Ten 
years later, coal began to be used as the prin- 
ci}>al article of fuel in the villages, and since 
then its use has gradually extended, imtil but 
comparatively little wood is used. The build 
ing of railroads, and the consequent accessi- 
bility to the pine forests, has relieved another 
strain upon the timber of the county which 
began to be seriously felt. The revolution in 
the style of building has done much in this 
direction, and but comparatively little of the 
native timber finds its way into the modern 



III^TOIIY OF STARK COl'NTY. 



(Iwelliiifj. Tlj(>re arc. however, sufficient de- 
mands, for the viU'ious manufactures, mines 
and raih"oads, to l)eget serious appreliension 
as to \vher<> the later sn])])ly is to be secured. 

Tlie prevailing system of agriculture in this 
county may properly be termed that of mixed 
husliandry, with a s])ecial prominence given to 
the cidture of wheat. Specialties otherwise 
tind littli' favor with the farmers. The ])rac- 
tice is to cultivate the various kinds of gi-ain 
and gi'asses. and to raise, keep and fatten 
stock — the latter business, however, being a 
leading pursuit of not a liu'ge projiortion of 
the farmers. The early mode of cultivating the 
farming lands w-as not of th(> highest ty])e. 
Provided with productive soil, and his father 
having made a fair su]>port in a certain line of 
farming, the average farmer has not had the 
opi)ortunity, or has not felt the need, of stud- 
ying the principl(>s of such branches of learn- 
ing as relate to agi'ieultiu-e, and has hesitated 
to receive, or promptly rejected, the teachings 
of science. A few- persons, however, were 
found at a comparatively early day who 
brought to the lousiness of fiU'ming that 
amount of i)atient investigation which the 
greatest industry of this covmtry demands, and 
farmers have l)ecome less and lessiuiwilling to 
learn fi-om others. This has had its effect 
upon the husbandiT of the county, which has 
attained a commendable thoroughness, and is 
ra])idly improving in every respect. 

The soil is considerably diversilied. About 
three- fourths of the county, including the 
eastern, southern and western portions, may 
be called clay and gi-avel soi 1 : the northeastern 
(xirtion, more level, is furnished with a heavy 
suljsoil of clay, while the valley of the Sandy 
has a soil of sandy loam, which proves highly 
productive. The sm'face soil of the whole 
county is eom])osed of vegetable mold. On 
the rolling or hilly portions of th(> county, 
this soil is thin and light, owing, doubtless, 
to the washing of rains. On the lower and 
more level jiortions. this sm-faco soil is found 
dee]>er, and. in valleys or l)ottom lands, it 
varies fi-om a few inches to several feet in 
depth. 

The depth of this soil, other things being 
ecjual, is a fair showing of the value of the 
land. Clay underlies this surface soil through- 



out almost the entire county, and varies in 
thickness from a few inches to two feet: is 
generally of a pale .yellow color, and affords 
abundant material for brick-making. It al>- 
sorbs water slowly, and is too compact for the 
roots of tender i)lants to ])eneti-ato to any great 
depth, and yet this dull clay is the basis of 
Stark County's agricultural wealth. Resting 
upon a substratum of gravel, it holds no more 
water than is necessary for healthy vegetation, 
ami yet j)revents the surface soil fi-om sinking 
away into the gi-avel: holds maum-es which are 
apjdied to the land, which, when jilowed under 
with clay, forms the most productive soil. 

The subject of fertilizers has received con- 
siderable attention from the farmers, and plas- 
ter is freely used upon corn and clover. Lime 
is not much used, save occasionally to old, 
worn-out fields, which have run into sour 
grass, and is then ap))li(»d only when slaked. 
There have, however, been some (^.xperiments 
made of spreading it unslaked and plowing it 
under, with satisfactory results. Phosphates 
have come into limited use of late years, but 
only as an experiment, and the general voice 
is that it does not '' pay." Nor are any artifi- 
cial means used to increase the barn-yard 
supply, which is not unfre(juently treated ius 
a serious inconvenience rather than a fortu- 
nate possession of the farmer. The constant 
cropping of a tield for a considerable numl^er 
of years without renewing is not often met with 
in Stark County. Occasional fields on the 
river bottoms are found which will bear such 
treatment and give good returns, but they 
are very limited in number. Rotation of 
crops has been the rule with the average farm- 
er for some years, corn being tht^ first crop 
planted on sod gi'ound. followed by barley or 
oats, and then wheat; the latter is sometimes 
sown directly after corn. In the ordinary rota- 
tion of cro]is, the manui-e is generally applied 
to the wheat croj), as it is thought it is more 
<>ffectively applied here, and leaves a better 
soil for the grass which follows. Deep plow- 
ing, with the ^richigan doubh- i)low, wius 
practiced to a considerable extent some tw-en- 
ty-five years ago, with variable results. It 
afterwai-d fell into disrepute on account of its 
heav\' draft, or fi-om the fact that the upper 
soil was biu'ied so deep that several seasons 



M: 



174 



HISTOT'.Y OF 8TAKK COUN'TY. 



were required to effect the proper mixtiu'e of 
the soils. Later, another system was adopted, 
with satisfactory effects. , Two plows were 
used, and the team divided between them. 
A shallow soil-plow turned over the siu'face, 
which was followed by a long steel plow 
without a turning-board. The latter simply 
raised and loosened the subsoil to a depth of 
twelve or fifteen inches, and upon this the top 
soil was tiu'ued by a lighter implement. This 
proved a vast improvement on the old plan, 
fiirnishing the requisite dejith without biUT- 
ing the upper soil, and loosening the subsoil, 
thus fm-nishing a natural escape for the ex- 
cessive moisture which the character of the 
hard-pan too often resists, allowing it to 
escape only by evaporation. The practice 
of subsoiling is still kept up in the north- 
eastern y)ortion of the county, where the sub- 
soil is a cold, dark-colored clay, impervious 
to water. It was originally a beech for- 
est, but, cleared and cultivated, it has proven 
excellent pasturage, and, when deeply plowed, 
tine corn, oats, rye, flax and vegetables, are 
easilj' produced. This manner of plowing 
is found necessary about every thi'ee years. 

Artificial drainage has not been extensively 
used. A large portion of the county is high, 
rolling country, with a natural cb-ainage, that 
has served the purpose of can-yiug off the sur- 
plus water. In the northern part, there is 
quite a marsh, known as Cranberry Swamp, a 
portion of the waters of which flows north to 
the lake, but the larger portion runs south to 
the Ohio River. Nearly all the streams run 
southward, the Tuscarawas River, in the west- 
ern part of the county, being the lai'gest. 
The Nimishilleu (Jreek is the next largest 
stream, which, with its western and eastern 
bi'anches, drains the northern and northeast- 
ern portions of the county, and afford many 
fine mill-sites. The Sandy is a fine stream in 
the eastern portion of the county. There has 
been but little undercb'aining in this county, 
except to draw off the water of the ponds and 
swamps. This has been done to some extent 
with tile, but generally by ditching and filling 
the ditch with bowlders, and then covering uj) 
with rubbish and dirt. Tile-draining, as a 
general thing, is looked upon simply as a means 
of carrving oft" the surface water, and but little 



account is made of it as a means of improving 
the character of the soil. 

The gi'ass crop, while not demanding the 
same attention as other crops, is one that must 
always prove important. No regular system 
has been adopted in regard to its cultivation, 
however, in Stark County. A kind of spear- 
gi'ass and white clover are indigenous to the 
soil, covering the common and soon spreading 
over any cleared and uncultivated land, mak- 
ing a fair j)asturage. but proving too short for 
a good hay crop. Timothy grass, with clover, 
is mainly relied upon for the supplj^ of hay, 
meadows being tm-ned over about once in five 
years. Meadows are j)astiu-ed to some extent 
in the fall, but are seldom " turned out " for 
this jjiu-jiose, grass lands l)eing seeded for the 
especial purjiose for which they are designed. 
Meadows are seldom underdi'ained, and have 
generally received very little attention in the 
way of top-dressing, the maniu-e being gener- 
ally applied to the wheat crop, which preceded 
the seeding down. Orchard and blue grass 
have been introduced to a limited extent of 
late years, but they have not found favor among 
the farmers. There is considerable hesitation 
manifested in experimenting with the blue- 
grass, as it is claimed by many — among them 
some scientific agricultimsts — that the Jime- 
grass, jjoa jindriisis, is the same thing, modi- 
fied by difference of soil and climate. Clover 
is sown in large quantities throughout the 
county. It is found most successful upon the 
uplands, but it does reasonably, with plaster, 
on all grounds. This is generally mown the 
tu'st and second years for hay, and the third 
year, when full-grown, is plowed under for 
wheat or corn the next spring. It is usually 
sown with timothy for meadow^ the latter 
being sown iu the fall, and the clover with 
the growing wheat in the spring. The yield, 
when mown, varies fi'om one and a half to two 
and a half tons per acre. This combination 
constitutes the chief part of the pastm'age, 
and is in high favor with fanners. 

AMiile the survey of the agriculture of Stark 
County does not exhibit the cultivation of any 
specialty, it will be observed that wheat-cult- 
ure and shee])-raising have, fi'om the first, 
occupied the larger share of attention. But, 
while this is true, these objects have not ab- 



IHSTOKY OF STAHK COUXTY. 



nh 



sorbed the activities of the fiu-mers to the es- 

1 elusion of other branches of farm industry. 

' The aim of tho eai-liost settlers, with their 

' lands as their only resource, was to derive 
from these a co)iipl(>te sujiport, and, to this 
end, a system of mixed husbanch'y was a ne- 
cessity. Their descendants, hedged about by 
the results of experience, and aiming to sell 
theu' sur]ilus products in such form as would 
take from the land the smallest amount of its 
f(u'tility. have, from the nature of tin- case, 

I followed in their footsteps. 

The early settlers were jirincipally of Ger- 
man descent, from Pennsylvania, and brought 
with them a strong ]>referenco for wheat -rais- 
ing, and the county soon took the leading 
])lace as a wheat county.. In the eai'ly cult- 
ure of wheat, a gi'eat many discouragements 
were met. The weevil and iiist destroyed it 
year after year, and, when it escaped these, 
the fi-ost worked great damage. But perse- 
verance and improved methods have wrought 
a great success in the culture of this gi'.iin, 
and it is now the leading cro]) in the county. 
There is troulile experienced fi'om insects, bnt 

' frosts have i)roved disastrous occasionally. 

' The Todd wheat has been a favorite variety 
with the farmers of late years, though the 
Mediterranean for a long time held sway. 
This was found the most favorable, and less 
liable to be injured by insects and frosts. 
The greatest objection to this was its long, 
dark gi-ain. liut little superior to rye; but the 
effect of soil and climate greatly im])roved its 
(jualities, and it soon grew a plump, fair 
gi-ain, strong in straw and quite a favorite for 
bread, and has not yet entirely lost its hold 
in the farming comumnity. There is a gi'eat 
diversity in the ])ractic(> and opinions of farm- 
ers in regard to the cultivation of this grain, 
and no jiarticular system has been adopted. 
The |)revailing method is not t<i sow \\heat on 
the same fielil oftener than once in three 
years, and then only when, for two years, it 

, shall have been in clover. It does well to fol- 
low barley or oats with wheat or rye, but it is 

, considered bad farming to havi> wheat or corn 
follow each other. Wheat, in early years, 
wa.s sown among the standing corn, and later, 
lietween the shocks that were jilaced in rows 
through the field, and the spaces thus left put 



in oats on the following spring. The latter 
method is occasionally {iracticed yet, but gen- 
erally an oat croj) intervenes. Manure is 
generally s])r»>ad in the s])ring. and jdowed 
under in the fall for wheat. The gi-oimd is 
carefully prepared, and the seed generally 
drilled in. The breadth of laud sown is pretty 
uniform, though discouraging crops have the 
effect to limit somewhat the acreag<> devoted 
to it. The gi-ain is usually threshed in the 
barn, the machine worked by the ]iortable 
steam engine manufactured in this county, 
being the favorite, and largely used. For 
some years. Stark led the counties of the 
State in the yield of this grain, but its dis- 
memberment by the formation of Carroll and 
Summit, together with the ravages of insects 
and frost, has reduced the yield one-half. 

Rye and barley are not extensively culti- 
vated. Rye is marketed entirely at home, 
both the black and white varieties being sown. 
The first, however, though good for feed and 
distilling, has rapidly given way to the white, 
which is not inferior for these puii^oses, and 
makes a whiter iiouv. Sj^ring barley, som(> 
years since, was quite an imjiortant crop, not 
only on account of its marketal)le value, but 
also because it leaves the ground in tine con- 
dition for wheat. The average crop is about 
twenty- live bushels per acre. Under the rev- 
olutionizing effect of the Great West, how- 
ever, these grains are gi-adually losing favor 
here, and are no longer cultivjitcd to any con 
siderable extent. Buckwheat is very little 
cultivated for home cousimiption, and scarcely 
enough for that. Oats is quite an important 
crop, though what is raised is barely sufficient 
for home consmnjitiou. There are thi-ee vai'i • 
eties cultivated to more or less extent — side 
oats, brancii oats and black oats, the latter 
being now seldom s<>en. The side oats weigh 
more to the bushel, but are not so prolific as 
the branch oats. The average yield is about 
fifty bushels to the acre. This is a reasonaijly 
sm-e crop. and. though occasionally injurecl by 
the blight, it is relied upon with considerable 
confidence for homo use. Rust has at times 
proved a serious drawback to the raising of 
this crop, and a late frost occasionally ruins 
the crop, but these have not been troublesome 
of late years. 



176 



HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY. 



The com crop, while not grown to the ex- 
chision of the others, is the one on which the 
farmers of Stark County most confidently rely, 
and the laud devoted to its cultiu-e is only 
limited by the necessities of the situation. It 
is far more stable in its yield, less liable to 
disease, and may be slighted in its cultivation 
with greater impiuiity than any other crop. 
The soft varieties of seed are generally pre- 
ferred, and are usually planted on sod groiuid. 
It is usually well put in the ground, being 
prepai-ed with considerable care, and worked 
until it "tassels out." The old rule of "go- 
ing through" the field a certain number of 
times before " laying by " the crop, has long 
since been abandoned by the better fanners. 
The last plowing, after the corn has reached 
the height of five or six feet, is considered the 
most effective in its cultivation, but the exi- 
gencies of the season often prevent the farmer 
bestowing this crowning attention. The farms, 
many of them small, are worked by the owner 
alone, and the clover and wheat cutting com- 
ing close together, frequently obliges the 
small farmer to slight his corn. When, how- 
ever, the farmer is able to hire help, or has 
boys who can be trusted to do the work, the 
plow is kept going through the corn, an ex- 
pense which is amply paid by the increased 
yield. The crop is cut and husked in the 
field, the corn being stored in criljs. The 
habit of husking fi'om the standing stock is 
also jiraeticed, though it is generally con- 
ceited to be a wasteful method of harvesting 
this crop. Corn is sown broadcast for forage 
to a considerable extent. 

The other crops that oceuj>y, or have occu- 
pied, a more or less prominent place among 
the agricultural products of the county, are 
potatoes and sorghum. The quality of the 
soil is well adapted to the raising of potatoes, 
and farmers who have given considerable 
attention to the proper cultivation of this 
highly prized and indispensable esculent, 
have always been well rewarded for their 
labor and painstaking. It is a staple vegeta- 
ble, universally used, always commands a fair 
price, and its general cultivation for exporta- 
tion would undoubtedly prove highly remu- 
nerative. This fact seems to have made no 
impression upon the farmers, as no more are 



produced than are used at home. The lead- 
ing variety is the early rose, with the peach- 
blow and peerless cultivated in considerable 
quantities. The Neshannock is highly prized 
by many, while other varieties are being cul- 
tivated as experiments, or to suit individual 
tastes. The average yield of this crop is 
good, and is not often seriously aflected by 
disease or insects. 

Sorghum was, in Stark County, an excep- 
tion to the general rule. It was introduced 
here about INTiT, but most of the farmers con- 
ceived a dislike to it. It was planted in small 
quantities by a good many, but it was allowed 
to pass without any particular care, and many 
never harvested it at all. Two or three mills 
were Isought, but comparatively little molasses 
was manufactured. The first product, owing 
to the lack of interest and information, and 
the carelessness with which it was manufact- 
lu'ed, was sorry stulf. This result re-acted 
with discouraging effect upon the producers. 
Another cause which contributed to this result 
was the exercise of a ruinous economy on the 
];)art of the mass of the farmers. Instead of 
piu'chasiug new seed and sparing no pains to 
make a fair trial of this new crop, the major- 
ity of those who jilanted a second crop pro- 
ciu'ed seed of their neighbors, and allowed the 
farm work to seriously interfere with the cul- 
tivation of the cane. The result was that it 
deteriorated in ([uantity and quality, and the 
whole thing was voted a faihu'e. No great 
effort was made to produce sugar, as the ex- 
pense proved an insm'inountable barrier to its 
successful prosecution. 

Tobacco is cultivated here and there by 
individuals, for the private use of the jsro- 
ducer, and it may well be hoped that its cult- 
ure may not be further extended. It is an 
exacting crop upon the land, and. sooner or 
later, the exhaustive process will ultimately 
work the deterioration of any neighborhood 
or farming district where its culture is a 
])rominent part of the farming operations. 

The forests of Stark County are well sup- 
plied with the sugar ma])le, and farmers have 
not been slow to utilize them in the way of 
making sugar. It was the practice, at an early 
date, to manufacture this product in grain 
.sugar, as it proved more available for the 



HISTORY OF .STARK COUNTY. 



177 



uses of the household, but of late years it has 
fouml a more valuable market in oake.s an<l a.-^ 
siruj). 

A survey of thi.s l)rancli of Stark County's 
agricuitiu'e would hardly be complete without 
some reference to thi' late fi-osts of INSy and 
1845. The frost of 1859 came on a Satui'day 
night in June. The previous night had 
brought a fall of rain, and on Saturday it 
cle;u-e(l oft' with a cool atmosphere, which 
gi'ew colder ;us night apiu'oached. In the 
morning, the " killing fi-ost" had left scarcely 
a vestige of the gi-owing crops alive. Corn 
was about eight or ten inches high, and pota- 
toes had reached the growth that made the 
effect of fi'ost most damaging. All gi-ain was 
ruined, and the people found themselves face 
to face with " perilous times," if not starva- 
tion. The frost had been general over the 
State, and the situation was considered alarm- 
ing. Some time was lost in unavailing re- 
gi-ets, and some crops that might have been 
saved by prompt cutting off even with the 
ground were lost by delay. Fortunately, 
there were some late crops that had not come 
forward enough to become involved in the 
general disaster, and others were saved by 
favorable locations. The less fortunate farm- 
ers set at once to repair the misfortune so far 
as possible. The com and potatoes were re- 
planted, buckwheat was sowed in the place of 
wheat, and, thanks to an unusually long sea- 
son, these crops were fairly matured. There 
was a large proportion of soft corn, hundi-eds 
of bushels of which proved almost a complete 
loss. 

Fruit culture hiis, from the first, occupied a 
prominent place in the cai-e and attention 
of the farmers, so that Stark is now the 
leading county for fi-uit in the State. As 
early as LStKi. orchards w(>re set out and con- 
siderable care given to their culture. In this 
yeiii, Kev. Mr. Gans, of Lexington, had an 
orchard; Valentine Weaver, in Plain, had an 
orchard raised fi-om seed at the same time; 
James Graff, two miles north of Canton, fol- 
lowed in 181 IS, as well as Simon Essig and 
Frederick Stump; Jacob Shanabager start<>d 
an orchard on the farm of J. Harmer in 18l)t) 
and 1807. Considerable care was (exercised 
in the selection of varieties and in cultivating 



the trees, and among some of the early varie- 
ties were some which still find a large number 
of cultivators. Among these may he men- 
tioned the Penuock, Blair, New Town Pijjpiu, 
Vandever, llomanite, llomau Stem, Sj)itzen 
berg. Bell Flower, French Pippin, etc. Dur- 
ing the first years, apples were a gi'eat 
luxury, and found a ready sale when brought 
into the settlements fi-om the older commimi- 
ties. They were brought in fi-om Steubenville 
as tjarly as 18(>"J, and were among the regular 
order of things on training days. On these 
occasions, tlie wagon- loads of apples were 
hailed with as much enthusiasm as the loads 
of water-melons at a fair in these later days, 
and were ra])idly sold at a shilling a dozen. 
Among the early varieties, the Blair. th(jugh 
a small apj)le, was a prime favorite, and was 
readily sold at $1 per baiTel. The Romanite 
was especially marked as an excellent keeper, 
and was in good demand. 

Stai'k is well situated for a finiit countiy. 
It is paiiiculai'ly fi'ee fi'om frost-killing, and. 
with a little more of the iron element in 
the soil, would be the ideal location for fruit- 
growing. The natural hindi'ances to this 
branch of farm industiy, by intelligent exper- 
iment and cai'eful husl)anch'y, have been so 
far overcome that much of the best fi'uit of 
the country is [n-oduced here in excelli^nt qual- 
ity and profitable quantity. Among the lead- 
ing modern varieties may be mentioned the 
Baldwin, Bell Flower, Vandever, Red Canada. 
Wells Apple, Ohio Nonjiareil. and King. The 
last-named, known by many as " King of 
Tompkins Coimty," is a great favorite. It is 
a fine, large apple, some of the trait measm'- 
ing fom-teon and a half inches in circiunfer- 
ence, and at the same time retaining a fine 
fiavor and smooth textiu'o. The demand here 
is not, however, for a large aj>))le. They are 
found more liable to rot, with a consecjuent 
greater loss, than in the case of a smaller 
apple; fnut-growei"s find the lo.ss from drop- 
ping fi'om the tree greater, and, as the larger 
part of the picked fniit is marketed in the 
county, the vai'ious demands of the domestic 
economy are better served with finiit of medi- 
um size. The a])[)le is the hardiest finiit in 
this locality, and there are probably more 
acres in a|)ple orchai'ds than in all other fruits 



HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY. 



combined. The extensive cultivation of ap- 
ples in orchards, however, has Ijeen of com- 
pJU'atively recent effort. Most of the surplus 
crop finds a market in Germany, and is di-ied 
for shipment. The recently imjjroved evap- 
orators are used on most of the farms, which 
save time and give a better color to the fi-uit, 
enhancing the market value of the dried prod- 
uct 100 per cent. 

Peaches ai-e not so successful in this county. 
They were grown here as early as 1809, and 
were at first as prosperous, perhaps, as apples, 
but siicceeding years have wrought such cli- 
matic changes that there is a good crop hardly 
more than once in five years. There is an 
exception, perhaps, to this rule, in the case of 
Sandy and Pike Townships, where the great 
bulk of the peach crop of this county is pi-o- 
diiced. The peach-tree is found to mature 
too early, and cousequeutly to rapidly decline, 
the average life of a tree not reaching more 
than ten years. The leading varieties are the 
early and late Crawfords, which, in the par- 
ticular localities mentioned, produce reasona- 
ble results. There is. however, no disposi- 
tion to sm'render the cultivation of this fruit 
entirely. Fresh trees are being planted, ciu'e- 
ful investigations are being made, and it is 
hoped that the present obstacles will be over- 
come. 

Pears were found in this county at an early 
date, the first being cultivated on Adam Ober- 
lin's place, on the Fulton road. Stark takes 
the third place in the State in the gi'owth 
of this fruit, and many orchards of consider- 
able size are devoted to it. The Bartlett, 
Flemish Beauty, Siecle, White Doyen, etc., 
are the leading varieties. The tendency to 
blight, which the pear-tree shows here as else- 
where in Ohio, has caused considerable loss in 
the cultiu-e of this frait, but a remedy has 
been found which, it is thought, will elfectiT- 
ally prevent it. This is the application of 
salt to the ground about the tree. The theory 
of this remedy has not been explained, but, 
BO far as experiments have been made, its suc- 
cess seems to be demonstrated. 

Cherries of the hardier sort are found to do 
pretty well, though, as it is a fi-uit into which 
iron enters more than any other, the soil 
here is found the best adapted to the highest 



success in the cultivation of this fi'uit. The 
various kinds of English Morcllos are the only 
kinds grown to any extent, and, though need- 
ing considerable attention, they produce a 
fair return. They are seldom injured by 
frost, and are planted in considerable num- 
bers. The history of the plum-ti-ee here is 
that of this fi-uit in most parts of the State. 
It is a natural i)lum country, and, until about 
184'), it was the surest fruit in this section; 
but about this time, the min-uiio came iji, and 
has taken the fiiiit regularly ever since. Oc- 
casionally a fair product is got from a single 
tree, by a lavish outlay of time and pains, but 
the result does not warrant the ex]^ense needed 
to secm-e it. 

The number of lai-ge towns, with their large 
proportion of mechanic population, found in 
the county, has of late years given a marked im- 
petus to the cultivation of small fruits and 
vegetables. Strawberries, raspberries and 
blackberries of the improved vai'ieties are 
largely cultivated, and find a ready sale at 
fair prices in the different towns. There is 
no sm-plus for exportation or for wine-making, 
and little of either is done in Stark. Grapes 
iu'e foiuid to flom'ish here scarcely second to 
any other place in the State. The Concord, 
Delaware, Lady and Agawaiu are the leading 
vai'ieties. The Isabella is not gi'own. and the 
Ionia and Catawba are unsuited to this loca- 
tion, the early frost of autumn [ireventing 
their maturing. These also find a ready mar- 
ket in the various towns, and are not made 
into wine at all. 

Of late yeai's. the interest and profit in the 
cultivation of vegetables for the home market 
has shown a mtU'ked increase. Last year, a 
considerable " annex " was built by the agri- 
cultural society to accommodate the display of 
exliibits in this class. 

This success in fi'uit- growing is doubtless 
to be referred not less to the intelligence with 
which the sutiject has been studied, than to 
the natural advantages of the soil. An out- 
gi'owth of the interest in this subject was the 
organization of the Horticultiu'al Society. 
October 11, 1878, by such gentlemen as J. K. 
Neisz, Levi Stump, Andrew Pontius, Lewis 
Essig, H. W. Firestone, J. F. Neisz. W. W. 
Reed and others. This society has its meet- 



^^—r- 






HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY. 



179 ] 



ings inouthly. at tho ri'sidcnces of its vsirioas 
nienilx'rs, and lias aecoiuplished a groat dfal 
for tlio fi-iiit-growers of the county. Exjjeri- 
lui'uts ai'e constantly being made, whicli are 
fully iliscussed at their meetings, and the 
value of these discussions is being felt and 
acted upon by the mass of farmers. 

In the matter of stock-breeding, there is a 
very general interest, tlidugh the number of 
those who nuike it a, sjieeialty, or a leading 
featiu'o of their f ann industry, is small. Prob- 
ably less than one-tenth can be placed in this 
class, though among these may be included 
many of the wealthier fanners. jVmong this 
{wrtion of the farming community, a perse- 
vering, patient, investigating spirit has been 
manifested, that has accomplished large re- 
sults for the stock of the com ty. No class of 
stock has been slighted in this respiHjt, though 
jiei'haps hors(^ and sheep have protited most. 

It is quite natiu-al that the early history of 
the horse in Stark Coimty should be somewhat 
obscure. In the early settlement, the natui-e 
of fann work called for the steady strength, 
the fi'eedom fi-om accident and the ea.sy keep- 
ing of the ox, and horses found no general 
demand until the pioneers could afibrd the 
luxiuy of speed in ti'avel. It was not long 
before this demand made a marked change in 
the character of the teams, which has contin- 
ued until now one would scarcely meet with 
an ox team in a month's travel through the 
coimty. Th(> early stock of horses were such 
as could 1)(> Iwnght in the older settlements, 
and were marked by no pai'ticular chai'acter- 
ifitic of breed or (juality. The only demand 
was for the (ordinary pmi^oses of the farm, 
and the jieople were not only not in a position 
to " lix>k a gift horse in the mouth," but were 
quite as powerless to be fastidious in regai'd 
to any horse. AxQong the earliest eflbrts to 
improve upon this stock was the importation 
of a hoi-se loKnvn as " MeiTy Andrew," fi-om 
Virginia, and which was reputed to be a thor- 
oughbred animal. The old settlers, who re- 
memlx'r his appeai'ance, agi'ee that his e<jual 
has not since lieen in the coimty. He was 
impoi-ted in 182">, liy Dr. Simmonds. Henry 
Barber, who was a devoted lover of fine horses, 
had at this time a line imi)orted mare, of 
g(X)d lilood. und fi-oin these two animals some 



excellent stock was raised, which gave the 
fii"st impetus to an effort to improve the grade 
of horses. About 183'.!, John Meyers brought 
into the county a tine chestnut- sorrel stallion, 
called " W'indtiower." He was a good-blooded 
horse, of tine parts and splendid action, and 
left a miirked impress ui)on the stock of the 
county. He sired a gi'eat many colts, <md his 
blood can be traced in the tine aj)pearance and 
action of many of the best horses yet to be 
foimd in the coimty. In 184U, " Napoleon 
Morgan " was Virought fi-om the East, and first 
inti'oduced this strain in the county. His 
trotting ipialities. fine action and splendid 
appearance gave him a popuhu-ity, and for 
several yeai's the Morgan sti'ain was in high 
favor. " (xreen Mountain." a diu-k brown 
horse, was brought here in ISriit, and was the 
sire of a number of valuable horses. The nat- 
ui'al tastes of the people who settled this 
county, however, did not lead them to prefer 
this class of horses, and in a few yeai's the 
demand veered ai'ound to those of heavier jiro- 
portions. This led to the introduction of the 
English draft horses, "Scotch Clyde" and 
" Plow Boy." This class of horses are of 
Scottish descent, of the largest size, averaging 
from sixteen to eighteen hands high, with 
ponderous bodies, stout limlis, haiiy at the 
fetlocks, of high and noble carriage, and un- 
surpassed in weight and strength. They 
occasionally reached a weight of seventeen 
and even eighteen himdred ]iounds. Of late 
ye;irs, the Nonnan. though not bred here, has 
been brought in fi'om ueighlxn-ing counties, 
and are Ifu-gely used in the extensive teaming 
business which the mining and manuf actui'ing 
interests sujtport. They are natives of Prance, 
and embody more speed in action than the 
ordiniu-y ih'aft horse, together with gi-eat 
strength of limb and power of locomotion. 
Their average size is from sixteen to seventeen 
hands high, compact in Ixidy. symmetrical in 
shape, clean in limb and enduring in lal)or. 
Their color is a fine silver gi"iy, the best 
adapted to withstand the burning rays of the 
sun in the field or on the highway. Other 
horses that have contributed to the present stat- 
us of the hoi-ses in Stark County are " Chil- 
ton," " Timolwin." " Tuckahoe," and the Mes- 
senirer strain. Both carriage and draft horses 



180 



HISTOllY OF .STARK COUNTY. 



are well represented in the county, and a 
marked improvement has been going on for 
the past twenty years. 

The introduction of cattle into the county 
was as early as the coming of the first settler. 
Cows were a necessary jiart of the pioneer's 
outfit, without which his chances for obtaining 
a reasonably comfortable existence were very 
poor indeed, and few families were without 
them. But, once here, it required all the 
cai"e and diligence of the settler to protect 
them against the ravages of wild beasts and 
disease. Wolves were not so dangerous to 
cattle as in many places, but now and then a 
yearling or calf was sacrificed to their vora- 
cious appetites. The murrain, a little later, 
took off scores of these animals, entailing con- 
siderable privation before they could be re- 
placed. Then the marshes and the rank veg- 
etation took their quota, so that, in spite of 
the employment of all the available children 
in the settlement as herders, and the dosing 
of cattle with alum, soot and soft soap, hun- 
dreds fell victinis to the snares of a new coun- 
try. Under such circumstances, the effort was 
narrowed down to a struggle to maintain, 
r.ather than improve, the breed. The short- 
horn Durhams were probably the first intro- 
duced. These cattle were introdticed into 
Ohio from Kentucky at first, but, in 1834, 
the " Ohio Importing Company " was formed 
to import short -horn Diu'hams from England. 
Seven bulls and twelve cows, nineteen in all, 
were imported, and exhibited the following 
year at the State Fair. This company subse- 
quently increased the number of their imjjor- 
tation to thirty head. In 1852, the " Scioto 
Importing Company " imported sixteen head, 
and, in the following year, a similar company 
formed in Madison County, imported twenty - 
two head. In 1854, similar companies were 
formed in Clinton and Clark Counties, by 
which some forty more animals were brought 
to the State. Amid all this activity in the 
improvement of stock, it is not to be expected 
that the enterprising people of this coiinty 
should fail to profit by it. The Devons are 
also held in high esteem here. This is a strik- 
ingly distinct breed in fonn and quality, me- 
dium in size, unifonnly red in color, and 
comely in appearance. This blood, or that 



which was closely allied to it, seems to have 
been imported into New England in the sev- 
enteenth century, and the native stock of that 
section has for many generations borne strong 
resemblances to this stock. The stock of the 
county has been greatly improved by the inter- 
mixture of these breeds, and it is estimated 
that at least tlu-ee-foiu'ths of the stock of cat- 
tle are more or less mixed with these breeds. 
Among those who have been identified with 
this movement are Edward Brook & Son, of 
Marlboro Townshiji, John Shock, of Canton, 
and Thomas Chapman, of Bethlehem, with 
Dui'ham stock; Benjamin Thompson, of Lake, 
Jonas Brougher, of Jackson, and H. Raynolds, 
of Canton, with Devon. The value of this 
stock over the native breed is jalainly apparent 
in their keeping qualities, size, form, early 
maturity, increase of milk, and superior beef. 
It is claimed by the friends of these improved 
cattle that there has been an increase of one- 
third, cit least, in the value of the cattle of the 
county by their introduction. 

Sheep were introduced into Stark County 
almost as early as any stock. The first set- 
tlers seemed to have looked the ground all 
over, and to have prepared for an isolf^ted 
existence in the woods. In these plans, sheep 
fonned a conspicuous item, as the production 
of wool for the various articles of clothing 
seemed nearly indispensable. But the num- 
ber and boldness of the wolves made sheep- 
raising a burden upon the fi'ontier farmer, 
taxed as he was with thi- cares and anxieties 
of a " clearing," that he could ill afford, and 
many soon gave up the experiment. Others, 
however, persevered in spite of discourage- 
ments, and the county has probably not been 
without sheeji since their first introduction, 
though the number has been very small at 
times. After the wolf had been exterminated 
under the infiuence of liberal bounties paid 
for their scalps, the dogs caused seriovis havoc 
among them, a fanner sometimes finding as 
many as twenty or thirty killed and wounded 
in a single night. It did not need any out- 
side encouragement to wage a war of exter- 
mination upon these animals, and many a 
sheep-killing dog was summarily disposed of. 

It is difficult to detemine the characteristics 
of the early sheep. In 1816, Wells & Dick 



liL^ 



HISTOIIY OF .STAUK COIXTY 



iosoa, large woolea manufacturers at Steuben- 
ville, bad large flocks of Spanish merino 
nbeej), deriviii fi-oiii the lluniphrcy iui])orta- 
tions. These were j)asturi*d at this time on 
tlie Stark County ])huns, and were the talk of 
stoek atbnirers of the State. In KS24, the 
failiu'e of this linn caused these sheep to be 
Hcattere(i in small parcels all over the State, 
and they fell into the bands of many who 
cared more to improve on the common stock 
than to lu'eed full-blooded animals. These 
sheep were characterized by a light cai'cass 
and fleece, though the latter was of tine text- 
m-e and good Hber. American cultivation has 
done much to improve these original and sub- 
secjuent importations, so that at this day no 
tine-wooled sheep in the world excel, and few 
equal, the American merinos in the heavy 
product of their fleeces, or the size and stami- 
na of their Iwdies. 

Previous to the Wells & Dickinson flock, 
about 1 SOU. -'Mr. Thomas Rotch, a member 
of the Society of Friends, emigi-ated from 
Connecticut to this county, and brought with 
bun a small flock of merino sheep. They 
were good, and a few of them were of the 
flock imported by Col. Humphrey. At that 
early day he hoi)od, in twenty years' time, to 
Bee every faiin in the coimty stocked with me- 
rinos. In this be partially succeeded, btit a 
prejudice against the breed prevented them 
from becoming so general as he had antici- 
pated."* To this statement Secretary Klip- 
part adds a note to the effect " that lus wife, 
Charity," fi-equently solicited from him a 
fund which might be invested for ehai-itable 
or benevolent purposes. But he hesitated, 
until, one spring morning, he gave her two 
xirl; merino lambs, and told her that she might 
take them as " cajn'lol " for benevolent pur- 
j>oses; the noble-heailed wife thankfully ac- 
cepted them, nureed them and cm'cd them. 
With this, as foundation of a flock, she accu- 
mulated a smii which, in course of time, became 
sufKcient to build and endow the " Kendall 
Charity ScIkmjI." 

Many efforts have been subsequently made 
by fiuinei-s to improve the breeds, Ijoth native 
and those early imported. The Vermont me- 
rino, Cotswold and Liecester. have Ijeen in- 

•St.te Agricultural Reporr. 1g.<i9. 



troduced, but none have gained the suffrage 
of the whole county. The Dickinson merinos 
still hold their [)lace with old wool-growers, 
while the younger portion of wool-gi-owers 
prefer the \'ennont sheep. Thoi-e does not 
seem to be any middle gi-ound on which the 
two cliusses can meet. It is claimed on the 
one part that the Yennont merinos require 
more cai'e and attention than the Dickinson, 
and that the increased weight of the fl(>eces is 
caused entirely by a gummy gi-ease peculiai' 
to them. It is also claimed that they will not 
tlu-ive in large flocks, and that, although the 
fiber may be longer, this advantage is more 
than counterbalanced by the otht^r disadvan- 
tages. On the other hand, it is claimed for 
the Yennont sheep that they not only have a 
longer tiber, but finer wool, and that they will 
clip fi'om half a pound to two poimds more 
clean wool. It has been suggested that a 
cross between the merino and Cotswold would 
make a better sheep for all purjioses, but this 
experiment has not yet been fully tested. 

Swine were the earliest and the most easily- 
maintained of any stock on the frontier fai-ms. 
No fiuuily was so poor as to be without them, 
and none weri> so rich as not to need them. 
In many parts of the county, they were 
allowed to run at lai-ge in the forest, gradu- 
ally taking on the nature of the wild hog, 
which was found hert by the first settlers. 
This breed of bogs was of thin flesh, large 
bones, thick skin and formidabh; tusks. They 
were wholly unfit for food, though the exigen- 
cies of pioneer life often made them the only 
resource. Their skin was used for tanning 
pui-jKises, and fiu-nisbed a very desirable 
leather for horse collars and other parts of the 
harness. The woods breed of hogs, however. 
has long since become extinct in this county, 
and, where it used to take two yeai-s to make 
a 2(l(>-pound hog, a HOO and 4()()-]>ound bog 
can be made in nine to twelve months. In 
tlu;se animals tbei'e are more evidenctw of im- 
provement than in any other cla.ss of stock. 
The original breed was long in the body, long 
in the legs and long in the snout, famous for 
rooting and jtunping fences, and were dis- 
tinctly termed "land sharks." The " gi-ass 
breed " and the Berkshires were introduced 
about the same time, and a cross between 



182 



HISTORY OF STAllK COUNTY. 



these jirodiieed a hog before which the native 
swine fast disappeared. The principal breeds 
which have been more or less introduced here 
are the Sulfolk, Chester White and Berkshire. 
The latter, when first introduced, were a 
rongli, coai"se-boned animal, and were crossed 
with the " gi'ass breed " and soon abandoned 
in their piu'ity. A fine-boned Suffolk followed, 
but they were found as much in the one ex- 
treme as the early Berkshires had been in the 
other. A cross between these and the Chester 
Wliite has produced a favorite animal with 
many. A later Berkshire, which answers the 
demands of the critic, has been introduced to 
some extent, but the Chester Whites and Suf- 
folks are preferred, and a cross between these 
two are the great favorite in the county. 
They are noted for their rapid growth, fine 
form and fattening qualities. 

In poultry. Stark County is perhaps second 
to no county in the State. About 186(1, there 
was a marked interest taken in this branch of 
" farm stock," and several varieties of chick- 
ens were introduced, among which were the 
Game. Shanghai, Dorking, Brahma-Pootra 
and Black Spanish. The last-named is the 
only one that time has proved to l^e a consid- 
erable improvement. Many turkeys are raised, 
but no special effort has been made to improve 
the variety. The same may be said of geese 
and ducks. Guinea and pea fowls are foimd 
here and there. Imt they are raised more for 
appeai'ance than for profit. 

The Stark County Agi'icultm'al Society held 
its first fair on the ir)th and Ifith of October, 
1850, and numliered at that time 285 mem- 
bers. The exhibition of stock was held on the 
south part of the grounds lielonging to the 
Presbyterian Church, while the domestic and 



fruit display was made in two rooms of the West 
Tuscarawas Street Schoolhouse. The State 
Report of that year says in regard to this fair : 
" More than enough ix) pay all the expenses 
for diplomas, arranging gi'ounds, erecting 
pens, providing feed, preparing rooms, paying 
hands, and all the jirinting l)ills, were procured 
by the committee from the citizens of Canton. 
The streets of Canton, diu-ing the whole 
time, were thi'onged with the members of the 
society, and with anxious and admiring spec- 
tators." After using this groimd two years, 
the society bought twelve acres on the "Yoimg 
farm," now in the Fom-th AVard of the city. 
Here the gTounds were inclosed, permanent 
buildings erected, and a track built. In the 
coiu'se of some eight or ten years, this was 
found to be too small, and a tract of land ex- 
tending fi-om Lawrence avenue to the Louis- 
ville road, in the north piirt of the city of Can- 
ton, was seciu'ed. Here a good half-mile 
track has been constructed, and good build- 
ings. In lSf)6, a magnificent hall was erected, 
at a cost of aljout $B.40(*. The center is 
octagonal, eighty feet in diameter, sm-mounted 
with a dome ninety feet high. Wings extend 
north and south, 5(5x22 feet, each having re- 
cesses and a dome. In capacity and architec- 
tm'al beauty, it exceeded, it is said, anytliiug 
of the kind in the State at that time. The 
exhibitions of the society continue to increase 
in interest, and considerable inconvenience is 
being felt at the lack of room, though the 
grounds cover some forty acres. 

[Note. — The geological features of the foregoing 
chapter have beencompilerl from the State Report, 
and the agricultural part has lieen largely drawn 
from an essay liy M. Havnolds, written in 1866. — 
Ed.] ■ " 



^^ 



HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY. 



CHAPTER II.* 

THE EARLY INH.VIUTANT.'^— I'RE-HISTORIC OCCUPATION AND ItKMAIN.S OF ."^TAKK COlNn - 

CLASSIFIC.VTION OF EARTHWORKS— SKETCHES OF THK INDIAN TRII'.ES— 

STARK COl'NTV INDI.VNS DURING THE BORDER WARS 

—INTERESTING INCIDENTS. 



THE development of all the branches of 
natural science ■within the last half-cen- 
tniT has been so colossal that a Hood of light 
has been thrown upon numberless subjects, 
that befoi'e were either wholly or paiiially 
unknown. New fields of instruction have 
been opened to the race in eveiy department 
of science, and a vast fund of information 
that touches the sjirings of human life, and 
widens and elevates the s[ihere of social use- 
fulness, has been placed before eveiy true 
philomatheau for his imjirovement. One of 
the most liaffling undertakings for the un- 
promising research of scientific men, is to 
clear uj) the mysteiy enveloping the origin 
and early stages of human life. That all 
earnest efforts looking to this result have sig- 
nally and wholly failed, is not because mill- 
ions in money have not Ijeen expended, nor 
because unremitting research of splendid in- 
tellects has not been turned in this direction; 
but is probably because the subject lies beyond 
the limits of the circle in which the mind of 
man m\ist move. The sedulous endeavors to 
clear up the mystery have disclosed many cir- 
cimistances connected with the early history 
of the human race that are of vast social value, 
iuid iu-e regarded with universal interest 
throughout the earth. Many of the factors 
which combine to fonu the wonderful organ- 
ism of society, many of the relations and 
forces compelling and controlling individual 
conduct, and many of the pre-existing, envi- 
roning conditions, which metamorphose the 
laws governing social intercoiu-se, have been 
revealed l)y the persistent labor of scientific 
men. 

The general desire and inclination to sift 
all sul)jects of this character to the liottom. 
have led antiquarians to the study of the ]iv( s 

Cl.Titributed t.y W A. C, o<l»peci]. 



of the ancient people, now univei-sally known 
as Mound-Builders. That a strange and semi- 
civilized people resided throughout all the 
counby in times which antedate the Indians' 
occui>ancy of the soil is established l)y con- 
clusive evidence, aside from the almost univer- 
sal denial of the savage tribes of their having 
had any participation in the erection of the 
vast number of earthworks scattered through- 
out the continent. It is estimated that, in 
Ohio alone, there are 1(1.(1(10 of these works, 
many of them being in a fair state of preser- 
vation. All that is known of this mysterious 
people has been discovered from the decaying 
remnants of their works: but their origin and 
final fate are enshrouded in hopeless obsciu'ity. 
Some authorities have suggested that they 
ultimately deteriorated into the ancestoi-s of 
the Indian tribes, though the majority of in- 
telligent WTiters on the suljj(>(rt discourage 
such a view, and give evidence tending lo 
show that an interval of many eentiu'ies 
elapsed between the reign of the two races. 
Others state the conviction that they were 
Mongolians, having reached the Western Con- 
tinent by way of Behriiig"s Strait, ^'arious 
iuiti(|uarians have refeiT«'d their origin to the 
Hebrews, Tartars. Persians, Celts, Egyptians, 
Toltecs, Aztecs and Peruvians; but in most 
cases the reference is largely speculative. 
From their works must l)e derived the solu- 
tion of their modes of life: habits; customs; 
advancement in intelligence, morals, social 
intercourse, and the means of sustaining life; 
their degi'ee of civilization; th<Mr knowledge 
of the arts of jx'ace and war: their liinguage, 
religion, and labor: and their final fate, 
whether ly e.xtinetiou through war, famine, or 
pestilence, or whether thiy became the ances- 
tors of the succeeding Indian tribes. Al- 
though the pre-historic remains of Stark 



-^ 



HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY. 



Comity are few in mimber and comparatively 
luiinterestiug in detail ; yet, since reseai'ch has 
thro\vn so mneb light upon the suViject, ;ind 
aroused so much interest among scientists and 
lovers of science, a brief statement will here 
be given of the progress that has been made 
in this bi'anch of arclueology. 

The ancient earthworks, conceived to have 
been erected by the Mound-Buildei-s, have 
been divided fi'om the theory of their special 
iises into mounds, effigies and inclosures. 
Moiinds are subdivided into sejiulchrai, sacri- 
ficial, templar, observative and memorial. 
Effigies are animal, emblematic, symbolical 
and religious. Inclosures ai'e militai'y, cov- 
ered, sacred and festival. Em'tli was the 
usual material used in the construction of 
these works. Some iu-e found built wholly of 
stone, and some of eailh and stone in varying 
proportions. Sepulchral momids are ordina- 
rily conical in form, are of all sizes, varying 
in height fi'om a foot to seventy feet, and are 
more numerous than any other class. Within 
them, and usually at the center of the base, 
there are always foimd bones, which some- 
times are hard and sound, but usually are 
brittle or in a crmnbled condition. The uni- 
versal presence of human bones renders the 
view plausible, that these mounds were used 
as sepulchers. They always contain one or 
more skeletons, together with implements and 
ornaments, sujiposed to have been placed there 
when the individual was Ijiu'ied. for use in 
the Spirit Land. It is thought that the size 
of the mound bears some relation to the illus- 
trious character of the person, in whose honor 
it was erected. Others infer from the quan- 
tity of bones often found in the larger ones, 
that they were the tombs of many individuals. 
Igneous stones, ashes, and chai'coal are often 
found in proximity with the skeletons, under 
conditions which render it probable that fires 
were used in the burial ceremony. With the 
skeletons are also foivud specimens of mica, 
pottery, bone and coi)i5«r beads, and animal 
bones. Ordinarily these moimds contain but 
one skeleton, though in Licking County seven- 
teen were foimd. The most noteworthy of 
this class was one in Hai'din County, which 
contained 800 crmnbling skeletons. Col. 
Whittlesey and others, however, entertain the 



opinion that they belong to the Indians, who 
had used the mounds for Ijurial piu'poses. 
Templar mounds are few in number, and are 
ordinai'ily circular. They are invariably 
truncated, and are often suri'ouuded with em- 
bankments, inclined planes, or s^siral path- 
ways or steps, leading to the smumit. They 
are found romid, square, oblong, oval and 
octangular, and generally rest upon a large 
base, but have a limited altitude. It is sup- 
posed that these elevations were sm'moimted 
with wooden temples, all traces of which have 
been removed by the ravages of time. These 
mounds and the buildings at their smumits, 
are thought to have been erected for religious 
pui'[)oses. Sacrificial mounds are ordinarily 
stratified, with convex layers of clay and loam 
above a stratum of sand. They generally 
contain ashes, charcoal, igneous stones, cal- 
cined animal bones, beads, stone implements, 
lottery, and specimens of rude sculptui'e. 
They ai-e often found within iuclosm'es, which 
are supposed to have been associated with the 
religious ceremonies of the Mound-Builders. 
Altars of igneous clay or stone are often found. 
Evidences of fire upim the altars yet remain, 
showing that viu'ious animals and probably 
human beings were immolated to secm-e the 
favor of the Great Spirit. These moiuids in- 
frequently contain skeletons, together with 
implements of wai': mica from the Alleghe- 
nies; shells fi'om the Gulf of Mexico; differ- 
ently colored varieties of obsidian; red, pm'- 
jile, and green sjiecimeus of porj)hpy; and 
silver, copper and other metallic ornaments 
and utensils. Observative mounds were ajj- 
parently designed for alarm- towers, or signal 
stations. Some wi'iters have fancied that ! 
they " occur in chains, or regular' systems, and 
that many of them still beai- ti'aces of the 
beacon fLres that were once burning upon 
them." They are often foimd built like tow- 
ers fi-om the summits of emliankments siu'- 
roundiug the inclosm'es. One of the latter, in 
Licking County, has a height of twenty-five 
feet. "Along the Miami liiver," says Judge 
Force, " are dotted small mounds or iirojectiug 
highland which seem to have been built to 
caiTy intelligence by signals along the valley." 
Memorial mounds are of that class of tuiini/i 
intended to commemorate some important 



^ 



HISTORY OF .STARK COUNTY. 



event, or to perpotnate the memory of some 
tlistinguisheil eliarncter. Most of tlio stone 
mouucls Ijcloni^ to tliis elass, and usually eon- 
tain no bones, for the supposed reason that 
they were not used iis sepulehei-s. They are 
thoucflit to hav(> l)een monuments over the 
illustrious dead of the Mound-Builders. 

Elliuies are elevations of earth in the form 
of men, beasts, birds, reptiles, and, occasion- 
ally, of inanimate objects, varying in height 
from one foot to six feet above the suiTound- 
ing soil, and often covering many acres of 
land. Mr. Schoolcraft expresses the belief 
that this class of works were designed for 
"totems," or "triliuliU' symbols;" while Prof. 
Daniel Wilson and other ^\Titel•s of distinc- 
tion entertain the opinion that they were 
ei'eeted in accordance with the religions belief 
of th(> various trib<>s of Mound-Builders, who 
worshiped or in some way venerated th(> ani- 
mals or objects represented by the elevations. 
A large work near Newark represents a bird 
of enormous size, with its wings outspread in 
the act of flight. Its total length is aliout 
200 feet. An excavation in this elligy dis- 
closed a clay and stone altar, upon which 
were found charcoal, ashes, igneous stone, 
and otlier evidences of fire. The stuTound- 
ings indicated that the altar had been used 
for sacrificial offerings. It is called "Eagle 
^lound." from its fancied resemblance to that 
bird. Another work near Newark represents 
a huge alligator, having a total length of 200 
feet Prof. "Wilson believes that it " synilj(^l- 
izes some object of special awe and ven(>ration 
thus reared on one of the chief high places of 
the nation, with its accom|)anying altar, upon 
which these ancient ])eo))le of the valley 
could witness th(! celebration of the rites of 
their worship, its site having been obviously 
selected as the most prominent feature in a 
populous district abounding with militaiy, 
civic and religious structures." The gi'eat(>st 
breadth of the Ixidy is twenty feet, and its 
body, from hind-legs to fore-legs, is fifty feet. 
Each limb is twenty-five feet long. The prin- 
cipal portioTis of the animal are elevated 
about six feet, while other portions are much 
lower. The most remarkal)lo earth work in 
Ohio is in Adams County. Its fonn is that of 
an enormous serjient more than a thousand feet 



in length, with body in graceful anfractuous 
folds, and tail ending in tri|)le coils. The 
gi'eatest width of the bod}- is thirty feet, and 
the effigy is elevated alxiut five fe(>t abov(» the 
siuTounding soil. " The neck of the figure," 
says the American Cyclopedia, " is stretclied 
out and slightly curv»Hl. and the mouth is 
opened wide, as if in the act of swallowing or 
ejecting an oval ligm'e, whidi rests partly 
within the distended jiiws. The combined 
figiu'e has been regiu'ded V)V some as a repre- 
sentation of the oriental cosmological idea of 
the serpent and the egg." 

Defensive inclosures are ii-reg>xlar in fonn, 
and are always on high ground, in positions 
difficult to api)roach by a hostile fo(>. "The 
walls." says the American Cyclopedia. " gen- 
erally wind around the borders of the eleva- 
tions they occupy, and when the nature of the 
gl'oirnd renders some point more accessible 
than others, the height of the wall and the 
depth of the ditch in these weak points are 
proportionally increaseil. Tlie gateways ai'e 
naiTow and few in mimber. and well guarded 
by embankments of (>arth placed a few yards 
inside of the openings or gateways, but par- 
allel with them and pi'ojecting somewhat be- 
yond them at each end. thus fully covering 
the entrances, which, in some cases, are still 
further protected by prejecting walls on (>ither 
side. These works are somewhat numerous, 
and indicate a clear ap])reciation of, at least, 
the elements of fortilication. and unmistaka- 
l)ly point out a C(*rtain degree of engineering 
in their general make-up. 

" A large number of these defensive works 
consist of a line of ditches and embankments, 
or several lines, carried across the neck of 
peninsulas or bluff'-hi>adlands. formed within 
the bends of streams — an ejisy and oVwious 
mode of foi-titication common to all rude ])eo- 
ple-.." The era1)ankments of one of this class 
in Wan-en Comity are nearly four miles in 
length, varying in h<>ight from ten to twenty 
feet, to accord with the locality to be pro- 
tected, and inclose several hundred acre.s. 
Covered ways or jiarallel walls ai'e often 
found, either conn(>cting ditVerent inclosures, 
or portions of tlie same. Tluw were undoubt 
edly designed to protect those passing bad; 
ancl forth within. There are largo numlx-rs 



ISO 



HISTORY OF STAKK COUNTY. 



of sacred iuclosures in the form of circles, 
squares, hexagons, octagons, ellipses, parallel- 
ograms, and others, many of which ai'e de- 
signed and executed with siu'prising geomet- 
rical accuracy. They are sometimes found 
within military inclosures, and very likely 
were connected with the religious rites and 
ceremonies of the peojile, as small elevations 
are found within them, which were evidently 
used for altars, ujwn which sacrifices of vai'i- 
ous kinds were offered. Some archpeologists 
maintain that many of the so-called sacred 
inclosures were intended and used for national 
games and celelirations, and it is probable 
that those without the altar wore used as such. 
The earthworks and their contents afford 
abundant opportunity to specu.late as to the 
characters and customs of this ancient^ peo- 
ple, of whom nothing is left save their 
crumbling habitations. They were a numer- 
ous people, as is clearly proved by the mag- 
nitude and elaboration of their works. Their 
presence here, beyond question, antedates the 
coming of Columbus, and very probably ex- 
tends back a thousand years or more. Per- 
haps a majority of intelligent men who have 
made the subject a study jjlace the Mound 
Builders" period back to that of the Egyptians. 
Assyrians and Babylonians — to a period two 
or more thousand years before the Christian 
Era. Some place them back much farther in 
the past — back to a time when Southern Eu- 
rope and the British Isles were inhabited by 
what is now Icuowu among antiquarians as 
" Fossil Man." The antiquity of man is now 
an established fact.* Pre-historic archfeology, 
the latest- born of the sciences, has lived 
through the successive stages of scornful de- 
nial, doubt and unwilling assent, and has finally 
won for itself substantial recognition. Even 
its most strenuous opponents are forced to 
concede that there are proofs of man's exist- 
ence dming a laj)se of time far exceeding the 
limits of the previously ajjproved chronology. 
In the Quaternary gravels and cavei'ns, min- 
gled with the bones of numerous extinct spe- 
cies of animals, such as the mammoth, the 
i woolly rhinoceros, and the cave bear; human 
bones have been discovered, although compar- 

in tlio P..pular Hcienee 



atively rarely, while the implements and 
objects of man's fabrication are found in 
large quantities. Those found imbedded in 
or covered by stalagmitic formation, some- 
times many feet in thickness, render it impos- 
sible to confuse these evidences of man's pre- 
historic existence with those of a later date. 
The human remains discovered show man, at 
this earliest epoch, to have been possessed of 
a cranial development quite equal to the aver- 
age now. But, though the antiquity of man 
is admitted, and the fact of his co-existence 
with extinct animals during the Quaternary 
period cannot be denied; yet both the dm\a- 
tion of the Quaternary period, and the ques- 
tion of his existence in the previous Tertiary 
age, are still stoutly contested. Whether the 
duration of Quaternary times extended over a 
period of one hundred thousand years, as 
some claim, or over twenty thousand, or even 
less, can never probably he absolutely deter- 
mined. The most satisfactory explanation of 
the chronological question has been foimd in 
the systematic esjilorations that have been 
carried on without interruption since 1865, by 
a most comjJetent committee of the British 
Association, of a large cavern in South Devon- 
shire, near Torquay, called " Kent's Hole." 
The most scrupulous care and vigilant watch- 
fulness have characterized these explorations 
and investigations. The following is a brief 
sketch of what has been discovered in the 
course of the exjiloration: The bottom of the 
cavern was found to be encmnbered with huge 
blocks of limestone that had become detached 
from the roof, between and under which was 
a layer of vegetable mold of varying depths, 
up to a foot or more. In this layer were 
found objects of various periods, running 
back as far as the time of the Roman occuj)a- 
tion of the island. Below this came a floor, 
a stalagmite of an average thickness of six- 
teen to twenty inches, and underneath it a 
layer of cave earth four feet deep, in which 
were found objects of man's fabrication. 
Still lower, they came upon a second floor of 
stalagmite, which in some places had attained 
a thickness as great as twelve feet. Below all 
came a breccia (angular fi-agments of rock 
cemented together), in which were found 
numerous teeth and bones of the cave bear. 



l±^ 



HISTOKY OF STARK COUNTY. 



187 



and with them three undoubted flint instru- 
ments. Now, in one pai"t of the cavern is a 
huge boss of stahigmite rising fi'om th(> floor, 
and on it is inscribed, " llobort Hedges, of 
Ireland, FebiniaiT "iC, H)S8." For neai'ly two 
liunth'ed yeai^s, the process of the formation of 
stahigmite appears to have been going on, 
and still the letters are now only covered by 
a film of not more than one-twentieth of an 
inch in thickness. Even gi"mting that the 
deposition of stalagmite may have [)roceeded 
much more rapidly under fonuer conditions 
than at present, when more water and more 
c<irbonic acid may have peneti'ated the cavern, 
still it is evident what a lapse of time is re- 
quired to account for the fonuation of such a 
mass of material. Nor can accident or fi'aud 
be invoked to explain the presence of these 
relics of man, under the circiunstances in 
which these have been found. The work was 
executed under the daily su])ervision of the 
committee, and by tnistworthy laborers, and 
no intermingling of objects falling fi-om a 
higher level: no burying of them in later 
times in excavations made in an older deposit: 
no attempt at making gain fi-om forged arti- 
cles, palmed off upon the credulous collectors, 
in this case, is possible. 

Much more might be quoted in this con- 
nection, if space pennitted. The distant an- 
tiquity of the Mound-Builders is not so well 
established as that of the "Fossil Man." 
While some intelligent authorities place the lat- 
ter twice, or thrice, or even more times, back of 
the Mosaic account of creation, the former are 
allotted a period in history conesjMjnding, as 
has been said, with that of the Egyptians, 
when records were first chi-onicled. Many 
imjHjrtant inferences can l>e drawn of the 
chai'acter of the Mound-Builders, from their 
works. They were uncjuestionably subservi- 
ent to rulers or superiors, wli<; had power to 
enforce the erection of gigantic structm-es, 
which, considering the semi -barbarous condi- 
tion of the people, their lack of suitable imple- 
ments of lal)or, and their ini])erfe('t and in- 
sufiicieut knowledge of mechanical princii)les, 
are surjirisingly vast in extent and ingenious 
in design. Their works indicate that the peo- 
ple were warlike: that they were familiar 
with many mechanical and mathematical rules; 



that they were religious and probably idola- 
trous; that they wer<> skilled in the manufact- 
m"e of metallic and bone ornaments and pot- 
tery; that they had attained no little degree 
of perfection in the working of metals: and 
that they were essentially homogeneous in 
customs, pursuits, religion and govermnent. 
They, of necessity, were an agi'icultural peo- 
ple, being too numerous to live l)y the chase 
alone. They ofl'ered burnt and other sacri- 
fices and oblations to l)oth gix)d and bad spir- 
its. Dr. Foster says they worshiped the ele- 
ments, such as fire, air and wat«r — also the 
sun, moon and stai-s, and offered hmnan sacri- 
tices to the gods they worshi]>ed. Many im- 
plements and ornampnts have lieen found 
scattered tlu-oughout the continent, that un- 
doubtedly belonged to the Mound-Builders. 
Of these there are stone axes, mauls, hammers, 
celts, mortars, pestles, flint aiTow and spear 
heads, fleshing and skinning instiiiments, cer- 
emonial stones, shuttles, colored slate orna- 
ments, In-eastplatos of stone or shell, orna- 
mental charms or totems, sh(>ll ornaments, 
rude and imperfect specimens of potteiy, 
bone and metallic ornaments, igneous stones, 
slate implements for wea\ iug, inscrijitions and 
devices, and a multitude more, of all sizes 
and shapes, whose uses are unknown. That 
many of these were made and used by the 
Indians is certainly true. It is (|uite likely 
that the latter people would learn something 
from their predecessors, especially of those 
implements used in the arts of war, even 
though an iuten'al of many yeiU's elapsed 
between the reigns of the two races. 

It is now the design to give a brief, accu- 
rate description of every earthwork in the 
county, whether it was constnicted l)y the 
Mound-Builders or l)y the Indians. In Con- 
gress Lake, in the northern pait of the county, 
is a singulai- formation. NciU' the center of the 
western side of the hike, bounded on the east 
by its waters, and on all other sides l)y a deep, 
marshy swamp, is a large moi;nd. some seven- 
ty-tivo feet in diameter north and south, and 
about fifty east and west. It is conical, rises 
some fifteen or eighteen feetalx)V(> th<> level of 
the swamp and lake, and is com]>osixl of the 
same material as the adjacent bluffs. It is 
difficult to determine whether this is an arti- 



^ 



HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY. 



licial or natiu-al formation. In either case, it 
must have been an island in an early clay, 
and. if occupied by either of the above-men- 
tioned races, must have been an impregnable 
position. An excavation of a few feet was 
made on the eastern side, but nothing of note 
was discovered. Futiu-e efforts in this direc- 
tion may bring to light important facts. 

On the farm of David Yant, in the south- 
eastern part of Bethlehem To\vnship, is a 
structure which must be refen-ed either to the 
Mound-Builders or to the Indians. In a 
large, level field on a low tract of land, is a 
large moiuid, which must have been erected 
long before the white man came to the coiua- 
try. The moimd is some sixty feet in diame- 
ter and five feet in height, although, when 
first erected, it is evident it was much nar- 
rower at the base, and had a corresponding 
increase in height. Time has accomplished 
the change by washing the soil from the sum- 
mit. The mound is constructed of eaiih and 
stone, and, from the design, it would seem 
that the latter was at first heaped together, 
very likely with some distinct order in view, 
and afteiTvard, over all was thrown a large 
quantity of dirt. There is a strange tradi- 
tion regarding this mound, which is as fol- 
lows: Two i)owerful Indian tribes had been 
at war for many years, and still the feud be- 
tween them was unsettled, and the tomahawk 
and scalping-knife continued to do their 
dreadful work. The older sachems of both 
tribes saw that the hostile jiarties were so 
eqiially matched that both tribes would be 
almost or wholly exterminated should the 
feud continue until settled by the arbitrament 
of war. Treaties for peace were called, liut 
no terms could he mutually agreed upon that 
would be satisfactory to both parties. Finally, 
after many such attempts to adjust the differ- 
ence by overtiu-es of peace, it was agreed that 
twenty of the bravest and strongest warriors 
of each tribe should assemble on the level 
tract of land where the mound now rests, and 
there, with knife and tomahawk and war-club, 
should be closed in deadly strife, after which 
the " hatchet " should be buried, imd peace 
should prevail. Accordingly, on a given day, 
the two parties of dusky warriors, armed cap- 
a-pie for the fray, assembled, and, after an'ay- 



ing themselves in the grotesque paraphernalia 
of war. and assuming a hostile attitude near 
each other, the word for the onset sounded, 
and the di-eadful work Ijegan. Every art of 
desperate encounter was practiced by the com- 
batants, and the brave men, one by one, sank 
down in death, until at last but a single one 
' remained, a powerful young warrior, the com- 
I ing chief of his tribe. But the terms b}' 
j which the feud was to be adjusted called for 
the blood of this young warrior, and his 
father, an old man, and the chief of his tribe, 
I stepped forward, and, with one blow of his 
L tomahawk, stretched his son dead at his feet. 
\ The bodies of the forty sacrificed warriors 
: were placed together on the ground where 
they fell, and over them were heaped the 
stones and the earth constituting the present 
moimd. If the tradition be true, the moimd 
shoiild contain the crumbling skeletons of the 
dead warriors. It has never l)een opened, and 
it will be left to some future historian to I'ecord 
the jtrobable truth of the tradition, after the 
mound has been opened and its contents dis- 
closed. As far back as the memory of man 
runneth, a large oak tree, between two and 
three huudi'ed years old, was growing fi'om 
the siunmit of the mound. This was removed 
many years ago, and the soil around the 
mound is now a cultivated field. The Mound 
Builders are known to have erected similar 
structui'es, and possibly this formation may 
be properly referred to them. Even if the 
moiuid is found to contain many crumljling 
skeletons, or evidences thereof, either the tra- 
dition may be tnie. or the structure may have 
been the work of Mound- Builders, as the lat- 
ter people often biu'ied their dead in large 
numbers in the same mound. Of course, all 
I positive knowledge on the sul->ject will ever 
I remain hidden, until all things shall be made 
' plain. There is said to be a smaller mound 
not far from the one just described, but its 
location could not be found by the wi'iter. 
At various places along the course of the Tus- 
carawas, there are meager evidences of the 
presence and work of a former people. Sev- 
eral mounds may be seen in the valley at dif- 
\ ferent places, but there are no traditions re- 
i garding them, and, beyond reasonable doubt, 
I they are natiu-al formations. When the 



±^ 



llI>T(»i;V (»F .vr.XHK COUXTV 



connty was lirst settled, it was no imcommon 
thing to discover old Indian trails intersect- 
inj; each other at various points in the county, 
and to find the crunihlinio; remains of old vil- 
lages, that once teemed with a hu'ge and thriv- 
ing pojJulation. Those have long since been 
' removed by the destructive influences of time. 
There ai'o many curious earth formations in 
the co\inty. which, after extended examina- 
tion, might disclose the fact that they were 
consti'ucted by the earlier races. Otliei's. no 
doubt, have Iseen destroyed by the husband- 
man. From the fact that Stark County has a 
noticeable lack of ancient remains, it has been 
infen-ed that the county was a portion of the 
neutral land which separated two or more 
hostile nations or tribes of Mound- Builders. 
Large numbers of (>iu'th and stone works are 
found ak)ug the (Juyahoga River in Summit 
County, and also farther south on the Lower 
Tuscarawas, and on the Muskingum. This 
renders plausible the netitral view of St.irk 
County. Perhaps, oV(>r these broad plains, 
long Ijefore the present growth of timber had 
started, the god of battles raged iuid thun- 
dered. In some portions of the count}', large 
numbers of flint aiTow and speai" heads, and 
implements and utensils of various sorts, are 
discovered, some of which have been refen-ed 
to the Mound-Builders, and some to the In- 
dians. Quite a number of iron axes have lieen 
found in the county. These were mauufact- 
m'ed in England, and shipped to this country 
to be used by the Indians during the bloody 
Ixjrder wars of the last half of the last cen- 
tury. Many ye;u's ago, on the farm of ^NEar- 
tin Bechtel, where his residence now stands, 
a number of flint aiTow-hoads, spear- heads 
and ornaments were found buried. At the 
same time, several Indian saddles were un- 
earthed, all being considerabl)' decayed. No 
evidenci^s were seen that Indians had been 
bm-ied there. Their saddles, however, had 
been, but certainly not for safe keeping. 
There is scarcely a jwrtion of the county that 
has not a similai- tradition. 

Notwithstanding the fact that the Indian 
history of Stark County is extremely meager 
as regards pnjminent events, several interest- 
ing incidents are remembered, and will be 
naiTated. Perhaps no other territoiy in the 



United States was the stage u])(>n which were 
enacted so many thrilling border incidents a.s 
Ohio in early years. From 17.">0 until the 
war of 1 8 1 2. there was a continued succession 
of Indian atrocities and alarms. Some of the 
Ohio tribes were, for short periods, at [)eace 
with the whites, but no permantmt cessation 
of massacre and i>illage could be anticipated. 
Other tribes, a.s the erratic Shawauese, con- 
stantly protested against the encroachment of 
the whites on the Indian lands, and steadily 
resisted almost eveiy overture for [)eac(». 
During all the wai-s in wliich the borderers 
were likely to be involved, an alliance with 
the Ohio Indians was earnestly sought, or at 
least gi"eat inducements were oftered them to 
remain neutral. The British, on the Canada 
side, through the artifice or impostiu'e of 
their emissaries, lost no opjjortunity of incit- 
ing the savages to l)utolier the white ])ioneers 
in Eastern Ohio and "Western Pennsylvania, 
and to ])illage and burn tlieir homes. In 
17-")0. the members of some ten or twelve 
tribes lived in what is now Ohio, among whom 
were the following: The Wyandots (called 
Hurons by the French), the Delawai'es and 
Shawanese (both members of the .iVlgoncpiin 
gi'oup), the Miamis (also called Twigtwees), 
the Mingoes (a branch of the Iro<iuois or Sis 
Nations), and the Ottawas ami Chii)i)ewa.s. 
The Wyandots occupied the country in the 
vicinity of Sandusky River. The Delaware,s 
were established on the JInskingum and Tus- 
carawas Rivers, and at a few other points. 
The Shawauese were chiefly found on the Sci- 
oto and Mad Rivers. The Miamis were on 
the Great and Little Miami Rivers. Tlie 
Mingoes were in great force at Mingo Bottom 
near Steuben ville, and at sev(>ral other ])oints 
in Ohio. The Ottawas occujiied the valleys 
of the Maumee and Sandusky Rivers; and the 
Chippewas, few in number, were mostly con- 
fined to the southern shore of Lake Erie. 
Only four of these tribes were present in such 
nitmbers as to merit a special sketch. These 
ai'e the Wyandots, the Delawai'es, the Shaw- 
anese and the Ottawas. 

The Wyandots. as indicated by the idioms 
and other characteristics of their language, 
were related to the Iroquois; but, about the 
middle of the seventeenth centurv. thev em- 



"Tv:: 



190 



HISTORY or STARK COl'XTY. 



braced the religious faith of the Roman Cath- 
olics, and, for some reason luiknown, severed 
their connection with their relatives, the Iro- 
quois, and cast their lot with the powerful 
Algonquins.* Their original residence was 
in Canada, some authorities fixing their loca- 
tion on Georgian Bay, and others, as Mr. 
Schoolcraft, on Montreal Island. Their num- 
ber is estimated to have been about 40,000 
souls. Some time after this, they became 
involved in a war with the Iroquois, by whom 
they were nearly exterminated, after which 



in Pennsylvania at the close of the seven- 
teenth century. Those in Florida lived at 
peace with the Spaniards, and afterward 
became known as Savannahs, or Yemassees. 
These retired to the Creeks, and linally joined 
the Northern Shawanese. The Iroquois 
claimed sovereignty over the Shawanese, and 
drove them west. In 1 758, they aided the 
French; but, in 178], sided with the English. 
They joined the conspiracy of Pontiac, and 
were active in war until subdued by Col. Bou- 
quet. In 1774, enraged at the attacks of Col. 



they removed first to Charity Island, and | Cressap, they roused most of the Western 



finally to Quebec. They were found south of 
the great lakes in IHfiO, by some French trad- 
ers, and, ten years later, having become in- 
volved in a war with the powerful Sioux, they 
removed to Michilimaekinae, and were accum- 
jianied by Father Marquette. Afterward, 
they established themselves at Detroit, their 
hunting-grounds extending into Northern 
Ohio. In 1778, remnants of the tribe were 
yet in Canada, while the one at Detroit was 
estimated to comprise about one hundred and 
eighty warriors. In 18"29, a small band of 
the tribe was located in Michigan. They 
numbered about forty, and were provided 
with annuities by the Government. Immedi- 
ately after the war of 1812, the princijial por- 
tion of the Wyandots, nmnbering aliout six 
hundred, were established on the Sandusky 
River, on a tract of land eighteen miles long 
east and west, and twelve miles wdde. In 
18iir>, the Wyandots decided to sell a strip of 
land five miles wide on the eastern border of 
their reservation, and the land was accord- 
ingly throvTO into market. In 1848, they all 



tribes, and. in October, defeated the Virgin- 
ians at Pleasant Point, but sued for peace the 
following year. Col. Bowman, who marched 
against them in 1779, was twice defeated. 
They joined the peace treaty of 1 78(5, but took 
])art in the Miami war, in the campaigns 
against Harmar and St. Clair, but were reduced 
by Gen. Wayne, and then entered the peace 
treaty of 1 795. The main body was at this 
time on the Scioto, but a few had gone to 
Missoiu-i, and another band had gone South. 
During the war of 1812, u.rged by Tecumseh 
and his brother, the Prophet, they endeavored 
to unite the Western Indians against the 
Americans ; but those in Ohio remained faith- 
ful. The Missouri band ceded their land to 
the Government in 1825, and the Ohio band 
in 1831. In 1854, the band of Shawanese 
proper, living in that part of the Indian Ter- 
ritorv now included in Kansas, and consisting 
of 1,()00,0()0 acres, numl)ered 900; but at this 
time, or soon afterward, the tribal relations 
were dissolved by treaty, and the lands divided 
in severalty. Besides these, there were, in 



were transfeiTed to Kansas, where they have 1872, ninety in the Quapau Agency, and Ofi:} 



;iuce resided, and the land of their reserva- 
tion was annexed to the adjoining coimties. 

The Shawanese are an erratic tribe of the 
Algoncjuin family. A tradition of recent ori- 
gin makes them one with the Kickapoo nation ; 
but they moved eastward, and a part ai'e said 
to have I'emained, in 1()48, along the Fox 
River, while the main body was met south of 
Lake Erie by the Iroqiiois, and di'iven to the 
Cvunberland River. Some passed thence to 
Florida, and some to Carolina. One band was 

been t-iko:) fnirn tlie 



in the Sac and Fox Agency. 

The Ottawas, when first known to the 
French explorers, were located on the Mani- 
toiilin Islands, and the northwest shore of the 
Michigan Peninsula. They believed in Mich- 
abou, "the great hare," a mythical personage 
who formed the earth and developed men 
from animals: in Mirabichi, god of the water: 
and in Missabizi, "the great tiger." Soon 
after 1049, they fied before the Iroquois to 
Green Bay, thence west beyond the Missis- 
sippi to the country of the Sioux, with whom 
thev became involved in war, when they fell 



& 

4 



fe^ 



HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY. 



191 



ijack to Chegoimegon before 1060, and tinally 
to Mackinaw. The trilx' liecame considerably 
divided here, one of the divisions settling near 
Detroit, and the other at Mackinaw, but finally 
] Hissed over to Arbre Croche. The grc^ater 
number of the Ottawas were in the last war 
with the French, and at its close, Fontiac, an 
Ottawa chief, and one of the ablest Indians of 
any tril)e that eviT lived, organized a vast 
conspiracy fur the destruction of the English. 
They were under British inllueuce during the 
Revolution, and at this time numbered about 
1.5(Mt. They pai-ticipated in the troiities of 
178."), ITSy and 179"), and afterward, l)y other 
treaties, they ac(pxired a tract of land on the 
Miami, thirty-foiu- miles stpiare. By the 
treaty of 1888, they cedi>d their laud around 
Lake Michigan for land south of the MissoiU'i 
River, and soon ceased to bo a distinct band. 
A band of Ottawas at Maumee ceded 49,000 
acres in 188(i to Ohio, and 'iOO emigi-ated to 
the Osage River, locating south of tlie Shaw- 
anese. Some '2'-'>0 remained and became scat- 
tered in detached bauds. In 18(57, they be- 
came citizens, and. in 1870, were removed to 
a reservation of ■24,0(30 acres in the Indian 
Ten-itory. Several thousand are yet living in 
scattered bauds iu Michigiui and Canada, and 
all are self-sujjporting. The Delawares are 
a tribe of the Algomjuiu fmnily. and, when 
iiist known to the whites, were dwelling in 
detached bands, under separate sachems, on 
ihe DelawiU'e River. They styled themselves 
iienajjpi, or. as now written. Lenape. or Len- 
ni Lenape. The Dutch began trading with 
them in 1010, and enjoyed fi-iendly intercoiu'se 
with them until 103"J, when the settlement at 
Swanendael was utterly destroyed by a sudden 
attack, but trade w;us soon afterward resumed. 
The Swedes made eflbrts to Christianize them, 
iuid had Luther's Catechism printed in their 
language. The Delawares claim to have come 
fi'om the West with the Miugt)es, who soon 
afterward reduced them to a state of vassal- 
age, and, when they were con(pu>red l)y the 
Five Nations, they wore termed women l)y the 
latt«'r. The Delawares formed tlu-ee families 
or clans — the Tm-key, the Tiu-tle and the 
Wolf. At the time of the " walking treaty," 
made by Penu, the Delawares complained 
that they had been defrauded in the interpre- 



tation of the treaty, and showed a reluctance 
to "walk," upon which the authorities called 
ujion the Six Nations, who ord(>red the Dela- 
wares, as women, to retire. The Delawares 
were now thrown among warring people: and, 
though previously mild and [leaceable, they 
now became energetic and savage, and con 
ducted their wars with great ferocity aud 
coiu'age. In a war with the Cheroke(>s, tht»y 
reached the Ohio River, where a portion re- 
mained until 177;{. They took up arms and 
fought with the French at Braddock's defeat, 
and elsewhere, but suffered so much fi'om En- 
glish attacks that they finally treated for 
peace, part of them in 1 7r)7, and the others 
after the fall of Fort Du Qu(>sne. They then 
centered on the Suscjuehaima, and a small 
number soon afterward came West and settled 
on the Muskingum. They took up anns in 
the border war, but were liadly defeated at 
Bushy Run, in August. 170:5, by Bouquet 
Their towns on the Suscpu'luinna were pil- 
laged and Ijm'ned, many were killed and dis- 
persed, and, in 1708, they emigrated as a 
body to Ohio. In 1774, they were again 
badly defeated at Pleasant Point, aud a part 
were afterward engaged in the Revolution. 
In 1772, the Christian Delawares settled on 
the Muskingmn (which, in early yoai's, ex- 
tended as far north as the mouth of Sandy 
Creek), but were hastily i-emoved to Sandusky 
in 1781, by the Briti.sh. Early in the follow- 
ing year, ninety- fom- who retiu'ued were mur- 
dered by a party oi enraged Iwrderers under 
Col. Daniel Williamson. By the treaty of 
1785, the Delawares occupied th(> soil between 
the rivers Cuyahoga and Miami. At this 
time, there were many scattered bands of Del- 
awares, several of which were Christian, aud 
at peace with the whites. The main tribe at 
Grand Blaze, with 480 warriors, was hostile, 
and 400, under Buckongehelas, were at the 
defeat of St. Clair in 1 70 1 ; but, foiu' years 
later, they joined the peace treaty at Green- 
ville. In 1808, there were 800 at Wapemin- 
skink, a few at Sandusky, a few on the Mus- 
kingmn (and TusCcU-awas), and a large l)ody 
at Fairfield, Canada. In 1818, the Dela- 
wai'es, 1,800 strong, ceded tlieir lauds to the 
L'nited States, and emigrated to Missouri. In 
1 829, manv went to Kansas, aud some to south 



ix: 



192 



HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY. 



of the Red River. In 1853, they sold all 
their land.s to the United States, except their 
reservation in Kansas. During the last war, 
out of 201 able-bodied warriors, 170 enlisted 
and served in the army. They sold their 
lands, in 1S68, to the Missouri Railroad, and 
settled on the Verdigi'is and Cone Rivers. In 
ISOfi, they became citizens, though their clans 
—Turkey, Turtle and Wolf— still exist. 

The Delawares who lived along the Tuscar- 
awas and Muskingum Rivers were the princi- 
pal tribe with which Stark County has to deal. 
The lands upon which they lived did not 
really belong to them, but had been granted 
them by the Wyandots, whose headquai'ters 
were at Sandusky, when they immigrated to 
Ohio. Piirtions of the Delaware tribes tlu'ough 
all the l)loody Indian wars of the last half of 
the last century. w»'re steadfast firiends to the 
white settlers, and did all they could to re- 
strain their young men. Sometimes they were 
Buecessftil. but oftener the headstrong yoimg 
warriors, through the influence of the savage 
Shawanese, or at the instigation of British 
agents, refused to remain at peace, and took up 
the hatchet, notwithstanding the protests and 
entreaties of those who were opposed to war. 
From the fact that the Moravian missionaries 
were not only established along the Tuscara- 
was further south, but also in Stark Coimty, 
the Indians in this part of the State were no 
doubt often counseled not to take up the 
hatchet against the borderers. It may also 
be reasonably concluded that the Delawares 
were often restrained from indulging in war 
throTigh the influence of the missionaries. 
However, the Moravians could not do much, 
as there were always prominent chiefs in the 
tribe who were bitter enemies of the white 
borderers, and lost no opportunity to slaughter 
and pillage. Th(> following, fi'om the pen of 
a local writer, was wTitten in 184f5: "In \Hi2, 
an Indian village of forty wigwams was 
standing across the river fi-ora the post settle- 
ment. The spot where the dwellings stood, 
and the streets between them, as well as the 
place of carousal, and where they used to play 
ball, were plainly visil)le. So was their biuw- 
ing-groTind easily identified, as well as the 
havoc which some unprincipled fellows com- 
mitted about twenty years ago. in digging 



after some silver trinkets, which the Indians 
used to biuy with their dead. The graves 
were dug open, the silver taken out, and the 
bones scattered over the ground. Just across 
the river is the old missionaiy station. It is 
situated on the north side of the river, near 
its bank, about three- fourths of a mile above 
the bridge, on the road leading from Bolivar 
to Bethlehem, and just below a spur of the 
hill which approaches the river above it. The 
stones which had probably fonned the back 
wall of the chimney form a heap of rubbish 
about two feet high. This is all there is left, 
by which the site of the house can be identi- 
fied. The place where their garden was dif- 
fers from woods around it by the total want 
of hea\y timber. This coiresponds in all re- 
s|)ects with the description given in Mi\ Heck- 
eweldor's joiirnal." It will be I'emembered 
that Frederick C. Post, the missionaiy who is 
)'eputed to have been the first permanent 
white settler in Ohio, Imilt his cabin in south- 
ern Bethlehem Township, where he lived in 
constant communication with the Indians for 
many years. The following, taken fi'om the 
sketches of a local wi'iter. more fully exjilains 
Mi\ Post's suiToundings: "The old Indian 
crossing-])lace at the Delaware cajntal (called 
Tuscarawas), one mile north of Fort Laurens, 
is a prominent landmark in the early goo- 
graiJiical division of Ohio, as well as the 
scene of the most important events that trans- 
pired in Stark County. Tuscarawas Town 
was located upon the bluft" on the west side oi 
the Tuscarawas River, at the mouth of Sand}% 
on land now (Februarj'. 1877) owned by Sam- 
uel Biu'ns, and was on the main trail fi'om 
Fort Pitt to Sandusky." The WTiter goes ou 
to say that near the southeastern corner of 
Bethlehem Township was the cabin built in 
1701 liy Frederick C. Post as a mission among 
the Indians. It was located about a mile 
from the crossing, on the east bank of the 
Tuscarawas. The ti'ading-house of Calhoun 
was on the west side of the river, about fifty 
rods above the iron bridge. In 17()4. the mil- 
itary expedition of (!ol. Bou(juet followed the 
Indian trail west from Fort Pitt into the heart 
of the Wyandot and Indian eomitry, ci'osserl 
the Muskingum (now Tuscarawas) at the 
above-mentioned crossing-place, and pro- 



^l>^^ 



HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY. 



193 



ceeded down the river to Goshegunk (Coshoc- 
ton). Post's house was about a mile north 
west of the Delawiu-e capital. The Dela- 
wares were at lirst disposed to disj)ute the 
right of Post and Heckcwelder to cut down 
the forest aroiuid their cabin, ;ind sent them 
word to desist, and to appear at the council 
the following day to give .ui account of their 
conduct. At the head of this coimcil was 
Tamaque (or Beaver), the chief of the Dela- 
i wares, who said to Post that the latter, instead 
of devoting his time in instructing the Indian 
childi-en, was cutting down the forests and 
taking possession of the land, as all the whites 
unlawfully did. Post replied that, while his 
real object in coming into the Indian country 
was to instruct the chikh'en, yet he must make 
aiTangements to live. He must have corn and 
vegetables, and could not raise them unless he 
had the necessary land. Finally, after some 
fui'ther amicable discussion, it was agi'eed 
that Post should have a gai-den, hfty steps 
scjuare, smd this land was stepped ofl' the next 
day by the afterwiU'd famous, or infamous, 
Capt. Pijje. There was at this time quite a 
liU'ge Indian village at NavaiTe, or near there. 
A mile down the river fi-om Post's house was 
a trader named Calhoun, and farther dcnvn 
wiis the Delaware eai)ital (Tuscarawas), con- 
taining some forty wigwams. Post owned a 
canoe, and was in the habit of rowing up the 
river until neai' XavjuTe, when he woidd land, 
cut a quantity of cedar wood, load it in his 
boat, and retiu-n down the river. The wood 
was used in making tubs, etc., for the Indians. 
The Indian cajiital about this time is sup- 
posed to have contained some 7U(t inhabitants. 
It is stated that the village was the capital of 
the Senecas, as well as the Delawares. No 
doubt but that, in the eiU'ly border w;u-s, white 
caj>tives were held at this village, and very 
[irobably more than one white Indian slayer 
was tortm-ed to death on this spot. Col. Bou- 
•luot, in his exj)edition into the Indian conn- 
tiy passed tlu'ough the southern piui of the 
county. His object was to sulxhu; the Indi 
ans, or awe them into submission, and his 
iiriuy comj)rised some 1, ")()() men, all well 
;u-med and prepai-od, if necessary, to chastise 
the Indians in a manner they would not soon 
forget. Seeing the danger they were in, the 



Indians came humbly forward and sued for 
peace. Col. Bouquet chai'ged them with a 
wanton violation of their treaties, but the In 
dians, through their speakers, Tmile Heart, 
Custaloga antl Beaver, vehemently asserted 
that they were unaljle to resti'ain their young 
men. Col. Bouquet demanded every white 
captive they had, and finally received some 
300 of these unfortunates. " There were seen," 
says a wi'iter in the Historical Record, " fath- 
ers and mothers recognizing and clas})ing 
their once captive little ones; husbands hung 
ai'ound their newly recovered wives; brothers 
and sisters met, after long separation, sctu'cely 
able to speak the same language, or to real- 
ize that they were childi'en of the same pai'- 
euts. In those interviews, there were inex- 
pressible joy and raptm'e, while, in some cases, 
feelings of a very difl'erent chiu'acter were 
manifested by looks or language. Many were 
flying fi'om place to place, making eager in- 
quu'ies after relatives not foimd, ti'embliug to 
receive answers to their questions, distracted 
with doubts, hoi)es and fears; disti'essed and 
gi'ieved on obtaining no infonnation of the 
fi'iends they sought, and, in some cases, petri- 
fied into living monuments of hoiTor and woe 
on learning their unhappj' fate." It is also 
said that " in some cases, strong attachments 
had gro^NTi up between the savages and their 
captives, so that they wei'e reluctantly smren- 
dered, some even not without tears, accompa- 
nied with some token of remembrance." 

The full force of all the sanguinary Indian 
wars dui'iug the last half of the eighteenth 
century fell upon the border settlements in 
Western Pennsylvania and Virginia, and 
Eastern Ohio. The savages were not slow in 
availing themselves of every opportunity to 
massacre the pioneers, destroy their homes, 
and drag large numbers of unfortunates into 
hopeless captivity. To retaliate, bauds of 
daring borderers would invade the Indian 
countiy and slaughter numy of the inhabit- 
ants. White men were bred to the one pur- 
suit of slaying Indians. Great rivalry existed 
among them, in the frontier settlements, as to 
who could strike the severest blow the far- 
thest into the heart of the Indian countiy, 
and retm-n in safety to the settlements with 
satisfactory proof of their deeds. They were 



:^ 



194 



HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY. 



taught from the cradle to hate the Indian, 
and their boyish tongues soon learned to lisj) 
maledictions against the hated race. Indians 
were not merely killed to avenge wrongs done 
by them to the whites. The borderers coiu'ted 
death and danger from love of excitement, or 
because they desired to boast of their exploits, 
or because they expected pecuniary gain. 
Horse-stealing was a favorite pastime, in 
which both races indulged without restraint, 
and many of the most exciting individual 
contests recorded in border history were the 
result of these unlawful incursions. The 
dreadfril and desultory border warfare he- 
came, in a measure, systematic. Rangers 
and scouts were to be found all along the 
frontier, who constantly penetrated the Indian 
domain to watch the movements of the war- 
riors, to wai'n settlers of impending attacks, 
and, if possible, to rescue white captives. 
These daring men were often captm'ed and 
made to feel the weight of savage vengeance 
in agonizing deaths by fii-e and torture. John 
Glover, who was captiu'ed diu'ing Crawford's 
campaign against Sandusky, and who escaped 
death at the stake as by a miracle, states that, 
while he was at Wapitomica, twelve captive 
white men were brought in from Kentucky, 
all of whom were tortured to death Ijy the 
savages. A captive was first stripped naked, 
and then, by means of charcoal and water, 
irns paiuted Hack (a sure omen of an awful 
death). He was then forced to run the gant- 
let. Two lines of Indian men, women and 
childi-en were formed, two or three hundi'ed 
yards in length, and about twelve feet apart, 
the men being armed with tomahawks, knives, 
and guns loaded with powder, and the women 
and children with bows and arrows, clubs, 
knives, etc., the object being to inflict all but 
death upon the runner, without checking or 
impeding his ])rogress by a front lii'e. As the 
captive dashed through the lines at full speed, 
his body was shot full of powder, and cut and 
hacked in a frightful manner. After this, 
the whole band piu-sued him round and round, 
beating, bm-uing and torturing him in every 
conceivable manner, until death at last came 
to his relief. The body was then either cut 
in pieces and raised on poles, or given to the 
dogs! Thus ended the awful tragedv. Be- 



yond question, the Delaware capital was the 
scene of incidents of this character. Perhaps 
the hills around Navarre have echoed with the 
frenzied death -cries of white men, and the 
dreadful y<>lls of exulting savages. There is 
one conflict, between the Delawares and a 
small band of scotits from Pennsylvania 
(probably), the record of which may properly 
come within the limits of Stark County his- 
tory. An account of this was wi'itten a num- 
ber of years ago by Dr. Slusser, of Canton, 
and will be given in his words: 

" On the occasion of this encounter, the 
party left the place of rendezvous for a scout, 
in April. 1798. It consisted of six men, five 
of whom were James Downing, Sr.. John Cup- 
jiy, Isaac Miller. George Faulk and Thomas 
Dillon. They crossed the Ohio River at the 
mouth of Yellow Creek, followed up the north 
branch of that stream to near its source, then 
directed their com-se west to the head-waters 
of Sandy. After reconnoitering this section 
of the country for miles around without dis- 
covering any signs of Indians, they concluded 
there were none about. Up to this time, they 
had not discharged a gun for fear of being 
detected. The rations they had brought with 
them were neai'ly exhausted, and they con- 
cluded to kill some game for subsistence. 
Downing shot a deer, and another of the paity 
a tm'key. This was the morning of the fourth 
day out, between Little Sandy and Indian 
Rim, As they had not yet taken breakfa,st, 
they concluded to prepare the meal. Miller 
was kindling a fire: Faulk was pre])aring the 
turke)' for roasting: Downing was in the ;tct 
of bending down a sapling, upon which he 
intended to hang his deer, that he might the 
more easily skin it; and Cuppy was sitting at 
the root of a tree, with his gun on his lap, 
examining the lock. A party of Indians, niuu- 
bering eighteen or twenty, as was afterw ard 
ascertained, of the Delaware and Wyandot 
tribes, heard the firing, and thereby detected 
the locality of the scouts. They divided their 
force into two parties, with the view of ap- 
proaching them from different points, and from 
the direction the scouts would lie most likely 
to take in attempting to escape. One party 
of the Indians circled around and advance<l 
from the northeast, the other from the south- 



-r^ 



IIISTOKY OF STARK COUNTY. 



105 



oiist. While Cuppy was engaged with his gim, 
he happened to look up. when he saw at a 
ilistance an Indian peering throngli the nnder- 
hnish. Instantly he s])rang to his feet and 
gave the aliu-m. As soon as the Indian saw 
he was discovered, he tiU'ned and ran, and as 
he did so. Cuj)py hi'ed at him. l)ut without 
eft'ect. Miller and Faulk snatched u]) their 
guns and gave chase. The ground was spars(!ly 
timbered, and. as the two men continued the 
jnu'suit. Miller being in advance. Faulk called 
to him to halt, as he knew that just as soon 
as the Indian reached a more heavily timbered 
place, he would stop behind a tree and shoot 
Miller as he approached. Thereupon Miller 
tiu'ned about, and he and Faulk stm-ted back 
for the place they had left. ^Meanwhile, the 
other party of Indians, coming from the other 
direction, made their appearance in great num- 
bers. Downi-ng said to Cujjpy and Dillon: 
' Let us stand together and defend oiu-selves 
to the last.' Dillon hastily replied: 'Each 
one for himself," and, suiting his action to 
the sentiment, broke and ran. Downing and 
Cuppy kept together, and moved along the 
higher ground toward the ft)rks of Sandy. 
As the IncUans pressed upon them, they would 
turn, raise their guns as though they intended 
to shoot, whereupon the Indians would jump 
about with the view of diverting their aim. 
By degrees they became bolder, and advanced 
closer, when Downing shot the ne.irest, which 
had the effect to keep the others at a greater 
distance. Soon after. Downing and Cuppy 
caught up with Dillon, who s(>emed much ex- 
haust^'d. and was staggering as tlujugh about 
to fall. Dillon l)egged for (iod's sake that 
they would helj) him, and, as Downing tui'ned 
imd saw his face, he was found to be choking 
on acccnmt of his neck-tie. Dillon, in his 
haste in trying to loosen it to improvt? his 
wind, ])ulled the WTong end and made it 
tighter instead. Downing cut the neckerchief 
with his knife, thereby relieving the p.mting 
Dilh^n. who immediately took a fresh start 
and was Boon out of sight. Downing and 
(Juppy were both past middle age, and some- 
what Heshy. They were nearly exhausted, and 
knew they could not hold out much longer. 
Downing at last said to Cuppy : ' I can't go 
any fiirther; I"ll stand and fight under this 



thom-bosh if I die ' — and stand he did. 
Cuppy at the siune time got behind a tree, and 
both anxiously awaitetl the appearance of the 
savages, determined to make the l)twt resist- 
ance they could. They had not long to wait, 
for soon the Indijins were seen approaching. 
Downing reserved his fire until the foremost 
Indian came within close range, then, taking 
deliberate aim, fii-ed and brought him down, 
The others retui-ned a volley, which cut the 
bushes around the two men. Init failed to 
strike either. Miller and Faulk, hearing the 
tiring, hastened in the direction whence it 
came, and, ere they were awaiv, were among 
the Indians. Miller observed a lai'ge one with 
a silver half -moon on his Ijreast in the act of 
loading his gun, and, just as the scout was 
drawing a bead on him, he gave a yell and 
s]jrang behind a b'ee. Miller soon discoveivd 
that the Indians had so smrouuded him that 
it was impossible to protect himself behind a 
tree, whereupon he deteiinined u])ou Hight as 
the only means of preserving his .scalp. Quick 
as thought he s]>raiig from the upper bank. 
Emd ran across the liottom toward the north 
branch of the stream. The Indians left 
Downing and Cuppy. and all united in the 
pm-suit after Miller. At one time, they were 
so near him that he recognizeil a tall warrior 
kuowni among the whites as Tom Jilleway. 
After Miller crossed Little Sandy and came 
out in an open plain, he thought, as he after- 
ward expressed it, ' Now, legs, for it,' and ran 
with all his might for about a mile and a half 
northwest, until he reach(>d the highland, or 
ridge, when he stop[)ed to look Itack and listen. 
He could neither see nor hear anything of 
the Indians. After resting awhile, he conclu- 
ded to return to the place where they were 
first surprised, in the hope of meeting tlie bal- 
ance of thecom})any. Not fimling them there, 
and the day being far advanced, he decided 
to make for the rendezvous of the company, 
on the east bank of the Ohio liiver. He con- 
tinued to track as long as he could see, and 
passed the night on a ridge bordering Yellow 
Creek. He made a bed of chestnut leaves 
luider a fallen tree that lay u]) from the gi'ound, 
and slept soundly, amidst the howling of 
wolves and the screaming of wildcats. Ne-tt 
day, he crossed the Ohio at the mouth of Yel- 



J^ 



HISTORY 01^ STARK COIXTY. 



low Creek and reached the place of rendezvous, 
where he found Downing, Cupjiy and Dillon 
safe and unhiu't, save that Downiug's face was 
much swollen, and his eyes bloodshot from 
overexertion. In the evening of the next day, 
Faulk made his appeai'ance, and reported that, 
when the Indians started after Millei, he hid 
himself in the brush. AVhen they were out 
of sight, he crossed over a branch of Sandy 
(since called Indian Run, from this light) and 
secreted himself on a hill, where he could over- 
look the plains south without being discovered. 
He could see the Indians in camp, and, from 
their performances, was satisfied, fi'om a knowl- 
edge of their ceremonies, that two of their 
number had been killed. In talking over the 
matter, the comjiany were of the unanimous 
opinion that they had the Isest of the fight, 
and had made a very lucky escape." 

The above sketch was written a number of 
years ago, and was then published in the county 
jia2>ers. It has passed the ordeal of public 
criticism without serious injiu-y, and is given 
in full as wi'itten. In conversing with various 
pOTties thi'oughout the county, the wi'iter has 
found some objections to many of the circum- 
stances connected with the movements of the 
hostile paiiies, as n;uTated by the writer. It 
is stated by descendants of IVir. Downing that 
the site of the battle was farther south than 
as stated in the sketch. Others have suggested 
that some of the circmnstances described ai'e 
overdrawn, and that too much speculation was 
employed in the naiTUtion of minor details. 
In all histories, the wi'iters, after becoming 
thoroughly familiar with the prominent events, 
and as many details as possible, are compelled 
to conjecture, fi'om evidences known to be cor- 
rect, many facts which they record. This is 
done by all historians, and curious mistakes 
often occur under the ])en of the most careful 
writer. The high social standing of Dr. 
Slusser, his thorough knowledge of pioneer 
events, his reputation as a writer, and his emi- 
nent, recognized integrity, place his writings 
far above insignificant innuendoes and ci'iti- 
cisms. 

The following sketch was written a niunber 
of yeai-s ago, by Col. E. Ball, of Canton, and 
published, as given, in one of the county pa- 
pers : 



"A gentleman, whose name is not remem- 
bered, had lieen to Canton on business, and 
stopped on his way home (to Lake Townshif)) 
at what was known as Everhaii's Mill (in 
Plain Townshi)i), and there reported, in the 
presence of a number of fanners and their 
sons, that a band of Indians was jiassing 
through the settlements soiith of Canton, lay- 
ing waste the country and spreading death and 
destruction as they went. He reported that 
they had jnst laid Rowland's Mill in ashes, 
and were about to lay siege to the village of 
Canton, and that it was their j)urpose to visit 
Cleveland and all intermediate settlements, 
and drive the palefaces out of the country. 
The settlers of Lake, Green and Plain Town- 
ships became terribly frightened. Neighbor 
was sent to sound the alann to neighbor, and 
thus the sad intelligence spread with aston- 
ishing rapidity, until it reached the ears of 
hundi-eds. Men flew to their cabins, where 
each family held a council of war. Every 
latch-string was ]iuiled in, the store of am- 
munition was examined, and, if bullets were 
lacking, new ones were cast. Axes, pitchforks, 
scythes and sickles were immediately hunted 
up and brought into the house, not only to 
prevent their being used in the hands of the 
expected savages, but for the purjiose of being 
used as defensive weapons in the hands of the 
family. JNIany families carried their most 
valuable articles to the woods, and covered 
them with leaves and old rubbish. whUe others 
buried them in the gi-ouud. Many of those 
residing within a few miles of Greentown met 
at S(juire Dickerhoof's, where they placed 
the wives and children in the gawet of the 
cabin, while the men formed themselves into 
a company. Everybody anned. and all awaited 
the aiTival of the savages. One man became 
so much alarmed that he loaded his family in 
a two-horse wagon, and, leaving his house and 
such goods as he could not carry, left the 
country. He did not stop until he found him- 
self east of the Allegheny Mountains, where 
he had come from a short time before, and 
where he remained for the space of two years, 
when he returned, never to hear an end to the 
jeerings of his neighbors for this singular 
manifestation of backwoods bravery. My own 
father left his cabin, which was situated in 



HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY. 



the woods about a milo and a half west of 
CTi-t'ciitowu. aud, with his wife and childi'on, 
walked to the residence of ray grandfather, a 
distance of several miles. Such was the con- 
sternation in the neighborhood that tinally a 
few young men volunteered to act as a scout- 
ing party. Accordingly, they mounted the best 
horses they could finil, and. with their trusty 
riries. moved dowu toward Canton. That vil- 
liige. consisting of about half a dozen houses, 
was found to be unharmed. Here the whole 
afl'air was fomid to be a eompl(>te fabrication. 
The boys returned and spreatl the glail tidings, 
and thus ended the last ' Indian war ' in Stiu-k 
County.'" ^Vhether this Indian alann oc- 
curred during the wiu- of 1812 is not stated. 
During aiul prior to this war, the Indians were 
to be found m large numbers at the old Dela- 
ware cai)ital, and in many temporary encamj)- 
ments throughout the county. They were 
peaceable, though it was well known that they 
might arise in fiuy at any moment. It was a 
common thing to hear them boast of their ex- 
ploits on the border — of how many white men 
they had killed, or how many had suffered 
death by torture at their hands. Some of 
them pnmdly displayed dry tongues or scalps, 
stating that such had been taken fi'om white 
captives. It is related that, on one occasion, 
when one of the Iiulians had displayed a string 
of dried human tongues, and liad boasted of 
having killed the white men, he was followed 
by Mr. Harter, of Plain Township, and after 
that the Indian was never seen again. Mr. 
Harter is said to have stated significimtly, 
aftt>nvard, "He will never show those scalps 
again." All'. Bechtel had a similai- experience 
with another, who is also said to have stalled, 
about that time, on a prolonged trip to the 
ha[)])y himting grounds. Occasionally, troubles 
arose between them and the whites, mainly 
owing to the rascality of the hMn: The In- 
dians were notorious beggars, surpsussiug the 
tram]) in artifice and expediency. They w»'re 
very fond of swec^t milk, and one of them could 
envelop a gallon of that delicious licpiid with 
apparent ease. Cows were fi'ecpiently foiuid 
dry u]>on being driven home, Imt no one 
seemed to know what became of the milk. 
The Indians would secure wild honey, or veni- 
son, or fiu-s. which would l)e traded for pota- 



toes, pumpkins, melons, corn-meal, flour and 
other provisions. Sometimes, when they foun<l 
the whites unwilling to givt», they resorted to 
artifice. They would watch the cabin until 
the husband and father were absent, when they 
would (piietly present themselves, enter with- 
out invitation, seat themselvt^s, and ask for 
whisky, or whatever was wanted. If the set- 
tler's wife hesitated or demm-red, a few hostile 
looks and gestiu-es were sufficient to kindle 
into life her most lavish generosity. If 
whisky was given, the wife knew that .she must 
immediately get rid of ht<r tawny guests, or, 
when the licpior had gained control, she might 
suffer many indignities, and jierhaps serious 
injury or death. " The northwest quart(>r of 
Section 20, in Green Township, formerly be- 
longing to Stark County, but now to Snnnuit, 
on lauil |)urchased by Cornelius Johnson of 
the United States in 18 1 1!, a})()eared to have 
been a favorite himting-groimd, or battle- 
ground, of the Indians, as arrow-heads, 
hatchets, skinning knives and other imple- 
ments have been foimd there in great almn- 
dance. From the numerous tlint chi]3s found 
on that quai-ter of the section, it seems to have 
been a place for manufactiu'ing their stone 
hatchets aud an'ow- heads. Where they ob- 
tained such large (juantities of Hint is unknown. 
The spot seems to have been s(*lected on ac- 
count of its being light-timlsered, clear from 
underbrush, and elevated a little above the 
siuTounding lands. Scattered over this ele- 
vated plateau were found piles of stones, vary- 
ing in size fi-om two to eight inches in diame- 
ter, and arranged in htiaps of from four by six 
feet to a little larger or smaller. Tradition 
assigns to thi^m the honor of hokhng the ashes 
of some wairior or chief, but, as no Ijones or 
human remains have ever been found in them, 
they we thought by some peo])le to have been 
sacrificial altars, or monuments, erected to per- 
jietuate the memory of some great events." 
The above is cpioted fi'om the wi'itings of Jo- 
siah Q. Kern. Henrj' Bechtel, of Jackson 
TowTishij), says that on one occasion a settler 
who was sawing logs in the woods was u\>- 
])roached l)y an Indian, who, after viewing the 
operation with gi-eat interest for a tim(\ left, 
and, some time afterward, when the settler was 
absent, the Indian retm-ned. accompanied bv 



HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY. 



two others, and, after pointing to the nicely 
sawed logs, took his ramrod and drew it back 
and forth at right angles across the log, to 
illustrate the manner in which the sawing had 
been j)erformed. The ease and simplicity of 
the process were Iseyond the comprehension 
of the red men of the woods. 

During the war of 1812, the settlers in the 
county were apjM'ehensive that the Indians 
might timi against them, in which case a 
di'eadfnl time of i^lood and death might be 
expected. At one time, news was received that 
SOO warriors had congi'egated in the bend of 
the river at NavaiTe. and were making prep- 
Jirations to attack the settlers. The news 
came fi'om a reliable source, and was ci-edited, 
and immediate pre])arations were made to re- 
ceive them in a fitting manner. A company 
of militia at Canton, commanded by Col. 
Sloane, and another in Sandy Township, com- 
manded by Capt. Downing, were hastily as- 
sembled to resist the expected attack. The 
few cabins then in Canton were ban-icaded, 
and rendered as strong as possible by levers 
and bars. Pickets were sent out a half-mile 
or more fi'om the village, and all movements 
of the people were made subservient to the 
orders of the military commanders. All the 
settlers living on the outskirts of the settle- 
ment hurried to Canton, armed with pitch- 
forks, sickles, clubs, scythes, axes, etc.. pre- 
pared to sell their lives at a high premium (if 
the figiu-e may be indulged in). Philip De- 
walt's tavern became a sort of headquarters for 
the excited populace. Drums were improvised 
from old pails, and martial music soon fired 
the lilood of the citizens to fever heat. No 
one slept that eventful night. All were watch- 
ful, and pro]ierly so. Indeed, the settlers did 
exactly right, for, if the report had been tnie, 
their prom])tness would have disconcerted the 
savages, to say the least. Some laughable in- 
cidents are related. John Shorb, during a 
portion of the night, was assigned picket duty 
on the advance line. Wliile on his beat, on 
the alert for any suspicious sound, he was 
suddenly startled Ijy the snapping of a twig, 
as if some person had incautiously stepped 
upon it. Ml'. Shorb instantly cocked his rifle, 
and demanded, in stentorian tones, "Halt! 
who goes there?" A painfi;l and ominous 



silence answered his words, and for a moment 
nothing could be heard but the rapid beating 
of his heart, and the soft sighing of the night 
wind through the dark forest. Suddenly the 
same noise was repeated, and again Mr. Shorb 
commanded a halt. Squatting upon the 
gi'oimd, he could see some dark object coming 
nearly toward him, and, raising his rifle, he 
took deliberate aim and fired. A heavA^ fall 
announced the success of the shot, and Mr. 
Shorb, after loading his rifle, stepped cati- 
tiously forward to view his fallen foe. He 

' reached the spot, and, peering forward, saw 
the bloody corpse of a — cow. He afterward 
said. " That's what the cow got for not an- 
swering." He never boasted very much, how- 
ever, of this exploit. When the morning 

I davraed, the two companies moved forward to 
discover what had become of the Indians. 
The site of Navairewas reached, Imt noblood- 

j thirsty savages were seen, and. after proceed- 

1 ing some farther and not finding an enemy, 
the companies returned to Canton. The vigi- 

I lance and alarm did not subside immediately, 
but everything, including the militia com- 
panies, was kept in readiness to resist a possi- 
ble attack. Extra precautions were taken 
when the news was received that the British 
were landing from Lake Erie, with the inten 
tiou of attacking the settlements in Eastern 
Ohio. All apprehensions of danger from this 
soiirce were removed by the appearance of a 
few of Hull's half-starved, half-clothed, paroled 
soldiers, who were the ones that had landed 
at the lake. The Indians continued in the 
county, and in all Eastern Ohio, until after 
the war. It is said that, just before the battle 
of Tippecanoe, the Indians were seen to be 
unusually active. War dances were fre- 
quently held, and the battle cries and scalp 
halloos could lie heard above the boisterous 
confusion in the Indian village. The Indians 
would flourish their tomahawks and scalping- 
knives, and the settlers wondered if another 
outbreak was brewing. At last the news of 
the liattle of Tippecanoe was received, and 
after that, the conunotion in the Indian vil- 
lages ceased, save an occasional wai' dance, in- 
dulged in in memory of olden times, and to 
prevent the time-honored customs of the tribe 
from dying out. The settlers were often pres- 



HISTORY OF STARK COINTY. 



ent during the txibular ceremonies, and occa- 
sionally they took part in the dance. When it 
came to taking food or soup prepared on these 
occasions, the settlers, one and all, desired to 
be counted out. Wrestling matches were 
foiTued, antl the " whites " and " rods " w(>re ar- 
rayed against each other. Sometimes one suc- 
ceeded, sometimes another. Shooting matches 



were formed, yet, notwithstanding the superior 
vision of the Indians, the whito huntei-s usually 
secured the prizes. The greater portion of 
the Indians left immediately after the close of 
the war, though straggling bands remained 
and could be seen as late as 1825, or even 
later. The tale of the red man will soon be 
told as a romance of the past. 



CHAPTER III.* 



rOST AND HECKEWELDKR S MISSION — EARLY SETTLEMENT BY THE WHITES — EARLY 
HUILDINGS— COIRT HOUSE AND JAIL— DIVISION OF THE COUNTY— POOR 
HOUSE AND CHILDREN'S HOME. 



STAEK COINTY can proudly boast of be- 
ing the site of the earliest white settlement 
in the State of Ohio. In about the year 174U, 
large numbers of Moravians had established 
themselves in a beautiful section of country at 
Bethlehfm, Penn. Here they (juietly wor- 
shiped Gcd and increased in numbers, and at 
last instituted an association, the object of 
which was the establishment of missions 
among the Indians, that these wild people 
mi^ht learn more of Jesus Christ, and their 
children be taught to read and write. Great in- 
flxiences were brought to bear by the Moravians, 
to induce grave and capable men to dare the 
dangers which would possibly result frcm cc.n- 
stant ccmmunicaticn with the Indians. This 
course, calculated, as it was. to bring to the 
front the courage, intellect and religious man- 
hood of the Moravians, resulted in the creation 
of a vast system of pioneer missions, whose 
holy achievements have beet me embalmed for- 
ever in the history of this country. Under 
the influence and protection of the systtm, the 
sturdy ministers of this sect penetrated unmo- 
lested far into the wilderness, where no white 
foot had before pressed, and where the wild 
forms of nature were as yet untouched by the 
fashioning hand of man. Hemes with the 
savages were not always secured without a 
stniggle. as is evinced by the historical fact 
that many failed to secure the longed and 
prayed for results— some eflbrts, indeed, re- 
sulti ng in bloodshed, others in brief and un- 

•Ci-nlribnted by W. A. Ooodspeed. 



happy periods of continuance, while a few 
were hopefully successful tlu'ough a long, 
bright period of years. One of the chief de- 
signs of the Moravians was the creation of a 
friendly feeling betwein thduselves and the 
Indians, that a basis might be formed by 
means of which the foimer might induce the 
latter to refrain frcm bloody wars upon the 
white pioneer settle ments. This design was 
effectively accomplished in some instances; in 
others, it utterly failed. 

Sometimes the Moravians sent their mis- 
sionaries to the Indian villages; but the most 
noteworthy missions known in history were es- 
tablished by men who immured themselves amid 
the dangers of the wilderness from choice, and 
quite often in opposition to the wishes of the 
Directors of the Moravian Association. The 
early settkment in Stark County referred to 
above has been recorded in detail by many 
writers, all of whom seem capable of throwing 
some new light on the subject. One thing is 
certain: The results accomi)lished by the set- 
tlement have been greatly overdrawn. Kev. 
Christian Frederick Post, a regularly ordained 
minister of the United Brethren Church, of 
his own choice, and indejiendent of the Mora- 
vian Association at Bethlehem. Penn., came to 
Stark County some time during the year 17(>1, 
and erected a log cabin, after which he imme- 
diately returned to Pennsylvania, to seek an 
associate who could teach the Indian children 
to read and wTite, while he preached to tho 
adxUts. How long Mr. Post remained in Stark 



HISTORY OF STARK COUKTY 



County at the time the cabin was built is 
probably not known: yet it could not have 
been longer than about a month, and might 
have been but two weeks, as nothing of conse- 
quence was accomplished save the erection of 
the cabin. The cabin was located on the 
north bank of the Tuscarawas River, on Sec- 
tion 25, Bethlehem Township, and within a 
short distance of the confluence of the river 
and Sandy Creek. In early years, the stones 
which had probably formed the chimney, and 
a quantity of rubbish, marked the spot, 
although at present scarcely a trace of the old 
cabin is left remaining. The important point 
for the reader to note is, that, while Mr. Post's 
design was to establish a mission among the 
Indians, the jjlan was abandoned before that 
result was accomplished. It was an unsuc- 
cessful attempt to found a mission, as no mis- 
sion was really founded, save an imperfect 
one, and that but for a few months. Almost 
directly south of Mr. Post's cabin, distant 
about two-thirds of a mile, was the Delaware 
village, Tuscaroratown, which comprised forty 
wigwaiiLs, and could place on the war path 1 80 
warriors. On the opposite side of the river fi'om 
Post's mission, and a few rods farther down, 
but above Tuscaroratown, was a rude cabin 
occupied by a white trader named Thomas 
Calhoun, a moral and religious man. Below 
the village, a few wigwams were scattered for 
a distance of several miles, while above it, and 
distant about seven miles, was another Indian 
village, the size of which is not known. These 
were the surroundings. Mi'. Post, upon tis 
return to Pennsylvania, was not long in dis- 
covering a suitable associate in the person of 
John Heckewelder. who, of his own choice, 
and independent of the association, signified 
his willingness to accom|)any Post into the 
wilderness to teach the Indian children. Hecke- 
welder was but nineteen years old, and, for 
the purpose of accompanying Post, was re- 
leased from an a])i)renticesliip to a cedar 
cooper. Other accounts than the one above 
followed state that Heckewelder joined Post 
with and under the consent of the Association. 
This is prol>abl}' true, for Heckewelder states 
as much in his memoirs, which were afterward 
published in trermany. According to the ac 
count given in these memoirs. Post and Hecke- 



welder left Bethlehem, Penn., early in March, 
1702, and, after a harassing joiu'ney of thirty- 
three days, through spring floods and snows, 
reached the log cabin in Stark County. They 
passed through Fort Pitt, and were warmly 
welcomed there by Col. Bouquet and Capt. 
Hutchins, then on duty at that point. It is 
said that two missionaries entered their log 
cabin singing a hymn. Immediately after 
their arrival, and early in April, Post and 
Heckewelder liegan clearing a small piece of 
ground for a garden, but were ordered to de- 
sist by the Indians, who were jealous of such 
acts without authority. A council was held, 
which resulted in Capt. Pijje's stejjping off a 
small piece of land for the missionaries" gar- 
den. Here Post and Heckewelder remained 
until about August, at which time Post was 
required by the Grovernor of Pennsylvania to 
bring the principal Delaware Chiefs to the 
treaty that was io be held at Lancaster, Penn. 
Post did as required, and Heckewelder was 
left alone at the mission. Here lie remained 
until October, when, fearing a border war, he 
retiu-ned to Pennsylvania, and neither he nor 
Post afterward retm'ued to their mission. It 
appears, then, that Post remained at the mis- 
sion about foiu- months, and Heckewelder 
about six months. But little in respect to the 
object of the formation of the mission could 
possibly have been accomplished in that brief 
space of time. Post's mission receives its 
greatest credit from the fact that it opened 
the way to important missions which suc- 
ceeded it. It was was the beginning of a se- 
ries of missions on the Tuscarawas that did a ! 
great deal to prevent the Delawares. at least, I 
fi'om engaging in the bloody border wars, i 
Loskiel has this to say of the Post mission, in j 
his " History of the Missions of the United 
Brethi-en among the Indians of North Amer- 
ica:" 

"On the Ohio River, where, since the last war, 
some of the Ohio Indians lived who had been 
baptized by the Brethren, nothing could be 1 
done up to this time. However, Brother Fred- 
erick Post lived, though of his own choice, ' 
about one hundi'ed English miles west of Pitts- 
burgh, at Tuscaroratown, with a view to com- 
mence a mission among the Indians. The 
Brethren wished the blessings of the Almightv 



r^ 



IIlS^TOHY OF STARK COUNTY. 



uixjn his undertaking, and, when he asked for 
an assistant to help him in his outward con- 
cerns, and who might, <hu'ing the same time, 
learn the language of the Delawan^ Indians, 
they (the Brethren) made it known to the con 
gregatiou of Bethlehem, whereupon Brother 
John Heckewelder concluded, of his own 
choice, to assist him." And then, to explain 
tlie above somewhat, he goes on to say : "We 
know of Post that he was an active and zealous 
missioniu-y. but had man-ied an Indian squaw, 
contrary to the wishes and advice of the 
Directory that had the oversight of the Mora- 
vian missions: and this act had forfeited so 
much of his standing that he would not be ac- 
knowledged as one of our missionaries in any 
other manner than under the guidance of 
another missionary. Whenever he went fur- 
ther and acted of his own accord, he was not 
opposed, but had the good-will of the society 
of which he continued a member, and of its 
Directory, and even their assistance so far as 
to make known his wants to the congi-egation ; 
and they thi-ew no obstacles in the way of any 
person inclined of his own choice to assist him. 
But he was not then acknowledged as their 
missionary, nor entitled to any fmiher or pe- 
cuniiUT assistance." 

Kev. David Zeislx-rger, who afterward 
formed a pennauent mission a few miles down 
the river, also refers to Post's mission. Maj. 
Robert Rogers, sent on an expedition to 
the Western coiuitry from Montreal, ci'ossed 
the river at the fording ])lace at Tuscarora- 
town in the year 17()]. and afterward stated 
that there were at that time some 3.00(1 acres 
of land, cleai'cd and under cultivation, at the 
Indian village. The chief of the Delawares 
at this time was Beaver, and their principal 
war chief was Shingcss, wlio is su])posed to 
liave been the same as Buckimgahelas. This 
noted warrior was living in ISO-I. In 17()1, 
when Col. Bouquet marched to this village 
with his iurny of l,r)00 men, it was found de- 
serted. It will thus be seen that the only im- 
I>ortant result of the Post mission was the 
founding of a series of missions- on the Tus- 
carawas. Did not Heckewelder do even more 
than Post to insiu-e a continuance of the work 
founded by this mission ? And yet Post led 
the way, even against the wishes of the 



Directory of the Association, and Wcus in rt^ality 
instrumental in laying the foundation of thi> 
succeeding missions. 

It is not the design in this chapter to enter 
into the details of the fii'st settlements made in 
the different townships in the count}'. That 
task falls upon the township writers. It is 
pro[)er, however, at this point, to give a sum- 
mary view of the general early settlement, for 
the pm-pose of giving a connected account of 
the growth of the county. The earliest settlers 
throughout Ohio, and, in general, throughout 
all new countries, were a coiu-ageous class of 
men, known as squatters, whose occupation was 
hunting and trapping, upon which they almost 
or quite wholly depended for subsistence. 
These men usually thought the country was 
becoming too thickly settled when a dozen 
families lived within as many miles, and, in 
such cases, ordinsu-ily moved farther out into 
the unex])lor<Mj wilderness. In their places 
CcUne the advance guai'd of the gi'and army of 
settlement and ])i-ogress. It is always the case 
that the enterjirising, the energetic and ambi- 
tious are the ones who tirst brave the hard- 
ships of a new country, and who thereljy write 
their names on the most prominent page of the 
history of their country. It is always the ven- 
tvu'esome, the diu'ing sjiirit, th.it swings ort' 
from the gi'eat army and strikes in a new and 
surprisingly effective manner at the object to 
be attained. Such men are not imitators; 
they ai-e imitated. They do not follow; they 
lead. They do not wait like Micawbor for 
something to turn up: they turn something 
up. They are the initiators of genuine prog- 
ress. Stai'k County had its share of these 
men. Their faces are yet familiar to the old set- 
tlers, altliough their riHes and traps have l)een 
laid aside long ago. Every stream knew them ; 
every hill and dah; had felt the pressm-e of 
their feet; every grove had re-echoed with 
their shouts, and with the repoi"ts of their 
rifles. Their nido dug-out canoes swept 
silently across the lakes l)eneath the strength 
of their sturdy arms. All this is now gone. 
Waving fields of grain stand upon the hills 
and line the slo])ing dales; (lie stealthy foot- 
fall of the hunter is no more; the busy hum 
of human life has taken the place of silence 
and shadow. As nearlv as can ))e ascertaim^d, 



>> 



002 



HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY. 



the townsliips were iirst settled as follows: 
Canton. March. 180,"): Plain, summer, 180-">; 
Nimishillen, autumn, 1805; Sandy, autumn, 
1805; Osnabur^;, autumn, 1805; Paris, au- 
tumn, 1805; Marlborough, autumn, 1805; 
Washington, autmuu, 1805; Lsxington, 
spring, 180(i; Lake, summer, 1806; Perry, 
summer, 18015; Pike, summsr, 1806; Jackson, 
1807; Bethlehem, 1807; Tuscarawas, 1808; 
L-iwrence, 180S; Sugar Creek, 1808. These 
dates are not far fi'om correct. The settlers 
were largely from the Keystone State, though 
mam- were fi'om the Old Dominion, and from 
the Empire State, and a few were Yankees. 
Perhaps f our-tifths of the early population were 
of German descent. Localities in the county 
were colonized by Yankees and by French 
Catholics. Later years have served to reduce, 
greatly, the German characteristics. The En- 
glish language is principally spoken, though 
there are places where the German prevails, 
or where the vivacious French may be heard. 
Settlers were careful to locate on the outskirts 
of the settlements, as in that case thej' could 
have choice of land, and could also be near 
schools, churches, stores, mills, etc. These 
were important items to be taken into con- 
sideration, as many a settler who disregarded 
them learned to his sorrow. It was important, 
also, to locate near some good highway. Mill- 
ing was a fashionable and profitable emjiloy- 
ment The extensive immigration prior to 
1820 created an enormous demand for native 
lumber. Houses, barns and other Imildings 
were erected by the thousands; but. as the 
demand for building lumber increased, the 
number of saw-mills to supply that demand 
increased. The early saw-mills were, of 
course, operated by water-power, and hence 
the selection of farms having excellent mill 
sites occujiied the attention of many an early 
settler. Grist-mills sprang into existence to 
supply the demand for bread. Every township 
had one distillery or more. There was an 
enormous demand in eai'ly year's for liquor. 
Whisky was upon every sideboard, and chil- 
ch'en and adults daily took a pull at the bot- 
tle. It was the custom, just before eating, 
to take a horn, as the liquor was thought not 
only to aid digestion, but to ftirnish a positive 
noiu"ishment to the system. Workmen really 



thought they could not get along without it, 
and fi'equently left the field when it was not 
f m-nished. The best of whisky could be Ixjught 
for from \2 cents to 30 cents per gallon. It 
is said that every house was a public house in 
early years. The latch-string hung out to all, 
and no one was turned away without a bed or 
a meal, such as they were. Little villages 
sprang up like mushrooms, from all quarters. 
Every owner hoped that his village would be 
favorably smiled upon by fortune. Some 
hopes were realized, some were blasted. Stores 
were opened with sm ill stocks of goods, that 
were slowly increased as the patronage ex- 
tended, or was auctioned off as the owner saw 
that his effort was abortive. People were with- 
out money, yet extensive commerce was car- 
ried on by means of exchanges, with some 
temjjorary measure of value. There arose two 
prices — the "trade price" and the "cash price." 
This state of things often wrought great hard- 
ships, but was finally outgrown. Schools and 
religious meetings were first held in the set- 
tlers' houses. Finally, the old log schoolhouse 
was erected. Here the meetings were also 
held, until at last log churches were built. 
TUiese oldsehoolhouses and chm-ches have been 
rej)laced by many others, each an improvement 
on the one preceding it. Thus settlements 
and imjirovements have multiplied, with their 
attendant blessings. 

A few years after Columbiana County had 
been created, and after a number of the first 
settlers had located in what is now Stark 
County, the territory embraced within the 
limits of the latter county, and other territory 
of about the same extent, were included in the 
former county for election piu'poses. It must 
be imderstood that, when speaking of Stark 
County in early years, not only the present 
territory embraced within the county limits is 
meant, but also Franklin and Green Town- 
ships in Siuiimit Coimty, and Brown, Rose and 
Harrison Townships in Carroll County. These 
townships, at the early organization of Stark 
County, were a part of the latter. While under 
the jiu'isdiction of Colmnbiana Coimty, the 
Stark Coimty of early years was divided into 
two townships by a line passing east and west 
thi'ough the county, on the northern line of 
the present Canton Township. The territory 



HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY 



203 



north of this line was called Lake Township, 
and that south of the line. Canton Township. 
These two townships included the whole of 
Stark County. Soon after the Indians' title 
to the land west of the Tuscarawas was extin- 
guished, the ])resent Wayne County, and por- 
tions of the townshij>s of Lawyonce, Tuscara- 
was and Sugar Creek, lying west of the river, 
were attached to Lake and Canton for election 
and judicial })iu'j)oses. As soon as the last two 
townships were created by Cohuubiana County, 
which was done in liSIMi, an election of the 
necessaiy township officers was ordered. AVho 
these officers were is not now known : but Jacob 
Loutzenheiser was commissioned Justice of 
the Peace of Lake Township, and James F. 
Leonard the same of Sandy Township. No 
other important alterations were made until 
the county was created. The following is the 
full text of the creating act, j)assed by the 
Sixth General Assembly of the State of Ohio, 
begun and held in the town of Chillieothe. on 
the 7th of December, 1807: 

Section 1. Be it enucted by the Gtiural Assem- 
bly of the «rt<e of Ohio. That the following tract of 
couiitrj' be and the same is hereby erected into a 
separate county by tlie name of .Stark, viz.: Begin- 
niujronthe soiitliern boundary of the Connecticut 
Reserve, at the northeast corner of township luim- 
ber nineteen in the si.xlji range: theuee running- 
south between the tiftli and sixth ranges, to the 
scut lieast corner of the tifleentli township of said 
sixth range: thenee west witli the township line 
until it intersects the eastern boundary line of the 
United States Military District: thenee with the 
said eastern boundary line north to tlie northeast 
corner of the tenth lownsliip. in the tirst range of 
said military district: thence west with the town- 
ship lines until they intersect the Indian bounthiry 
line; thence with said Indian boundary line to the 

t northwest corner of fractional tow nsliip niunber ten 
of the tenth range, in the new i)urehase. south of 
the Connecticut Reserve: thenee north, with tile 
line running between the tentli and elevenlh ranges. 

1 to the nortliwest corner of townshii) number two 

I of the tenth range: thence east with the southern 

I boundary line of the Connecticut Reserve to the 

I place of beginning. 

i Sec 2. That the said countv of Stark sindl. 

I from and after the first day of January, one thou- 
sand eight huinlred and nine, be and tlie same is 
hereby declared to be a separate and distinct coun- 

I ly. and entitled to all the rights and privileges 
. appert;iining lo the same: Prociilid. That all 
;u:tions and suits which may be |>endinjr in the 
';ounty of Columbiana on the tirst day of January, 
one thousand eight hundred and nine shall be pros- 
ecuted and carried on to final judgment and execu- 
tion, and all taxes, tines and forfeitures, which 



shall be then due. shall be collected in the same 
manner as if this act had not passed. 

Sec. 3. That all that tract of country lying wisi 
of the tenth range and cast of the sixteenth range 
in the said new purchase, and south of the Connect- 
icut Reserve, and north of the United Stales Mili- 
tary District, shall be a separate and distinct county 
bythe name of Wavne: Init, with the county of 
Stark, shall be attached to and made a part of 
Columbiana Countv, until the said county of Stark 
shall be organized, and shall thereafter be and 
remain a part of the .said county of Stark until 
otherwise directed by law. 

Sec, 4, That there shall be appointed by a 
joint resolution of both houses of the present Gen- 
eral Assenilily. three coininissioners to tix the seat 
of justice inUie said county of Stark, agreeable to 
the' act estalilishing ^eats of'justice. who shall make 
report of their prncniliiiirs tii the Court of Common 
Pleas of Coluniliiana ( .mnty, and who shall be 
governed by the provision^ of the aforesaid act. 

Sec. 5. That the commissioners aforesaid shall 
be paid for their services out of the treasury of 
Columbiana County. 

This act .shall take effect and be in force, from 
and after the passage thereof. 

Philemon Bkk( iiek. 
tipeiiker of tlie House of liepresentotirfs. 

TnO.M.\S KlKKKK, 

Feljruary 13, 1808. Speoker of tlie Senate. 

The three Commissioners appointed by a 
joint resolution of both Houses of the Sixth 
General Assembly to locate the county seat of 
Stark Coimty were Elijah Wadsworth, Eli 
Baldwin, and another, whose name does not 
appear ujion the Columbiana County records. 
On the 14th of Jime, 18(IS. Daniel Harbaugh, 
Joseph Richai'dson and George Alterholt, Com- 
missioners of Columbiana County, issued an 
order, in accordance with Section T) of the 
above enactment, upon the Treasiu'er of that 
county. ])aying to each of the constituted Com- 
missioners appointed to locate the county seat 
of Stark Coimty the sum of 5^1;^ for his serv- 
ices. These Commissioners, after cai-efully 
considering the claims of the tlu-ee villages, 
Canton, Osnttburg iind Nimishillentown, for 
the location of the county seat, unanimouslj- 
selected the former. An electitin of county 

i officers was ordered, and. on the 1 (ith day of 
March, ISO'J, tlie first Commissioners of Stai-k 

I County met at Canton for the transiiction of 
business. These men were John Bower, James 
Latuner <ind Jolm Nichols. They met at the 
residence of James Campbell. ;ind aj>pointed 

I "William Reynolds Clerk of the Board. The 

i fii-st thing done was the division of the county 



HISTOKY OF STARK COUNTY. 



into townshi]3s, or, as wome then called them, 
"election diHtricts." This wan efl'ected as fol- 
lows: 

Ordered hi/ the Board. Tlutl I Ik- (.■ouiiiy of Sl:irk 
be divided into town.sliips or election districts as 
follows, to wit: Canton Township (election to be 
held at the residence of Saninel Coiilton. in Canton) 
beginning at the southeast corner of the ninth 
township in the eighth range; thence north with 
the line between the seventh and eighth ranges to 
the northeast corner of the tenth township in the 
said eighth range; thence west with the township 
line to the west boundary of the county; thence 
sotith and east with the county line to the place of 
beginning. Plain Township ("election to be held at 
the residence of George Harler), beginning at the 
northeast corner of the twelfth township in the 
eighth range; thence south to the southeast corner 
of the eleventh township in the eighth range; 
thence west with the township line to the west 
boundary of the county; thence north and east with 
the county line to the [ilace of beginning. Nimi- 
shillen Township (election to be held at the resi- 
dence <if Heiuy Loutzcnhciser). to include the 
eighteenth and nineteenth townships in the sixth 
range, and the nineteenth and twentieth townships 
in the seventh range. Osnaburg Townslii|i (election 
to be held at the residence of William Xaylor), to 
include the seventeenth townshi]) in tin- sixth range 
and the eighteenth township in the seventh range. 
Sandy Township (election at the residence of Isaac 
Van Meteri. to include the tifteenth and sixteenth 
townsliiiw in llic sixth range, and the sixteenth 
and s('\ inli' iilli townships in the seventh range. 
Fvrllnr ,.r,i.i;,l. That the clerk do ascertain' Df 
the A>^o(iatr .ludircs of Stark Ccnnitv, how manv 
Justices of the Peiice will be necessaVy in each o"f 
the town.sliips in the county, and thai be, having 
got the certificate of said Associate .Tndges, do pro- 
ceed to adverti,se an election in each of the sai<l 
townships, to be held on the first Monday in April 
ne.xt (1809), for the election of the number of .Jus- 
tices agreed on by the As.soeiate .Tndges, and for all 
other necessary town.ship officers. 

In accordance with Section 3 of the jibove 
creating enactment, attachin"^ the coitnty of 
Wayne to the eonnty of Sttirk, the Commis- 
sioners, on the 10th day of April, 1809, or- 
dered that the eonnty of Wayne be considered 
attached to Canton Township, and that the 
residents of that eonnty vote at the nsttal j)Iace 
where the citizens of Canton Township do. 
The Commissioners soon saw that they must 
levy a tax to secure a revenue for ciirrying on 
the expenses of the county. Not a road, with 
perhaps one or two exceptions, had been laid 
oitt in the cormty; and, as the settlers lieiran 
to Come in very rajjidly at this tiim-. repeated 
demands were made for bridges and for better 
roads. It is said that, diu'ing the winter of i 



1805-6, there were not to exceed twelve fami 
lies in the entire county. The next winter, 
there were about three times as many, and at 
the time the county was organized, in 1809, 
some localities were quite well settled. To 
meet the ciu-rent expenses of the county in the 
construction of roads and bridges, and the pay 
ment of c(iunty officers, the Commissioners, on 
the 10th day of April, 1809, ordered the fol 
lowing assessments: Taverns in Canton, a 
license of $9 per anniuu; in all other parts of 
the county, 15 per annum. Ferrymen on the 
Tuscarawas River, $(i per annvini; and the 
same on all other streams of the coimty 
Ferrymen were allowed to charge as follows: 
On footmen, 6^ cents each; man and horse, 
12. J cents; team and loaded wagon, 50 cents; 
all other vehicles, '^1\ cents; team and empty 
cart, sled or sleigh, H\ cents: cattle and horses, 
each, Ci\ cents; sheep and hogs, each, '2 cents. 
The following additional assessments were 
made by the Commissioners in June, 1809: 
On all ordinary horses, 25 cents annually; on 
horses of the masculine persuasion, the season 
price per annum; cattle, 10 cents; on all other 
taxable property, a levy of J per cent. For 
the scalps of wolves and panthers, a bounty 
of 50 cents was offered, provided the animals 
were under six iuonths old: if over that age, 
$1. The following year, this lioiuity was 
doubled. At the April session of the board, 
James Campbell was appointed County Treas- 
urer, whereupon he gave bond for $3,000, with 
George Bair and Philip Shisser, bondsmen. 
At the June session, Joseph McGuigan was ap- 
pointed Sheriff. His bond of |4,000 was 
signed by Thomas Giason, Httgli Cunningham, 
Samuel Coulter, Andrew Sttckey and James 
Williams. In September, 1809, the Commis- 
sioners ordered the cotuity of Wayne to be de- 
tached from Canton Township, and to be or- 
ganized as an independent township by th(* 
name of " Kilbuck." The citizens of that 
county were directed to assemble at the resi- 
dence of Benjamin Miller, in Wooster, to elect 
the necessary township officers, which was ac 
cordingly done. This order of the Commis- 
sioners was issued in accordance with the 
l)rayer of the citizens of Wayne County, who 
had jietitioned for a separate organization. 
The first road ordered viewed was a branch of 






^— ^k, 



HISTOUY OF STARK COTNTV 



the Steitbenville & Bethlehem road, and was 
to extend fi'om Jacob Oswalt's to the town of 
Canton, thence toward the portage of the Tus- 
carawas Kiver. The second road was to ex 
tend fi-om the northeast corner of the county 
to Lexington, thence to Kaleigh Day's Mills, 
thence to Canton. An application was made 
for a road extending from Canton to the con- 
fluence of Sandy Cre<>k and Tuscarawas River. 
This was at first refuse<l. but in December the 
application was gi-anted. In Decemlier, ISOU, 
the first Coiu-t of Connnon Pleas was convened 
by Judge Calvin PeasL^. More of this eom-t 
will be learned in the chapter on th<> county 
bar. In the aiitumn of ISO'J, Samuel Coulter 
took the place of John Bower as one of the 
Commissioners, the latter probably having left 
the county. It was decided by ballot that 
James Latimer's tenn of ofiSce should be one 
yeiU", Samuel Coulter's two years, and John 
Nichols' three years. The Court of Common 
Pleas met in the upper story of S. W. Coulter's 
building, and. as ordered by the Commission- 
ers, the Judge " will be entitled to receive $3 
for each court." The following are the dates 
at which subsetpient townships of Stark County 
were created: Tu.sc.u'awas. ISIO; Green. 
1811; Perry, ISKi; BrowTi, 1815: Jackson, 
1815: Pike, 1815: LawTence, 1815; Lexing- 
ton. 1816. and again in 18'21; Sugar Creek, 
181(3; Lake. 181(3: Franklin, 1810; Bethle- 
hem, 181(3: Harrison, 1817; Pai-is, 1818: 
Rose, 1818; Wa.shington. IM8; Marlborough, 
18'21. During the year 1810. the Townshi]) 
Collectors reported and jjaid into the CDUnty 
ti'easiu-y about .$■20(1. Of this, John Campbell, 
Treasm-er, turned over to his successor $-18.55. 
In 1811, James^)rennan was api)ointed by the 
board to " keep the comity measure." It was 
about this time that the lirst land tax was col- 
lected, Thomas C. Shields being the County 
Collector. In December, 1811, the lx)ard Cimie 
to the conclusion that the old com-t room in 
Samuel Coulter's house shcjuld be abandoned, 
and a better one entered in the second story of 
George Stidger's new brick. The contract be- 
tween the board and Mv. Stidger was as fol- 
lows: "Stidger is to give for the use of the 
county the south half of the upper story of 
said house, and to devote the same to the uses 
of a court room. The Commissionei-s engage 



to put up in aaid house such accommodations 
as they think proper for the court, and to do 
it with as little injury as |)ossil)le to the house, 
and to pay the said Stidger the sum of !j!3 for 
each and every court that may sit in said house, 
except called courts for transacting adminis- 
trative business." The board also, at this time, 
rented the up])er story of the house owned by 
Daniel Faron. the same to be used as a jail, 
and Mr. Faron to be paid SI jier mouth for 
the use of such story. Mr. Stidger's house 
was used as a court room under the above con- 
tract until 1814. when the contract was altered 
so that the owner was ])aid $-10 per year, and 
the court continued tt) sit there as before. lu 
1814. the tax on personal projierty was raised 
somewhat. Init that on real estate remained at 
J per cent. James Williams. County Col- 
lector for 1S1:{, turned over to the Treasm-er 
$789.45. less his commission, etc. Soon after 
this the tax ou real estate was raised to 1 per 
cent. This was rendered necessary on account 
of theenoi'mous pressure brought to bear upon 
the Conn nissi oners for building bridges, view 
ing and constructing roads, and the general 
expenses of the county. The following is the 
rejwrt in full of John Harris. County Collector, 
for 1814: 

Coi.i.ECTous Kki'ohi, >'r. Dr. 

To the ainouiil of lii< diiplic-alc !I(!I U3 

Bv dcfali-ntioiis ^ 14 40 

BV tax on lol.s doniitcd to the 

■founty by Bcnilccl Wells 1 7."> 

By coiniiiission for collccliii,:; . . !t <!1 

15V Tn-iisiirer'.s rccci])! (bili-il 

'Oft. i4, 1814 Toil 11(1 

Bv Trfa.surcr's recci))! dated .Ian. 

8, 1815 180 DO 

Bv Trcasmer's receipt dated 

'Mareli T. 181.-. .".1 -.>(; 

^mi *yi 

The Collector lor 1812 r.'ported 5;2()5.80, 
and the one for 1815, Sl,25(3.'28. In 1815, 
the propriety of building ii comi house was 
discussed; but the matter did not take shape 
until the siumner session of 181(5, when pro- 
posals for the erection of a lirick cotn-t hoiLse 
were received. Ou the 28d of July. I81*), 
the Commissioners entered into a contract with 
Thomas A. Drayton and John D. Henley for 
the erection of a brick ci)urt house, the same 
to cost $().25(), " exclusive of the l)ell, l>ell- 
fi-ame, spire, ball and lightning rod." This 



HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY. 



building, with some modifications of details 
and price, was completed in 1817, and was 
immediately occupied by the county officers. 
This court house, with various alterations and 
additions, was used until the present one was 
built. In December. IS'iy, the Commissioners 
authorized the Auditor to give notice that 
sealed pi'oposals for the erection of a county 
jail would be received: and, at a special ses- 
sion in February, 18H(I, they caused to be re- 
corded: "After a careful examination of the 
several projwsals laid in for the erection of a 
new jail, it is ordered that the contract be as- 
signed to Calvin Hobart, he having agreed to 
furnish materials and comjilete the work for 
the whole building for the sum of $8,000; and 
it is further ordered that the said contractor 
enter into bond with sufficient security for the 
faithful performance of the work." This 
building was comjileted in January, 1881, and 
a settlement made with the contractoz'. In 
August, 1888, the Commissioners considered 
the advisability of altering and remodeling 
the com't house ; whereujion, it was " ordered 
that Dwight Jarvis, Esq. , be authorized to em- 
ploy W. W. Knapp, of Massillon, or some other 
comj)etent mechanic, to go to Ravenna and 
take a plan of the com't room at that place, 
and ascertain whether the com't room at Can- 
ton can be so altered as to cori'espond with 
that, and to estimate the cost of such altera- 
tion." Nothing further seems to have been 
done regarding this order, for, in March, 1834, 
Eli Sowers was authorized to rejiair it in ac- 
cordance with a plan he had prepared, for 
which he was paid 184-1.81. In January, 1836, 
the Coimnissioners called for proposals for the 
erection of a new court house, to accord with 
a plan they had at their office; biit, for some 
unkno%vn reason, nothing further was done in 
this pailicular. In June, 184'2, it was decided 
to build a large strvictiu'e for the county offices. 
The contract was awarded Francis Warthorst 
in September, the cost to be §4,475. The 
work was fairly begun in March, 1848, when 
the Commissioners were petitioned as follows: 
" Your petitioners, citizens of StiU'k Coimty, 
respectfully solicit yoiu' honorable body to sus- 
jjend the building of the coimty offices imtil 
after the expression of the will of the tax- pay- 
ing citizens of this coiuity, to be determined 



at the election to be held in the spring. Yom' 
petitioners, in making this request, would re- 
spectfully represent that they are desirous of 
ascertaining whether the tax-paying com- 
munity of this county feel themselves in a 
situation, taking into consideration the present 
depressed state of monetary affairs of this 
State, to see built, at an additional tax of 
fi'om 16,000 to $8,000, the said county offices; 
and your petitioners, as in duty bound, will 
ever pray." After carefully considering the 
petition, it was " ordered that, in conse- 
quence of the advanced state of the work of 
the contractor, and also the fact that the ad- 
ditional tax will be necessary to complete the 
building, the Commissioners deem it inexpedi- 
ent to comply with the 2)rayer of the peti- 
tioners." The buildings were accordingly 
completed. In December, 1848, the following 
cm'ious preamble and order was adopted by 
the Cummi^sidinTs: 

AVlIKKi. \>, liiial coniiilaiiil ha^ lici'ii iiuidc in 
various iHiiiimi^ ol tlir i-ouiity. Unit the public 
offices, crectod tor the security of the public rec- 
ords and the convenienee of the public, have bi'eu 
converted into gaming rooms, inducing idleness and 
immoral habits; therefore, it is ordered by the un- 
dersigned Commissioners of iStark County, that, 
frcmi and after this date, every species of gaming, 
whetlier for amusement or for wager, is strictly 
forl)idden and prohibited in the public buildings. 
And it is further ordered, that the Clerk of the 
board funnsh a copy of the foregoing preamble 
and order for each room of the public buildings. 
.John Bketz, i 



Geokge Hownstixk, 

WlLI.I.\M DlI.I.ON. 

December 8, 18-18. 



Coil Illy 
'iminnione 



On the Kith of May, 1849, the Commission- 
ers, in pursuance of an act of the General As- 
sembly of Ohio, stibseribed 1,^00 shares, or 
$75,000, in the capital stock of the Ohio & 
Pennsylvania Railroad Comjiany, the same to 
be paid in cash, or in the bonds of Stark 
County at par, at the option of the Commis- 
sioners, It was nearly twenty years before 
the last of these bonds were paid. The old 
brick coiu-t house erected in 1S17, the jail 
erected in 1880, and the cottnty offices erected 
in 1848, served the pttrposes of the county 
until 18(37, when it was decided to construct 
new and better buildings. At this time, the 
laws of the iState did not authorize County 
Commissioners tolevA^a tax to exceed $15,000 



^ 



HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY. 



207 



for the purpose of building court houses. It 
was tlierefore found necessary to secure a 
special enactment for that purpose. This was 
(lone as follows: 

Skction 1. Beitiiuictedhjjthi' Oentnil Asseinblji 
<// the Stiitf of Ohiii. Thill the roinniissioners of 
8tark Couiilv be, and they ai-c hei-cliy aiitliorizeil. 
Ill l)uil(l a new coiirl liouse. witli pulilir ciHicos. at 
I he iniinty seal i)f .«ai(l county, on llu- lot now oc- 
' u]iii'il livtlic old courl house and public otlices. at 
I co.sl iio't cMccdinir f IDO.dOO. Tlic material in the 
lid court house and pulilic olliccs may. in the dis- 
iTction of said eommissioners. be used in erecting 
Ihc new court house, or sold and tlie proceeds or 
any part thereof appropriated to the building or 
fuinishinir of said new court liouse. 

Skc. 2. To enable the eoiuniissioncrs to carry 
into effect tlie provisions of this act. they are here- 
by authorizid to transfer to the building fund 
and Use for the pm poses of this act any surplus 
of other funds now in the county treasury, or 
which in.iy heivaflir accumulate, not needed for 
the speeitie pm-poses for which said siu-plus was 
raiseil; and also raise by taxation on the property 
of the county whatever sum may lie needed for 
said purpose, not (xceeding in all the aforesaid 
aggregate amount of ^lOO.dllO; but the ta.ves so lev- 
iedshall not in any one year e.\ceed ^2O.(X)0. In 
anticipation of the collection txf said ta.xes, the 
said commissioner- shall have power to issue the 
bonds of said county in such sums and upon such 
terms, luaring legal rates of interest, and redeem- 
alile at the pleasure of said commissioners, which 
bonds shall not lie sold for less ijian par value. 

Sec. 3. Before dc-trrniining upon a plan of said 
building, said commissioners may personally exam- 
ine similar structures anywhere in the .State; and 
the}- shall call to their assistance a eiinipeleiil archi 
tect or engineer to )irepare drafts anil speeilication- 
of the plan iletennincd upon; and the work of the 
building of said structure may be done either under 
their own supervision or that of a suiierintendent. 
to be a|)pointid by them and subject to their con- 
trol, in accordance with the plan iletermined on by 
them, or anv inoditications thereof thev mav make. 

Sici . 4. that this act shall take clfect aiul be in 
force from and after its passage. 

En A. P.uuioTT, 
Spenker of the House of liepresentatives. 

AnDKKW G. McBl'KNEV. 

Mari'h 14. 1867. Speaker of tlie Senate. 

Immediately after the passage of this l)ill, 
the Commissionei-s issued an order to the effect 
that, if the city of Canton would furnish ^2."), 
(XMI toward the general expense of completing 
the court house, an order would be issued for 
the erection of the same. This occtUTod on 
the '.Ith of April, ISliT; and, on the 7th of 
May, the City Council of Canton notified the 
Commissioners that the alKjv(> proviso was 
agreed to, and !?"25.(M)() woidd hv donated for 



the purpose stated. The Commissioners ad- 
vertised for plans and specifications, and, on 
the rith of October, considered the following: 

II. E. Meyer, lirick building, stone 

wing T * IW.OOO 00 

J. C. Hoxie. brick building, sKme wing, 

completed loo.ooo oo 

George P. Smith, first floor stone, others 

brick 110.000 00 

George P. Snnth. brick building 87,000 00 

George P. Smith, brick building, modi- 
fications '. 80.0(M» 00 

VV. H. Frazer. stone building without 

furnace loo.iioo lUi 

On the ISth of October, the Coimuissioners 
decided U) accept the j)lan proposed by J. C. 
Hoxie, and issued orders for sealed proposals 
for the erection of the building according to 
this plan. The following proposals were re- 
ceived and considered: 

.1. and G. HicklilTer * !I").(IOO (M) 

Rol) Greenlee yi,0:iH 70 

Rob Greenlee, Hoxic's plan, stone cor- 
ners 9:5.(«s 70 

Rob Greenlee. Hoxic's plan, entirely 

stone ". 114,a3« 7o 

Payser & Campbell 87,3.56 00 

Miller, Frayer in Smith 89,900 l»0 

J, C. Hoxie, including price of plan. . . . KHI.OIIO 00 

Mr. Waterson ViT). M» 

After due consideration, the board were 
unanimously in favor of accepting the proposal 
of Payser & Cam]ibell. Henry E. Meyer, of 
Cle^ eland, architect and engineer, was em- 
ployed, at a salary of S4,S14, to superintend 
the erection of the building. Soon after this, 
Hoxie's [)lan, for definite reasons, was aban- 
doned, and one prepared by H. E. Meyer was 
substituted in its i)laco, the building to cost 
S9S,0(K). This iilteration of Hoxie's plan was 
used as an amendment to such plan. The 
conti'act as amended was signed by Commis- 
sioners and contractors March 11, 1 ISfiS. The 
work on the building was commenced: court 
house bonds, bearing legal rat as of interest, 
W(>r(! ordered sold at par, as money was needed 
to meet the estimates of the architect; loans 
at rea-sonable rates were effected; and a 
tax, in pursuance of the above act, was levied. 
The work progressed rapidly, and, early in 
1870, the building was completed and r«>ady 
for occupancy. Soon afterward, the follow- 
ing settlement was made with Pavser & Camp- 
bell: 



^ 



Comiact price of court liouse $ 98,000 00 

Extra work us per bill 1,974 37 

Extrn work as per estimates of arcliitecl 3,796 58 

Extra work for phiiubini;-, fiiriiiliire. etc. 7,480 10 

Extra work wilh stairs and liell 318 50 

Total $111,469 45 

The '22d of February. 1.S70 (Washington's 
birthday), was selected for the twofold jmr- 
jjose of celebrating the day in memory of 
Washington, and of dedicating the new coiu't 
house. A large assemblage gathered in the 
court room on that day, where appropriate 
ceremonies were held in honor of the occasion. 
Elo<{ttent and extended remarks were made by 
Dr. Tonner, John McSweeney, Es<i., and 
others, the addresses of the former two being 
spread, by order of the Commissioners, upon 
the county records. The following explains 
itself: 

.Vt a Court of Common Pleas, I.e-mi aud lield at 
the court bouse in the eitv of Canton, within and 
for the <-ouiitv of Stark, and State of Ohio, at 10 
o'eloek A. M.'. on Monday, the 28th day of Fel)ru 
ary. in the year of our "Lord one thot'isand eiiiht 
hundred and seventy, and lieinutlie first term in tin' 
new court hoitsc. 

Present— 

llox. .Joseph Frkase. Judge. 
\. W. IIei,denbr.\nd, Clerk. 

H .V. DiM-.Ai;. S/ierif. 

In the record and proceedings of said Court then 
and there held, are the followiiif"-, to wit: " Xow 
comes Col. .S, iteyer. and presents to tlie Coiu't the 
proceedings and resolutions adopted tit a meetins 
of the bar and ollicers of the Court, held at the 
court house on the morning of the 38tli of Februaiy. 
])revious to the opening- of Court, tind moved the 
Court that the .same be entered on the joiu'nal. 
wliicli was accordingly ordered done." Tlie iiro- 
eeeding's and resolutions are as follows, to wit: 

"At a meeting of the members of the liar and 
officers of the Court, held at the new court house 
on the 38th day of February. 1870, to celebrate tlie 
com|)]i'tion of the same and its first occupation for 
imblic Iiiisiness. on motion of Col. S. Meyer, Hon. 
.Tose|ili Frease was appointed Chairman, and A. W. 
Ileidcnliranrl, Secretary, And. on further motion, 
.1 committee consisting'of Col, S. Meyer, .VIe.xaiider 
Hierre, Robert 11, Folgcr, .lolin Mi'Sweeney and 
IIarv(\- Launhlin wa-- appiiiiited to dr;ift resolutions 
suitalile to the occasi,,ii. The following was offered 
by till- committee: Tlie committee appointed at a 
meeting of the bench ami bar and other officers of 
the Cinirt, to report a preamlile and resolutions 
approjiriate to the occasion of opening the new 
ccinrt house to the purposes of jastiee. beg leave to 
ri'|i(irt as follows: 

•■ ■ WuERE,\s. On taking pos.se.ssion of this stalely 
edifice forthe purposes contemplated by its builders. 
the people of the county of Stark, who have cheer- 



fully borne great .sacrifices to secure its construction, 
it is meet and proper that the bench and bar. with 
the various officers of the Court, who are called 
upon to exercise their res]>ective functions and ilis- 
charge their respective duties within its sMcrcd pre- 
cincts, now aijpropriately and solemnly dedicate the 
same to the iiilministration of justice, therefore, 

" • Resolceil. That his Honor. .Judge Frea.se. ou 
behalf of the bench and bar, and various offices of 
the Court, formally dedicate the same as a Temple 
of .lustice. where a ready redress may e\'cr be found 
for every wrong, and where the cherished rights of 
jicrsonal liberty, security and right of property will 
ever be sacredly enforced and secured, while now 
formally throwing open its portals for tin' adiuinis- 
t ration of eyen-handed iustice. 

••■He-mlnil, That the t'ourt be [irayed to cans,- the 
proceedings of this meeting, followed by the respect 
ive names of the memliers of the bench and bar and 
officers of the Court, to lie spread on the journal and 
records of the Court as a perpetual meiuorial of the 
dedication of the new court house. 

'■ ■ By the Committee. S. >[eveh, Chairniiiri.'" 

Names of the members of the liench. — Hon. .Jo- 
seph Frease, Hon. (Jeorge M. Tuttle, lion. Norman 
L. Chaffe,'. Hon. Philo B, Conant. 

Names of the members of the bar. — S. .Meyer, 
Alexander Bierce, Geor.ge E, Baldwin, .1, .1, Parker, 
.lames .Vmermau. A. L. .lones, .Vnsoii Pease. A. L. 
Baldwin, Robert H. Polger, Harvey l^aughlin. Will- 
iam .McKinlev. .Ir, , .lohn Ijalini. William .V, Lynch, 
W. B. Higby; Ed S. Mever, Ed F. SiJineider, W. C. 
Pippitt, .James,). Clark, W. W. Clark, Louis Schaefer. 
.lohn C. Stallcup. Ceorge W. Raft'. .lohn W, .McCord. | 

R. A, Dunbar. Shcriif; A. W. Ileldenbrand. Clerk, i 

On the motion to adopt the foregoing resolu- 
tions, stirring and effective rcniarks were made by 
Col. S. Meyi'r. Robert H. Pol.ger. Alexander Bierce 
and John McSweeney, after which the resolutions 
were unanimously adopted, and, mi niolion, i!ie 
meeting adiourned .liiu- dii . 

Whet-eupon His llnii,,i-, .lu,l-e Frease, ill s,,ine 
aiijiropriate remarks, formally dedicated the new 
court room to the transaction of |mblic business; 
ami, to further signalize the occcasion of the tirst 
occupation of said court-room. Court adjourned 
until i''.:!it o'eloij; lo-moriow morning, 

.losEl'ii FnK.\si.:, Jiiilyi-. 

Since the erection of the court house, the 
county has gone to the expense of building a 
large, strong jail. The county buildings and 
the lots itpou which they stand have cost the 
citizens in the neighborhood of §'250,000. But 
few counties in the State have better court 
buildings than Stark. They are situated in 
the business center of the city, and their loca 
tioir and size render them conspicuous to till 
who catch a glimpse of Canton. When the 
court house was built, the citizens of Canton 
Township, through their representatives, 
agreed to give $1,000 toward the building of 



lUi. 



HISTOUV OF STARK COUNTY. 



209 



the coivrt-house. provided they might have per- 
manent use of a room in the basement for 
townshi]) pmiwsps. The Commissioners agi-eed 
to this, adding, as a proviso, that the citizens 
would bo ex|iected to pay more toward the 
room, if necessary. 

By special enactment of the Ohio Legisla- 
tm"e, on the lioth of December, IHH'I, Carroll 
County was created, by which act Stark Coimty 
was robbed of the townships of Brown ( except 
the northern tier of sections), Hairison, Rose, 
and two tiers of sections on the western side 
of Sandy. This bill was stoutly opjK)sed by 
the Stiirk Coimty Representatives in the Leg- 
islatiu'e, and in general by the citizens 
throughout the county. Those who had chosen 
the above towushi])s as theu' homes ch-eaded 
the thought of being sepiu'ated from their 
love. "Mollie Stai'k." to whom they had become 
fitrongly attached. Notwithstanding the op- 
position, howei'er, the division was made, and 
the citizens soon became reconciled to the sit- 
uation. On the Kith of December, IS;?:], the 
Commissioners of Stai'k County, James Haz- 
lett, James Downing and Nicholas Stump, and 
two of the Commissioners of Carroll Coimty, 
John Shober and John W. Russell, met at 
Canton to divide the county fimds. in accord- 
ance with the change that had been made in 
the teiTitory of the coimty. This division of 
fluids was calculated in the following manner: 
The total valuation of taxable property in 
Stark Coimty in 1832 was Sl.'JSLmJl. The 
valuation of that in HaiTison Township for the 
same year was .§58,814. That of Rose, §45,- 
811. "That of Brown, §52,958. That of the 
two tiers of sections on the east of Sandy, §13,- 
050. That of one tier on the north of Brown, 
§5,188. Brown, HsuTison, Rose and Sandy, 
addinl, give §170,085). Northern Brown de- 
ducted from this leaves §105,451. Then, as 
§1,1*8 1,001 is to the amoimt in the county 
treasury, §1,170.05, so is the vahiation of the 
ten-itorj' remaining in Stark County, §1,810,- 
240, to the portion of the funds the county has 
a right to retain. This sum is found to be 
§1,072.35, which, deducted from the funds in 
the treasiu-y, gives what was paid CaiToll 
(bounty, the amoimt being §07.70. On the 
17th of February, 1834, the surveyors ap- 
jwinted by the two counties met at the resi- 



1 dence of John Whitacre, in Pai"is, to locate 
the boundiiry dividing the counties. It may 
be ti'uthfully said that those townships were 
better situated as part of the new county than 

' as part of Stark. Time has not changed the 
condition. 

In 1840, another bill, which was passed by 
the Legislature, robbed Stark County of two 
more townships. These were Franklin and 
Green. This bill, which was for the creation 
of Summit County, met with the bitterest op- 
position fi-om Rejiresentatives and Senators 
whose counties were clipped to form the new. 
The bill was introduced in the House on the 
17th of December, 1830, by the Chairman of 
the Committee on New (bounties, and, from 
that time forward imtil its passage, on the 0th 
day of February, 1840, was fought inch by 
inch by Hons. John Smith and James Welsh, 
Stark Coimty Representatives, but without 
avail, for, at the latter date, it slipped thi-ough 
the House by a majority of but thi'ce. In 
January, 1840, the bill was taken up by the 
Senate, but every possible eftbrt was made to 
defeat it by Mr. Hostetter, of Stark, and 
others. The struggle was long and severe, but 
the friends of the mi^asure were too strong, 
and at last the bill passed the Senate by a 
majoritr of foiu-. It became a law on the 3d 
of March, 1840. On the 15th of May, George 
Kjreighbaiun, John Bretz and Peter Stemmel, 
Commissioners of Stai'k Coimty, and John Hay, 
Jonathan Starr and Augustus E. Foote, Com- 
missioner of the new county of Summit, met 
at Canton to make an aj)portionment of the 
county fimds. The valuation of taxable 
property in Stark in 1830, was §2,0Vt8,773. 
The valuation of that in Green Township was 
§100,210, and that in Franklin was §0ti,940. 
The last two siuns, addinl, give §203,150. 
There was in the county treasiuy at that time 
§4,158.10. By computation simihu- to that 
above, it was found that Siuumit Coimty was 
entitled to §313, which sum wfus accordingly 
I)aid. No other notable alterations have lieen 
made in the original limits of the coimty. The 
following table shows the [lopulation of the 
coimty at different periods: 

CENSl-S. 1«70. 18S0. 

Cauton Citv 8,660 12,2611 

Canton ToVnsliip 1 ,}».">2 2,620 



^1 



HISTORY OF STARK COl'NTY. 



CENSUS. 1870. 1880. 

Massillon r,Am fi,896 

Alliance 4.(lf,;{ 4.iVSH 

Pari'^ 2.()25 -ll'M 

Washington 1.980 wMiT 

Lexington 1.687 l.fUit 

Marlborough 1.870 1.(185 

Nimishillen 2M't n.Vil) 

Osnalmrs 2,04() 2, '209 

Sandv l.lKi l.iH") 

PilK'". 1.338 l.oOfi 

Plain 3,226 2,548 

Lake 2,113 2,119 

.Tackson 1.616 2.0.50 

Pcn-v 1,736 2,:!SM 

Beth'lclu-m 2,148 2.808 

Sugar CrK<'k 1,779 2,228 

Tii.scarawas 2,412 2, 969 

Lawrence 3,366 4,848 

Population in 1810 2,784 

Pojiulation in 1820 12,406 

Population in 1830 26,.5.58 

Population in 1840 34,608 

Population in 18.50 39,878 

Population in 1860 42.97S 

Population in 1870 .52,.5()8 

Population in 1880 63,993 

For a nranber of years prior to 1807, there 
was considerable talk in the county regai'ding 
the erection of a hospital for contagious dis- 
eases. The idea met the approval of many, 
and at last the Representatives in the Legis- 
lature were instnicted to secure the passage of 
a bill authorizing the Commissioners of Stark 
County to appropriate fi'om certain funds suffi- 
cient to meet such expense. The following is 
the bill: 

Septton 1. Be it enacted by the Oeneral Assem- 
bli/ of till' State of Ohio. Tliat the Commissioners of 
Si ark County are hereby authorized to seeure, by 
lease, donation or pureha.se, a suitable lot, lots or 
piece of land, in or near the incorporated village of 
Alliance in said county, and to erect thereon a 
building to be used maiiily as a hospital for conta- 
gidu- (lisiases. They may also furnish the same in 
su( li m.iiiiH'r as to secure the comfort and proper 
irfaiinciit of those who may become its inmates. 

Sec. 2. To enable the Commissioners to execute 
the provisions of this act, they are hereby author- 
ized to appropriate from the' poor fund of said 
county an amount sufficient for tlie puqioses named 
in the foregoing section, not exceeding the .sum of 
$8,000. 

Sec. 3 The Intirmary Directors of said countj' 
shall have the general nianagement of said hospital 
when completed, and the same shall be subject to 
such lawful rules and regulations as they may pre- 
scribe. They shall provide for the reception and 
care therein of paupers chargcalile to said county, 
who may be afflicted with contagious diseases. 
Tliey may also provide for the admission of other 
persons suffering from disease, upon such temis and 



under such conditions as they may deem propei-. 
They may al.so place such hospital temporarily 
under the immediate suiiervision and control of the 
Trustees of Lexington Township in said county. 
Sec. 4. This act shall take etfect on its passage. 
Ed a. P.^RiiOTT. 
Spea/.-ir of the Ilotise of Hepreaeiitatives. 
Andrew G. McBitkney. 
.Vpril 18. 18ti7. Speaker of the Senate. 

This bill was passed at the same session as 
the one providing for the erection of the coiul 
house, and but a month later. But the people 
of the county found that they had upon their 
hands a burden as great as they cared to bear 
when they began the building of the coiu-t house, 
and the hospital for the care of those afflicted 
with contagious diseases was ch'opped then 
and there, without ceremony, and has not been 
touched since. The hard times and the heavy 
taxation immediately succeeding the wiir were 
sufficiently oppressive without undertaking 
any additional expense other than that re- 
quired to erect the court house. Although the 
erection of such a building has not since been 
seriously considered by the citizens of the 
county, yet one having a similai' charitable 
object in view has been completed in the 
county, and is now occupied. Reference is 
made to the "Childi-en"s Home," near Alliance. 
The following is a portion' of the law provid- 
ing for the erection of such building; 

SEcriON 1. Be it enacted bi/ the General Assem- 
bly of the State of Ohio. That for the purpose of 
establishing a children's home in accordance with 
the provisions and regidations of the above recited 
act, so fai' as the_y may be applicable, the Commis- 
sioners of any two or more adjoining counties in 
this State, not to exceed ff)nr in number, may. and 
they are liereby authorized, wlien in their opinion 
the public good demands it. to form themselves into 
a joint board, and proceed to organize their respect- 
ive counties into a district for the establishment 
and support of a cliildren's home, and to provide 
for the purcha.se of a suitable site, and the erection 
of necessary buildings thereon, for tlie purposes 
contemplated and specified in the act to which this 
is supplementar}'. 

Sec. 2. That said children's home shall be for 
the use, protection and benefit of such persons res- 
ident of the district wherein located, and of similar 
persons resident of other counties, who ma\' be 
admitted under the provisions, requirements and 
regulations of the act to which this is supplement- 
ary. 

Sec, 3, Provides forthe appointment of Trustees. 

Sec. 4. Specifies the powers of Trustees. 

Sec. 5. The first cost of the home, and the cost 
of all betterments and additions thereto, shall be 



^ 



HISTOUY OF STARK COUNTY. 



paid by Ilif counties coinposins tlii' district in pro- 
portion to tlic taxable property of (•a<-li <'ounty. as 
sliowM l>y their respective (lupiicates, and the cur- 
rent expense of niaintaininjr I lie home and the cost 
of ordinary repairs thereto shall l)e paid by the 
counties coinprisiiii; the district, in proportion to 
the number of children from each cimnty main- 
tained in the home during the year. 

Sec. (!. Provides for the expense of the Commis- 
sioners. 

Sec. ~. N'ot to contlict with previous law. 

Sec. 8. That this act shall take effect and l)e in 
force from and after its pa.ssage. 

CiEoiKiK I.. Converse, 
Speaker of the Ifoiine of lieprenentatires. 

Al.fllONSO II.\RT, 

March 30. 1874. Speuk-rr of (he Senate. 

In accordance with the provisions of the 
above enactment, the Commissionei's of the 
comities of Stai-k. Can-oil, Jefferson, Columbi- 
ana and Mahoninj^ met at Salem, Ohio, on the 
'2fith of Jtme, 1874. to consult in reference to 
the establishment of a children's home. It 
was here decided that tlie counties of Stark, 
Columbiana, Portage and Mahoning " would 
make a compact and suitabh" located district, 
generally easy and convenient of access." It 
was fiu-ther decided that such home should 
not cost more than about .'J40.000, and that 
Alliance, or near there, would be a suitable 
place for its location. After the tidoption of 
these considerations, the President of the 
meeting declai-ed the foiu' last-named counties 
foiTined into a district as provided in the 
enactment. At subsetjuent joint meetings of 
the Commissioners, dissatisfaction arose, and, 
after extensive discussion and maneuver. Por- 
tage and Mahoning Counties asked the ])rivi- 
lege of withdrawing from the compact. This 
was granted, and the next meeting was held at 
Canton, by the Commissioners of Stark atid 
('Olumbiana Cotinties. The meeting was made 
public, and was addressed by many prominent 
men in both coiuities. all of whom were in 
ftivor of the immediate erection of the home. 
About this time, an effort was made by a few 
men to withfh-aw Stark ft-om the compact, but 
without avail. The following Tnistees were 
a|)])ointed: C. K. Greiner, five yeai's: James 
Davis, four yetirs; Joshua Lee, three years: 
Joseph Oberlin, two years: and William Bar- 
ber, one year. Two C'ommissioners and two 
TVustees were appointed to purchase a tract 
of land near Alliance. A farm of 153 acres. 



owned by Thomas Rakestraw, and located 
about three miles north of Alliiuice, was ptu'- 
chased for $18,770, and. on motion, was styled 
" Fairmoimt Children's Home." Plans for 
the building to be erected were considered, 
and, in July, 1875. the following proposals 
were received: 

Robert Greenlee *:{1.71<i !il 

Ausn.stus Vort :«.0(M) 00 

R. 11. Bolen 4.i.:«^ .5.1 

E. C. Bard 44.79.5 00 

.lohn K. Poiser 33.549 20 

.Jonathan Mevers 32,097 72 

Thomas McEnerv 38.964 00 

Nathan Falk. . . ." 33.8:W "10 

Irwin McDonald 31.:J8:! no 

William Rinker *3.9.5.5 «Mi 

.1. H. Morrison & Co 30.28.5 oo 

8. Harrold & Co 30.715 oo 

Campbell. Eck & Co., Modifications 27.9.H1 !I5 

R. H. McCracken. two cottages 8.9S!i (id 

Dull & Thomas, one cottajre 5.4.S5 <lo 

The erection of the building was awarded 
J. H. Mon-ison & Co. J. F. Buck, of Lan- 
caster, was employed as Superintendent, at a 
sahuy of §1,000 per yeai'. .John Shirtzer was 
hired for $400 to work a year on the fann. 
Contracts were mtide to provide the building 
with gas and steam-heating ap])aratus. The 
entire cost of constructing the liuildings was 
$53,094.02. and the expense of conducting the 
home for the first year was $9,025.75. The 
building was formally opened for the rece])tion 
of children during the spring of 1S77. The 
following is the report for the six months end- 
ing November 1. 1877: 

Total children fro.ii Stark Count v 87 

-Vt the Home from Stark. Xov. i 63 

Total from Columbiana Co -57 

At the Home fmm Columbiana. Nov. 1 41 

Punctuality of attendance. Stnrk County.... 62.48 
Punclualitv of attendance. Columbiana Co... 37.52 

Total nimiber in the Home 169 

Died 7 

Sent to Ohio Reform School 2 

Discharged 2 

Excepted 1 

Sent to Imbecile School :' 

Returned to friends .... 5 

.Vdopted 7 

Indentured ;i8 

Leaving in Home Xov. 1. 1877 104 

In pursuance of Section 5 of the alwve enact- 
ment, it was found that Stark slnnild pay three- 
fifths of the cost of constructing the building, 
and Columbiana two-fifths. The expense of 
each cotintv in conducting the home is ascer- 



IIISTOKY OF STARK COUNTY. 



tained from the percentage of children from 
such cotinty during tlie year. The number of 
children receiving the care of the institution 
has slowly increased. The erection of the 
home and its subsequent management ha\e met 
with considerable opposition and discoiu'age- 
ment. yet the institution, at present, is cer- 
tainly doing good work, and reflects great credit 
on the eleemosynary spirit of Stark County. 

It may be an itein of some interest to our 
readers to know the names of the different post 
offices in the county, when established, etc. 
We give below a list of them, as furnished by 
the Post Office Department at Washington to 
Dr. Shisser, who has kindly jilaced them at 
our disposal. They are as follows; 

Post Uftice When i-stablisbed. Name of first Postmasttr. 

Cantou January 1. 1809 Samuel Coulter. 

Paris August 2^182/ Daniel Burgett. 

Lake December 12, 1823 Joseph T. UoUoway. 

Wayiu'Sburg May 19, 1824 George Beatly 

Greenlown., .. Januaiy 27, 1827 Bradley C. Goodwill. 

Osnaburg December 24, 1827 Christian KuDtze 

Minerva February 8, 1828 John Pool. 

Bethlehem* February 8, 1828 Thomas Hurford. 

Navarro August 14, 1843 George W. Swearingen. 

Barrjville May 28, 1830 Jacob Wolfe. 

Canal Fulton October 18,1830. .lohn Kobinson. 

New Franklin. ..February 20, 1832 Jesse Shoard 

North Indu8try..April 6,1832 B. C. Goodwill. 

East Greenville..December 7, 1832 Jacob Gregor. 

Marlborough February 8, 1833 Abraham Brooke. 

Jobvillef Februaiy 2n, 1833 Job Johnson. 

Mount Union January 30, 1835 Job Johnson. 

Magnolia May 26, 1830 John W. Smith. 

New Baltimore..,February 18,1837 William H»ines. 

Louisville March 11, 18.)7 Solomon A. Gorga-. 

Mapleton May 12, 1837 William Criswell. 

Hartvillo November 4, 1837 John D. Willis. 

Limaville March 14, 1839 John G. Mi.rsi. 

West Brookfleld.May 1,1843 Valentine Bohn. 

Cairo April S, 1850 Abraham G. Bnir. 

Alliance December 31, 1851 David G, Heser. 

McDonaldsville.. April 26, 1862 Benjamin F. Williams. 

McD..naldlville..Di8Contin'd Oct 14,1852. 

Maximo February 15, 1863 Jacob C. Fry. 

North Lawreoce.June 6, 1854 Jacob John. 

South Rome lune 6, 1854 Adam Koons. 

South Rome October 4, 1858J 

Pierce June 8, 1854? John Croft. 

Freeburg March 29, 1856 John S. Cook. 

McDonaldsville. .December 29, 1857 Samuel Litchlennater.** 

Kobertaville December 1, 1862 Peter Adolff. 

Wilmot June 7, 1^66 Charlea W. Keotz. 

Richville January 12, 1872 John Martin. 

Justus February 3. 1874 Henry Morganthaler Jr. 

Crystal Springs ..August 19, 1S74 Jamt;s W. Reed. 

As early as December, 1834, the County 
Commissioners directed the Auditor to cause to 
be published in all the newspapers in the 
county a notice to the effect that the Commis 
sionere would " pay $!(• for the best jilan for 
a poor house, or the ])lan which may lie adopted 

* i hanged to Navari e. 

t Changed to Mount Union. 

' Discontinued. 

i Established. 

** Re-established. 



by the board, to be submitted on the 2d of 
February, 1835." The '2d came, but only two 
of the Commissioners were present, and the 
matter was postponed until the next regular 
session. It seems, however, that this was not 
the first move in this direction, as on the 17th 
of December, 1833, it was decided that the 
county must have a home for the poor. At 
this time, they bought of John Sliorb and Jolin 
Saxton a farm of aljout 150 acres, lieing a j)art 
of the northwest quju'ter of Section 33, Town- 
ship 11, Range b, paying for the same $2,- 
000. Beyond a doubt, the subject had been 
broached and discussed at earlier meetings of 
the boai'd, but this was the hi'st decided move- 
ment toward the canying-out of the plan. In 
June, 1835, John Shank was employed to dig 
a well on the fann, which he did at the rate 
of .|1.50 per foot. At this time, a tax of \ of 
a mill was levied on the taxable property of 
the county, for the purpose of paying for the 
poor farm and erecting the necessary public 
buildings. In August, I S:'6, the board bor- 
rowed .f 1,000 of the Canton Bank, the same to 
be used toward the erection of the poor house. 
After examining several proposals, Abraham 
Lind was finally employed to constnict the 
building, and, on the 14th. of July. 1837, it 
was taken, completed, from his control. The 
writer of this chapter could not learn the con- 
tract price of constructing the building. There 
was some misunderstanding regarding the cost 
of the building, as, in July, 1837, the board 
ordered an e.xtra allowance of §2,000 given to 
Mr. Lind: Ijut. in September, this order was 
rescinded, and the whole subject of settlement 
between the contractor and the board was left 
to the following committee of arbitrators: 
Lot Good.speed. Jacob Bahnev, Benjamin Bli- 
ler, John Gruble and Peter Troxell. The 
terms agreed upon are not recorded. Since 
this early day, various improvements and ad- 
ditions have been made to the farm and build- 
ing, until at present the institution has quite 
an imposing appearance. The following is 
taken fi'oui a late number of the Canton Ri- 
punitory: 

The infirmary is situated aljout two miles north 
of the city, the huildings t)eing several hundred 
j'ards Ijack from the road. They are reached t)y a 
neatly kept lane, bounded on each side by white 
washed fences, and the visitor is first impres.sed by 



-^ 




(jtXv\^ ^^W^t-^x-A^Aie?^ 



HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY. 



the air of neatness and order that everywhere pre- 
vails. The gra.ss along the roadside and the lawn 
before the building is smoothly cut. and free from 
any signs of rubbish. The main portion of the 
building extends from north to south, with a wing 
at eaeh extremity running backward. The main 
portion is 100 feet long, the north wing 112 and the 
Bouth wing UK). It is two stones high, with a large 
double verandah running along the north and south 
sides. It was ererted in 1887, and at the time of its 
completion must have been sufficiently ample in all 
respects for the use to which it was adopted, as well 
as a work of merit, from an architectural point of 
view; l)ut such a length of time has elapsed since 
then, and the increasing demand for room growing 
proportionately with the increase in population, 
now makes it cimtined and inadc<iuate to the de- 
mands upon it. The noticeable feature, remarked 
by all who visit it, is the superior manner in which 
it is governed and everj-thing relative to it con- 
ducted. 

The main portion of the building on the first 
floor is devoted to the private use ot the Superin- 
tendent and his family, dining rooms in several 
departments, public rooms, as the office and room 
for the rece])tion of visitors, rooms for household 
work and to other uses. In the basement of the 
main portion, which is on a level with the ground, 
are kitchens, storerooms and various other depart- 
ments. The second floor is devoted to sleeping 
apartments. The north wing is reserved for the 
insane, corriders running the entire length of it on 
both floors, lined on each side bv the various rooms. 

On the tirst tloor are the dining rooms, sitting 
rooms and some sleeping apartments. The wing is 
not entinOy devoted to the insane, the large number 
of inmates necessitating a portion of the .space being 
given to tlie other inmates. It is divided into male 
and female departments, communicating with each 
other by an iron door, generally locked, but during 
the day in warm weather o])en, to create as much 
draft as possible. The south wing is for the better 
class of inmates, and corresponds in general to that 
of the north. 

The gromids comprise 230 acres of as good laud 
as can be found. It is kejit in the best condition 



and yields abundantlj-. In addition to the various 
smaller buildings devoted to their several uses, there 
is a large, handsome barn, completed last summer, 
and being 11.5.\.56 feet in size. As an idea of the 
quantity produced by the farm, the following yield 
of last year is given: l,i».")0 busliels of wheat, :i,(MK) 
bushels'of corn, 1,TIM) bushels of oats, 1,.")(X) l)ushels 
of potatoes and 110 tons of hay. 

Throughout the entire building all is neatness and 
order, the walls and ceilings being nicely white- 
washed, and the wood work showing frequent appli- 
cations of sponge and water. Those who are able 
among the inmates are assigned work suitable for 
them; the men being employed on the farm and 
"out-door work generally, while the females are sup- 
plied with duties about the house. The aged and 
intinn, and those in any luauner disquaUiied for 
labor, are to be seen sitting around in various places, 
on the many seats conveniently provided, or slowly 
walking from place to place,' There are now 172 
inmates in the infirmary, while the building contains 
eighty rooms. The tirst inmate was Samuel Miller, 
aged twenty-five, from jMassillon, who died in No- 
vember 1875; the last entered, Mrs, Preast, from 
Canton. The oldest imnate is Tim Sinunons, iiged 
one hundred and three, who came from Alliance 
about two years ago. Mr. Samuel C^romer the Su- 
perintendent, has ociaipied that position for the ])ast 
ten years. 



At the Marcli scwsion of the Bosu-d in 1885, 
iin order was issued approiiriating Sl'JT) to aid 
in defraying the expense of transporting a lire- 
engine from Phihidelphia to Canton, for use 
in the latter town. From the fact thiit the 
uses of steam at that day were comjiaratively 
unknown, and steam engines at best \vere hnt 
rude affairs com|)ar<Hl with tliose at present, 
this movement of the citizens was not only a 
noteworthy one, but it must have been as much 
of an experiment as anj^thing else. What the 
se^juel was cannot be learned. 



ik 



HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY. 



NAMES OF COUNTY OFFICERS FROM THE 



1809 
1810 
1811 
1812 
181S 
1814 
1816 
1816 
1817 
1818 
1819 
1820 
1821 
1822 
1823 
1824 



J. McGuio 

J. McGuin 

Tho3. C. Shields. 



John Patton 

. McClure... 
Moses Andrews. 

;a Andrews. 

;s Andrews. 
Moses Andrews, 
.lohn Au(ju8'ine. 
John Augustine. 
John Augustine. 
John Aupistine. 
John Augustine. 
John Augiis(ine. 
Timothy Reed.. 
Timothy Reed.. 
John Oasky 

1829 i*" •'^»^'' 

jg3Q IHeniy Guise 



John Myen 



TREASnREK. 



James Carapbell- 
James C^uipbt-ll. 
D. L. McClnre... 
D. L. McLlure... 
D. T,. McClure... 
D. L. McClure.. 
'D, L. McClure... 
William Fogle... 



Harmon Stidger 



Henry Guise 

Henry Guise 

George N. Webb 
George N. Webb. 
George N. Webb 
George N. Webb, 
D. Raffensperger 
D. ItBffensperger 
D. RaffenspprgeriWill 
D. Raffenspergi -"'"' 
John Brandon 
John Brandon 
John Brandon 

1844 ID. RaffensporgerlJohn Brandon 

^g45 H. Shanafelt... 

1846 " 

1847 



1831 
1832 
1833 
1834 
1835 
1836 
1837 
1838 
1839 
1840 
1841 
1842 
1843 



William Fogle... 
William Fogle. 
William Fogle. 
William Fogle 
John Bon field 
J,,hn Bon field. 



Raynolds, 
Wm, Raynolds 
Wm. Raynolds 
Wm R»ynold8,Jr 



H. Hallock.... 

H. Hallock 

J. W. Lsthrop... 

W. Lathrop.... 
J. W. Lathrop.... 
J. W..Lathrop.... 
J. W. Latlirop.... 

W. Lathrop..., 

\\ . Lathrop... 
J. W. Lathrop .. 

John Layton 

John Layton 

Alpheus Brown. 
Alpheua Brown. 
Mpheus Brown. 
Alpheus Brown, 
Mpheus Brown 
lAlpheiiB Brown, 
Alpheus Blown, 



PE'G ATTORKEY. 



1 Brjce.. 
. Brvce.. 



John Saxton lAlpl: 

John Saxton lAlpheus Brown 

Abraham t,inJ...|Alphen3 Brown 
Abraham Lind...pan'l Gott«haU. 
William Dunbar pan'l Gottshall. 
Willinm Dunbarpan'l Gott-hall. 
Dnnbarpan'I Gottshall. 

William Dnnbar 

R. H. McCall iDan'l Gottshall 



R. H. McCall. 
R. H. McCall. 
R. R. McCall. 
J. Keplinger. 
J Keplinger. 
J. Keplinger, 
Webh. J. Kepi 



McCully., 
McCully., 

,Alex. McCully. 

.Alex. McCully. 

. W. H. Burke.... 

. W. H. Burke ... 

. W. H Burke.... 



{glq ::::.. George N. Webb. G. P. McCadden.. W. H, Bnrk, 

5sS .... George N. Webb. G. P. McCadden,. Isaac Stedden, 

">^'> 1— _—.v !,„_.. 5tn..u G. p. McCa.dden,. Isaac Stadden 



Willi 

Willinm Uryce 

D. Raffensperger. 
D. Raff.-nsperger. 
D. Raffensperger. 

Arnold Lynch 

Arnold Lynch 

Arnold Lyiich 

Arnold Lynch 

Arnold Lynch — 

jArnold Lynch 

John Bluer 

Ijohn Bauer 

John Bauer 

George Held 

George Held 

George Held 

George Held, 



John Clark 

John Clirk 

G. N, W.-bb 

G. N. Webb 

William Roberts.. 
William Roberts.. 

Abraham Lind 

Abraham Lind 

Henry Slusser 

Henry Slusser 

Elijah Cri"man 

Elijah Crisman.. 



Dwight Jarvis 

Dwight Jarvis 

Geoig'< W.Belden.. 
[George W.Belden,, 
ISamuel Lahn 



1851 

1862 

IS,^ 

18.';4 

18,55 

1866 

18,67 

18,68 

18,69 

1860 

1861 

1862 

1863 

1864 

1865 

1866 

1867 

1868 

1869 

1870 

1871 

1872 

1873 

1874 

1875 

1876 

1877 

1878 

1879 

1880 



A J Stnhl IPeter Deshon- 

A, J, S(ah\ |Peter Deshong 

L. Anderson Peter Deshong 

L Anderson iPeter Desbong 



John 

John 

John Ijlhm |Samuel Beatty 

'w, F, Eyans iSamuel Beatty 

W. F. Evans jSimuel Beatty 



w! f'. Evan8:;;;;.|Daniel Sayler-,,,, G W, Lawr^n 

W, F. Evans (Daniel Sayler 

W. F. Evans ;Peter Chance. 

w! F, Evans iPeter Chance, 

A. Heldcnbrand.,] Peter Chance. 
A Heldenbrand,, Peter Chance, 
A.Heldenbrand.,|B. A, Dunbar, 
A. Helrtenhrand., R, A, Dunbar, 
A. Heldenbrand„'B, A, Dunbar, 



Elijah Crism in iSamufl Lahm 

Elijah Crisman jsamuel Lahm 

Peter Barges :Samuel Lahm 

Peter Barges J. D. Brown 

Peter Barges jj. D. Brown 

IPeMr Barges Ll. D. Brown 

Ijamcs Doltahen.... J. D, Brown 

'jauies D'lltaben.,,, James Armstrong, 
ijames Dallagban,.. James Armstrong, 

James Dallaghan,..|S, Myers 

jpavid Hshn iS, Myers 

iDavid Hahn |S, Myers 

Gorge Held iDavid Hahu S, Myers 

George Held lOarid Hahn jW. F. Evans 

Peter Chance ID. H. Harman W. F, Evans 

Harmau W. F. Evans 

m Barber, .„!W. F, Kvans 

Barber Joseph Frease, 

Frease, 
Brown 

I S Rider Thos, McCril,.,!!! J. Keplinger IWiUiani ,, „„ 

j: S. Ridel-',::;;:;,. Thos.McCaU J. KepUnger Ijohn Shepley ]J. D. Brown 

J. S. Rider 



,., P, McCadden.. A McGrego 

V. R, Feather A. McGregor Peter Chance, 

U R. Feather Henry Cock Peter Chance, 



.iWillii 



Anderson Teter Mesnong...,^. ". ■-"'""•- ^ - ^ ^ p„ter Chance William Barber Joseph I 

Anderson jR, A, Dunbar D, R Feather gf^^^.^ ^«^^- Peter Chance J. F. Kirk Ijoseph I 

m Lahm % A. r>"'>"ar^ • V ,? JZl He"ry Cock . Peter Chance J. F Kirk J. D. Br, 

in Lahm bamnel Beatty... J. N. K der ~,,'''\,,V„ j. Kenlinger WiUiam M»rwin... J, D. Brc 



. T, W. Saxton J. Keplinger IJnhn l-hepley [ J. D. Brown., 



W. Saxton,, 
W, Lawrence J. Keplinger.. 
W, Lawrence J, Keplinger., 
W. Lawrence Henry Cock,,, 



A. Heldenbrand 

E. W. Page 

E. W, Page 

E. W- Page 

E. W. Page 

B. W, Page 

E, W, Page 

.lohn T. Hayes., 
John T. Haves., 
John T, Hayes,, 
Benj, D. Wilson 



, Dunbae, 



U, R, Feather. 

U. R, Feather, 

J,.hn Steel 

John Steel 

Ira M, Allen,. 

Ira M, Allen,, 
William Baxter,, Ira M, Allen,, 
William Baxter., Ira M, Allen , 
William Baxter,., George Fessle 
William Baxter., George Fessle 

J, P Rouch George Fessle 

P. Rouch :S R. Geib 

P.Roucli |T, Sullivan 

J, P. Ronch T. Sullivan..., 

H. Alterkrusi 



Ed. A. Lee,, 



. A A, 
A. A, 
, C. L. Reifsniiler. 
. C. L. Reifsmiler. 
. C. L, Reifsmiler, 

, J. Keplinger 

. J. Keplinger 

„ J, Keplinger 

,. M. E. Wilcox.... 
.. M. E. WilcuX..,, 
.. M. E. Wilcox... 
.. M. E. Wilcox... 



Bates iRodman Lovett iS. Mye 

Bates iRodnmii Lovett |S, Myers 

Bates iRodnvin Lovett G. K.Baldwin 

Rodman Lovett ,G. E. Baldwin 

D, V. Clark C. F. Manderson,,, 

D V, Clark JC, F. Manderson... 

J. F. Kirk ,W. A, Lynch 

J, F, Kirk |W. A. Lynch 

Daniel Dewalt W. McKinley, Jr., 

Daniel Dewalt.. 

Daniel Dewalt.. 

Daniel Dewalt.. 

J. E, Mentzer,,., 

J, E, Mentzer, 



H, Alterkr 



. T, Sulli' 



W. McKinley, J: 
,W. A. Lynch... 
,W, A, Lynch,,, 
J. J, Parker,,,. 
J.J, Parker... 
R. A. Shields,,, 
!r, a. Shields.,. 
iR, A, Shields.. 
iR. A.ShieldSi.. 
iHenry Harter. 
w: Bariiahy iGeorge Cock... ...... JHenry Harter. 



J A Souerbeck.. M. E. Wilcox H, \llerkruse.... 

, J, A. Souerbeck. P. Manley ,H. Alterkruse..., 

J A. Souerbeck,. P. Manley !B. H, Anderson. 

, J, A. Souerbeck.. P. Manley ,R H. Anderson. 

. Wm. A. Creach.. J. W. Barnaby Phillip Shilling, 

,. J, N. Ramsey..,. 



NOTE.-This list show's the dates of election, not those of entering upon duty. 



^. 



-^K*. 



HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY. 



ORGANIZATION OF THE COUNTY, IN 1809, TO 1875. 



Year. 


SURVETOK. 


COUNTY COMMISSIONERS. 


PROBATE JUDGE. 


COMMON PLEAS 
JUDGE 


18U9 
1810 


Among the early|J. Latimer 

Surveyors were J. Latimer 

Daniel McClure.J. Latimer 

Alex. Porter, J. Latimer 

M. Oswalt, .I.'j. Latimer 

F. Leonard, R. . I. Latimer 

Williams anIJ. Laiimer 

others. 'W. Alban 

W. All.an 


J. Nichols 

J. Nichols 


S. Coulter 

S. Coulter 


Oflice of Probate Judge 
established 1851. 


Calvin Paise. 
B.i.j..min Rupgles. 
Bf-iij«niin Kugjilea. 
Belijiiinin Ilugglea 
Benjamin Hug. les. 
Benjami'i Ruggtes. 
George Todd. 
Benjamin Tajipan. 
Den?«niin Tappao. 




H. Eherhard 

H. Kberlmrd 

II. Eberhard 

I. Kryd.r 

J. Kryder 

J. Snxton 

J. Saxton 

J. SaxloD 


W. Foglo 1 


1813 
1814 
1815 
1816 
1817 


W. Fugle 

W. Fogle 1 

W. Fogle 1 

J. Drennan* 1 

lohn Sluss 1 

John Slues 


1818 




...W. Alban 








Be„j„min T«pp«i^ 
Benjamin Tiippan. 
Benjamin Tsppan. 
Benjamin Tappatk. 
J. 11. Hallock. 












18-^1 




... S. Harris 


1. Saxton 

John Sluss 


J. Bowers 

J. Rowers 

J. Bowers 
























1826 




..'P. Moltice 


W. Christmas 

W. Ch list mas 






J. II. Hallock. 


182G 










J. H. Hallock. 














J U Hallock. 














J. 11. Hallock. 








J. Hazlett 

T. Hczlelt 






J. U. Hall. ck. 








N. Stump 




J. U. Halbick. 






J. H. Hallock. 




J. Sorrirh 


I. Hazlett 

J. Hazlett 

J. Soirich 

J. Soriich 

J.Sorrich 

G. Kteighbaum 

0. Kreiphl.aum 

G. Kr. ighbauni 

W. Dillon 


N. Slump 




J. H. Hallock. 








J. 11. Hallock. 






...]J. Downing 


N. Stump 




J. H. Hallock. 












John Whltacre. 
John Whitacre. 
John Whi.acre. 
Michael Slump 
Michael Stump. 
Michael Stump. 
Miclia. 1 Slump. 
Andrew Lynch. 
.\ndrew Lynch. 
Andrew Lynch. 
Arnold Lynch.. 
Arnold Lynch.. 
Arnold Lynch.. 
John Whitacre. 
John Whitacre. 
John Whitacre. 
John Whitacre. 
J.'hn Whitacre. 
John Whitacre. 
.lohn Whitacre. 
J.hn Whitacre. 
John Whitacre. 
J. G. Willard... 
J. G.Willard... 


...iP. Slimmel 

... P. Stimmel 

... P. Ftiuimel 

....P. Slimmel 

.... P. Stimmel 


N. Stump 




J. H. Hallock. 








G. W. Beldrn. 








G. W. BeldtD. 




J. Brelz 




G. W. Belden. 








G. W. Belden. 




J. Brelz 




G. W. Belden. 


1S4J 


....'g. HoweUBtine 

...G. Howenstine 

. G. Howenftine 

....:G. Howenstine 

....|G. Howenstine 

....G. Howenstine 

....J. B. Hoover 

....jJ. Kurtz 

....J. Kurlz 

...J. Kurtz 

.....1. Kurtz 

....|J. G. Lester 

....;L. Alexander 

.... L. Alexander 

....I. Estep 

.... 1. Eale|i 

.... E. Teeters 

....Ie. Teeters 


W. Dillon 

W\ Dillon 

W. Dillon 

W. Dillon 


J Bretz 




G. W. Belden. 








G. W. Belden. 


18)4 








■1 Gallatil 




John Pearce. 












L.-'chlott 

J. Schlott 

M. Sheplar 

M.Sheplar 

M. Sheplar 

M. Sheplar 






John Pearce. 


1848 


J. (iallalif 




John Pearce. 




J. Kurtz 




John Pearce. 


1851 
1852 


S. Smith 

S. Smith 

S.Smith 

J. G. Lester 

J.G. Lester 

J. G. Lester 

L. Alexander 

L. .\lexander 

L. Alexander 

G.W.ilf 

G. Wolf. 


Geofge W. Rafl. 

George W. Raff. 

George W. Raff. 

Isaac Hazlett 

Isaac Hszltt- 

Isaac Hazlelt 

W. II. Burke 

W. H. Burke 

W. 11 Burke 

J. W. Underbill 

J. W. Underbill 


G. W. Belden. 
G. W. Belden. 


.853 
1854 
1855 
18.16 
1857 
1858 
1859 


M. Sheplar 

M. Sheplar 

C. M. Russell 

C. JI Russell 

C. M. Russell 

A. .Mahl 

A. .Slahl 


G. W. Belden. 
0. W. Belden. 
John Clark.* 
L. W. Potter. 
L. W. Potter. 
J. A. Ambler.t 
J. A. Ambler. 




A. .Slahl 

S. Smith 

S. Smith 

S. Smith 




18«1 


J.ihn Whitacre. 
John Whitacre. 
John Whitacre. 
J. G. Williams. 
J. G. Williams. 
J. G. Williams. 
J. G. Williams. 
J. G. Williams. 
J. G. Williams. 
R. K. tt ilson.... 
R. E. Wilson.... 
R. E. Wilson.... 
,J G. Williard... 
!j. G Williard... 
'J. Williard... 

.lohn Moll 

John Holl 

John Holl 

B. A. Wi.a 

R. A. Wise 


....E. Teeters 

....A. Stal.l 

....Ia. .Slahl 


J. A. Ambler. 
J. A. Ambler. 


18C:i 


G. Wolf. 

G. Wolf. 

G. w-oir 

R. Lee 

R. Lee 

R.Lee 

a Lee 

H. Lee 

R. Lee 

J. Woo-l 


J. W. Underbill 

J. W. Underbill 

J W Underbill 


J. A. Ambler. 


1865 


... R. R. Porter 

.... R. R. P.rter 

....|R. R. Porter 

.... R. R. Porter 

.... R. R. Porter 

.....R. R Porter 

.... C. Zollars 

....C. Zollars 








0. W. Lawrence... 

L. .Miaefer 

L. .Shaefer 

L. Shaefer 

J.M.Trubey 

J. M.Tiubey 

J.M.Tri.bey 






1807 
1808 
1800 
1870 
1871 
187-2 


J. W. Underbill 

J. W. Underbill 

J. W. Undeihlll 

J. W. Underbill 

J. W. Underbill 

A. HeWenbrand 

A. Heldenhrand 

A. Heldenhrand 

A. Heldenhrand 

A. Heldenhrand 


Joseph Frea«e. 
Joseph Krease. 
J.}8e|)b Frease. 
.lose)<h Krease. 
Joseph Kreaso. 
Jos. ph Kr.ase. 


1874 


....IL. Raber 


J. P.Hirman 


J. W.od 


Jos.'ph Frease. 
J'rscph Freaee. 
Joseph Frease. 
S. Meyer. 


1870 


....,L Baher 

.... L. Raber 

.... L. Raher 

.... L. lUher 

Frank Millho<.p.... 


J. Poorm.n 

J. Poorman 

J. Poorman 

W. Gnest 

W. Guest 


J \Voo.l 


1877 




NSS 


E. Hazen 


A. Heldenlran.l 




1879 
188(1 


E. Hazen 

E. Hazen 


A. H-ldenbran.! 

A. Ileldenbrand 


S. Meyer. 
S. Meyer. 



NoTK— This list thowd the datuo of elcctiuii, not those of entering iipou 

*Pro tem. 

+J. W. Church, addltlonHl Judg-. U58, 1859, 18G0, 18C1, 1862. 



TV" 



HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY. 



CHAPTER IV.* 

F.AKLV ('HUR( H HISTOKV— PIONEER MINISTERS— SCHOOLS— EARLV SrHOOLHOUSES— STATISTICS 
—RAILROADS AND CANALS— THEIR EARLY CONSTRUCTION— I'ERFECT RAIL- 
ROAD SYSTEM OF THE COUNTY— I'RO.IECTED ROADS. 



FOR the first ten or twenty years after set- 
tlements began in what is now Stark Coun- 
ty, society was but little divided bj- sectional 
lines. In church, politics and social matters, i 
neighborhoods for miles about were closely ! 
allied by tiie necessities of the situation, and ■ 
the people in the spirit of true democracy in- 
quired only into the moral worth of the new- 
comer. The majority of the adults among the 
early settlers of the county had been members 
of some one of the Christian churches of their 
native States or countries, and at the first op- , 
portunitj' arrangements of more or less per- 
manent character were made for Christian wor- 
ship. Sectarian feelings, under the exigencies 
of the occasion, were lost sight of. or kept ' 
strictly in abeyance, and the different religious ! 
sects and denominations united to establish and i 
continue religious worship on the Sabbath, j 
Exercises were held in the cabins of the set- 
tlers, new and unoccupied buildings, barns, or I 
in any place suited to the convenience of the j 
time. Services commenced with the " singing \ 
of a hymn, in which all took part, and were ! 
able to keep time and sing in unison without | 
the aid of organ or musical instrument," as we 
were informed by an aged pioneer. After the 
singing, a prayer was offered, when a sermon 
would be rea(i by some one. and exhortations 
made, after which another hymn was sung, and 
the congregation dismissed. Sa\s our inform- 
ant ; •' Many of those who witnessed these re- j 
ligious exercises in the then wilderness cannot 1 
have forgotten the zeal, the good feeling, the I 
solemnity, that was apparent. (iod smiled 
graciously on the first settlers and conferred ' 
upon them many and rich blessings while em- 
ployed in rearing homes in these wilds. .\.t 
the Sabbath prayer-meetings there was a 
marked reverence, anil not a few can date back 
to those times and places their first and lasting I 
religious impressions." 

The churches of Stark County liave passed 

'Contributed lij' W. H. Pcrrin. 



through great changes since the days of their 
early organization. Many have died out, some 
have, as an organization, changed their creed, 
and others have sprung up and supplanted the 
older established ones. Religion itself, we 
almost fear sometimes, is like everything else 
we have at the present day — slightly adulterat- 
ed, and wholly unlike the old genuine article 
proclaimed in the sermon upon the Mount. It 
may be, however, that wc entertain some old 
fogj- ideas on the subject, now obsolete, and 
not in keeping with the age in which we live. 
We will, therefore, leave criticism to those who 
are more dissatisfied with church management 
than we are, and will devote our attention t > 
the organization of churches and church so- 
cieties in this county. 

The early settlers of the couutj- were morall}' 
inclined, and religious meetings were held 
almost as soon as actual settlements were made. 
Just when and upon what precise spot the 
first church society was organized, we are un- 
able to say. In Plain Township we have an 
account of religious meetings by Rev. Mr. 
Stough as early as ISOIJ, and of the erection of 
a church there in 1800. A church was built 
in Jackson Township in 1814, bj- all religious 
denominations at that time represented in the 
township. It was of hewed logs and called 
" Zion's Church." The first preaching in Osna- 
burg Township, of which we have reliable in- 
formation, was by Rev. William Mitchell, a 
Methodist circuit-rider. He was also the first 
preacher in Sugar Creek Township. Rev. Eld- 
ward Otis was one of the pioneer Baptist 
preachers of the county. The first church in 
Sandy Township was built by the Presbyterians 
and Lutherans, of which denominations Rev. 
Joshua Beer (Presbyterian) and Rev. !Mr. 
Wagenholtz (Lutheran) were the first pre'ach- 
ers in this section. St. John s Catholic Church 
was organized in Canton in 1818, and the Pres- 
bj'terian Church in 1821. A Methodist Church 
was organized in Lexington Township in 1810, 



-*3t; 



^K^ 



HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY. 



■Jll 



and a church built in 1827. Revs. Weir and 
Faust. Lutlieran and German Reformed minis- 
ters, were pioneers in Stark County, The Dun- 
kards were tlic first relisiious sect in Nimishillen 
Township. 'I'lio (.^tuakens built the lirst eliurcli 
in Marlborough Towuwliip, and Rev. Kicliard S. 
Goe, a Swedenborgiaii. was tlie first preacher 
in Bethlehem. 

Thus the different secticms of the county 
were lirouiihl under religious influence, by the 
organization of churches, and the erection of 
temples of worship, until at the present writing, 
there are in the county over 130 church build- 
ings, costing from .'fl.SOO to $80,000 and up- 
ward each. This showing is pretty good evi- 
dence that the jjeople have not retrograded 
from their early religious training. 

EdiicittiioKiJ. — Nothing is more characteristic 
of the settlement of Ohio than the prominence 
which educational efl'ort early attained in its 
social development. The settlements were 
sparse, and money or (jther means to secure 
teachers were obtained with great difficulty, 
liut parents and children alike seemed to ap 
predate the great advantage which knowledge 
bestowed, and made endless sacrifices to gain 
this coveted gift. In many cases in Stark 
County, schools were begun and carried on 
without much hope of reward, and ])rincipally 
as a lalior of love. Houses were liuilt for 
school purposes, before there were children 
enough in the ne'ighborhood to form a very full 
school. 

These early schoolhouses were rude in con- 
struction, and partook much of the same gen-' 
eral plan, Logs were cut si.xteen, eighteen or 
twenty feet, according to the population of the 
district, and of these logs the walls were com- 
posed. When raised. " shakes "' or clapboards 
covered the building. A rude fire-place, clap 
board door, puncheon fioor, the cracks filled 
with chinks, and daubed over with mud, com- 
pleted the primitive schoolhouse of the pioneer 
period. The window, if any, was made b}" 
cutting out a log the full length of the build- 
ing, and over the opening in winter was placed 
a well greased paper, that served to keep out 
the storm and admit the light. Just under 
this window, two or three strong pins were 
driven into the log in a slanting direction, and 
on these pins, a long puncheon was fastened, 
thus forming the desk upon which the writing 
was done. For seats, they used benches made 



from small trees, cut in lengths of ten or 
twelve feet, split oi)en, and, in the round side, 
two large holes were bored at each end, which 
received the supporting legs, and house and 
furniture was complete. The books used by 
the pupils were as primitive as the liousc 
The most popular reader was the New Testa- 
ment, when it could be obtained, though occa- 
sionally a copy of the old ■ Kuglish Reader ' 
was found, and vcrv rarely, the ■ ("olurabiau 
Orator " was in the family ; Pike's and Smiley 's 
Arithmetics ; •■ Webster's Speller " was first 
used, and after awhile the " Elementary Speller " 
came in, (Jrammar was seldom taught : when 
it was. the te.'ct l)ooks were Murray s or Ivirk- 
ham's grammars. Tin; primitive schoolhouses 
were in keeping with the homes of tlu; pupils. 
They were warm, if nothing more, as it was 
only necessary to make a bee and re-mud the 
spaces between the logs each fall before cold 
weather came on. Chilctrcn who were bare- 
footed till the school ttomnuMiced, and some- 
times till the snows covered the hills and ice 
the streams, were not so sensitive to cold as 
pupils of these latter days, ' I have often, ' 
said an old gentleman to us, •■ seen boys sliding 
down hill, and uijon the ice with l)are feet till 
mid-winter," 

It was easier to build the houses and warm 
them, however, than to obtain money to pay 
teachers, small as the wages were — often but 
§1 a week for women, and .*2 or $3 for men. 
and board with the pupils. Books cost money, 
and money was a commodity that was scarce 
in the country, so the l)ooks were not easy to 
obtain. There was no changing of readers 
then e\'ery session, as some gassy representa- 
tive of a publishing house got the •• weather- 
gauge '' of a school board, and convinced them 
that the old readers in use were aireadj' obso- 
lete, as at the present day. The instructors of 
those early times would make ;i poor show 
beside our present highly accomplished teach- 
ers, so far as knowledge of text l)ooks is con 
cerned. It is no slander to say that teachers 
who could not master S(|iuire-root. or who had 
not seen the inside of a grammar, were more 
numerous than those who dared to make pre- 
tensions to such i|ualificatious. There was 
first no public fund availal)le. and in a later 
period the fund for the ])ayment of teachers 
was quite small, and what was lacking was 
made up by assessment /</■'. inin on those who 



Sl« 



HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY. 



attended tlie school ; hence the teacher was 
often compelled to wait for a part of the small 
sum promised him. till it could be collected. 
But let it not be supposed that there was no 
good work done in these schools. Tiie reading, 
the spelling, the writing and the ciphering, so 
for as the teacher could go, need not have been 
ashamed to stand beside that of these days of 
high culture and extended literary attainment. 
The seeils sown broadcast in the forests have 
germinated and grown during these many }-ears, 
and now wo behold the magnificent harvest. 

" Culture's hiuid 
lias st-alkTil verdure o'er the hiud ; 
And smih-s and fragrance rule .serene, 
■Where barren wild usurp'd the scene." 

Prominent among the teachers of an early 
da}' in the common schools — and they were 
very common schools in those days — may be 
mentioned the following persons, viz., William 
Lee, Andrew Murray, John Laughlin, Andrew 
Johnson, Alpheus Brown, Lewis Probst, a Mr. 
Stevens. James Grounds, Cyrus Spink, Thomas 
Carmichael, Dr. B. Michener, David Lawson 
and others, whose names are forgotten. The 
first schoolhouse in tiie count}' is supposed to 
have been built in Sand}' Township, about the 
year 1807. and the first built in Canton Town- 
ship in the fall of 1808. Another schoolhouse 
known as the ■■ Cameron Schoolhouse" was 
built in Sandy Township in 1815. The first 
school taught in Nimishillen Township was 
taught in 1814. in a schoolhouse built upon the 
land of Ulrieh Spenley. Lexington Township 
had a school in 18:i0 ; Marlborough's first 
schoolhouse was built in 1825. A German 
school was taught in Canton in a log barn in 
1800, and in Plain Townsliip, we are told that 
a Mr. Stevens taught a school in the fall of 
1808. and al)out the same year Bethlehem 
Township had its first school. The first select 
school in Perry Township was taught by the late 
Gen. Cyrus Spink. .\ log schoolhouse was built 
in Jackson Township very early and was occu- 
pied by a school, taught by Thomas Carmichael. 
Dr. Michener was the next teacher in Jackson, 
and is still remembered on account of his love 
for pure English. The first school in Sugar 
Creek Township was taught on the McFerren 
farm, and the first in Tuscarawas was taught in 
the winter of 1 812-1 o, and was a night-school. 
Its first day school was taught some time later. 
These early schools were all ■' subscription 



schools ;" that is, each family subscribed so 
many scholars, for which they paid so much 
per scholar for the session, as there were no 
public funds then. In contrast to that period, 
we give the following statistics from the last 
report of the State Commissioner of Public 
Schools : 

Balance on liand Seiiteml)er 1. ISTs $ .s.-).901 79 

State tax 30,909 00 

Irreducible school fund 4.573 06 

Local ta.\ for schools and sehooUiouse 

purposes 100,122 18 

Amount received on sale of bonds .52.104 02 

From fines, licenses and other sources 3,017 86 



Total receipts |256,()27 91 

Amount paid teachers — 

Primarv.,,, 173,160 84 
High.."..... 10,.517 19 

*.S3.678 03 

Managing and superintend- 
ing 3,61.5 00 

Sites and buildings 38,417 16 

Interest on redemption of 

Ijonds 2.5,138 97 

Fuel and other contingent 

expenses :... 23.S03 39 



Total expenditures. 



.$174,952 55 



Balance on hand September 1, 1879 | 81,975 36 

Receipts from counties $32,472 79 

Payments to counties 30,909 00 



E.xcess of receipts. . . . 
Youth between 6 and 21 vears — 

Boys '. 10,405 

Girls 10,295 



!? 1..563 79 



Colored- 



Girls 



96 



20,796 



Total 

Xuiuber of schoolhouses — 

Townships, primarv 149 

Separate districts, primarv 32 

High ,■ 2 

— 34 
Total 183 

Value of school propertv — 

Townships, primary $198,400 00 

Separate districts, primary .'1245,- 
000 00; high, $60,000 0() $305,000 00 



Total in county $503,400 00 

Different teachers employed — 

Townsbips, primarv. males, 177; 

females, 125 ", 302 

Sejiarate districts, priniarj", males, 26; females, 

86; higb, males, 13; "females, 5 130 

Total 432 



vl^ 



insTOHY OF STARK COUNTY. 



Average wages paid teachers per month — 

Townships, primary, mah-s iJ3;5 00 

primary, females 19 00 

Separate distriets. primary, males 51 00 

primary, females 34 00 

lii!.'li. males 64 00 

hisli, females .^):3 00 

Number of different pupils enrollefl — 

Townships. |>rimarv, males, ."i.KW; fe 

males, 4,31^ ." 9,4.-)2 

Separate districts, primary, males, 2,873 
females, 2.94i): hish, males, :547; fe- 
males. 432 ; 6,651 

Total 16,103 

Avcragt' daily attcndani( — 

Township*, primary, males, 2,254: fe- 
males, 1 ,9iM ". 4,245 

Separate districts, primary, males, 2,015; 
females, 2,020: high, males. 259; fe- 
males. 318 4.621 

Total 8,866 

In addition to the common and graded 
schools of the county, there is no lack of in- 
struction of a higher order. Academies, sem- 
inaries and colleges within the county limits, 
afford to the student ample means of a com- 
plete, or even classical education. These in- 
stitutions of learning will be fully written up 
in other chapters of this work. Mount Union 
College, the Charity .School of Massillon, Can- 
ton Academy, and the defunct Alliance College 
will receive appropriate mention in their re- 
spective chapters. It is our aim. in this chapter, 
to take but the merest glance at the church 
and educational history, but to notice brieflj' 
the organization of schools and churches, leav- 
ing their progress and advancement for other 
departments of this work. With these words 
of explanation, we will turn to another subject. 
77(1 Pii^s. — There is no more important 
feature in the history of the county's social de- 
velopment, or one which more accuratelj^ meas- 
ures it. than the newspaper. .\ public servant 
in the truest sense, it lives only l)y the volun- 
tary support of the people, and as a matter of 
necessity, in the main, reflects the average sen- 
timent, enterprise and moral development of 
the community in which it appears. The peo- 
ple who settled ."^tark County, though an intel- 
ligent people, were not so great readers or close 
students as their neighbors, the Yankees of tlie 
'• Reserve. " but they, at an early day. showed 
their appreciation of the local press in a sub- 
stantial manner which led to the establishment 
of tlicCantdu Rijiiisitiinj in the early part of 



1815. This was the first newspaper issued in 
the present boundary of Stark County Hither- 
to the people had been dependent for news on 
papers published elsewhere, but now. they had 
a paper of their own, which gave them quite a 
metropolitan air. and almost intoxicated them 
with their own importance. The tiles of the 
liepositorij have been bound and carefully pre- 
served, aud from tiiem we may learn, not only 
much of the history of the county, but of the 
country at large. In the lirst volume one may 
read of Napoleon at Waterloo, and nearly sixty 
years later of the misfortune of another Na- 
poleon at Sedan. It was established by John 
Saxton, and is still owned by the Saxtons, and 
is Kepublicau in its political vie>vs. The Sturk 
County Denwcnil was started in 188H by John 
Bernard. It is now owned by A. .McGregor & 
Son. and is the leading Democratic journal in 
this section of the State. 

The press of the coiinty can only receive a 
general mention in the present chapter, as it is 
full}' written up elsewhere in Ihis work. As 
one of the chief matters of interest and im- 
portance in each city and town, the press will 
be noticed with due attention in the historj' of 
those places. For general reference, however, 
we give the following list of the papers pub- 
lished in the count}' at the present time ; Can- 
ton : Canton Rrpositon/ : Storl,- {'minty Demo- 
cmt : Canton Reptihliaiii : Ohio Volks Xrltiiug : 
Canton Courier. Massillon : American : Indi- 
pendent. Alliance ; Riviiir : StnnJiird. Canal 
Fulton: Fulton Slgiml. Minerva: Moiiifm: 
There have been a number of papers established 
in the county, which tloiirislied for a brief sea- 
son — swept over the scene " like untamed 
meteors, flashed, darted and ti/.zled." and then 
went out. Their obituaries will appear in the 
historj- of the towns where they lived and died. 

Roads (Hid Hujliirai/x. — .\mong the great 
forces that develop the moral growth of a com- 
munity are the thoroughfares that connect it 
with the outside world. They are the arteries 
which carry the elements of the growth and 
vigor from the centers of church and school 
influence, and of commercial activity, to re- 
moter points ; and the great hindrance to the 
rapid gro\yth. both moral and material, in fron- 
tier communities in that early day. was this 
lack of easy communication with the rest of 
the world. Information of all sorts was meager 
and generally inaccurate, and a place ten miles 



f' 



230 



HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY. 



awaj- was less known to tlie pioneers for the 
first fifteen or twenty j'ears than Europe is to 
us to-day. The papers were ahnost universal!}- 
taken up too much with State and national 
affairs to mention local matters, and there was 
nothing to incite the communitj' to a generous 
rivalry, or to awaken an enterprising enthu- 
siasm. 

( )ne of the first roads in Stark County was 
known as the • Wooster Road," and passed 
through the county east and west. It was on 
this road that ■' Buckwheat Bridge" was built, 
one of tiie first, if not the first bridge in the 
county. The I'oad passed through a large 
swamp near Canton, and into this swamp large 
quantities of buckwheat straw were thrown, and 
covered with sand and gravel, from which fact it 
received the name of Buckwheat Bridge. This 
was the commencement of public roads, and 
other important highways followed in rapid 
succession. For several years after settlements 
were made, the establishment of roads was un- 
settled. Kach settler undertook to make a 
road to suit his own convenience. This, together 
with the une\en and hilly nature of the ground, 
has been the means of roads running in almost 
any direction, except to the cardinal points of 
the compass. It is proverbial that the roads of 
Stark County are about as zigzag as the\- very 
well can be made, unless there were more hills 
to go around. Notwithstanding their crooked- 
ness, however, the}' are about as good as are 
to be found in any community where there are 
no pikes. Bridges span the streams, and the 
steepest of the hills are graded down, thus 
making the roads as nearly level as circum- 
stances will allow. 

The next public thoroughfares to the wagon- 
roads were the canals. These artificial water 
highways antedate the Christian era, and were 
employed as a means of irrigation and com- 
munication by the Assyrians, Egyptians and 
Hindoos, and also by the Chinese, whose works 
of this kind are unri\aled in extent. These 
canals, however, were uniformlj' level, and it 
was not until the fifteenth century that locks 
were invented, showing thus how canals might 
be advantageously used for inland navigation. 
It was not until little more than half a century 
ago. that canals received much attention in the 
United States. The Ohio Canal was finished 
from Cleveland to Akron in 1 827, and through 
to Portsmouth, on the Ohio River, in 1830. 



The project, with estimates of its cost, was 
brought to the notice of the Legislature in 
1824, and commissioners appointed. An act 
was passed in 1825, for interior impi'ovement 
by a system of canals. The Ohio Canal was 
chartered, and work begun on it lietween Akron, 
in Summit County, and Cleveland. In Decern 
ber, 182.'i, the line was located between Akron 
and Massillon, and the contract for its con 
struction let in January, 182G. So rapidly was 
the work pushed forward that the canal was 
completed, and, as we have said, opened through 
to Portsmouth in 1830. This highway of com- 
munication was the inauguration of a new era. 
It revived all branches of business, and, for the 
first time since the settlement of the county, 
merchants paid cash for wheat. Indeed its 
effects were felt throughout the entire country. 
The old Sandy & Beaver Canal, which 
touches tlie southeast corner of the count}', 
was built many }^ears ago, and was intended as 
a kind of feeder, both in water supply and 
commerce, to the Ohio Canal. It extended 
from (ilasgow, on the Ohio River, to Bolivar in 
Tuscarawas County, on the Ohio Canal. From 
some cause, it was abandoned more than thirty 
years ago. It still remains, as a means of ir- 
rigation and drainage to the district through 
which it passes. Its history, however, has 
little to do with the history of Stark County, 
touching, as it does, a very small corner of the 
county. But a measure, growing out of its 
construction, interested and excited the people 
of the city of Canton, and of the county, con- 
siderably at one time, viz.. the " Nimishillen 
& Sandy Slackwater Navigation Company." 
" What's in a name ? " said Shakespeare, and 
really there seemed in this case to be very 
little in this tremendous name, for the enter- 
prise finally failed. It was the design of this 
company to build a canal by way of the Nim- 
ishillen and Sandy Creeks to the Sandy & 
Beaver Canal, some miles north of its junction 
with the Ohio Canal. It was to pass through 
Canton, thus giving it water communication 
with the world, and hence all of her business 
men of that day took an active interest in the 
pi-oject. (Iround was broken on Walnut street 
with the most imposing ceremonies, A plow, 
drawn by ten yoke of oxen, and large enough 
almost to make a canal at one fuirow, was used 
to make the commencement on this new inter- 
nal improvement. The Sand}' & Beaver Canal, 



HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY. 



•-•21 



in tlie meantime, drat^ged slowly along, and 
this ontorprise was contingent, in some meas- 
ure, upon tiie completion of that ; funds, too, 
became scarce, and railroads were beginning to 
attract notice throughout the country, all of 
which, taken together, finally caused the aban- 
donment of the Nimishillen & Sandy Slack- 
water Navigation project. Hut the railroad 
has destroyed to a great extent tlie value of 
. canals, as a means of travel and transporta- 
tion, except so far as carrying heavy frieghts, 
which are in no hurry to reach their destina- 
tion. 

The I'ailroads now claim our attention, and 
as pul)lic liiirhw.-i^s constitute perhaps the most 
inU'resting chapter in the history of our coun- 
try. The origin, progress and perfection of the 
railroad system arc modern wonders that must 
ever command our earnest admiration. Wholly 
unknown to the commercial world three-fourths 
of a ccntuiy ago. the railway has become the 
greatest single factor in the development of the 
material and social progress of not onl} of the 
United States and other civilized nations of the 
earth, hut its inestimable blessings are being 
rapidh' extended into the hitherto semi-civilized 
and barbarous portions of the globe. Though 
.some rude tramways had previousl3' been used 
in the mining regions of England, the first at- 
tempt at railroad building in the United States 
was in 1807. Tt was but a few hundred yards 
in length, and was built for the transi)i)rting of 
gravel from the top of Beacon Hill down into 
Charles street, in the city of Boston, the rails 
being entirely of wood, and the propelling 
power, the momentum of the loaded cars, which, 
in descending, by means of a rope attachment, 
pulled the em|)ty cars np, a double track, of 
course, being necessary to the proper working 
of the road. As late as 1827, the then longest 
railroad in the United States was from the 
Mauch Chunk Coal Mines to the Ticliigh River, 
in Pennsylvania, a distance of nine miles. The 
loaded cars were run from the mines to the 
river by their own gravity, and, on being emp- 
tied, were drawn back to the mines by mules. 

The American people, from this time forward, 
became deeply interested in railroad enterprises, 
and from 1827 to 18.30. several short lines, run 
by horse-iwwer. were constructed. The first 
locomotive propelled by steam, to tuin a wheel 
upon the .VmeriiaM coiitinent. b(Mng a clumsy, 
uneiiuth importation fnun England, called the 



" Stourbridge Lion, landed in New York in 
1820. So slow, however, was the develoijmcnt, 
that the railroad running from Charleston, S. ('., 
to Augusta, Ga., a distance of ISO miles, and 
then the longest railroad in the world, was, in 
1S:5I{, operated by steam power for only the 
first 100 miles, the last thirty being by negro- 
power. This was owing to a sharp incline that 
the modern engine-driver would laugh at, hut 
which it was then sui)posed only a stationary 
engine, with the proper hoisting apparatus, could 
overcome. But this was before such achieve- 
ments in the railroad era as luidging the Mis- 
sissippi and Ohio Rivers and the (a-ossing of 
the Rocky >Iountains with trains. The first 
locomotive ever built in .Vraerica, called the 
• Best Friend." was used upon this road during 
its construction. It was Ituilt at the " West 
Point Foundry Shops." in New York, and for- 
warded to Charleston by the ship Niagara, in 
October, 18;!0. The first trial trip was made 
on a small portion of the road out of Charles- 
ton. November 2. 18S0. running, according to 
the report of the excursion in the Charleston 
('o»/)vV)-, as •• on the wings of the wind, at the 
rapid speed of fifteen to twenty miles an hour ; 
aimihilating time and space, and. like the re- 
nowned John Ciilpin. 'leaving all the W(^rld be- 
hind.' " The ■' Best Friend " was daily in serv- 
ice, transporting workmen and materials used 
in the construction of the road, until the 17th 
day of .June, 18M1. when it became disabled by 
a singular accident, and the road was without 
a locomotive for several months. Of this dis- 
aster to the ■• Be.st Friend." the Charleston 
f^ '»(/■(>)• of June 18. 1831. gave the following 
account : ■ The locomotive. ■ Best Friend.' 
started yesterday morning to meet the lumber 
cars at the forks of the road, and while turning 
on the revolving i)latform, the steam was suf- 
fered to accumulate by the negligence of the 
fireman, a negro, who. pressing on the safety- 
\alve, prevented the surplus steam from escap- 
ing, by which means the boiler burst at the 
bottom, was forced inward, and injured Mr. 
Darrell. the engineer, and two negroes. The 
one had his thigh lirokeii. and the otlier received 
a severe cut in the face, and a slight one in the 
rteshy part of the lireast. Mr. Darrell was 
scalded from the shoulder-blade down his back. 
The boiler was thrown to the distance of twen- 
ty-five feet. * * * ' * The accident 
occurred in consequence of the negro lioldiuii 



HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY 



down the safetj'-valve while Mr. Darrell was 
Mssisting to airauge the lumber cars. " 

It will seem strange to the trained railroad 
<iperator of the present day that such an acci- 
dent from such a cause could have been possi- 
ble ; but it must be remembered that the en- 
gineer, himself almost wholly unskilled in lo- 
comotive driving, had to perform all the func- 
tions of conductor, brakeman, etc., in addition 
to his own proper duties, his only help being 
such as above indicated, common, unskilled 
laborers, unable to distinguish lietween the 
lever of a safety-valve and the crank of a 
grindstone. But without further tracing the 
growth of tlie railroad system of the United 
States, now forming a perfect net-work of iron 
and steel in every portion of the coiintr}', which 
daily and nightly and continuously run thou- 
sands of locomotives and tens of thousands of 
freight and passenger cars loaded with thou- 
sands of tons of the products of the country, 
with valuable merchandise from any and every 
part of the world, and with tens of thousands 
of precious human beings, dashing with light- 
ning speed from cit}- to city, and from State 
to State, from the Atlantic to the Pacific, and 
from the Lakes to the Gulf, we will, with a few 
statistics of some interest, turn our attention 
to the sketching of the difl'erent railroads in 
Stark County. In January. 1832, it was re- 
ported that there were nineteen railroads, either 
completed or in course of construction in the 
United States, and that their aggregate length 
was nearly 1,4(10 miles. Though Congress af- 
forded no material aid in this new era of inter- 
nal improvements, yet this sameyear it exempt- 
ed from duty the iron imported for railways 
and inclined planes, and actually used for their 
construction. In 1840, it has been estimated 
that oui' yearly a\'erage of railroad construction 
was about 500 miles. In 1850, this average 
had increased to 1.500 miles. In I860, it was 
nearly 10,000 miles, and in 1871 it was stated 
that enterprises requiring an expenditure of 
S8<)(). (10(1, (100 and involving the construction of 
20,00(1 miles of railroad were in actual process 
of accomplishment. In 1872, the aggregate 
capital of the railroads of the United States, 
which were estimated to embrace one-half the 
railroads of the world, was stated to amount 
to the enormous sum of $3,159,423,057, their 
gross revenue being $473,241,055. At the 
present time their estimated capital is over 



$5,000,000,000, an amount almost bankrupting 
the science of numbers to comprehend. 

The first railroad touching Stark County, 
and which was carried to a successful termina- 
tion, was the present Cleveland & Pittsburgh 
Railroad. Prior to this, however, railroad en- 
terprises had been strongly agitated in the 
county. In 1830-31, a road was chartered to 
run from Pittsburgh to some eligible point on 
the Ohio Canal. Another early survey was for 
a road on the present line of the Valley Rail- 
road. The people of Stark County took con- 
siderable interest iu these projected roads, and 
for a time there seemed to be a strong proba- 
bilit}- of the county getting a railroad. But 
the time had not j-et come, and the projects 
were abandoned, on account, it is said, of the 
supposed impracticability of the routes. It 
was not until nearly twenty years later that a 
road was built from Pittsburgh through Stark 
Count}', upon a less advantageous route as to 
heav}' graiies. The Cleveland & I'ittsburgh 
Railroad which, as we have said, was the first 
road in the county, passing through a corner of 
Lexington Township and the town of Alliance, 
gives Stark but a few miles of track. A char- 
ter was granted for this road by the Legislature 
of Ohio on the 14th day of March, 183G. 
AA'ork upon the road not being commenced 
within the three years designated in the law, 
the charter became dormant, and remained so 
for six years, when, by an act passed March 11, 
1845 — just nine years after the granting of the 
original charter — the project was revived and 
the charter amended. The promoters of the 
enterprise, though the times were hard and 
money scarce, prosecuted the work as rapidly 
as similar enterprises were then built, though 
very slowly in comparison witli more modern 
railroad operations, the road not being com- 
pleted on the Cleveland end as far as Hudson, 
in Summit County, until the latter part of the 
winter of 1851-52. From the beginning the 
Cleveland & Pittsburgh has been under an able 
and efficient management, and has never ex- 
perienced any of those reverses and drawbacks 
so common to railroad corporations in their 
earlier days, and so disastrous and unprofitable 
to the original stockholders and builders. So 
small a part, however, of this road is in this 
county, that an extended notice of it can be of 
no great interest to our readers. It was duly 
finished, and it gave to Stai-k County two sta- 



liL^ 



HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY. 



223 



tions. Alliance and Limaville. wliich was better 
tlian no railroad. 

The Pittsburgli. Fort Wajne & Chicago Rail- 
wa3- was the next railroad built through the 
county. From the most reliable (acts to be 
obtained, the history of this road may be tlius 
brieJly given : In February. 184S, the Legisla- 
ture of Ohio passed an act incorporating the 
• Ohio A; I'ennsylvauia Railroad (,'ompaiiy." 
On the 1 1th of April following, the Legislature 
of Pennsylvania passed a similar act, making 
the company a corporation of that State. 
The act of incorporation of the Oiiio Legisla- 
ture gave the company power to construct a 
railroad from Mansfield, in Richland County, 
eastward by way of Wooster, Massillon and 
Canton, to some point on the east line of the 
State, within the county of Columbiana, and 
thence to the cit}' of Pittsburgh ; and from 
.Mansfiekl westwardly to the west line of the 
State. The work on this road was commenced 
in July. 184ii. and the entire track was laid and 
the road was opened for travel from I'ittsburgh 
to Crestline on the Ilth of April. 1853. The 
Board of Directois had determined, in L850, to 
make Crestline the terminus of the Ohio & 
Pennsylvania Railroad. This made further 
action necessary bj" the people west of this 
place, and the subject was warmly discussed 
for some time by the counties through which it 
must pass, west of Crestline — ettbrts that were 
cventualiv successful. 

On the^Oth of March, 1851, the Ohio Legis- 
lature granted a cliarterto the •• Ohio & Indiana 
Railroad Company." for the purpose of building 
a road from some point on the Cle\eland & 
Columbus Railniad, through Bucyrus and Up- 
per Sandusky to the west line of the State, 
and thence to Fort Wayne, in Indiana. The 
organization of the company was completed at 
Bucyrus on the 4th of July, and olPicers elected. 
On the 10th of the same month J. H. Straughn 
was elected Chief Engineer, and work at once 
commenced in making surveys for the road. 
In September following, the Directors ti.ved the 
eastern terminus of the road at Crestline, to 
connect with the Ohio & Pennsylvania Railroad. 
In January. 1.S52, the contract was let for the 
entire distance between Crestline and Fort 
VV'ayne. and prosecuted with so much vigor 
that on the 1st of November, 1854.it was ready 
for the passivge of trains. The jjeople in the 
counties between Fort Wayne and Chicairo. de- 



termined to make a strong ett'ort to build the 
last link in the chain between Philadelphia and 
Chicago. A convention was called at Warsaw, 
Ind., in September, 185:i, for devising ways and 
means for accomplishing the object. This 
meeting was largely attended, and the object in 
view was finally accomplished. In 1856, the 
work was so nearly' completed on this new line, 
that b}' using a portion of the Cincinnati. Penn- 
sjlvania & Chicago Railroad, a continuous line 
was opened on the 10th of November, 1856, 
from Pittsburgh to Chicago. On the 1st of 
August. 1856. the three corporations — the 
'■ Ohio & Pennsylvania." the •• Ohio &. Indiana, ' 
and the • Fort Wayne & Chicago '' — were con- 
solidated under the name and title of the ■• Pitts- 
l>urgh, Fort Wayne & Chicago R<iilway," by 
which name it has ever since been known. 
Stark County took stock in the original Ohio 
& Pennsylvania road to the amount of §105,000. 
This was increased ui) to 1854, l>y the issue of 
stock dividends, to $127,0(10. When the con- 
solidation of the three companies took place, 
the Ohio tt Pennsjivania stock was consid- 
ered more valuable than that of the other com- 
panies, and in the new issue of stock certificates, 
the amount held by Stark County became, in 
roinid numbers. $172,000. which was subse- 
(juently sold by the commissioners to paj' oti' 
the bonds issued by the county for the payment 
of the original stock. Such is a synopsis of 
the facts pertaining to the building of this, one 
of the best railroads in the United Stales, and 
the first to lay its lines through the full length 
or width of Stark County. 

The Pittsburgh, Fort Wayne iV: Chicago Raii- 
w'ay belongs to the I'ennsylvania system, and 
is the direct source of its communication with 
the great West. Says a local writer, dilating 
upon the subject : '• Where was once an isolated 
wilderness is now a thriving garden, connected 
with all parts of the continent. Less than a 
generation ago, the necessary supplies of life 
could be secured only b^' tedious journeys 
through almost trackless forests ; now we take 
the cars and speed away to the best market in 
th(! workl in less time than the pioneers went 
forty miles to mill on horsel)ack, with a bushel 
of grain divided between the two ends of the 
sack." 

A railroad operated at present by the Pitts- 
burgh, Fort Wayne & Chicago Railroad, or 
rather bj- the Pennsylvania Company, known 



TT 



M 



324 



HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY. 



as the " Massillon & Cleveland Railroad,' de- 
serves some mention in this connection, as a 
part of the Stark County system. The Massil- 
lon & Cleveland Railroad (commonly called the 
Massillon Branch) was built by the Massillon 
& Cleveland Railroad Company, and runs from 
Clinton, in Summit County, to Massillon, in 
this county, a distance of some eight or ten 
miles, only. This road was leased to the Pitts- 
burgh. Fort Wayne & Chicago Railway Com- 
pany June 22, 1869 ; lease assigned by that 
company to the Pennsylvania Railroad Com- 
pany July 1, 18(59 ; and by that company and 
the Pittsburgh, Fort Wayne & Chicago Rail- 
way Company lease assigned to the Pittsburgh. 
Mount Vernon, Columbus & London Railway 
Company (now Cleveland, Mount Vernon & 
Delaware Railroad Company). November 4, 
1 869. The road is owned by the Massillon & 
Cleveland Railroad Company-, and is now (1881) 
operated by the Pennsylvania Railroad Com- 
pany operating the Pittsburgh, Fort Wayne & 
Chicago Railway. 

The Cleveland. Tuscarawas Valley & Wheel- 
ing Railway is the next road claiming our 
attention. It enters Stark County at the north- 
west corner, passes through Canal Fulton, Mas- 
sillon. bearing southwest through Sugar Creek 
Township, and leaving the county near the 
southwest corner. It was originally chartered 
as the • Cleveland, Medina & Tuscarawas Rail- 
road," and work begun on the northern end of 
it as early as 1852, and a considerable amount 
of grading done between Grafton and Seville. 
The main interest in this road centered in Me- 
dina County, which at that time was without 
railroad communication. Bonds were issued, 
stock subscribed, and great energy displaj'ed 
by the jjeople of that county. But the enter- 
prise met with many reverses and misfortunes. 
The bonds which had been issued and placed 
in the hands of a broker in New York for ne- 
gotiation, were squandered by him and ul- 
timately lost to tlie company. This misad- 
venture prostrated the whole enterprise, and 
work on the road stopped at once, leaving large 
liabilities to be borne by those who had taken 
an active part in the project. Though greatly 
disappointed, the people of the sections to be 
most benefited by it. were by no means dis- 
couraged or disi)irited by the unfortunate ter- 
mination of their enterprise, and ways and 
means of reviving the Tuscarawas road were 



constantly discussed. Many pi-opositions were 
made, and routes suggested, when, on the Slst 
of March, 1871. the Lake Shore & Tuscarawas 
^'^alley Railroad Company was organized. The 
company went to work, solicited subscriptions 
along the route. Massillon responding with 
$25,00(1 and Navarre $17,000. Under the new 
organization work was liegun on the southern 
end of the road at (jrafton on the iid of No- 
vember, 1873, much of the old road-bed being 
used. The title was finally changed to the 
•' Bl3'ria & Black River Railroad Company," 
and under this organization completed. The 
subse(|uent history of this road has not been 
completely satisfactory, though quite in keep- 
ing with the general history of railroads. Be- 
coming involved, a receiver was appointed in 
1874, and on the 26th of January. 1875, it was 
sold, and the name and title again changed, 
this time to the ■' Cleveland. Tuscarawas Valley 
& Wheeling Railway " (which title it still bears) 
and a new company formed to operate it. In 
1879. the road was extended from Urichsville 
to Wheeling by the way of Flushing. It has 
twenty-three and eighty-seven hundredths miles 
of main track in Stark County, with sidings at 
Massillon and Canal Fulton, and is of consider- 
able value to the county. 

The Valley Railwa}'. extending from t'le\e- 
land to Canton, is another railroad that is of 
material benefit to Stark Couniy, and at the 
same time, of the utmost advantage to Canton, 
as giving it more direct communication with 
Cleveland. As early as 18(19. a charter was 
obtained for the Akron lV; Canton Railway, 
which afterward developed into tlie larger and 
more important enterprise, the ^'alley Railway, 
dul^' incorporated on the 21st of .\ugust, IS"]. 
The authorized capital stock of the company 
was .$3,000,000, the road to run from Cleveland, 
in Cuyahoga County, via Akron, in Summit 
County. Canton, in Stark County, through Tus- 
(varawas and Carroll Counties to Bowerston. in 
Harrison County, on the Pan Handle Railroad. 
The first great inoxement for the promotion of 
the enter()rise was made at a meeting held at 
the Academy of Music, in Akron, on the 4th 
day of January, 1872. Bepresentatives from 
Cleveland. Canton. Wheeling and intermediate 
points on the contemplated route were in attend- 
ance. The meeting was presided over b}- James 
A. Saxton, Esq., of Canton, with Mr. H. Coch- 
ran, of Wheeling, as Secretary, and Hon. Ste- 



HISTOUV OF STAKK COUNTY. 



225 



phen H. Pitkin, of Akron, as Assistant Secretary. 
Daviil L. King. Esq.. of Akron, briefly stated 
the ()l)jects of the meeting, saying that the proj 
ect of a roaii down the valley of the Cuyahoga, 
from Akron to Clevehuid. and south from Ak- 
ron to Canton and Wheeling, was no new proj- 
eot. Sueh a road. Mr. King said, w(juld devel- 
op large ([uantities of coal an<l other minerals 
south :)f Akron, and a locomotive, after draw- 
ing an ordinary train to Akron, could by rea- 
son of continuous down grade, draw as manj' 
loaded cars from Akron, as the same locomotive 
could draw empty cars back. The importance 
and feasibilit}' of the road was conceded by 
all. the discussion being mainlv over the ques- 
tion of gauge, estimates being presented show- 
ing the comparative cost of both the standard, 
four feet eight and one-half inches, and the 
narrow, three feet tracks. At the conclusion of 
the discussion, the following resolution was 
unanimously adopted : 

Reiiohed. Tlial it he tlic sense of this meeting that 
all our efforts lie devoted to raising stock for the 
ordinary four fool eight and one-half inch gauge. 

Subscription books were opened at Cleveland, 
Akron, Canton, and intermediate points (m the 
loth day of January. 1872. and a vigorous 
campaign opened ■ all along the line," for rais- 
ing the necessary funds to build the road. 
Cleveland parties were pledged to raise $500,00(1. 
the quota assigned to Akron and Canton being 
$150,000 each, with such additional amounts 
as could be raised at intermediate points in the 
several counties interested. Meetings were 
held, speeches were made and subscriptions were 
obtained with commendable celerity. Canton 
was the first to announce that her full share 
was raised. Akron coming in so<jn afterward 
with a similar good report. Cleveland, how- 
ever, was backward, trusting t<) the plan of rais- 
ing the re(|uisite amount, under the Boessel 
law, by a tax upon the citj'. The pnjposition, 
however, was voted down, though the amount 
pledged was subsequentl}' raised by voluntary 
subscriptions to the capital stock of the com- 
pany through the vigorous efforts of her solicit- 
ing committees. Other localities subscribed 
more or less liberally, so that the total amount 
sub.scribed in each of the three counties was 
as follows : Cuvahoga, $508,250 ; Summit, 
1191,700; Stark. ?14!l,750. The first .stock- ' 
holder's meeting was held .\pril 24, 1872, at 
which .lames Farmer, Aml)rose B. Stone, and 



Nathan B, Payne, of Cleveland : David L. King 
and John F. Sieberling, of Akron, and .James 
A, Saxton and (ieorge Cook, of ("anton, were 
elected Directors, At a subsecjuent meeting of 
the Directors the same day. James Farmer was 
elected President ; David L. King, Vice Presi- 
dent, and Warwicli Price, Secretary and Treas- 
urer, At a meeting of the Directors held May 
10, 1872, Plymouth II, Dudley, of Akron, was 
appointed chief engineer for the road. The 
route was fiuall} agreed upon, and the contract 
for building the entire line from Cleveland to 
Bowerstoii was awarded to Nicholas E. A'an- 
sickle and Arthur L. Conger, of Akron, on the 
3d da}' of February, 1873, The work was com- 
menced at once, and a report made to the Board 
of Directors on the 5th of August, 1873, stated 
that nearl}' two thirds of the distance from 
Cleveland to Canton were graded, and that with 
favorable weather the remainder could be com- 
pleted and ready for track-laying by the 1st of 
October, These anticipations, however, were 
not realized, and a difference of opinion having 
arisen between the Directors and contractors, 
Messrs. Vansickle and Conger, the contract was 
canceled, and the work suspended on the 16th 
of May. 1874. Reuben Hitchcock was elected 
President of the company, .\pril 24. 1874. but 
on account of failing health, a few months later, 
was compelled to tender his resignation, and 
David L, King was elected in his place, on the 
25th of September, with James Farmer as Vice 
President. The general stagnation of business, 
and especiall}' of all new railroad enti>rprises. 
following the failure of Jay Cooke & Co.. ren- 
dered the immediate resumption of work im- 
possible. The Directors, as a condition prece- 
dent to Mr. King's acceptance of the i'residency. 
individuallj- assumed the entire liabilities of the 
companj', which, owing to inability to collect 
stock subscriptions, amounted to over S150,0()0 
— a burden from which the Directors were not 
relieved until .\pril, 1870. But, by the self- 
sacrificing assumption of this res[X)nsibility, 
the life of the company was saved through the 
long period of financial distress the country 
was then experiencing, P'ailing, through the 
stringency of the times, to secure aid in this 
countrv to complete the road, at the earnest 
solicitation of the board, Mr, King sailed for 
England, on the Gth day of February, 1875, to 
present the advantages of the investment to 
the capitalists of London, .\fter weeks of pa- 



22G 



HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY. 



tient effort, struggle and disappointment, he 
finally succeeded in securing a proposition for 
the sale of the company's bonds on highly ad- 
vantageous terms, and a time was fixed for the 
execution of the contract. On the morning of 
the day agreed upon for closing the matter up, 
the puljlication, in the London papers, of the 
report of a committee of the House of Com- 
mons, discrediting the value of American se- 
curities in general, and railroad securities in 
particular, together with a cable dispatch re- 
ceived from New York, published in the same 
papers, that the Toledo, Wabash & Western 
Railroad (a very large amount of the bonds of 
this road being held in London) had passed into 
the hands of a Receiver. By the advice of the 
parties with whom he had been in negotiation, 
Mr. King returned home without liaving ac- 
complished the object of his mission, to '-await 
the logic of events. ' as it was considered dam- 
aging to future sales, on the return of prosper- 
ity at home, to urge the bonds of the company 
further upon the attention of English capital- 
ists at that time. The nierits of the line were, 
from time to time, brought by President King 
before the capitalists of Cleveland and the 
East, and a succession of struggles to keep the 
enterprise alive were continued for three jears 
longer, happily resulting in placing the bonds 
on highly favorable terms at home with Cleve- 
land and New York capitalists, the capital stock 
having in the meantime (April 13, 1876) been 
increa'sed from $3,000,000 to $6,500,000. On 
the 7th day of August. 1S78, the work on the 
line between Cleveland and Canton was resumed 
by the new contractors. ^lessrs. Walsh and 
Moynahan, the first rail upon the line being 
laid and the first spike driven by President 
King, at Akron, at a point near the ■■ Old 
Forge." at 12 o'clock M.. on the 26th day of 
October, 1878, track-laying being immediately 
proceeded with from this point both ways, and 
also commenced in Cleveland a few days there- 
after. The oiierations of tiie new contractors 
not proving satisfactory to the company, the 
contract with them was annulled, on tlie 25th 
da}' of January, 1870, and the work again tem- 
porarily suspended. Subsequently, a new con- 
tract was made with Messrs. Strong and Gary, 
and work resumed on the 3d day of June, 
1879. The road was finally completed through 
from Cleveland to Canton, in the winter of 
1879-80. The first continuous train from 



Cleveland to Canton, with the officers, Directors, 
and other friends and promoters of the road on 
board, started from Cleveland at 9:30 A. M.. 
Januar}' 28, 1880. Making short stops at the 
several stations on the route, tlie train arrived 
at Canton about 1 o'clock P. M. Starting from 
Canton on the return trip at 3 o'clock P. M., 
the run from Canton to Akron, twenty-two 
miles, was made in thirty-eight minutes, the en- 
tire trip from Canton to Cleveland, fifty-nine 
miles, being made in two hours — a remarkable 
run, considering the newness of the road, and 
evincing a very excellent degree of work in 
the laying of the track and the ballasting of 
the road-bed. The first regular trains com- 
menced running February 2. 1880, and have 
continued uninterruptedly to the present time, 
with constantly increasing freight and passen- 
ger traffic, and though, by reason of the partial 
occupation of the ground by other similar en- 
terprises and prospective connections, the ex- 
tension of the road beyond Canton has been 
indefinitely postponed, tiie Valley Railway may 
well be considered a successful venture for its 
promoters, and a ver}' valuable actpusition to 
the travel and transportation facilities of the 
people all akmg the line. 

The Tuscarawas Branch of the Cleveland & 
Pittsburgh Railroad touches a corner of two 
townships in Stark County, passing through 
Minerva, in Paris Township, and Waynesburg, 
in Sandy Township. It, however, has but a 
limited space in the railroad history of the 
county. It was built a good man}- years ago. 
and extends from Bayard to New Philadelphia. 
Its completion at a time when Stark had few 
railroads, gave it some importance, but at pres- 
ent, when her system is well nigh perfect, it is 
of no material benefit, except to the two towns 
through which it passes. 

The latest accession to the railroad system 
of Stark County is the Connotton Valley Rail- 
way. It is a narrow-gauge road (three feet) 
and though intended more esj)eciallj- f<u- the 
transportation of coal, its complement of roll- 
ing-stock embraces an adequate supply of box 
freight cars, and elegantly finished and furnished 
passenger coaches. The southern terminus of 
the road is at Bowerston, on the Pan Handle 
road in Hariison County, and its northern ter- 
minus Fairport, on Lake Erie, with a branch to 
the city of Cleveland. The line passes through 
Carroll, Stark, Summit, Portage and Cuyahoga 



±1^ 



HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY. 



Counties ; the capital stock is $3,000,000. tiie 
funds beinjj; furnished mainly by Boston cap- 
italists, though a majoi-ity of the Directors are 
the proverbial ■• Ohio men." The Connotton 
project grew out of the old Oiiio & Toledo 
road, runninii; from C'arrolton to Minerva. 
This road was bought in 1878 -70 by N. A. 
Smith, V. (i. Patterson and others, who extend- 
ed it to Dell Roy. Some tinu' in 187!) Mr. 
Patterson conceived tin; idea and made it pub- 
lie, of running the road from Oneida, the orig- 
inal northern terminus of the Ohio & Toledo 
road, to Canton. He succeeded in interesting 
other parties both at home and aliroad, result- 
ing in the final organization of the Connotton 
Valley Railway Company-. No aid or donations 
or bonds were asked, only a free right of way. 
Work was begun and pushed forward so vigor- 
ously that the road was completed to Canton 
early in .May, 1880, and appropriately celebrated 
by an excursion of its friends from the south- 
east to Canton, where they were dined and 
wined to their hearts' content. Its completion 
to Osnaburg \'illage a short time previous, was 
duly celebrated in that suburban burg. 

Upon the completion of the road to Canton, 
it was decided to extend it on north to Fair- 
port, on Lake Erie, two miles north of Paines- 
ville. with a branch to Cleveland. An ettbrt 
was made to sell the Alliance & Lake Erie road 
to the company, but this offer was declined, the 
company preferring to build a new road, if a free 
right of way could be obtained, rather than 
undertake the organization of any more rail- 
road wrecks, as the Ohio & Toledo had been 
rather expensive in this respect. Work was 
begun on the northern extension under the most 
favorable auspices, and at tlic pn^sent writing 
it is l)eing rapidly pushed forward. The entire 
length of the road is 118, sixty-two miles of 
which is now fMay. 1881) in running order, be- 
ing completed as far north as Mogadore, in 
Summit County, and as far soutli as Dell Roy, 
in Carroll County, and it is expected that cars 
will be running over the entire line by July of 
the present year. This road passes through 
from sixteen to twenty miles of valuable coal 
fields, fine beds of iron ore, potters' clay, build- 
ing-stone, etc., besides having on its line some 
of the most enterprising manufacturing cities 
and villages in Northern Ohio. 

The present officers of the road are as fol- 
lows : William J. Rotch. of New Bedford. Mass., 



President; Samuel Allen, of Dell Roy, Carroll 
County, Vice President ; .\. B. Proval, of Canton, 
Stark County, Secretary- and Treasurer ; W. N. 
Moffat, formerly of the Pittsburgh. Kort \\ayne 
& Chicago Railroad, Superintendent, and Robert 
Leamouth, formerly of the Pan Handle road. 
Roadraasler. The machine and repair shops, 
and the general ortices of the company, are 
located at Canton. The Depot buildings are 
among the finest in the country, and an orna- 
ment to the city. The main building is 230 
feet long and extends from Tuscarawas street 
to Fifth street, and is 40 feet wide, exclusive 
of porches which run along the entire building 
on each side. The structure is built of pressed 
brick, laid in black mortar, and with white sand- 
stone trimmings, giving it a very handsome 
appearance. It has a tower on Tuscarawas 
street, 96 feet high, containing an elegant clock 
which tells off the passing moments by Colum- 
bus time. The first floor is devoted to waiting- 
rooms, toilette rooms, ticket and telegi'apli 
offices, baggage room, etc. Upon the second 
floor, which is reached by both a front and l)aek 
stairwaj-, are eleven rooms, used as follows : 
General manager's office, general business office, 
Secretar}- and Treasurer's office : Auditor's of- 
fice ; general freight office ; general ticket agent's 
office ; Conductor's room ; Superintcmdent's of- 
fice ; train dispatcher's office ; roadmaster's 
room ; Chief Engineer's office, and Engineer 
Corps' room, all of which are finished off in the 
best style, and are well, and even elegantly, fur- 
nished. 

In addition to the railroads of the county 
now in acti\e operation, or in (jrocess of actual 
construction, there are (juite a number, that as 
yet have only been constructed on paper. The 
Steubenville, Canton & Lake Eric is one of the 
latter kind. It is tlu; object of the comi)any 
advocating this line to run a road up Wills 
Creek, and taji th(! Island Creek road, a few 
miles from Steubenville. Thence to Salineville 
where it will tap the Cleveland ifc Pittsburgh, 
and also a new r<^ad coming down from New 
Lisbon. Thence it is to go to Minerva anil Can- 
ton, connecting at the latter place with the I'itts- 
burgh. Fort Wayne A: (,"hicago load. From 
Canton it will have direct communication with 
Cleveland. It is in the hands of practical and 
energetic men. and no doubt but it will sooner 
or later be built. It will be a valuable accession 
to the Stark County system when c<)m|)leted. 



^1 



238 



HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY. 



The Cleveland, Canton. Coshocton & Straits- 
ville Railroad, is an enterprise that was organ- 
ized some years ago, and at one time seemed 
likely to develop into a reality. A company 
was formed, a charter gj'anted for a standard 
gauge, to connect with the Valley Railway at 
Canton, con.sideralilcstock sulisoriln>d, and work 
actiiidly l)ci,niii mi tlir liiiv ol i-ikkI. and a good 
deal of grading was <l()nr. Hut from somecause 
it languished and work linally ceased. Recent- 
ly (May, 1881) it was purchased by the Connot- 
ton Valley Railwaj', and will he finished imme- 
diately as a narrow-gauge road. It is to be ex- 
tended 105 miles in a southwesterly direction 
from Canton, passing through Massillon, Co- 
shocton, Straitsville and the Hocking Valley 
coal district, reaching man^- important towns, 
notably Zanesville and Cosiioeton, and termi- 
nating at a central point in the Hocking Valley 
coal-field. It will be a valuable feeder to the 
Connotton Valley system, and of the greatest 
advantage to Canton, in bringing immense quan- 
tities of coal and other freight to its doors for 
transfer and re-shipment. 

The property acquired by the Connotton in 
this purchase, involves the right of wa3' through 
the central part of ()hio for 50 miles, and an 
amount of grading, upon which was expended 
S(Mne $400,000. Work was begun on this ex- 
tension under the auspices of the new manage- 
ment, and it is believed tiiat much of it will be 
finished during the present summer. 

The Baltimore, Pittsburgh & Chicago Rail- 
way, which we lielieve is also a narrow gauge, 



is another paper railroad, at least so far. From 
the agitation of the project, however, it is alto- 
gether possible to build such a road, especially 
if it is sufficiently pushed forward in the pres- 
ent great railroad ijoom now passing over the 
entire country. The surveyors of this projected 
road have just survej'ed a route through Min- 
erva, in this county, and down the Sandy \'al- 
ley, and of this route they speak in high 
favor. 

The Canton & Canal Dover Railroad is an- 
other of the prospective roads of Stark County. 
It has been incorporated and a company formed 
with a capital of $750,000. It will be 23 miles 
in length and will connect the Valley Railway 
with the Pittsburgh roads, and will also form 
the connecting link between Marietta on the 
Ohio River and Cleveland. This road, thougii 
short, will be an important one to Canton and 
to the county at large. 

How many more railroad irons Stark County 
has in the fire it is impossible to say, but doubt- 
less there are a number of projected roads that 
have not yet come to the surface. We have 
noticed all the roads of the county that have 
been completed, as well as those contemplated, 
so far as we have been able to obtain fticts re- 
garding them. If any have been omitted it is 
an oversight and occurred. through the multi- 
plicity of roads to be looked after and written 
up. The railroads form an important part of 
county's history, but space allows but a brief 
sketch of them in a work of this character, and 
we leave the subject without further remark. 



HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY. 



CHAPTER v.* 

WAK [IISTORY— THE RKVOLUTION— CAPT. STIlKiER S ( OMPANV OF I8I-J— STAUK COINTV lllRINT. 

THE MEXICAN WAR— OPENIXG SCENES OF THE GREAT REBELLION— SKETCHES OF 

THE l!F.(iIMENTS — THE DRAFT— AID ANU OTHER SOCIETIES — (iR EAT 

I:E-UXI0N of 1880— OBSERVANCE OF DECORATION DAY. 



When till- liiii;; yiMis have riilkd slowly away. 
E'l'ii to the (lawn of carlli's funeral day; 
When at till' Arclian^els tiunipct and tread. 
Uisp up the faee.« and forms of the dead; 
******* 
Then the glad ears of each war-martyred son 
I'rcMidly ^liall bear the glad tidings "well done." 
l!lr--in'L:v t'oi- garlands shall cover them over. 
I'aiciii uMil husband and lirother and lover. 
(Jod will reward those dead heroes of ours. 
And cover them over with beautiful flowers. 

— ('arletoii. 

DIFFERENCES of opinion have beon ad- 
justed from time immemorial by the ar- 
bitrament of war. Individuals, dissatisfied 
with existing relations, have invoked the god 
of battles, and ttu-ned the red hand of slaugh- 
ter against their brethren. Others, instigated 
by pa.ssion, ambition or caprice, have, by the 
powereof will or genius, strewn the earth with 
human clay, and filled the heavens with woful 
lamentations. Nations, delighting in con(|uest, 
and, seemingly, in slaughter, have shaken the 
eaiih with their elephantine tread, and scat- 
tered the hard-earned ])rotluct8 of civilization 
with infinite disregard. Others have united 
in hideous schemes to deluge the world with 
blooil, until the name of civilization has seemed 
a synonym for unlimited reproach. Enlight- 
ened man converts into an art the barbarous 
plans of hiuuan destruction, and tjstablishes 
institutions of learning wherein ai-e taught the 
most gigantic and expeditious modes of termi- 
nating life. The world witnesses a strange 
paradox when man, after thousands of years 
of moral and intellectual advancement, still 
resorts to his physical nature; to seciu-e sub- 
servience to his desires. Might, not right, still 
rules the world with despotic sway. War, as 
a result of dissimilar views, necessarily fol 
lows from conflicting enlightenment in all de- 
partments of human thought. So long as 

'<V.i,liiliut.-d bv W, A li.>.)ilsr.oeil. 



minds refuse to see alike, cemflicts will ixjcur, 
storms of war will trouble the earth, and the 
reign of jieace will be clouded. The first 
war with which Stark C(;unty had any con 
nection was the Revolution. Although at that 
time no white men lived within the present 
limits of the county, except, j)erhaj)s, a few 
missionai'ies, whose object was jieace, yet so 
many of the settlers who afterward ctime to 
the county were in the struggle for independ- 
ence, that reference, though brief, must be made 
to that vrar. The causes of the Revolution and 
the terms hy which the cokmies becam(> free 
and independent, are Um familiar to be de- 
tailed here. It is thought that the hju-dest 
times the country has ever seen immediately 
succeeded the establishment of peace. The 
colonies were no less than bauknijit, and priva- 
tions and hardships intlie most direful degi-ee 
were willingly Iwrne when victory and peace 
were secm'ed. The paper moiu'y, by means of 
which the war was eaiTied on, was worthless, 
and the harvests, of necessity, had been so 
neai'ly neglected that stai-vation stared the colo- 
nies in the face. Time alone, and at last, re- 
trieved the havoc of WJU'. ^Vhtm the c(juntry 
had in a measure recovered from the stroke, 
enterprising men and women Ijegan to push 
Westward. The Govermueut offered extra in- 
ducements to settlers, and finally the rush for 
the West became so gi'eat that the settlers bi^- 
gan to unlawfully invade the territory of the 
Western Indians. This brought down u])on 
them numerous and Ijloody wars with the sav- 
ages. Soon after Ohio, as a State, was created, 
settlers began to Ixildly appear, regardless of 
the rights of their red neighbors It has l)een 
estimated that 10 per cent of the white men 
who located in the county prior to ISl.'i had 
been engaged in the war for inilependence. 
The names of manv of them will be found in 



230 



HISTOBY OF STARK COUNTY. 



the biographical dejiartment, of this volume. 
At last another war with Great Britain cast 
its dark shadow over the laud. When it be- 
came known in the We.st that war was inevita- 
ble, and had really been declared, the settle- 
ments were tilled with distnistful forebodings. 
A coalition between the British and the In- 
dians was anticipated, and, as soon as it be 
came certain that this di'eaded alliance had 
been efteeted. the [>ioneers tlu'oughoiit Eastern 
Ohio made hasty preparations for defense. 
Block-houses were erected in the more exposed 
localities, and in all places the militia mus- 
tered and ecjuijiped themselves with the imple- 
ments of war. In almost eveiy settlement in 
the eastern part of the State, companies were 
organized for a determined resistance against 
any foe that might appear. A large block- 
house, about eighty feet scpiare, was built at 
Wooster, but Canton, being an older settlement, 
in a less-exposed situation, and well supplied 
with brave men, concluded to forego the lux- 
Tuy of such a building. As nearly as can be 
ascertained, Canton, at that time, was the head- 
(juarters of the Third Regiment of the Second 
Brigade of the Fom'th Division of Ohio Mili- 
tia. Several companies belonging to this regi- 
ment had been accustomed, for a number of 
years, to muster in different portions of the 
county, principaly at the county seat. At last 
a call for troops was issued, and a movement 
was instituted to effect the organization of a 
company at Canton fi'om the militia. George 
Stidger, who had seen active service in fonner 
yem's in the Eastern States, and who, it is said, 
had been honored with a General's conuuis- 
sion, was elected, or appointed. Captain. The 
company was yet incomplete, when a di'aft was 
ordered, and enough men were seciu'ed to form 
a respectable company of about seventy. Sev- 
eral men were di-afted, who, fi'om the fact that 
they had families dependent upon them for 
support, foimd it extremely inconvenient to 
leave home, and substitutes were called for. 
One luuiih'ed dollars became the prevailing 
price for a substitute, and a sufficient number 
to meet the demand were secured at this figm'e. 
The following is a complete list of the mem- 
bers of this company, secured after a gi-eat 
deal of trouble, from the Third Auditor of the 
United States Treasiuy, where the rosters of 



the Ohio volunteers of the war of 1(S12 are on 
file: George Stidger, Captain; Robert Cam- 
eron, Lieutenant; Daniel McChu'e. Ensign; 
John Miller, John Shorb. William V. Cham- 
berlain, Clu'istian Flickinger, Sergeants; 
George Cribs, Jacob Essig. John Rowland. 
Moses Andrews. Corporals: Thomas Neily, 
Bugler; and the following privates; Ezekiel 
Alexander, William Andrews, James Andrews, 
Thonias Alexander, William Brouse. -Tames 
Black, Phillip Brouse, John Brouse, John 
Cutshall (perhaps Gotshall), John Clinger, 
George Crasimore, John Carper, Benjamin 
Croninger, Garret Cruson. Alexander Cam- 
eron, Samuel Duck. George Dewalt. Adam Es- 
sig, John Elder, Daniel Farber, James Gaff, 
Rol)ert Gaff, Thomas Hoffard, John Kroft. 
John Koontz, George Kirkpatrick, Heni-y Liv- 
ingston, Samuel McClellin, George Monroe, 
Jacob Myers, James Moore, John Potts, Sam- 
uel Patton, John Rogers, Abraham Roose. 
James Riddle, John Rise, Jacol) Swigert, John 
Slusser. William Smith, Daniel Stephens, 
Thomas Shields, John Shineberger, Jacob Slus- 
ser, Robert SoiTels and Bezaleel Thompson. 
It is not known whether this is the roster at 
the time of muster in or muster out. It is prob- 
able that others than those mentioned above 
sei'\'ed in this companj', in which case their 
names would appeal- on the roll, as made out 
by the officers of the com])any at the time such 
men sei-ved. Such rolls are probably long ago 
destroyed. It is probable that the company 
was ordered into the sei'\Tce of the Govern- 
ment during the siumner of 1812. The period 
of enlistment was six months. The British 
and the Indians were congregating at or aear 
Detroit, and to hold them in check, several 
companies, organized in the eastern part of the 
State, and in Pennsylvania and Virginia, were 
ordered to the Mamnee River, where they were 
to mass and unite on a means of attack or de- 
fense. Capt. Stidger's comi)any was tirst or- 
dered to Wooster, where the troops remained 
a month or more, doing guard duty and enjoy- 
ing themselves in a multitude of ways. Their 
base of supplies was at Canton, where beef, 
corn-meal, flour and other provisions were pre- 
pared and forwarded by wagon. Scouts were 
dispatched to inspect the neighboring Indian 
villages, and to notify the troops and the set- 



HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY. 



tlements of impending clangor. Finally, the 
e(iiii{)any received orders to proceed westward 
to Penysbnrg, on the Mauniee River, and to 
rejjort there t<?the commanding General. The 
Stark County boys remained in this vicinity, 
enjoying tlieniselves in every manner except 
encountering the enemy, nntil a short time be- 
fore their period of enlistment had ex})ired, 
wlien they were discharged and sent homo. 
They had seen no active sei-vice. much to their 
declared disappointment. After this, although 
they were not in the service, yet, knowing that 
the war was not over, and tliat attacks from 
Indians might l)e expected at any moment, 
they did not disband, but miistereil regularly 
one or more times a week, to be in readiness 
for a jjossilile attack, or for another call from 
the Government. However, tliey were not 
called out again. 

Diu-ing the early stages of the war, a regi- 
ment of soldiers from Pennsylvania, pa.ssing 
throtigh Canton with some thii-ty jiieces of ord- 
nance, stopped for the night. It is related 
by Daniel I)(>walt. whose father kept a tavern, 
that one of the men in charge of a cannon 
traded both his horses, which were good ones, 
l>ut used up by the journey, for one horse be- 
longing to the former, giving at the same time 
!?iSt> to boot. "As I sold one of the horses 
soon afterward for SI 0(1, that.'" says Mr. De- 
walt. " was the best horse trade I ever made." 
Many interesting incidents are related of cir- 
cumstances gi-owing out of the war. On one 
occasion, it was reported by several men who 
had just an-ived from the North, that the Brit- 
ish were coming, that they had lie(>n seen dis- 
embarking from vessels on the lake, and that 
their appearance might be expected at any 
moment. This was sufficient to rouse the citi- 
zens to the utmost, and immediate ])re])arations 
were made to receive the enemy in a titting 
manner. Dwellings were liarricaded. scouts 
were sent out to recoiiiioiter. and. amidst great 
excitement, an informal organization of militia 
was effected. Finally, a few ragged, half- 
clothed men a])peared, who announced that 
they and their comrades were the parties thiit 
had landed at the lake. They were a portion 
of (jcn. Hull's ]>arpled soldiers. The citizens 
slowly relaxed their vigilance, though they con- 
tinued to guard all points against an unex- 



pected attack. "While an attack from the Brit 
ish was po.ssibl»>, it was not regarded asproba 
l)le, and the settlers in Stark County were not a] > 
prehensive on that score; but the Indians were 
looked upon in a different light. Large niuii 
bers w(>re not far distant during the war, ;ind 
reports were oft<'U in swift circulation that 
they meditated an attack on the whites. Two 
comj)anies of militia were musfa'red in the 
county, one under Ca])t. Downing and the other 
under Cajrt. Sloane. While these companies 
were not in the service of the Government, they 
must(>red regularly, and were ke])t in reaili- 
ness to be called out at any moment, for the 
])rotection of the neighboring settlements, in 
ease of an attack from the redskins. Compara- 
tively nothing is rememb(>red of these militia 
companies. It is (piite certain that they took 
one or more exciu-sions with a view of holding 
bands of Indians in check, who were thought 
to be contemplating an attack. 

Stark Coimty took a prominent part in the 
war with Mexico. All are familiar with the 
circmnstances resulting in this war. Brietly. 
the causes gi-ew out of the admission of 
Texas into the Union. The "Lone Star State " 
had been a province of ]\Iexico, but, a few 
yeai's previous to its annexation to the Uuite<l 
States, had thrown oft' the lnn'd(>ns()me Spanish 
yoke, and organized an independent govern 
nient. War followed lietween Texas and 
Mexico, and, at the liattle of San Jacinto, 
which occun-ed in ISHC). the Texans eaptlU'ed 
Santa Anna, Dictator of ^Mexico, together with 
a large par-t of his army, and succeeded in com- 
pelling him to acknowledge their independ- 
ence, which he did very much after the fash- 
ion of the )i!an referred to in IJutlcr's Hudi- 
bras : 

"lie that (■oiii|)lics ;ij;;iiiist liis will. 
Is of his own (ipinidii slill." 

The succeeding tre;ity was wholly disre- 
giu-ded by the Mexicans, who continued their 
former policy toward the hostile province. 
From this time onward, petitions were fre- 
({uently presented to the United States by the 
Texans, praying for admission into the Union. 
There was a strong jiolitical element in the 
countiy opposed to this: and. to strengthen the 
feeling, and ju-event. if ])ossil>le. the United 
States from comi>lying with the jirayer, M<'xico 






^1 



HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY 



declared that t}ie admission of Texas would be 
regarded as sufficient cause for a declaration of 
war with the [States. In the Presidential can- 
vass of 1 844. the annexation of Texas was one 
of the leading issues l)efore the ]ieople, and Mr. 
Polk, whose party" favored the admission of 
Texas, being elected, this was taken as a pub- 
lic declaration on the subject. After this. 
Congress had no hesitancy in granting the 
petition of Texas, and. on the 1 st of March. 
184r). formally received her into the sisterhood 
of States. Mexico at once liroke off all diplo- 
matic relations with the United States, recall- 
ing her Minister and making immediate pre- 
parations for war. In May, 1S4H, Congi-ess 
passed an act authorizing the Pi-esident to ac- 
cept the services of TiO. 000 volunteers, and ap- 
propriating $ 1 0,000.000 for the prosecution of 
the war. Immediately following this was a 
requisition by the President on the Governor 
of Ohio for 'J,400 volunteers, in three regi- 
ments, and the Secretary of War xu'ged all pos 
siblo expedition in their enlistment. The call 
was for infantry, or riilemen. who were to or- 
ganize and rejiort at Cam]) "Washington, Cin- 
cinnati. 

At this time, the old militia law was in force 
thi-oughout the State, recjuiring the enrollment 
of all able-bodied men lietweeu the ages of 
eighteen and foi'ty-tive, for militwy duty. 
Massillon was the headquarters of the Sixth 
Division of the Ohio Militia, the division com- 
mander being Maj. Gen. Dwight Jai'vis, of j 
that city. On the ' L\"ith of May. 1 84(5, he is- [ 
sued an order to the several commandants of 
brigades in the Sixth Division, requiring them 
to muster their conmiands, to ascertain how 
many men could be got in readiness for war. 
Canton was the h(^adquai-ters of the Second 
Brigade of the Sixth Division, the brigade com- 
mander being Brig. Gen. Samuel Lahm, who 
immediately ordered the organized militia of 
Stark County to muster as follows; The First 
Battalion of Light Infantry, at Canton, on the 
5th of June: the First Regiment of Infantry, 
at Osnabiu'g. on the (Uh of June: the Second 
Regiment of Infantry, at Bethlehem, on the 
8th of Jime: and the Third Regiment of In- 
fantry, at New Berlin, on the Uth of June. 
This order was followed by others to the same 
effect, from the various regimental command- 



ers, and fi'om Lieut. Col. Daniel Gotshall, of 
the First Battalion. On Friday, the 5th of 
June, the First Battalion, consisting of one 
company from Canal Fulton, one fi'om Bethle 
hem, one from Greentown, one from Louis- 
ville, one fi'om Osnaburg and one from Canton 
— in all, six companies, of alwut 400 line-look- 
ing men — mustered at Canton, and, as a body, 
offered their services for the war, A few 
weeks prior to this event, Capt. James Allen, 
who had commanded a company in Texas in 
1836, opened an enlistment office at Canton 
and issued a call for volunteers. Men came 
promptly forward, and, by the 5th of June, 
the company was nearly half completed. The 
5th was an animating day, for bands of martial 
music jiaraded the streets to fire the dormant 
spirits of the citizens with the glory of war. 
Thrilling speeches were made, and many were 
added to the company of Capt. Allen. In the 
afternoon, the splendid ceremony of forming 
a hollow square was executed by the militia, 
and a fine sword was presented to Capt. Allen, 
amidst the rattle of musketry and the roll of 
drums. The partially formed company were 
in full uniform, and kindled the admiration of 
all as they marched, with wonderful regularity 
and precision, tlu'ough the crowded streets of 
the county seat. It required but a short time 
after this memoral)le day to complete the en- 
rollment of the necessary nivmber of men, and 
Capt Allen notified his superiors that his com- 
pany was ready for marching orders. The 
call of the Governor for j!,4()0 voluntew's was 
so promptly filled that, on the 8th day of June, 
he announced that many more than the required 
munber had enlisted, a port-ion of whom could 
not be accepted. It is said that, when the mil- 
itia throughout the State were called upon to 
muster and ascertain how many could lie got in 
readiness for the war, 80 volunteered atXenia; 
3(5 in Warren County; 2(5 in Muskingiun: '2.0 
in Fairfield; 6 in Lorain: 63 in Ross; V) in 
Darke; over 40 in Portage; 208 in Clermont: 
49 in Seneca; 30 in Sandusky: 41 in Licking; 
and nearly 400 in Stark. Massillon was made 
a secondary depot, where companies raised and 
supplies obtained in this portion of the State 
were ordered to report for the inspection of 
Gen. Jarvis. Capt. Allen's comjiany was ac- 
cepted by the Governor before the 10th of Jime. 



^ 



HISTOIIY OF .STARK COUNTY. 



and, on the 13tli. received orders to report at 
Ciimj) Washington, Cincinnati. Before stain- 
ing, the company received fi-om the citizens 
of Massillon money and sii|)pli('s to thevahie 
of abont S2W. Tlic hidics of that city pre- 
piU'ed a fine flag, which was presented in their 
names to the company, in a tine speech by 
Gen. Jai-vis, to w^iich Capt Alien responded 
in the following glowing and elo(jnent words: 
"For the distinguished m.u-k of respect and 
confidence just extended us by the ladies whom 
vou rejircsent, I would, in my own Ijehalf, and 
in behalf of the company with whose com- 
mand I have been honored, endeavor to thank 
you. were I gifted with fitting language to ex- 
press our common gi-atitude. This beautiful 
flag, an ottering of generous and holy heart.-, 
shall be to us a hallowed treasure. The gift 
of pure and lovely women, we shall look upon 
it iis a consecrated emblem, and oiu' hearts 
draw inspiration of goodness fi-om its cont<>m- 
plation. It is l)e<jueathed to us from bosoms 
as pure and tone as the unstained azm-e of its 
field, and fi'om aflections as bright as the stars 
in its mimic galaxy; and it shall be our pride 
iuid duty to love and honor and ])rotoct it while 
life thi'obs in oiu' pulses and strength lingers 
in om- arms. Present our adieux to the ladies 
who have thus so highly honored us. and say 
to them that we have sworn never to prove 
unwoi-thy of their confidence --"'■'( /• to dlxijiticc 

The company "sailed" for Cincinnati on the 
18th of June, followed Ijy the tears and loving 
farewells of finends, and the well- wishes of all. 
So<jn after reaching Camp Washington, the 
" Stark Rangers," as they were called, were as- 
signed to the Third Regiment, which eomj)rised 
ten companies, as follows: Allen's, of Stark 
County; AVooth-u£l"s, of Norwalk; Ford's, 
of Mansfield; Patterson's, of St. Clairsville; 
Nole's, of Zanesville; Moore's, of Wooster; 
McLaughlin's, of Mansfield: McCook's, of 
Steub<>nville; Meredith's, of Coshocton; and 
Chapman's, (jf Seneca County. The org;miza- 
tiun and ecpiipment of this regiment were soon 
eft'ected. and, on the ^id of Jun(>, 1^40, it was 
ordered, first to New Orl(>aus, and thence across 
the gidf to Point Isabel, Texas. Capt. Allen's 
company consisted of eighty-fom- fine-looking 
men, as follows: James Allen, Captain; Sam- 



uel Beatty, First Lieutenant: Jacob G. Frick, 
Second Lieutenant; .\bijah W. Baker, First 
Sergeant; William Hill)ert. Second Sergeant; 
William S. Hartmau. Third Sergeant; Louis 
E.Clement. Fourth Sergeant: R;dph S. Court 
ney. First Corporal; William McCurdy, Sec- 
ond Corjxiral; Roliert Clayton, Third Corjjoral; 
Alonzo Waters. Foiu-th Corporal: anil the fol- 
lowing privates; Theodore Gibbons. James R. 
Stall. Findley McGr.-w. John L. Cross. W. C. 
ToiTence, John Shannon, Isaac Doxey. Philip 
Martin. William Tawkey, Louis Heniinger. 
Charles Bradley, Myron ^Monroe. John Link, 
John Dickas. Jereljoam Creighton, Frederic 
Kisner. Jacob W. Rex. John I'lam. Charles H. 
Coombs, Andrew P. Gallaher. Ferdinand W. 
Haack, Thomas Thompson. Jacol) Sebold, 
Jacob Eversole, Mathias Fox, John W. Wag- 
ner, John Matson, John R. Walter, George 
Stitzel, Joel B. Martin, Amlirose Essner, Sam- 
uel Stall. Jacob Fontainheim. Peter Kroft. 
Michael Matter, John Stephens, .John Mim- 
grew, Mai'tiu Bohrer, Mathias Hoover, Jacob 
Reed, George M. Bolinger, John B. Collins. 
Robert M. Shilling, George A. Klingel. John 
Cotwinlde. John Garret, Wm. Dobson, Abra- 
ham Metz. John Fitzsimiuons. Patrick Fitz- 
patrick. Isaiah Keltn(>r. George TofHer, John 
Ankeney, Frederic Souter. Frederic Hobel, 
William H. Chi'istmas, James Elliott, Charles 
Floom. Dewitt C. Whiting, William W. Has- 
tings, Augustus Overtel. John Schlink, Fred- 
eric Marsh, Ambrose Meeks, .John C. Meloney, 
Frederic Yogelgesong, Alexander Shirer, John 
Brischt, Peter Finney. Thomas Barnd. Sauuiel 
C. Fry, Chi'istian Ledig ami .John Cox. This 
company, as given, left Massillon, but all did 
not retiu'n. Sinne of the poor l)oys fell under 
the stroke of the deadly diseases of the South, 
and their graves, like the tomb of Moses, ;iro 
imkuown. The company was designated K, 
and its position was'ou the e.\treme left wing 
of the Third Regiment. It was iibout ten days 
in going from Cincinnati by boat to New Or- 
leans. After remaining encmujied about ten 
days at Camp .Jackson, near New Orleans, 
and on the site of Gen. Jackson's celebrated 
liattle-field, the right wing of the regiment 
was ordered on board a schooner, and dire<-ted 
to report at Point Isabel, Texa.s. The left 
wing, of which tlie "Stark Rangei-s" formed a 



2m 



HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY. 



])?irt, embarked on board a l)rig, commanded 
by Capti. Tliora]is(.)n, and, after a short, stormy 
passage, lauded at Brazos Island. After a few 
\\'eeks. the regiment was ordered to the month 
C'f the Rio (irande. and soon afterward to 
Bereta. thence to Brownsville, and finally to 
Matamoras. aiTiving at that point about the 
1st of August, 1S4-I). After remaining en- 
camped for a short time, the regiment was 
divided, and the companies sent to different 
towns along the Rio Grande, to guard Govern- 
ment stores and repel sundry attacks from 
Mexican guerrillas. Company K was ordered 
into winter ((uarters at Fort Ferides, where it 
I'cmained until the "id of January, lS-1-7, when 
marching order.s were received to {)roceed to 
C;miai-go, where the troops arrived tlu-ee days 
later. Some time aftenvard, they were ordered 
to Monterey, and, when on the way, learned of 
the battle of Buena Yista. They were met by 
Gen. Taylor when within about twenty-live 
miles of Monterey, who ordered a jjortion of 
the regiment in pursuit of a fragment of the 
defeated Mexican army. After a harassing 
though bloodless pursuit of three or fom- days, 
the troops returned and proceeded to Monterey, 
and encami)ed (ijijiosite Black Foii. but soon 
afterward were ordered to Saltillo. Here the 
small-pox broke out among the citizens, and, 
to avoid the contagion, the troops were or- 
dered to pitch their tents on the battle-tield of 
BuenaYista. The "Stark Rangers" remained in 
this vicinity until some time in May, 1S47, when 
they were ordered to the Rio Grande, th(>nce by 
boat to Brazos Island, and finally to New Or- 
leans, where, on the 24th of June, 1S47, their 
term of enlistment having expired, they were 
mustered out of service, and the boys, those re 
mainiug, with light hearts, turned their faces 
toward thei)- homes in Ohio. The " Stark Ran- 
gers" had paa'tici])ated injio engagement diu'- 
ing the campaign, except perhaps a few shots 
with Mexicjm gueiTillas. It is related by Mi-. 
F. W. Haack, one of the company yet living 
at Canton, that the boys at times received 
rough usage from their conunanding officers. 
He states that, when the companj' were being 
conveyed on board the lirig across the gulf from 
the mouth of the Mississipj)! to Brazos Island, 
the jsrovisions were brought out and scattered 
along on deck, just as the farmer scatters the 



corn for his swine. They were subjected to 
the severest military discipline while en- 
camped at dift'ereut points along the Rio 
Grande, and when one of their number died- 
Martin Bohi-er — he was not given a decent 
bm'ial, although he left abundant means which 
could be itsed for that piu'pose. Mi'. Haack 
says that the boys were strictly forbidden to 
forage, but that they often disobeyed orders 
in this respect. One day, when on the march, 
he had charge of one of the wagons in the com- 
missary train, and, seeing a niunlier of fine 
fowls at one of the Mexican farms, he caught 
quite a number and secm-ed them in his 
wagon. When he reached the next encamp- 
ment and was unloading his live freight, he 
was suddenly approached by old "Rough and 
Ready." who was sitting sideways, in a dirty 
and dilapidated suit of clothing, on a bony 
old horse. The General noticed the fowls, and 
instantly inquired, in a loud tone: "Where in 
h — 1 did you get those chickens ?" Mi\ Haack, 
with some misgivings, informed him, where- 
upon the General, after a pause, said, in a low 
tone, reflectively: "Y-e-e-s; well, you may cook 
one of them for me, and I'll be around 
shortly."' Mr. Haack did as ordered, prepar- 
ing it in his best style, wifh an abundance of 
rich and excellent gra\T. The Geneial ap- 
peared promptly, sat down to the meal, and 
continued to eat and eat, until Mi'. Haack 
thought he would never get enough. Finally, 
when all had disappeared, he arose fi'om the 
camp-stool, and, walking up to Mr. Haack, 
said, quietly: "Look here, you prepare another 
of those chickens the same way, and I'll send 
around" ( naming a favorite subordinate ofticer ). 
Mr. Haack did so, whereupon the officer came 
forward and dispatched the fowl with even 
greater celerity than had the General. When 
nothing was left, he departed, with heart tilled 
with glowing panegyrics for the skill of the 
cook. 

Great hardships were endured by the boys, 
on account of the e.xtremely hot weather and 
the inferior quality and quantity of their ra- 
tions. They were often compelled to drink 
water from ponds covered with a filthy green 
scum, and it is no wonder that their robust 
physical development often succumbed to the 
deadl}' Mexican miasma. Capt. Allen, in a 



IIlsTol!!' OF STARK COUNTY 



■.'35 



letter to some friend in Massillon, dated at 
Cumai-go. Februai-y 22, 1847, rcpoi-is the fol- 
lowing regaixling hiseoiupiiny: "John Brischt 
died August S. lS4(i: William H. Christmas 
died Aiignst 12, IMl): O. C. Billings died 
August 17. lN4t): John Ankouy died October 
20, I84(); ■\Villiaui Hilbert died November 24, 
1840; Martin Bohrer accidentally til-owned in 
the Kio Grande December 27, 1S4(): George 
Stitzel died December 29, 184(5; Frederick 
Habel died January 8, 1847. All these deaths 
MCCUiTed at Matamora.s, and were mostly caused 
by raging fevers. In the meantime, the fol- 
lowing were dischai-ged for various reasons: 
Robert Clayton, who died at Cincinnati on his 
retm*n home; Joel B. MfU'tin; .\bijah W. Ba- 
ker: George Toffler; William Dobson; Ma- 
thia-s Hoover; Alexander Scheirer; Frederick 
Marsh ; John Hendershot, who died at Spring- 
lield. Ohio, on his retiu-n; Samuel C. Fry: 
Mathias Fox; and Peter Kroft, who died at 
Cincinnati on his way home, and was buried 
in ihe [Jotter's field. One of the company, 
Kalph S. Coui'tney. had deserted, and joined. 
it is supposed, one of the Indi.ma companies. 
The Captain also reported that his company 
had received recruits iintil it mustered about 
seventy men. Early in July, 1847, the com- 
[lauy reached home, and, on the evening of 
the 17th of July, 1847. they were given a splen- 
did reception and supjjer at the residence of 
Chi-istian Cramer. Although the company 
had been discharged, the war was not over, 
and Capt. Taneyhill was authorized to enlist 
a comi)any in StiU'k County, and, Ijy the 17th 
i.'f July. 1847. he had seciu-ed about sixteen 
volunteers, but the company was never com- 
l)leted. MTien the Third Regiment was mus- 
tered out of sei-vice. Col. Curtis volunteered 
again for the war, and was soon afterward ap- 
|)ointed Governor of Saltillo. JIaiiy years 
have piussed away since the Mexican wai\ and 
many of the " St:u-k Rangers " iu'e laid at rest 
in the grave. The brave Mexican soldiers 
must not be forgotten lunidst the glorii's and 
grand achievements of the last great wai'. So 
far .is knowTi. all of Capt. .\llen's company are 
dead except the following: Samuel Beatty. -liv- 
ing in Stark County ; Jacob G. Frick. William 
S. Hartman, Louis E. Clement, in California; 
Theodore Gibbons, in California: John L. 



Cross, in Ohio; John Shannon, in Indiana; 
Isaac Doxey. near Massillon: Jerelxj.un 
Creighton. in Summit County; John Ulam. 
in Indiana; Amb-ew P. Gallagher, in Stark 
County: Ferdinand W. Haack. near Canton; 
Thomas Thompson, at Akron; Jacob Se- 
bold, in Stark County; Jacob Eversole, 
in Canton; John W. Wagner, iu Califor- 
nia ; John R. Walter, in Stark County : 
.Ambrose Essner, in Canton: Samuel Stall, in 
Indiana; Jacob Fontaiuheim. iu Wayne 
County; George M. Bollinger, in Massillon; 
John Fitzsimmons, in Illinois; Isaiah Kiltner, 
in Ohio; Charles Floom, in Stai-k County: 
Dewitt C. Whiting, in Tuscarawas County; 
and Frwlerick Yogelgesong. in Canton. Thus 
ends the brief record of the i)art Inmie by 
Stark County in the war with ^lexico. It may 
be said that st-veral of the Iwys who had sei-ved 
with Capt. Allen in Mexico also enlisted and 
sei-ved in the last gi-eat war Ix'tweeii the 
States. 

It is unnecessary to give a lengthy sum- 
mary of the causes which led to the war of the 
rebellion. Occun-ing as it did but twenty 
years ago, its weai-y marches, dreadful suft'er- 
ings from disease, and daring achievements 
on the field of battle, are yet green iu the rec- 
ollection of maimed and honored i)articipants. 
Continued mid extensive ])rei)arations for war 
were made in the South long before the North 
ceased to l)elieve that the diffeiences which bit- 
terly divided the two factions of the Govern- 
ment might be amicably adjustwl. Armed 
and hostile bands of the rebelli/us citizens of 
the South seized, at every opportunity, large 
quantities of military stores, and took forcible 
possession of important strategic points; but 
still the North was hopeful that ))eace woukl 
prevail. President Lincoln, with that kind 
forbearance — that magnanimous ])hilanthro()y 
or charity which ever distinguisheil him. and 
which enrolls his niime on the brightest page 
of moral and intellectual greatness — wisely 
hesitated tx) l)egin the contest, in ho]ie that 
the South would accede to the d»>mands of the 
Government and lay downi the weajioiisof wai'. 
Hot-blooded Alwlitionists in the North lu-ged 
him re]ieatedly to strangle the hydra of seces- 
sion in its infancy, but still he hesitated. 
He knew well the desolation that would deluge 



^' 



236 



HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY. 



the country, for he had seen practical evidences 
of the fieiy spirit which characterized the 
Southern people. Statesmen in the North 
viewed with reluctance or contempt the steady 
and aggressive movements for war in the South, 
and declai-ed that the jieople in rebellion would 
not have the temerity or corn-age to continue 
the wiir longer than ninety days. Finally, the 
blow fell like a knell upon Sumter, and in- 
stantly kindled a flame of fiery indignation 
throughout the North. People of all parties 
forgot everything, save that the countiy given 
them by their ancestors was in imminent peril. 
Business was almost wholly sTispended, and 
the citizens gathered in neighlioring villages 
to face the situation and encoiu-age one another 
with hopeful words. Intense excitement every- 
where prevailed Scores of militia regiments 
tendered their services to the Government, 
and when, at last. President Lincoln called 
for 75,000 men to put down the rebellion, a 
wave of relief swept throughout the North. 
Ohio alone offered over 80,000 men, the 
greater portion of whom were rejected. 

Massillon was the first place in Stark Coiinty 
to give ])ublie expression of the feeling on the 
suliject of the war. Notices were circulated on 
the 16tb of Ajiril, 1H61, for a mass meeting of 
the citizens at Madison Hall on the same even- 
ing ; and the room was packed with excited men 
of all ])arties. Gen. Jarvis called the meeting 
to order, and R. H. Folger, Esq., who was ai> 
j)ointed Chairman, announced that the object 
of the meeting was to consider what the "exi- 
gencies of the hour demanded." He reviewed 
the situation in loyal and eloquent words, and 
stated that the call of the President for troops 
must be promjitly and abundantly met. At the 
conclusion of his speech, three times three 
cheers were given, and immediately thereafter 
a committee of three was appointed to di-aft 
resolutions expressive of the sense of the meet- 
ing. The memliers of the committee were 
Gen. Dwight Jarvis, Jolm MeClymoud and 
Hon. J. S. Kelley. The following resolutions 
were prepared, and adopted with a ringing 
iind unanimous vote: 

WiiKUEAs, Till' Government being in imminent 
ilanjjer Uam formidable and organized liand.s of law- 
less men, bound t.oii'ether for tlie puqiose of re.sist- 
ing the execution of the laws; and believing as we 



do. that it is indispensable that the laws should at 
all times he kept invifilate and the integrity of the 
Union pri'served. therefore. 

Hexiilnd. That we will not stop to inquire who is 
President of the United States in times of danger; 
l)ut that if is the duty of every good eitizen to sus- 
tain the Government with alaciity and with a will. 

Resolrt'd. That, at such times, we will bury all 
paity feelings, and unite as a band of brothers to 
sti-engthen tlie constituted authorities of our country. 

Rexolnil That the call of the Governoi- is weil- 
limeil and patriotic, and will meet with a jirompt 
response. 

Ri'sidntf, That we cannot afford to have rebels and 
traitors in our midst, for "He that is not for our 
country, is against it." 

Hi'siilreil. Tliat we have yet a counliy and a consti- 
tnlion, wliicli we have inherited froni our fathers— 
a lianner under whii-h their l)lood was shed. 

Rousing and patriotic speeches were made 
by many of the prominent citizens, and finally 
the meeting was adjourned, to meet again on 
the following Monday night. The Riposltiny 
of the following week, in speaking of this 
meeting, said: "The meeting throughout was 
the grandest exhibition of genuine patriotism 
we have ever witnessed; and was ftilly indic- 
ative that there is a national party ready to 
vindicate the honor and integrity of the Gov- 
ernment against all traitors, wherever dis- 
persed." At Massillon, the names of 100 
young men were enrolled on Thursday and 
Friday, April 18 and 19. This was the com- 
pany of which Alliert F. Beach was Captain. 
It was fully organized and ready to march to 
the field oil Monday, the 22d of April, 1861. 
Immediately after the meeting at Massillon, 
others were held at almost every town in the 
county, and in every instance movements were 
effected to enlist companies for the wai'. A 
rousing meeting was held at Alliance, and 
many signified their willingness to enlist, and 
their names were em'olled. Canton was some- 
what slow in holding a mass meeting of the 
citizens. Small assemblages of men convened 
to listen to loyal words, but no general meeting 
was held until the 9th of May, when almost 
the entire county met at Canton to listen to 
the following speakers: Jolm McSweeney, 
Esq., Hon. B. F. Leiter, Mi-. Upham, H. M. 
McAbee, Seraphim Meyer, R. H. Folger and 
othws. This was one of the largest and most 
enthusiastic meetings ever held in Stark 
County. It is stated that, about this time, 
at least one thousand men in the county sig- 



IIISTUUY OF STARK COUNTY. 



nified their willingness to serve the Govern- 
ment A company had lu'cn organized at Can- 
ton a number of yeaj-s before, and was known 
iis the " Canton Zouaves," James AN'allace be- 
ing Captain. Another comjiany, called the 
"Canton Light Guards," had also l)een organ- 
ized under the State militia law. This was 
commanded by Capt Sann el Beatty. The 
headquarters of these two (•om|)anies were at 
Canton. A company at Alliance, known as 
the '' Alliance Guards." un<ler Capt James 
McGarr, ofi'ered its services for the war. The 
company at Massillon under Capt. Beacli was 
called the "Massillon Light Guards." These 
foiu- c^)m]1anies, aft(T b(>ing re-orgiuiized ;uk1 
recruited, left the county early in May, and, 
by the middle of June, all were on duty Ul 
Westeni ^ irginia. "Williams" Battery." com- 
manded by Ca[)t \V. S. Williams, went from 
Caut*in to Colnmb\is. ami finally into ^'irgiuia, 
alwut the same time. In the meantime and 
thereafter, the rapid enlistment of Stark 
County men went on. Every eflbrt was made 
by prominent men at this time, and afterwiuxl. 
to till the (juota of troops called for, l)ut at 
last the county was compelled to resort to 
the draft. A military committee was ap- 
pointed, iuul a local liounty was oflered for 
volunteers, and the di-aft was postiumed; Imt 
at last it came, on the 1st of October, 1S()"J, at 
which time 571 men were drafted, about -^OO 
of whom were sent into the field. Diu'ing the 
l)rogi-ess of the war, and especially at its early 
stages, there were a number of men in the 
county, some of them being jirominent citi- 
zens, who consei<>ntiously thought that the 
Gov(>niment had no right to coei-ce the s(»ced- 
ing States. Someof these men were outsjwken 
in th(Mr opinions, resisted the progress of the 
enlistment and the draft, and got into serious 
difllculty for so doing. On several occasions. 
o|)en riots of a mild nahu'e resulted from the 
clashing of public sentiment on the (juestions 
gi'owng out of the wju". Several arrests were 
made, and at last open or public opposition to 
the war was avoided. About the 7th of No- 
vember, INOl, the military committee reported 
that N")! volunteers had enlisted from Stark. 
Th<' following is a list of the numl)er of vol- 
unt<'ers in the field from the county at the 
time of the annual assessment in INO'i: 



Paris .j9 City of Canton I-m 

Wa.<liin}xton +i Plain 32 

Lcxin.irton 103 Lake 85 

Mailljorouirh 65 .Isickson 28 

Xiniisliillcn 47 Pcny 121 

( )siialiur!; 31 Bcthlcbcni '>i> 

Sandy 45 Sugar Crc(^k f>3 

Pike 43 Tnscarawas 35 

Canton 29 bavvrcnce "1 



Total ....467 Total. 

(Jrand Total. l.l.V; 



.(>s!t 



This list embraces only those enlisted for 
three years or during the war. Two or more 
camps were established in the county -Camp 
Massillon at that town, and Camp Ford at 
Alliance. The fair grounds at Canton were 
used as a military cam|). The first calls for 
sanitarv aid came from Western ^ irginia diu'ing 
the fall" of 1S61. On the ir)th of October, the 
ladies of Cant<jn met at the residence of J. F. 
Kaynolds to organize a Ladies' Aid Society. 
The following oliicers were elected: Mr.s. J. G. 
Lester, President: Mrs. E. Buckingham, Sec- 
retary: and Mi-s. J. A. Saxton, Tretistirer. 
The following conunittees were appointed: To 
tb'iift a constitution, Mrs. Isaac Harter, Mrs. 
Dr. Wallace, JIi-s. J. G. Lester and Mi-s. E. 
Buckingham: General soliciting — First Wiird, 
Mrs. Pierong, Mrs. Lewis Miller. Mrs. E. 
C. Patterson. Mrs. George llavnolds; Second 
Ward, Mrs. C. Aultmau, Mrs. T. W. Sax- 
ton, Mrs. W. K. Miller, Miss Henrietta 
Buckius: Third Ward. Mrs. Dr. Whiting. Mrs. 
S. Mever. Mrs. Thomas Patton. Mrs. M. Wiki- 
dal: Fourth Ward. Mrs. G. Prince, :Mrs. Dr. 
Shisser, Mrs. Shock, Mrs. O. P. Stidger: in 
the vicinity, Miss M. Harry, Mrs. William 
Raynolds, Mrs. H. Kaynolds, Mrs. William 
Williams, Mrs. Simon Miller, Mrs. Cassilly, 
Miss Medill. Almost every township in the 
county organized a similar society, and, in 
truth, it may be said that the entire county 
resolved itself into a committee of the whole 
to see that the families of volunteers did not 
suffer, and to solicit money, provisions and 
supplies of clothing to be sent into the fi(>ld. 
Thousands of dollars worth of hos])ital and 
camp supplies were sent from the count}' tlur- 
ing the war. The citizens of the cimnty sul)- 
scribed over ^'HO.OOO tx) the Govermnent loan 
of treasui'v notes prior to November, 1S()1. 
Two regiments were organized at Ciunp Miis- 



d^ 



IIISTOKY OF «TARK COUNTY. 



^^illon during the early antumn of 186'i. On 
the Hdth of August, when one of these was 
laiistered into the service. Gov. Tod was pres- 
ent, and spoke to a vast assemblage that had 
gathered to witness the military review of the 
two uewlj' formed regiments. The coiTnty sent 
a company of men on the bloodless squirrel 
campaign to Cincinnati. The company was 
coinmauded by Capt. Dougherty, of Green- 
town, and about forty of the men belonged to 
the "Liike Ritles." Massillou furnished eight- 
een colored volunteers for the Fifth United 
States Infantry, while, so far as known, no 
other portion of the county furnished a c^)lored 
man. at least at that time. 

It is the design, in the following pages, to 
give a brief though e.\act sketch of every regi- 
ment which served the Government diu'ing the 
last war. and which contained a company or 
more of Stark Coitnly men. While, in the 
main, the record given by Whitelaw Reid has 
been followed, yet, in almost every instance, 
depai'tiu'es have Iteeu made fi'om his text, 
as the writer, after careful inquiry, has dis- 
covered his errors. The alterations will be 
oltserved in reading the sketches. In nu- 
merous instances, dates have been coiTeeted; 
and infrequently serious mis-statements of fact 
have been discovered by having Mr. Reid's ac- 
counts carefully read by soldiers who served 
in the regiments. A great many regiments, 
sketches of which are not given, contained 
men fi'om Stark County. As complete a list 
of these as can Ije given will l)e found Ijelow. 
The following regiments contained men from 
Stark ('ounty: One Hundred and Fifteenth, 
Seventy-sixth, Sixty-fourth, Eleventh, Eight- 
eenth "United States, One Hundred and Fourth, 
One Hundred and Seventh, Nineteenth, Fifty- 
first, Sixty-first. One Huntb-ed antl Second, 
Ninth, One Hundred and Seventy-ninth. 
Twenty -sixth Battery (some fifteen men). 
Forty-fifth N. G.. Third Battery, Thirteenth, 
Twenty-sixth, Second Michigan, One Hunth-ed 
and Sixty -third. Tenth Cavalry, Sixth Cavalry, 
Second Cavalry, Fifteenth Illinois, Sixty -fifth. 
One Hundred and Sixty -second. Seventeenth 
Tennesee, Seventy- eighth. One Hundred and 
Twentieth, Forty-third, Third, Fifty-fifth, 
Sixth Michigan, One Hundi-ed and Sixty - 
fom-th. Sixteenth, Fourth, Sixty-third, One 



Htmdred and Seventy- eighth, Second, One 
Himdred and Twenty-fifth. Thirty -second. 
Fifty-eighth, Fortieth, First, Seventeenth Ten- 
nessee, Seventy-first, Fiftieth, One Htmdred 
and Twenty-second, Forty-first, Forty-second, 
One Httndred and Tenth, One Hundred and 
Sixty- fottrth. Tenth. Ninety-ninth Pennsyl- 
Vcinia, Forty-fifth. Forty-eighth Indiana, 
Eighteenth, Sixth Battery, One Hundred and 
Sixty-tliird, Eighty-sixth. One Hunth-ed and 
Fifteenth. One Httncbed and Ei;;hty- eighth, 
and Third Cavalry. 

The Fourth Ohio Regiment was organized 
at Camp Jackstm, Columbus, April 2-"), 18P)1, 
and contained one company from Stark County, 
tmder the following officers: James Wallace, 
Captain: Percy S. Sowers, First Lieutenant; 
George F. Lair, Second Lietttenant. The com- 
pany, known as the " Canton Zouaves," had 
been organized before, under the militia law 
of the State, and as soon as the war broke out 
it was immediately re-organized and filled ttj), 
and hastily left for Columbus to seetu'e a place 
in one of the first thirteen regiments. It was 
assigned to the Fourth Regiment, commanded 
by Lorin Andrews, Colonel: James Cantwell, 
Lieutenant Colonel: James H. Goiknau, 
Major. These were the otficers dtu-ing the 
three-months enlistment. On the 2d of May, 
the regiment moved to Camp Dennisou, and, 
on the 4th of the same month, was mttstered 
into the three-months service by Capt. Gordon 
Granger. On the r)th of June, a majority of 
the regiment signified their \villingness to 
enter the three-years service, and were accord 
ingly mustered in, their enlistment dating 
from that day. The regiment moved to Graf- 
ton, W. Va., reaching that point on the 2^id 
of June. It moved through Clarksburg and 
Bitckliannon, and aiTivei at Rich Mountain 
on the 9th of July, bttt did not participate in 
the battle, being held as a reserve. In July, 
it was brigaded with the Ninth Ohio and 
How's Battery, Fottrth United States Artillery, 
Col. Robert McCook commanding, the brigade 
being Gen. McClellau's advance gu;u'd dtu'ing 
his West Virginia campaign. After a variety 
of movements, during which the regiment pur- 
sited the enemy's forces and gttarded several 
httndred prisoners ttntil they were paroled, oc- 
cttpying, in the meantime, Beverly. Httttons- 



>: 



IIISTOKV OF STAUK COrXTY. 



239 



ville anil New Creek, it mai'ched to Pendleton, 
Va.. reaching tliat section the 7th of August. 
On the 7th of Heptemlier. Coin{)anie.s A, F and 
Iv. under Maj. Godman. skirmished the r(>hols 
at Petei-slinrg, capturing a hirge (pi'intity of 
])rovisions, animals and some prisoners. Col. 
Cantwell. with six eom])anies. moved on Kom- 
ney on tlie 'i-Mi of Scjitomber. and. after a 
brisk tight, d ove the rebels out, losing thirty- 
two men wounded. Col. Andrews having died 
at his home in Ohio of camj) fever, his suc- 
cessor. .John S. Mason, was ai)])ointed on the 
4th of t)ctober. and. ten days later, assumed 
command. On the "ioth, the regiment marched 
to New Creek, and the next day. with Gen. 
Kelley"s command, moved on Romney. driving 
the enemy from that place, and capturing all 
his l>aggage. two pieces of artillery, and a 
numlier of prisoners. Romney was occupied 
until January 7. ISfi'J. when the regiment at- 
tacked the rebels at Blue Gap. svu-prised and 
ib'ove them fi'om a fortitied position, captui'ing 
all the cam] I eipii])age and two field pieces. 
Dm-iug .January. IMVj. a new brigade was 
formed, consisting of the Fourth and the 
Eighth Ohio. Clark's United States Battery. 
I)amm"s First Virginia Battery. Robinson's 
and Huutingt<^)u"s First Ohio Batteries, known 
as the ikj'tillerv Brigade of Lauder's Division, 
commanded liy Col. Mason. On the lOth of 
January, the regiment moved to Pattei-son's 
Creek, and. on the 4th of February, to Paw 
Paw Tunnel. It occupied Winchester and 
Mai'tinslmi'g. making the former ])lace a biise 
of supjilies. whence detaclunents were sent out 
inditterentilirections until the 24th of March, 
when it started in pursuit of "Stonewall" Jack- 
son, whb had been defeated at Kemstown the 
day ]>revious. It moved as far as Strasbm-g. 
and. on the :50th. to Edenburg. On the 17th 
of A])ril. it skirmished on the way to New Mar- 
ket, and afterward occupied Moore's farm, and 
linally retm-ned to New Market. It joined 
McDowell on the 2'2d of May. marching 
thi'ough Liu'ay. Front Royal, Chester's Gaj), 
W;u-rent<jn. Catlett's Station, and linally 
reached Frodoricksbm-g, Yn. The next day it 
moved back to the valley, and, on the >!((th, 
reached Front Royal, tlriviug the enemy fi"om 
that place and captmnng a hu'ge quantit}' of 
amimuntion. supplies, and a number of pris- 



oners. After remaining in this vicinity until 
the 2yth of June, the regiment was transferred 
to the Peninsula, arriving at HaiTison's Land- 
ing on the 1st of July, .\bout the middle of 
August, it marched to Newport News. It oc- 
cupied Alexamh'ia. Centerville, Fairfax Court 
House, Fort Gaines, D. C, Harper's Ferry, 
Let^sburg. Halltown, Gregory's Gap, Rector- 
town, Piedmont, Salem. AVarrenton, reaching 
Falmouth some time in November. Here it 
remained in cam)) mitil the 12th of Docemljer, 
when, under tho command of Col. Mason, it 
crossed the Rapidan into Fredericksburg, and 
was thi'own to the fi'ont as skirmishers, holding 
that position imtil the next day, when the des- 
perate charge was made through the streets of 
the city. The regiment received the first fire 
of the rebel artillery on the right of the na- 
ti(mal line, and lost, during the engagement, 
five officers and forty-three enlisted men, out 
of I IT) engaged. It suft'ered terribly, and Col. 
Mason was made a Brigadier G(^neral for his 
conduct diu-ing the battle. The Foirrth re 
tm'ned to Falmouth, where it remained until 
the 2.Sthof April, iS(jr!, and then psu'ticipated 
in Hooker's remarkable laovement on Chancel- 
lorsville. On the -id of May, the battalion en- 
gag.'d the enemy, and captm'ed one stand of 
colors and over one hundred prisoners, among 
whom were nine commissioned officers. It lost 
in killed and woimded seventy -eight men. On 
the 6th of May, the regiment moved back 
to Falm(juth. On the 14th of June, it 
marched north to assist in the movement 
to check Gen. Lee, who had invaded Penn- 
sylvania. Gettysbiu'g was reached on the 
1st of July, and the regiment took part 
in that great l)attle. It was one of the three 
regiments that drove the rebels from Cemetery 
Hill, and received the highest commendations 
from G-ens. Hancock. Howard and Gilibon. 
It lost thirty-seven men killed and wounded. 
After occujiying numerous positions in Vir- 
giniaand MiU'yland — at one time beingordered 
to New York City to quell the riots there, and 
at other times marching in a circuit through 
Virginia, skiiiuishing with the rebels at Bristo 
Station, and at Robinson's Cross Roads on the 
27th of Oct<jber. leasing at the latter place I 
twenty-eight men killetl and wounded — the 
regiment finallv. on the 1st of December, went 



240 



HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY. 



into winter quarters near Stephensburg, Va. 
On tlie 0th of February, it advanced to Mor- 
ton's Ford, crossed tlie river and had a skir- 
mish with the enemy, losing seventeen men 
woiinded. It reerossed the river on the 7th 
and encamped near Stephensburg. where it re- 
mained until the bloody battles of the Wilder- 
ness occiuTed. In all this arduous and bloody 
campaign, the Foiu'th participated. It lost, 
during the twenty-seven days, ending early in 
June, as follows: On the oth of May. 84: on 
the lOth, at Spottsylvania. Mo; on the I'ith, at 
second Spottsylvania, 3I-: on the 13th. near the 
same place, 4; on the iSth, in crossing North 
Anna River, 11: on th»» 2Hd, at Hanover Junc- 
tion, H: on the 24th, near the same place. H: 
June 3, at Cold Harbor, 2(h June <"), at same 
place 2: making a total of 141 ) lost, out of 
33") men who Ijegan the campaign with the 
gallant regiment. Those figures s])eak vol- 
mues, and cover the nol)le Fomth with the 
Itright flowers of undying honor. At the close 
of the campaign, the term of service having 
expired, the regiment was mustered out. Those 
who had re-enlisted as veterans were retained, 
and organized into a l)attalion called the 
Fourth Ohio Battalion, and placed on duty in 
and ai-omid Washington City, where they re- 
mained until the final muster out during the 
closing scenes of the war. The Fourth Ohio 
Infantry marched 1,975 miles, and traveled. 
by railroad and transport, 2.279 miles, mak- 
ing an aggregate of 4,254 miles traveled. It 
was one of the best regiments sent from Ohio. 
The Thirteenth Regiment had about two 
companies from Stark County. Company A 
was enlisted at Massillon, and was oflicered as 
follows: A. F. Beach. Captain; D wight Jar 
vis. First Lieutenant: Phillip Wendling. Sec- 
ond Lieutenant. At the re-organization for 
the three- years enlistment. James Whittaker 
Ijeeame Second Lieutenant, the other officei-s 
remaining the same. Company B I ? ) was en- 
listed in the county, and its Captain was Jos- 
eph T. Snider. The regiment was organized 
at Camp Jackson about the 20th of April. 
ISfil, with the following officers in command: 
W. S. Smith. Colonel; C. B. Mason. Lieuten- 
ant Colonel: J. G. Hawkins. Major. On the 
9th of May. it was transferred to Camp Den- 
nison. and on the 3(tth of June, it started for 



Western Virginia to re-enforce the command 
of Gen. McClellan. It reached Pai-kersbm-g 
on the 1st of July, and. dm'ing the next two 
months, made fi'equent scotits into the sm-- 
rounding countiy. going to Greeidand Gap, 
Oakland, Clarksbm-g, Sutton, making Oakland 
its headquarters; but nothing of note trans- 
pired. The Thirteenth participated in the 
Imttle of Carnifex Ferry on the K'th of Sep- 
tember, and, from that date imtil the fith of 
November, encamjied at Gauley Bridge, hav- 
ing fi'equent skirmishes with the enemy. Ben- 
ham's Brigade was composed of the Tenth, 
Twelfth and Thirteenth Ohio Regiments, and 
' on the I2th. with other tro(_)ps, started in pur- 
j suit of Gen. Floyd, with Company A of, the 
Thirteenth deployed as skirmishers. The regi- 
ment lost one killed and two wounded at Cotton 
Hill, and soon afterward was transfeiTed to near 
Louisville. Ky. After moving to Elizabeth- 
town. Bacon Creek. Bowling Green and other 
points, the regiment, on the 22d of January, ad- 
vanced with Buell's army toward Nashville. 
j which was reached on the 2<)th, and encamped 
two miles beyond. After a variety of move- 
1 mens, during which the Thirteenth was often 
! divided, it started, on the 2d of April (exce]>t 
I Companies A and G). to re- enforce Gen. 
I Grant, who was anticijtating aii attack fi'om 
the rebels at Pittslnu-g Landing. After a ter- 
rible march, it reached the battle-tield on the 
morning of the <Hh. and was immediately or- 
dered to the front on the right of Nelson's 
conunaud. It swept upon the enemy about 8 
o'clock A. M., and was confi-onted by the fa- 
mous Washington Battery (rebel), of New Or- 
leans. After a desperate stiiiggle, the Thir- 
teenth captured this entire battery, but, as the 
rebels swept the Vnion army back toward the 
river, it was recaptm-ed by them, and the Thir- 
teenth was compelled to fall back. At 1 
o'clock, when the Federal troops made their 
last advance, the gallant Thirteenth again 
captured the Washington Battery. The regi- 
ment lost heavily dvu-ing the two-days battle. 
I The enemy retreated, and soon afterward the 
regiment participated in the movement toward 
Corinth, reaching that point about the 1 st of 
May. Eai'ly in June, it, with other troops, 
advanced toward Chattanooga, and, when 
there, performed guard duty, but soon after- 



HISTORY OF STAHK COT^XTV 



241 



ward encamjted at Battle Creek. On th«> '3 tth, 
it receivod orders to move north to intercept 
Gen. Bragg, who con tern phited an attack on 
Ohio and Indiana For thirty-six terribh' 
days, the regiment and its army patiently 
toiled through the hot sim, suftering intensely 
from the dust, thii-st and half rations, and 
finally reached Louisville, having passed the 
rel>el anuy on the way. The regiment t<x)k an 
inactive part in the attack on Pem-ville on 
the Sth of October. S(X)n after this. Gen. 
Rosecrans assumed command of the Anny of 
the Ohio, which was immediately pushed for- 
ward toward Nashville. The regiment in- 
dulged in se\'eral skirmishes, losing, near La 
vergne, two men killed, several womided, and 
Lieutenant Bates, of Company B. captm-ed. 
The Thirteenth was in Crittenden's Division, 
on the left wing. Thomas' Division was in 
the center, and McCook's on the right. The 
whole army moved forward in this form, skir- 
mishing with the enemy, driving him back, 
and reaching Stone River on the evening of 
the 'iUth of December. McCooks cohumi did 
not arrive mitil the next day. On the morn- 
ing of December 8 1 , the Thirteenth, under 
Col. Hawkins, was ordered in fi'om outpost 
duty, and took position with its Ijrigade (the 
Fourteenth) imder Col. Fyfl'e. The regiment 
and its wing were ordered to attack the enemy 
across the river, but, while l)eing executed, the 
order was countermanded, and the division fell 
back to stem the tide of defeat that had fallen 
upon McCook on the right. The Thirteenth 
fell back to the Murfreesboro Pike, and was 
formed in battle array on the left of the sec- 
ond line, covering the Thirty-ninth Ohio. An 
advance was ordered, and, after desperate 
fighting, the Thirty -ninth was forced back, 
bnt was immediately relieved by the Thirteenth, 
which checked the enemy nntil it in turn was 
outflanked. At this time. Col. Hawkins was 
shot, and the command devolved ujxm Maj. 
Dwight Jarvis. The regiment fought on until 
Hanked on both sides by the enemy, wliim it 
slowly fell back, becoming somewhat disor- 
dered in the movement by a rebel liattery which 
played upon the rear. It halted when the line 
of reserves wiis reached, and assisted in check- 
ing the enemy's advance. In one hour's dura- 
tion, the Thirteenth lest 142 oflicei-s and men 



in killcxl, wounded and missing. It partici- 
pated in other movements at this point during 
the next few days, iuid lost, during he series 
of engagements, IN") men killed, wounded and 
missing. The regiment moved southward with 
the iU'my lat<' in June, \W6, passing thi-ough 
McMinnville and Chattanooga, enc^iuuj)iiig at 
Rossville on the '.*th of September. On the 
I'.fth and '20th of September, it was activi^ly 
engsiged at the bloody battle of Chickamauga, 
and pres(>rved its brilliant record imsullied. 
Lieut. Col. Mast was killed, and many others 
shared the same fate. On the 2'.^d, it had a 
severe skirmish with the enemy at Mission 
Ridge. During the latter part of November, 
it was with that grand movement which swept 
the rebels fi'om Missionary Ridge, antl, it is 
claimed, was the tu-st regiment to plant its 
colors on the enemy's works. Sergeant Daniel 
Ritter, of Company A, being the tu'st to scale 
the fortifications. The regiment lost severely 
in this affair. It participated in the move 
ment against Longstreet, but, iiside fi'om se- 
vere mai'ches and sufferings, and a lively skir- 
mish at Dandridge, nothing of note transpired. 
About this time, leave of absence was given t<^) 
visit home. Those who did not re-enlist were 
transferred to the Fifty-ninth Ohio. On the 
oth of January, 181)4, three- foiu'ths of the 
members of the Thii'teenth re-enlisted for an- 
other three-years sei-vice, the muster being 
delayed until the l(h;h of February, Col. 
Dwight Jarvis being in command. Late in 
February, the veteriuis returned home, enjt)yed 
their fiu-lough of thirty ilays. at the end of 
which time they retm-ned to Chattanooga. 
The regiment was attached to the Third Bri- 
gade, Third Division, Fourth Army Corj)s, of 
Gen. Thomas' command. It moved south on 
the Atlanta cam])aign, skirmishing at several 
points. Brisk skirmishing occurred during 
the 10th, 11th ;ind l'2th of May, near Resaca, 
when the enemy fell back toward Dalton. 
During the numerous skirmishes around this 
point, the Thirt(>enth lost severely. For sev- 
eral days after the lath, it skinnished heavily 
near and south of Calhoun. On the '27th of 
May, the Third Division, instead of falling 
u{X)n the enemy's fiank at Lost Mountain, at- 
tacked, by mistake, its center. The Thirteenth 
formed the second line of the advance, and, as 



242 



HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY. 



the first line went down imder a fearful fire 
from the enemy, the second line charged the 
works with a cheer, on the donble-(jxiick, and 
the Itattle became close and hot. From 4 P. 
M. until U, all eft'orts to capture the works were 
unavailing, and at last the gallant regiment 
was withdrawn. Its ammiuiition was gone, and 
dozens of its men lay killed and wounded on 
the bloody field. The non- veterans were miis- 
tered out of service about the 21st of Jxuie, 
and soon afterward the remainder of the regi- 
ment was consolidated into four compfuiies, 
known as the Ohio Veteran Vohinteer Infantry 
Battalion, commanded by Maj. J. T. Snider. 
The entire battalion numbered 200 men, of 
whom eighty were sick or on special duty. On 
the 10th of -Time, the Thirteenth Battalion 
moved southward, and participated in the 
charge up Kenesaw Mountain, losing six men 
killed and wounded. While throwing up in- 
trenchments around Atlanta, several men were 
injured, one being killed. On the night of 
the "^Uth of August, the battalion, as skirmish- 
ers, kept up a heavy fire to conceal the with- 
drawal of a brigade. The battalion moved in 
piWHixit of Hood to Jonesboro and Lovejoy Sta- 
tion, participating in the severe battle at the 
latter place on the 2d of Sejitember, and los- 
ing several men, killed and wounded. After 
a rest in camj) near Atlanta, which was greatly 
enjoyed by the battalion, it finally, on the 4th 
of October, started north with Thomas, in pur- 
suit of Hood. The race to Nashville was won 
by the Union army, but not without a bloody 
engagement at Franklin. The Thirteentli 
reached Nashville on the 8d of December, and 
here the Union troops were besieged until the 
middle of the month. The Thirteenth was not 
engaged on the loth, but, on the following 
day, charged the enemy's works, mowing down 
his men, and losing many in return. The 
Thirteenth moved in piu'suit, and finally went 
into camp at Huntsville, Ala., where it re- 
mained until the 1st of March, 18(35, when it 
was ordered to East Tennessee. Here the 
news of Lee's surrender was received, and the 
battalion was ordered to Nashville, where it 
an-ived on the V)th of June. On the Kith, the 
Foiu-th Corps was ordered to Texas. The 
Thirteenth reached New Orleans on the 27th, 
and left July 7. for Indianola, Texas, arriving 



on the 10th. It mai'ched to Green Lake, 
where it afterward suifered teiTibly from ma- 
larial diseases: but, on the 4th of September, 
moved to San Antonio, which was found to be 
a much better place in a sanitai-y point of 
view. Here it remained until December f), 
LSfv"), when it was mustered out of the United 
States service. Columbus, Ohio, was reacheil 
on the 17th of January, LSfifi, and here the 
brave boys were paid, discharged and sent 
home. Thus ended the long service of this 
gallant and faithful old regiment. It also was 
among the l^est regiments from Ohio. 

The Nineteenth was one of the regiments 
which grew out of the excitement occasioned 
by the surrender of Fort Sumter. It had but 
one company fi-om Stark County during the 
three-months enlistment. The regimental offi- 
cers for this period were: Samixel Beatty, of 
Canton, Colonel: E. W. Holliugsworth, Lieu- 
tenant Colonel: Lewis P. Buckley. Major; B. 
B. Brashear. Surgeon. Company A, known as 
the " Canton Light GrTiards," was in partial 
organization under the old State militia law, 
and, as soon as the blow fell upon Sumter, 
the company immediately tendered their serv- 
ices to the Governor. Samuel Beatty, whi> 
had served in the war with Mexico, had been 
elected Captain of the company, and, when Le 
was selected Colonel of the regiment to which 
Oompany A belonged, Charles F. Manderson 
succeeded him as Captain. The company, im- 
der Capt. Beatty, encamped on the fair-groimd 
at Canton, to await orders from the Governor, 
and to perfect itself in field movements. From 
the fact that the three-months term of service 
expired on the 2;W of July, Company A, at 
least, must have been mustered into the serv- 
ice about the 28d day i.f April, 1861. This 
was probably done while the company was yet 
encamped at Canton. The company was or- 
dered to report at Camp Taylor, near Cleve- 
land, about the middle of May. 1861, and, on 
the 27th of the same month, was conveyed, 
with the remainder of the Nineteenth, to Camp 
Jackson, Columbus. Companies A and B were 
armed and equipped at the State Arsenal, and 
sent to Bellair, while the other eight compa- 
nies were ordered to Camp Goddard, Zanesville, 
to perfect themselves in the ch'ill. Companies 
A and B did gnard duty at Bellair until June 



r 



HISTORY OF STAUK COUNTY. 



n-i 



3, and after that date, and until the 2()th, at 
Glover's Crap and Manninfjtou. The compa- 
nies of the regiment were then reunited at 
Bollair, and, on th(> '21st of June, were con- 
veyed on steamers to Parkersljiu'o^, and, while 
at this j)oint. the Nineteenth was organized, 
with tlu'ee others, into a brigade, nnder the 
command of Gen. W. S. Rosecrans. On the 
'irith of June, the trooi)s moved by rail to 
C'larksburg. On June '-'U, the Nineteenth 
miu'ched to Buchanan, reaching that point on 
the '2d of July, and five days later aiTived at 
Roiiring Creek, and encamped in front of the 
fortified rebel position on Rich ^Mountain. Of 
the battle which followed, Gen. Rosecrans 
said: "Seven companies of the Nineteenth 
deployed into line, and delivered two splendid 
volleys, when the enemy broke." And later: 
"The Nineteenth distinguished itself for the 
eo(jl and handsome mimner in which it held 
its post against a Hank attack, and for the 
manner in which it came into line and deliv- 
ered its tu'e near the close of the action." 
Three of the meji were slightly wounded in 
this engiigement. On the "iSd of July, its teiin 
of service having expired, it moved first to 
Webster, and thence to Columljus. Ohio, where 
it iirrived on the "iTtli of July. By the oth of 
August, the boys were all at home, reeoiinting 
their valorous deeds to eager listeners. 

The regiment was much more fully repre- 
sented l)v Stark County men dm'ing the three- 
yeai's enrollment. A niunber of the officers, 
at the close of the thi'ee-mouths tenn of serv- 
ice, busied themselves in recruiting the regi- 
ment for the three-years service, and, by the 
'20th of September, nine companies reported, 
and were mustered into thc^ service. Among 
these were Company A. imder Capt C. F. 
Miuiderson: C'orn])<my F, under Capt. "\V. H. 
Allen: about two-thirds of Company I, under 
Capt. William Rakestraw; and about twenty 
men of Comj)any D, making a total of aboiit 
tliree companies from Stark County. By th(> 
7th of November. ISfil. the Nineteenth, under 
the command of Col. Samuel Beatty, was fully 
armed and equipped at Cam]) Dennison. Nine 
days later, it removed U) Cincinnati, thence by 
steamer to Louisville, Ky., and was the first 
regiment to enter Camp Jenkins, five miles 
from the citv. Here it remained, under Gen. 



Mitchell, until December ('), when it proceeded 
to Lebanon, Ky. : thence itmarch(<d forty miles 
to Columbus, reaching that point on the loth 
of December, and was soon aft(>i'ward brigaded 
with the Fifty-ninth Ohio. Second and Ninth 
Kentucky Infantry, and Haggard's regiment 
of cavalry, constituting the Eleventh Brigade, 
Gen. J. T. Boyle commanding. While at Co- 
lumbia, the ri>giment receive<i a fine silk llag 
fi-om the ladies of Canton. On the 17th of 
Decemljer. Capt. Rakestraw died of dijihtheria. 
The regiment marched to Renick's Creek, on 
the Ciunberland, on the 17th of January, 18<)"2, 
and soon afterward moved up the Cumberland 
to Jamestown, where it was joined by the Sixth 
Ohio Battery. Position was taktm at the mouth 
of Greasy Creek, to prevent Zollicofl'er from 
joining t\n', enemy at Nashville. While lying 
at Cohunbia. the regiment suffered teiTibly 
from measles and ty]ihoid fever. Within a 
few days, over two hundred ni(>n were in the 
hospital, and several died of these diseases. 
Alx>ut the middle of Fel)ruary. lMj'2. the regi- 
ment moved back to Cohunbia. After march- 
ing to Glasgow and Bowling Grt^n. the regi- 
ment was finally ordered to Nashville, which 
})lace was reached on the I Oth of March. The 
regiment encamped on the Muvfreesljoro Turn- 
pike, five miles from the city. The march 
fi'om Bowling Green had been 170 miles, dm'- 
ing a portion of which the men were little bet- 
ter than bare- footed. On the ISth of March, 
the regiment started for Savannah, (m the Ten- 
n<>ssee. and. by April (>. was within fourteen 
miles of that place. It was Smiday, and here 
the distimt b<jomof c.umon was jilainly heard, 
firing the troops with new life and m'ging them 
to the double-(|uick in hopes of reaching the 
field to assist in deciding the confiict. At dark, 
the r(>giment emliarked for Pittsburg Land- 
ing. On its an'ival. a sorry scene was pre- 
sented. The I'nion troops had been thrown 
back in wild disorder by the exultant rebels, 
and thousands of sti'agglers and wounded men, 
with woebegone faces, lined the river's l>ank. 
The Nineteenth disembarked ;uid went into 
line of l)attle in the dark^less ami rain, on the 
field, to be in i-eadine.ss for tUe coming confiict 
on the moiTow. At daylight, the enemy, 
flushed with his success of the previous day, 
o}>ened the carnival of death with the rattle of 



HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY. 



musketry, and soon both armies were hurled 
t<jgether like gigantic locomotives. The Union 
troops, smarting with their shameful defeat 
of the previous day, met the swarming legions 
of rebellion with reckless determination, and 
soon the tables of Sunday were partly turned. 
The Nineteenth deposited their knapsacks, 
and sti-ij)ped off all useless weight for the 
coming tight. Oen. Boyle said of the Nine 
teenth" " The C( >h nw\ i H'.-atty ) and Gapt. Man- 
derson (Acting Major i held their men steady, 
and deported themselves, as did their officers 
and men, with coolness and courage, until the 
Colonel ordered them back to a position fi-om 
under the fire of the enemy's liattery. This 
])osition was held until the gims of the enemy 
were silenced by the well-directed Ike of 
Capt. Bartlett's Battery. Maj. Edwards 
(Acting Lieutenant Colonel) was shot dead 
fiom his horse, and a ntunber of privates were 
killed and woimded." The regiment si)ent 
ten days without tents or camp equipage, in 
the mud and rain and the di'eadfiil stench of 
the battle-field. After this, it participated in 
the advance on Corinth, and the siege of the 
same. Near Fanningham, on the 22d of May, 
the regiment had six men wounded in a picket 
skirmish, two of whom died of their woTinds. 
It entered Corinth on the 'iUth, and, on the 
3d of Jiuie, went as far as Brovvrisboro in pur- 
suit of the enemy. It then retm-ned to luka, 
joined Gen. Buell's column, and marched with 
it to Florence, Ala., and to Battle Creek, where 
it arrived Jvily 14. On the 21st of August, it 
marched to Nashville, and, with the aiiny of 
Buell, made that arduous mai'ch to Louisville, 
Ky. 

The Nineteenth marched to near PeiTyville, 
starting October 1, and reaching that point 
on the Sth, too late to participate in the 
battle there. It joined in the pm'suit of the 
enemy, and near Crab Orchard had a running 
skirmish, captiu'ing a cannon, with its accou- 
terments. It mai'ched through Somerset and 
Glasgow to Gallatin, doing provost duty for 
two weeks, and finally joined its division at 
Hermitage, jjassing tlu'ough Nashville, and 
encamping near the State Lunatic Asylum. 
About this time. Col. Beatty was appointed 
Brigadier General, and, on the 2t)th of De- 
cember, the regiment, commanded by Maj. C. 



F. Manderson, moved toward Murfreesboro. 
It was tlu'own across Stone River on the 31st, 
but was compelled to withdraw, and, re-cross- 
ing the river, it aided in cheeking the advance 
of the rebels on the right. Under the personal 
lead of Gen. Rosecrans, Beatty's brigade 
charged the enemy, drove hiui about three- 
foxu'ths of a mile, and held the position until 
relieved. The regiment, with other troops, 
crossed Stone River January 2, 1N(33, and re- 
ceived the charge of the rebel column under 
Breckinridge, but was forced back until the 
massed artillery could play upon the advanc- 
ing enemy, when the latter was driven across 
the river with gi'eat slaughter. It was one of 
the two to cross Stone River first, and, with 
the assistance of men of other regiments, capt- 
ured four pieces of artillery from the famous 
Washington (Louisiana) Battery. A mile of 
ground was gained, and when the battle ended 
with darlcness, the regiment, which had entered 
with 441) men, came out with but 237, having 
lost nearly half in killed, wounded and miss- 
ing. Maj. C. F. Manderson was promoted to 
Lieutenant Colonel January 5. The whole 
army remained at Mm-freesboro until Jtine 
2S, when the Nineteenth was marched to Mc- 
Minnville, where it remained until August IB, 
when it crossed the Cumberland Mountains, 
reaching Lee & Gordon's Mills on he 13th of 
September. Two men of Company D were 
killed in a skirmish at Crawfish Springs. On 
the ISth of September, the regiment, with 
other troops, was ordered to advance upon the 
enemy, which order was executed with a cheer. 
The rebels were driven back, and a battery 
and several prisoners were captured. But the 
captors were in tui'U driven back by a heavy 
force of the enemy, and were iinfortunatelj' 
mistaken for the rebels and fired upon by other 
Federal troops, causing the loss of several 
men. The regiment fought hard on the 20th 
at Chickamauga, and at nightfall withdrew 
with the army to Chattanooga, having lost 
about one hundred men in killed, wounded 
and missing. The Nineteenth remained in 
Chattanooga during the siege, and, on the 23d 
of November, took part, in the advance on Or- 
chard Knob, losing some twenty men killed 
and wounded. On the 25th, it participated 
in the charge on the rebel works' at the foot of 



t^ 



HI.STORY OF STARK COUNTY. 



245 



Mission Ridge, and. without orders, climbed 
the steep sides of tlie mountain, driving the 
rebels in confusion down the ojiposite side. 
and losing one man killed and thirteen wound- 
ed. It returned to Chattanooga, and then, 
with Sherman, moved toward Knoxville, suf- 
fering sev(>rely during the niarcli, leaving foot- 
[irints in blood on the snowy ground. The 
regiment moved to Strawbeiry Plains and Flat 
Creek, and 400 men, on the 1st of January. 
1864. re-enlisted at the latter place as veteran 
volunteers. From tlie 4th until the Kith, the 
regiment marched to Chattanooga, where the 
veterans were mustered in and the others mus- 
tered out. The regiment then returned to 
Ohio, reaching Cleveland on the 16th of Feb- 
ruivry. 

The regiment finally started for Knoxville, 
Teim., where it an-ived March 24, 1864. On 
the yth of April, it moved to McDonald's Sta- 
tion, and there began preparing for the At- 
lanta campaign. On the 6th of May, Sher- 
man's whole army began tliis important move- 
ment, and the Nint>teenth was sent to Parker's 
Gap to hold that pass. Afterward, it partici- 
pated in the fight at New Hope Chm-ch, where 
about fifty men were killed and wounded. It 
was engaged at Kenesaw, at Peach Tree Creek, 
at the crossing of the Chiittahoochie River, 
and was under fu-e almost daily up to the 
evacuation of Atlanta. It also passed with 
Sherman around to the right of Atlanta, en- 
gaging in the affair at Jonesboro. On the 2d 
of Septemlier, it participated in the action at 
Lovejoy Station, where, among other casual- 
ties. Col. Manderson was severely wounded in 
the spine. Seventy men were killed and 
wounded. It captured tht; enemy's front line 
of works, and held it for thi'ee days. The loss 
to the regiment in the Atlanta campaign was: 
Killed, two commissioned officers and twenty- 
eight men; wounded, six commissioned olli 
cers and ninety-six men: missing, thirteen men. 
When Sherman started on his march to the 
sea, the Nineteenth was ordered- back toward 
Nashville to aid in oftposiug Gen. Hood. 
During the investment of Franklin, it lost a 
few men, and a few more at Nashville. It 
followed Hood to the Tennessee River, and, 
on the ."ith of Jaiuuu-y, 186."), was established 
at Huntsville. where it rt^maiued until April. 



On the 17th of March, Col. Manderson re- 
signed, fi'om physical disability, and Lieut. 
Col. Nash assumed command. In April, 
it moved into East Tennessee, but soon re- 
turned to Nashville. In June, it started for 
Texas, and suffered severely from hard 
marches, On the 21st of October, 18f;r), the 
gallant Nineteenth was mustered out of serv- 
ice at San Antonio. Texas, and the tired boys 
started joyously toward home. It reached 
Columbvis, Ohio, November 22, and was paid 
off and dischai-ged at C!amp Chase three days 
later, and the brave boys, after nearly five 
years of active and honorable service, started 
for home, and were welcomed all along the 
joiuTiey by crowds of grateful people. 

The Seventy-sixth Regiment contained about 
two companies fi-om Stark. The officers were: 
Company K, James M. Jay, Captain; David 
R. Kelley, First Lieutenant: Mark Sjieny, 
Second Lieutenant. Company I, Edward 
Briggs, Ca])tain: James M. Blackman, First 
Lieutenant: John H. Hardgi'ove, Second Lieu- 
tenant. The regimental officers were: Charles 
R. Woods, (Colonel: William B. Woods, Lieu- 
tenant Colonel; Willard Warner, Major; 
Charles R. Pierce, Sm-geon; John W. Mc- 
Carty, Chaplain. The regiment was recruited 
for three years' service at Newark, Ohio, where 
it was organized on the Kth of February, 1862. 
It immediately proceeded, via Padueah, Ky., 
to Fort Donelson, and took an active ])art in 
the engagement there. On the 6th of March, 
it moved to Crump's Landing, where it re- 
mained until the 81st, when it marcheil to 
Adamsville, and took position in Gen. L(>w 
Wallace'sdivision,on the right of Gen. Grant's 
army. It made a forced mai'ch, on the ()th of 
April, to Pittsbiu-g Landing, going into line 
of battle at dark, and being constantly under 
tire during the remainder of the fight. In a 
recoimaissance toward Corinth toward tlu> last 
of April, it charged the rebels, di'ove them 
from their position, and destroyed their camp 
equipage. It moved with the army to Cor- 
inth, thence to Memphis, where it arrived ou 
the 17th of June, having marched l-JO miles 
with wagon su])i)lies. On the 24th of -luly, it 
moved down the river and encamj)ed at Hele- 
na, Ark. Here it was placed in the Second 
Brigade, Third Division. It jiarticipated in the 



HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY, 



movement down the river to Milliken's Bend 
in August, where a rebel regiment from Louis- 
iana was siu-prised, and its camp and garrison 
equipage captm'ed. The enemy was followed 
nine miles, and forty ]5risouers were captured. 
A ])Oi-tion of ho Seventy-sixth participated in 
the movement on Haines" Bhiff, when four 
siege-guns, two field pieces and a large (pian- 
tityof fixed aimuunition were captured. Early 
in October, the regiment moved to St. Gene- 
vieve, Mo., and a week later, to Pilot Knob, 
where it rested and re-organized. On the 
12th of November, it retm-ned to St. Gene- 
vieve, and embarked for Camp Steele, Miss. 
In December, it formed part of the expedition 
against Vicksburg, but did not engage the 
enemy. It moved u]) the river about the lOth 
of January, bS(')3, landing at Arkansas Post. 
The night of the 1 ()th, the regiment marched 
six miles through mud and water, and, by '2 
o'clock next morning, occupied the canton- 
ments of the enemy. Shortly after daylight, 
they moved upon the enemy's works, and, 
about 1 o'clock, charged within one hiuidred 
yards of the rifle-pits, halted, opened fire; and 
held the position for three hom-s, when the 
enemy surrendered. On the '2:5d, the regiment 
moved to Yomig's Point, La. Dm-ing Febni- 
ary, the regiment worked largely upon the 
canal in progress across the neck of land op- 
posite Vicksiim-g. On the '2d of April, it 
moved to Greenville, Miss., and, on the 7th, 
routed the rebels, under Col. Ferguson, on 
Deer Creek. It destroyed a million dollars' 
worth of corn and cotton, and retm-ned to 
Greenville with large numbers of cattle, horses 
and mules. About three hmidred negroes fol- 
lowed, who afterward served in colored regi- 
ments. 

During the last of April, it occupied Young's 
Point and Milliken's Bend, and, early in May, 
moved to the rear of Yieksburg, arriving at 
the river on the Bth. At Fourteen Mile Creek 
it had a V)risk skirmish with the enemy's cav- 
alry; and at Jackson it charged the enemy's 
works, which were evacuated, and the city 
surrendered. It moved on Yieksburg, and 
established itself near the river and within 
600 yards of the main lines of the enemy. 
The guns of the enemy in front were silenced. 
Heavy derails were made for strengthening 



the works; and during the nights eight guns 
were taken from the sunken gunboat Cin- 
cinnati, and placed in position with telling 
effect. After the surrender of Yicksbm'g, it 
moved in pursuit of Johnson, reaching Jack- 
son on the 10th of July. Here it was em- 
j)lo)'ed in foraging and making reconnois- 
sances. It rested and re-organized at Big 
Black Bridge. In September, it moved to 
Memphis, thence to Corinth, and, diu'ing 
October and November, marched and skir- 
mished in Northern Alabama and Tennessee, 
arriving at Chattanooga in time to join Gen. 
Hooker, in the assault on Lookout Mountain. 
The regiment was engaged at Mission Ridge, 
and, on the '27tli of November, charged up 
Taylor's Ridge under a heavy tire, suffering 
a fearful loss. In one company of twenty 
men, eight were killed and eight wounded; 
and seven men were shot down while carrying 
the regimental colors. The regiment finally 
went into winter quarters at Paint Rock, Ala. 
In January, 1804, about two-thirds of the 
regiment re-enlisted as veterans; and, early 
in February, the i-egiment returned to Ohio 
on furlough, and was warmly welcomed by 
the citizens. The Seventy-sixth went away 
962 strong, and retmned in two years with 
less than thi'ee hundred. It returned to Paint 
Rock in March, and, on the 1st of May, started 
for Chattanooga, where it arrived on the 6th, 
and jiushed ftirward twelve miles. It moved 
through Snake Creek Gaj), and continued to 
advance until the evening of the 14th, when it 
charged across the fields with its brigade, 
under a hot tire, and gained a footing on the 
tirst line of hills west of Resaea. The enemy 
evacuated tliat point about the 1 6th, and the 
regiment advanced to Dallas. 

In June, the regiment moved Lo Rossville, 
thence to within four miles of Atlanta, where 
it arrived on the '20th of July. Here the reg- 
iment with the Thirteenth Ohio recajitured 
four twenty-pound Parrott guns: and later, 
the Fifteenth Corps, of which the Seventy- 
sixth formed a part, was charged uptjn three 
successive times by heavy masses of the ene- 
my, but without avail. One thousand of the 
rebel dead were fcjund in front of the Fif- 
teenth Cori>s. On the 13th of August, the 
regiment captured fifty prisoners. On the 



HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY. 



±K^ 



20th, it marched southward toward Jones- 
boro; imd, on the night of the 30th, formed 
in line iicross Flint Eiver. The rebels 
charged the line on the following day, but 
were repulsed. After remaining at East 
Point about a month, the regiment on the 4th 
of October, crossed the C'hatta]ioochi(>, marched 
tlirough Marietta, Resaca, Snake Creek Gap, 
and, on the 10th, skirmished with the enemy 
at Ship's Gap. On the 18th, it bivouacked at 
Summerville. where the non-veterans were 
mustered out. In November, the regiment 
started with Sherman for the sea, passing 
through McDonough, Indian S])rings, Clinton, 
Irwintown. and down the Ogeechee to the 
mouth of the Canoochee, thence westward to 
Savannah, twenty-six days' march frcm At- 
lanta. Here it jierformed jirovost guard duty 
until the Uth of January, 1805. when it em- 
barked for Beaufort, S. C, and soon afterward 
marched to Gardner's Corners. On the 31st, 
it started on the campaign of the Carolinas. 
It skirmished at Columbia, and, after the 
evacuation of tlie city, performed ]>rovost- 
guard duty for fi.ur days. The regiment 
moved to Fayetteville on the l'2th of March, 
thence to Bentonville, and finally to Raleigh, 
where it remained until Johnston's surrender. 
The Seventy-sixth then marched to "Washing- 
ton, D. C where it shared in the gi-and review, 
and shortly afterward moved to Louisville. 
Ky., where it was mustered oitt of service. 
It then j)roceeded to Columbus. Oliio, and was 
discharged on the '24tli of July, I8f')r). The 
regiment, during its term of service, partici- 
pated in forty-four battles and skirmishes: 
moved tl,0'ir) miles by foot, rail and water, 
and passed through eleven rebellious States. 
Two hundred and forty-one men wei-e wounded 
in battle; 851 died on the field or in hos- 



pitals 



zll carrv 



scars as evidences of their 



struggle with the enemy; and "282 have the 
seeds of disease, contracted in the line of duty. 
It is a siid, but noble record, and the surviv- 
ors may well be proud of the part they took 
in establishing the permanence and gi-eatness 
of the Am<>rican I'nion. 

In June. 1802. Capt. Andrew V. P. Day 
enlisted a company of 10'2 men in Stai-k 
County, for the 100-day service, in the Eighty- 
sixth Regiment. The company was I, and 



was officered as follows: Andrew Day, Cap- 
tain; Charles C. Brandt, First Lieutenant; 
Samuel S. Blackford, Second Lieutenant. 
Company G, of the Eighty-sixth, was partly 
composed of Stark County men. The regi 
ment was organized at Camp Chase on the 
11 til day of June, 1802. It was order.-d t<> 
West ^'irginia, and. on the 17th of June, 
arrived at Clarksburg. Here it was stationed 
to guard the railroatl 'and jjrotect Grafton, 
which town was the base of su])plies for a 
large number of troops. On the 27tli of .July. 
Companies A, (', H and I, under the command 
of Col. Hunter, were ordered to Parkorsburg 
in anticipation of a raid u])on that point. 
The citizens were found greatly excited, and 
the companies, with the exce]»tion of H, which 
was ordered (o difl'erent points on the railroad 
east of the city, remained to guard Parkers- 
biirg. In August, this d(>tachment was ordered 
back to Clarksburg, and thence toward Bev- 
erly as far as Hut(onsvill{> <o repel the threat- 
ened invasion of Ohio by the rebels under 
Jenkins. The latter did not appear, and the 
Eighty-sixth returned to Clarksbm-g, reaching 
that place about the 20th of July. After- 
ward, in this vicinity, Jenkins succeeded in 
destroying nearly §200,000 worth of Govern 
ment stores. It was thought at one time that 
he contemplated an attack on Clarksburg, 
alhu'ed by the temi^ting chance of destroying 
the large stores th.ere, and anticipating this 
movement the Iroojis removed the stores to 
Fairmount and "Wheeling. The Eighty-sixth 
remained at and near C'larksburg, prepared to 
make a vigorous defense. Jenkins, probably 
aware of the condition of things, continued 
on toward "^'eston and the Ohio River. Scon 
after this, the three montlis' term of enlistment 
expiixnl, and the r(>giment was ordered to 
Canij) Delaware, Ohio, where it arrived on the 
18th of September. Seven days later, it was 
paid and mustered out of tin; service. The 
regiment was afterward re-organized under 
a six months' enlistment; but contained no 
men from Stark County. In the One Hiiu- 
dred and Fourth Regiment, Companies B, E 
an<l {)art of A were from Stark County. The 
officers w(>re: Company B. Jesse K. Coats, 
Captain; Franklin A. Perdue, First Lieuten- 
ant; Andrew J. Southworth, Second Lieuten- 



4 



248 



HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY 



iint. Company E. Ainlrew J. Bahney, Cap- 
tain; Aufriistns B. Ricks, First Lieiiteuant; 
Shepherd M. Knapp, Second Lieutenant. 
Company A, Oscar W. Stearl, Captain; George 
V. Kelly. First Lieutenant: William SL 
Jameson, Second Lieutenant. The regimental 
officers were: James W. Keiley. Colonel; Asa 
S. Mariner, Lieutenant Colonel; Lorin D. 
Woodsworth. Major. It is very probable that 
other comjianies than those mentioned con- 
tained men from Stark County, as the regi- 
ment was organized at Camp Ma.ssillon. 
About the 1st of September, the regiment left 
the last-named camp for Cincinnati, and upon 
its arrival was sent across the river to Cov 
ington, and went into camp three miles out 
on the Alexandria Turnpike, to prevent the 
threatened attack of Kirby Smith on 

••Tlic ■qwvn of the West/ 
In lu'V :;'iirliin(ls dressed. 
On the banks of tlic Beautiful River." 

Later it was sent to Covington, and thence 
to Flirt Mitchell, where, in a slight skirmish 
with rebels, one man was killed and five 
wounded. The rebel loss was twice as great. 
This was the tirst and only blood spilled in 
defense of the "Queen City." September 12, 
the regiment marched toward Lexington in 
pursuit of the rebels, and suffered intensely 
on the way. At Lexington, the regiment re- 
mained until the 6th of December, and while 
here received the comi^liment from the com- 
manding officer of being the best disciplined 
regiment in the command. On the 6th of 
December, it moved to Clay's Ferry, on the 
Kentucky Biver, and. on the following day, 
reached Richmond. Here it assisted in con- 
structing formidable earthworks. On the 
27th of December, the regiment moved to 
Danville, to intercept John Morgan's guerrilla 
force. Slight skirmishing occurred, and the 
troops moved back to Frankfort in January, 
1868. Here the regiment was mounted, and 
assigned provost-duty until Febniary 21, 
when it marched to Danville through the 
fiirious snow storm. On the second night, 
Hiirrodsbiu'g was reached. It remained in 
Kciituck}', watching the rebel force under 
Morgan, Pegram and Cluke, until the fol- 
lowing summer, and finally joined Gen. Burn- 
side at Knoxville early in September, 1863. 



Dui'iug this period, the regiment suflered 
numerous hard marches and privations, and on 
one occasion lost twenty-five men captured. It 
was also placed in the First Brigade, Third 
Division, Twenty-third Army Coi-ps, under 
Gen. Hartsuff, the First Brigade, under orders 
marched with such rapidity to Cmuberlaud Gap 
as to receive a complimentary telegi-am from 
President Lincoln. Gen. Bm-nside demanded 
the surrender of the Gap, but was refused. Just 
as he was preparing to carry it with the bay- 
onet, the rebel leader surrendered his entire 
command as prisoners of war. The One 
Hundred and Fourth was the first regiment 
to enter the works. In November, at the 
siege of Knoxville, the regiment was ordered 
to the south side of Holston River, where it 
had a spirited engagement, and the enemy 
was repulsed with considerable loss. Great 
hardships were endured by the men diu"ing 
the siege. Later, it skirmished with the 
retreating rebels under Gen. Longstreet. It 
spent the winter in tln^ vicinity of Blain's 
Cross-Roads, and during this dreary period 
was but half fed and half clothed. In April, 
1864, it was ordered to Cleveland, Tenn., where 
the troops were preparing for the Atlanta 
campaign. It moved forward with the army, 
and in the desperate assault at Utoy Creek 
lost twenty-six officers and men killed and 
wounded. It accompanied the movement to 
Jonesboro, but did not participate in the 
engagement. It tore up railroads and 
guarded lines of communication until the 
fall of Atlanta, when it marched to Decatur. 
In October it moved North with Gen. Thom- 
as, passing through Marietta, Acworth, Alla- 
toona, Cassville, Kingston, Rome, Calhoun, 
Resaca, Snake Creek Gap, Gaylorsville, and 
finally reached Cedar Bluff, Ala. Near the 
last of the month, it moved to R(jme, Ga., 
thence to Dalton, where, on the fith of No- 
vember, it took cars for Nashville. It moved 
to Spring Hill, Columbia, Pulaski, thence 
back to Cohunbia, where it had a skirmish 
with a force of rebel cavalry. After this, in 
other skirmishes, it lost several men killed 
and wounded. It participated in the fight at 
Franklin, the severest in which it was ever 
engaged, losing sixty killed and wounded, 
including Capt. Kimball and Lieut. Bard, 



^r 



HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY. 



who were both shot dead. Several Lieuten- 
ants were severely wounded. The battle be- 
gan at 5 o'clock on the uvenini^ of November 
80, and lasted five liours. After the fight, the 
regiment marclied to Nashville, where it re- 
mained until December 80. when it mcjved to 
the right, and, in a slight skiiTuisli, lost tlu-ee 
men wounded. On the 10th, it participated 
in a charge on the enemy's works. In Janu 
arv, the regiment was transferred to Federal 
Point, X. C. On the 18th of February, it 
skinnished with the rebels near Fort Ander- 
son, losing live men killed and wovinded. 
Two days later, at Old Town Creek, it charged 
the enemy, losing two killed and twenty 
wounded. After occupying several points and 
taking part in the gi'and review at Raleigh, it 
was fijially mustered out of service on the 
17th of June, 1865, at Greensboro. On the 
27th of June, it was paid off and discharged 
at Cleveland. 

The One Himdred and Seventh Regiment 
was represented by more than a company 
from Stark County. The regiment was largely 
German, and was organized at Camp Taylor, 
near Cleveland, August 25, 1802. Seraphim 
Meyer, of Canton, was chosen Colonel: 
Charles Mueller, Lieutenant Colonel : George 
Ai'nold, Major; and C. A. Hartman, of Cleve- 
land, Surgeon. It remained at Cleveland 
preparing for the field until the latter part of 
September, when it was ordered to Covington, 
Ky. Companies A and D and about fifty 
m(>n of Company H were from Stsirk County. 
The officers of Company A were; Captain, 
Peter Sisterhen; First Lieutenant, Jacob 
Hose; Second Lieutenant, John H. Piero. 
Tliose of Company D were: Cajitaiu, Ber 
nard Steiner; First Lieutt^nant, Samuel Sur- 
bui'g; Second Lieutenant, William T. Beeh- 
tel. Those of Company H were: Ca])tain, 
Augustas Vignos: First Lieutenant, John 
Sinning; Second Lieutenant, Philip Setzler. 
The regiment was ordered to Covington to 
assist in repelling the threatened attack of 
Kirby Smith on Cincinnati. At the end of a 
week, it was ordered to D(>laware, Ohio, and 
soon afterward to Washington, D. C, where 
it was employed for nearly a week on the for- 
tifications of that city. Early in November, 
it was ordered to Fairfax C. H., Virginia, 



and two weeks later to Stafford C. H., where 
it was assigned to the Second Brigade, First 
Division, Eleventh Anny Corps, Maj. Gen. 
Sigel commanding. Two weeks later, it was 
ordered on a tianking expedition to the left 
and rear of Fredericksburg, to co-operate with 
Gen. Burnside on a second attack against 
that point, but the design was foiled by bad 
roads, and thi- regim<'nt fell back with the 
army to Brooks Station, where it went into 
winter quarters. On the 2Uth of April, 18<)8, 
the whole division moved across the Rappa- 
hannock to Chancellorsville, and took part in 
the bloody battles there on the '2d ;ind 8d of 
May. Tlie regiment went into battle under 
Col. Jleyer, and the corps under Gen. Howard. 
While the stonn of battle was threatening, 
the commanding officer rode along the lines 
to encom-age the men, which he did by telling 
them that the enemy would attack them in 
front, and that they must fire low and not 
throw away a single shot. But the Fates 
had decreed othei-wise. That womlerful man, 
" Stonewall " Jackson, completely flanked the 
Union lines, and with his legion of desperate 
rebels swept like a spirit of destniction upon 
our lines, scattering the men like chaff before 
the gale. The One Hiuidred and Seventh 
suffered terribly, losing 120 officers and 
men killed, woimded and missing. The Reg- 
imental SiU'geon, Dr. Hartman. was instantly- 
killed by a hea.vj' shot which strack him in 
the abdomen, tearing him in a frightful man- 
ner. Company D. from Stark Coxtnty. lost 
some twenty men killed, womided and miss- 
ing. Company A lost about as heavily, and 
Company H lost eighteen men. On the Oth 
of May, the regiment returned to Brooks Sta 
tion, where it remained until .Jime 12, wh<>n 
it was ordered North to assist in intercepting 
Gen. Lee, who had invaded Pennsylvania. 
It passed through Catlett's Station, Manassas 
Jimction, Centerville, Frederick City, and 
Emmettsbiu-g, reaching Gettysburg on the 
morning of the 1st of Jidy, and instantly en- 
gaging in the Ijattleou tlu' right wing. Diu-- 
ing the day, it was compelled to fall back 
through the town of Gettysburg to Cemetery 
Hill, where it remained during the continu 
ance of the battle. AMiile falling back, the 
regiment lost in killed, wounded and missing 



550 



HISTORY OF STAHK COUNTY. 



"250 officers and mou. On the second day's 
fight it participated in the headhing charge, 
capturing a flag from the Eighth Louisiana 
Tigers, and again losing heavily. The regi- 
ment went into the battle of Gettysburg about 
55(^ strong, and came out with less than one 
hundred and fifty men, rank and file. Lieut. 
Col. Mueller was wounded in the arm. Capt. 
Steiner, of Company D, was shot through the 
bowels, from which he afterward died. Ad- 
jutant Young, who captured the rebel flag, 
was severely woiuided. Capt. Vignos, of 
Canton, had his right ann terribly shattered, 
necessitating amputation, which was not per- 
formed, however, until two or three days after 
the battle. Nothing daunted by the fearful 
loss, the remnant of the regiment, 111 guns 
strong, joined in pursuit of the rebel amiy, 
following it to Hagerstown, thence to Cat- 
lett's Station, in Virginia. On the 1st of 
August, the regiment was removed on trans- 
jiorts to Folly Island. S. C, where it per- 
formed picket duty until January, 1804, when 
it was removed by boat to Kiowah Island. 
It waded over to Seabrook Island, di-iving 
the rebels from that point, and return iiig to 
Folly Island, where it remained until the 7th of 
February, when a similar expedition was 
made across Seabrook Island to John's Island, 
in order to cover the operations of Gen. Gil- 
more at Olustee, Fla. A lively skirmish was 
had with the rebels at John's Island. It re- 
turned to Folly Island on the 11th of Febru- 
ary, and, on the 'JHd, was taken on transports 
to Jacksonville, Fla., where it had several 
light skirmishes with the enemy. In July it 
moved to Fernandina, but, a month later, re- 
tm-ned to Jacksonville. On the '2Utli of De- 
cember, it was taken on transports to Devos 
Neck, S. C, where it had several skirmishes 
with the enemy, losing five men killed and 
about fifteen wounded. It afterward marched 
to Pocataligo Station, thence to Gardner's 
Corners, where it did picket duty some seven 
days. It then with some detention marched 
to Charleston, S. C, and soon afterward was 
taken by boat to Georgetown, doing pick(>t 
duty there until the 23d of March, when it 
moved to Sumterville, meeting and defeating 
the enemy, and capturing three pieces of 
artillery, six horses and fifteen prisonere, 



with the loss of four men wounded. At Sin- 
gleton Plantation it met the enemy, and lost 
two men wounded. Near this point it de- 
stroyed considerable railroad property. On 
the l*)th of April, 1865, the news of the sur- 
render of Lee and Johnston reached the regi- 
ment. It moved back to Georgetown, and 
three weeks afterward was conveyed by 
steamer to Charleston, doing provost duty 
until July 10, when it was mustered out of 
the sei'vice and sent to Cleveland, at which 
point the men received their pay, and imme- 
diately started with light hearts to meet the 
loved ones at home, and to receive the wann- 
est thanks of their fellow-citizens. 

In the One Hundred and Fifteenth Regi- 
ment, Companies B, E and F were almost or 
quite wholly from Stark County, and, in addi- 
tion to this, about thirty men of Company K 
were from Massillon, some twenty of Compa- 
ny I from near Alliance, and a few from the 
county in Company D, making a total of al;)out 
four companies from ''Molly Stark." These 
comjianies were officered as follows: Com- 
pany B, Lewis F. Hake, Captain; John S. 
Orr, First Lieutenant; William Pence, Second 
Lieutenant. Company E, .Joseph S. Harter, 
Captain; J. G. Mohler, First. Lieiitenant; G. 
M. Hershev, Second Lieutenant. Company 
F, Alfred J. Ware, Captain; H. C. Ellison, 
First Lieutenant; H. C. March, Second Lieu- 
tenant. Company K, William Ramsey, Cap- 
tain: A. W. Thompson, Fii-st Lieutenant; J. 
N. Campbell, of Stark County, Second Lieu- 
tenant. The regiment was organized at 
Camp Massillon in August, 18(]2, and was 
mustered into the service September 18, 1862, 
by Capt. A. E. Drake, of the Second United 
States Infantry. The regimental officers 
were: Jackson A. Lucy, Colonel; Thomas 
C. Boone, Lieutenant Colonel ; Isaac H. Fitch, 
Major; H. B. Johnson, Surgeon. The regi- 
ment was at first 98") strong, received during 
its term of service over three hundred recruits, 
and at muster-out numbered 630 officers and 
men. About the 1st of October, 1862, the 
regiment was ordered to report to Gen. 
Wright at Cincinnati, where it arrived on the 
4th. Five days later, it was separated in two 
divisions of five companies each, one under 
the command of Lieut. Col. Boone, proceed- 



HI.STORY OF STARK COUNTY 



l^ 



ing to Cainpj Chase, Columbus, to do guard 
duty, and the other, under Col. Lucy, remain- 
ing at Cincinnati, to act as provost guard. 
The two divisions exchanged commanders in 
November, IHii'I, Col. Lucy going to Mays- 
ville. Ky., and Lieut. Col. Boone remaining 
at Cincinnati. Col. Lucy, with five companies 
of the regiment, was ordered from Maysville 
to Covington in December, 1 8(52, where the 
troops did provost-duty until October, 1808, 
when they were relieved and ordered to report 
ro Gen. Rosecrans at Chattanooga. Reaching 
Murfreesboro, it was joined by the other divis- 
ion, and was ordered to report t« the post- 
commander for duty. A portion of the regi- 
ment was at once mounted, and sent after 
rebel guerrillas, infesting the country between 
Nashville and Tullahoma. In Jime, 18(54, 
that portion of the regiment not moimted was 
posted in block-houses on the Nashville & 
Chattanooga Railroad, to prevent the track 
from being destroyed by the guerrillas. In 
August, one of the block-houses luider the 
protection of S(>rgt. Flohr, of Company B, 
w;is captured by rebel forces under Gen. 
Wheeler. Another one, commanded by Lieut. 
Orr of the same company, was attacked at the 
same time, but the rebels were handsomely 
repulsed. Lieut. Oit lost three men killed 
and seven wounded, out of the detachment of 
forty men. Soon after this. Company K 
(mounted) siuprised and captiu-ed a squad of 
guerrillas, losing Sergt. Richmond killed 
and three men W(junded. Portions of Cum- 
})anies C, F and G were aftenvard captm-ed by 
rebel forces luider Forrest. One of the block- 
houses was assaulted and surroimded l\v reb- 
els, and for fifteen days the garrison dared 
not venture outside. Another command(>d by 
Lieut. Harter was assaulted by th(> enemy 
with three j)ieces of rified artillery, and, from 
y o'clock in the morning until dark, a contin- 
uous fire was kept up, occasioning a loss of 
two killed and five wounded. Under cover 
of the night, the gaiTison withdi'ew to Nash- 
ville. -One battalion of the regiment with 
other troops garrisoned Murfreesboro, when 
that place was attacked by Gen. Buford. 
After five houi's of hard fighting, Gen. Rt)us- 
seau repulsed the reb(>ls with heavy loss. 
The membei-s of Companies B. C, F and G, 



eighty in nmnber, who had been captured in 
the block-houses already referred to, and who 
had been paroled and placed on board the ill- 
fated steamer Sultana bound for the North, were 
killed and wounded by a terrible explosion 
on board the boat. The regiment jierformed 
other guard duty in Tennessee until the 23d 
of June, 18(55, when it was mustered out of 
service by Capt. W. 8. Wilson, A. C. M., 
receiving its final discharge and pay at Cleve- 
land July 7, 1865. 

Col. Boone, at Cincinnati, had charge of all 
prisoners, militarj' and political, and of for- 
warding troops to their respective regiments. 
He was in command there when the civil and 
military authorities were brought in conflict. 
The Colonel refused to obey the writ of habeas 
corpus issued by Judge Paddock, of Hamilton 
County, for the delivery of certain deserters 
to thecivil authorities: whereupon a wan-ant 
for the arrest of the Colonel was issued, but 
could not be executed, on account of the guard 
which cpnstantly surrounded the person of 
the commanding ofiicer. In July, 18(38, Col. 
Boone called out his battalion to assist in the 
pursuit of John Morgan, and, in October of 
the same year, the regiment proceeded to the 
front, and was assigned to the Foiu-th Divis- 
ion, Twentieth Anny Coqis. Although this 
regiment was thoroughly reliable and well- 
di-illed, it was not pennitted to be massed on 
the field at any time. 

The One Huncked and Sixty-second Regi- 
ment, with the exce])tiou of one comjiany 
from Brown County, was wholly from Stark 
Coiuity. The regimental officei-s were: Eph- 
raim Ball, Colonel; James E. Dougherty, 
Lieutenant Colonel; Benjamin A. White- 
leather, Major. Many of the men were 
wealthy or in good circmnstances. The reg- 
iment was mustered into the 1(M(-day service 
in Ma\-, 18(54, at Camj) Chase, when Compa- 
nies A, C, F and K were assigned duty at 
Tod Ban-acks, near Cohuubus, and the remain- 
ing comi)anies at Camp Chase, where they 
remain(>(l until they were ordered into Ken- 
tucky to assist in repelling John Morgan. 
The regiment arrived at Covington the day 
after Morgan's defeat at Cynthiana. Several 
companies were placed on duty here, and the 
remainder of the regiment sent down the 



rrr 



HISTORY OF STARK COUXTY. 



river to Carrolton. wliieh was threatened by 
Moses Webster's men. Two companies on 
horses scoured the country, but Webster was 
"conspicuous for his absence." After a few 
days, the companies returned to Covington, 
and perfonned post-duty. After performing 
some other service, the regiment, on the 4th 
of September, 1864, was mustered out of the 
service at Camp Chase. 

The One Hundred and Seventy-eighth Reg- 
iment had one company (I) or thereabouts 
from Stark, under the command of W. A. Mil- 
ler, Cajitain. The men were recruited for 
one year's service in the fall of 1864. The 
regiment was organized by Lieut. Col. A. C. 
Johnson, at Camp Chase, on the 29th of Sep- 
tember, and was immediately ordered to re- 
port to Gen. Thomas. Nashville, Tenn. It 
did guard duty here two weeks, and was then 
sent to Tullahoma, where Lieut. Poland, of 
Company B, while scoiiting with a detach- 
ment of men near Manchester, captured John 
Seal, a noted guerrilla and miu'derer, and exe- 
cuted him without the formalities of a court- 
martial. During the winter of 1864, the 
regiment was transferred to Murfreesboro. 
Col. Johnson was appointed Chief of Artil- 
lery, and, during the movement, superintended 
the transfer of artillery and ordnance; and, 
while Miirfreesboro was besieged by Gen. 
Hood, the Colonel was Chief of Ai-tillery on 
Gen. Rousseau's staff. Frequent sorties were 
made in force from the fort for foraging pur- 
poses, under the command of Gen. Milrcy, 
with severe fighting. The regiment under 
Col. Joab Stafibrd was closely engaged, on 
one occasion losing both of its color bearers. 
In the fight at Wilkerson's Pike, it was with 
the force under Gen. Milroy, when two fine 
twelve-pounder Na])oleons and 200 prisoners 
were cajitured. After Hood was defeated at 
Nashville, the regiment was 'brigaded in the 
Third Brigade. First Division, Twenty-third 
AiTiiy Cor]is. and ordered to North Carolina. 
It landed at Moorehead City, and, a few days 
later. ]iartici{)ated in a smart, skirmish with 
the enemy under Gen. Johnston, at Wise's 
Fork. It joined Gen. Shennan at Goldsboro, 
and moved with him to Raleigh, and, after 
Johnsti_)n's surrender, was ordered to Charlotte, 
N. C. where it performed gaiTison-dnty until 



mustered out of service Jime 29, 1865. It 
was finally paid and discharged at Camp 
Chase. Ohio, July 10, 1865. 

The One Hundi-ed and Eighty-fourth Reg- 
iment was recruited to sei-ve for one year, and 
had one company (B) under the command of 
Capt. Joseph Allen, from Stark County. It 
was organized on the 21st of February, 1865, 
and was ordered tc Nashville. Tenn., where it 
remained a short time doing garrison-duty. 
It finally moved to Chattanooga, thence to 
Bridgeport, Ala., which point was reached 
about the 21st of March, and was engaged in 
])rotecting an important railroad bridge over 
the Tennessee River. It also guarded the 
track between J3ridge])ort and Chattanooga, a 
distance of about thirty miles. Wliile per- 
forming this duty, detachments of the regi- 
ment stationed in block-liouses and forts along 
the road had frequent encounters with the 
rebel guerrillas and squads of rebel cavalry. 
On the 25th of July, it was ordered to Edge- 
field for gaiTison-duty, remaining here until 
it was mustered oiit of service on the 20th of 
September, 1865. It was paid and discharged 
at Camji Chase, September 27, 1865. The 
regiment was a capable one, being largely 
composed of men who had seen active service 
in other regiments. Its bravery was not tested 
on the field of battle. 

The Third Independent Battery, known as 
Williams' Battery, and consisting of about 
thirty men with one gun, was orgsmized raider 
the old militia law before the commencement of 
the war. Wlien the guns of Sumter spoke, 
Capt. William S. Williams, of Canton, who 
had gone to Michigan, i-eturned to Canton, 
and was aiithorized to enlist volunteers for 
the artillery service, and his old "gun squad" 
as a body placed their names upon the roll. 
Daniel Lanker was First Lieutenant of the 
squad. The services of the battery were ten- 
dered the Governor, who accepted, and the 
boys were ordered to report at Cohunbus din- 
ing the latter part of .Jiuie, 1861. Here they 
were luiited with Capt. Cotter with . about 
thirty men with one gun, all to be under the 
command of Capt. Cotter, who outranked 
Capt. Williams by seniority of commission. 
The two old guns were exchanged for new 
six-pound rifled guns; and the battery was 



HISTORY OF STAUK COrNTV 



iK 



iirdereil to CTallijKjlis, whure it remained two 
weeks, tliilling and pieparini^ for the field. 
It was then ordereti h]) the Great Kanawha, 
and attached to Gen. Cox's division in West- 
ern Yiri^inia. It ])articipatwl in the tii;ht at 
Scarey Creek, shelling Gen. Wise's forces 
from their works, and losiuj^ one man mor- 
tally wtmnded. The battery had a lively 
skirmish at (Charleston, and captured one ^^un. 
Some two months later, it participated in the 
lif^ht at Hawk's Ne.st, where one of the Canton 
boys lost an arm. The battery then moved 
back to Kanawha Falls, and soon afterward, 
its tenn of enlistment (three months) haviri}^ 
expired. Gen. Cox reqiw^sted the lioys to re- 
main until they were relieved, which they 
accordinjrly did. In November, the}' were 
ordered to Columbus, where they were mus- 
tered out and sent home. Capt. Williams 
returned to Canton to recruit for the three 
years' artillery service. He secui'ed about 
eiirhty men an.d F. J. Myers, of Canton, and 
W. J. Monii;, of Minerva, about as mauv more 
—in all 101— and, in Febniary, 1802, the 
company w-as ordered to Camj) Denison, 
where the followinu; officers were elected: 
William S. Williams, Captain; \V. J. Mong. 
Senior First Lieutenant: F. J. Myer.s, Jun- 
ior First Lieutenant: W. G. Watson, Sen- 
ior Second Lieutenant; Thomas J. Blackman. 
Junior Second Lieutenant. Here the battery 
was provided with four six-])ound rifled lironze 
guns, and two six-])ouiid smooth-bore lironze 
guns, together with all necessary accouter- 
ments, horses, etc. In March, the battery was 
ordered to Benton Barracks, St. Louis. Mo., 
where it remained until about the 1st of April, 
when it was conveyed to Pittsburg Landing, 
arriving there Sunday night at the close of 
the fu'st day's battle. As the boats iipproached 
the place, thousands of wounded, frightened 
and desperate men lined the river bank. 
Some had concealed themselves at the extreme 
edge of the bank, clinging to roots or any- 
thing that would sup]>ort them. Here it is 
said originated the army ex]iression "grab a 
root." The sight was sickening. Scores of 
surgeons were busily engaged amputating 
limbs that were ])iled in heaps on the bank. 
Strong men grew white as death at the dread- 
ful scene. Capt. Williams inquired for the 



coimuanding (Tt>neral. but no one seemed to 
know where he was. The Ca])tain ])ressed 
one of the su()erior officci-s for orders, and the 
latter at last im])atiently exclaimed: "Oh 
just go out here anywhere: it's no trouble to 
ttnd g<H)d shooting." Accordingly the guns 
were taken ashore, and everything got in 
readiness for the conflict of the morrow. The 
day dawned, and the battery assisted in driv- 
ing th(> rebels back ill full retreat. Soon 
aft(>rward, the b;itteiy assisted in the siege and 
ca]iture of Corinth and at the battle of luka. 
It moved with Gen. Grant in the first advance 
toward Mcksbui-g; but fell back when the 
base of su])i)lies was cut by Forrest. At Mem- 
j)his the bovs received new clothing, etc. 
About the 1st of February, 180:-5. the Third 
Battery moved with Gen. Grant to Grand 
Gulf, below 'S'ickslmrg. Some time before 
this Capt. Williams, for gallant and merito- 
rious service, was made.\cting Chief of Artil- 
lery of Gen. Logan's Division, the ajipoint- 
ment being confiiTaed in August. This gave 
him rank equivalent to Brigadier General- 
ship. After this he was the intimate friend 
and associate of corps, division and brigade 
commanders, and was considered by these 
officers as Bonaparte considered Marshals 
Murat or Ney. He was held in res(>rv<' until 
the crisis of the battle, and then his powerful 
brigade of artillery was tlu'own to the most 
difficult ])osilion, and never failed to com- 
mand the admiration and congratulations of 
sujierior officei's by the consternation it cast 
in the ranks of the enemy. Ca]>t. W'illiams 
received the highest coimnission possible in 
the artillery service. The batteiy partici 
i;ated in the artillery fight at Raymond, Jack- 
son and C'hami)ioii Hills. At the latter [dace, 
it went into an advance position on the gal- 
lop, within about seven hundred yards of a 
heavy rebel battery, which did not i)erceive 
his approach. Capt. Williams noticed that 
his men were nen'ously impatient, and to cool 
down their tenijieratiire quietly issued his 
orders betwe<'n (he pufl's of his pi])e, which 
he skn\ly light<>d with a sun-glass. \Vlien 
this was accomplished, the men had been told 
to throw their shells into the rebel battery — 
everj- shot to be cast under an apj^le-tree in 
the center of the enemv's batterv. At the 



;^ 



HISTORY OF STARK COX'NTY. 



word every gun Ijelched forth its missiles of 
death, repeating the volley again and again 
with dreadful results. Nothing of the rebel 
battery escaped, save a limber and two horses, 
all else, except a few prisoners, being torn to 
pieces by the shells. The six guns captured 
here were tiu'ued over to Com])auy F, of the 
Thirty-second Regiment, which aftenvard 
became the Twenty-sixth Ohio Batteiy, and 
which contained aboiit fifteen men from Stark 
C'ounty. At this battle, Ca})t. Williams with 
four batteries formed a V to check the rapid 
advance of seven regiments of rebels. Can- 
ister from the twenty-four guns was thrown 
into the advancing ranks, which retreated in 
disorder. A fence which was standing di- 
rectly in the v^ay of this destructive volley 
went down as though stricken by a tornado. 
The battery entered Vicksburg on the 4th of 
July, and soon afterward moved with Sher- 
man against Meridian, participating in the 
tights at Cliutcjn, Jackson and Meridian, los- 
ing several men killed and wounded. It re- 
turned to Vicksburg, where it remained until 
the spring of 1804, when it was ordered out 
to participate in the Atlanta campaign. It 
was supplied with new twenty-jiound Parrott 
guns at Vicksburg. It moved first to Cairo, 
thence up the Ohio and Cumberland Rivers, , 
and finally marched across the country to 
Huntsville, Ala., thence to Rome, Ga., joining 
Cren. Sherman's army at Big Shanty. At 
this time, it was in the Seventeenth Cor2)s, 
then commanded by Gen. Frank Blair, and 
o)ierated with it at Kenesaw Mountain and 
Nicojack Creek. On the 22d of July, at Leg- 
gett's Bald Knob, it was engaged from 11 
o'clock A. M. until sundown. This was one 
of the hottest engagements it was in during 
the war. The battery was attacked from all 
sides, and often the men fought hand to hand. 
Capt. Williams lost one of his gnns; and hero 
it was that, as stated by one of the Generals | 
at a late re-union: ''Capt. Williams cried 
like a child." In fifteen minutes the gun was 
re- taken. Those were the kind of men belong- [ 
ing to the Third Battery, and those were the 
kind that quelled the rebellion. The battery 
was sup])lied with new guns at Atlanta, and 
moved back to Nashville with Gen. Thomas, 
but before this it took part in the fights at 



Jonesboro and Lovejoy Station. After the 
battle of Nashville, it was transferred to Fort 
Donelson, where it remained some three 
months, and was then ordered to Camp Tay- 
lor, Cleveland, and mustered out of the service 
August 1, ISC)."), and the brave boys remain- 
ing returned to their homes. The battery 
lost some fifty men during its service. Capt. 
Williams was presented with a fine gold- 
mounted saber, belt and sash by the mem- 
bers of his company; and, while at Vicksljurg, 
was presented with a miniature Parrott gun 
cast from rebel projectiles by the members 
of his battery, in one of the foundries at 
Vicksburg. Caj)! Williams is at present 
Vic(^ President of the Society of the Army of 
the Tennessee, a fine and merited compliment 
to a brave man. 

This closes the brief and imperfect sketches 
of the regiments containing a considerable 
number of Stark County men. Two weeks of 
continuous labor have been spent to improve 
the sketches as given by Whitelaw Reid, and 
to furnish additional matter of interest to the 
citizens of the county. History at best is 
but a partial narration of 2)articulars, and 
this will answer as an apology for whatever 
imperfections are found in these pages. 
This cha])ter cannot be properly closed with- 
out reference to the great reunion held in 
the city of Canton on the 1st of September, 
1880. It was determined the year before to 
hold the next meeting of the Grand Army of 
the Repxtblic at Canton, and from that time 
onward preparations on a gigantic scale were 
begun and executed by select committees 
appointed for the pm-pose. Mi'. C. Aultman 
was selected as President; Joseph Biechele 
and Jacob Miller, Vice Presidents, and an 
extensive bureau of committees was ajjpointed 
for the ensuing year. During the winter of 
1879-80, through the agency of a loan and 
bureau association, about $2,500 were realized. 
Other means were em])loyed, and, at last, 
when the great day came, some six or eight 
thousand dollars had been accumtilated. The 
citizens of tlu> county decided to give a grand 
free dinner at the fair grounds, and, to meet 
the occasion, over twenty-five thousand feet 
of lumber were itsed in constructing tables, 
seats, etc., and that portion of the grounds 



IIISTOllY OF sTAKK ((JUXTY 



inclosed by the track was almost wholly taken 
up by those tables. The day dawned bright 
and clear, and the citizens were aroused by 
the roll of (hnmis and the report of caniKJu. 
The business portion of the city and a large 
uimiber of ])rivate residences were one gi'and 
] profusion of evergreen boughs, flags and dec- 
orations. Almost the whole county turned 
out for the occasion, and it is said 40,000 
strangei-s were in the city. The following 
distinguished persons were present: Presi- 
<lent and AIi's. Hayes. Gen. Garfield. Gov. 
Foster, E.\-Gov. Bishop, Gens. Shenuan, Ha- 
zen, Deveus, Crook, CaiToll, Kennedy, Gib- 
son. Heckenlooper, Meyer, Poe, Leggett, Bar- 
nett. Robinson. Beattv, Yoris. Manderson, 
Wiley. Com. Wells," Col. Corbin. Hon. 
.Stanley Matthews, Webb Hayes, Hon. Amos 
Townsend, Maj. Goodspeed, Col. Dewstoe and 
several others. During the forenoon the 
procession was fonned as follows: 

^laj. CJcii. Samuel Huatty and IStafV. 

(iiand .Vrmy Band 

Wallace Grays. 

Open landrail, drawn liy four white horses, (■oiilain- 

ina- Pivsidcnl Hayes and suite. Two open 

carriasrcs. wifli Ocn. Gaiflcld, Ex 

(iov. Fiishop, Maj. McKinliy. 

and oilier |iroinincnt otti 

i-crs and cilizcns. 

Twenty-lliird li.-iincnl ( ». V. I. [Ueiii(n|. 

' (iilirahar Hrigadit [(!.■) nicnl. 

(ircentowii Baiwl. 

Third liatterv. 

Carrolllon Baiid. 

Thirty -seconil RcKiniinl (). V. I. [."iO men]. 

(lompanies I. K and I<\ Scvciitv-sixtli Hcginient O. 

V. I. [100 inenl. 

Xinotv-eifrlitli Keirinicnt ["jOnieii]. 

Fii-st' Ivcjrhncnt (). V. I. [3 men]. 

Mechanics' Band, of Younsrstown. 

Eiirhtli Hcirinicnl (). X. G." Band. 

Xinoteinth HcLdnicnl (). V. I. |2.")()nuii|. 

New Berlin Hand. 

Woosler Guards. 

Thirteenth Kegiuient [40 men). 

Xavarre Band. 

Fifteenth Regiment Veteran Drum Corps. 

One Hinidred and Seventh Ueiriment [1.54 men]. 

Knights of Pythias Band.of Cleveland. 

Detaeliments of tiie Eighth and Eighty-s<-veiith 

Pennsylvania Hegimenls. 

Cuyahoga Counly Soldiers' Cnirpn [."iOO men]. 

New Philadel|iliia Drum Corps. 

.Manstield National Band. 

One Hundred and Twentieth Kegiment [2'i men]. 

Fifty-first Kegiment [li men]. 

Second Iowa I'i men]. 

Seventh Regiment fsever^d men]. 



Hancock Legion [l-W men]. 

Fay's Cornet Banil. of Clevelanrl. 

Congress Band. 

Sixteenth Reitinient ['i') men]. 

Dallon Band. 
Forty-first Kegiment [60 men] . 
Fifth RegimenI [colored. 1.5men[. 
Leelonia Band. 
One Hundred and Fifteenth Kegiment [:^00nicii[. 
Dover Drum Corps. 
Si.xth Oliio Battery [« nien|. 
Massilloii Drum Cor])s. 
One Hundred ami Fourlli Kciimenl ['^'VO men]. 
Allianci- Band. 
Riehville Band. 
Sherman's Brigade [".250 men]. 
Canton City Band. 
Alh'^lianv Veteran "Corps [T.") men[. 
Veteran Fife Corps. 
Massillon City Band. 
Beaver Falls Drum Corps. 
Beaver Falls Veterans |liO men), 
Cniontown Band. 
Akron City Band. 
One Hundred anil Second Kegiment [several men]. 
The wareasrle '•Old .Vbe." 
Steele Cadets, of Woosler. 
East biverpool Band. 
East Liverpool Veleraiis [100 men|. 
Members of the Eleventh Penn.sylvania Cavalry, 
Twentveiglith, Fourth and Eleventh Penn- 
sylvania bifantry. 
Citizens in Carriages. 

This sjilendid procession was over an hour 
in passing a given jioint, and on its march 
was accompanied \>\ tiiousands of the citizens. 
At the fair grounds the vast ;issemi)lage par- 
took of the diniKU' prepared. Each township 
had a sep^a-ate table, ornamented with a large 
maltese cross at its center, upon which was the 
name of the township. Fivi> stetim engines 
wei"e used in forcing the water from twenty- 
one pumps, the water to be used for C(X)k- 
ing purposes. About foiu- humh'ed wait- 
ei-s ministered to the wants of the public, 
and the distinguished persons were distrib- 
uted around among the townships, so that 
none of the latter would be left out in the 
cold, as it were. Mayor Yalleley delivered the 
welcoming speech, and Gen. Kennedy rej)lied 
on behalf of the visitors. Then the great men 
of the ntitiou were brought forward, one by 
one, and introduced, and were greeted by the 
vast asscnublage with loud acclamations and 
thundering che<>rs. Si)eeches were delivered 
by the following jiersons in about the order 
given: President Hayes, Gt>n. Garfield, Gen. 
Xv. T. Slun-man. Hon. Stanley Matthews, Gen. 



"a> V 



HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY. 



Wiley, Ex-Gov. Bishop, Maj. McKinley, Gov. 
Foster, Gen. Voris. Gen. Devens, Geu. Crook, 
Senator Sullivan and others. At night, on 
the square in Canton, 1500 worth of fireworks, 
in charge of an experienced man from New 
York, were exhibited to 25,000 people. The 
crowd jiresent during the day was the largest 
ever in Canton. Although the costs were veiy 
great, vet, so great had been the effort, that 
the citizens found they had left about $1,000, 
which has since been subscribed to the mon- 
ument fund. It may be said, in conclusion, 
that the citizens, generally, celebrate Decora- 
tion Day in a fitting manner. Some distin- 
guished sjieaker is obtained, who reviews the 
achievements of the honored dead, and dem- 
onstrate that their death was not in vain. 



The silent mounds of sod are lovingly decked 
with sweet blossoms, and over the i)recioii8 
dust of the dead heroes waves the liright ban- 
ner they died to sustain. Let us not forget 
them, but jjlace their names, like jewels in 
memory's golden urn, to be treasured iu ever- 
lasting remembrance. It is sad, though glo- 
rious, to think of the noble lives sacrificed on 
the bloody altar of secession: but we forgive 
it all, and accept the advice of the sweet sing- 
er: 

"From the silence of sorrowful hours 
The desolate mourners n'o. 
Lovinjrlv Indeii witli Howers. 

.Uikefor the friend and the for^. 
Under the sod luid tlie dew, 

WaitiuL; the judgment day. 
Under the roses the lilue. 
Under tlie lilies th.' (Jray." 



CHAPTER VI." 



Ul l!T ..\N'D B.\R- 



IMMON I'LKAS- 



-.\.S.S()CIATE .AM) 
.\NU PRKSHNT. 



I'UHSIIIKXT .IIDOKS— LAWVKU.s. I'AST 



ON Tuesday, the 18th day of ApriUSOO, the 
first Court of Common Pleas was held in 
Stark County, at the house of Philip Dewalt in 
Canton. Present, the Hon. Calvin Pease, Pres- 
ident Judge ; Thomas Latimer, James Camp- 
bell and George Pair. Associates. Under the 
Constitution of 1802, Section 1 of Article 3, it 
was provided that : '■ The judicial power of this 
State both as to matters of law and eipiitj', 
shall be vested in a Supreme Court, in Courts 
of Common Pleas for eacli countj-, in Justices 
of tlic i'eace and in such other courts as the 
Legislature may from time to time establish." 
Section 3d of the same article provided that 
the Courts of Common Pleas should consist of 
a President and Associate Judges, * * * * not 
more than three nor less than two Associate 
Judges, who, during their continuance in office, 
should reside in the county for which they were 
appointed. The terras of the Courts being es- 
tablished annually by the General Assembly, 
the Common Pleas met pursuant to an act fixing 
the times of holding the courts throughout the 
State, the county of Stark being then in the 
Fourth Judicial Circuit. 

On the 19th of April. 1809, John Harris was 

«Oun-.ribuleJ l.y R H. Fi.Ifer. 



appointed Clerk ; William Raynolds, Jr.. Depu- 
ty, and John Sloane, Recorder. As a matter 
of history, although not germane to the subject, 
it is proper to state Mr. Sloaiie subsequently 
removed to Wooster in the County of Wayne, 
was Colonel of a regiment in the war of 1812. 
and served ten years in the National Hou.se of 
Representatives, retiring from public life on the 
-tth of March, 1829, having been defeated in the 
election in 1828, by Gen. John Thompson, of 
Columbiana, which county with Stark and 
Waj'ne constituted the district. In 1826. Col, 
Sloane was elected for the last time, Stark 
County giving him the preponderating vote and 
a majority in the district of ninety-six votes. He 
was, however, elected Secretary of State bv the 
Ohio Legislature and was United Slates Treasur- 
er under the Fillmore Administration. On the 
19th of December. 1809. William Raynolds, Jr., 
Esq., was appointed Clerk of the Court of Com- 
mon Pleas, and held the office until December 
19, 181G, being the full period of seven years, 
when he received the appointment of Clerk 
pro ten)., which he held until April 2, 1818, when 
he was re-appointed Clerk, and held the office 
until November 0, 1824, when John Myers was 
appointed Clcrky//vj fun., and held the office until 



:±: 



HISTOIIY OF STARK COUNTY. 



257 



the 24th of June. 1825. when he was appointed 
Clerk. 

Mr. Harris, the first Clcrii of the Court, 
was afterward, in 1812. elect(>(l Associate Jud^c. 
After the expiration of iiis ollicial h'vm. he stud- 
ied law ; was admitted to praciicc about the 
year 1819. and was prominent, as a member of 
the bar. for near forty years ; was twiee elected 
to tiie House of Kopresentatives in the General 
Assembly of tlie State of Ohio. On retiri ng from 
the practice of the hiw, he removed to Onialia, 
Neb., where he died in October. 1863, at tlie age 
of eighty years. His remains were brought 
to Canton and were deposited in the beautiful 
cemeter\- west of tiie city. William Raynolds. 
Jr.. Esq.. his Deputy Clerk and successor, was 
one of the most active of the business men and 
pioneer settlers, and was foremost in ever\' public 
enterprise ; liberal and generous, he commanded 
and enjoj'cd the esteem of all who knew him ; he 
died in 182!). at the age of forty years. B}- com- 
paring dates, it will be seen that he was made 
Clerk of the Courts as soon as he was eligible. 
The President Judge, Hon. Calvin Pease, after- 
ward Judge of the Supreme Court, came into 
the State about the time it was admitted into 
the Union, and settled in the County of Trum- 
bull, where he continued to reside until his 
death, in 1841. He was an able lawyer and up- 
right Judge, as all who knew him will bear wit- 
ness. His repartee was so habitual that he could 
scarcely restrain it on the bench, even in pro- 
nouncing the opinion of the Supreme Court in 
banc, as the earlier volumes of the Oliio Reports 
occasionally show. The increasing population 
of the State and conse(jucnt increase of new 
counties rendered a corresponding increase of 
circuits and judges necessary-, and in 1810 
Stark County was placed in a Judicial Circuit 
with Belmont, Jefferson, Tuscarawas and Co- 
lumbiana, and on tiie 17th of April, 1810, 
court was held b^- Hon. Benjamin Iiuggles and 
the Associates. Judge Buggies continued on 
ttie circuit until October 10, 1815, when Hon. 
George Tod appeared as President Judge. 
Meanwhile, March 7, 1S12. John Harris had 
been elected an .Vssociate Judge in place of 
Thomas Latimer, and February 24. 1814. James 
Clarke in place of George Bair, and in 1815, 
August 7, John Hoover and Samuel Coulter 
were Associates. While Hon. George Tod was 
President Judge, he held court but one 3'ear in 
this count3- and with him was associated the 



late Hon. William Henry as one of the Associ- 
ate Judges. Judge Henry came into what is 
now Stark County in 1807, immediately after 
that portion of the county kTiown as the '■ new 
purchase," which is that portion west of the 
Tuscarawas River, and is included in the Treaty 
of Fort Industry made in 1805, was acquired 
by that treaty, and assisted in the surveys of 
the tenth, eleventh and Iwelftli ranges. After 
his term of service as Associate .Judge expired, 
he was elected to the House of Representatives 
in tlie State Legislature, and discharged his 
duty faithfully. After serving the people in that 
capacity, he went into busin(>ss as a merchant 
and was successful. On retiring from business, 
he removed to Wooster and resided there until 
his death. 

Judge Tod was a profound lawyer, an emi- 
nent jurist, and left a record as an upright Judge 
of which no superior can be found in the State. 
The constant changes of county lines and the 
formation of new judicial circuits had bj- this 
time put Stark, Columbiana, Jefferson, Harri- 
son and Tuscarawas into a circuit, and Hon, 
Benjamin Tappan was elected by the Legisla- 
ture President Judge, who held the place for 
the full term of seven years, from 1810 to 1823, 
On leaving the bench, he published a volume 
known as Tappan's Reports, which adorns the 
shelves of lawyers' lil)raries all over the State. 
No mere sketch of his life here could do justice 
to him. It will only be when the lives of Ohio's 
eminent and truly great men shall be written 
that the name of Benjamin Tappan, the jurist 
and statesman, will have its proper place on the 
historic page, nor will any history of Ohio ap- 
proximate correctness without it. During the 
President Judgeship of Tappan, the following 
gentlemen were his Associates : James Clark, 
of Sugar Creek, and Thomas Hurford and George 
Stidger, of Canton, all of whom were of the 
pioneer settlers and of a character and class to 
build up and improve the new country. Judge 
Clark was a farmer, and the others farmers and 
merchants, owning .some of the best and now 
the most valuable land in the county. 

In 1823, Hon Jeremiah H. Hallock, of Steu- 
benville, Jefferson County, was elected Presi- 
dent Judge and re-elected in 1830, and served 
the two full terms of seven years each, during 
which periods the following gentlemen were 
As.sociate Judges ; 

Hon. William Christmas, merchant.of Canton. 



358 



HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY. 



who had studied law and been admitted to 
practice. 

James Clark. alrea<ly referred to. 

John Kryder. of Plain Township. 

JacoV) Hostetter.of Minerva, Paris Township. 

John Everhard, Massillon, Perr^' Township. 

Harman Stidger and Eli Sowers, of Canton. 

Peter Loutzenhiser, of Plain, and Jacob Mil- 
ler, of Massillon, all of whom are dead save 
Judge Loutzenhiser, who now resides in Plain 
Township at his old homestead with the wife of 
his j'outh, both of whom have long since passed 
fourscore years, and are in the eninynu'iil of 
excellent health. Judge Hallock is renicnibered 
bj- the writer as a man of stern uprightness 
and Christian character, and as judge laid down 
his judicial robes as unsullied as when he first 
assumed them. Judge Stidger remained on the 
bench but a short time, when he resigned and 
was elected Clerk of the Court, which office he 
held for the constitutional term of seven years. 
The other gentlemen held their offices for the 
full term, except Judge Miller, who died in 
1843, Iiefore his term of service expired ; they 
were all of the best men in the eount\' that 
could have been selected for the place, and 
those who survive them may point to their rec- 
ord with just pride. 

During the seven years that succeeded Judge 
Hallock's term of service on the Common Pleas 
Bench in the Fifth Circuit — the Legislature hav- 
ing at the session of 1816-17 changed the 
number — was occupied by the late Hon. George 
W. Belden, with whom the writer became ac- 
quainted in the then village of Massillon in 
1828, Mr. Belden being at that time a clerk in 
a store at that place, having left a printing 
office in Miildlebury. Portage, now Summit 
Count}' — the office of the Portage Journal, a 
weekly newspaper, edited by Messrs. Bowen & 
Mason. Mr. Bowen and Mr. Belden abandoned 
the " art preservative " about the same time, Mr. 
Bowen to study law, and commence practice at 
Marion, and was finally elected a Supreme 
Judge. Mr. Belden. after fulfilling his engage- 
ment in the store at Massillon, worked for a 
short time on the O/iio Rcpositori/. The writer 
well ii'iu<>mljers seeing him work off the paper 
im a Kamage press and also at work at case in 
that office. He commenced the stud}' of med- 
icine and surgery, with Dr. Marlin Johnson, of 
Middlebury, and after perhaps a year's study, 
he abandoned that, and took \ip Blackstone and 



Chitty, finished his studies and went into part- 
nership with Hon. John Harris already referred 
to. While in that partnership, he was elected 
Prosecutiug Attorney, which office he held two 
terms, when he was elected President Judge, 
through the influence of Hon. D. A. Stark- 
weather, then a prominent uiember of the Stark 
County bar. Judge Belden at rnce saw and 
realized the responsibility of his position. The 
bar of Stark County, in those days proverbial 
for its strengtii, had Harris, who was the 
Nestor of the brethren, having then been at the 
bar nearly twenty years ; Hon. Hiram (triswold, 
now of Leavenworth, Kansas ; Loomis & Lahm, 
Starkweather i& Jarvis. E. P. Grant, Samuel 
Pease, and many others referred to particular- 
ly hereafter, whose names adorn the Ohio, and 
Ohio State Reports, in addition to whom were 
lawyers from the neighboring circuits ; from 
Wooster, Hon. Edward Avery and Levi Cox, 
and many more whose names liaA'e passc^d from 
memory. In Columbiana, the late Judge C. 
D. Coffin, whose recent death at Cincinnati 
calls up memories of the early days of the 
bench and bar in the circuit. Brewer, Mason, W. 
D. Ewing and Russell. At Steubenville, the 
Brothers Collier, Wright. Goodenovv and Tap- 
pan ; at Cadiz, Harrison County, a bar at the 
head of which was the honored Chauncy Dewey, 
and W. B. Beebe ; at CarroUton, which became a 
count}' seat in 1832, Johnson, better known in 
Ohio now as Bill Johnson, since Judge of the 
Superior Court of Hamilton County ; John 
Pearce, since President Judge, and one of the 
most accomplished gentlemen and scholarly 
lawyers in the circuit, and Stanton, afterward 
the great war Secretary, who, although a resi- 
dent of Steubenville, seldom tailed to be at 
CarroUton at court, while New Philadelphia, in 
Tuscarawas County, seemed to be a focal point 
at which the lawyers from the entire circuit, 
and also from the counties of Holmes. Coshoc- 
ton and Muskingum, gathered, at the Common 
Pleas and Supreme Courts. 

At tlie head of the Tuscarawas County bar 
was Joseph C Hanee. Esq., where he yet re- 
mains, honored and respected, the senior mem- 
ber of the bar in that ccuinty. With that array 
of talent and legal learning before him. ready 
to take exceptions to his rulings, did the youth- 
ful Judge enter upon his seven years of official 
duty. So youthful was his appearance that his 
official title seemed misapplied. He, however. 



ilLSTOHV OF >TAI;K ((HWJV, 



served the full term, and at the close of which, 
the bar of the circuit felt that he had discharged 
his dut\' faitlifully. He was succeeded h}' Hon. 
John Pearce. of Carrolllon. who took his seat 
as President Judge of the Fiftii Judicial Circuit 
in Stark County, April 15, 1844, and held the po- 
sition until 1851; was then re-eiecti'(l and held 
until 1852. when the Judges elected under the 
present constitution of Olifo took their seats and 
the judicial system of Ohio underwent an entire 
change. Instead of a Common Pleas Court 
with four Judges, one learned in tlie law and 
three country gentlemen, the Common Pleas 
wa.< reduced to one Judge, who must l)e 
learned in tiie law, and instead of the Supreme 
Court meeting aiunially in each county, two 
out of the four judges composing the court, 
the Constitution provides for a District Court, 
that must be composed of three Judgos of 
the Common Pleas of the judicial district, 
and one Supreme Judge, any three of whom 
shall form a quorum, for the transaction of any 
business within the jurisdiction of the court. 

During the terms of service I)V Judge Pearce 
from 1844 to January, 1852, Daniel Raflen- 
sperger was Clerk and Hon. Messrs. John W. 
Oreenwood, James S. Kelley. Samuel Schrantz. 
James Hazlitt, David Welker ami Tliomas 
Blackburn, the last of whom with Hon. Peter 
Loutzenhiser, already noticed, are all of the As- 
sociate Judges who remain in Stark County, as 
landmarks of the old Constitution of Ohio, 
and of the judicial system organized under its 
wise provisions. 

At the first election for Judges under the 
new Constitution, adopted in 1851. Judge Bel- 
den was almost unanimously elected Common 
Pleas Judge of the first subdivision of the 
Ninth Judicial District, composed of the coun- 
ties of Stark, Columbiana and Carroll ; he held 
the office about two-thirds of the term of five 
years, when he resigned and Hon. John Clarke, 
of New Lisbon, was appointed l)y Gov. Medill 
to fill the vacanc}- until the time for an election 
siiould arrive. On his resignation. Judge Bel- 
den returned to the bar and immediately went 
into a lucrative practice, in wliicli lie continued 
until his death in 18()!t. Asa lawyer, including 
all that is understood by the term. Judge Hel- 
den had few ecjuals and certainly no superior in 
this section of Ohio, and at his death left many 
warm friends who will ever cherish his name 
and meraorv. 



At the expiration of Judge Clarke's term of 
service, which was at the election following his 
appointment, to till tlie vacancy, Hon. Lvman 
W. Potter, of New Lisbon, was nominated and 
elected for the full term. He held the office until 
some time in the year 185S, when he resigned 
and Hon. Jacob A, Ambler, of Salem, Colum- 
biana County, was a[)pointed and held until the 
next annual election, when he was electe<l for 
the une.\pired term of Judge Potter, and in 
Octol)er, 1861, was elected for a full term of five 
years, when he was succeeded In' Hon. Joseph 
Frease, of Canton, who served two full terms. 
when he was succeeded by Hon. Seraphim 
Meyer, who is now closing his first term. Since 
the adoption of the present constitution of the 
State, the judicial force in several of the dis- 
tricts has been Increased b}' special acts of the 
Legislature. Tlie fii'st suixli vision of the Ninth 
District was authorized by special enactment to 
elect a Judge, and Hon, John W. Church, since 
deceased, was elected, and before his term of 
service expired the act was repealed. An in- 
crease of business in later j-ears rendered it 
again necessary for an increase of Judges for 
the district, and the Legislature re-enacted the 
former law. and Hon. Peter A, Laubie, of Salem, 
was elected and is now serving his second term 
of five years, he having the counties of Colum- 
biana and Carroll, and Judge Meyer the county 
of Stark. Stark County may be said to have been 
favored in her Judges. Since the people have 
been authorized to elect, the wisdom of the pro- 
vision in the constitution of 1851. allowing them 
to do so, has been fully justified by the selection 
of worthy men to fill all the judicial positions 
in the county. The wisdom of the measure was 
very much doubled, but with rare exceptions 
the result has been favorable, and few if anj- 
would be found to go back to the old mode of 
electing Judges, which was by the Legislature 
on joint ballot of the .'^enate and House of Rep- 
resentatives, 

The .Vssociate Judges to whom reference has 
been made could come together as a '' Called 
Court," and attend all probate and testamentary 
business, appointing executors, administrators 
and guardians, and in that respect facilitatetl 
business which otherwise would have had to re- 
main for the stated terms of the Court, Up to 
about 1845, the Supreme Conrt on the circuit 
had exclusive jurisdiction in divorce, when l)y 
act of the General Assembly the power to 



260 



HISTORY OF STAKK COUNTY. 



divorce was given to the Common Pleas. The 
Legislature also used to exercise the right to 
annul the marriage contract until Judge Read 
in a most able opinion in the Supreme Court in 
banc took the power aw.iy from that liody. 
These matters, having had the attention of the 
bench and bar of the State, are deemed worthy 
of a brief consideration here. 

As already noticed, the first Court of Com- 
mon Pleas was held on the 18th of April, 1809. 
The first case on the docket was that of James 
Pearce and others, plaintiffs, against Isaac Van 
Meter, defendant. The action was debt, $42 ; 
damages, $40. The law's delay was as appar- 
ent then as in later days, as judgment was not 
rendered until the April term, in 1810, when the 
plaiutitfs recovered against the defendant a judg- 
ment on default for $42 debt and $24.72 dam- 
ages, and $9.77^ costs, $6 of which was a docket 
for the plaintifl^s' attorney. At the close of the 
entry on the appearance docket are the words, 
" and defendant in mercy," then follows : " Ca. 
sa. issued to August, 1810." In those days 
there was imprisonment for debt in Ohio, and 
whether the ca. sa. — cajnas ad satisfaciendum — 
was ever returned with the body of the defend- 
ant, the record does not show. Potter, supposed 
to be Horace Potter, of Columbiana, attorney 
for plaintiflTs, and Obadiah Jennings, of Jeffer- 
son County, for the defendant. The first term 
of the Court lasted just long enough to transact 
the following : " At a Court of Common Pleas, 
begun and held for the County of Stark," after 
reciting the time and place, " Ordered, that John 
Harris be appointed Clerk j'^o tempore to this 
Court until a permanent Clerk be appointed. 
Ordered, that Sampson S. King be appointed 
Prosecuting Attorney until a permanent ap- 
pointment be made. 

" James Leeper vs. Hamilton J. Hamilton. 
Bill in Chancery. This day came the plaintiff 
by his attorney, and the Court, on hearing the 
petition read. Ordered, that the pendency of 
this petition be published in the Western Herald, 
printed in Steubenville, and that a subpa'ua is- 
sue directed to John Cox of Brooke County, 
Virginia, returnable at the next terra, to be by 
him served on the defendant. Ordered, that 
the Court do now adjourn sine die. 

•' Calvin Pease, President." 

The next term of the Court was held on the 
15th day of August, 1809, by Judge Pease, 
President, and Judges Latimer and Bair. At 



this term a grand jurj', and the first in Stark 
County, was impaneled and William Nailor ap- 
pointed foreman, "and the jur}- having received 
the requisite documents retired to their room." 
A " traverse " jury that had been summoned 
appeared, but, there being no business for them, 
they were discharged. Several journal entries 
were made occupying the time of the Court one 
day, including the labors of the Grand Jury, 
who " came into court and made no present- 
ments." They returned an indictment in the 
case of the State of Ohio against George Stidger. 
indorsed " Not a True Bill." 

The following entry of a part of the proceed- 
ings of that term is deemed worthy a place in 
this history : 

John Sloank j 

w. I In Deht. 

George Thompsox. J 

This day came the plaintitf hy his attorney and there- 
upon came John Shorli, who acknowledged himself 
special biil in this case in the sum of $2-56, lo be levied 
of his gijods and chattels, lands and tenements, condi- 
tioned that the said George Thompson shall be and ap- 
pear before the court at their December term next, 
and that if judgment be entered against him he will 
pay the debt and cost or render his body in execution. 

The names of Jennings, Tappan, King, Ma- 
son, Edgington. Wright — Hon. J. C, afterward 
Supreme Judge — and Reddick, are the names of 
practicing law3'ers who appear of record on the 
first appearance docket of Stark Comity Com- 
mon Pleas, and which contains all the appear- 
ances entered from the organization of the court 
to January 21. 1812. The journal of the court 
furnishes the names of man^- distinguished 
lawyers residing in neighboring counties, but 
the names of Roswell M. Mason and Sampson 
S. King are all who appear as tho.se of resident 
lawyers until after 1815. 

The old Supreme Court of Ohio, who shall 
write its history and do it justice ? In prepar- 
ing historical sketches of a single county, the 
history of the old Supreme Court from its or- 
ganization would be out of place. So far as its 
labors in separate counties have become a part 
of the history ,of each county, a brief mention 
may be made. 

On the adoption of the consti tu tion of 1 802,the 
Supreme Courtof Ohio consisted of three Judges, 
the Legislature having the power to increase 
the number to four, two of whom were required 
to hold court in every county, once in each year, 
the court was required b^- law to divide the 



HLSTOUY OF STARK COUXTY. 



201 



State into two districts, tiie eastern and western, 
ancl tlie Judsjes were assijjned by agreement 
among tlicmselves to the districts, wliicii ar- 
rangement continued for many years and until 
tile Judges made other arrangements relieving 
each other, the court being constantly in ses- 
sion in some portion of the State, until the or- 
ganization of the Supreme Court in banc, which 
was held at Columbus, by alltlie Judges. The 
twenty volumes of the Ohio Iteports are the 
result of the faithful labors of that body as a 
court in banc and which have made Ohio the 
•' Land of the Law." The Judges were elected 
for seven years, and from 1802 to 1851. almost 
a half century, the Supreme Court of Ohio not 
only commanded the respect of the bar of the 
State for the uniformity of its decisions, but of 
the neighboring States and the highest judicial 
tribunal in the laud, the Supreme Court of the 
United States. Over the expiring embers of 
the old Supreme Court of Ohio, in the year 
1851, under the provisions of the new constitu- 
tion, the present Supreme Court came into ex- 
istence, and. while inadequate in point of num- 
bers to meet the needs and demands of the State, 
— has vindicated its industrv in thirt3"-five well 
tilled volumes of Ohio State Reports. Of the 
old Supreme Court but three of the Judges yet 
remain ; the honored names of CoUett, McLean, 
Sherman, Pease. Burnett, Hitchcock. Wright, 
Lane, Grimke, Birchard. Reed, Wood, Spald- 
ing. Caldwell and Ranney, the last three of whom 
are the surviving members, will, with the names 
of those which may have Ijeen here overlooked, 
always grace the history of the Supreme Court of 
Ohio, and their memories ever be kindly cher- 
ished by the bar of the State. Most of the 
Judges above named have iield court in this 
count}- and are well remembered by the older 
members of the bar who yet remain after forty 
years' practice. Among the early members of 
the bar. in addition to those already named, is 
iiUther Blodgett, who went to Lawrence Co., 
Ohio, where he continued to reside and practice 
until his death. 

In ISIG. in what was then a celebrated case, 
that of Moses Gleason againsf Nathaniel Skin- 
ner, an action to recover damages for uttering 
and publishing certain ma'icious, false and 
slanderous words of and concerning the plain- 
tiff, was the first appearance of James W. La- 
throp. He was associated with Mr., afterward. 
Judge Hallock. for the plaintiff; for the defend- 



ant, Wright and G-oodenow. In this case the 
late Gen. Samuel Stokelj'. also of counsel for the 
defendant, made his maiden speech, having just 
been admitted to practice. The slanderous 
words were, ■■ Moses Gleason is a thief, he stole 
my ha}' on the vvild meadows." In those daj-s 
the wild meadows in the northeastern part of 
Ferry Township were resorted to for hay. They 
were Govern uient lands, and people, especially 
•'new comers ' who had not been able to clear 
up their own land and raise food for their cat- 
tle in winter, relied on them, Mr, Skinner had 
cut and cocked up several tons of hay, some of 
which was taken, an<l he charged Gleason with 
the larceny. I'roni the well known ability of 
the counsel employed, the case must have been 
most ably tried. In the list of witnesses ap- 
pear the names of Thomas A. Drayton, Aaron 
Chapman. Nathaniel Ray, Edward Nelson. Mat- 
thew Macy, Alexander Johnson, and many 
others whose names appear also among the 
pioneer settlers of Perry and Jackson Town- 
ships. 

From 1811) to ISL'it. the bar of Stark County 
did not increase rapidly in numbers. As nearly 
as can be ascertained, John Harris. Loorais & 
Metcalf, James W. Lathrop, Almon Sortwell, 
who died in 1840, David A. Starkweather, 
Sanders Van Rensselaer and Hiram Griswold 
composed the number, all of whom, except 
Mr. Griswold, have passed away. Messrs. 
Loomis & Metcalf graduated together from the 
same college, the Union College, of Sche- 
nectady, New York : selected law as a profes- 
sion, were admitted to practice at the same 
time, formed a partnership, and came to Can- 
ton, where the}' practiced as i)artners for many 
years, when Metcalf moved to Pittsburgh, and 
Loomis to New Lisbon, the partnership still 
continuing, the Ohio branch being under the 
control of Mr. Loomis, and the Pittsburgh 
branch managed by Mr. iMetcalf. Mr. Loomis 
continued to practice in Stark County for 
many years, and when the late Gen. Samuel 
Lahm came to the county, he at once formed a 
partnership with Mr. Loomis, which lasted for 
several years, and until .Mr. Loomis joined his 
life-long friend and partner in Pittsburgh. 
The firm of Loomis & Metcalf continued until 
dissolved l)y the death of Mr. Metcalf Mr. 
Jioomis continued in practice at Pittsburgh for 
many years, and finally removed Ut Cleveland, 
where he died a few vears since. He was a 



262 



HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY. 



man uf rare ability and learning, and com- 
manded the respect of tlie bench and bar in all 
the courts in which he practiced, including the 
Supreme Court of the United States. During 
his residence at New Lisbon, he was elected to 
Congress to fill an unexpired term, and after 
that election steadily refused all political pre- 
ferment. Mr. Van Rensselaer was of the family 
of that name in the State of New York, a 
gentleman of fine attainments, but did not re- 
main in the practice after 1829. Mr. Lathrop, 
whose name appears more prominently in the 
sketches of the State S3'stem of Common 
Schools, was prominent as a lawyer until Jan- 
uary, 1828, when, as will be remembered, lie 
died at Columbus, daring his term of service as 
Representative in the State Legislature. 

In the year 182!l, Hon. Hiram (iriswold. 
above referred to. was admitted to practice at 
Bucyrus. in Crawford County, after the proper 
course of study with the late Hon. Van R. 
Humphrey, of Hudson, then in Portage County, 
now in Summit. On coming to Canton, Mr. firis- 
wold at once took a prominent place at the bar, 
and largely enjoyed the confidence of the people 
of the county, from whom, had he remained in 
the county, he could have had an}- political pre- 
ferment from the county or Congressional Dis- 
trict. About the year 1852, he removed to 
Cleveland, where he was at once elected to the 
State Senate, but not feeling satisfied with his 
prospects there, removed, after a few years, to 
Leavenworth. During his residence m this 
county, he was Reporter for the Supreme Court 
of Ohio six years, and came within one or two 
votes of being elected L'nited States Senator, at 
the time of the late Senator Wade's first 
election to that body. During his long and 
active practice, he has always ably sustained 
himself. 

About the time Mr. Griswold settled in Can- 
ton, Luther L. Foote. Esij.. a young lawyer 
and scholarly gentleman, came to the tlien 
little village of Massillon, the ground plat of 
which, but three years before, was covered 
with the leafy honors of the forest, and opened 
an office. He was a graduate of Yale. He, 
however, did not, nor could succeed as a law- 
yer, and left to seek ■' fresh fields and pastures 
new " In the Sunn}' South, since which time it 
is not known that he has been heard of by any- 
body in this county. In 1831. Gen. Dwight 
Jarvis, who had, in 1822, finished his profes- 



sional studies at Canton, and located in Athens. 
Athens County, Ohio, returned to Canton, and 
formed a partnership with Mr. Starkweather 
which firm almost iramediatelj- took the lead 
in the business of the county. Mr. Jarvis was 
one of the most careful managers of the de- 
tails of the business of a law office that has 
over been in the county, while Mr. Stark- 
weather, fond of his ease and a fox-hunt, would 
have Mr. Jarvis prepare the cases, and he, Mr. 
S., would try them. This firm lasted eleven 
years, until the spring of 1842, when the 
late Hon. Alexander Bierce became a member 
of the partnership, its style being Stark- 
weather, Jarvis & Bierce. Mr, Bierce had been 
in practice in Massillon near three years, when 
he was tendered an equal partnership in the 
old established firm, and continued a member 
until 1848, when the senior partners with- 
drew from practice, and a partnership was 
formed by Mr. Bierce and Hon. Anson Pease, 
of Massillon. which continued twenty-four 
years, when it was dissolved by the death of 
Mr. Bierce, ot whom it may be well said, " he 
icijs a laim/er." Few men who practiced in the 
courts of Ohio ever commanded more attention 
than did Alexander Bierce. He was a man 
of fine analytical mind, unyielding integrity. 
and a thorough .knowledge of the law ap- 
plicable to his cases, he was rarely o\'erruled 
in the Supreme Court, as the reported cases 
in which he was of counsel fully show. The 
respect entertained for him by his breth- 
ren of the bar was exhibited by one of the 
largest bar meetings ever held in the court 
house, at the time of his death, at which reso- 
lutions of a most complimentary character 
were passed, and spread in the journal of the 
court. 

Among the members of the Stark County 
bar who have gone hence, none are remembered 
in more kindness than Hon. David A. Stark- 
weather. From the year 1827 to the last day 
of his residence in Stark County, near forty 
years, it can safely be said of him he never 
had an enemy. Always a Democrat of the 
straightest sect, ttie bitterness of parties in the 
heated canvass of 1828 and 1832, did not dis- 
turb his private friendships. On the occasion 
of his death, one of the city papers at Cle^e- 
land contained the following notice. As it was 
written by a gentleman always politically op- 
posed to him, its magnanimity is but the more 



^ k- 



.w 



HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY. 



SUo 



apparent, and the more appreciated l\v his sur- 
viving friends : 

The Hon. David A. Slarkwciulnr. fatlur in-law 
of till' Hon. A. T. Bvinsniadc. died at tlie hitter's resi- 
dence. No. 768 Cusleail Avenue. yest( rdiiy morning 
after liaving been entirely lielple.'^s for a year past 
from a paralytic stroke. 

Mr. Starkweather formerly lived in Stark County, 
and was a genlleman long and well known through- 
out the State, having been quite prominent in the 
profession of the law and in politics. For three 
successive terms he was a meinlier of the State 
IjCgislature and also spent two terms in the State 
Senate, with honor to himself and to the satisfac- 
tion of his constituents. He also represented the 
Stark County District in CniiLirev. fcir two terms, 
and while tliere greatly di-tinuui-lnil himself. One 
of the most notalile of hi- m r\ in - ulule there was 
his speech upon the Oregon (^notion, which lirought 
out the warmest personal commendations from 
John Qtiincy Adams. He w as selected liy President 
Pierce in 18o4, as Miinster Plenipotentiary to 
Chili, and served there with the same distinguished 
honor noticed in other positions. He retired from 
the practice of the law some time since and has of 
late been residing with his daughter. The only 
children left by the deceased are Mrs. Hrinsniade 
and Hamilton Starkweather, of Oregon. He leaves 
one In-other ii\ New York, and the late Judge Stark- 
weather was a cousin. 

In politics, the decea.sed was a Democrat, having 
been President of two State Democratic Conven- 
tions, and in 18.32, acting as President of the 
National Convention of the party. 

Mr. Starkweather must have been admitted 
to the bar as earlj' as 1825. when he opened an 
ofiiee in Mansfield, and practiced there with 
marked success, until he came to this county, 
which was his final residence, except the period 
of his illness at Clcvehind. AVhen the lirm 
of Starkweather. Jarvis & Bierce was dissolved, 
Mr. Jarvis. who during his residence at Canton, 
had married Miss Frances I'phain. of Clarcmont. 
N. II., removed to Massillon where lie died 
Februaiy 14. 1803. aged sixty-six. I>uring 
his residence at Massillon, he was elected Major 
General of the Sixth Division of Ohio Militia, 
having been Brigade Inspector with tiie rank 
of Major during the early days of Ocn. Joiui 
Augustine. He was a gentleman of decided 
military taste, in politics a Federalist and 
ardent admirer of Jay. Hamilton, and the Fed- 
eral leaders of Revolutionary times, and as 
earnest in his dislike of Jeflersoii and the He- 
piiblican leaders, as they were called. As a 
lawyer he maintained a good reptttation always, 
until age compelled him to seek that ■■ Blest re- 
tirement, ti'iend of life's decline. " which with 



numerous friends he enjfjyed, always dispensing 
a generous hospitality at his elegant residence 
in the city. 

Among other members of the bar of Stark 
County, whose names adorn her dockets and 
briefs through a period of nearly thirty 
3-ears, and which will be found in the files 
as frequently as that of almost any one from 
1835 to 1855, is that of the late Hon. Samuel 
Pease, who came to Massillon in Novem- 
ber, 1831, opened an office and succeeded, as 
a lawj'er. a Juris consu/l and pleader. As an 
advocate to a jury he never sought celebrity. 
In the social circle he had few ecjuals and was 
fond of personal comfort. He died in 18G7. at 
the age of 05. surviving his wife but a few 
j-eai's. 

There was also among the old members of 
the bar, who took his place in the profession 
long prior to IS-J(I, the late Hon. James P. 
Brown, and also (ien. Samuel Lahm. Mr. 
Brown was from the State of New York, and 
Gen. Lahm from the State of Maryland. They 
were prominent in the profession, Mr. Brown 
having been fretpiently elected Prosecuting 
Attorney, as was (ien. Lahm, who also repre- 
sented this district in Cotigress, and the Sena- 
torial District in the (Miio Senate, and the 
county in the House of Representatives. He 
was a man of untiring energy in everything 
he undertook. He left the bar and went to 
farming, owning many hinidred broad acres 
between Canton and Massillon, which he culti- 
vated successfully. He died in ^lav, 1870, at 
his residence in Canton. 

Mr. Brown was an industrious, earnest la- 
borer at the bar, and continued until just before 
or during the war of the rebellion, when he 
removed to Omaha, Nelnaska. where he died 
on the 1st day of July, ISSO, aged seventy 
years. He was a son-in law of Hon. John 
Harris. The remains of both repose in Canton 
Cemetery. Harris it Brown had been a law 
firm in Canton for many years, and in active 
practice, and in the fitness of things their final 
resting place is near the scene of their strug- 
gles and successes. 

Of those who practii'cd in the courts of 
Stark county prior to l.'s40. but one remains, 
either at the bar or on the bench. On looking 
around the bar at a term of court, none 
of tlie old faiuiliar faces are to be seen. Not 
one ' 



264 



HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY 



" They arc no longer licre ; they are all gone 
Into tiie land of shadows — all save one. 
Honor and reverence and the good repute 
That follows faithful service as its fniit 
Be unto him whom living we salute." 

Tlie reader of these sketches, accjuainted 
with Hon. ^erapliira Meyer. Jtidge of the Com- 
mon Pleas Court of Stark County, and ex officio 
Judge of the District Court of Ohio, need not 
be told that it is he to whom reference is made. 
In 1828, a few weeks after navigation was 
opened on the Oiiio canal to Massillon. a family 
of immigraats from the Department of Upper 
Alsace, in the tiicn Kingdom of France, arrived 
at the little village which was the southern 
terminus of internal navigation of the State ; of 
that family Judge 3[eyer was a son. The 
family remained at .Massillon, or rather at 
Kendall, for the two hamlets were not then, as 
now, one and indivisible, about twelve days, 
when they removed to Canton, where they have 
remained. 

In 1838, Mr. Meyer was admitted to practice 
l)y the Supreme Court on the circuit at Spring- 
field, in the county of Clark, and at once opened 
an office in Canton. Being master of the fter- 
man and French languages, as well as a fine Iwllcy 
/p?/jy,v scholar, and an intensely close student, he 
has attained a standing at the bar as a lawyer 
and on tiie bench as a judge that commands the 
respect of the district embracing the counties 
of Stark, Carroll and Columbiana, Portage, 
Trumbull and Mahoning, and Lake, (Icauga 
and Ashtabula, to all of which counties, as a 
l)istrict Judge, his official duties call him. 
rUiring his practice at the bar, he was a member 
of the firms of Dunbar & Meyer, Brown & 
Meyer, and Meyer & Manderson. On the 
breaking-out of the war of the rebellion. Judge 
Meyer's two sons did not wait to be called on 
for the military service of the country ; they 
volunteered immediately, and remained in the 
service until the close of the war, when they 
returned, bearing upon their persons evidence 
of their courage in the shape of honorable 
scars, the result of wounds received in many 
well-fought battles. One son, (len. E. S. Mej'er, 
has been remembered by President Garfield, in 
the appointment of Attorney for the Northern 
District of Ohio, and the other is the senior 
partner in the well-known law firm of Meyer & 
Piero, at Canton. For their distinguished serv- 
ices to the country, they will ever l)e gratefully 



remembered. When the One Hundred and 
Seventh Regiment of Ohio Volunteer Infantry 
was raised, Judge Meyer, then Prosecuting 
Attorney of Stark County, resigneil, and ac- 
cepted the command of the regiment, and its 
history from the day it marched from Camp 
Cleveland to the day it was mustered out of the 
service, Jul}' 10, 18(35, attests its bravery and 
its service to the country, especially at Chan- 
cellorsville and (jrettysburg. He who would 
learn its history, almost written in the blood of 
the gallant men of whom it was composed, 
should read ' Ohio in the War." No Ohio 
regiment furnishes a more terrible record of its 
slaughter, or one of more distinguished gal- 
lantry. Col. Meyer, after severe sickness and 
suffering, was compelled to resign on the 8th 
of February, 18fi4, and returned to his home in 
Canton, and was for a long time unfit even for 
the lightest labors in his profession. On re- 
gaining sufficient healtli and strength, he 
resumed practice, formed a partnership with 
Gen. C. F. Manderson, and at the dissolution of 
which, engaged with his son, C. T. jMeyer, Esq., 
which continued until he assumed the duties of 
the judgeship, in Jaimary, 1877. 

In 1839, Hon. H. B. Hurlbut, thenayounggen- 
tleinan just entered the profession, came to Mas- 
illon from Cleveland, and opened an office. Act- 
ive and energetic, he soon acquired a paying 
business, and " gathered gear." After Judge 
Underhill came to the bar, Messrs. Hurlbut & 
Underhill formed a partnership. After the disso- 
lution of which, about the year 1845, Hon. D. K. 
Cartter removed to Massillon from Akron, and 
there was a partnership formed immediately 
between him and Mr. Hurlbut, by the style of 
Cartter & Hurlbut, which lasted until Mr. Cart- 
ter was elected to Congress, this district being 
then composed of Stark and Wajne Counties, 
and that partnership was dissolved. Mean- 
while, Hon. Arvine C. Wales, " a native of Stark 
Count}-, and to the manner born." was admitted 
to practice with the most flattering prospects, 
and a partnership was formed bj- the style of 
Hurlbut & Wales. Mr. Hurlbut, who had con- 
tinued to " gather gear," had gone into banking 
largelj- with the late Dr. Isaac Steese, Joseph 
J. Brooks and Sebastian Brainerd, Esqs., of 
Massillon, all of whom have passed " into the 
land of shadows," and he withdrew from prac- 
tice and removed to Cleveland, where he has 
since been engaged in hanking and railroad en- 



HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY. 



-^ 



terprises with tliu habitual success that has al- 
ways attended his efforts. Judge Cartter is Chief 
Justice of the Supreme Court of the District 
of Columbia, Ijeiiitr apjiointcd thereto hx Pres- 
ident Lincoln twt'uty vcars since. 

Judge Cartter came to Stark County a Dem- 
ocrat ; as such was elected and re-elected to 
Congress ; when his Congressional terms ex- 
pired, he returned to his constituency without 
any political atfiliations tliat placed him in unity 
with either AVhigs or Democrats. On the form- 
ation of the Republican party, he became an 
active member. Having, meanwhile, removed 
to Cleveland, he was appointed a delegate to 
the Chicago Convention, and claims the honor 
of President Lincoln's nomination l)y that body. 
Mr. Wales resides at his Spring Hill farm, just 
outside of the city limits of Massillon, a scien- 
tific and practical farmer ; is President of the 
Stark County Agricultural Society, and an active 
member of the State Board of Agriculture. He 
always has a generous welcome for all who call 
on him. In public life, he has served the peo- 
ple of this Senatorial district — theTwenty-lirst, 
composed of Stark and Carroll Counties — for 
the unexpired term of Gen. B. F. Potts, ap- 
pointed Governor of Montana Territory, and 
the full succeeding term. 

Among the lawyers of Stark County, of fifty 
years since, was William Bryce, Hs(i. In 1826. 
he was a stone-cutter, and cut much of the 
stone work of the " Fulton I^oek," on the Ohio 
Canal. He concluded, on finishing his job. that 
he could do better as a special pleader tium in 
cutting stone on the public works, and entered 
an otflce in Canton as a student. He put in 
many years of close study, but finally succeed- 
ed in reaching the goal of his ambition, which 
was his admission to the courts of Ohio as an 
attorney and counselor at law and solicitor 
in chancery. His briefs were " few and far be- 
tween." He tried politics and was elected Re- 
corder of the County for one term, which ended 
his official labors. His last ajipearance in 
court was as plaintiff to secure compensation 
or commissions for having been employed to 
sell patent steam gauges. He has been dead 
many years. 

Among the memtjers of the bar forty-five 
years ago. should be m('utioned Klijaii P. Grant, 
a most accomplished lawyer and scholar, a pro- 
found thinker and believer in a re-organization 
of society by which great and lasting l)enefits 



should accrue to mankind. In the pursuit of his 
theory, based upon the doctrines of Fourier and 
other socialists, he expended a fortune and 
many years of valuable time, and died in the 
city of Canton a few years since. He was a 
gentleman of many genial qualities, and will 
always be kindly remembered. Among the 
lawyers of the Stark County bar, prior to lS4ti, 
was Benjamin F. Leiter. During iiis practice, 
he was of the firms of IJeldon & Leiter, Leiter 
& Pool and Leiter & Treat, and at one time 
with Edward L. Carney, Esq.; was editor of 
the StarL- ('iiiiiit// Democrat. Mr. Leiter came 
to Canton from the State of Maryland, before 
the organization of union schools, and taught 
school in the winter ; worked as a common la- 
borer in the summer ; was elected a Justice of 
the Peace ; got some ideas of law, and studied 
with Gen. Sanniel Lahm ; was elected to the 
Senate and House of Representatives of Ohio, 
and was Speaker of both branches. In 1854 
and 1856, he was elected to Congress, as a 
member of the American party or K. N.'s. Ou 
the breakiug-oul of the war, he entered into 
the Union cause with energy ; hail two sous in 
the army, one of whom was killed in battle, the 
other making an honoralile record. i>h-. Leiter 
dieil a few years ago at his residence in Canton. 
On the Ineakingout of the war, Mr. Treat at 
once went into the service, since which he has 
not returned to Canton, nor is it known what 
became of him. Mr. Pool removed to Cleve- 
land, anil went into the army, and now resides 
in New York City, and is engageil in banking. 
Of the older members of the bar who com- 
menced their professional life in this county 
next to Judge .Meyer, are Hon. Louis Schaefer. 
of Canton, and Robert II. Folger, of Massillon. 
They were examined and admitted together on 
the 1st day of March. ISH'. at New Lisbon, liy- 
the Sui)reme Court, then on the circuit, J.,ane 
and Wood. J. J., holding the term. Mr. Schae- 
fer was born on the 25th of December, 1815. in 
Arrondisscmcnt of Sarragusmines. Department 
de la Mosselle. now llio i!c|iul)lic of France, ar- 
rived in tiie city of I'liiladelpliia June 7, 1830. in 
Stark County September following ; has lived in 
Canton since 18:51. Commenced the study of the 
law with (Jriswold tVc tirant, March, 1840. the 
two years of study required by law having ex- 
pired on the day he was admitted. Mr. Folger 
was born in Chester Co., Penn.,on the 1 llh of Jan- 
uary, 1812, and came to Kendal, now the Fourth 



26G 



HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY. 



Ward or the city of Massillon, with his parents 
in 1813, and lived there until February 4, 182S, 
when the famil}' removed to Massillon where he 
has resided ever since, and should he and Mr. 
Schaefer be favored to keep within " this mor- 
tal coil " until March 1, 1882, they will have 
been at the bar of Stark County and in practice 
forty years. Mr. Folger commenced his pro- 
fessional studies in the office of Samuel Pease, 
where he remained until November, 1841, when 
he went into the office of Gen. D wight Jarvis, 
and completed his studies. Next in the order 
of time is Hon. James W. Underhill, admit- 
ted near the close of the year 1842, and went 
into practice at Massillon where he remained 
until elected Probate Judge, which he held by 
re-election four terras, having flrst served one 
term in the House of Representatives of the 
State Legislature. He was a member of several 
partnerships in addition to the firm of Hurlbut 
& Underhill ; during his residence in Massillon 
he was of the firm of Folger & Underhill. and 
Keith & Underhill, and since his retirement 
from the Probate Judgeship, has been in part- 
nership with John Lahm, Esq. Being much 
eng.aged in railroad building, he is devoting 
little time to the law. Among the young men 
who came to the bar in the early forties and 
opened offices in Massillon, were F. M. Keith, 
from Lorain County, who came in 1840 and 
formed a partnership with Hon. S. Pease, and 
the firm, while it lasted, enjoj'ed a successful 
practice ; George Miller, a son of Hon. Jacob 
Miller, Associate Judge ; Leavitt L. Bowen and 
David M. Bradshaw. On the dissolution of the 
firm of Pease & Keith, Keith and Miller at once 
formed a partnership and i-emained together 
until the death of Judge Miller compelled a 
dissolution to enable Mr. Miller to look after 
the estate. Mr. Miller was a 3'oung gentleman 
of education, a graduate of Jefferson College 
Penn., and excellent native ability, and could he 
have lived and devoted his time to the law, 
would have taken a high rank in the profession ; 
he served one terra in the Legislature and died, 
suddenly, in 1850. at the age of thirty-five. On 
the dissolution of the firm of Keith & ^Miller, a 
partnership was formed by Messrs. Keith & 
Bowen, but the changes were so rapid that it is 
not certain how long this firm lasted. When 
Mr. Bradshaw came to Massillon, he and Bowen 
formed a partnership by the style of Bradshaw 
& Bowen. On the dissolution of which Messrs. 



Bradshaw and Wales formed a partnership which 
was dissolved by the death of Mr. Bradshaw in 
1852. Mr. Keith removed to White Cloud, 
Kan., before the war and on the breaking-out 
of hostilities, entered the service and rose to the 
rank of Colonel ; at the clo.se of the war he re- 
turned to his practice in Doniphan Co., Kan. 

Among the gentlemen of the bar in Stark 
County, against whose names the •' fatal aster- 
isk of death is set," is that of Hon. William K. 
Upham. Mr. Uphara was a native of Vermont, 
a son of Senator Upham, and came to New 
Lisbon about the year 1843. and after practic- 
ing law there several years,, removed to Can- 
ton ; he was a distinguished lawyer, distin- 
guished in all that is included in the term. As 
is now recollected, he died in 1807, while at- 
tending court in Malioning Countj'. Out of re- 
spect for his memory, the bar of Stark County 
erected a beautiful marble monument over his 
remains in Canton Cemetery. 

Mr. Bowen, on his di.ssolving with ^Ir. Brad- 
shaw. went first to Omaha. Neb., and after a 
few 3'ears' residence there went to Denver, Colo., 
in its early days, where, with him, " life's fitful 
fever " ended. 

Another lawyer who, in a comparatively early 
day. was a meml)er of the Stark County bar, 
was Col. Lyman Huraphre}'. a resident first of 
Deerfield, whence he removed to Marlborough, 
studied with Hon. H. (iriswold, and had he 
commenced early in life, would have succeeded 
in the profession as he was above what is termed 
the average man, intellectually, and by educa- 
tion. His son, Hon. Lyman U. Huraphrey, on 
the 1st of January, 1881, closed his second term 
as Lieutenant Governor of Kansas, and is now 
engaged in a successful law practice in that State. 
After the war, in which he bore a conspicuous 
and honorable part, he went West ; the respect 
entertained for him by the citizens of his native 
count}' is kindly and affectionately reciprocated. 
A later addition to the death roll of Stark 
Count}' lawyers is found in the names of Horace 
P. Dunbar, Esq., of Canton, and James Harsh, 
Esq., of Massillon. Mr. Dunbar studied and 
was adraitted at Canton, where he opened an 
office, and continued in practice until 1861, 
when he surrendered to the " King of Terrors." 
Mr. Dunbar was one of the raost agreeable gen- 
tlemen at the bar, of a high sense of honor in 
practice ; he will, for his urbanit}' and agreeable, 
social intercourse, be remembered as a gentle- 



•- ^.>. 



HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY 



267 



man with whom it was pleasant to be associated. 
Mr. Harsii was a native of Massillon, studied 
Lis profession in Fiiidlay, Hancock Co., wiiern 
be married Miss O'Neill and l)ecame a memlier 
of the firm of O'Neill, Blackford & Harsh. Af- 
ter remaining at Findlay a few years after ad- 
mission to the bar. he came to his old home to 
engage in practice. He had been snl)ject to 
hemorrhage ol' the lungs which was increased 
while in the army, where he served as Captain, 
and death followed a sudden attack in 1870. 
He was about forty \-ears of age at his death, and 
gave promise of great usefulness as a lawyer. 
He was an only son of Hon. George Harsh, of 
Massillon. 

In 1844, Hon. AiLson Pease, who had studied 
with K. H. Folger mo.st of the time required by 
law. receivcil his certificate of admission to the 
bar and at once opened an otHce at Massillon, 
where iie has remained in active practice. 
For twentj'-four out of the thirty-seven years 
that have elapsed since he commenced as an 
attorney and counselor at law, he was a part- 
ner of the firm of Bierce & Pease, then of 
Pease & Ricks, and now Pease & Baldwin. 
Mr. Pease was a member of the Constitutional 
Convention of 1874, serving on important com- 
mittees in that body, and commanding the re- 
spect of the members. In 1847, John Lahra, 
Es(i., now a resident of Canton, took his place 
among the lawyers of the county, and has 
faithfully kept it through the third of a century 
that has since elapsed, commanding the respect 
of the court and his brethren as well as the 
confidence of his clients. Three years of the 
time since Mr. Lahm came to the bar, he served 
as Clerk of the courts, to the entire acceptance 
of the bench and bar, all of whom entertain 
most pleasant recollections, not only of his 
urbane and gentlemanly deportment, but of the 
skill and ability with which he discharged the 
duties of the ofiicc. 

In 1851, Hon. Joseph Frease. who had lived 
in the county from l)oyhood, came from Sugar 
Creek Township, to the liar, having studied, as 
is now remembered, with Hon, Hiram (Jriswold. 
In a few \'ears he was elected Prosecuting At- 
torney, After serving one term in that posi- 
tion, he was elected and re-elected Common 
Pleas Judge, and was succcedeil at the annual 
election in 1876, hj- Hon. S. Meyer, the present 
incumbent. Excepting the time Judge Frease 
was on the bench, he has enjoyed an active 



practice and in his official, professional and 
personal relations, has always commanded the 
esteem and confidence of the community. As 
a Judge, he was ever courteous and conserva- 
tive, and the records of the superior judicial 
tribunals of Ohio, will show as few reversals of 
his decisions as of any judge who has filled that 
position. He is now in active practice, the sen- 
ior member of the firm of Frease <.^ Case. Anoth- 
er prominent member of the bar during his 
residence in this county, was Hon. William 
Dunbar, who practiced successfully in the 
courts of the State. .\ portion of the time 
during his residence in this county, he was 
senior member of the firm of Dunbar & .Meyer, 
after the dissolution of which firm he removed 
to Mount \'ernon, Knox Co,, Ohio. He came 
to the bar about 1 84:-i. 

About the same time Hon. Thomas (Joodman, 
now a respected citizen of Chicago, was ad- 
mitted to practice but paid little attention to 
the law. Fire Insurance being a subject to 
which he had devoted much careful study, he 
sought a wider field in which to labor and has 
met with success. Among the Judges of the 
Ninth Judicial District who have honored Stark 
County Common Pleas and District Courts by 
their presence, the names of Hon. .^Iessrs. Day, 
Hitchcock, Belden, Conant, Hotl'raan, Tuttle, 
Taylor, the two brothers, Horace and I']li T. 
Wilder, Potter. Chaffee, Church, Woodbury, 
CanHold, Ambler, Clark, Lauliie, Lee, Frease, 
Meyer, .Vrren, Sherman. Spear, will ever be 
held in kind remembrance by the brethren of 
the bar of Stark County, who in triumph or 
defeat have appeared before them. Among 
the early transcripts from Justices' dockets on 
file in the Court of Common Pleas, is one of 
which the following is an extract. " This day 
came the said parties, and the defendant being 
unruly and noisy, was ijy the court ordered into 
silence, when he replied, profanely taking the 
name of l!od in vain, whereupon he was by the 
court ordered into the custody of the Constable, 
and becoming more noisy and profane, he was 
fined 25 cents, and on his swearing by the sec- 
ond person in the Trinity, was by the court 
fined 5(1 cents, whereupon hefioddamti all the 
Constables in the township of Sugar Creek, and 
was by the court fined 75 cents, when he he- 
came so disorderly as to (lod dam all the Jus- 
tices of the Peace in the township, and this 
court in particular, for which he was fined SI, 



268 



HISTOKV OF STARK COUNTY. 



making a total sum of $2.25, and on refusing 
to pa}' the same, execution was issued therefor 
which was delivered to the Constable, who re- 
turned tlie same in due time unsatisfied, for 
want of goods and chattels whereon to levy. 
It is ' surmised,' however, that the defendant 
has lands and tenements sulyect to lev}- and 
sale on execution." In those days and under 
an entry stating that it was suggested that the 
defendant had lands and tenements subject to 
levy and sale on execution, the Common Pleas 
was authorized to issue a iSritr Facins, and 
bring the defendant into court, and if he was 
not found on the issuing of the first, a second 
one was issued, and if returned "nihil" the 
plaintiff" was entitled to an execution for the 
Justices judgment and costs. 

On another occasion, the writer, in the 
course of his practice, had occasion to meet 
Mr. James B. Craig, then a young gentleman, 
just admitted, before the same justice, and 
when it was common to classify actions under 
the nomenclature of the English Common Law, 
such as assumpsit, debt and covenant. This 
was known as an iiidchitatiiii Ksaumjisit, for 
goods sold and delivered. The plaintiflf made 
out his case and rested, when Mr. Craig, now 
Gen. Craig, of Missouri, on the part of the de- 
fendant, moved for a nonsuit, and argued his mo- 
tion at lensith ; the plaintiffs counsel followed, 
and Mr. Craig closed the argument, where- 
upon the Justice decided the motion " thusly : " 
" Well, gentlemen, you have argued this motion 
with tact, wit, ingenuity and pathos, but the 
motion is overruled. If the defendant has any 
proof, let's have it." On Mr. Craig saying he 
had no proof to offer, the Justice at once ren- 
dered judgment for the plaintiff', saying he 
thought there had been a d — d sight of fooling 
over it, and that it was about time to stop it. 
The case was tried in Tuscarawas County, 
to which the Justice had removed. Mr. Craig 
shortly afterward removed to Jlissouri, has 
been a member of Congress, and during the 
war rose to the rank of Brigadier General ; 
he was a man of more than ordinary force of 
character. 

The township of Sugar Creek is entitled to 
honorable mention for having furnished a mem- 
ber of the Stark County bar, who, althongh he 
seldom appeared in the higher courts, was 
nevertiieless a gentleman of much force of 
character, and commanded respect. Reference 



is had to Henry W, Stambaugh, Esq., who, after 
serving many years as a Justice of the Peace, 
was admitted to practice by the old Supreme 
Court on the Circuit of Canton. He was a 
brother of the late Hon. David W. Stambaugh, 
a prominent member of the Ohio bar in Tus- 
carawas County, and Senator from the Third Dis- 
trict at the time of his deatii, a few years since. 

Among the .young gentlemen who have come 
to the bar, and passed away under the dispen- 
sation of the war of the rebellion, no one de- 
serves more honorable mention tlian Frank 
Spalter, who, in September, 18,'i8, entered the 
office of Hon. Louis Schaefer, in Canton, as a 
student, of whom Mr. Schaefer says, " he was 
a man of superior intellect and acquirements, 
having a finished French, German and English 
education." He had been book-keeper for the 
well-known house of Sharpless & Sons, Phila- 
delphia. He remained in Mr. Schaefer's office 
two years, and was admitted to practice at 
CarroUton, the late Hon. William K. Upham 
being of the examining committee, and who 
remarked, after the examination, " That boy 
knows more about the elementary books than 
does the whole committee. " 

After his admission, Mr. Spalter opened an 
office in Canton, and continued until 1861, 
when he was one of the first to enlist, and was 
killed in the battle at Petersburg, Va., in 
18C3. He was a native of Berlin, now the 
capital of the German Empire, and arrived in 
the United States in 185(i ; politically, he was 
a thorough Abolitionist, and exhibited his faith 
by pouring out his life's blood in the cause of 
human rights. Mr. Schaefer was his friend and 
patron, and with characteristic benevolence 
aided him all through his studies, '• without 
fee or reward, or the hope thereof" a generosity 
that was well timed, as Frank was without a 
surplus of this world's goods then. Of the 
judges named in the foregoing list. Judges 
Potter, Church, Belden and Canfield have gone 
to their final account, as has Judge Pearce, of 
the old organization. 

At this time, it is believed that the following 
is a correct list of the members of the bar in 
Stark County. 

Canton. — Hon. S. Meyer, Judge, Messrs. Frease 
& Case (this firm is composed of Hon. Joseph 
Frease and F. E. Case), A. D. Braden, J. J. 
Parker, J. P. Fawcett, A. C. Hiner, George E. 
Baldwin, and Robert S. Shields, of the firm of 



H1.STOUY OF riXAUK OOIXTY. 



269 



Baldwin & Shields, Louis Schaefer, and Louis 
>f. Schaefer. linn of SchaofcM' & Son, Peter 
Chance, Anihonv House), {'. 1{. Miller, John 
M. .Myers. Will Wynn, William A. Lynch, 
William H. May. and Austin Lynch, composing 
the firm of Lynch. Day & Lynch, Turenne C. 
Meyer, and William J. Piero. firm of Meyer & 
Piero, Joim Laiim, ,J. \V. Cnderhill. F. W. 
Bond, Charles C. Tpham, K. K. Russell. Julius 
Whiting, Jr., L. M. Jones, IL H. Spencer, Henry 
A. Wise, Hon. William McKinley, member of 
Congress, .Miner McKinley, Allen A. Carnes, 
T. f . McCarly. J. S. Hudson. H. F. Faust. H. 
W. Harter, Prosecuting Attorney, Stark County, 
William W. Clark, and James J. Clark, firm of 
W, W. & J. J. Clark. A. W. Hildenhrand, Pro- 
hate Judge. G. W. Raff, Col. I*. S. Sowers, and 
John C. Mong. 

MassiUoii. — Anson T'ease and F. L. Baldwin, 
firm of Pease & Baldwin, R. H. Folger and 
John 0. Oarrett. firm of Folger & Garrett, L. 
C. Cole. Mayor of the city, and Robert W. Mc- 
Caughey, firm of Cole & McCaughey. Isaac 
Ulman, Kugcne G. Willison, Robert .\. Pinn, 
Otto V,. Young, William McMillan and Anilrew 
C. Robertson. 

Allimuc. — Haryey Laughlin. Amos Burden, 
A. L. Jones ; these gentlemen may be classed 
as the oldest lawyers in Alliance, having been 
at the bar thirty-seven, thirty-two and twentj'- 
seven years respectively, and are gentlemen 
who command respect, all having held ofticcs 
of trust and profit, and are prominent in the 
profession. The rest of the members of the 
bar in that flourishing city are James Amer- 
man. Samuel F. Rsseck. David Fording, William 
C Pippitt. .1. M. Harrison. James A. Coulter. 
.\. B. Hoover. Jndson D. Lewis, James C. 
Stanley. >L M. King. 

Cnnol Fulton. — William G. Myers and James 
Sterling. 

/f„,ir;/h—?i. S. Geib. 

Since the organization of the county, there 
have been many who have entered the profes- 
sion, and opened oHices in various portions of 
the county, but not succeeding, have gone, 
some into other professions, and of some it may 
be written : 

" Thfv, the younir and stronir. wlio ilicrislicd 

Noble' lonjrin.irs for tlif strife. 

By the Wiiyside fell anil perislicil. 

Wears' with the marrh of life." 

Among those, however, who have entered the 



profession in this county at comparatively a 
late dat(! is Gen. Charles F. Manderson, and 
whom Stark County regards one of her own 
sons. Mr. Manderson, in lS(i(). in March, was 
admitted to practice at Ravenna, Portage 
County, after having studied with Hon. Lewis 
Schaefer and the late Hon. William K. Upham. 
On tile breaking-out of the war in 1861, in 
April, ,Mr. Manderson entered the army as a 
Lieutenant in Compan3^ A, Nineteenth Ohio 
Volunteer Infantry, Col. Samuel Beatty, and 
continued in the service until 1H()5, having 
risen to the rank of Brigadier General of \o\- 
unteers, for meritorious services. He immedi- 
ately formed a partnership with Col. Meyer, 
the firm being Meyer & Manderson, which 
lasted until October, 18()!1, when the firm was 
dissolved, and (ien. Manderson removed to 
Omaha. Neb., where he now resides, in a suc- 
cessful practice. 

In 181G. the old court house of Stark County 
was received from the architect and builder by 
the Commissioners, and without ceremony, so 
far as can be ascertained, dedicated to the uses 
for which it was erected. Those who have 
seen the court houses at New Philadelphia 
and Millersburg can form an adequate idea of 
the buildings erected as temples of justice in 
the early days of Ohio, The people builded. as 
well as they knew, they were willing to be 
taxed all that they could bear, and the old 
court house was a fair specimen of the public 
buildings in Ohio, including the old State 
House, at Columbus, and the Cnited States 
court house for the District of Ohio, also at 
Columbus, which will be remembered as having 
stood in front of th»> first Neil House. A view 
of the last-described buildings will be found in 
Howe's Historical Collections, and the old 
Slate House, as there represented, is strikingly 
like our old court house. With all its imper- 
fections, it has pleasant memories. Within its 
walls, the old members of the bench and bar 
named in these sketches, who have gone ■■ to 
the promised land," achieved a reputation that 
will last while words are preserved. In that 
old building, the first death penalty in Stark 
County was pronounced, the case being The 
State of Ohio cs. (Christian Bachtel, the indict- 
ment in which was prosecuted by Messrs. 
Starkweather & Jarvis, the defense being 
managed by Messrs. John Harris and Orlando 
Metcalf. Few remain who witnessed that trial. 



270 



HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY. 



Forty-eigiit years have passed into the great 
ocean of time, bat tlie circumstance is not for- 
gotten, too sadly liave recent similar events 
refreshed the mem or \- of the long past. The 
old building has gone ; it onlj' graces the page 
of history. In 1867, Oen. Ed F. Schneider, a 
member of the bar. and Senator from this dis- 
trict, and who died in the city of Berlin, the 
seat of govfrnraent ot the German Empire, 
while making a tour of Europe, procured the 
necessary legislation to enalile the Commis- 
sioners of the county to build a new court 
house. The Commissioners at once took the 



necessary steps, the work was let to contrac- 
tors, and finished for occupation at the Febru- 
ary term of the Common Pleas Court, A. D. 
1870. The taking possession of the noble struc- 
ture, the gathering together of a large num- 
ber of the citizens of the county, the presence 
of distinguished members of the bar from neigh- 
boring counties, among whom were Hon. John 
McSweeny, of Wooster. and Hon. J. T. Brooks, 
of Salem, all tended to clothe the occasion with 
uncommon interest. The proceedings of the 
court and bar on that occasion will be found in 
the chapter on the organization of the county. 



C II AFTER \ll.* 

THK MEDTTAL PROFES.SION — KARLV PRACTICE AXD PRACTITIONERS — I'REVALFNT DISEASES — 
AUVANXH IN .MKDU'AL AND SI'lKUCiL SCIENiK. 



DIVINITY, Law and Medicine are institu- 
tions that characterize civilized society. 
They constitute the foundation upon which the 
distinctive features of our superstructure rest. 
The heathen has his religion ; the barbarian, a 
law unto himself, and the savage, a crude idea 
■of the healing art ; but what are known and rec- 
ognized as the /ciinicd professions, exist only 
among enlightened nations. 

In the beginning, the first of these most likely 
called into requisition, was that of medicine. 
The " accidents by flood and Held," and the 
'• ills that flesh is heir to," must be met and 
treated. How successfully, would depend upon 
the progress made bj* observation and experi- 
ence. In the early settlement of Stark County, 
the inhabitants were in a measure thrown upon 
their own resources for the means whereby to 
relieve suflfering humanity. The first case of 
sickness and death that occurred in the county 
was that of James Culbertson, in the fall of 
1805. He was in the employ of James F. Leo- 
nard, surveyor and land jobber, as an assistant, 
and his duties consisted mainly in helping 
about camp, procuring food, cooking, and aid- 
ing to show emigrants land. From cxpDsnre. 
he contracted a severe cold, which settled upon 
his lungs. There was no ph3'sieian nearer than 
Steubenville, a distance of sixty miles, and it 
was out of the question to send there for help, 

• Ccintributed liy Dr. Lew Slusscr. 



SO his comrades had no alternative but to do 
what they could for his relief They made a 
decoction of snake root, which they gave him ; 
applied hot fomentations to his chest, and as 
his prospects of recovery became darker, ad- 
ministered spiritual consolation. The man died 
on the fourth day after he was taken down and 
was buried on the Keed farm, immediately 
north of the present location of the county fair 
grounds. 

The second death was that of a son of John 
Bowers, of Nimishillen Tp. He was taken with 
a fever in winter of 1800-7. The few neighbors 
— none nearer than five miles — were promptly 
on hand with profl'ers of assistance in whatever 
way it could be rendered. Every means sug- 
gested that was within reach, was tried, but to 
no avail. The boy lingered and died. He was 
buried in the woods and a tree cut to fall upon 
the grave that the body might not be disturl)ed 
by the wolves. The first case of surgery that 
occurred in the count}- was that of Philip 
Smith, residing in the same township. While 
at work clearing he was struck by a limb of a 
falling tree, and his leg broken in two places. 
A young son with him at the time immediately 
started for help, and in a few houns several of 
his neighbors were on hand, ready to render 
such assistance as they were able. No time 
was lost sending for a doctor, as there was none 
within reach. A few minutes' consultation de- 



HISTORY OF STAItK COIN'TV. 



cided a plan of action. Tliej- straightened the 
fractured liml). enveloped it with elm l):irk 
peeled from the tree and held the splints in 
place l)y wrapping them with withes. lie was 
Uiken home on a sled, and as he was addicted 
to an indulgence in intoxicatingdrink. he begged 
for a dram. This only excited a taste for more, 
and he was allowed to have it, or rather his wife 
was compelled to furnish it. There is a witness 
still living who will testify that Philip Smith, 
while confined to his bed six weeks with a 
broken leg. drank six gallons of whisky. At the 
end of that time the splints were removed and 
the leg was to all appearaiice i)erfect, and upon 
subsequent trial, lound completely restored. 
This, in proof of the common saving, that the 
whisky of olden times was less pernicious in its 
eflecls upon tlie human system than that manu- 
factured at the present day. 

Tlie first birth in the county was in 180tj, 
a boy. to the wife of Hugh Cunningham, a resi- 
dent of Plain Township. On this occasion, 
Mrs. Jacob Loutzenheiser, mother of Judge 
Peter Loutzenheiser. otHciated as midwife. 
For man}- years after the settlement of the 
county, and long after physicians were within 
reach, was it the custom to empio}- females in 
cases of this nature. It was a rare case that 
a physician was called in. And, so far as re- 
sults are known of success in the management 
of bthnr in former years, as compared with 
later times, it is lielieved, b}- those who have 
investigated the subject, that the showing is in 
favor of ■■ ye olden times." This may be account- 
ed for, either in the habits of pioneer life being 
more favoralile to developing and strengthen- 
ing the system, thereby better enabling the 
patient to withstand the wear and tear of 
labor ; or, because there was less interference 
with the otTorts of nature. 

Fifty years ago, there were but few medical 
colleges in the United States, and graduates 
were not then, as now, roaming over the 
country seeking situations. The population 
of Stark County had attained considerable 
growth before a phj-sician settled among them, 
and after the first, it wsis years before the 
second came. To a gi'cat extent, the people 
were compelled to rely upon themselves for 
relief in case of sickness or accident. In ever}' 
community, there were those who pretended 
to a knowledge of disease and its treatment. 
They were not governed by principles in practice. 



Theirs was a routine system. It was bleed. 
l)lister and physic. No matter, whether the 
individual had been kicked by a horse, had 
the ague or the itch, all the same, he must 
be bled, and then jjliysicked. In springtime, 
the house of the man who had a lancet, and 
could bleed, was a sort of trystingplace on 
Sundays, where young i)eople, especially 
women in an interesting condition, would col- 
lect, in order to be bled, under an impression 
that it was good for the health. The gunsmith 
and blacksmith pulled teeth. They would 
wrap the fulcrum of a turnkey with a silk 
handkerchief and yank out the largest molar. 
They opened felons with a razor. 

A large proportion of the early settlers of 
Stark C(junty were of (ierman descent, and not 
favorably disposed toward a liberal education. 
They were inclined to be superstitious, and 
believed in the power of words as a remedial 
agent. There were those who claimed they 
could, by words, stop bleeding, take out fire, 
arrest a felon, cure sore mouth, check the tits, 
and perform divers other miraculous feats. 

The diseases most prevalent in early times, 
were of a malarious character. Fever and 
ague, bilious fever, and dysentery, during the 
summer, and pneumonia and pleurisy in the 
winter. The orthodox treatment of the former 
was by bleeding, emeto-cathartics, and Peru- 
vian bark. Quinine had not then been intro- 
duced. The chief domestic remedies were 
boneset, dogwood, and snakeroot. The treat- 
ment of pneumonia and pleurisy was bleeding, 
blistering, calomel, opium and tartar-emetic. 
The absurd practice of interdicting cold water 
in fever, and excluding fresh air from the sick- 
room, was religiously observed. T'he physical 
laljor attending practice at that day, was, at 
times, very great. The only way of getting 
o\er the country was on horseback. The roads 
were rough, and in the winter, very muddy. 
Often much of the distance to a house was l)y 
a bridle-path. Hut few of the streams were 
bridge<l. and in time of high water, there was 
no alternative Init to plunge in and swim across. 
It was not an unfrequent occurrence for the 
I physician to be called after night, fifteen or 
twenty miles away, much of the distance over 
muddy roads and through dense forests ; the 
place, a log-cabin with only one room, and no 
resting-spot save the puncheon fioor. 

Since then, a wonderful change has been 



— 9 



272 



HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY. 



wrought, not only in lightening the labor of 
professional work, but what is more generally 
appreciated and commended, in those things 
which minister to the relief of the sick. Al- 
most ever}' branch of scientific research has 
contributed to the advancement of the science 
of all sciences — the conservation of human 
life. Through chemistry, microscopy, exper- 
imental physiology, new and more perfect 
methods of investigating disease have been 
introduced by which its diagnosis has become 
more certain. The discover}- has been made 
by pharmaceutical chemists of the active prin- 
ciples of various drugs, by which they have 
been rendered more certain in their effect, 
and less nauseous. In therapeutics, the mod- 
ern physician has many advantages over 
his predecessor in the facility and safety with 
which surgical operations can be performed 
under the influence of ether or chloroform and 
the use of medicines hypoderraically, more 
especially for the speedy relief of intense pain. 
He has chloral hydrate, the bromides and man}- 
other valuable remedies unknown as medicine 
in former years. Different systems of practice 
have arisen in the past, and will in the future. 
It is for the regular .scientific physician to in- 
vestigate their respective merits, appropriate 
what is good, and reject that which is worthless. 
From hydropathy, he has discovered that water 
is generally a harmless comfort to the sick, 
whether u.sed externally or internally, and has 
many valuable uses as a curative agent, 
though not a cure-all. Homoeopathy has taught 
what nature will do for the restoration of dis- 
turbed functional action. Eclecticism enlarged 
the field of vegetable remedies, and barren 
must be the new system, claiming the patron- 
age of community that has not some merit. 

Scientific medicine — that grounded upon ra- 
tional ideas, has acquired such momentum that 
all medical pathirs and ixms can have but one 
of two fates — extinction or absorption. They 
may exist for a time in name, but they die in 
fact. The aggregate experience and accumu- 
lated learning of the profession, inevitably as- 
similate all that is good, and as surely elimi- 
nate all that is bad or nonsensical in patholog- 
ical or therapeutic theories. For centuries, 
medicine has constantly advanced, appropriat- 
ing to itself all that is demonstrably efficient 
in the alleviation of bodily ills, however irreg- 
ular its source. It has in its ranks, an army 



of pioneers, sappers and miners, armed with all 
the appliances of advanced science, toiling day 
and night, from youth to old age, in an effort 
to discover something still more efficacious for 
the relief of suffering humanity. There can be 
no "schools" in scientific medicine. Truth 
has no compromises to make. Opposition only 
lives l\y martyrdom or imitation, or both com- 
bined. Medicine is progessive, and the com- 
ing physician will have advantages far sur- 
passing those of the present day, in methods 
and instruments for exact diagnosis, more cer- 
tain knowledge as to the action of medicines, 
and understand better the effect of certain ail- 
ments and occupations on the human organ- 
ism. As we review the past, and reflect upon 
the progress made, we wonder what will the 
future bring forth '! In the hope that a short 
biographical sketch of the early practitioners 
of the county would add to the historical in- 
terest of the work, we have gathered the fol- 
lowing list. No statement has been made not 
believed to be truthful. The writer would 



Nor 



" Nothing extenuate 
■t down aught in malice.' 



The first physician located in Stark County 
was Andrew Kappe. He was born in Paris, 
France, 17"!'. Having lost both his parents 
when quite young, he was left to the care of an 
aunt, residing near the border of Germany. 
His medical education was obtained in Frank- 
fort-on-the-Rhine. After serving several years 
as Surgeon in the army, he emigrated to Amer- 
ica, sailing from Hamburg, September 11, 1804, 
and landing at Baltimore May 5, 1805, the 
voyage occupying over seven months. He re- 
mained in Baltimore about one year, then came 
to Steuben ville, where he resided until 1808. 
The same year he changed his location to Can- 
ton, where he remained the rest of his life. 
His practice extended over a wide range of 
country — l)e}ond the Tuscarawas Ki^■er and 
east of Sandy. The difficulty of obtaining for- 
eign drugs at that early day. compelled him in 
many instances to rely upon indigenous plants. 
To prepare them for use involved much time 
and labor, and he was often compelled to work 
late at night after a day spent in visiting dis- 
tant patients. On one occasion, while manipu- 
lating with an acid, an explosion took place, 
throwing some of the ingredient into his eye 
whereby it was destroyed. He was very ex- 



IIISTOUY OF STARK COINTV 



acting in his treatment of patients, insisting 
upon every direction being carefully observed. 
He was proprietor of an eye salve, Icnown as 
" Dr. Happe's Invalual)le E3-e Salve," selling 
large ipiantities and gaining for it considerable 
local reputation. He obtained the formula 
from a French i)liysician aboard the vessel in 
which he sailed to America. During the voy- 
age, this ph3-sician was taken seriously ill, and 
Dr. Kappe gave him special attention. On his 
recovery, feeling grateful for the services ren- 
dered him, he said to Dr. Rappe that money lie 
had none, but he had the recipe for an ■■ inval- 
uable eye salve " which he would give him, with 
the request that he would never part with it — 
and he never did, it being kept in the family to 
this day. Dr. Rappe was married in Steuben- 
ville to Mary .'^liorb, daughter of John Shorb. 
They had seven children, only three, however, 
lived through infancy. These were John 8. 
Rappe. now of Upper Sandusky, Ohio; the 
late Mrs. Henry H. .Myers, and the late Mrs. 
Louisa Faber Kimball. The Doctor died Feb- 
ruary 5. 1842. of pleurisy, after a short illness, 
leaving property of considerable value, ac- 
(jnired by professional industrj'. 

William Gardner came from Albany, N. Y., 
and located in Kendall (now "P'ourtli Ward " of 
.^lassillon) in 1813. He was married in 1816 
to Sarah B. Earl, daughter of the hotel pro- 
prietor with whom he boarded. The j'ear fol- 
lowing, he removed to Norwalk, Huron County, 
where he continued in active practice until 
182.5, when he returned to Stark County and 
settled in Canton. Here he remained until his 
death in 1833. Dr. Gardner was heavj-set, 
broad-shouldered, quick in action and highly 
esteemed for integrit}-. He was regarded a 
man of more than ordinary abilitj', aud had an 
extensive practice. Independent iu thought, 
he did not hesitate to express his opinions, 
though in opposition to the popular current. 
His law suit with Nicholas Lichley, will be re- 
membered by many still living. A daughter 
of Lichley had .some trouble of the e^-es and 
was brought to Gardner for treatment. Instead 
of improving, under various applications, her 
sight became worse, and finally she went totallj- 
blind. Lichley, being an impulsive man, and 
rather free talker, did not hesitate to charge 
Gardner with mal-treating the ease, whenever 
the subject was introduced in his presence. 
This talk became verv annoying to Dr. (lardner, 



and for the puri)ose of vindicating himself 
brought suit for slander, laying his damages at 
$2,01(0. His attorneys were Harris & Belden. 
Lichley employed Starkweather -and Jarvis. 
They were the two strongest firms at the Stark 
County bar. The case excited a wide-spread 
interest, and the court house was crowdeil dur- 
ing the progress of the trial. Starkweather 
was then in the zenith of his reputation as a 
jury lawyer. He had the blind girl seated in 
front of the jury while he addres,sed them, aud 
whenever he made an appeal in behalf of his 
client, the poor girl would turn up her sightless 
orbs, imploring, as it were, sympathy ibr her 
father. The defense claimed that the blindness 
was caused by culpable carelessness — introduc- 
ing into the eyes something different from what 
was intended — aud this theory w.as sustained 
by the testimonj- of Dr. Bennett, a well known, 
reputable physician of Bolivar. The jury re- 
turned a verdict for the defendant ; thereupon, 
Lichley brought suit against Gardner ibr mal- 
practice, laying his damages at SI 0,000. Be- 
fore the trial was reached, Gardner died and 
the case was withdrawn. This was the first 
mal-practice suit in the count}-. 

The two Bonfields, John and Thomas S., 
brothers, settled in Canton soon after the war 
of 1812. They were from Baltimore, and both 
graduates of the medical school of that citj'. 
John was an Assistant Surgeon of the arm}- at 
the time of the attack upon Fort McHenry. 
He was a strange genius, and many thought too 
much learning had disturbed his balance. He 
was slovenly in dress, wore his hair long and 
straggling, and would often appear with a red 
bandana as a neck-tie. He was slow of speech, 
and kept his horse so poor that the boys would 
caw after him on the streets. Many reposed 
great faith in his medical skill, particularly in 
the treatment of fevers. He had an itching for 
olflce, and was repeatedly a candidate, though 
never successful. He came within one, in a 
race of half a dozen for the County Treasurer's 
office. He married a daughter of William Cun- 
ningham, by whom he had several children. 
Several years after her death, he returnt'il to 
Baltimore, where he died in 1835. 

Thomas S. was very unlike his brother John. 
He was a tidy, dapper young man, fluent talker, 
(piick in his movements, and prompt to respond 
to calls. He was a fast rider, stood in his slir- 
ru()s. projecting his body forward, apparcnitly 



y^: 



274 



HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY. 



iroing taster than liis horse. He was popular 
as a physician, and had an extensive practice. 
He died in 1855, leaving a large landed estate, 
now very valuable. 

Thomas Hartford came from Connecticut, 
and settled in Canton in 1818. He was a kind 
iiearted man, and generous to the poor, as the 
following rrr/titfiiit notice in a RijKisitori/ of 
1S20 would indicate : 

■• Dr. Thomas Hartford herchi/ informs such 
as are in indigent circumstances, in the county 
of Stark, that in eases of sickness, mh-icr and 
merJiriiie will be given to them gratia." 

That he was not prompted to make this offer 
from ulterior motix'cs, is evident from the be- 
quest in his will, giving a large proportion of 
his real estate to the poor of Canton. After 
some ten years of general practice, Dr. Hartford 
engaged in the mercantile business ; and. about 
1833" removed to Pittsburgh. Penn. 

James Jerow came to Canton in 1820. He 
was from one of the New England States, and 
was reputed a man of more than ordinary intel- 
ligence, and well educated in his profession. 
In managing a case, he was ver^- decided and 
exacting, and would tolerate no interference. 
If there was any hesitancy about carrying out 
his instructions, any distrust manifested as to his 
skill or judgment, or a disposition to try a 
remedy recommended by another, straightway 
would he give the parties to understand tiiat 
unless he had the exclusive and uninterrupted 
control of the case he would retire. He would 
take the whole responsibilitj' or none. He died 
in 1825 of a malignant fever. John Coulter, 
the first medical student in Stark County, 
studied with Dr. Jerow. 

Justin Scott, a surgeon in the war of 1812, 
located in Kendall about the year 1815. From 
what can l)e learned of him. he was regarded 
b}' the community a well qualified physician 
and a skillful surgeon. He remained in Kendall 
several years, then removed to Burton, Geauga 
County, Ohio. 

George Breysacher was born and educated 
in Germany, and settled in Canton in 1819. It 
was said he had been a Surgeon under Bona- 
parte, which gave him considerable reputation. 
He did an extensive practice, particularly among 
the German people, native and foreign. He 
was a fine horseman and a great hunter, always 
rode at break-neck speed with several dogs fol- 
lowing him. He was once seen comins; into 



town with two deer on his horse that he had 
shot. He died in 1844. One of his sous, 
Augustus L., was a Surgeon in the confederate 
army, and Medical Director of Hardee's Corps. 

Joseph Simmons was one of the early phy- 
sicians of Canton. He came from Pennsylvania 
in 1820 ; was a man of fine personal appearance, 
scrupulously neat in dress, and bore himself 
with an aristocratic air. He did not succeed 
in securing a satisfactory run of business, not 
because of any question as to his ((ualifica- 
tions, but by reason of this seeming hauteur in 
his manner. The same has driven many a 
well-qualified young man from the ranks, while 
a bloviating ignoramus has succeeded in mak- 
ing money. Dr. Simmons remained in Canton 
about ten years, when he removed to Cincinnati. 
There he continued several years, then changed 
his location to St. Louis, where he died about 
two years ago. 

Joseph Watson was of Quaker descent, born 
in 1798, near Philadelphia, Penn. His ele- 
mentary education was such as the scant oppor- 
tunities of the time and place afforded. He 
eomme^lced the study of medicine in 1821. 
with Dr. Wood, of Lycoming County, remain 
ing with him a year. In the fall of 1822, he 
came West, stopping in Wrightstown. Belmont 
Co., Ohio. Here he resumed, the study with 
Dr. Hartley, and continued with him until he 
decided to look up a location to practice. He 
visited Cadiz, New Philadelphia, Wooster and 
Dover (now called Dalton), and when he made 
known at the latter place the object of his visit, 
he was so strongly urged to settle among them 
that he decided to do so. The town was with- 
out a physician, and he had several calls before 
he could hang out a shingle. He soon had all 
he wanted to do. His work was laborious. 
Disturbed at all hours of the night, long rides 
over rough roads, exposed to all kinds of 
weather, will eventually dampen the zeal of 
most men, so after a residence of ten years in 
Dover, Dr. Watson concluded to change the 
field of his operations, and, in the fall of 1833. 
came to Massillon, which at that time was the 
rising town of this part of the State. While in 
practice at Massillon, he had several partners, 
including Dr. Michener and Dr. Bowen, both 
men of well-known professional reputation. Dr. 
Watson withdrew from active practice about 
1843 and engaged in the drug business, in 
which he built up a large wholesale and retail 



HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY. 



tiiule. In this he eoiitiiuieil until 1877, when ad- 
monished liy advancing: years und failing vigor, 
that it was lime for him to retire I'rom active 
work. Dr. Watson was married in 1824 to 
Mar}' Ann Walton, of Columbiana Co.. Ohio. 
The couple are enjoying life's peaceful evening 
together — the only remaining link in the 
county connecting the old-time practitioners 
with the present. 

Beriah Brooks, John Shaw and Josiah (!ale 
were physicians who located in Kendall be- 
tween 1820 and 1825. Brooks moved over to 
Massillon as soon as it was started, and died 
there in 1881. dale abandoned practice for a 
contract on the canal, and Shaw, after remain- 
ing several years, left for parts unknown. 

Thomas and John Townsend. brothers, re- 
moved from Wooster to Massillon about the 
year 1828. and set up in [jractice together. 
They remained a few years, when Thomas went 
to Wheeling. Va., where he died. The last 
known of John he had drifted to California. 

Robert Estep was born in Fayette Co., Penn., 
in 1793 ; served an apprenticeship at the trade 
of silversmith ; pursued that calling several 
years, when he concluded to study medicine. 
After reading eighteen months, he commenced 
practice in I'aris, .^tark Co.. in 1824. He soon 
ac(|uired a widespread reputation, not only as 
a skilful practitioner, but as a surgeon of more 
than ordinary ability. Twice he performed the 
Cicsarean section, the only physician of the 
county that ever attempted it. He several 
times operated for cataract and cut for stone. 
In 1834. he removed to Canton, where he en- 
joyed an extensive practice until his death in 
1852. at the age of fifty-uine. The honorary 
degree of M. 1). was conferred upon him by the 
Ohio Medical College, in 1835. 

Joseph H. Kstep. -son of Robert Estep. was 
horn in ISlSt. He followed painting until 
twenty-three, when he took u|) the study of 
medicine, lie read with his father, and grad- 
uated at the Cleveland Medical College in 
1847. He commenced practice at Waynes- 
burg, and soon succeeded in obtaining a prf)fit- 
ablc run of custom. When the California gold 
excitement overspread the land, he yielded to 
the temptation and went there. He remained 
there several years, during which time he was 
elected a member of the first Legislature. On 
his return in 1852, he settled in Canton. Here 
he continued in practice until failing health in- 



duced him to return to California in 1873. He 
died in 187(). Dr. Estep was twice married. 
His first wife was Miss Policy. l)y whonj he 
had three children. His second wife was Miss 
Rank ; Ijy her he had no issue. He was a man 
of considerable natural talent, an original 
genius, a ready, forcible writer, not much of a 
stuilent. but extravagantly fond of light litera- 
ture, and inclined to take the world easy. 

Perkins Wallace was born in Trumbull Coun- 
ty, Ohio, in 1808. Studied medicine with Dr. 
Thomas Bonfield. Canton, and graduated at the 
Ohio Medical College, Cincinnati, in 1833. Hi; 
commenced the practice of medicine at Bran- 
dy wine Mills. Summit Co.; from thence he 
removed to Akron, where he remained al)out 
two years, when he again changed his location 
to Massillon. Here he continued until 1850, do- 
ing an extensive practice. Considerations out- 
side of professional, influenced him to remove 
to Canton, where he remained until his death 
in 18(i8, aged sixty. Dr. Wallace was married 
in 1835 to Rebecca Raynolds. by whom he had 
six children. 

Lorenzo M. Whiting was born in Litchfield 
County, Conn., in 1811. Received his medical 
degree at Williams College in 1835. and located 
in Canton in 183(;. Dr. Whiting has continued 
longer in practice at the one place than any 
physician who has ever lived in Stark County. 
He has always been held in high esteem, not 
only as a practitioner of medicine, but as a gen- 
eral scholar, versed in literature and the sci- 
ences. His consultation calls have exceeded 
those of any other practitioner, a proof of his 
standing with the community. He was ap- 
pointed a Trustee of the Northern Ohio Lu- 
natic Asylum, by (lov. Chase, in 185(1. During 
the rebellion, he was appointed by (lov. Den- 
isou one of the Board of Examiners of Sur- 
geons to Ohio regiments, also Examining Sur- 
geon for Stark County and for the Board of 
Enrolment for the Seventeenth Congressional 
District of Ohio, which position he held until 
the close of the war. He was Pension Surgeon 
from 1802 until October, 1880, when, by reason 
of ill health, he resigned. He was likewise 
Censor of Cleveland .Medical College. In all 
these varied positions he discharged the <luties 
devolving upon him with entire satisfaction to 
all parties concerned. The Doctor was struck 
with paralysis in the summer of 1880, since 
which time, he has been unable to practice. 



276 



HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY. 



Auren W. Whiting was born in Connecticut 
in 1826. Educated in tiie High School of West- 
field, Mass. Read medicine witii Dr. W. B. De 
Forest, Colebrook, Conn., and in 1846 matricu- 
lated at the Medical Department of Yale Col- 
lege. After one course of lectures, he came to 
Canton, and engaged with his l)n)ther L. M., 
continuing the study, and griidually taking up 
practice. He attended a second course of lect- 
ures at Cleveland, graduating in 1850. He lo- 
cated first in Massillon, where he remained until 
1858 ; then spent about eighteen months in 
Europe, visiting the hospitals of Paris and other 
large cities. Soon after his I'eturn from J]urope, 
he was elected Assistant Physician of the 
Northern Ohio Lunatic Asylum, which position 
he held several year.s. During the rebellion, 
he was a contract surgeon, doing duty in the 
field hospitals near Georgetown. At the close of 
the war, he settled in Canton, where he has since 
remained, making a specialty of chronic diseases. 

Carl F. Brackebush was born and educated 
in ( iermany. He came to this country in 1835, 
and first settled in Osnaburg, but remained 
there but a short time, when he removed to 
Canton. He was considered well educated in 
his profession, and liad an extensive practice. 
He died in 1849, of neuralgia of the heart, 
caused by exposure in professional labor. 

F. D. H. Dallwick was born in Cassel, Ger- 
many, in 1814, and received his medical educa- 
tion in that countrj'. He came to Stark County 
in 1833, first settling in Greentown. From 
there he removed to Canton, where he remained 
some years. He was the first physician ap- 
pointed to the County Infirmary. From Can- 
ton he removed to Canal Fulton, where he died 
in 1849. His wife was Louisa, daughter of 
Christian Palmer, a pioneer settler. 

Joseph H. Mathews was born in England. 
He studied medicine with Dr. Robert Estep, 
and received his degree from the Cleveland 
Medical College. He commenced practice as 
a partner of his preceptor, and on his decease 
was associated for some years with Dr. Wallace. 
On their dissolution. Dr. Mathews continued 
practice until within a year, accumulating con- 
siderable property. He is now connected with 
the Diebold Safe & Lock Company. His wife, 
now deceased, was Mary A. Shorb, daughter of 
John Shorb. 

Barak Michener was born 1779, in Chester 
County, Penn. His grandparents came over 



with William Penn. His educational oppor- 
tunities in his youth were extremely meager, 
but he was a young man of good natural abil- 
itj- and indomitable energy, by reason of which, 
he became a man of very considerable learn- 
ing. While yet a boy, his father removed to 
Jetferson County, Ohio, and when about eight- 
een j-ears of age, he started out for himself, 
coming to Lawrence Township, Stark County, 
where he had relatives living. Working here 
a short time, he engaged in teaching near Ken- 
dall. About 1825, he commenced teaching in 
Canton, and it was while engaged in this pur 
suit, that he conceived the idea of studying 
medicine. He read with Dr. Gardner, and com- 
menced practice with hirn, never having at- 
tended lectures. He removed to Massillon in 
1834, and for several years was associated in 
practice with Dr. Watson. It was about this 
time that Asiatic cholera made its appearance 
as an epidemic in the neighborhood, carrying 
ofl' more people than has any epidemic in the 
same length of time, before or since. In the 
treatment of this disease. Dr. Michener had an 
extensive experience, and his success was above 
the average. He was an original thinker, and 
not a routine prescriber. In 1839, he removed 
on to a farm near West Brookfield, continuing 
to i^ractice until 1849. when he went west to 
Freeport, 111., where he remained until 1853, 
when he again emigrated vvest, purchasing 
land near Adel. Dallas Co., Iowa. He had re- 
linquished practice, and was living upon and 
improving this land when he died March 10. 
1878 A son of the Doctor is a physician, was 
engaged in practice in Adel, but removed to 
Dallas, Tex., and is now a planter. 

John Schertzer was Ijorn 1799. in Franklin 
County, Penn. The education of the Doctor, 
owing to the limited facilities of the time and 
his place of residence, was not very extended. 
He began the study of medicine when about 
eighteen years of age, with Dr. Jacob Grulib, of 
Lelianon County, Penn., and obtained his de- 
gree of Doctor of Medicine from Jetferson Med- 
ical College. Philadelphia. After practicing at 
several places in the counties of Lebanon and 
Franklin, he removed to Massillon, Stark Co., 
in 1835, where he continued practice until ap- 
pointed Postmaster by President Lincoln, which 
office he held nine years. He was elected State 
Senator in 1850, serving one term. He died 
in 1880. 



2ii. 



HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY 



Jeremiah V. Schertzer was born in Pennsyl- 
vania, 1821, had a common-school education, 
and read medicine with his fallier. He at- 
tended lectures at Jefferson Medical College, 
Philadelphia, and began practice with his father 
in 1844. He is still a resident of Massillon, 
and engaged in medical practice. Dr. Pcliortzer 
was married in 1848 to Mary Ellen Ogden, 
daughter of Hugh Ogden, of Massillon. 

Daniel L. Gans was born in Fayette County, 
Penn.. 1819. At an early age, he manifested 
a taste for reading, and a preference for the 
study and practice of medicine. At eighteen, 
he engaged with an older brother, a practicing 
physician of Moundville. Va.. and with him, 
he remained as a student two years, complet- 
ing iiis medical course in the Ohio Medical 
College. Cincinnati. He commenced practice 
in Smilhtickl. Penn., three miles from his birth- 
place, and continued there about eighteen 
months, then removed to Magnolia, Tuscarawas 
County. Ohio. He lived here eight years, and 
during this time, puschased a large faim in 
Pike Township, near Sparta. T'pon this he re- 
raoveil in 1850, and has lived here ever since, 
devoting his leisure from practice to overseeing 
his farm, and giving attention to breeding tine 
stock, particularly sheep and cattle. Dr. Gans 
was married in 1845, to Margaret Hanna, of 
Stciibcuville. They have four children — two 
sons and two daugliters. 

J. I'. Barrick was Ijorn in 1818. in Morgantown, 
Itockingham Co., Va. His father was a farmer, 
and Ix'fore this son was grown, he removed to 
Columliiana Co., Ohio. His opportunities for 
ac(iuiriiig an education in early life were quite 
limited. He married young, and at the time of 
his marriage was in the employ of James Far- 
mer, merchant, of Salineville. .*^oon after, he 
went to Cleveland and engaged with Dr. Ilenry 
Everett, with whom he studied medicine. He 
located in the practice at Massillon in 1842, 
and continued in the profession until his death 
in 1870. He received the honorary degree of 
M. D. from the Cleveland Medical (^'ollege in 
18()t;. Dr. Barrick was married the second 
time to Mrs. Clarissa A. Baldwin, of .Massillon. 
He served a number of years in the City Coun- 
cil, and in the Board of Education, of which he 
was a member at the time of his death. He 
was of a social disposition and popular with 
the people. 

Ficderick T. llurxthal was born in Balti- 



more, Md., in 1814. His father was a mer- 
chant. His early education was such as the 
local schools afforded opportunity to accpiiic. 
He read medicine under Dr. Willard Paiker. of 
New York City, and graduatc^d from the College 
of Ph\\sicians and Surgeons. New York, in 
1845. He began practice; in Magnolia. Tusca- 
rawas Co.. and continued in that place until 
1847, when he removed to Massillon. Dr. 
Hurxthal served in the arm>- during the late 
war as Surgeon of the Nineteenth Ohio \'olun- 
teer Infantry. His death, which occurred under 
specially sad circumstances, was the result of 
an injury received by a fall on the platform at 
the railroad station in Canton, Feb. 3. ISiiS. 
Dr. H. was a live member of the profession— a 
close student, always abreast of the improve- 
ments of the day. and a frequent contributor 
to the journals. 

Abraham .Metz was born in Stark County in 
1828. His father was a pioneer settler of 1807. 
He was educated in the common schools, in 
which he taught when a mere lad. He began 
the study of medicine with Dr. Kalilor, in Co- 
lumbiana Countj'. and attended a course of 
lectures at Willoughby .Medical College. The 
summer following, he enlisted in the Mexican 
war, Third Ohio Regiment, and was appointed 
Hospital Steward, much of the time doing the 
work of an Assistant Surgeon. After his re- 
turn from Mexico, he resumed his medical 
studies, and graduated at Cleveland Medical 
Colk'ge in 1848. He c()mmenced practice at 
North Georgetown, Columbiana County, re- 
maining there about a year, then went West, 
settling at Big Lick, Hancock Co.. Ohio. From 
here he went into Seneca County, where he 
continued until 1854, when he changed his loca- 
tion to Massillon, He soon after made a spe- 
cialty of diseases of the eye, and became 
widely known as a successful practitioner in 
that line. He also gave attention to general 
surgery, and was recognized as a skillful ope- 
rator. I'ndcr the disadvantages of a countrv 
location, he kept alireast of the rapid growth 
of his sijccialt}-. He was one of the founders 
of Charity Hospital .Medical College (now the 
]\Iedical Department of Wooster I'niversity) at 
Cleveland, of which institution he was one of 
the original ]'\icidty. occupying the chair of 
Ophthalmology, wliidi |)lacc he tilled at the 
tiuie of his death, February 1. 187ti. He was 
Surgeon of the Pittsburah. Fort Wavnc <.V 



378 



HISTORY OF STAKK COUNTY. 



Chicago Hailvvaj-, and was frequently sent be- 
j'ond his district when accidents occurred in- 
volving serious or important surgical opera- 
tions. Dr. Mclz was cniphaticallv a self-made 
man. With very limited educational advan- 
tages, he made himself master n(jt only of our 
own language, but aapiircd such a knowledge 
of the (Jerinan and Frencli as enabled him to 
read without ditticulty their publications. By 
his indomitable energy he overcame obstacles 
presented in his researches, that would have 
appalled most young men. He is tiie autlior of 
a work entitled "Histology of the Eye," now 
used as a text-book in many of our medical 
colleges; has also contrilnitetl many articles to 
the journals of the day. Dr. Metz was a genial 
companion, inclined to make the most of what 
this life aftbrdcd. and long will be remembered 
for his many excellent traits of character. He 
was married in 1840 to Klizabeth Patterson, of 
Columbiana County, by whom he had one 
child, a daughter — lioth still living. 

Hermann J. THil. was born in Saxony. 182:!. 
Read niedicnie with his father and obtained his 
degree at a medical school in Dresilen, 184B. 
He was associated in practice with his father 
until 1848, when he came to America and lo- 
cated in Bethlehem. Stai'k County. Here he 
renunned until 1853. when he removed to Boli- 
\ ar. where he continued about three years, dur- 
ing which time he was physician to the '' Zoar 
Community." From 1856 to 1858, he was a 
resident ol' Dunleith, 111,, from there he re- 
turned and settled in Massillon ; here he re- 
mained about seven yeai's, when the desire for 
change prompted him to locate in Navarre. 
In the spring of 1877, he made a trip to Europe, 
and while at the home of his youth was taken 
sick and died December 20, of the same year. 
Though somewhat eccentric and subject to fit- 
ful moods, the doctor was always considered a 
good physician. 

(i. Kersey Thomas was liorn in York County, 
i'enn.. 1818. of Quaker parents. He came to 
Salem. Obit), when ([uite young, and at the age 
of eighteen began the study of medicine with 
!>r. Benjamin Stanton. At the age of twenty- 
two, he married Rebecca Shaw and settled in 
Marlboro and commenced practice. His wife 
died in 1849. and in 1852 he married Eliza L. 
Smyth, a teaciier in the Marlboro Union School. 
In 185(1, he went to l^hiladelphia where he 
spent over a year pursuing his medical studies, 



and in 1857 he settled in Alliance. In 1862, 
he was appointed .Surgeon of the One Hundred 
and Fourth Ohio Volunteer Infantrj-, but his 
health soon failed, and in December of the 
same year, he was prostrated with paralysis, 
resigned his commission and was brought home 
on a lounge. In 18(54, his second wife died, 
and in 1868 he married Mrs. Rosanna Milner. 
He died March 10, 1869, of congestion of the 
brain. Dr. Thomas was considered a man of 
more than ordinary ability. In practice, his 
taste was in favor of surgery. At the time of 
his death, he was Surgeon of the two railroads 
passing through Alliance. 

Levi Haldeman, born in Columbiana County ; 
read medicine with Drs. Robertson & Carey, of 
Hanoverton, same county, attended lectures at 
Louisville, Ky., and commenced practice in 
Minerva, Stark County, in 1S39. He did an 
extensive business up to 1860, when he left the 
profession to engage in oil si)eculation, in 
which he has accumulated several large for- 
tunes. He is the only physician of the coun- 
t}', who has ever had a case of well-marked, 
unmistakable hydrophobia. The case was that 
of Andrew Shultz, bit I13' a small dog, who in 
three weeks after, manifested symptoms of h}'- 
drophobia, terminating fatally in three daj's. 

Francis Joseph Wernet, born in Baden, Ger- 
many, 1812 ; studied medicine in Basle, and 
graduated at Freyburg ; came to America in 
1842 ; settled first in Pittsburgh, but the health 
of his wife becoming impaired as was supposed 
from local causes, he removed to Canton the 
next j'ear, and there remained in practice until 
his death in 1862. He had five children. Mrs. 
Wernet died in 1881. 

William J. Parker was born in Jefl'erson 
County, Ohio, 1812 ; his parents came from 
North Carolina. He commenced the study of 
medicine with his uncle, Dr. Parker, of Bel- 
mont County-, Ohio, at twenty years of age, and 
set up in practice when twenty-five, at Saline- 
ville in company with Dr. Farmer. He re- 
mained here four years, and then after having 
resided and practiced in Fairfield, Columbiana 
and New Lisljon, all in the same county until 
1866, he removed to Alliance where he re- 
mained until his death in 1880. 

J. L. Leeper was born in Norfolk. Va.. 1818 ; 
educated at Cannonsburg, Penn.. and studied 
medicine in Brooke County, West Va. He came 
to Navarre in 1847, and continued there in 



I^ 



t 



HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY. 



279 



active practice until 1867, when he removed 
on to his farm in I'erry Township where lie still 
resides. Pr. Lecper is a clever, social gentle- 
man and popular with his neighbors. 

William S'eely was born in Jcfl'erson Count}-. 
1810. lie studied medicine with Dr. Thomas 
Wood (late of f'incinnati), and was associated 
witii him in practice for a time. In 1843. he 
.settled in New Franklin, Paris Township, since 
which time, he has continued in practice in 
ditferont localities in the eastern portion of the 
county. .Mliancc and Mount Union. 

Charles Kay was born in New Jersey ; read 
medicine in Warren County, Ohio ; settled in 
Kast Fairfield, where he practiced over thirty 
years. In 1849, he received the honorary de- 
gree of medicine, antl in 18G0, removed to Alli- 
ance, where he has since resided, engaged in 
active practice. 

David A. Artcr was born in Columbiana 
(Jounty, Ohio, in 1820. His early education 
was what the common and select schools of 
that day ati'ordcd. He read medicine with 
Drs. Robertson and Cary. of Hanoverton, who 
had in their day a wide-spread reputation and 
did an extensive practice. He graduated at 
the .Miami .Medical College, Cincinnati, in 1845, 
and soon after located in F^ast Fairfield, Colum- 
biana Co. F'rom thence he removed to Carroll- 
ton, where he remained a number of years, and 
in 18C5, he removed to Canton. He has been 
in active practice some thirty-six 3ears. He 
was married in 1844 to Alm^-ra Ferral. by whom 
he had four children. She died in 1850, and 
ho married Sarah M. McCall, of Harri.son 
County. Dr. Arter was commissioned h\ (Jov. 
Tod. Captain of Cavalry, during the rebellion, 
and for two years served as Deputy Revenue 
("oUector. The Doctor has been more success- 
ful than most of the brethren in collecting and 
saving his earnings, as he is now in very com- 
lorlable circumstances. 

.John H. Wilson was born in Mahoning Coun- 
ty, Ohio, in 1828. He read medicine with Dr. 
John Dickson, Pittsburgh, Penn., and attended 
lectures in Cleveland in lS4(i-47. Commenced 
practice in .\ustiiitown. Mahoning County, re- 
maining there but a short time, and came to 
.Vlliance in 1841). where he has practiced ever 
since — being the oldest practitioner in the town. 
He attended a second course of lectures at 
Cleveland in the winter of 1853-54, graduating 
in the spring. 



Lewis Slusser, born in Canton in 1820 ; edu- 
cated at home schools and Jeft'erson College, 
Pennsylvania, the latter of which he was com- 
pelled to leave while in the Junior year, by rea- 
son of pulmonary trouble. For this, he sought 
a warmer climate, and while in (Jeorgia teach- 
ing, he commenced the stud}' of medicine, re- 
citing regularly to a preceptor. He attended a 
first course of lectures, at the National Medical 
College, Washington City, in 1845-4fi. The sec- 
ond, at the Ohio Medical College, Cincinnati, 
graduating March, 1840. The interim between 
lectures, nearly three years, he was with Dr. 
Haldeman, of Minerva, practicing under in- 
structions. Soon after graduating, he located 
in Canal Fulton, where he remained in practice 
until the war of the rel)elliou. when he entered 
the service as Surgeon of the Si.xty-ninth Ohio. 
While in the array, he served on post, field and 
start" duty. He was on the operating corps, in 
all the prominent engagements of the Army of 
the Cumberland and the Army of (ieorgia, and 
after the arrival of Sherman's army at Savan- 
nah, he was assigned in charge of an ocean hos- 
pital transport, engaged in conveying sick and 
wounded to Northern hospitals. Immediately 
after being mustered out with his regiment, he 
was re-commissioned Surgeon of the Twenty- 
sixth Ohio, ordered to New Orleans, and thence 
to Texas, where he served until mustered out 
with the last remnant of the army, November, 
18G5. On his return from the army, he .settled 
in Canton, where he has since remained. Dr. 
Slusser was twice elected to represent Stark 
County in the State Legislature, serving from 
1858 to 18G1. He was appointed Superintend- 
ent of the Insane Hospital at Newburg, which 
position he held from 1874 to 1876. Was Sur- 
geon ten yeai's of the Pittsliurgh, Fort Wayne 
& Chicago Railway. Has frequently written 
for the medical journals, and. of late years, has 
taken quite an interest in the early history of 
Stark County, collecting and recording events 
for preservation. He has been twice married. 
His first wife was Sarah C. Pearee, daughter of 
Dr. Joseph Pcarce. of Huron, Ohio. She died 
while with him in the army, in 1863. His pres- 
ent wife is Helena A., daughter of C. F. Ricks, 
of Massillon. 

The first physician to lfx;ate in Canal Fulton 
w\as William Myers. He read with Dr. Gard- 
ner, of Canton. Dr. Myers was in Fulton but 
a short time when he chan<rcd his residence to 



280 



HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY. 



Sandj'ville. Here he tliod oF coiisuiiiption. The 
next in Jiawrence Township, was Dr. S. Dol- 
bear. and following him Alexander Porter. We 
have been unable to procure any definite in- 
formation in regard to the early history of these 
men. 

Henry Houtz was born in Pennsylvania, and 
came to Ohio with his father, who was a pio- 
neer settler of Wayne County. The subject of 
our sketch, after completing his school studies, 
engaged for a time in teaching, and then com- 
menced the study of medicine with Dr. L. (!. 
Harley, of Dalton. Completing the preliminary 
course, he attended lectures, and graduated at 
Jeft'erson Medical College. Philadelphia, and 
commenced practice in Canal Fulton about 
1838. He remained here until 1849, when he 
sold out and removed to Cleveland, where he is 
still living. 

Abram Houtz read medicine with his brother 
Henry. (Iraduated at Jefferson Medical Col- 
lege, and commenced practice in Seville, Medina 
County. Removed to Canal Fulton in 1849, 
and continued there in practice until his death 
in 1880. 

Lucius Howard practiced medicine in Fulton 
about ten years, then removed to Keene, Co- 
shocton County, where he was killed by his 
brother-in-law. 

Jacob Zinsser, a student of Dr. r)allwick, 
practiced in Fulton some six years, and died 
there in 1854. 

Harrj' M. JlcAbee was located several years 
in Canton as a practitioner, but abandoned the 
profession for that of the ministry, in which he 
was engaged when the civil war broke out. He 
entered the army as Surgeon of the Fourth Ohio 
Volunteer Infantry, resigned his commission in 
1863, and engaged with the establishment of 
C. Aultman & Co. as a traveling agent, and 
was in their emplo}' when he was killed in a 
railroad collision on the Lake Shore Road at the 
age of thirty-seven. He was a man of consider- 
able ability, well posted in raedi(^al literature, 
and an acceptalile preacher. 

J. K. Dougherty was born in Beaver County. 
Penu.. in 1820 ; read medicine with Dr. E. M. 
Pyle, Richmond, Jefferson County, Ohio : prac- 
ticed five years in Pennsylvania, and for thirty- 
two years in Greentown. He was married, in 
1844, to Phoebe Thompson, of Carroll County, 
Ohio, who died in 1847. He was married again, 
in 1849, to Angeline (xorgas. Dr. Doughertv 



was Lieutenant Colonel of the One Hundred 
and Sixty-second Ohio National Guard, and was 
four mouths in the service. He is still in active 
practice, with a fair prospect of continuing yet 
many years. He stands well as a man and 
practitioner. 

L. E. Dougherty was born in Oreentown in 
1853 ; read medicine with his father, Dr. J. E. 
Dougherty, and graduated at Columbus Medi- 
cal College in 1879. He married, the same 
year, Clara Hart, of Summit County, and has 
since been practicing in company with his 
father. 

Levi L. Laraborn was h(irn in Chester County, 
Peiui., in 1829. and came to Ohio when eight 
years of age. He read medicine with Dr. Solo- 
man Shrieve, of Damascus. He attended lect- 
ures in Philadelphia and Cleveland, graduating 
at the latter place in 1849 : commenced prac- 
tice in Mount Cnion. where he remained fifteen 
years; removed to Alliance in 18ti3, where he 
continued practice until 1866. then retired from 
the pi'ofession, and engaged in banking and 
speculating in real estate. Dr. L. was nomi- 
nated a candidate for Representati\e to the 
Legislature — session 1S58-59. He was elected 
Clerk of that body — session 1860-61 ; was a 
candidate for Senator in 1874, and, in 1876, for 
Congress. During the administration of Gov. 
Bishop, he vvas a Trustee of the Deaf and Dumb 
Asylum. Dr. riamborn is an effective pulilic 
speaker. 

T. Clarke .Miller was born in Butler (!ounty, 
Penn., in 1842. He began the study of medi- 
cine in 1861 ; but soon after enlisted as a pri- 
vate soldier, and served as such during the first 
three years of the wai-, in Company F. Ninth 
Pennsylvania Reserve Corps, with the •• Army 
of the Potomac." After his discharge, he con- 
tinued the study of medicine with Dr. M. \i. 
Miller, of Blairsville. Penn. Tn 1865, he at- 
tendetl lectures in Charity Hospital Medical 
College at Cleveland, afterward continuing his 
studies with Dr. W. J. Scott, of Cleveland. "He 
received his degree from Charity Hospital Medi- 
cal College in 1867, after which, he continued 
practical study as House Surgeon in St. Vin- 
cent's Hospital for one year ; located first in 
Newburgh, Cuyahoga Co.. Ohio, where he re- 
mained about two years, then removed to Cleve- 
land, and practiced there until 187(!, when he 
changed his location to Massillon. While in 
Cleveland, he was a member of the visiting 



^^^ 



^A 



HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY 



staft' of St. Vincent's Hospital, and served two 
terms as Coroner of Ciiyalioga County, an im- 
portant and responsible position. He was a 
member of the Board of Kxamining Surgeons 
for Pensions. He was elected, in 1873, to the 
chair of obstetrics in the Medical Department 
of Wooster I'niversity at Cleveland, which place 
he still occupies. He is the United States Ex- 
amining Surgeon for reiisions at Massillon. 
I>r. .Miller was married, in 1869. to Mary A. 
Culliertson. of Blairsville, Penn. 

Albert \V. Hidenour was born in Washington 
County. Md.. in 1848. At about ten years of 
age, he removed with his father's family to 
Oliio. His early education was in the common 
and academic schools. He began the study of 
medicine in 18(5(1. with his l)rother. Dr. W. T. 
Ridenour, of Smithville. Wayne Co., Ohio. He 
attended lectures at Charity Hospital Medical 
College. Cleveland, in 18()(). and the year follow- 
ing at the Ohio Medical College. Cincinnati, 
from which institution he received his degree. 
He began practice in Denmark, Morrow Co., 
Ohio, in 18(58. After one year, he removed to 
Wadsworth. Medina County, and, after remain- 
ing at this place a few months, he located in 
Canal Fulton, where he remained about two 
and a half years ; then, in 1871, located in Mas- 
sillon, where he has since remained. Dr. Ride- 
nour served in the late war as musician and 
Hospital Stewanl. He was married, in 1S()9, 
to Emma F. Miller, daughter of Abram Miller, 
of Canal F\dton. He is now Railroad Surgeon, 
and. for a number of years, has been Health 
Officer of Massillon. 

Lehman Danziger was born in (xermany, 
1805. After graduating at the high school in 
Holzminden, Hcrzogtiuun Braunschweig, he 
entered the University of (ioettingen. and com- 
pleted a medical course which re(iuired five 
years. Soon after graduating he entenul the 
service of the Russian government as a mili- 
tary physician. At the expiration of three 
years he resigned his commission and located 
in Bremen. At the age of forty, he came to 
America and for three years practiced in New- 
Oxford. Adams County, Penn.. thence to Can- 
ton, where he has since remained. Dr. Danziger 
is at present the oldest practicing physician in 
the county, being now in his sevenlj'-seventh 
year — over fifty years in practice, and yet able 
and willing to attend a call any hour of llie 
night. 



Thomas H. Phillips was born in Washington 
County, Penn,. 18H9. He was educated at 
Jefferson College and read medicine with Dr. 
(icorge H. Cook, of Cannonsburg, Penn. He 
graduated at Jefferson Medical College, Phila- 
delphia, with the Class of 18()4. Immediately 
after graduating, he was appointed Assistant 
Surgeon of the Seventy-ninth Pennsylvania 
Regiment, and remained with them in the field 
during their continuance in the service. At 
the close of the war he commenced the practice 
of medicine in Middletown. Penn.. remained 
there several years, then changed his location 
to Canton, where he has since remained. Dr. 
Phillips was married in 18G8 to Irene M. Lind- 
sey, by whom he has one child, a daughter, 
Mrs, Phillips died in 187(5 of phthisis. The 
Doctor has been Physician to the County In- 
firmary ; is now Surgeon of the \' alley Railwaj-, 

R. P, Johnson was born in Stark County, 
183il, Head medicine with Dr. h. L. Lamborn, 
Alliance, and graduated at the Cincinnati Col- 
lege of Medicine and Surgery-, in 1861 . ( >pened 
an office same spring in Mount Union. In 
September. 1862. entered the army as Assistant 
Surgeon One Hundred and F'ourth Ohio Vol- 
unteer Infantry. Remained less than a year 
and during that time was on hospital duty at 
Lexington, Ky. On leaving the army he set- 
tled in Dcerfiekl. where he remained eighteen 
months. In 1864, he re-entered th(' army as 
Contract Surgeon, serving on post hospital 
duty at Springfield and Chicago. At the close 
of the war he settled in Alliance, where he 
practiced about ten years, then removed to 
Canton where he has since remained. He is at 
present Station Surgeon to the Pittsburgh, Fort 
Wayne & Chicago Railway, and the (lonnotton 
^'alley Railway-, likewise to the County Jail. 
He was married in 1857 to Miss Marianna Hunt, 
by whom he has had four (children, two still 
living, 

W, E. Rukenbrod is a native of Carroll Coun- 
ty, born 1850, Commenced reading medicine 
with Dr, R. B. Rush, .Salem, Ohio, in 1S7(I, dur- 
ing which time he practiced two years under 
instructions. (Iraduated at the Pulte Medical 
College. (!incinnati, 1875, and afterward had 
charge of Dr. Rush's business six months, 
while he was on a trip to Europe. Settled in 
Canton in 1875, and lias remained here since. 
Was married July, 1878, to .Aliss Kate Jackson, 
daughter of C, H, Jackson, 



282 



HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY. 



E. O. Portman was boru in Switzerland, and 
came to this country witti his parents, who set- 
tled in Bethlehem Township. He read med- 
icine with Dr. Metz. of Massillon. graduated at 
Cleveland, 1871, and immediately after located 
in Canton. 

Samuel A. Conkliu. born 1841, in Washing- 
ton County, I'enn., commenced reading med- 
icine in 1864 with Dr. John Kelly, of Claysville, 
Washington County, Penn., graduated in Cleve- 
land, 1867, and settled in Belle Vernon, Penn., 
where ho remained some six years, then re- 
moved to Canton, 1873. He was married in 
1868 to Miss Laura Bughera, of Fayette Coun- 
ty, Penn. Dr. Conklin was for several years 
Physician to the County Jail, and also to the 
County Infirmary, and is now a member of the 
Board of Education as well as the Health 
Board. 

James Fraunfelter was born in Ashland Coun- 
ty, Ohio, 1846. He studied medicine with Dr. 
f. S. Hunter, of Ashland. Graduated in 1871. 
at Long Island College Hospital, and in 1872 
at Jefferson College. Philadelphia. Commenced 
practice the same year in Canal Fulton, and 
continued there until the spring of 1881, when 
he removed to Canton. He married Miss Kate 
Roseberry, of Ashland. 

(xeorge B. <!ock read medicine with Dr. Bow- 
en, of Akron, and attended lectures at Cleve- 
land, 1868. He has been settled in practice at 
several difl'erent places, but at the present is in 
Canton, and Coroner of the county. He was 
married in 1865 to Miss A. E. (Ireenwood, 
daughter of Judge Greenwood, of Paris. 

Of the physicians of Paris who came after 
Dr. Robert Pjstep left, was Dr. Charles Preston. 
He practiced there some years and died. Dr. 
James L. Beebout located there in 1844, and 
died in 1864. Dr. J. Beebout removed from 
Sandyville to Paris soon after the death of 
James L., and yet resides there. In addition 
to these, were Drs. (rugleman, Geiger, Gray. 
Baker, Barris, Bates and others. 

In Osnaburg, there are the two Drs. White- 
leather, both natives of the county and both 
graduates. 

Samuel Wolf was born in Osnaburg, Stark 
County, 1818. He studied medicine with Dr. 
George K. Pardee, of Wadsworth, Medina 
Co., and in 1843 attended a course of lectures 
at Cleveland Medical College. He commenced 
the practice of medicine in Osnaburg, but 



removed to Wilmot in 1846. where he has since 
remained. 

C. P. Wolf, son of Samuel, was born in 
Wilmot, 1849. studied with his father and 
graduated at Cleveland Medical College, 1874. 
He has since been in partnership with his 
father, and together they do an extensive prac- 
tice. 

David Crise was born in Westmoreland 
County, Penn., in 1846. He graduated at 
Jefl'erson Medical College in 1872, and located 
in Beach City in 1877. 

M. A. Robinett, born in Ohio in 1844, read 
medicine with Dr. Pomerean, of Miliersburg. 
Graduated at Cleveland in 1869. and settled in 
Beach City in 1874. 

W. C. Putnam was born in Sugar Creek 
Township, Stark County, in 1852. He gradua- 
ted at the Ohio Medical College in 1871, and 
after practicing a short time in Van Wert 
County, and in Brookfield, this county, located 
in Justus, near his old home. 

Mrs. Eliza L. Thomas, the first female phy- 
sician located in Stark County, was born in 
Willoughby, Ohio. She commenced the study 
of medicine with her husband. Dr. Thomas, 
soon after their marriage, and graduated in 
Philadelphia during their residence in that city. 
On their return to Alliance, she engaged in 
general practice with her husband, and her suc- 
cess would compare favorably with the general 
run of male practitioners. Called to assist in 
the delivery of a dead IVetus, she absorbed 
septic poison through an abrasion of the hand, 
contracted pyemia, and with which she died. She 
was highly esteemed by the community in 
which she lived, and lier loss was much de- 
plored. 

Mrs. Sarah C. Heaton was born in Lancaster 
County, Penn., in 1839. Her maiden name 
was Cooper, and she was reared a Quaker. She 
read medicine one year with Dr. P. L. Hatch, 
of Minneapolis, Minn., and one year under Dr. 
Mary E. Wilson, of Lancaster, Penn., graduat 
ing in 1875, at the ' Woman's Medical Col 
lege of Penns3'lvania. " She raari'ied the fol- 
lowing 3'ear Dr. J. G. Heaton, and the two im- 
mediatel}' after established themselves, in Al- 
liance, as practitioners of medicine. In the 
following June, the husband died, and Mrs. 
Heaton has continued in the business since, 
doing a respectable share thereof It should 
have been mentioned that Dr. Heaton had been 



lIIrSTOHV OF STARK CUlXTY 



located in Alliance about ten years previous to 
his marriage. 

Lybia Moulton was born in I'ortage County, 
Ohio, in 1837. Read medicine with Dr. Ward, 
of Suffield in 1858. and graduated at the I'ni- 
versitj- of Michigan in 18G0. He has been in 
practice in Hartville eighteen years. 

Byron J. Douds was born in 184() in Lake 
Township, Stark Count}'. Enlisted at the age 
of fifteen in the Eight^'-sixth Ohio ^'olunteer 
Infantry, and served with the regiment until 
expiration of term of enlistment. Re-enlisted 
in United States Navy, and while in that arm 
of the service, was chosen b}- the commanding 
officer for a special work requiring great phys- 
ical endurance, firmness and fidelit}'. After 
expiration of term of enlistment, pursued col- 
legiate studies at Oberlin and Mount I'nion. 
Read medicine with Dr. L. M. Whiting, and 
took special course under Dr. J. H. vSaulsliury. 
of Cleveland. Graduated in 1870, at Cleveland 
Medical Department T^niversity of Wooster. 
and commenced practice in Canton immedi- 
ately aft«r. He is at present Physician to 
Stark County Infirmary-. Married in 1S7.") to 
Miss Ella Hilles, of Mount Union. 

Frank Pennock. born in Stark County in 
1852, educated at the home schools, read med- 
icine with Dr. J. H. Day. Limaville. Attended 
first course of lectures at Ann Arbor. Mich., 
and graduated at Cleveland in 1878. Formed 
a connection with Dr. Day, and continued with 
him until his death. Married in 1880 to Miss 
Isabella McCallum, of Stark County. 

James McConkey, born and educated in 
England, has been located in Mapleton about 
twenty years, and doing a respectable business. 

Allen W. Weidler was born in Lancaster 
County, Penn., and came to Stark County 
about 1848. He practiced for a number of 
j'ears in New Ucrlin, but is now a resident of 
McDonaldsville, Jackson Township. He is the 
Paracelsus of Stark Count}". Has a number of 
specifics, among them, '• A Sure Cure for the 
Typhoid Fever," the formula of which lie otl'ers 
to sell to the United States (iovcrnment for 
'■ :J25,000, not a cent less." 

A. P. L. Pease was born in Massillou in 
1847, and is a son of Hon. Anson Pease. He 
was educated in the public schools, and began 
the study of medicine in 1868, in the office of 
the late Dr. Abraham Metz. In 1871. he grad- 
uated from the Medical Department of Woos- 



ter University, in Cleveland, ami ininiediately 
began the practice of his profession in his na- 
tive town. At the expiration of about a year, 
he removed to Pittsburgh, wliere he remained 
until October. 1875. at whicli time he returned 
t« Massillon. He served in the army during 
the late war. as a private in the 1 Oil-days 
service. His marriage with .Miss Anna Delia 
Gillespie, of Pittsburgh, was celebrated on the 
18th day of September. 1877. 

William H. Kirkland is a native of Crawford 
Co., Ohio, where his birth occurred in 1840. 
His education was received at the common 
schools, and. in 1870. he began the study of 
iioniii'opatli} in the office of Dr. ^\'. A. Whippey, 
of (loshen. Ind. He attended lectures in the 
Cleveland Homa'opathic Hospital College dur- 
ing the session of 1S72-7H. and soon afterward 
established himself in practice at Canal Dover. 
Tuscarawas County. At the expiration of about 
nine months, he removed to Ooshen Ind., 
where he continued the practice in conjunction 
witii his former preceptor. Dr. Whippe}'. until 
January, 1875. when he returned to .Massillon. 
In 1878. he again attended medical lectures, 
and finally graduated at the above-mentioned 
college. He was a private in Company K. 
Eighty-second Regiment Ohio \'olunteer In- 
fantry, during the late war. In 18S1. ho was 
married to Jliss Helen, daughter nf James 
Xeal, of Massillon. 

Everett H.. son of Dr. J. P. Barrick, was 
born in Massillon in 1845. The public schools 
of his native town furnished his early educa- 
tion, but later lie attended the Iron City Col- 
lege, of Pittsburgh. From 1805 to 18G8. he 
was engaged in the drug liusiness in Cleveland, 
a portion of the time with Vaupel & Moore, 
hut at the latter date he began the study of 
medicine with Dr. Proctor Thayer, of the latter 
city. He attended lectures at the Cleveland 
Medical College, at which institution he grad- 
uated in the spring of 1872. He practiced his 
profession in Cleveland until 1875, when he re- 
moved to !\Iassillou and associated himself with 
his father. In October. 1875, he was united in 
marriage with Miss Clara H., daughter of Hor- 
ace (I. Hitchcock, of Cleveland. 

Henry Clay Royer is a native of Steuben 
Co., X. y., his birth occurring at Bath, in July. 
184G. He began the study of homieopathy in 
1872, under Dr. Baxter, of Cleveland, and grad 
uated at the Honifeopathic College, of that city. 



2b-l 



HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY. 



in 1875. He began practicing at Seville, Ohio, 
the year before his graduation, and, when his 
college course was completed, returned to 
Seville, remaining there until 187G. when here- 
moved to .Massillon and formed a partnership 
with Dr. Kirkland. He was married in Janu- 
ary, 181)6, to Miss Lucy E., daughter of Jotham 
T Williams, of New York State. T)i: Royer is 
at present a mem[)erorthe Board of Health of 
Massillcjn. 

Jaines F. (Jardner was born in Leeds, York- 
shire. Knglaud, in 183G, and when three years 
of age was brought by his parents to Stai-k 
County, locating first at Canton, but, in 18-10, 
removing to Bethlehem. He was educated 
mainly at Meadville. I'enn., and at Mouut 
I'nion College, Stark County, and, in 1855, be- 
gan the stud}' of medicine with Dr. J. D. Otis, 
of Navarre, but in 1857 went to Columbus, 
where his medical studies were continued under 
the supervision of Dr. J. D. Hamilton. He at- 
tended lectures at Columbus and Cleveland, 
and. in 1860. received his degree at the latter 
city. He (jracticed his profession three years 
at Canal Fulton, and then entered the arm}- as 
Assistant Surgeon of the Tenth Ohio Cavalry, 
and, for a short time, did staff duty. After 
his return, he remained one j-ear at Canal 
Fulton, and then, in 1866, removed to West 
Bidoktield. He was married. June, 1866. to 
iMiss Theresa, (laughter of Xavier Kern, of 
Tuscarawas Township. 

Thomas J. Keed. born July, 1838, is a native 
of Coshocton County, and began reading medi- 
cine with Dr. Carroll, of Keene, Ohio. In 1864, 
he took the degree of Doctor of Medicine from 
Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, and 
afterward took a special course in the '■ Lying- 
in-Hospital ' of that city. During the late war, 
he served as Acting Assistant Surgeon ; and, 
in 1866. located at ^lassillon. where he has 
since practiced his profession. His wife, to 
whom he was married in 1869, was Miss Isabella 
Dickey, of Massillon. Dr. Reed has served a 
number of jears as member of the Board of 
Health of Massillon. 

Simpson J. Harniount is a '■ Buckeye," his 
birth occurring at Lima, Allen County, in Sep- 
temlier, 1852. His general education was com- 
pleted in 1873, by his graduation at the Ohio 
Wesleyan University, Delaware, Ohio. His 
study of medicine was begun in 1873, with Dr. 
Buell. of New Philadelphia ; but, after a short 



time, he removed to Massillon, and commenced 
studying under Dr. Metz He attended lectures 
at Cleveland, and finally graduated in medicine 
at Cincinnati. He has since been located in 
Massillon. and has given his special attention 
to diseases of the eya. In October, 1880, he 
was united in marriage with Miss Emma T. 
Ruchti, of Cleveland. 

William H. Becher was born in Stark County 
in 1848. His education was such as could be 
obtained from the country schools. He com- 
menced the study of medicine in 1865, gradu- 
ating in 1860. He has a farm in Pike Town- 
ship, upon which he resides, doing considerable 
country practice. He has been twice married. 
His post oflfice address is North Industry, Stark 
Co., Ohio. 

John H. Tressel was born in Carroll Count}- 
in 1833. He was educated at Mount Union 
College, graduating in 1860. He read medicine 
with Dr. S. F. Rukenbrod, of Malvern ; attended 
lectures at Cleveland Medical College, and re- 
ceived the degree of M. D. in 1863 ; commenced 
practice in Malvern, but removed to Alliance 
in 1873. Fie was appointed Railway Surgeon 
in 1876. Dr. T. married, in 1862, Miss Susan- 
nah T. Hawkins, of Mahoning County. 

George C. Welch was born in Harrison County, 
Ohio, in 1838 ; attended lectures at Cleveland, 
graduating in 1870 ; first commenced practice 
at Kilgore, Carroll County ; remained there 
one year, then removed to Carrollton, thence 
to Mechanicstown, where he remained thirteen 
years. In 1878, he located in Waynesburg. 
He is married to Abigail A. Hine, of Trumbull 
County. 

A. B. Walker was born in Jefferson County, 
Ohio ; attended medical lectures in Chicago, 
and graduated in Philadelphia in 1881. He is 
located in Canton. 

E. h. Walker was born iu Knox Count}-, 
Ohio ; attended first course of lectures at Ann 
Arbor, Mich., and graduated in Cleveland in 
1869 ; practiced several years in Holmes County, 
and located in Canton in 1872. He is now 
Health Officer of the city. 

A. H. (Jans is a native of Stark County ; 
was born in 1847. He studied medicine with 
Dr. D. L. Gans, of Sparta, and graduated at 
Cleveland in 1870. He commenced the prac- 
tice of medicine in Navarre the same year, and 
has continued there since, steadily increasing 
in professional reputation and business. 



^1 



'-^ 



HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY. 



285 



William I'. Preston was born in Virginia, 
and cann' with his father's family in 1825, to 
Columbiana County. Ho read meiiicMue with 
his hrotln-r, [>r. C. II. rrcston, and began prac- 
tice in lHH!t at Malvern. Carroll County. He 
remained here but a short time, and removed 
to Hoiivar. forming a partnership with Dr. 
Bennett. On the death of his brother. C. H.. 
he moved to I'aris. and continued there ten 
years ; then to Alliance, where he resided until 
1857 ; then to Mendota, III., where he remained 
until 18(JS. when he returned to Alliance, his 
present residence. Dr. I'reston obtained a di- 
ploma from a Cincinnati College. He was in 
the war of the rebellion as Contract Surgeon. 
He was married, in 184;!. to Miss Cynthia Iv 
Tinker, of liandolph. Poitage County. 

Milton M. Call ill was born in New York 
State in 1840. A tier receiving a good educa- 
tion at the common schools and at West Green- 
field Academy, he. in the fall of 18(i5. began 
studying mettieine with Dr. Nathan Spencer, of 
Greenfield. In 18(i()-(iS, he attended lectures 
at the Homo'opathic Hospital College. Cleve- 
land, receiving his diploma in February. 18(18. 
and immediately located at Brookfield. N. V.. 
where he continued to practice for three years, 
at the end of which time he moved to Massillon, 
Ohio, and four years later, to Canton, where he 
has since resideil and practiced. In January. 
1860, he married Miss Rozella D.. daughter of 
Anson T. Clark, of Brookfield. N. V. 

A. C. Brandt was born in Ashland County 
in July. 1852. He was educated at the schools 
of Haysville. and at Lebanon College, and read 
medicine in 187;i with Dr. T. S. Hunter, of 
Ashland. He attended lectures at the Bellevuc 
Hospital Medical College. New York City, 
from which institution he graduated in 1877. 
He ■• hung out his shingle " in Canton in Janu- 
ary. 1878, and has since remained there in 
active practice. For a young man, he has met 
with marked success. In 1878 and 1879, he 
was a member of the Board of Health of Can- 
ton, and, since his location in the city, has 
been Secretary of the Stark County .Nledical 
Society. 

Judson H. Day (deceased) was born in Deer- 
field, Portage Co., Ohio. Septemlier 2. 1804. 
He read medicine under Dr. Meiiary, of Deer- 
fielil, and finished under Dr. Shreve. of Mas- 
sillon. Soon after this, he began practicing, a 
portion of the time at Lima and for a short 



period at Marlboro, Stark County, He was a 
successful practitioner during his long career. 

Leon B. Santee is a native of Mahoning 
County, Ohio, his birth occurring in June, 1853. 
His early education was received from the 
common schools. He attended the Mount 
I'nion College, and graduated in July, 1875. 
After reading medicine with Dr. Miller, of Alli- 
ance, for a short time, he entered the Medical 
Department of the University of Pennsylvania, 
and graduated in medicine March, 1878. In 
April, 1878. he went to ilarlboro and formed a 
partnership with Dr. Harper, and has since re- 
mained there in active practice. 

W. O. Baker was born in Northampton 
County. Peiiii., December 12. 1827. He began 
the stud^' of medicine at the age of twenty in 
opposition to the wishes of his parents. He 
finally attended the Jeflerson Medical College, 
of Philadelphia in 1852. but. owing to a lack of 
means, did not gratluate. He began practicing 
in Nimishilleii Township in 1855, and located 
in JiOuisville in 1858 ; here he has since resided 
and practiced In September, 1873. he re- 
ceived a diploma from Cleveland Medical (Col- 
lege. He has an extensive practice. 

John Schilling was born near Frankfort on 
the JIaiii, in Germany, Octol)er 10, 1794. After 
receiving a fine classical education at the Euro- 
pean schools, he, at the age of twenty-five 
years, began studying medicine, and finally, in 
about 183C. graduated at the Wurtsburg Medi- 
cal College. In 1837, he came to the United 
States, practicing first at Bolivar, Ohio, and 
later, at Louisville and Osnaburg. In 1852, 
he opened a drug store at Crestline, Ohio, but 
at the end of eighteen months returned to 
Louisville and again began practicing. Here 
he remained at work until 187ti, when advanc- 
ing years and failing vigor compelled him to 
cease active practice. He has had a long and 
eventful experience in the practice of medicine. 
Died the present year. 

A. S. Sheets was born in Columbiana County 
in 1824. When he was six months old, his 
father was accidentally killed, and the boy was 
thrown among strangers. He studied medi- 
cine with Dr. Dillenbaugh, and. in 1846, went 
to I'Vemoiit. Ohio, where he practiced three 
years, and then removed to Huntington, Ind. 
After practicing there for some time he lost 
health, and his practice languished. In 1857, 
he located at Harrisburg. Stark County, where 



IW" 



:\^ 



286 



HISTORY OF STAKK COUNTY. 



he has since remained, practicing and fanning 
to some extent. 

J. 1^. Schilling was born in Louisville in 
September. 1840. In 1857, he began read- 
ing medicine under his father's supervision, 
and in 1860, attended lectures at the Western 
Reserve College, the medical department being 
located at Cleveland. His medical education 
was completed b3' his graiiuation from the Star- 
ling Medical College of Columbus, during the 
winter of 1863-64. He immediately hung out 
his shingle in Louisville, where he has since 
remained in active practice. 

J. S. Beucler was born in Switzerland in 
1820. He received a good education, and 
taught several terms of school in his native 
land. His medical studies were begun in 185:!. 
Two years later, he came to Louisville, Ohio, 
and began practicing his profession. With the 
exception of three years spent in Waj-ne 
Countj', he has since remained in practice at 
Louisville. 

J. P. Callahan was born in Mahoning County 
in 1835. and, when about nineteen 3'ears of age, 
began reading medicine with Dr. J. M. Hole, of 
Greenford, and, in 1869, graduated at the Ec- 
lectic Medical College of Pennsylvania. He 
practiced ten years at Berlin Center, and, in 
1870, located at Alliance, where he has since 
resided, practicing his profession. 

John V, Lewis was born in Greenford. Ma- 
honing Co,, in 1836, and read medicine with 
Dr. A. Wiekart, of his native town, after which 
he attended lectures at the Eclectic Medical 
Institute of Cincinnati. He practiced at East 
Berlin. 111., for a time, hut at length returned 
to Ohio and formed a partnership with his pre- 
ceptor. In 1869. he graduated from the above- 
mentioned institution, and, in 1871, located at 
Alliance, Here he has since remained, 

Joseph Ddworth, a native of Columbiana 
County, studied medicine in Mount Union, and 
afterward attended lectures at the Cleveland 
Medical College, but did not graduate. He lo- 
cated in Mount Union, where he enjoyed a 
lucrative practice until the time of his death, 
which event occurred in November, 1878. He 
was elected to the State Legislature in 1808. 

A. H. Day was born in Deerfield, Ohio, No- 
vember. 1815. He began the study of medicine 
in 1840 with his brother. J. H. Day." He studied 
thus for three years and then began practicing 
in Columbiana County, and after six months 



went to New Baltimore where he has been the 
greater portion of the time since. Through 
his long practice he has had reasonable suc- 
cess. 

J. H. Rogers was born in Wayne (_!ounty, 
Ohio, in November, 1847. His medical studies 
were begun in the fall of 1873, under Dr. 
Barnes, of Fredericksburg, Ohio, In 1875-76, 
he attended medical lectures at the Uni\ersity 
of Wooster. Cleveland, from which institution 
he graduated. Soon after this he began prac- 
ticing at Beech City, where he remained until 
the fall of 1878. and then went to Louisville, 
where he has enjoyed a lucrative practice since, 

A, B, Campbell was born in Canada, where 
he first began the study of medicine. He after- 
ward attended the University of ^lichigan at 
Ann Arbor, graduating from the medical de- 
partment in April, 1871, He practiced for two 
years in Summit County, and then removed to 
Canal Fulton, where he has since remained. 
During the winter of 1880-81, he attended the 
Jefferson Medical College of Philadelphia to 
further perfect himself in his profession. 

H, Dissinger is a native of Summit County, 
Ohio, He began the study of medicine in 1875, 
under Dr, D. Rowe. of Manchester. In 1878. 
he graduated at the Medical College of 01ii(j, 
Cincinnati ; he is also a graduate of the Long 
Island Hospital College of Brooklyn, New 
York, In December, 1878, he located at 
Canal Fulton and has secured a large practice, 

C, M, Dickson is also a native of Summit 
County, He began the study of medicine with 
his father, Dr, M. M. Dickson, under whose di- 
rection he remained one year. He then entered 
the Medical ('oUege at .\nn Arbor, Mich., 
and graduated in ISSO. He practiced seven 
months in Port Clinton, Summit County, and 
then removed to Canal Fulton, where he has 
since been in active practice. 

Z. T. Goucher is a native of the Keystone 
State. He studied medicine with his father, 
Dr, C, W. Goucher, and at last, after a collegiate 
course, graduated at the University of Michi- 
gan, Ann Arbor, in 1873, He then practiced 
at Inwood, Ind., three years, and also three 
years at Lester's Ford, Indiana. He removed 
to Ohio and practiced two years at Orrville, and 
then located in North Lawrence, where he has 
since resided and practiced, 

J. W. ^IcCort began the study of medicine 
with Dr. Carter, of Carrollton ; attended lee- 



(ANTON TOWNSHIP. 



387 



tures in Cincinnati, unci tinally •iraduated in 
medicine at the Beilevue Medical Hospital. 
New York. He located in W'ayneslmiii in 
1872. and has since remained there with a 
flourishing practice. 

B. S. Diblile has been located in Minerva in 
the practice of medicine over thirty years, 

Ui'. Sanor, of the same place, has been a resi- 
dent of fStark county a number of years. 

A biographical sketch of Dr. (leorge Holtz 
of New Berlin, and Dr. J. Steese of I'niontown. 
will appear in anothc-r part of thi' work. 

J. M. Bye is a native of Columbiana Counlv. 
and a graduate of the Medical l»epartment of 
the University of Michigan. Ann Arbor, Mich- 
igan. He has. enjoyed an active practice at 
Waynesburg since 1865. 

Alexander F. Atwell was born in Columbiana 
County : read medicine with I)rs. Frease & 
Graham, of Hanover,- and has been practicing 
at Waynesburg more than twenty years. 

As dentistry may be considered an adjunct 
of medicine, it is proper to mention that the 
first dentist in Stark countv was S. 1', Hullihan. 



He w;is a self-made man had learned the sil- 
\ersmith trade, and afterward took up dentis- 
try, and followed it some live years in Canton, 
then removed to ^Vheeling, Va,, where he ac- 
(|uired a high reputation, not only as an expert 
ilentist. but as a surgeon in special operations. 
As early as 1830. a Medical Society was 
formed, composed of the most reputable and 
prosperous meml)ers of the profession, located 
in different parts of the county. They contin- 
ued to meet regularly semi-annually and for a 
time (|uartcrly, until internal dissensions arose, 
created by the introiluction of personal quarrels, 
based on alleged violations of the code of ethics. 
For a time the societ}" would be dissolved, 
and again convoked under a new nyimf — flour- 
ish temporarily, only to again wane. At pres- 
ent it has oidy a sickly existence, .Most of the 
members belong to the l^nion Medical Associa- 
tion, of North eastern Ohio, which meets quar- 
terly, having a representation from a number of 
counties, is a much larger body, and the meet- 
ings always interesting and profitable, which 
contributes to cripple the county organization. 



CHAPTER VIII.=^ 



(ANTilN TOW.NSHll'— iT.-< liKNERAL .V.N'D I'HVSICAL FEATURES— MEYERS L.\KE— SETTLEMENT KY 

\VHITE.S— AN ISCIlJEXT— ORIfUNAL PLAT OK CANTON— SLUSSERS MILL 

— INDIANS — SCHOOLS — A RETROSPECTION. 



■Sec Xatiirr i 
With jd.v rrpiiys the 



■Idthed in smiles, 
laborer for hi-. 



Mn,is 



i^'^ANTON TOWNSHII' was one of tlu- lirst 
\_J townships orgamzed in the county. It is 
bounded on the north by Plain ; ea.st by Osna- 
burg ; south by Pike ; and west by Perry Town- 
ship. It is six miles square, and covers, there- 
fore, an area of thirtj'six square miles, or 
thirty-six complete sections of land. Situated 
but a few miles south of the summit that divides 
the valley of the Ohio from that of the great 
lakes, it has some geographical features com- 
mon to both ; but the predominating ones are 
those of the Ohio River basin, to which it 
properly belongs. The surface features are 
varied — rolling and inclined to bo hill}\ in the 
northeastern portion ; in the northwestern. 

=* Cuntribilted by Prof. Daniel Wijrley. 



it is almost a level plain ; south of the cen- 
tral section line, it becomes more and more 
hilly, until in the southeastern and southwest- 
ern portions it is very rough and hill3- ; and 
this is particularly the case along the Nimi- 
shillen Creek just before it leaves the town- 
ship, where steep, precipitous banks rise on 
both sides to an elevation of 150 to 200 feet, 
and extend back in each direction, east and 
west, for a considerable distance. The Ninii 
shillen is hemmed in by ridges of moderate 
elevation through its whole extent, inclosing 
bottom land of great fertility from half a mile 
to a mile in width. Hurford's Hill, a little west 
of south from Canton, and Buck Hill, about 
two miles southwest, not more than one and a 
half miles distant from each other, are remark- 
able from the fact that, while each of them is 
of about the height of 125 feet, they dift'er 



V 



288 



HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY 



radically and materially- from each otiier, and 
represent quite closel}- the dift'erence of the 
sections in which thej- are situated. The 
former is composed of shales of slate, several 
coal veins, fire clay and limestone, and it is 
characteristic of the whole, or nearly the whole, 
eastern and southern parts of tiie township. 
Tlie latter is a mound of gravel-drift forma- 
tion, and characterizes the northwestern part. 
The eastern and southern sections, including 
all parts of the township east of the Nimi- 
shiilen and its west branch, belong to the forest 
region of North America. A small branch, 
rising from springs in swamp land, a little 
south of the middle section line of the town- 
ship, and emptying into the Nimishillen three- 
eighths of a mile below the junction of its 
east-and-west branches, is the southern bound- 
ary, as the West Nimishillen is the eastern, of a 
sandy-soil region extending in a northwesterly 
direction to the Tuscarawas River. The south- 
ern portion of this region in Canton Township 
h:id sonic small timber : but eighty years ago, 
tlie greater part of it was without trees and 
covered with long grass, and was the first of a 
series of prairies west of the AUeghauies. 
which, gradually growing larger, at last culmi- 
nated in the great prairies of the Northwest. 
The lands here are fertile gravel lands of drift 
formation, and are at this time in a high state 
of cultivation, ranking among the first lands 
in the county for the raising of all kinds of 
grain. Most of the hilly portions of the town- 
ship, and the valleys inclosed by them, are 
clay lands, though gravel and sand hills are by 
no means uncommon among them. They are 
mostly underlaid with coal strata of sutHcient 
thickness to be profitably worked. The soil is 
generally fertile on these hills and in the val- 
leys, and jields a rich return to the labor of the 
husbandman, while the coal beneath, readily 
mined from the hillsides, gives a double source 
of income, and makes the land very valuable. 
From the northeastern part of the township a 
branch of the Nimishillen Creek, flowing south- 
westerly and in a westerly direction, meets the 
Middle Branch of the same creek coming from 
the north, just northeast of Canton, and they 
there form what is familiarly known as the P]ast 
Creek, whi(;h, flowing in a southwesterly direc- 
tion two and a half miles, forms a junction with 
the West Creek, south of Canton, and makes, 
with this, the Nimishillen Creek. From this 



point the Nimisiiillen flows in a southwesterly 
course through the township. The West Creek 
comes from the northwestern part of the town 
ship, and on its wa}' it receives the outlet from 
Meyer's Lake. Besides the tributary from the 
west, already mentioned above as dividing the 
gravel from the clay lands, the Nimisiiillen, far- 
ther down, has another small tributary from the 
east. [Springs and small rivulets are very nu- 
merous, and these, with the creeks, render the 
soil well watered. 

Meyer's Lake is in the northwestern part of 
the township, and is a beautiful sheet of clear 
water, supplied partly by the natural rainfall, 
and partly l)y numerous springs in its bottom 
coming from the gravel formation of the section 
and its northwestern extension, described above. 
This lake is one of a number of similar bodies 
of fresh water found in this part of the State of 
Ohio. It is now from a half to three-fourths of 
a mile long, with perhaps an average width of 
one-fourth of a mile. Formerly the lake undoubt- 
edly was of much greater extent, as evidenced 
from the swamp lands at its northwestern, 
and more particularly at its southern and south- 
eastern extremities. Its outlet has its origin in 
the last-named place. Its northern shore i.s a 
precipitous bluff, back of which is lieavj' tim 
ber land, mostly yet standing. The lake has 
long been a favorite resort for the boys fond of 
fishing, and when we say bo3-s we mean many 
of larger growth as well as the smaller ones. It is 
well supplied with the fish common to this part 
of the country, and it seems that the supply is 
inexhaustil)le. To those skilled in Sir Isaac 
Walton's favorite ait, it scarcely e\er refuses to 
give a favorable response. 

This lake is also the natural isuppl}' for the 
water consumption of Canton City, though, on 
account of deficiencies of one kind and the other, 
the cit^' has to depend to a considerable extent 
on the West Nimishillen Creek for. its water 
supply, for fire |.)rotection and even for ordinary 
demands. 

With the exception of swamp lands about 
Meyer's Lake and along the Nimishdien Creek, 
the lands of Canton Township are profitable for 
cultivation ; the swamp lands will, one day or 
other, also be turned to good account ; and, as 
this township is on the direct line of the wheat- 
growing section of the State, and its bottom 
landsare almost or quite equal to those of the 
Lower Muskingum, Scioto and Miami Valleys 



V 



^± 



( AXTOX TOWXSUIP. 



289 



for tlie growth of Indian corn, it is fairly pre- 
sumable that no other portion of Ohio has 
greater agricultural advantages ; and. that 
these, with its mineral resources, render the 
township rieli among the richest in the means 
of supporting comfortably a large population. 

Though the western portion of the township 
is said to be on the line of the great storms from 
the Northwest, with a few exceptions, it has as 
3et escaped their fury ; and the times they iliil 
come they were of very limited extent in width, 
and not nearly as destructive as in most other 
parts of the country subject to their direful 
visitations. The climate is generally good, and 
tends to long life and happiness ; neither too 
excessively' cold in winter nor loo hot in sum- 
mer ; neither, on the average, loo wet nor too 
dry. 

The prevailing type in tlie p()|)ulation of the 
township is Pennsylvania Cierman. noted for its 
industry, frugality and slow but stead}' jirogress. 
The Yankee spirit of radical progression has 
not been wanting ; the versatile Frenchman, the 
sprightly Irishman and the solid Ocrman from 
Fatherland have all made their intluence felt : 
and these have, with tlu^ prevailing Pennsylva- 
nians. succeeded in giving a spirit of progressive 
conservatism which has made Canton Township 
pef)ple successful, prosperous and safe against 
all ordinary reverses in business. Her fanners 
are noted for .solidity, intelligence, industry, 
thrift ; her capital city for rapid growth, great 
and even world-renowned manufactures, and a 
citizenship which, for general safety in business 
and for jiulilit' virtue, stands among the fairest 
in this or any other land. 

The early pioneers in the settlement of Stark 
County commenced near the present site of the 
city of Canton. Previous to the year 1805, the 
land ollice for all this part of the country was at 
.'^teubenville, in .letfcrson County, of which origi- 
nally this county was a part. Connected with 
the land office was -James V. Leonard. He 
seems to have been the first one who came into 
Canton Township with the purpose of renuiin- 
ing and making a permanent settlement. In 
March. 1805. in company with James and Henry 
Barber, he established a station just northeast 
of the present city, and near the county fair 
grouiMls. on the well known Reed farm. This 
farm has the reputatiim. therefore, of being the 
first settled in the township and in the county. 
Leonard and the Uarber brothers took pains to 



induce other settlers to come here, and showed 
them lands suitable for location ; and. when re- 
quired, surveyed and measured them. Leonard, 
as a land surveyor. raad<' frequent trips to Steu 
benville ; and. on one of these lri|)s. he iniluced 
one of his personal friends named James Cul- 
bertson, to come back with him. Soon after 
coming here, however, the latter was attacked 
with intlamation of the lungs, and died on the 
5th ot October. 1805. his.being the lirst death 
among the white people in the county. Others 
from Pennsylvania and Maryland came during 
the fall of 1805. who located lands, and did some 
clearing ; but returned to their Eastern homes 
before winter. Soon after the establishment of 
Leonard's Station, another was esial)lished liy 
Butler Wells and Daniel .McClure. who were 
also surveyors from Steubenville, upon lands 
located and owned by Bezaleel Wells, about two 
miles northwest of Canton, near what was then 
called the Large Spring, now well known as 
Meyer's Lake, so named from .Vndrew .Mej'ers, 
who afterward owned a large body of land 
around it. Wells and Mc(/lure brought work- 
men with them to build upon the lands and to 
cultivate theni, their effort being most likely 
the first one foi' a systematic occu|)ancy and 
cultivation in the township. These stations of 
Leonard and Wells were chosen with good 
judgment and discrimination ; tlu; one being 
in the undulating forest region almost at the 
very entranc'c of the less ruggeil and hilly 
lands between the branches of the Nimishilleu 
Creek, as com|)arc(l with the lands east and 
south of Canton, whicli, though good lands 
for farming and rich in mineral resources, were 
not, at this early period, so well adapted to 
please the eyes of emigrants from the older 
settlements .seeking a new location ; the other, 
upon the plains west of the Nimishilleu, otfering 
a tempting bait to settlers desirous of finding 
land already cleared, and waiting for the farmer 
to come in, possess and bring out its rich re- 
sources. .\s a coiLsecpience of this foresight on 
their part, these stations soon became, at this 
early period, the points to which emigrants 
came in their search for new homes. The wood- 
less lands of the prairie, however, did not. for a 
long time at first, receive from the early settlers 
the attention which from their agricultural 
worth, they should have had. Most of them 
preferred the vfooded lands northward from 
Canton, and hence, the early settlement of Plain 



I9 



^ 



HISTOIiY OF STARK COUNTY. 



Township is almost coincident witli that of 
Canton Township. 

In Jul}', 1806. Leonard united in marriage 
with a daughter of James Barber, one of his 
associates, which is worthy of special note as 
the first marriage in Stark County. 

In the autumn of 1805, Leonard surve\'ed 
and platted the original Canton, and at the first 
sale of lots by public outcry, in ISOfi, he pur- 
chased the lot on tlie southwest corner of 
Seventh and Market streets, and erected thereon 
a brick building, so long and so well known as 
the Oi^erlj- corner, which stood a relic of the 
olden times until the 3ear 1879, when it was 
torn awa}' to give place for Slierrick & Mil- 
ler's large and imposing hardware store and 
building. Later, he removed to Plain Town- 
ship, thence to Jackson Township, afterward 
to Summit County, and finally to Cleveland, 
where he died at an advanced age. Meeting as 
he did, at that early period, all classes of per- 
sons, who had come West to look up new loca- 
tions for themselves and families, he had many 
adventures, and in after 3'ears, took great 
pleasure in relating these and stories of the 
pioneer times. One of these may give a better 
insight into the then condition of things by 
being given here. A stranger from the East 
came to the station, during Leonard's absence 
on a trip to Steubenville, to register lands for 
various persons in the land office there, which 
he had measured for them. It was on a Satur- 
day, in the spring of the year 1805 ; the Bar- 
ber Brothers and Culbertson, who were in charge 
of the station, were engaged by the stranger to 
show him the lands as far from the station as 
it was safe to venture, on the following day. 
Sunday. The stranger had brought with him 
$338 in silver, in a heavy cloth sack, in which 
he also carried his provisions for the journey ; 
for greater security, before starting out to look 
at land, he placed this in the trunk of a hollow 
tree, and carefully covered the opening with 
moss, so that it might not be discovered by 
any one during his absence. Returning to the 
station late on Sunday evening, he concluded 
to let it remain in the tree until the next morn- 
ing. But what were his terror and astonisli- 
ment when, on Monday morning, he could find 
no trace of sack, or monc}', or the very neces- 
sary, in those days, bread and meat. The man 
was inconsolable, and as there was an encamp- 
ment of Indians in the neighborhood, he natu- 



rally charged the theft upon them. But as 
he could find no trace of his money, and an 
encounter with the Indians to justify his sus- 
picious and recover it. was entirely out of the 
question, he went homeward with a heavy 
heart ; $300 in those days was a large amount, 
and it was doubtless the man's whole fortune, 
the savings from many years of previous in- 
dustry and economy. On the wa}' back, he 
met Leonard and told him of his loss, and also 
of his suspicions against the Indians. Leonard 
consoled the man as best he could, and assured 
him of Ills own belief that wolves, and not the 
Indians, were the thieves, and that, probably, 
the money would be again recovered at some 
later da}'. Four months later, three men from 
Pennsylvania were looking over the land, about 
a half mile from the tree-trunk in which the 
money had been placed, to find a desirable lo- 
cation, when one of them picked up a piece of 
the ticking sack ; this, of course, led the man 
who was conducting them to relate the story 
of the stranger's loss, wheieupon all made 
diligent search, and found nearly all of the stolen 
treasure. Wolves, indeed, true to their in- 
stinct, and lured by the savory smell of cooked 
meat, had discovered the hiding-place, and 
carried oft' sack, bacon and money ; but as they 
had no special need of the last, they left it 
lying anmnd loose among the leaves of the 
forest. 

Among those who selected and located land 
in Canton Township, in the year 1805, were 
David Bechtel, Jacob Aultman, the Baer fam- 
ily, Philip Schlosser (afterward written Slus- 
ser), and William Ewing. The original title 
conveying one-fourth of Section 11 to David 
Bechtel was signed by Thomas Jefferson. 
President of the United States, and James 
Madison. Secretary of State, and is still in pos- 
session of the farail}'. Bechtel came from 
Maryland to Columbiana County in 1803; in 
1805, he located his land in Canton Township ; 
and in the fall of 1806 he came back with a 
hired man, built himself a log cabin, cleared 
three acres of land, and sowed it with wheat. 
He then returned to Columbiana County, and, 
having taken unto himself a wife, the j'oung 
married couple removed to their new home, in 
the spring of 1807 ; here he lived until his 
death, in the year 1833. David Bechtel was 
one of the first .settlers in the township who 
turned his attention to the raising of fruit. His 



#* 



CANTON TOWNSHIP 



291 



orchard was plaiiti'd upon high ground, where 
it would bo less liable to injury (Vom frost, and 
while planting tor the future, he lived long 
enough to enjoy the fruits of his labor. He 
was also a great hunter, and when away from 
home, he was always accompanied by his trusty 
rifle, even when attending a funeral. He also 
wore a large knife attached to a girdle by his 
side. One night his dogs treed three bi-ars on 
one tree, near his cabin, and held them there 
till morning, when he shot them. On another 
occasion, he had a tight with a stag, which, but 
for his faithful knife, would probably soon have 
made an end of him. Tiiinkiug that, inasmuch 
as the animal fell immediately when he tired, 
he had killed him, Bechtel went up to him, and 
he lay apparently dead, not moving a limb, 
but when he had drawn his knife to cut otf the 
stag's head, and had taken hold uf the antlers 
to turn his head around, the deer veiy suddenly 
leaped to his feet, attacked his assailant, and 
with one prong of his antlers, nailed him to a 
tree b}' his left hand. In this dangerous posi- 
tion, Beehtel's own presence of mind, and great 
strength, proved his salvation ; a less deter- 
mined and plucky man would certainly have 
perished. With almost superhuman strength, 
he plunged the knife into the stag's breast, and 
the latter fell o\er dead in realitj', thus releas- 
ing Bechtel from his imminent peril. The ball 
from Beehtel's ritie had only struck the skull 
of the stag, and rendered him tempcjrarilj' in- 
sensible. Bechtel also followed trapping suc- 
cessfully, and gathered, from time to time, a 
very great number of Otter and other kinds of 
pelts along the Nimishillen Creek, On Beeh- 
tel's farm, there was an Indian bnrying-gi-ound 
or mound. Many remains of arrows and stone 
arrow-heads, together with many other articles 
of use among the Indians, made of stone and 
iron, have been found there. 

It has been said that a building, which stood 
upon this mound many years ago, was frequently 
visited by the ghosts of the Indians sleeping 
underneath, but, like other ghost stories, the 
report lacks authentic contirmation. Despoiled 
as these Indians often were, in tho.se early days, 
of their lands and their homes, it would not be 
at all wonderful if departed spirits could at all 
return to earth, that theirs slKnild return once 
in awhile t<j disturb the slumbers of the chil- 
dren of their despoilers, Bechtel was a good 
man in general, was a good neighlior, and was 



honored with the respect of the community in 
which he lived, having been elected for several 
successive terms to the responsible position of 
County Commissioner, in which place his acts 
gave general satisfaction ; but he did not like 
the Indians who at that time were yet quite 
numerous in his neighborhood. One of these 
had the impudence to <lisplay a number of hu- 
man tongues on a string, and to boast, Indian 
fashion, that they were the tongues of white 
men whom he had killed with his own hand. 
Boasting thus on one occasion in the presence 
of Bechtel and others, the Indian and he left 
the company at the same time, and the Indian 
was never seen afterward. The supposition 
generally was that Bechtel had used his oppor- 
tunity and assisted his red-skin brother home to 
the happy hunting-grounds of his fathers. How- 
ever it may have been, Bechtel kept his own 
counsel well, and posterity are left to conjecture 
the truth as best they may, I'olitically, Mr. 
Bechtel belonged the old Jctfersonian school. 

Philip Slusser came from Cumberland Coun- 
ty. Penn., to Beaver County in the year 1804. 
The next spring he came to Stark County, chose 
a quarter-section of land directly east of Can- 
ton, and had the same entered in the land ottice 
at Steubenville. He then returneil to Penn- 
sylvania, and in the autumn of 1805, leaving 
his wife and younger children in the old home, 
he came back with his three sons, Philip, Peter 
and John, and his daughter Elizabeth, to take 
charge of the housekeeping branch of the busi- 
ness, together with eight or ten laborers. He 
erected the tirst mill in the county for grinding 
wheat and other grains. This mill, so long 
and so favorablj- known as the Roland Mill, 
has played a by no means unimportant part in 
the early settlement of Canton and the town- 
ship. Previous to its establishment, the settlers 
were obliged to go thirty or forty miles away 
to the older settlements for their Hour, and not 
at all unfrequently itre(juircd a number of days 
to get it ground, to say nothing of the long and 
wearisome journeys to mill and back home 
again. It must be remembered that in those 
days our pioneer settlers did not have the bene- 
fit of well-established and worked roads ; the 
greater part of the country between them and 
the older settlements was an unbroken wilder 
ness, and the roads were often mere patiis 
through the woods. Some, accordingly, were 
obliged to live almost entirely upon wild game 



ir^ 



HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY. 



and fish, or used hand-mills and depended 
largely- upon hominy for their grahi supply. 
Others took a piece of iron plate, perl'orated it, 
and ground their corn, or rather, we should say, 
crushed it through the perforations by rubbing 
it on the rough side of the iron plate. Neces- 
sity is said to be the mother of invention, and 
the necessities of the fathers in the then West- 
ern wilds of our country led them to adopt 
many ditforent ways to provide for themselves 
and their families. Soon after the establish- 
ment of the Slusser Mill, another one, a small 
log house upon four stone pillars, was erected 
a few miles northwest of Canton, on the West 
Branch of the Nimishillen, where the well- 
known Trump's mill now stands, for grinding 
Indian corn. Two rough stones were used, but 
according to tradition, the corn meal turned out 
from this mill was so coarse and full of sand 
that it was not even fit for making the once fa- 
mous Johnny cake, the favorite morsel in those 
days upon many a pioneer's table. It need 
hardly be added that the miller, in that mill, 
received, on this account, the hearty benedic- 
tions of the girls and women of the period, such 
as only such girls and women knew how to give 
j them. A saw-mill was added to this mill a lit- 
tle later, but was carried away by a flood the 
same year it was built ; a consequence, pre- 
sumably, of the bad corn meal made there. 
Slusser's mill seems to have done good work 
from the beginning of its establishment, and 
naturally drew custom, not only from Canton 
but also from Plain Township north. Among 
other reminiscences connected with the mill is 
the following : On one occasion. Elizabeth Har- 
I ter. a fifteen-year-old daughter of George Har- 
] ter. of Plain Township, was sent to mill with 
i five and one-half l)ushels of wheat, three bush- 
j els in one bag and the remainder in another. 
j She carried the lighter bag upon one horse 
, which she rode, and the other upon one which 
i she led ; she was detained at the mill until late 
' in the afternoon, when she started home with 
her Hour, There was no road except a path 
through the dense woods for a part of the way, ' 
and as it was rapidly becoming dark she pushed 
her horses forward, as soon as she left Canton 
! behind, so as to reach home in good time. But 
the path soon became more and more indistinct, 
j and she finally deviated from it somewhat, when 
I the overhanging boughs of the trees swept the 
I bag of flour off from the horse she was leading. 



Here was a new difiBculty, and she was about at 
her wits' ends : but the girls of that time did 
not readily yield to trifles, and Elizabeth dis- 
mounted and used her best endeavors to put 
the sack back to its place ; she did succeed in 
getting it upon her shoulder, but her strength 
was not great enough to throw it over the 
horse ; she worried herself with it, however, a 
long time, and w^as about giving up in despair, 
with the thought of going back to Canton until 
morning, as she had yet several miles home, 
when an old settler, Frederick Rodacker, hap- 
pened to come along, and threw the sack upon 
the horse. As by this time it had become quite 
dark, he advised her to go with him home, and 
she did so. But her mother was naturall}- veiy 
much alarmed at her daughter's long absence, 
and, thinking that Elizabeth had lost her way 
in the woods, she blew a horn for more than 
half the night, so that her daughter might dis- 
cern the way to the house. Early the next 
morning, after having been hospitably enter- 
tained by Mr. Rodacker, she retuined home 
with her flour, to the great joy of the entire 
family. It was of such material that our early 
settlers were made ; they could go out with 
their husbands and fathers, and help them clear 
the land and roil the logs together for burning, 
satisfied with a cold lunch for dinner, from 
morning until night. Elizabeth Harter after- 
ward became .Mrs. Baer. and still later, Mrs. 
(irubb. and is still living in a green old age. 
She is active beyond her years, and has a good 
memory of those early times. Few. if any, of 
the girls of this day would venture or could 
accomplisli what she has done. 

Philij) Slusser was born in the Cppcr Rhine 
country of (iermany. and was a man of decided, 
upright character. He was one of the first 
Commissioners of this county, and was held in 
high esteem Ijy all who knew him. He died 
ill tlK' year 1828. His sons, Philip and Peter, 
removed later to Tuscarawas Township, while 
his third son John, carried on a saw-inill. com- 
menced as earlj' as 1807, for many jears, John 
Slusser was the father of our respected fellow- 
citizen and highly successful physician, l>r, 
Ijcwis Slusse'-, who has represented the county 
in the General Assembly of the State, and, in 
later years, was Superintendent of the New- 
burg Asylum for the Insane near Cleveland. 
In connection with his business in the saw- 
mill, John Slusser soon became apt in the use 




J^ « ^ ^f^tcvUek 



t^ 



CANTON TOWNSHIP. 



293 



of tools, and. as tlien there was no cabinet- 
maker in the county, he was often called upon 
to furnish bedsteads, cradles, cupboards and 
other articles of household furniture, until he 
found it necessary, finally, to make this his 
regular business, which he continued on East 
Tuscarawas street, east of Walnut, until he 
retired from active business. He died in the 
year 1S5!I. Concerning a great flood on the 
East Creek, such as has not since occurred, he 
has given us the following" account : •' In June, 
1807, it thundered and rained without intermis- 
sion for two days and two nights, and the Xim- 
ishillen raised rapidl}' and overflowed its banks. 
The log house of my father stood between the 
creek and the mill-dam, and had about four feet 
of water on the first floor. It was just as high on 
the west side of the creek. Everything in the 
house was taken up to the garret of the house, 
excepting a barrel of whisky (an article gen- 
erally used and considered necessarj' in those 
days), and one or two other heavy articles that 
could not be removed. It was considered un- 
safe for several days to attempt crossing the 
stream. After it had fallen a few feet, a man 
by the name of Brown came from one of the 
settlements east of us on his wa^' to Canton to 
purchase some tools. He was acquainted with 
some of the mill-hands and wanted to be taken 
over the swollen creek. Mr. F'ischel and his 
son took him safely over, but when, about sun- 
down, they were trying to return, they were 
carried away by the force of the stream, ran 
against the trunk of a tree and were thrown 
into the water. John Fischel swam to the east- 
ern shore ; his father was carried by the force 
of the stream to the western shore, and lirown 
was drowned. His corpse was found a few 
days afterward about fifty rods from the place. 
The mill-hands buried him upon a high bank 
of the creek about one hundred rods from the 
mill. Brown was known to be a good swim- 
mer, and it is thought that he was thrown 
against the trunk of a tree, or was in some 
waj- rendered powerless, when otherwise he 
could readily and easily have saved himself. 
Tic was the second person buried in Stark 
County. 

In those days, wolves and bears were plenty 
all over this country, and ready for any prey 
that offered itself to their clutches. It was no 
uncommon event for the old settlers to be 
awakened out of their sleep at night by the 



cries of distress coming from one or the other 
of their domestic animals. The ready gun was 
at all such times called into recpiisition, and 
did good service both by ridding the settle- 
ments of one or more of the undesirable in- 
truders, and by .serving notice upon others to 
keep their distance. The present generation 
can scarcely appreciate the anuojaiices which 
for years accompanied the eflbrts of the old 
pioneers to open up this new country to civili- 
zation and progress, where now, in less than 
three quarters of a century, peace and plenty 
prevail, and luxury even crowns the freciuent, 
festive board. ISut most of the annoyances of 
those days, outside of those necessarily inci- 
dent to all pioneer life, came from the four- 
footed inhabitants of these Western wilds. 
The Indians of the neighborhood were peace- 
fully disposed toward their "white brothers," 
I by whom they had been generallj- treated in a 
i fair, kind and friendl}- manner. These Indians 
j belonged to the Delaware and Chippewa tribes, 
and had their chief encampment hereabouts, 
at the junction of the two branches of the 
i Nimishillcn Creek, south of Canton. They 
would often visit the new settlers, to the num- 
I ber of 200 or ''AH) at a time, and were generally 
well behaved, except occasionally, when under 
I the influence of the white man's fire-water, 
' some of the more belligerent of the tribe would 
j get into quarrels, sometimes with the whites 
and sometimes among themselves ; but very 
few adventures of a serious character are re- 
lated to have occurred in this, as in many other 
parts of the countrj'. How much of this was 
, the result of the strong Pennsylvania type of 
the early settlers, it is not possible, of course, 
.at this day, accurately to determine ; though 
it probably was not without its influence. 
Among the few well-authenticated adventures 
j of the early period is one of Dr. Cunningham's, 
with the Indians. Dr. Cunningham was an 
Irishman, and Uxanaged in some way to give 
serious and deadly otl'ense to the Indians, b^' 
whom he was, in turn, watched and followed up 
with great bitterness. Though peacefully in- 
clined, vengeance upon an enemy and revenge 
for an injury done them were, here as else- 
where, an essential part of an Indian's make-up. 
The white man, fearing for his life, fled west- 
ward as far as Mansfield, but finding himself 
hotly pursued by his relentless enemies, and 
fearing that sooner or later he might fall alive 



294 



HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY. 



into their baiuls. lie ended the fh;ise by putting 
a musket bail tln'ough his own head. It is also 
stated that, at a later period, after Hull's sur- 
render, during the last war with (ireat Brit 
ain, most of the men from these parts were 
paroled, and returned immediatelj- to their 
homes. When a squad of them oarae to Can- 
ton, it so happened that a number of friendly 
Indians were in town trading. At this time, 
when tlie passions of the citizen-soldiery of the 
Western country were especially bitter against 
the Indians for the part the hostile tribes, un- 
der the influence of British emissaries, had 
been playing in the war, the sight of even 
friendly ones was sufficient to excite a desire 
and a determination to attack, and. if possible, 
destroy them, but the more considerate white 
residents of the town restrained the desire of 
the soldiers, until the Indians, getting an inti- 
mation of the brewing storm, wisely concliidcd 
to get out of the way for a season. Had it not 
been for the red man's considerate action, it 
would be hard to imagine the direful results of a 
rash attack upon them, either at the time or in 
after years. They did not venture l>ack again 
until after the close of the war. when m(_)st of tlie 
bitterness against them had subsided. In later 
years, as the white population increased, the 
Indians who remained occupied mostly a semi- 
mendicant position, and could often be seen on 
the streets picking up six-penny pieces for a 
show of their skill at shooting with the bow 
and arrow. On these occasions they were fre- 
quently accompanied by their squaws, exposing 
beadwork and baskets for sale, in the making 
of which article, the Indian women were justly 
celebrated ; but contrasted with the mendicant 
organ-grinder of this more enlightened age. 
the uncouth son of the forest exhibiting his 
skill in archery to make money does not stand 
out in the worst light either. But the Indian 
and his manner of life have long since departed, 
and his memory only lives among the tradi- 
tions of a few of the oldest inhabitants. 

Canton Township has been rapidly develop- 
ing her resources, and already supports a large 
population ; but her capacity in this direction 
is far from being exhausted. Indeed, she has 
not yet commenced to approximate even the 
limit of lier powers. The da^s of large farms 
and much unremunerative labor, or, to say the 
least, not adequately remunerative farming, are 

ginning to wane. The tendency to hold 



fewer acres, and to farm them more scientifical- 
ly, and, therefore, more thoroughly, grows 
apace ; and what, with her natural advantages 
and commercial relations to Canton City, she 
will be yet aljle to accomplish, is hardly a mat- 
ter of conjecture any longer. Her history, 
however, is so interwoven with that of the city, 
cotemporary with the township, that we must 
reserve for the former much of what is to be 
said of her history as equallv the property of 
both. 

In addition to Canton, the township includes 
the village of North Industry, on the west 
bank of the Ximishillen. near the southern line 
of the township, a flourishing little village, in 
the immediate vicinity of which is Browning's 
mill, doing a thriving business, under the 
management of Mr. 0. F. Browning, a resident 
of Canton. In the town.ship. outside of the 
city, there are also Trump's Mill, on the site of 
the second oldest mill in the county, northwest 
of Canton, and the Stark Mill, about one and a 
half miles south of the city, both of which do 
an extensive milling business, together with 
the East Canton Mill, on the site of the old 
Slusser Mill, to which extensive reference has 
been made above in this chapter. 

Before closing, it will well subserve the pur- 
pose of history to refer to more personal reminis- 
cences than have been given above of some 
parties already mentioned, and of some others, 
among the early settlers of this township. 
Among these, we take first the death of James 
Culbertson. He was born in Franklin County, 
Feun.. of wealthy parents, who gave him a 
liberal education. He married a lady of con- 
siderable property, and commenced life under 
very favorable circumstances.' At or about 
the close of the Kevolutionary war, he united 
as a .young man with a body of horse-troops, at 
that time so popular, and in this connection 
contracted a habit of hard drinking, which 
eventually led to financial embarrassment and 
domestic infelicity. He. therefore, left his 
family and friends, in the hope of retrieving 
his waning prospects in the West. As before 
said, he came in companv with Leonard, from 
Steubenville, in the year 1805. to the station of 
the latter on the old Reed farm. In the 
autumn of the same year, he went on a visit to 
an Indian trader, located at the mouth of 
Sandy. According to the prevailing hospital- 
ity of the times, he indultjed very freely in the 



^ s- 



CANTON TOWNSHIP. 



205 



use of whisky, and being obligfi.1 to lie out 
of night, in a country beset with heavy fogs, 
ho contracted a severe cold, from which in- 
flammation of the lungs ensued soon after his 
return to Leonard's Station. There was no 
physician nearer than Steiihenville. but his 
comrades, thrown upon their own resources, 
did the best they could for the unfortunate 
sufferer, but in vain, for he died four days 
after, during the last week of October, 1805, 
and was buried, without cotlin or ceremony, by 
his associates. Henry Friday. Hugh Cunning- 
ham. .James F. Leonard, and the latter's 
brother, in a beautiful grove near the station. 
The gvAxe is unmarked by stone or marble 
slab, but is within pistol shot i>f tiie present 
county fair groinids. 

Nearly fifty years ago. a man by tiie n;ime 
of Christian Bachtel lived near Nortli Industry, 
in the southern part of the township, and was. 
likewise, addicted to habits of dissipation. He 
frequently came home under the influence of 
liquor, and, consequently, there were frequent 
family broils. His wife, an industrious and 
economical woman, was compelled, by her hus- 
band's excesses, to do the best she could to 
support herself and children. One night, after 
his wife had retired for the night, he came 
home maddened with liquor. Words naturally 
ensued, but, at last, she turned away from him. 
and was apparently asleep. He then struck 
her witii an ax-helve, fracturing her skull, 
and. upon her moaning, g:ive her a second 
stroke, to make sure of her deatli. He took 
up the youngest child, sleeping by the mother's 
side, and placed it in a bed with the other 
chihlren. With a few articles of clothing, his 
wife's earnings, and a flask of whisky, he went 
from his home a fugitive, to wander he knew 
not whither. Self-accused of the horrible crime 
wliich he had committed, his only support in 
his dire extremity, the whisky-tlask. he was 
overt^iken in two or three days near Wooster. 
within thirty miles of the scene of the tragedy, 
arrested, and brought back, witliout resistance, 
to jail at Canton. His trial occurred a few 
montiis later. In the trial, the State was rep- 
resented by Starkweather & Jarvis : the 
prisoner bj- Harris & Metcalf The defense 
set up for the doomed man was his own in- 
sanity and the infidelity of his wife. He was. 
nevertheless, convicted of murder in the first 
degree. .Judge Lane presided over tl:e court. 



and sentenced Bachtel to l>e iiung on Friday. 
November 22. 18:58, a sentence that was punct- 
ually executed. 

To the credit of this township and county, it 
might be added that this was the first and lost 
execution of a murderer from 1833 to 188(1. 
when three young men, boys almost, for crimes 
committed in the east and west ends of the 
county respectively, paid the penalty of mur- 
der by hanging within the confines of our pres- 
ent city prison. Now. as then, there was a 
great crowd, and some military, upon precau- 
tionary considerations generally approved liy 
our thinking people, but no parade, and no 
publicity in the execution. It is claimed that 
IO,()fl() people attended the execution of Bach 
tel : half that number would probably I'e 
nearer the cf)rrect figure. 

.Meyer's Lake, from the earliest settlement i>f 
the township, has always been a favorite resort 
for sportsmen, fishermen and pleasure-seekers. 
But witii all tiur l)((atiiig and bathing done here 
for more than seventy years, there has been but 
one case of drowning. Robert Stewart under- 
took, in the year 1810, to swim across the lake 
for the purpose of getting a boat. On account 
of the many springs with which the lake 
abounds, some of tiiem very powerful ones, the 
water, even in midsummer, near the middle of 
the lake, is fresh and chilly. Stewart was re- 
puled to be a good swimmer, but 1)ecoming be- 
numbed or i)eing overtaken witii cramps, lie 
was drowned iu his attempt, A cannon from 
Canton was brongiit into speedy requisition, 
and fired over the water in the hope of raising 
the body, but witliout result. -V few days 
after, however, the body was found, and was 
buried on the point which, from this circum- 
stance, has ever since been known as Dead 
Man's Point. The lake is now known exclu- 
sively by the name of Meyer's Lake, and de- 
rives this name from .\ndrew Meyer, who, in 
the year 181(). came into Canton Township, 
and purchased, in 1818, 3,0(10 acres of land, 
including the lake and the lands about it. from 
Bazaleel Wells. Being a man of energy, of 
means and of good business habits, he kept 
about him a number of worthy and reliable la- 
borers to develop the rich resources of the 
vast tract of land which by this purchase came 
into his possession, and. without ever having 
held any public position, he exerted a large in- 
lluence in the early Sfttleuient (if the township 



HISTORY OF STAKK COrXTY 



and of the eily of Canton. Andrew Meyer was 
born in Bonn, Prussia, in the year 1762. He 
served nine years as a soldier in the allied ar- 
mies of P]urope against Napoleon, in the latter 
part of the last century, but. in 18(t2, be emi- 
grated to America, and settled in Baltimore 
City, Md. Here he pursued the business of a 
brass founder a number of years, and being 
successful ill liusincss. he soon became sole 
owner of two \cssels engaged in the ocean 
trade, and. at the same time, part owner in 
several others. He served personally in the 
war with England in 1812. as a volunteer, giv- 
ing the faithful services of an old soldier 
against the enemies of his adopted countr}-. 
He took an active part in the battles of Balti- 
more and Bladensburg. against Lord Ross, the 
British commander. In that war. it will be re- 
membered, (heat Britain was fighting to secure 
a mastery of the sea and the right of im- 
pressing American seamen of British birth into 
her service wherever found. Our Government 
found it necessary to adopt measures that 
would have a tendency to render British com- 
nierce insecure, and, as her nav3- (w-hich. how- 
ever, did most brilliant service during the war), 
was eutirel\- inadequate for the purpose, the 
Government accepted, and authorized to engage 
in the service of the United States against 
Great Britain, a number of vessels belonging 
to private parties, and hence these ships took 
the name of privateers. Two such vessels — 
the ■' Joseph ' and the ■■ Mary " — were armed 
and e(iuipped at his own expense by the sub- 
ject of tliis sketch, put into the (Jovernment 
service, and they did a good share in the busi- 
ness of privateering. Several of the ships, also, 
in which ^Ir. Meyer was onl3' a part owner, 
were in the same service, and all met with good 
success except one, which, attempting to run 
the blockade of Baltimore by night, came un- 
fortunatelj- right up by the side of a British 
frigate, and. by a broadside from the latter, was 
so riddled that tlie crew were forced to take to 
the lioats. when in a few minutes the privateer 
sunk, and the vessel, with a rich cargo con- 
tributed by British merchantmen, went to the 
the bottom a total loss. The crew escaped and 
made a safe landing, without the loss of a man. 
Andrew Clever was the father of three sons 
and two daughters. After his death in 1849, 
his vast propertj' was divided among these 
children, and. as it was entailed pi'operty to the 



deceased's grandchildren, nearly the whole of 
it is yet in the possession of his heirs, most of 
them to-day useful and honored members of 
society among us. Mr. Meyer's age was be- 
yond the ordinary period allotted to human 
life when he died in 1849. at the age of eighty- 
seven years. In him, as in man}- others of the 
older settlers of Stark County, the destinies of 
two centuries and of two continents were 
closely united. The first building for the ac- 
commodation of the public at Meyer's Lake 
was erected by Meyer & Cross in 1806, and 
served its purpose well until the increasing de- 
mands of the place as a popular resort induced 
the present owner, our esteemed fellow citizen, 
Mr. Joseph A. Meyer, a grandson of Andrew 
Meyer, to build during the winter of 1879-80, 
the new "Lake Park Hotel," on the north 
bluff-bank of the lake. The building is two 
stories high, and is well adapted to accommo- 
date a large number of guests, with all the 
comforts at hand to make their staj- at this 
pleasant place agreeable aad beneficial. A 
twelve-foot veranda extends on both floors 
entirelj' around the building, and it is sur- 
monnted with a tower in the center of the 
front, eighty feet high. The whole is neat, and 
indicates good taste on the part of the pro- 
jectors. The architecture is a combination of 
the Gothic and Swiss styles, and does credit to 
the abilit}' of Mr. F. O. Weary, architect, by 
whom the design was furnished. The con- 
struction of the building was under the care of 
Mr. D. C. Miller. With the increased accom- 
modations both for invalids and pleasure-seek- 
ers now furnished, the popularity of Meyer's 
Lake as a place of public resort, is constantly 
increasing. By care on the part of the pro- 
prietors, and the observance of strict rules of 
piopriety and order on the part of visitors, 
there is no good reason wh3- the '■ Lake Park 
Hotel" may not be as popular a place of resort 
as many of the older watering-places of the 
East. The first boat-house at the lake was 
erected b}' the Eclipse Boat Club, of Canton, 
in 1873. This club held their first regular re- 
gatta August 12, 1876, and have held one each 
year since. Thej- have been well sustained, 
and are becoming each jear more and more 
popular with the staid citizens of the solid old 
Pennsylvania Dutch city of Canton and the 
surrounding towns. 

Readers of Russian history and adventure 



CANTON TOWNSHIP. 



have often been regaled by liiglily vivifiand ex- 
citing stories of the attacks and pursuit of 
travelers by wolves. We doubt if anything 
more trying ever occurred there than was ex- 
perienced here among the earli<'r settlers in 
Ohio. As a sample of these, a friend fur- 
nishes us the following authentic scrap of our 
early history : Tn 1802, Messrs. Slinglufl' and 
DeardorfT. in their Western trip. arri\ed at a 
point near Canton, on their waj' to Tuscarawas 
County, and encamped on the Ijanks of Meyer's 
Lake. They were weary and much exhausted 
from the want of rest and sustaining food. 
But with all their fatigue and sutlering, they 
were charmed and refreshed by the prospec:t 
presented before and all about them. The lake 
laj- immediately before them, and on its rip 
pling surface, fanned by the gentle breezes of 
the evening, the rays of the setting sun were 
reflected in a thousand forms of beauty and 
splendor. The banks were decked with flowers 
of different colors and of the fairest hues, while 
evergreens of the deepest green, enlivened the 
scene. Wild fowl, in countless numbers, were 
sailing ga}!^' over the water, or feeding along 
the banks. Their bright plumage and grace- 
ful movements ga\'e a sense of peace and secur- 
itj' to our weary travelers, and they went on 
cheerfully, and with the prospect of quiet 
slumbers and an undisturbed rest before them. 
to prepare their frugal meal and an encamp- 
ment for the night. It was a beautiful picture, 
guaranteeing secure repose, and the travelers 
laid themselves down confidently to sleep, and 
to dream of home or the great work to be 
wrought out by their hands in these \Vestern 
wilds in the near future. They did sleep a 
little while, but, suddenly awakening, they 
heard the dismal howls of scores of barking 
wolves about their camj). The glaring, fiery 
eyes of the fierce, bloodthirsty animals, seemed 
pressing toward thcun from all directions. 
There was no safety but in precipitate flight. 
Their horses, fortunately, as weary but now 
ex(:ited as their riders, were near at hand, and 
were quickly saddled and mounted. It was 
several miles to the cabin of the nearest 
pioneer settler, and it soon became a race for 
life. For a short distance, they rode along 
the lake, the wolves falling back liefore them, 
then, suddenly turning their horses, thej' rode 
rapidly in an opposite direction, both horses 
and riders, by this time, fully alive to the 



horrors of the situation. The wolves, for a 
few minutes foiled, became even more furious 
than before, and soon followed on their track, 
in constantly increasing numbers, until, in the 
rai)idity and excitement of the chase, their hot 
breath could almost be felt, as it came from 
the hungry, furious throats of the now mad- 
dened animals. Soon they reached an Opening 
in the woods ; the light from the log fires of 
the pioneer settler was seen in the distance. 
Ten minutes more, and the}' would be saved 
from every danger for the night. Suddenly, a 
huge, black wolf sprang at the flank of Dear- 
dorffs horse, and was only compelled lo relin- 
quish his hold by the free application of Dear- 
(lorfl!"s heavy whip, but at the very moment of 
deliverance, his horse stumbled, fell, and threw 
him over his head in the \'ery midst of the 
excited animals. But for Ids companion, 
Slinglufl', he would, with his horse, have been 
torn in pieces and devoured within a very few 
minutes. Seeing the situation, and appreciating 
the danger of his friend and companion. .Sling- 
luff, with remarkable presence of mind, quick- 
ly wheeled his horse round, and commenced 
uttering a series of yells and screeches, even 
more unearthly than those of the infuriated 
beasts themselves ; they were momentarily 
checked in the very moment of their triumph. 
DeardorfT, in the meantime, quickly remount- 
ed, and before the wolves recoxered from their 
astonishment and confusion from Slinglufl's 
ruse, both reached the settler's clearing, and 
were safe. 

In these earlier days the schoolmaster was 
also abroad to help in the openingup of both the 
material and the intellectual capabilities of this 
then frontier country. The first schoolhouse in 
Stark County was erected in tin; year 1807. on 
the Aultman place, Section 12, of Canton Town- 
ship, The schoolhouse was made of round 
logs, and was seven feet high, with a clapboard 
roof and puncheon floor. As a substitute for 
windows, small square holes were cut out in the 
logs, small sticks were set in. and the holes 
were then (;overed with greased paper. Logs 
with feet set in and covered with boards, were 
the writing desks, and slabs from the saw-mill 
of Mr. Slusser, with legs attached, furnished the 
seats of this and many other primitive school- 
houses. John Han-is, who afterward attained 
considerable celebrity as a lawyer in Canton, 
was the first teacher. The school books then 



298 



HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY. 



used were Dil worth's Speller, the Old and New 
Testainent of the Bible as readers, and Goiigh's 
Aritliiiictie. with its luone^' calculations all in 
the old Knglish currency of pounds, shillings 
and pence. Geograph}' and grammar were not 
then taught, nor indeed for man}- years after. 
Some descendants of the early pioneers are yet 
occasionally found, so conservative are tiie 
people in this localitj', who doubt the expe- 
diencT or the necessit}' of those studies in onr 
|)iiblic schools. We are glad, however, to sa\-, 
that their number is very small. Christopher 
Bair succeeded Harris as teacher in this school. 
In the early days, as before and since in Penn- 
sylvania, the " barring " out of teachers was 
very common here in Ohio. On public days, 
such as Christmas and Xew Year's, pupils in 
schools deemed it the duty of the teacher not 
only to give them a holiday but also to treat 
the ci'owd. Tn the primitive daj's a treat of 
this kind meant whisky for the larger boys and 
something pleasing for the smaller children, 
and the few girls who had time to go to school. 
As a rule, teachers demurred to the demand 
and a struggle between teacher and pupils was 
generally the result ; the " barring " process 
was the usual tactics of the pupils to bring the 
teacher to terms, when it became a contest 
partly of physical endurance and partly of tact 
and skill on the part of the teacher in outwitting 
his pupils. The parents, having themselves in 
their younger days been participants in similar 
contests, citlu'r sided with the youngsters or 
approvingly winked at their doings ; and many 
teachers of the times were rather anxious to in- 
vite the struggle. One of these, in connection 
with this first school in Canton Township, is on 
record, and its relation hero maybe not without 
interest, even though there is not much instruc- 
tion in it. John Criswell, a tall, raw-boned man, 
who prided himself greatly on his disciplinary 
powers in governing a school, was teacher a 
few jears after Bair. The da^' before Christmas 
the larger boys determined that they must have 
a treat and that the master should fnrnish the 
liquor. According to previous arrangement op- 
erations were delayed until noon, when, accord- 
ing to his usual custom, it was known that the 
teacher would bo awav for awhile : the young- 
er children were sent home, and then com- 
menced the operation of barring out. Among 
the boys prominent — some of them still living 
— were the Keams, Aultmans. Latimers, Bairs 



Sherricks and Trumps. When the teacher re- 
turned he found the door effectually - barred." 
The openings in the logs for windows would not 
admit the bod}- of any ordinary man, and when 
Criswell found the doors closed against him he 
at once became angrj- and excited. He, of 
course, demanded, in a peremptory tone, the 
opening of the door. When told that the con- 
ditions of surrender were a bottle of whisky 
and a dismissal of the school for the next day, 
he refused at once and threatened dire ven- 
geance upon the heads (or backs) of the perpe- 
trators. His threats did not amount to much, 
and when he attempted to get in b_v tearing off 
the clapboards of the roof, the bojs so pounded 
his fingers that he was glad to desist ; when he 
tried to come down the chimney thej* smoked 
him back ; and he was at his wits' end. Neces- 
sity is said, however, to be the mother of inven- 
tion, and Criswell improvising a battering-ram 
from a heavj- fence rail, succeeded at last in 
breaking in the door and became himself mas- 
ter of the situation. He did not act generousl}- 
under the circumstances and could only be 
placated by a severe bodil\- chastisement of the 
offenders. The boj-s got it. but they never for- 
gave the teacher ; many of them no k)nger at- 
tended school, and the teacher soon lost his in- 
fluence for good in that localit}'. 

William E wing was one of the pioneer settlers 
already mentioned. Coming from AUeghenj' 
County, Pennsylvania, he erected a cabin in 
Section 2 of Canton Township, in the fall of 
1805, and in the spring of 1806, came with his 
wife and five children to occupy it. His goods 
and .some articles of furniture, purchased at 
Beaver, were Ijrought to his new home on 
horseback. For several years, in the begin- 
ning, it was diflicult for him, as for man}- others 
of the older settlers, to raise money enough to 
pay taxes and meet the urgent necessities of 
their families. People then had often to de- 
pri\e themselves of' what now would be con- 
sidered absolute necessities, and were to a great 
extent thrown upon their own resources. Ew- 
ing has the credit of being one of the most 
successful hunters, perhaps absolutely the most 
successful, that ever lived in the township or 
county. He killed, on an average, from seventy 
to eighty deer during the season, in addition to 
many bears, wolves and wild-cats. This, also, 
he made a source of revenue. When he had 
more meat than the needs of his own family 



^ 



CAXTON TOWXsIIII'. 



required, he sold to needy emigrants, while he 
tanned the skins for clothing and moccasins for 
himself and liis family. He and his boys wore 
Inickskin clothes antl shoes for many years, 
and until sheep could be suct^essfully raised, 
svhicb. on account of the wolves, was at first 
impossible. But these were the fashions of tlie 
dav. The women wore '■ liiisey." and weri' not 
much concerned with spring and fall changes 
of fashion. 

In June, 1811. an eclipse of the sun occurred. 
The settlers at this period were almost entirely 
cut off from intercourse with the Kast, and had 
had no word of the coming phenomenon. Ew- 
ing and his sons were out hoeing corn at the 
time. It became so dark that the stars were 
visible in the heavens, and, what was even 
more remarkable, the chickens went home to 
roost. Mr. Sowers, afterward Judge Sowers, 
of Canton, with others, was engaged in shing- 
ling a roof on the Kautfman House, corner of 
Ninth and Market streets. Canton. Every per- 
son looked for the immediate coining of the 
da\' of judgment, but were much relieved when 
the eclipse was over, that the sun occupied his 
old place in the heavens, and that nothing 
terrible had occurred. 

Speaking of the habits of these earlier days, 
we kuow of no better way of closing this chap- 
ter than bj- giving here the statement of one of 
the old settlers himself: •• Times ain't as they 
used to be," he remarked to a friend of fewer 
years, while sitting together on a store box in 
front of one of our stores only a few vears ago. 
It was between sundown and dark : the weather 
was pleasant and the pavement crowded with 
ladies and gentlemen promenading. Evidcntlj- 
the remark was made by the suggestion of 
what the old gentleman saw transpiring before 
him ; the younger man feeling some interest in 
the matter and desirous of drawing his old 
friend out in the way of a more modern • inter- 
view." asked. ■ How was it in earlier times ?" 
" Quite different. Fifty years ago. Canton had 
a population of 4(»0 or 500. I suppose there 
was as much pride then as now, and young 
people were just as anxious to make a tine 
appearance : but the fashions were s(.>mewhat 
different and were not changed so often, ('al- 
ico was then the prevailing material for ladies 
fine dresses, such as were worn in making calls, 
attending religious meetings or evening parties. 
The more elderlv wore bombazet or bombazine. 



Six yards were amply sufficient for a pattern. 
An article called homespun wool, of cotton and 
wool, was usually worn al)oul the house, when 
engaged in ordinary domestic duties. The 
bonnets were straw or leghorn, with large 
crowns and extensive fronts. The style worn 
by the older women was not much unlike those 
worn l)y the Quakers. It was made of black 
or dark colored silk, with a large crown and 
points in front. The calash, made of berage 
and to fold back like a buggy top, was the rage 
for a long time. There were no milliners in 
town at that time, but there were those who 
were handy with the needle, ingenious and 
tasty, who did the work for those who could 
not "do it themselves. High-top combs were 
fashionable and the hair was worn in puff's. 
Little or no jewelry was worn ; a ring or a 
breast pin was coveted b}' many, but owned by 
few. 

■ Fashionable young men wore tight-bodied 
swallow-tailed coats, with large high collars, 
buff or white vests, stockinet pants, high-top 
boots, wrinkled or fair, with a tassel in front, 
high shirt collars reaching to the ears, and a 
few wore ruttles. (iold watches were ' few and 
far between,' but a ■ bull's eye,' with a metallic 
fob chain, seal and key was usually sported. 
The fashions didn't change then as often as 
they do now. The same bonnet or hat was 
worn for years. Men wore their hats eight or 
ten years, and yet. not half worn out. would 
barter them to the hatter in part pay for a new 
one of later style. The same bonnet was worn 
as long, the trimming perhaps changed every 
two or three years. There were social part ies 
in those days", but there was some regard paid 
to proper hours for meeting and dispersing. 
The company assembled at early candle-lighting 
and went home at reasonable bedtime, and had 
no ice cream or oyster suppers or lager. The 
extent of our indulgence was in small beer and 
gingerbread. The mode of conveyance was 
mostly on horsel)ack. Every young man as- 
pired to ha\e his own horse, and they were 
good horsemen in those days. Fart of ever}- 
lady's outfit was a side-saddle. There were but 
few vehicles and they were rude compared with 
those of the present day. Buggies were un- 
known ; what was called a ■ dearborn ' — a body 
adjusted upon wooden springs — was all I re- 
member seeing, except Dr. Hartford's gig 
which he brought from the East. There were 



rrf- 



.w 



300 



HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY. 



other characteristics of that day — some that it 
would be well for our people yet to practice, 
I could tell j-ou, but the court house clock has 
struck 9 and it is time to be in bed, so good 
night. " 

(Jur old friend's history of the olden fashions 
and modes of life was intended more to apply 
to the people of the town of Canton of sixty 
years ago. than to the people of the country ; 
but with but little change it may be applied to 
the latter also. Those were the da3's of log- 



rollings for the men, and merr^- spinning-wheels 
for the girls and women ; of hard work during 
the day, an early going to bed at night, and 
sound, refreshing slumbers until the early 
hours of new morning called to renewal of 
work. A simpler and more natural life than 
that led by most people of the present day ; 
fewer indulgences in eating and drinking, and 
greater freedom from the aches an<l pains and 
sufferings which indulgence causes. 



CHAPTER IX.* 

THI-; IITV UF (WNTUN — ITS FIRST .SALE OF LOTS — OKKilNAL llorMlARlE-— THF LAND ((FFil'E— 

EARI.V INDUSTRIES— FARMERS' BANK — TEMl'ERANCE REFORM — IMONEEK 

SPORTS — FIRST POST OFFICE — (IHERLY CORNER. 



PREVIOUS U) the year 1805,Bezaleel Wells, 
of Steubenville, who was descended from 
the Quakers, and was a man of means and with 
a speculative turn of mind, entered in the land 
office at that place, a number of sections of 
land west of the Nimishillen Creek, including 
the portion now embraced within the limits of 
the city of Canton, and extending beyond and 
including Meyer's Lake, for many years called 
Wells' Lake. In 1805, as he anticipated the 
speedy organization of a new county, with an 
eye to speculation he determined to lay out a 
town on jDart of his purchase, and make a con- 
test to secure for it recognition as the new 
county seat. There were already' two contest- 
ants in the field, a paper town named Nimishil- 
len town, not far from the present Louisville, 
in Nimshillen Township, which, for want of lot 
purchasers and buildings, never came to any- 
thing, and the already projected town of Osna- 
burg. five miles east of Canton, which, platted 
and entered a few months earlier than Canton, 
already contained several houses. West of the 
Nimishillen were, at that time, the plains or bar- 
rens, destitute alike of timber and stone suit- 
able for building. These disadvantages re- 
sulted in the choice of the site between the two 
branches of the Nimishillen, in preference to a 
location a little further west, which presented 
somewhat superior advantages in some respects. 
The town was survej^ed and platted liv James 

«Coiitrilj\ileclhv Prof. Daniel Worlc-T, 



P. Leonard, and the plat was regularly recorded 
in Columbiana Connty. in the Clerk's office at 
New Lisbon. At this time, this was a part of 
Columbiana County. A tew lots were disposed 
of at private sale in the fall of 1805. and a few 
cabins were erected. In the spring of 180G, a 
public sale of lots occurred. That a crowd 
might be brought together at this sale, a horse 
race, to come off the same day at Canton, was 
extensively advertised, and the result was that 
many people from Steubenville, New Lisbon 
and Beaver were pre.sent, more interested, how- 
ever, it seems, in the races than in the sale of 
lots. Some lots were sold, but at a merelj- nom- 
inal price. But a good beginning had been 
made. The original plat had the boundaries 
of the streets at this time known as North 
street, Saxton street (formerl}- East), South 
street and Wells street (forraerl3- West). At 
the sale of lots above mentioned, Leonard 
bought the lot on the corner of Market and 
Seventh streets for a trifle, with the understand- 
ing that he would immediately liuild a brick 
house upon it, with a view of inducing others 
to come in and help build up the new town. 
The house was built by Leonard, according to 
contract, and stood until the year 1879, and is 
yet well remembered by most of those residing 
in Canton as the old " Oberly Corner," where 
Sherrick & Miller's large and imposing hard- 
ware store at present stands. The first settler 
in Canton was Garret Crusen, who started a 



CANTON TOWNSHIP 



301 



tavern on North Market street, between Fourth 
and l"'illii streets. His house was a log cabin, 
with one room about eighteen feet sqiuiri', which 
served amply all the purposes of the day, as 
bar. dining and silling-room.and kitchen ; two 
small shed additions furnished comfortable 
sleeping apartments for the family and guests, 
and a storeroom for general iiurposes. Jcjhn 
Matthews, a butcher, had a cabin on South 
Market street, where Dumont's grocery now is. 
with a pen at the rear of the lot used as a 
slaughter-house. John Bower, a blacksmith, 
built a cabin and blacksmith-sliop on part of 
the lot now occupied by the court hou.se. and 
on this lot the first well in town was dug. 
Bower did not tind his trade suttteient to meet 
the demand for the support of his family, and 
he. too, went to keeping tavern. Having ex- 
posed himself a great deal at night in fishing. 
he soon after took sick and died. The families 
of the parties just named were the only ones 
in Canton in the 3-ear 180G. Several other 
cabins were erected, but were not occupied un- 
til later. Mis. Matthews died in the spring of 
1808. of child-bed fever ; hers was the first 
death in the town, and her child the first one 
born in Canton. I'p to the year 1807. there 
was no regularly-established road eastward, and, 
west of the Tuscarawas l{i\er, the country was 
yet all a wilderness, and the sons of the forest 
held undisputed sway. But in this year a road 
was laid out between New Lisbon and Canton, 
afterward, with some alterations, between Os- 
naburg and Canton, known as the State road. 
Being a more direct route, and affording a bet- 
ter accoramoilation to travelers, it soon be- 
came the favorite road for those seeking homes 
in the Far West, as Canton was then called, or 
coming here to speculate in lands. On this 
road were two noted places — noted for directly 
opposite reasons— viz. ; " Hahn's Bottom," 
dreaded because it was a very difficult matter 
to get over it with a heavy load, and •' Shull's 
Tavern," a place of good cheer to every weary 
traveler when once it was reached, as everj- 
one on the road trieil to do. who needed a stop- 
ping-place overnight. By means of this new 
road. Canton was brought into closer connec- 
tion with the eastern counties and States ; par- 
ties who had been out prospecting gave flatter- 
ing accounts of the prospects of the new town, 
and the result was that a number of persons 
came here durina the summer and fall of 1807. 



with a view to settlement in or near Canton, or 
for business. Among those who came for bus- 
ine.ss were Philip Kroft, with a stock of goods 
from Pittsburgh ; Hugh Cunningham, in the 
tinning business, with which he associated the 
selling of whisky to the Indians, contrary to 
law. on the corner of Market and Fifth streets ; 
John Shorh, with a stock of goods from Balti- 
more, consisting mainly of tobacco, tea, hard- 
ware implerai'uts, leather, some drugs, a small 
supply of cotton goods, such as •• cross-bar " 
ginghams and a few pieces of calico, in one cor- 
ner of Leonard's new building, and George 
Kirkpatrick, who had a blacksmith-shop on the 
east end of the court house lot. Col. Thomas 
(Til)s()n. John Nichols. Christian Palmer and 
John Harris were also about this time identi- 
fied with the interests of the town. Still other 
parties made investments, but went East again 
in the fall, with the intention of returning with 
their families early during the following year. 
I'hilip Krofts building had itut two rooms, the 
front one occupied liy his family and the rear 
one containing his stock of goods ; as there 
was only one outside door, customers had to 
pass through the family room into the store. 
Hugli Cunningham incurred the displeasure of 
the Indians, and shot himself for fear of falling 
into their hands. An account of his tragic fate 
has been given in the preceding chapter. John 
Shorb also brought his family, consisting of his 
wife and three children, with him, from Balti- 
more to Canton. He was a much-honored and 
highly respectable man : many of his descend- 
ants are still residents of Canton and the vicin- 
ity ; others are scattered about in diflerent 
parts of the country. We shall have more to 
say of Mr. Shorb later in this history of Can- 
ton. The winter of 1807-8 was a dreary one 
for the few residents (jf the town ; there were 
no mails, no newspapers, and but very few 
books ; habits of living were changed and many 
comforts and even necessities, which they had 
in plenty in the old homes, were scarce or en- 
tirely wanting ; the bleak winds from the plains 
beyond the creek, with not a tree to break their 
force, came with their fury, penetrating houses 
and even clothing, and chilling to the blood ; 
and the only break to the almost unbearable 
monotony was furnished by the coming together 
occasionally of the older settlers from the town- 
ships round about, and the relation of advent- 
ures in hunting or in dealing with the Indians. 



302 



HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY. 



The men, in this way, managed to get through 
tile winter with tolerable composure, but, ac- 
cording to all accounts, the women, who were 
to a great extent debarred the comforts of any 
and every alleviation of their hard condition, 
became inconsolable and begged their husbands 
to return at once to their former homes. But 
the winter passed, and, with the coming of 
spring, many new ari'ivals soon cheered up the 
spirits of the most despondent. Of those who 
settled in Canton in 1808 and took an active 
interest in the prosperity of the town, we have 
the names of ( reorge Stidger, 8amuel Coulter, 
Moses Andrews. John Sterling, Dr. Andrew 
Rappee, Philip Ilewalt, James Drennan, Joseph 
Handlan. Jdliii Hunter, Daniel Fasher, and 
Alexander and John 3IcConnell. Gen. Stidg€r, 
one of the most prominent of these, was nat- 
urally fitted to become a leader of men in all 
movements of a public character. He was a 
large, portly man, of commanding appearance, 
agreeable in his manners, attached to his 
friends, and ready always to do them a favor, 
but, when opposed, a formidable combatant. 
He exerted a great and generally a good influ- 
ence in the community. Samuel Coulter, a 
staid Presbyterian, rented Leonard's new brick 
house and commenced keeping tavern, as the 
hotel business was then called, with the sign of 
the ■' Green Tree." John Sterling, a quick, 
bustling kind of a man, a sprightly talker, and 
one popular with the people, came from Wash- 
ington, Penn.. bringing with him a stock of 
goods from Pittsburgh. He had before bought 
out Hugh Cunningham, and immediately took 
possession of the frame building, corner of Mar- 
ket and Fifth streets, with his family and stock 
of goods. Mi-s. Sterling was a woman of heroic 
mold, and came with her husband carrying her 
two little daughters along on horseback — Fan- 
nie (the elder, afterward Mrs. Binkley), and 
Eliza (a babe, afterward Mrs. Daniel Dewalt). 
one behind her on the horse, the other in her 
arms. A brick building was erected on this 
site in 1819, On the southwest corner of Mar- 
ket and Tuscarawas streets, now occupied by 
the First National Bank, a two-story log build- | 
ing, built by John Shorb. had been purchased 
by J'hilip Dewalt, and he also commenced keep- 
ing tavei-n therein with the sign of the " Spread 
Eagle." This corner has. from this circum- 
stance, always since been known as the Eagle 
corner, and the imposing brick block upon it 



now goes by the name of the Eagle Blo(;k. Mr. 
Shorb removed to his fiirm immediately west 
of town and lived there until his death. The 
McConnell brothers were carpenters, and built 
a frame house on the east side of the 
square. Dr. Rappe, a German, and the first 
ph3-sician to locate in this county, after his ar- 
rival in this country, went first to Steuben- 
ville. Here he made the acquaintance of the 
Shorb family, and was shortly afterward mar- 
ried to Mr. Shorb's daughter. On coming to 
Canton, he erected a building on the southwest 
corner of the square, the cellar under it having 
been dug bj- an Indian squaw. For many 
years Dr. Itappe was the only doctor in town. 
His practice, extending over a large area of 
country, was laborious but great and remuner- 
ative. He acquired considerable propertj', and 
accumulated more means by the legitimate prac- 
tice of his profession than any physician of Can- 
ton has ever been able to do since. He was the 
proprietor of an eye sahe. called '■ Rappe's 
Invaluable Eye Salve," that maintained a good 
reputation for its healing properties long after 
his death. 

The boundary lines of Stark County vvc^re 
established February \H. 1808. In June, fol- 
lowing, the Commissioners of Columbiana 
County appointed Eli Baldwin and Elijah 
Wadsworth to fix the county 'seat. Nimishil- 
lentown soon backed out of the contest, and 
was soon lost to the geography of the county 
forever. The question was narrowed down to 
a choice between Osnaburg and Canton. Stren- 
uous eflbrts were made by the patrons and 
friends of both places. Osnaburg had the ad- 
vantage of containing, at this time, a larger 
population, and of having building material 
more abundant and more convenient than Can- 
ton. 

James Lceper, the jiroprietor of Osnaburg, 
was quite a demonstrative talker, but of 
somewhat unsteady habits. The bleak winds 
from the plains were urged with much force 
against Canton. But Bezaleel Wells, the pro- 
prietor of the latter place, a man of few words 
but of fine personal appearance, excellent rep- 
utation, impressive in what he did say by his 
earnest, honest language, a member of the con- 
vention that formed the first constitution of 
the State, and liberal in his offers to donate lots, 
by the sale of which much of the expense in 
erecting county buildings might !je raised, more 



CAXTOX TOWNSHIP. 



303 



^irongiy impressed the members of the com- 
uiission than Leepev. A f'tor a proper inspection 
of the ground, and hearing the arguments in 
favor of each i)hice. Canton was chosen as tiie 
count3- scat, in January, 1800, the Legishxture 
completed the action necessary' to make Stark 
an independent county. 

.Vftcr the survey of lands in 1808, west of 
the Tuscarawas River, a land oflicc; was estab- 
lished in Canton, with James (^lib.son as Regis- 
ter and John Sloanc as Receiver. In January, 
180!». a post oMice was established here, and 
James Coulter was the first Postmaster. The 
mail was carried on horseback, once a week, 
from New Lisbon to C: nton. At the time of 
the location of the town, and for some 3ears 
afterward, a lake, covering some thirty- acres 
of ground immediately adjoined it on the north- 
east. It was supplied by Shriver's Run, from 
strong springs north of town. In many places 
this body of water was more than six feet deep, 
and, as it was abundantly supplied with fish, 
it was a great resort for the fishermen of the 
period. Shriver's Run was also the outlet of 
this water, but its course was a considerable 
ilistnnce west of tiie present run. which was 
changed to accommodate several tanneries in 
the cast part of the town. At the edge of the 
lake stood a cottonwood tree, which, for nearly 
two generations, was the meeting-place of the 
l)oys when about to engage in their active out- 
iloor sports. The lake was drawn off. in pur- 
suance of an act of the Ucnera! Asseniljlv. in 
ISIC. 

The fiist courts were held in the Kagle Tav- 
ern. kei)t by Philip Dewalt. and afterward they 
were held, in ISIO, for a short time, in an up- 
per room at Coulter's. His cellar was used as 
a Jail. The first criminal was that of a man 
convicted of larceny for stealing corn ; he was 
sentenced by the court to ten "days imprison- 
ment in the cellar-jail. At this time whipping 
was yet considered a legitimate punishment for 
the commission of crime, and it is said that, in 
this case, the court hesitiited between the usual 
infliction of -forty lashes save one." for such 
crimes, and imprisonment ; but as it was in evi- 
dence that the man was moved to steal the 
corn on account of actual need in his family, 
the Court mercifully gave the sentence of im- 
prisonment. A refusal to pay debt,s was also 
in those days a crime, and a prominent citizen 
refusing to a pay a judgment for debt rendered 



against him on the ground of its injustice, was 
put in jail until the matter was adjusted. 

Roswell W. 3Iason. Canton's first resident 
!aw3-cr. came here in ISld. He purchased ten 
acres of Wells, immediately west of town, and 
built a twoslory frame house just aliout where 
the beautiful residence of Mr. Jacob Miller 
now stanils on West Tuscarawas street, so long 
and well-known as the property of .Air. Samuel 
Lahm. Law business however, was meager in 
this new coiuitry. and the prospects in the near 
future were not very. encouraging. Jlr. Mason 
accordiugl)-. after living here somewhat iso- 
lated for se\eral years, removed to Warren. 
His house remaining unoccupied for some time, 
soon presented a forlorn appearance, and on 
accoiuit of the creaking of doors and windows 
was soon regarded with superstitious eye as a 
'haunted house" by many of the dwellers in 
Canton. A family by the name of Rurchfield 
lived in it a short time. l)ut were' soon fright- 
ened away from it by the many strange and 
unusual noises which disturbed their sleep at 
night. The ghosts, however, were considerate 
enough not to let themselves be seen, and were 
entirely exorcised some years later by Rev. 
James .Morrow, who bj- Ins piety and a little 
necessary repairing, got rid of them all without 
much ado. Jerry J,,ind, who is still living, was 
engaged during this time in trapping muskrats 
along the banks of the West Creek, and he 
avers that the exaggerated reports about the 
haunted house made it difficult for him to 
keep his hat on his head w-hen he was passing 
the house before daylireak in the morning, in 
going or returning from his traps. But Mr. 
Lind was no more fortunate in .seeing the 
ghosts than others. 

In Decemlier. 1811. the sessions of the 
court were removed to the Stidger Tavern, 
newly erected, on the site of the present St. 
Cloud Hotel : the upper story of a house near 
\>\. occupied by Daniel Faun, was rented for a 
jail. The seconil resident lawyer of Canton. 
Jeremiah H. llalleck, came here in LSI 2, but 
soon afterward removed to Steubenville. He, 
some years later, became President Judge of 
the circuit, and served with great acceptance 
in this capacity for fourteen years. Many yet 
living remember him well as a true gentleman, 
as well as an upriaht. conscientious Judge. 
Judge llalleck died in 1847. 

William llavnolds was the first Clerk of the 



8(4 



HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY. 



Court in fact, although, until he reached his 
majority John Harris was nominally Clerk with 
Eaynokls as Deputy. Mr. Rajnolds came 
here as a .younp; man. and grew up with the 
town. He was a man of consideralile informa- 
tion and of strict integrity, and exerted great 
influence in the earlier and somewhat later 
days of Canton, upon all who came in contact 
with him. He has the credit of having been 
in many things a kind of "Sir Oracle'' among 
the people of this vicinity. 

The first county jail located on a lot donated 
to the county by Mr. ^^'ells, corner of Third 
and Market streets, was completed in the _year 
1814. The northern part, intended for the jail, 
was constructed of a double tier of hewed logs, 
with a partition dividing it into two cells, one 
for debtors and the other for criminals; each 
of these had an entrance from the hall, with a 
heavy door of two-inch oak plank, covered 
with plate iron. The south part of this build- 
ing was intended as a residence for the Sheriff 
of the county. It was a frame, but both parts 
were weather-boarded together to give it the 
appearance of l)eing a single .structure. Seve- 
ral sessions of the court were held in the fam- 
ily part of this building just before the com- 
pletion of the old court house, on the north- 
west corner of the square and Tuscarawas 
street. This was built in 181G. at a cost of 
nearly $G,000, and was in its day quite a pre- 
tentious structure. 

Among those who settled in Canton previous 
to the year 1812, were Winans Clark, William 
Fogle. James Hazlett Jacob Sowers, James 
Leeds, Thomas Hurford and Samuel and John 
Patton. and each of these men exerted con- 
siderable influence, in his own way, in shaping 
the destin}- of the town. Clark was a butcher, 
attentive to his Itusiness, and made money. 
He built the brick house on Market street, be- 
tween Ff)urth and Fifth, now owned by John 
R. Miller. He remained here only about ten 
years, and then removed to Arkansas. William 
Fogle was from Germany. Fpon his arrival in 
the country, he first settled at a place called 
'• The Glades, " in Somerset County, Penn., and 
engaged in the practice of medicine. From 
some dissatisfaction or other with his profes- 
sion, he concluded to go AVest and change his 
business. He stopped awhile at New Lisbon, 
but soon after came on to Canton. He pur- 
chased the lot now owned bv Mr. Martin Wiki- 



dal, northwest corner of Fifth and .Market 
streets, upon which a small frame building had 
been previously erected. In this he opened a 
store, and, among other things, he kept on hand 
a general assortment of drugs, which, as a phy- 
sician, he had selected with a special view to 
the needs of this new country. Although 
known as a physician, he did not engage in 
general practice ; but, upon request, would fre- 
quently prescribe in cases of sickness, and, 
upon emergency', he would sometimes even 
visit a patient. Dr. Fogle, as he was familiarly 
called, was a successful merchant, and accumu- 
lated some property. He had, as he deserved, 
the confidence of the people, and, as a man of 
good judgment, and more than ordinar}- intel- 
ligence, his counsel and advice were frequently 
sought by others. His great popularity is wit- 
nessed by the fact that he was for many years 
cashier of tiie " Farmers' Bank of Canton,'' that 
he was twice elected County Commissioner, and 
that he held and acceptabl}- filled the office of 
County Treasurer for eight successive terms. 
He built the residence on the northwest side of 
the square where Mr. Wikidal resides ; but not 
satisfied that this building might not soon be 
eclipsed in Canton by some more elegant struct- 
ure, and himself taking great pride in a fine 
residence, he conceived the idea of building one 
so grand that no one in town would be able to 
excel it. He. therefore, engaged Abraham 
Donghenbaugh, a reputable carpenter with 
architectural taste, to design and superintend 
the construction of the colonnade structure on 
the hill on Xorth Market street, still standing, 
which was erected without restrictions as to 
cost. It was, indeed, a noble structure, and 
honoied the public pride of the projector, and 
the good taste of the architect. Rut •• vanity 
of vanities " is .written of all earthh" works, and 
he who dreams to do what future generations, 
in a progressive age, will not surpass, has sim- 
ply the pleasure of his dream and nothing more. 
The well on this lot is the deepest in the city, 
being nearly ninety feet deep. While it was 
Jjeing walled, an old man by the name of Rutf- 
ner fell into it and was killed. The building 
originally had a platform on the roof of the 
main part, which gave a good outlook over the 
surrounding country. At the time of Bachtel's 
execution for murder, it was crowded with peo- 
ple eager to see the sight. The grounds around 
the building were tastefully laid out in walks. 



(ANTON TOWNSHIP. 



whifli urtonletl tine promeiuules. and, on this 
account, evening parties gi\cn Ijy tlie family to 
the young people of Canton arc yet rememljcred 
by some of our now older people as very enjoy- 
able occasions. Dr. Fogle died in 1847, aged 
eighty -seven years. 

Coteraporary with Ur. Fogle, and, like him, 
engaged in the pursuit of merchandising, was 
James Hazlett. He came from Ireland while 
yet in his minorit}', first settled in Belmont 
County. Ohio, and, in 1811, came to Canton. 
He commenced business in a frame building on 
the southeast corner of the public square ; and, 
having been prosperous in business, he erectetl 
on the old site a two-story brick house, which, 
though materially changed, is still standing, 
and is now known as the McKinle\' Block. 
Mr. Hazlett was much respected as a friend 
and neighbor ; in his younger years, in connec- 
tion with the store business, he was connected 
with other branches of business, among which 
may be named a tan-yard, corner of Seventh 
and \\'alnut, a forge or bloomary at Sparta, 
in Pike Township, and a furnace at North In- 
dustry ; but ever}- one of these has " gone the 
way of all tiesh," and are no more recognized 
in the land of the living. He was at an early 
day elected one of the Associate Judges of the 
Count}-, and held the place until these unneces- 
sar}' appendages were done away with by our 
present State Constitution. An incident oc- 
curred in the heated '' Log Cabin and Hard 
Cider" campaign of 1S40, between tlen. Har- 
rison, of Ohio, and Martin Van Buren, of New 
York, rival candidates for the high ottice of the 
President of the United States, in which, at the 
election, Mr. Hazlett's vote was challenged. 
He had, at this time, exercised the privilege of 
an American voter for thirty years without 
challenge ; he, of course, acted in good faith, 
and believed he had the right to vote, but, un- 
der the naturalization laws, his vote was rejected. 
His political friends were naturally indignant 
at the rejection of his vote ; but he himself, 
with a keen sense of justice in the premises, 
and a high regard for the prerogatives of an 
American citizen, took no umbrage, and was 
only sorry that he had so long unwittingl}- vio- 
lated the law. Before the next election, with- 
out opposition from either part}-, his disability- 
was removed. 

The Patton Brothers, Samuel and John, were 
closelv identified with the earlier davs of Can 



ton. Samuel kept a tavern stand in a frame 
building on the corner of Court and Tuscara- 
was streets. Several years later, he took charge 
of the Slidger House on the ground now occu- 
pied by the St. Cloud Hotel. Here he died. 
John was a teacher, and held school in a frame 
building on Market street, south of the old 
Oberl}- corner. He is said to have been a man 
of line personal app(!arance, and very popular 
among the ladies. He afterward removed to 
Bolivar, Tuscarawas County, where he died 
some years ago. 

Thomas Hurford. father of Alexander, still 
living among us, was born in Chester County, 
Pcnn., where he learned the milling liusiness. 
He worked for awhile in a mill belonging to 
Bazaleel Wells at Steubenvillc ; then rented the 
mill and ran it in his own name. During the 
time, he took a tlat-boat loaded with flour to 
New Orleans, and, on this' venture, cleared 
$:i,500. With this money he came to Canton, 
and entered a ijuarter-section of land just south 
of the present city limits ; he was so closely 
identified with Canton from his social dispo- 
sition, and thi! frequency of his visits to town, 
that he was always considered as one of the 
early residents. He liuilt the mill yet standing, 
but for many 3ears no longer in active use, 
just southwest of Oak Orove. Though the 
sound of its grinding has for many years not 
been heard, it is still in the old place — one of 
the remaining monitors of times long past and 
gone. Mr. Hurford was very fond of compan}-, 
and particularly fond of discussions on religious 
matters. He, having been born and reared in 
Chester County, Penn., a region of country al- 
most entirely oix-upied by Quakers, the follow- 
ers of William Penn, the founder of the State 
of Pennsylvania, and in the very vicinitj- of Phil- 
adelphia, the City of Brothcrl}- Love, was very 
naturally under Quaker influences in his earlier 
years. He tells his own story of the reasons 
which caused him to dofl" the habit of his 
religious faith and early training. Having 
been sent to Winchester, Va., at an early 
day, on business for his employers, he was 
assailed, while passing along one of the streets, 
b}' a cry from an upper window, as he sup- 
posed, •' You're a Quaker," but looking up he 
could see no one from whom the insult- 
ing language, as he construed it, had come. 
He went on, but after a few steps, he heard the 
same cry repeated. Naturally indignant at 



30G 



HISTORY OF STAKK COUNTY. 



what he considered an insult to his religion, he 
angrily turned round to discover the impudent 
assaulter, but no one was in sight on the street 
or at the windows. Several hours after this, as 
he was passing the same locality, came a third 
time tlie cry. ■ You're a Quaker." when, turning 
(juiekly, he discovered the guilty party to be a 
parrot exposed in a cage at an upper window. 
This trivial circumstance so mucli annoyed 
him, that he took off his Quaker dress imme- 
diately upon his return home, and never re- 
sumed it afterward. Upon such little things, 
sometimes, do the destinies of men and nations 
hang. 

Jacob Sowers, grandfather of Percy Sowers, 
an attorney of the city of lo-day. came in the 
year 1809. to Canton, from Maryland, and 
bought with him his two sons, Frederick and 
Eli. The old geifcleman intended to make some 
investments in his own name, but not finding 
things in all respects to his taste, and. conclud- 
ing to defer tlie matter to some future time, re- 
turned f]ast. leaving his two sons here. Fred- 
erick was bound to George Cribs to learn the 
trade of a potter. He liked neither his master, 
nor the trade, left without ceremony, and went 
back to his native State, where afterward he 
became a highly successful Baptist minister, 
but contracting a severe cold from immersing 
in the winter season, he died from the effects 
of it, Kli, the other son. was apprenticed to 
Alexander Cameron, to make of himself a prac- 
tical carpenter. He served out his time, mar- 
ried a daughter of fleorge Dunbar, and, for 
many years, carried on this business extensively 
and successfully, until, witli the acquisition of a 
competency, advancing years admonished him 
to retire from active luisiness. He was elected 
one of the Associate Judges of the county, and 
filled the position with credit for a number of 
3'ears. Tlie Judge often spoke of the great 
eclipse of 1811. when he. with others, was en- 
gaged in shingling the old Kaufmann House, 
corner of Ninth and Market streets. The sun 
gradually disappeared, darkness soon en\'elopcd 
everytliiiig aliout them, and the men, one and 
all. iii'ccipitatclv aliaiidoncd the roof witii llie 
impression (bred of tlie want of knowledge and 
considerable suijerstition) that the world was 
coming to an end, or that some other dreadful 
calamit}' was immediately impending. The sun. 
however, soon brightened up again and the 
world still stands. > 



In these earlier days, and some of the later 
ones, people hereabouts, without fixing precise 
dates, would refer to things which happened 
before or nftcr the war of 1812 with Great Brit- 
ain. Hence the references above given of 
those who were here before 1812. There were, 
of course, many others, who either made no 
record, or, following the Westward course of 
rule and civilization, have entirely passed away 
from the recollections of men. 

Many of the pursuits of former times have 
passed away, and a few words touching the arts 
that the improvement of machinery or greater 
facilities elsewhere have destroyed, are in place. 
In pioneer days, here as elsewhere, those pur- 
suits which minister to man's immediate com- 
forts and needs were the first ones started and 
longest continued. A young lady's outfit, in 
town as in country, then, alwajs included a 
spinning-wheel and its accompanying reel. 
From the first settlement of the county, and 
for a couple of score of years thereafter, these 
articles were in great demand ; at one time, 
there were no less than three establishments in 
Canton engaged in their manufacture, those, 
namely, of Joseph Handlin, Joseph Musser and 
Jacob Bncher. Ilandlin left first, Musser ran 
away with another man's wife, but Mr. Bucher 
continued in the business as long as there was 
anything to do. and amassed a very respecta- 
ble fortune. But the music of 'the one- 
stringed piano," as some one has facetiously 
called. the spinning-wheel, no longer enlivens 
the dreary long winter nights, or the sultry late 
summer evenings. Tom Marshall, from Steu- 
benville, where he had previously engaged iu 
the same business, started a nail factory and 
continued it for a few years. He heated his 
iron-plate iu a forge, and cut and headed the 
nails by machinerj'. His shop was on Tusca- 
rawas street, about where the parsonage of the 
First .Mctliddist Churcli now stands. He could 
and did make from fifteen to twenty pounds a 
da}-, which sold readily at 50 cents a pound. 
Messrs. 'Webb. Toiler, Schrf)ggs, Sweeney and 
Albert carried on the hatting business at an 
early day and for many years. Hats, at that 
time, were made only of fur and wool, both 
kinds, a stiff hat with a high crown. When a 
man or a boy wanted a hat, he went to the hat- 
ter and had his head measured, and the hat, 
made over the measure, would be finished in 
a month or six weeks. It was not a great 



( AXroX TOW N>IIII' 



wliilo, howevi'i'. before tho rueieluints bt^gau to 
bring on bats and slices from the Kast. The 
hatters and shoemakers, of course, considered 
this an intrencbment upon their prerogative, 
and tlie3' made common cause against tlie mer- 
ciiants ; but the old tight of sup|)ly and de- 
mand, and of the right to buy goods in any 
legitimate way. where they could be bought for 
the least money, won the da^" eventually ; the 
war cca.sed. the merchants had the trade, and 
the hatters and shoemakers were obliged to 
yield. The hatters finally left the field, and 
those of them who remained in town, went 
into other business. There have been as many 
as nine tanneries in different parts of Canton, 
mostly on or near Shriver's Kun. and seven of 
the nine running at the same time ; now there 
is none. The same might be said of the hat- 
ters, who. after the first fight with the mer- 
chants, were only known here by an occasional 
itinerant coming once in awhile, to brush up 
and renovate old hats ; a year or two since, 
however, an old and experienced hatter from 
I'hiladelphia htcated in Canton, and though he 
does not pretend to cope with the older houses 
Hast or West, in making new hats, he has suc- 
ceeded in establishing a good business in the 
renovating line. In the former days, there 
were Sterlings, Stidger's, Kroft's, Fogle's, Slus- 
scr's. Hazlett's, Christmas'. Dobbs' and Kim- 
balls tanneries, the last seven at the same 
time. As this circumstance indicates there 
was a very urgent demand f(jr leather, so ur- 
gent indeed, sometimes, that people would take 
it awa\ before! the leather had been fully and 
properly tanned. A". R. Kimball, who started 
his tanner\' in 1882. at the corner of Cherry 
and Third streets, where Alexander's woolen 
factory is now located, ground his bark bj- 
steam-power, and as his was the first steam 
engine ever seen in Canton, it was a great curi- 
osit}-, and attracted, for awhile, crowds of 
people eager to see this wonderful substitute 
of heat and water for horse-power. The engi- 
neer was named Albert Kugle, and the boys of 
the period considered hira the greatest man in 
town. The stage driver, up to this time, was 
the man of most importance in the eyes of the 
boys, l)ut he had to yield to Kugle. .\s g.ame 
was then abundant, and every man and boy 
considered himself deficient in something essen- 
tial to liis manhood, if he had not a gun or did 
not know how to use one. and as emigrants 



going further WvM brought this part of their 
outfit here, the demand for guns and rifles was 
sufficient to keep three shops ruiniing. .Vdani 
Kimmel. John Clark and Jacob Danner engaged 
in the business, and the}' all made money out 
of it. Associated with the regular gun busi- 
ness, Mr, V. A, Schneider, the pioneer hardware 
merchant of Canton, started and kept in opera- 
tion for some time, a gun-barrel factory on 
Fifth street, between Walnut and Cherry. The 
building was afterward diverted into other 
uses ; it is still standing, but has been turned 
into a number of tenement houses. Among 
others of those who pursued in former years, 
what are now entirely or comparatively lost 
arts in Canton. George Faber, a man of decid- 
edl}' inventive turn of mind, and a good citi- 
zen, manufactured for several years all kinds 
of cards, such as vvool-cards, horse-cards and 
the like. 

Although a distinct portion of the history of 
Stark County will be devoted to the medical 
fraternity, in which all the pioneer physicians 
will receive full notice, we deem it due to the 
history of Canton to revert brief!}- to the earlier 
doctors, who came here after Dr. Rappe, of 
whom, as the first one, a fuller notice has above 
been given. After him, the brothers John and 
Thomas Ronfield came and practiced in this 
city and neighborhood. Dr. John came first. 
and. though a man of decided abilitj'. was 
somewhat odd in his manners and dress, and 
had a penchant for hohling some public otiice, 
an ambition, however, which he was never able 
to gratify. Dr, Thomas S, came shortly after, 
and was in nearl}' every respect totally unlike 
his brother ; ho was a popular practitioner, a 
zealous member of the Methodist Church and a 
noted skater. After these came Dr. Thomas 
Hartford, who first engaged in the practice of 
his profession and afterward in merchandising. 
Highly successful in both callings, he amassed 
considerable wealth, which by his will, alter 
making liberal provision for his widow during 
her lifetime, he bequeatlied as a perpetual poor 
fund to till! cit}' of Canton. Dr. Hartford re- 
moved to Pittsburgh in 1S32. and lived there 
in ease and comfort all the balance of his days. 
Dr. James Jerow was the fiflli physician, a good 
practitioner, l)ut a very ttecided and somewhat 
arbitrary man. He died in 1825, of a malig- 
nant fever. Dr. George Breyseciier, the next, 
came from Germany, and settled in Canton in 



308 



HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY. 



1819. He was reputed a good physician and a 
very successful hunter. Drs. (lardner and Sim- 
mons came here in or about 182(1. Tlie former 
died in Canton. The latter, aljout the year 
1830, removed to Cincinnati, and afterward to 
St. Louis, where he died only a few years ago. 
Many of these older settlers have left histor- 
ical reminiscences highly interesting and in- 
structive. We will give a few of these which 
we deem of especial interest. John Shorb. who 
came here in 1807, was a native of Zweibruecken, 
in (Termany, and when yet (juite young, he 
came and settled in Baltimore, where he mar- 
ried Catharine Gross, a sister of Mrs. Andrew 
Me3-er, from Neiderbronu, Elsass. Mr. Shorb 
had pursued ditferent branches of business in 
Baltimore, and had made some mone}' before 
he came to Canton. He kept store a few years, 
first in Leonard's building, and afterward in his 
own l)uilding. (riving up the store to his son 
John, he removed to his farm just northwest of 
the old city limits, now, however, nearly all 
within the city. When he went East in after 
3ears to buy goods, he invariablj' made the 
trip on horseback, accompanied at difterent 
times by his wife, a feat of horsemanship that 
but few women of the present day would dare 
to attempt. In 1815, he became President of 
the first bank in the town, called "The Farmers' 
Bank of Canton." He did considerable busi- 
ness also in real estate. He took an active part 
in public affairs, and was always ready to give 
a helping hand to his neighbors. An example 
will perhaps give some insight into this part of 
his character. It was customary in the early 
times for sea captains to bring over emigrants 
destitute of means, and. in order to pa^' their 
passage and expenses, to sell them out to serv- 
ice for a number of yeai's. Sometimes whole 
families were thus sold out into this condition 
of white slavery. A Swiss, by the name of 
Imhoff, was one of this kind of emigrants. He 
came from Basle, and was a tailor by trade. 
He was sold to one of these •• dealers in human 
flesh," who was instinctively a tj'rant. Soon 
finding his condition unbearable. Imhotf took 
the first favorable chance, as man}' others in 
like positions did, and ran away, taking his fam- 
ily along with him. With other parties going 
West, he came first to Plain Township, and then 
to Canton. He had been pursued, and on the 
day of his arrival here, he was caught by his 
pursuers, together with his family, and they were 



in danger of being taken back to their sla\ery, 
and to suffer the punishment of whipping for 
running away. They were almost exhausted 
with weariness and the want of sustaining food, 
and the terrible fate awaiting them if they should 
be taken back to Philadelphia l)ecoming known, 
many of the then residents of the town took 
compassion on them, and one of them, John 
Shorb. being in good circumstances ottered 
to buy their fieedom. The pursuers were at 
first unwilling to make any terms for the release 
of Imhofl' and familj', but they were soon 
brought to terms I)}' the loud mutterings of the 
anger of the people, and the threats of lynch 
law if they did not quickly accept their money 
and leave. One who vouches for the truth of 
this transaction said : " The scoundrels took 
themselves ofl" might}- quick when thej' heard 
of hanging." Shorb was a zealous member of 
the Roman Catholic Church, and one of the 
founders of the first congregation in Canton. 
He was injured while giving a helping hand in 
the erection of the old Catholic Church corner 
of North and Poplar streets, and on the 24th 
of July, 1824, he died from his injuries, at the 
age of sixty -fi\'e j-ears. 

Philip Dewalt was also one of the noteworthy 
pioneers of Canton, and came here in 1808. 
His parents came from (rerniany to America in 
the year 17(11, and Philip was born on the 
vessel during the vo3'age over the ocean. The 
family went first to Hanover. York Co., Penn., 
next to Center County, and finally, to Stark 
County in 1808. The parents lived to great 
old age ; the lather, aKso named Philip, died at 
the age of one hundred and five jears, and the 
mother at one hundred. Both were buried in 
the old graveyard on Plum street in Canton. 
The subject of our sketch first engaged in 
making -small beer" and 'pepper cakes," 
but in the winter following, commenced keep- 
ing the '' Spread Eagle ' tavern ; he did a good 
business. From 1809 to 1812, large numbers 
of people from the East came to look up and 
locate lands, and iNIr. Dewalt had often as 
many as twenty guests passing the night with 
him. His son. Daniel Dewalt, now over eighty 
years old, still resides here and knows more 
about the early settlement of Canton, from his 
own knowledge, than any other citizen. At the 
end of twenty years, Philip Dewalt sold the 
Eagle Hotel to his oldest son, George, and 
built another tavern stand on the northeast 



1^ 



CANTON TOWNSHIP. 



309 



corner of Tuscarawas and I'hini streets. He 
died in 1844, aged eight\--tliree years. His 
wife Eva was called home some seventeen years 
before at the age of sixty-four years. They 
had a family of seven children, live sons and 
two daughters, of whom ■•Old I'ncle Dan,'' tol- 
erably hale and hearty, alone survives, one of 
the last links connecting the primitive age of 
Canton with the present. A history of Canton 
would be very incomplete without a more (>x- 
tended notice of '■ Uncle Dan." In the spring 
of 1809, he went to school to a Mr. Oeorge 
Gcisweil, northeast of the present fair grounds, 
and received instruction in reading, writing and 
arithmetic, both in English and German. The 
tuition in this school was 50 cents per month 
One Andrew Johnson, taught the lirst English 
school in Canton, in a log schoolhouse, erected 
in 1807 on the lot now occupied by the court 
house. Daniel Dewalt made fair progress in 
school, and afterward helped bis father in the 
tavern. He attended to the horses in the sta- 
ble and blacked boots for the guests, sometimes 
assisted by his mother, and frequently did not 
get done with his work until after 1 o'clock in 
the morning. He, however, pocketed all the 
cash paid for this service himself, and often 
drove a profitable trade. He took to horses 
naturally when ((uite young, and while yet a 
boy did some sharp Iradhig, as early as the 
year 1812, when the last war with Great Britain 
broke out. About this time he owned, in his 
own name, a Hock of sixty sheep, which found 
good and abundant subsistence on tiie rich 
plains near Canton. One day a farmer came 
to' the Eagle Tavern, with a tolerably good 
horse, which he wanted to exchange for sheep. 
Daniel gave him four sheep and took the horse. 
.\ few days after, his father sent him on busi- 
ness to New Philadelphia, and he. of course, 
took his horse along with him. On the way he 
saw a very beautiful, dark chestnut horse, 
which took his fancy, and he traded his own 
iiorse and a gold watch, worth $:!0 or -S40, for 
him. When he came home on his nol)le charger, 
he was a wonder to his father and ail the peo- 
ple at the hotel. He traded this horse again a 
few days later to the soldiers, at that time en- 
camped on the court house lot, receiving in 
exchange two other horses and $75 in money ; 
one of these he sold soon afterward for $100. 
He, some years later, learned watch-making 
and jewelry business, but not finding this his 



particular forte, he has spent the greater part 
of his life in trading. He was generally suc- 
cessful in his ventures. In the summer of 
1809, there was a great scarcity in horse feed 
in this neighborhood, and to meet the urgent 
demand, Philip Dewalt sent to New Lisbon, a 
distance of thirty-three miles. His two daugh- 
ters, Mary and Nancy, aged respectively twelve 
and fourteen years, made the journey in two 
days. They rode horseback anil leading other 
horses bj' the bridle, brought three sacks of 
oats on each horse. Those days developed 
hearty and brave women, as well as hard}' and 
daring men, women wiio were in every respect 
helpmeets to their linsl>ands in town and 
country. 

Before proceeding to other early reminis- 
cences it will be well to give a resume of the 
early settlers which, from a paper published a 
number of years since, we find read}' to our 
hands, as follows, viz.: " The first white settler, 
not only in Canton but in Stark Count}", was 
James Leonard, who came here in 1805. The 
first white child was born a couple of miles 
north of Canton, on the Spangler farm, and was 
a daughter born to Hugh ('unningham, who, 
however, lived but a short time. The first mar- 
riage was that of James F. Leonard with Sarah 
Barber, in 1806. Leonard built the same year 
the first brick house, on the old Oberly corner. 
The first death was that of James Culbertson, 
in October, 1805. The first grist-mill was 
erected by Philip Shisser in 1807. The first 
saw-mill was set up the same year on the pres- 
ent site of Trump's Mill. The lirst tavern was 
started by Garret Crusen. on Jlarket street, be- 
tween Fourth and Fifth streets, in a log house. 
The first well in town was dug on this lot. The 
first store was opened by Alirahain Kroft, cor- 
ner of Market and Fifth streets, in 1807. The 
first blacksmith who did work here was John 
Bower, who built his shop and commenced bus- 
iness in 1809, on the court house lot. The first 
shoemaker was Barney Mayhan, on Poplar 
street, between Fourth and Fifth, in 1809. The 
first tailor was L(!vi Jones, on South Market 
street, between Seventh and Eight streets, in 
1808. The first wheelwright and chair-maker 
j was Joseph Handlan in 1807. The first wagon- 
maker was Jacol) Sirine, in 1818. The first 
[ cabinet-maker was Peter M. Bainbridge. on 
I West Tuscarawas street, in 1815. The first 
1 house joiner was John Hanna. in 1809. The 



^ 



310 



HISTORY OF STARK COT'NTY 



first brick-layers were James McMahaii and 
Stillinger, partners in business, in 1812 ; they 
also followed stone-eiitting and jilastering. The 
first tan-yard was started by Abraham Ki'oft, 
in 1808. The first lawyer was Roswell Mason, 
in 1810. The first Doctor was Andrew Rappee, 
in 1808. The first teacher was Andrew John- 
son, in 1808. The first resident minister of the 
Gospel was Rev. Anthony Weier, in 1812. The 
first drug store was opened by Jacob Sala in 
1820, though drugs were extensively sold in 
Canton by other parties before this time. The 
first hatter was George Stidger, on the St. 
Cloud cornel', in 1809. The first tinner and 
copper-smith was John Buckius. East Tuscara- 
was street, in 1811. The first saddler was John 
Read, in 1814, who occupied asiiop in common 
with a tailor by the name of Parker. The first 
gunsmith was Adam Kimmel. in 1816. The 
first watchmaker was Alexander Wilson, in 

1814. The first butcher was James Matthews. 
in 1809. The first brewery was built by Thomas 
Hartford and Samuel Coulter, near the East 
Bridge, in 1820. and was operated by John 
Cake. The first barber shop was started by 
William Baker in 1820. Previous to this time 
the citizens of Canton shaved themselves. The 
first gravestone cutter was Josepli Trout, who 
came here in 1809. The first printing office 
was started by John Saxton in 1815; this is 
still in existence, and is carried on by his son, 
Thomas Saxton, and is well known as the Ri- 
pository establishment, on Court street. The 
first portrait painter was John K. Dunbar, in 
1827. The first church edifice, a low frame 
building, was erected by the Lutherans, on the 
lot upon which the Presbyterian Church now 
stands, corner Tuscarawas and Phim streets, in 
1810. The first regular schoolhouse was built 
on the opposite corner, where the West school 
building now stands, in 1811. The first steam 
engine wss brought to Canton by V. R. Kim- 
ball, in 1833, and put to service in grinding 
bark at his tannery on the corner of Cherry and 
Third streets." 

As connected closely with these varied busi- 
ness interests of early Canton, we here give a 
brief history of the first bank. In the year 

1815, a meeting of the business men of tlie 
town was called for the purpose of organizing 
a bank. The population at this time was about 
500. There were seven stores, and several 
flour-mills drawing trade to Canton from a 



; great distance on all sides. At the close of the 
war of 1812, a new impetus was given to busi- 
ness ; immigration from the East, which, dur- 
! ing the war. had nearly ceased, set in again, 
I and there soon arose a demand for greater 
facilities in the way of furnishing an adequate 
supply of circulating medium, and in making 
transfers of funds. Wooster, thirty miles west 
of Canton, began to loom up as a rival town, 
and. what at this time appears rather laughable 
than otherwise, the contest for superiority was 
I almost entirely based upon the relative advan- 
i tages of Killbuck and Nimishillen Creeks for 
i future purposes of navigation. The meeting 
I called, as above stated, was considereil a good 
stroke of policy to gain other advantages. 
Five Trustees were appointed viz. : John 
Shorb. William Fogle. Samuel Coulter. Thomas 
Taylor and James Hazlett. with instructions to 
take initiatory steps at once to compass the 
end desired. In the month of April a notice 
was published in the O/u'n Rcjiasitory for a 
meeting at the Eagle Tavern, of Philip Dewalt, 
to hold an election for nine Directors of a bank 
I to be called • The Farmers' Bank of Canton," 
the word ' Farmers " being adopted at the sug- 
gestion of Dr. Fogle. At this election, Thomas 
Hartford, John Shorb, John Myers, William 
Fogle. Winans Clark, James Hazlett, Philip 
Slusser, Jacob Myers and George Stidger were 
chosen directors. John Shorb was made Presi- 
dent, and William Fogle. Cashier. Subscrip- 
tion books were immediately opened to raise 
stock for the new bank at Canton, at Tallmadge, 
at Stow and at Cleveland. In the summer of 
1815. a banking house was erected on Lot 28, 
which is no longer standing, and in the fall of 
the same year it was occupied as such, tuid the 
bank went into operation. They at once issued 
notes for ciroulatiDn and sent them out upon 
their mission for good or for evil. At that 
time, there was considerable opposition to a 
paper currency, and. at the February terra of 
court in the year 181G, an indictment was 
found against •■ John Shorb, President of the 
Farmers' Bank of Canton,'' for • signing and 
making bank notes without being, by law, 
authorized to do so." George Tod was Presi- 
dent Judge, and John Hoover, Samuel Coulter 
and William Henry, Associate Judges of the 
Common Pleas Court at the time. At the 
trial, however, the sympathies of the com 
munity must have been largely with the bank, 



^ a 



CANTON TOWNSHIP. 



:51l 



and that they wanted it sustained, was evident 
from tlie fact that tile juiT, after hearing the 
case, returned a verdict of not guilty, without 
even the formality of retiring to make up their 
verdict. Jeremiah H. Halleclv represented the 
prosecution, and ^lessrs Wright and Tappan 
the defense. But this decision, prompt and 
decisive as it was for the bank, did not relieve 
it from all its troubles in this direction. Dur- 
ing the same year, Henry Swartz, who owed 
the bank S800 on his note, resisted its payment, 
on the ground that tlie bank had issued paper 
money in violation of law. Tliis case was 
argued at length by J. W. Lathrop for the 
bank, and by John >I. Goodenow for the defend- 
ant. The court, liowever, again gave judgment 
in favor of the l)ank, and the legality of this 
branch of its business seems to have been thus 
finally established. The bank also issued frac- 
tional currency to a considerable amount, of 
which counterfeits soon made their appearance. 
Tlie Repasitori) of that date warns the public 
against them in this wise : •' 'J'hey are from 
75 cents downward, printed on deep fancy pink 
paper, with larger type than the genuine, and 
dated May 3, 1810.' It seems that a publisher 
of a newspaper near the center of the State, 
manufactured with impunity a considerable 
amount of this fractional currency, and escaped 
prosecution on account of the fear of being 
able to prosecute him successfully for an^- penal 
ofl'ense. John Sterling and Thomas Alexander 
were elected Directors of the bank in 1811). 
James Drennan was Cashier in 1817, and gives 
notice that - a dividend of 4 per cent on the 
capital stock actually paid in. will be paid to 
stockholders, or their legal representatives." 
From a bank statement published in December, 
1818, there vi&s, capital stock paid in, S83,710 ; 
notes in circulation, $20,308 ; debts due, $18, - 
000; deposits. $3,112; bills discounted, $75, 
162 ; specie on hand, $1,90!) ; notes of other 
banks, $1 .400. .\ financial crisis was approach- 
ing, and the bank soon liegan to. feel its effects. 
They struggled on and endeavored to weather 
the storra until November, 1818, when as many 
other banks had already been compelled to do, 
they suspended specie payments, but gave 
notice that they would continue ' to redeem 
their notes in good chartered paper. ' In Janu- 
ary, 1820, in compliance with an amendment 
of a law then in force, the board of Directors 
was increa.sed to thirteen. Renewed efforts 



were made to sustain the bank's credit and its 
life; but the reserve forces were insuHicient, 
and in March, 1821, the bank building and lot. 
and the ollice furniture were sold at pufilic 
auction. The first " Farmers' Bank of Canton " 
was dead. It was afterward resuscitated, bill 
its later history is not so closely identified with 
the purpose of our work, and we do not deem 
it necessary to pursue it any further. 

We find the following interesting biograiih- 
ical sketch of one of the first Board of Directors 
of the bank, and the last of them all to pay the 
last debt of man to nature was Mr. Jacob i^Iy- 
ers : •• He came to this county in 1810, finding 
it only a wilderness. Though they were few 
and far between, the hearty old-fashioned hos- 
pitality of the early pioneers was a topic on 
which Mr. Myers loved to dwell, and he wa.s 
himself one of its best exponents. In the Ihll 
of 1811. he returned to Hagerstown, Md., antl. 
while there, he built a wool-carding machine. 
In the spring of 1812, he returned to Canton, 
whore he ever afterward resided. He brought 
his carding-machine with hiin, it being the first 
erected in this part of Ohio. It was put into 
operation on the site known as Roland's Mill. 
Both mill and carding-niacliiiie having been 
Iiurned out. he bought a lot in (Janton, south- 
west corner of .Market and Figlith streets, re- 
built his shop on the same, and ran it by horse- 
power. Mr. .Myers was once the owner of part 
of the land on which Massillon now stands, near 
the confluence of Siiipo Creek with the Tuscara- 
was. On this he built a saw-mill and a powder- 
mill, on a site on Sippo Creek, a short distance 
above where the Sippo Mill now stands. This 
was the first and only powder-mill in Stark 
County. At the time of which we speak, the 
Indians had a camp on the high bank west of 
the Tuscarawas River, now partly occupied by 
the site of West ,Massillon. In "]815. Mr. My- 
ers sold his Massillon property, including the 
land and the saw and powder mills, to Folger & 
Coffin. He al.so sold his Canton town property, 
and. in 1810, leased the tract upon which he 
built his mill, just south of Canton, on Cherry 
street, and where he lived, until his death, fifty 
seven years, lie leased the land because being 
school land it could not be .sold ; but it after- 
ward became his by purchase. He afterward 
erected a tlistillery. the foundation of which 
still remains, though the superstructure has long 
since disappeared. (J rain at that time was a 



^■. 



312 



HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY. 



drug, as there was more raised than was re- 
quired for liome consumption, and there was no 
foreign market, at least no means of transpor- 
tation. Wheat was 25 cents a bnshel. and rye 
from 15 to 20 cents. Mucli of the surplus 
crop was converted into whisky, and Mr. My- 
ers soon had a large quantity on hand. For 
the purpose of disposing of it to the best ad- 
vantage, he. in company with Daniel Slanker, 
who had a mill in Jackson Townsliip. and iiad 
a lot of flour on hand, built a boat on the Tus- 
carawas River, at a point known as the " Old 
Bridge," a short distance above the present 
stone bridge. This was in 1823, at a time when 
our forefathers anticipated great results from 
the navigal)le qualities of the Nimishillen and 
Tuscarawas. This boat, loaded with 300 bar- 
rels of flour, pork and whisky — Shmker furnish- 
ing the flour and pork, and Myers the whisky — 
started for New Orleans, where they expected 
to find ready sale lor the cargo. The crew con- 
sisted of five. In addition to the owners, who 
accompanied the craft, there were John Brown, 
of Bethlehem, and Eli Myers, of Osnaburg, 
who were the steersmen. There was another, 
whose name is forgotten, who, anxious to see 
the world, gave his services as a sort of rousta- 
bout for the passage. They floated with the 
current and tied up at night. All went along 
smoothly until near Zanesville, on the Muskin- 
gum River ; there they ran against a raft of 
logs, tore off a side plank, and, notwithstanding 
every ettbrt at the pump, the boat sank. To 
raise the vessel, it was necessary to unload. 
After it was raised, repaired and reloaded, the 
parties engaged a man by the name of Kincaid, 
who had considerable experience as a river-man, 
to take charge of the vessel and cargo, dispose 
of it to the best advantage, and make due re- 
turn. Slanker and Myers returned home ; Kin- 
caid, instead of going to New Orleans, went up 
the Cumberland as far as Mussel Shoals ; there 
sold out, and vamoosed. He was pursued, 
eanght in Kentucky, and lodged in jail at Louis- 
ville, The parties, finding the trouble and ex- 
pense of prosecuting him likely to cost more 
than they could recover, al)andoned the suit. 
Tlie same year. Dr. Andrew Rappee, of Canton, 
loaded a flat on the Tuscarawas River with like 
commodities for New Orleans ; but they ran 
aground near Zoar, and the enterprise was 
abandoned. During Mr. Myers' long residence 
of two generations in Canton, he always sus- 



tained the character of an honest, upright 
citizen. He was a man of decided and inde- 
pendent opinions, kind of heart and open-handed 
to the poor. In his intercourse with his neigh- 
bors, he practiced the golden rule — he made it 
a point to do unto others as he would be done 
by. He took his share of the privations, and 
sustained his part in life as became a good citi- 
zen from first to last, during the long life, which 
measured in its span the growth of this great 
nation. In October, 1863, he had a stroke of 
palsy in his right side, and he was (juite feeble 
ever afterward. In October, 1872, he had a 
stroke which partially paralyzed his left side ; 
the ultimate result of these severe attacks being 
his death at the advanced age of nearly ninety 
years.'' 

Forty or fifty years ago, as is incidentally 
mentioned in the above sketch of Mr. Myer.-^, 
much of the surplus grain raised hereabouts 
was manufactured into whisky ; in those days 
lager beer and other beers were unknown 
among the people in this Western world ; whis- 
k3' was used to some extent in almost every 
family ; the morning bitters were as regular as 
the morning meal ; and places where liquor 
was sold, were the taverns under a stringent 
license law, to do a lawful business, and to keep 
a decent and respectable house. While drunk- 
enness was probably not as prevalent then as 
now, there was, however, enough of it to awaken 
attention, and to cause measures to be taken 
for its suppression. Modern temperance move- 
ments were in their infancy, and were to a great 
extent entirely unknown in Canton. Occasion- 
ally, however, measures were taken for the cure 
of drunkards, by citizens, which though not 
always strictly within the law, were at times 
(juite effective. We find a vivid description of 
the application of one of those methods in 
print, headed, ■' Crusading in Ye Olden Times," 
which is as follows ; " Forty years ago, or there- 
abouts, when whisky sold at three cents a 
glass, and drujikards were made according to 
law under the old license system, they h.ad a 
summary way of reforming topers, that often 
proved more effective than moral suasion. It 
was in the days of the old apprenticeship sys- 
tem, when Canton, with a population of less 
than two thousand inhabitants, contained more 
of that class of boys than can be enumerated 
at the present time, notwithstanding it boasts 
five times the number of inhabitants. To a 



^ 



CANTON TOWNSHIP. 



Slti 



considerable extent they constituted of a class of 
tliemselves, isolated from the societ}' of others. 
They were mostly from the country, removed 
from the ]);iternal influences, and ready for al- 
most any kind of deviltry. When a "greeny " 
came to t<jwn, they were sure to take liim 
through a process of hazing. There were no 
police in tiiose da3"s. and the}- generally man- 
aged to keep out of tlie way of the Constables. 
There are many yet living who rememl)er how 
these young fellows got after the drunkards. 
If caught on the streets after night, they were 
sure t<i be taken through a process that may be 
called the hydropathic and motorpathic system, 
the modus operandi of which will be described 
in the case of Scth Godder. Seth was a shoe- 
maker by trade — a clever, social roan — who fell 
into the ruinous habit of indulging in strong 
drink. It was not long before his family came 
to want, and then his wife, a good, industrious 
woman, was compelled to take in washing and 
work out in order to keep the wolf from the 
door. She bore witii her husband's weakness as 
long as patience was any virtue, then reasoned 
with him, entreated and threatened, all to no 
purpose. Finally, she concluded to let the 
••Regulators " take him in hand. She talked 
with John Caskey, an apprentice in the Rcpns- 
ilori/ office, and a ringleader among the b'hoys 
of that day ; she told him slie had exhausted 
all her resources in trying to reform her 
drunken husband and failed ; and now she 
wanted the boys to take him in hand and do 
anylliing they plea,sed with hiui, only not to 
take his life. As several topers, caught on the 
street after night had alreaily been taken in 
hand, Godder, to avoid similar treatment, had 
taken the precaution to wend his way home be- 
fore dark. On the evening of the day up(Mi 
wliicli the event we are about to chronicle oc- 
curred, (iodder came home drunker than usual, 
and. if possible, made himself more disagree- 
able to his family than ever before, Mrs, God- 
der lost no time in notifying Caskey of the 
condition of her husband, and re(|uested that 
he be taken in hand forthwith. The company 
was summoned. There were John Hoover, 
Sam Cove, John Moblej% George McNabb and 
a lot more of choice spirits, including, if we 
rcineniber rightly, (ioorgc Haas and John Huck- 
ius. They repaired to the house of Godder, 
found him quite demonstrative, and asked him 
to take a walk. He at first declined, but find- 



ing it useless to resist, at last apparently 
yielded. They led him to the town pump, then 
on West Tuscarawas street, set him under the 
spout, and held him there, while two or three 
of the boys did the pumping, and it was effect- 
ually done to the extent of drenching him 
completely. Meanwhile a fence-rail had been 
procured, astraddle of which Seth was assisted, 
and securely held by one on each side, while 
two stout boys carried the rail on their should- 
ers. As they moved off singing •Jim Crow." 
Godder joined in the sport, but as the rail- 
bearers would give him an occasional bound 
and gyratory movement, the treatment became 
somewhat p;\inful. and he began to protest. 
They asked him to quit drinking, but lie re- 1 
fused. They renewed the march, and the rail 
movement. He swore worse than the '• arm\' 
in Flanders." On North Market street, at the 
public pump, they gave him another dose more 
copious than the first. The night was some- 
what cool, and the patient became chilled. Re- 
mounting him on the rail, the march was re- 
sumed. It continued until (iodder became 
apparently quite subdued and helple.ss. Speak- 
ing to him without obtaining an answer, a halt 
was ordered, and on lowering the rail it was 
discovered that he was apparent!}- dead — cold, 
clammy and speechless. Terribly frightened, 
the bo^s hastily bore him to his home, while 
one of their number summoned I)r, Brysecker, 
On being placed in a warm bed, by the appli- 
cation of mustard to the extremcties and hot 
pi^ppermiut tea internally, he gradually revived, 
but the shock to his nervous system confined 
him to the house for several weeks. He be- 
came a sober man. Never again, as long as he 
lived in Canton, did he drink intoxicating 
liciuor. He secured the respect and esteem of 
the comiuuiiitv. We have often thought t In- 
same treatment would be more effectual in cur- 
ing our most notorious drunkards of the pres- 
ent day. than fines and imprisonment." 

In that earlier day. there was also among 
many of our young people a desire to add im- 
provement to amusement, and the history of 
facts concerning the earlier theatrical perform- 
ances in Canton should also have a place here. 
Thes(! performances, it must be remembered, 
were given by home talent exclusively. The 
first effort of the kind was on Christmas Eve, 
in the 3-ear 1817. It was rendered in the long 
room of John Patton's tavern, standing on the 



IILSTORY or STARK COUNTY. 



lot now occupied by the St. Cloud. The per- 
formances, as advertised, were •' The most in- 
teresting parts of the celebrated tragedy of Pi- 
zarro, to which will be added patriotic, senti- 
nieutal, moral, humorous and comic dialogues 
and single speeches." On the evening of July 3. 
1818, at the same place, "Douglas, or the No- 
ble Shepherd,' was performed, and on the even- 
ing of the t3th, a repetition of " Pizarro, or the 
Spaniards of Peru.' was given. As there are 
none now living who have any distinct recol- 
lection of the particulars, the names of manj- 
of the performers and patrons of this early 
drama have gone into unmerited oblivion. 
Among them, however, were Samuel Buckius, 
John P. Coulter. Joseph Alexander. Lewis 
Barnes. James Sloan, Jacob Rapp, Samuel 
Penniwell, John Shorb and Adam Fogle ; Chris- 
tian Palmer, a violinist of some note and pre- 
tensions in that da}", led the orchestra. In the 
winter of 1822-2;>, the "Thespian Society of 
Canton" was organized. William Raynolds 
was one of the most active in getting up this 
organization, and to his efforts its success was 
largely owing. Their first performance was in 
the south part of the Eagle Tavern, then 
owned and occupied by George Dewalt. now 
also among the things of the past. The main 
play first presented on this occasion, was the 
tragedy of • Barbarosa, or the Usurper, of Al- 
giers ; " this was followed by an after-piece, 
called " She Stoops to Conquer,'' from Uold- 
smith. The male performers were William 
Christmas, James Beggs, James Allen. Prank 
and Jeff Raynolds, James Graham. Harmon 
Stidger, I)i'. Jerome, Val. Buckius, Lewis Fo- 
gle, and the two Coulters. Dr. Thomas Bon- 
field, F. J. Myers, Madison Raynolds and Lewis 
Fogle performed the female parts in these 
plays. William Raynolds acted in the double 
capacity of prompter and stage manager. The 
scenery, made of curtain calico and wall-paper, 
exhibited considerable taste and ingenuity. 
The next play rendered was " Othello." in 
which James Allen represented the Moor, and 
Frank Myers, Desdemona. Although the stage 

I (.lecorations and scener}' were necessarily of a 
rustic character, and the wardrobe scant and 
only improvised for the occasion, all accounts 
agree that these entertainments were quite at- 

; tractive and successful, quite as much so. in- 
deed, to that generation as the more preten- 
tious, but certainly not more creditable per- 



formances of to-da}' often are. And there was 
one beauty about them from which the modern 
theater, especiallj- when some celebrated "star" 
is to be on the boards, has gone far awaj-, the 
admission fee was 25 cents, and no reserved 
seats. There was but this one season of per- 
formances in the Eagle Tavern. When our 
native talent next came to the front, it was at 
Trump's Tavern, a two-stor^' brick, on the cor- 
ner of East Tuscarawas and Cherry streets. 
Among the plays rendered here with great suc- 
cess, were " The Robbers." '• Damon and Pjth- 
ias," "Servant with two Masters," "The Re- 
view, or the Wag of Windsor," and " Robin 
Rougii Mead." In the play of "Coriolanus," 
Andrew Myers took the place of the leading 
character. Besides the persons already named, 
the performers at Trump's included William 
Boweu, Dwight Jarvis, Henry Dickinson, Adam 
Bowers and Thomas and Joseph Blackburn, 
The last-named afterward became a popular 
clown in a traveling circus, and was performing 
in England at the time of Queen Victoria's 
coronation. There were about the same time, 
also, .some performances at the house of Jacob 
Wareham, on West Tuscarawas street, where 
Mr. George Althouse resides. About the year 
1828, Joseph Shorb, who kept store in a one- 
story frame building, erected another story up- 
on the same building and had it fitted up ex- 
I)ressly for theatrical entertainments. The 
stage fixtures, scenery and accommodations for 
the audience were at that time considered very- 
good. The house was usually well filled, and 
the receipts at each performance amounted to 
125 or $30. Performances were given in this 
place about once a week for five or six suc- 
cessive winters. The principal actors, some of 
whom as jurists and other professional men 
attained great celebrity at a later day, were 
Hiram Griswold, G. W, Belden, Andrew Myers, 
John Rappe, Isaac Steese, William and Henry 
Mj-ers. Henry and John Buckius, William 
Clark, 0. P. Stidger, William Fogle and Jacob 
R, Palmer, A few of these as respected and 
honored citizens are still residing in Canton, 
Isaac Hartman, James Cameron and Daniel 
Burgert are remembered as the principal repre- 
sentatives of female character, '■ The Broken 
Sword" was a popular piece pla3'ed here, as 
was also "Bombastes Furioso, " a very laugha- 
ble farce, Dan Meeds, commonly known as 
"Black Dan," led the orchestra. The Shorb 



-4v 



CANTON TOWNSHIP. 



315 



property changed hands about the year 1834, 
and after this a new company was organized, 
and the upper rooms of the old academy, 
known as the -Salt Box," were fitted up for 
their accommodation. A German artist by the 
the name of Schweighoffer, painted the scenery, 
which was considered very good. Perform- 
ances were given here every week or two for 
several winters. Among the more notable new 
actors, who here appeared upon the scene were 
S. P. Ilullihan, Sol Stout, John Taylor, Isaac 
Hartman. H. P. Dunbar, Eli Sala and James 
Armstrong. Among the boys acting female 
parts were William Mathews, F. L. Carney, 
John L. Saxton and George Dunbar. Jr. Since 
the close of the performances at the "Salt 
Box." some forty j'ears ago, there has been no 
effort, we believe, to organize the home talent, 
except upon a few special occasions, in this di- 
rection. At the expiration of the academy 
performances, one of the most pleasant of the 
enjoyments of the olden tiTne came to an un- 
timely end. 

Horse-racing was also one of the popular 
pastimes of the pioneer period. A horse-race 
excited general interest and attention, and always 
drew a crowd. At the first sale of lots in Can- 
ton, then competing with Osnal)urg for the 
count}- seat, Bezaleel Wells, the proprietor of 
the town, arranged for a race in order to draw 
the people together from a distance, and suc- 
ceeded. Our old and esteemed friend and fel- 
low-citizen in }*lain Township, Judge Loutzen- 
heiser, was present, and is authorit}' for the 
statement that there was a great crowd, and 
also for the additional one. that the people were 
more interested in the racing of the horses, than 
the}- were in the sale of the town lots. The 
race-course was on Market street, from North 
to Tuscarawas streets, which was especially 
prepared for the occasion by the grubbing and 
the clearing away of timber and underbrush. 
Canton, if not exactly born of a horse-race, com- 
menced with one under the auspices of the 
father of the town, and though, perhaps, not 
one of her peculiar institutions, the horse-race 
was a popular institution with the pioneers of 
this as of nearly every new town then growing 
up in the West. ' Like parent, like ciiild," 
holds good for towns as well as for people. For 
a generation and longer, nearly every town and 
village in this part of the country boasted in 
the possession of a horse never beaten on the 



turf. Not only the owner of such a horse, but 
with him every man and boy was willing to 
back up the town's favorite by bets of money, 
or whatever else of value they happened to 
possess down to a bull-eye watch, a dog-knife 
or tin-whistle. Betting in those days was very 
general, whereas now it is confined almost en- 
tirely to professional sporting men. There 
were, however, also, in those days, men who 
made it a regular business to travel the country 
with running horses, and who were ready to 
match them for a consideration, with anything 
that offered. There was another set of fellows, 
owners of horses, well calculated to take in the 
unwary and too eager betters on horse-fiesh. 
Their horse was a kind of '• Sleepy Davy," and 
they went round in disguise pretending to fol- 
low some other business, by which ruse they 
frequently threw people off their guard. An 
adventure of theirs with Cantonians of two gen- 
erations ago, will well illustrate their method 
of proceeding. On a warm summer day, a 
stranger might have been seen leading a horse 
up Tuscarawas street. He was clothed in the 
style of the day, but his clothes were somewhat 
the worse for the wear and exposure they had 
undergone. He wore a dilapidated stove-pipe 
hat, and a swallow-tail coat mounted with brass 
buttons. The horse had on a riding-saddle 
loaded with tinware. The man and his horse 
moved along as though they were tired, and as 
they approached Cherry street, a lot of boys 
playing there caught sight of them, and at once 
began poking fun at them. The man paid no 
attention to the boys, Ijut moved along uncon- 
cernedly until he reached the Bell Tavern, now 
the American Hotel, then kept by Hahn, where 
he stopped and hitched his horse to the sign- 
post. At that day. Canton received the mail 
but twice a week, and newspapers were rarel} 
seen ; the coming of a stranger never failed 
to draw a crowd eager to learn the news 
from the outside world. The old man. how- 
ever, paid but little attention to them, but 
kept on talking about the assortment and prices 
of the tinware he exposed for sale, until some 
one in the crowd made an ironical remark about 
his horse, upon which the owner, being quick 
to see and to improve his opportunity, offered 
to run him against anything there was in town. 
Jess Kaffensperger, who was then carrying on 
blacksmithingat the corner diagonally opposite, 
was the owner of a little gray that, in several 



±iL 



316 



HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY. 



competitive trials, liad given proof of gor d 
racing qualities, and Jess was of the opinion 
that he was harcl to beat, and had intimated his 
desire to match him againsCany horse that came 
to town. John Rex, then a bo^' of some twelve 
years of age, was present and heard the ped- 
dler's banter to run his old horse against any- 
thing there was in town, and he at once ran 
over and told Raffensperger that there was a 
man over at Hahn's who wanted a race. Jess 
immediately dropped his apron and went over 
to the tavern. When told that the horse 
hitched to the sign-post was the one it was 
proposed to run against his little gray, he con- 
sidered himself badly sold by some one, so 
mopy and unlike a racer did the old horse ap- 
pear — like his master, he was playing his role 
well. But when Jess was convinced that the 
peddler was in earnest, he felt inclined to hu- 
mor what he regarded a good joke, and asked 
the peddler how much he wanted to wager on 
the race. The latter, taking out his wallet and 
counting over his money (all in silver) very de- 
liberately, replied, that he had $5, which he 
was willing to stake on the result. " Oh ; " said 
Jess, somewhat contemptuously, "I wouldn't 
run my horse for less than 125. If j-ou can 
raise that amount, I'll show you how easy it is 
to part a fool and his money." That was more 
than the peddler could raise, he said, but if any 
gentleman in the crowd would loan him S20, he 
would give the horse, saddle and tinware as 
security. By this time, the crowd were getting 
eager for the race, and were thrown entirely off 
their guard ; so that when another stranger, 
who had joined them without being observed, 
stepped forward, and just for tiie fun of seeing 
the race, accepted the peddler's security, and 
advanced the S20, not the least suspicion was 
aroused, and the stakes were at once put up, 
and preparations made for the race. The ped- 
dler stripped his horse of the tinware and sad- 
dle, and .sought among the boys for some one 
to ride his horse : but the old horse's move- 
ments were so awkward that the boys, fearing 
he would stumble and fall, placed too high an 
estimate on their own necks to accept the posi- 
tion, and the old man was obliged to ride his 
own horse. Eli Sala rode Raffensperger's 
horse. The race track, at this time, was just 
south of town as it was then, from Coulter's 
house to Frederick's hill, or as it would now be 
known, on Market street, from the Melchoir 



Bros, to the residence of Mr. Peter Housel be- 
low the railroads. To this place all parties re- 
paired ; judges were selected, and all things 
were made ready for the race. In the mean- 
while the stranger, who had advanced the $20, 
took all the bets that offered. When the horses 
were about to start, the peddler's horse ex- 
hibited so much spirit that it required two men 
to hold him until the word was given, and at 
the word. " Go ! " he dashed out like a streak, 
soon took the lead, and came out at the end 
several lengths ahead. The Cantonians were 
badly taken in. and no one more so then Raf- 
fensperger himself ; his remark about the ease 
of parting a fool and his money was indeed 
verified, but ''the saddle was on the other 
horse." He and other citizens, for a long time, 
were shy of traveling racers, especially of the 
" sleepy " kind. 

In the summer of 1834, a compan}' of enter- 
prising and liberal minded citizens of Canton, 
had a circular track constructed immediatelj- 
west of town on land owned then by John 
Harris, now part of the estate of Simon Miller, 
deceased. Tliere were races dail}', distance from 
one to four miles and repeat. The horses entered 
were all blooded stock, and brought here from 
a distance, the majority of them from West 
Virginia. The most notable feature of the en- 
terprise, and one that will be longest remem- 
bered, was the new gambling devices for the 
first time introduced into this community kn .wii 
as '• roulette '' and " sweat cloth," by which 
many of our people both from town and coun- 
ti'y were inveigled into a trial of their " luck ;" 
some escaped with only a slight scorching, 
while others lost all they had. This track was 
kept up two seasons, when by a colipcration 
with parties at Massillon, it was removed to 
grounds midway between the two towns, and 
continued there one season more, but as the 
patronage was not suflScient, the enterprise was 
abandoned. 

Before concluding this chapter on the early 
settlement and reminiscences of Canton, noth- 
ing seems more proper than to give a history of 
the Oberly Corner, which from the beginning 
till within a very few years past, has played so 
important a part in the history of the citj'. We 
give it almost verbatim from an article in the 
liepositorij of a couple of years ago, and signed 
by the familiar letters. L. S. It says: '• The lot 
on which the building stood, was sold by 



^J. 



CAXTOX TOWNSHIP. 



317 



Bozaleel Wells, the proprietor of the town, to 
James F. Leonard, in 1806, the year the town 
was located. The deed names the considera- 
tion $1, from which we would infer it was a 
gift. Leonard (an uncle of William Barlier), 
was a surveyor and land-jobber, and laid off 
and platted the town, and was in a position to 
render Wells' service, and the probabilities are, 
that the gift was made either for favors received 
or expected. At this time it was ' hip and 
thigh ' between Osnaburg and Canton, which 
should lie the county seat. This consideration 
may have been the agreement of Leonard to 
improve the lot, and put up a building upon it 
at once. At an}- rate, the bricks were made 
the same summer, just outside the original 
town plat, near where the Schaefer Rink was 
until lately. As early as the weather would 
permit in the spring of 1807, work was com- 
menced, and the building was completed and 
ready for occupancy in the fall, being the first 
brick house erected in the county. There was 
no cellar under the liouse, for the reason that 
no wallingstone could be procured within a 
reasonable distance. The first occupant was 
John Shorb. He came from Maryland that 
year, and brought with him a small st<Jck of 
store goods. He remained in it but one year, 
when Samuel Coulter, from Washington County, 
Penn., rented it for a tavern. Before the expi- 
ration of the year. Coulter bought the property i 
of Leonard, for S600, and put up a frame addi- 
tion, intended for a dining-room and kitclien. 
Under this part was a cellar, walled only on 
two sides, with bowlders. This was the second 
tavern in Canton, then known ijy the traveling 
public as " Coulter's Tavern, sign of the Green 
Tree." In the winter of 1808-()S), a post ofHce 
was established in Canton, and Coulter was ! 
appointed Postmaster. There was but one 
mail a week, and that was (rarried on horse- 
back to and from New Lisbon, in Columbiana 
County. Canton was then on the western bor- 
der of civilization. All that country west of 
the Tuscarawas River was given up to roving 
bands of Indians. The upper story of Coulter's 
building was partitioned into three rooms. The 
waj- up was by a ladder, through a trap door 
in tile floor above. The reason for adopting 
this mode of ascent does not ap[)ear. In this 
upper story, County Court was held for several 
sessions. The Hon. Calvin Pease, then Presi- 
dent Judge, a resident of Warren, was in the 



habit of walking from one county seat to 
another in the discharge; of the functions of his 
office. It was out of the question to travel 
with a vehicle, and the probability is the Judge 
preferred walking to riding on horseback. 
The hole under the frame building was used 
as a jail. In it there must have been several 
incarcerated, for there are those still liv- 
ing who remember one imprisoned for debt 
and one for stealing corn. The County Com- 
missioners also iield their sessions in this build- 
ing. At the April sessions in 180!), it was 
•' ordered tliat for every wolf or panther scalp, 
luider six months old, 50 cents be paid, anti 
for every one over that age, $1." They also 
'•ordered that Samuel Coulter be paid $3 for 
the time each session of court was held in his 
house." John Harris, then a youiig man of 
energ\% was engaged in teaching school, and 
doing odd jobs of surveying. He was, also, a 
fine singer, and at the solicitation of friends, he 
started a singing-school in the court room of 
tlie Coulter tavern. For a time it flouiished. 
liut the difficulties and embarrassments en- 
countered by the female scholars in their efforts 
at climbing the ladder to the second story, 
deterred them from going, and the school was 
finally abandoned for want of the female accom- 
paniment. The organization was turned into 
a debating society. Here they met weekly to 
discuss " Which affords the greater pleasure, 
tiie pursuit, or the possession of an object," or 
•■ Which was the greater man. Hannibal or 
Julius Cffisar?" Sometimes their discussion 
took a metaphysical turn, and then they had 
the question, '■ Is there such a principle in the 
human mind as disinterested l:)enevolence '?" 
The principal disputants were Samuel Coulter, 
John Harris, John Patton. uncle of Thomas 
Patton, Daniel McClure, Roswell Mason, Moses 
Andrews, William Raynolds, father of John 
Ilaynolds, Dr. Stidger, Dr. Jerome and Jere- 
miah H. Halleck, afterward President Judge of 
this district, and John Sloan and Col. (Jil)son, 
then connected with the land office in Canton. 
It was in this debating society that John Har- 
ris developed that forensic ability, which, in 
after years, distinguished him as a prominent 
member of the bar, the compeer of Tajjpan, 
Wright, (ioodenow. Loomis. Silliman and Tom 
Fwing, Sr.. with all of whom he came in con- 
tact. Coulter continued his tavern until 1820. 
when he concluded to relinquish the business. 



•^' <s- 



±4- 



318 



HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY. 



He had a farm below town, the same land which 
is now occupied by several thousand people, 
knonn as South Canton. (.)n it he had built a 
frame house, the one formerly occupied by Mr. 
Peter House). Coulter rented his Canton prop- 
erty to Dr. Thomas Hartford, who came to 
Canton that spring from New York State. Dr. 
Hartford was a man of large heart, kind and 
benevolent. As an instance of his generous 
feeling, here is an advertisement, copied from 
the Reposihini of June 12, 1820 ; 

'Mr. Thomas Hartford hkrebv informs such 
as are in indigent circumstances, in the county 
of Stark, that in cases of sickness (tilvicf and 
iiiedicine will be given to them ymtis.'' Imag- 
ine a physician of Stark Count}' of the present 
day, offering to the poor of the county advice 
and medicine ynituitomlij. Such examples, 
however, were no more cliaracteristic of that 
day than of the present. It is in proof, that a 
cotemporary physician, for three visits in a 
case of fever, took the only cow a poor man 
had. Then no propert}' was exempt from exe- 
cution for debt, and rather than have iier levied 
upon bv tlie Constable, and sold for what she 
would bring, he gave her to the rapacious doc- 
tor. There is no doubt that Dr. Hartford was 
sincere in making this proposition, that it was 
in good faith, and not for ■• buucoml)& '' or to 
advertise himself It is well known that his 
heart went out in charity for the poor. His 
munificent bequest to the poor of Canton, which 
the}- are enjoying to-day, is only one of the 
many evidences showing his l)enevoleut dis- 
position. In 1821, Dr. Hartford Itought the 
property from Coulter for $2,000. The price 
was considered high, but it was in a time of 
general prosperity, and prices had become in- 
flated. The Doctor had a drug store in the 
lower room in connection with his practice. In 
a few years after, his nephew, John Titus, came 
from the East, and assisted him as clerk. Witli 
drugs, he also kept Ary goods. There are many 
still living in Canton who will remember John 
Titus, from the sport they bad as boj's at his 
expense. In 1830, Hartford sold the south 
half of the lot to Luther L. Foote, his brother- 
in-law, for S600. As the number of physi- 
cians increased in Canton, Dr. Hartford gradu- 
ally withdrew from practice. He continued his 
store, and would prescribe for all who applied 
without charge. He was then in good circum- 
stances, owning considerable real estate in and 



around Canton, He never had anj- children, 
Mrs. Hartford was much like her husband, and 
was a very estimable lad}-, highly esteemed by all 
who enjoyed her personal acquaintance. Law- 
yer Metcalf of Canton, a particular friend of 
Dr. Hartford's, removed to Pittsburgh, and in 
a year or two after induced the Doctor to follow 
him. Following the Doctor's removal, the 
property was occupied by different parties as 
rentors. Canton at that time was flat, Massil- 
lon taking the lead, and the rent was merely 
nominal. Among the different occupants re- 
membered was Joe Parker, a tailor, with a 
wooden leg, who for several years was bell- 
ringer. At that time a town ordinance recjuired 
the court house bell to be rung at 8:30 A, M,, 
at 12 M, and at 9 P, M, The ringing at night 
was the signal for the stores to close, work to 
cease in the mechanic shops, the bojs to leave 
the streets, and e\er}-body to retire to their 
virtuous couches. The apprenticeship sj'stem 
was then in vogue, and men in the mechanical 
arts worked fifteen hours a day. There were 
no saloons. Topers kept their whisky at 
home, or got it at the taverns. The only luxury 
to be had in town was spruce beer and ginger- 
bread. But we are wandering from the text, 
Dr, Hartford sold tlie corner half, including the 
brick house, in 1839, to John Bauer, for $1,500, 
Bauer opened a grocery, whicli, in after years, 
partook of the character of a saloon, Bauer 
was County Recorder from 1843 to J 845, In 
1840, he sold out to a company compo,sed of 
Henry Somers, David and John (Jarber and 
Abram Richards, They rented the propert}' to 
Christian Oberlj-, who purchased it in 1861, for 
the same they gave. During the time 3Ir, 
Oberl}' occupied the old brick and its back ad- 
dition, and the property adjoining it on the 
south he has used it as an eating house 
and saloon. In the year 1877, Mr. Oberlj' sold 
twenty-three feet front and two hundred 
back to the alley in the rear, to Sherrick & 
Miller, for ;?10,000. During flush times he 
could easily have had double that amount. 
Sherrick & Miller, one of our best established 
hardware firms, both of them gentlemen of 
great business capacity, of great experience 
particularly in their line of business, and of 
strict integrity and morality, tore down the (jld 
corner building, the old time-honored brick 
that had weathered the storms of more than 
seventy }-ears, and erected in its place their 



J, 



.u 



CANTOX TOWNSHIP. 



319 



splendid three-story brick building, twentj'- 
three feet by one liundred and eleven, in the 
year 1879, and us soon as it was finished re- 
moved their bnsiness into it. The building is 
both a credit to them and an honor to the city. 
The old one had a checkered experience, and 
was equally honored in its day ; but all old 
things must yield to the progressive spirit of 
the age. 

Everything almost of a tangible nature hav- 
ing reference to the original incorporation of 
the village or town of t'anton has been lost. 
and, so far as we have been able to learn, after 
the most diligent inquiry, there is no one now 
living among us able to give definite informa- 
tion on the subject. But from an act passed 
by the General Assembly, entitled '■ An act to 
incorporate the town of Canton," in March, 
1838. when C. Anthony was Speaker of the 
House of Representatives, and George I. Smith 
was Speaker of the Senate, in Section 18 of 
said act. we find a repealing clause referring to 
a preceding act for the same purpose, as follows : 
" That the act entitled • An act to incorporate 
the town of Canton, in the county of Stark.' 
passed the thirtieth day of January, eighteen 
hundred and twenty-two ; and the act entitled 
' An act to amend the act entitled, An act to in- 
corporate the town of Canton, in the county of 
Stark,' passed February ninth, eighteen hundred 
and twenty-nine, be, and the same is hereby re- 
pealed.' .\s early as the year 1822. therefore. 
Canton was an incorporated town or village ; 
from some later public action, it seems that in- 
corporated town and incorporated \illage were 
at that time treated as synonymous terms. 
The act of 1838 provided for a <livision of the 
town into four wards, bounded precisely as the 
four wards of the city are at this time. It pro- 
vided for a Town Council consisting of the 
Mayor. Recorder, and two members of each 
ward, and into the hands of this body " the 
government of said town, and tlie exercise of 
its corporate powers" were vested. In August 
of the same year, 1838, the names of John 
Myei's, Mayor, and of Arnold Lynch, Recorder, 



appear upon the ordinance book. In May, 1839, 
from the same source we find that Jacob Rex 
was Mayor, and 1). A. Agnew, Recorder. On 
tlie old ordinance book we find the last ordinance 
of the Town Council, entitled ■ An ordinance 
to regulate the sale of intoxicating liquors and 
for other purposes." passed -Vug. 14, 1852, at- 
tested by Benjamin F. Leiter, Mayor, and J. B. 
Estep, Recorder, and then two blank pages evi- 
dently left for recording some other ordinances, 
which for some reason or other was never done, 
and the next ordinance recorded is in the name 
of the •• Incorporated Village of Canton." passed 
in July, 1853, and is attested by John Lahm, 
Mayor, and J. B. Estep, Recorder. The expla- 
nation of this apparently- anomolous change of 
names is probably found in the fact that after 
the adoption of tlie new constitution of the 
State, in 1852. the Legislature, early in 1853, 
passed an act whereby a new classification of 
towns was ordained, and Canton, under the law, 
became an incorporated village. About this 
time, viz.. July, 1853, with u change in the name 
of the corporation, there seems to have been a 
general overhauling of the older ordinances for 
tiie direction of the Mayor, the Recorder, the 
Marshals and the Treasurer, and prescribing 
their duties, as well as ordinances regulating 
the li(iuor traffic and providing against offenses 
of various kinds opposed to the public moral- 
ity. The village organization, however, con- 
tinued only about one year, when, under author- 
ity of the same law by which she had become 
a village, an act of the Village Council, March 
22, 1854, changed Canton into a city of the sec- 
ond class; and under the present classification 
it is in the third grade of second class cities. 
John Lahm at this time was still -^layor, and 
James B. Estep, Recorder. Atler this time, 
the ordinances were attested by the President 
of the Council, and the Clerk of the city. 
Thomas Goodman was the first President, and 
James B. Estep, the first Clerk under the new 
organization. This organization of Canton con- 
tinues substantially the same to the present 
time. 



HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY. 



CHAPTER X.* 

THE (ITV OF CANTON— I'lS GROWTH AND INCRKASE OF WEALTH — SLAClvWATER NAVIlJATION— 

OKIOIN OF AULT.MAX WORKS— PRESENT I'ROI'ORTIOXS OF THEIR BUSINESS— OTH ER 

MACHINE WORKS AND INDUSTRIES— CAPITAL AND LAIiOR EMPi OYED 

—CENSUS STATISTICS — WATER WORKS, ETC., ETC 



■■ Like (locks, one wheel another one must drive: 
Affairs by diligent labor only thrive." — Chapman. 

THE war of 1812 greatly interfered with 
immigration Westward, and the tide did 
not set in again with much vigor until some 
years after it was o\'er. Still, (juite a number 
of families, many of whose descendants are 
still residing here, came in after the war, and 
before the year 1.S20. Among these may be 
enumerated the Buckius, the Dunbar, the Rex, 
the Saxton, the Myers, the Sherrick, the Dan- 
nor, the Kitzmiller, the Hanes, the Trump, the 
Hippy, the White, the Sprankle, the Smith, the 
Bueher, the Webb and the Whipple families, 
with others whose names have not been learned. 
When immigration commenced again, Canton 
had the steady and gradual growth eharaetor- 
istic of most other Western towns at the time. 
One of the greatest hindrances in the way of 
progress was the lack of facilities for carr>'ing 
to market the surplus products of the sur- 
rounding country. At that time there were no 
railroads, there was no canal, and the ordinary 
roads in poor condition and impas.sal)le for 
heavily-loaded teams a great part of the year. 
Consequently, such articles as butter and eggs 
brought only a nominal price, and even wheat, 
oats and corn were extremely low. The ordi- 
nary prices of these things were before 1830 as 
follows : Eggs, 4 cents a dozen ; butter, 6 cents 
a pound ; wheat from 25 to 30 cents a bushel, 
and corn and oats from 12 to 15 cents, and that 
not in cash, but in trade. Of course every 
navigable stream was regarded as an inestima- 
ble feature of the country through which it 
pass-ed ; Canton, in the forks of Nimishillen 
Creek, was at the head of navigation. Boats, 
called pirogues, capable of carrj'ing a ton, were 
in common use for ordinary transportation, and 
flat-boats for flour, bacon and whisky. The.se 
started just below town, and their usual destina- 
tion was New Orleans. In the earlier days, before 

*Cuntiibut«l by Prof. Duniel Worley. 



the country was cleared up, the usual stage of 
I water in the Nimishillen and Tuscarawas was 
much higher than after, and this made naviga- 
tion, at least part of the year, possible for light 
craft ; but at the best it was difficult, and at- 
tended with much risk to property. The pirogue 
and flat-boat furnished a partial relief but by 
no means all that the wants of a rapidly devel- 
oping country called for. The completion of 
the Ohio Canal, in 1830, gave a new impetus to 
general business .and the farming interest of 
the country far and wide, but it was a severe 
blow to the commercial interests of Canton. 
The Ohio Canal was eight miles distant, and on 
its bank a new and rival town sprang up, and 
soon became the center of trade for fifty or 
sixty miles around. Massillon's prosperity 
and rapid growth worked great disadvantage 
to the interests of Canton for many years, and 
excited a jealousy between the two towns 
which was not removed for a great while. To 
oflTset the .advantage of the canal to Massillon, 
a number of enterprising citizens of Canton 
projected the Nimishillen and Sandy Slack- 
water Navigation Company, for the purpose of 
building a canal along the Nimishillen Creek 
to connect with the Sandy and Beaver. Work 
was commenced and considerable was done 
toward constructing this branch canal, in an- 
ticipation of the great impetus it would give 
again to business ; there was a teraporarj' re- 
vival, and in view of immense profits to insure 
siieedily, much pro})erty at high prices, changed 
hands : but, alas ! for human hopes and ex- 
pectations. A panic followed, when work had 
Init rightly commenced, and the enterprise was 
abandoned : those who had bought property at 
high figures a short time before suffered loss. 
The failure of this project put even a greater 
damper on the prospects of Canton. For 
twenty years there was but little improvement, 
if there was not indeed an actual retrogression. 
Massillon became noted as the wheat citv. and 



CANTON TOWNSHIP. 



321 



went rapidly forward, and Canton stood still. 
So it continued until the j-ear 1851, when the 
Pittsburgh, Fort Wayne & Chicago Railroad 
was located just south of the town, as it was at 
that day ; tliis road went into operation in the 
early part of 1852, as far west as Massilloii. 
The railroad company did not alwaj-s act in the 
most favorable way toward Canton, nor did 
they assist an}- by offering specitd facilities in 
building up her interests : it is even claimed 
by some that there was a constant disposition 
to discriminate against her, until when, within 
a very few j'ears, the opening up of the Valley 
Railroad to Cleveland gave a new outlet East 
and West to Canton industries. In view of the 
early completion of the Pittsburgh, Fort Wayne 
& Chicago Railroad, nevertheless, Bull, Ault- 
man & Co., determined to remove their works 
from Greentown to Canton to avail themselves 
of the advantages of the new railroad, secured 
lots on the line of the road, erected their build- 
ings, and. in the latter part of 1851, they 
brought their tools and fixtures from Green- 
town to Canton, and a brighter day began at 
once to dawn upon this city ; the gloom and 
depression of many \'ears graduallj- removed, 
and Canton again entered upon the march of 
progress, which has gone on steadily forward 
ever since, with but little interruption, and that 
hut temporary. As the removal of this busi- 
ness to Canton is the date of a new era, it will, 
undoubtedl}'. be of great service to the younger 
portion of our citizens, and to after generations 
of Canton's children, as well as eminently just 
to the memory of the honored members of the 
firm, to put in permanent form a complete his- 
tory of the rise and progress of these works in 
Canton, as we find it in the Chicago Commer- 
cial Adcertlser, of February 2G, 1880, which is 
acknowledged as accurate and satisfactory, as 
follows : 

When it is considered that within the brief 
period of a quarter of a century the wonderfully 
etfective mowing-machine of to-day has been 
brought to its present stage of i)erfeclion by 
the pre-eminent genius and skill of American in- 
ventors, the mind dwells upon the fact with un- 
stinted admiration, heightened by tlie tliought 
of how completely this marvellous aid to the 
husbandman has revolutionized the methods of 
agricultural pursuits. Tlie model and pro- 
gressive farmer of the present day may well 
look back a couple of decades and wonder how 



he possibly could have accomplished his har- 
vesting by the tedious processes then com- 
monly employed — how he ever could have 
garnered his crops with the old-fashioned 
scythe, sickle and grain cradle. Certain it is 
that were it not for our labor-saving agricult- 
ural machines, this country would not now 
enjoy her proud position of being the principal 
grain-producing and world-feeding nation, 
whereby her wealth is augmented by hundreds 
of millions of dollars annually. The me- 
chanical facilities thus supplied have within a 
few years given a surprising impetus to the de- 
velopment of our agricultural resources, and 
by their great economy in gathering the crops, 
have enableil us to beat the w(jrld in producing 
cheap breadstufls, as our gratifying export sta- 
tictics plainly indicate. The invention and 
perfection of American harvesting machiner}-, 
then, may rightly be regarded as one of the 
chief promoters of our country's rapid develop- 
ment antl remarkable prosperity ; and in the light 
of this fact, it seems almost incredible that the 
original introduction into use of these now in- 
dispensable auxiliaries to the successful cultiva- 
tion of the soil was attended with verj' serious 
obstacles, not the least of which was the strong 
prejudice and opposition manifested by farmers 
and farm laborers to the employment of these 
"new tangled" devices. Deeming that a con- 
cise and accurate history of the mowing ma- 
chine and kindred farm apparatus would prove 
of interest to many people, and in view of the 
fact that the city of Canton is the recognized 
headquarters in this line of production, we 
have devoted considerable lime to collating in- 
formation upon this interesting subject. 

The opening of this historical sketch takes 
us back to the year 1848, when in the little 
rural borough of Greentown, a village of some 
300 souls, situate about nine miles north of 
Canton, Mr. Cornelius Aultmau, who had 
learned the machinist's trade, made the patterns 
and built on his own account five of the old 
Hussey Reapers — the first machines of the kind 
ever made in Ohio, with the exception of a few 
made at Martin's Ferry, opposite Wheeling, in 
the year previous. Mr. Michael Dillman, a pro- 
gressive farmer with ample means, living near 
Greensburg, Summit Co., had purchased and 
used one of these machines during the season, 
and was .so well pleased with its work that he 
proposed joining Mr. Aultman in his new un- 



;x^ 



HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY. 



dertakiiiff, and aoc(jnlingly, in the spring of 

1849, they both removed to Plainfield, Will Co., 
111., where they constructed these machines for 
two seasons — some thirtj'-seven in all — and the 
neighlioring larmers came to their shop and 
bought them readilj'. The Hussey was a one- 
wheeled machine, adapted only for reaping pur- 
poses. In the spring of 1850, Mr. Husse3', of 
Baltimore, Md., the inventor of this machine, 
but who had done very little toward manufact- 
uring and introducing it, learning that it was 
being successfullj' produced in the West, con- 
cluded that it was worth looking after, joui-- 
neyed to Illinois and informed the makers that 
he held patents on the machine, and claimed 
royalty on all that had been turned out. The}- 
finally settled the matter by paying him ^?15 on 
each machine. 

After the close of the harvest season, in 

1850, Mr. Aultman sold out his Interest at 
Plainfield, and returned to Greentown in De- 
cember of that year. The manufacture of the 
Hussey machine was continued at Plainfield 
for a time, and the business was sul)seiiuently 
removed to Joliet, 111., where the same machine 
was manufactured for a number of years, and 
afterward the Bell machine, until about 1858, 
when the proprietors there secured a license to 
build liic Buckeye m:icliiiies. After Mr. .\ult- 
mans return to ( iicciituwn. .Mr. Ephraini Ball, 
manilestingmuch CDnliilenee in him, wanted him 
to l)uy an interest in the foundry located there, 
then run in the name of Wise & Ball. Mr. 
Aultman had contemplated returning again to 
the West, but said if Mr, Ball would consent to 
move the establishment, within three years, to a 
more eligible locality, he would take an interest 
therein. This was agreed to, and he thereupon, 
about March 1, 1851. purchased the one-third 
interest of Michael Wise, and a like interest of 
Lewis Acker, in the foundry. Shortly after- 
ward, Mr. Aultman transferred a one-sixth in- 
terest to his brother-in-law, David Fouser, one- 
sixth to Ueorge Cook, who was a wagon-maker 
by trade, and one-sixth to his stcpluDtlicr, 
Lewis Miller, leaving Mr. Aultman one-sixth 
interest, and Mr. Ball one-third. The firm now 
became Ball, Aultman & Co., and they at once 
proceeded to enlarge their l)usiness. For the 
season of 1S51. tiiey turned out twelve Hussey 
machines and six threshers, all of which were 
sold to farmers in the vicinity. But the firm 
did not have absolute " plain sailing" indis- 



posing of their machines, inasmuch as there 
was a strong feeling of prejudice existing in 
the minds of farmers and farm hands against 
the radical " innovation." In this connection, 
many things occurred that were positively 
amusing, while other situations were equally 
perplexing. But these prejudices and hard 
feelings gradually wore away, and after two or 
three years had elapsed, and the farming com- 
munity generally had begun to properly appre- 
ciate the valuable aid furnished by harvesting 
machinery, the bitter contest well nigh ceased. 
The Hussej- machine, as we have said, worked 
well as a reaper, but could not be used as a 
mower. A demand sprung up for a device 
that would meet this want, and in answer 
thereto, the Ketcham Mower was invented, and 
placed on the market, in 1851, and in 1852, 
quite a number of these machines were put 
into use. About the same time, the Allen 
Mower, made in the \'icinity of New York Citj-, 
was introduced. Both of these were one- 
wheeled machines, and did not meet with 
marked su(;cess. 

After the harvest of 1851. the Pittsburgh, 
Ft. Wayne and Chicago Railway, having 
then been graded, and soon ready to be opened 
to Canton, Messrs. Ball and Aultman came 
to the latter j)lace, and looked over the sromicl, 
with the view to securing better manufacturing 
and shipping facilities. They selected three 
lots on the line of the new railway, each 45x40 
feet, being a part of the present site of their 
works, returned and reported to their associ- 
ates what they could do. and there\ipon, they 
unanimously decided to remove to Canton. 
The committee immediately came here and 
consummated the purchase. Mr. xVultman, who 
was recognized as manager, moved to Canton, 
on the Kith of Septeml)er following, and put 
up brick buildings — wood-shop, 40x60 feet ; 
finishing-shop, 55x40 feet ; and molding-shop, 
65x40 feet, tlie former two, of two stories, the 
last, of one. In December. 1851. they trans- 
ported their tools and fixtures from (rreentown 
to (lanton, and commenced operations. A 
stock com|)any was then formed, each partner 
putting in what he could, and sharing the 
profits in ratio thereto. At this juncture, Mr. 
Jacob Miller, farmer, and brother of Lewis 
Miller, became a copartner, contributing to 
the capital the sum of $1,000. An inventory 
of the tools, etc., was taken, and each of the 



■r?n 



TANTON TOWNSHIP. 



:{23 



five copartners (Ephraim Ball, Cornelius 
Aultman, rieorgc Cook, Lewis Miller and 
Jacol) Miller) was credited with his pro- 
portionate interest. The total capital of the 
coinpan)', when they started in (Janton. including 
material, property at (Jreentown. and estimated 
value of -'good will," was §4..">(l(). For the 
harvest of 1852. they built twenty-five Hussey 
Machines, with six-foot iron finger-bars, to be 
used as mowers, being intended for combined 
machines. They worked satisfactoril}' as 
reapers, but. for several reasons, they failed as 
practical mowers. In the fall of 1852, up to 
which time Mr. Aultman had done the bu3'ing 
and selling, and keeping books for the concern, 
he went to Illinois, and there made the 
accjuaintance of Thomas R. Tonner. who was 
known as a good book-keeper, and being favor- 
ably impressed, prevailed upon him to come 
to Canton, and keep their books. When Ton- 
ner arrived here he had just a dime in his pocket. 
He proved a valuable man, as he was very 
systematic, and regulated things generalh'. 
He was made the Cashier, and the partners had 
to go to him when tluiv wanted money. Before 
that, they were in the habit of helping them- 
selves, when there was cash in the till, each 
one charging himself with whatever sura he 
appropriated. When clerking in Pennsjl- 
vania, Tonner had got accustoraeil to the ways 
of that region, one of whieh was a trifle un- 
l)usiness-like. to wit. when a note fell due, it 
was not considered as a comi)romise of credit 
to allow it to go unhonored for a week or so. 
He started out in Canton with this notion 
clinging to him. but Aultman sai<l they must 
take care of their notes, iti order to maintain 
their credit, to his mind a very important 
matter. Tonner soon saw this in the same 
light, and looked well after the notes, even if 
by so doing, the firm were obliged to do with- 
out pocket-money for a time. To this well- 
established credit, they attribute their success- 
ful weathering of the panic of 1857, as. had it 
not been for their reputation for commercial 
honor, they could not have passed through 
that trying ordeal unscathed. The business of 
the company so rapidly increased, that it was 
found necessary to procure additional clerical 
assistance, and in 1855. Mr. James S. Tonner, 
l»rother of Thomas, was employini as book- 
keeper, after which, the latter was enabled to 
devote more time to the general business. A 



few weeks after T. li. Tonner came here, in 
1852, Mr. Aultman bought out Fouscr's one- 
sixth inteiest. and turned it over to Tonner. thus 
laying the foundation of the handsome fortune 
he amassed before his death. For the har\est 
of 1853. they built twent^'-fivc Hussey Reap- 
ers, and also twenty-five of the Bell Machines, 
the latter intended for both mower and reaper. 
In 1853. having abandonecl the idea of making 
a combined machine, tliej' turned their atten- 
tion to the work of devising a practical single 
mower. In that summer, the Ketcham machine, 
having achieved some measure of success, a 
committee of three, consisting of Ball, Ault- 
man and Lewis Miller, were appointed to get 
up a mower. Ball was a pattern-nuiker by 
trade, and made the patterns for the concern. 
The committee put their heads together, and 
as the result of protracted consultation, study 
and experiment, they constructed in the same 
year, a mower, a light, small aflfair. and sub- 
jected it to a practical test, but it did not prove 
a success for all kinds of grass. They kept 
busily- at work, nevertheless, and originated 
another one-wheeled machine, somewhat differ- 
ent from the first, and it seemed, on the in- 
itiative trial, to be entirely satisfactory. Ac- 
cordingl3-, they built eight or ten of this pattern, 
and sold six or eight of them in 185.3. But 
their fortune was not yet assured, for the 
machines were found too weak ; they all broke 
down, and were returned as worthless. Some 
of the company got discouraged, but Mr. 
Aultman said, •' try again." Before it was 
ascertained that the machines were an absolute 
failure, the harvest of 1853 was over. The 
committee was continued, and liuring that 
fall, Mr. Aultman made a drawing for a two- 
wheeled machine, the first attempt ever made 
to devise such a mower. This drawing was 
submitted to Ball and Miller, who made some 
suggestions as to modifications therein, and 
from that drawing, after some months of patient 
effort, was at length evolved what was knijwn 
as Ball's Ohio Mower. The first machine of 
this style was built in the summer of 1854. 
Mr. Ball was the pattern-maker, and .Mr. .Vult- 
man, thi! superintendent. The model was made 
and the patents applied for in the fall of 1854. 
Interference was eventually declared between 
Ball's application and one made by Jonathan 
Haines, of Fekin, 111., which was contested. 
Haines proving priority on some of his claims 



r 



324 



HISTOKY or STARK COUNTY. 



as presented at the Patent Office, a patent was 
granted to hun, in August, 1854. Thereupon, 
Mr. Aultman went to Fekin, and bought 
of Haines the right to manufacture for the State 
of Ohio. 

In tlie spring of 1855, Ball, Aultman & Co. 
commenced to build some twenty-five of the 
Ohio machines, and had everything ready to 
erect, when, on the 5th of May following, fire 
destroyed their main buildings and contents, 
including all the machines. Just as the com- 
pany were in a fair way to establish a flourish- 
ing business, this disaster not only robbed the 
firm of their all, but left left them deeply in 
debt. Right here, the firm realized the advan- 
tage of taking care of their credit, and of 
promptly meeting their obligations previously. 
Having good credit, fortified by a reputation 
for strict integrity, they progressed with the 
buildings, and by the 1st of August, in less 
than three months after the fire occurred, the 
new w(jrics were completed, the machiner}' was 
set up, and everything in readiness for a fresh 
start. While the shops were being rebuilt, 
they put wood benches into a shed that had 
escaped the conflagration, and by dint of hard 
work, they turned out, by hand, five mowers 
and twelve Hussey reapers for the harvest of 
1855. On the 1st of August, theN' started up 
the works, and ran night and day. Fortunately 
for them, the harvest of that year was an 
abundant one, and consequently, the demand 
for machines was active. Farmers were so 
anxious to .secure them that they would come 
in and engage machines not yet constructed, and 
pay for them in advance. This proved quite a 
godsend to the struggling firm, as it aided them 
materially in tiding over their existing financial 
stress. After starting up, they built some 
twenty threshers before the season was over, 
and could have disposed of a much larger 
number. The next winter, they went cour- 
ageously to work, and constructed 500 Ohio 
^lowers, fifty Hussey reapers, and fifty Pitts 
threshers, for the harvest of 1856. Aultman 
and Miller, desiring to get up a more simple 
machine than the Ohio, went to work, and 
devised the first Bucke^'e Mower (called origin- 
ally the Aultman & Miller machine), a two- 
wheeled rear-cut implement, and in June, 1856, 
secured a patent on a double-rule hinge, which 
allowed the finger-bar to be raised vertically, 
thus facilitating transportation to and from the 



field. Only one of the rear-cut machines was 
built, and in the fall of 1856, it was changed to 
a front-cut, an approved principle that has ev»r 
since been adhered to. For the harvest of 
1857, they built 1,000 Ohio machines, some 
six or seven of the new Buckeye, 100 threshers, 
and fifty Hussey reapers. In July of that year, 
both the Buckeye and the Ohio were practically 
tested in a competitive field-trial, at Hamilton, 
Ohio, and the Buckeye came out ahead. Kn- 
couraged by this success, one of each, of the 
Bucke3e and Ohio machines, were taken to the 
famous field-trial at Syracuse, in the same 
month, held under the auspices of the United 
States Agricultural Society. When the trial 
came ofl', ever}- spectator was . greatly elated 
with the ea.sy, neat work of the Buckeye, and 
the judgment was in its favor, corroborated by 
the award thereto of the highest prize, the 
grand gold medal. In Fei)ruary, 1S58, Ball 
sold his interest in the firm, and then went to 
work and put up his own buildings, in the 
samej'ear. In 1850, he placed the Oluo Mower 
on the market, in competition with the Buckeye, 
continuing to build it up to about 1865. When 
Mr. Ball retired from the firm of Ball, ^Vultman 
& Co., the style of the house changed to C. 
Aultman & Co., under which it has won its 
enviable honors the world over, and this title 
has continued ever since. In the fall of 1857, 
they had enlarged their works 40 by 120 
feet, a three storj- brick structure, thus doub- 
ling their capacity, so that they were well pre- 
pared to take advantage of the ■' boom " they 
felt sure they were to experience, by reason of 
the splendid success of the Buckeye at the fairs 
of that season. 

For the season of 1858, Messrs. Aultman & 
Co. built not far from 1,500 Bucke3-e mowers 
and 150 threshers. In this year, they commenced 
to make a practical success of the combined 
machine, with reaper attachment. In the fall 
of 1858, this machine was exhibited very gen- 
erally all over the country, and also participat- 
ed in almost innumerable field trials, sometimes 
at three or four at the same time in different 
sections, and it almost invariably took the first 
premiums. 

In June, 1858, patents were granted on the 
front-cut Buckeye, application having been made 
therefor in the fall of 1857. This was a trans- 
fer from rear to front-cut, requiring a radical 
change in the organization of the machine ; the 




^t^mctA^T^ 



J^ 



CANTON TOWNSHIP. 



325 



most important feature of improvement inher- 
ing in tlie folding of the cutter over the front 
of the frame, allowing it to lie Hat, securing un- 
equaled convenience in transportation, and giv- 
ing the Buckeye the pronounced lead over all 
competing harvesting machines. •' It shut right 
up like a jack-knife," and was propelled on the 
road as easily as a two-wheeled cart. Ault- 
man <& Co. retained control of this valuable im- 
provement, and no other make of machine could 
adopt it. 

They continued to sedulously experiment, 
making improvements from year to year in 
minor details, upon which they secured patents, 
taking out some twentj- difl'erent patents, ex- 
clusive of those granted in 1858. For the sea- 
son of 1859 they turned out 1,800 Buckeye 
mowers and reapers and 150 threshers, which 
number would have been consideratily increased 
had it not been for the killing frosts in June of 
that 3-ear. They had licensed to build the 
Buckeye for certain territory. Running out of 
machines at Canton, the}- bought a number 
from the licensers and sold them in their terri- 
tor}-. They invented an attachment to the 
Buckeye whereljy the binding of grain was done 
by two men riding on the machine, of which 
thej- built but a few and only for that season. 
Their machines continued to be exhibited at 
fairs and tested at field trials, coming off victo- 
rious in every honorable contest. This extraor- 
dinary success greath' stimulated popular de- 
mand, and for the harvest of 1860 they con- 
structed about 2.800 of the Buckeye and over 
200 threshers. For 1861 they turned out 2.600 
Buckeye machines and some 260 threshers. 
Notwithstanding the augmented production and 
the breaking out of the war. the demand was 
In excess of the supply, as the crops of that 
season were excellent. The means of the firm 
accumulated, so that they were now able to 
paj' cash for their materials. For the har- 
vest of 1862 they built over 3.000 of the 
Buckeye and upward of 300 threshers. Their 
trade now extended over a large territory, even 
to California, and into all parts of the Union, 
except that portion of the Smith which the war 
shut out from our commerce. In 1863. they 
constructed no less than 3. GOO mowers and 
reapers and nearly 400 threshers. This was to 
them a very bus}' season, forthe}' again greatly 
enlarged their works. In the fall and winter 
of 1862-63, their present commodious office 



building was erected, and during the summer 
of 1863 the capacity of their blacksmith shop 
was doubled, and a larg(> molding shop, more 
than three times the size of the former one, was 
built. They also put in a fine 125 horse-power 
engine and a full complement of improved ma- 
chlner}'. The demand for their agricultural ma- 
chines had Increased so rapidh'. and their ship- 
ping facilities at Canton were so poor (fortunate- 
ly, this drawliack will not exist much longer), 
that they recognized the necessity of " branch- 
ing out," and having carefully looked over the 
ground they finally- determined to locate a 
branch establishment at Akron, that point seem- 
ing to aflibrd the requisite additional advantages 
for their manufacturing purposes. Accordingly, 
in the fall of 1863 they commenced putting up 
their buildings in tliat city, and got out there 
500 machines for the harvest of 1864. Lewis 
Miller removed to Akron and became superin- 
tendent of the establishment there. These 
works have since l)een materially enlarged and 
improved, until they now turn out from 11.000 
to 12,000 machines per year, employing at the 
present time nearly 500 mechanics. 

In 1864, the firm built about 4,500 mowers 
and reapers and 425 threshers, and in 1865, 
the}' built both at Canton and Akron about 
8,000 Buckeye machines and 500 threshers. In 
March of that year, Mr. Thomas K. Tonner, one 
of the partners, died. He became an Invalid 
in 1850. and was not able thereafter to confine 
himself closely to business. The decedent had 
constructed a will making liberal bequests to 
relatives, and turning over the residue of his 
estate to Mr. Aultman for management. 

In the fall of 1865, for the better organiza- 
tion of their immense business, both concerns 
were incorporated separately, under the State 
laws. The, incorporators at Canton were C. 
Aultman, Lewis .Miller, Jacob Miller and George 
Cook ;,and those at Akron were C. .Vultman, 
Lewis AMiller, John II. Buchtel and (Jcorge W. 
Crousc. The original capital of the corporation 
at Clinton, which was continued under the style 
of C. Aultman & Co., was ;!450,000, which In 
1870 was Increased to $1,000,000. and about 
three years ago to $1 ,500,000. The first officers 
of the corporation of C. Aultman & Co. were : 
C. Aultman. l^resident ; John Tonner. Secre- 
tary ; James S. Tonner, Treasurer ; Jacob Mil- 
ler, Superintendent. The original capital of the 
Akron concern was $300,000. and about three 



HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY. 



j-ears ago it was augmented to $1 ,000,01)0. This 
establishment wa.s incorporated under the style 
of Aultman, Miller & Co., witii the following 
otflcers : John R. Biichtel, President ; George 
W. Crouse, Secretary and Treasurer ; Lewis 
Miller, Superintendent. 

About the year 1871, they commenced to ex- 
port machines to p]uropean countries, and the 
foreign demand for the world-famed products 
of this establishment have since largely in- 
creased. They have won man^' honors at ex- 
hibitions and field trials abroad, and the " Buck- 
eye " reaper and mower, " Sweepstakes " thresh- 
er and Canton Monitor engine are coming to 
lie approximately as well known and highly 
appreciated across the Atlantic and Pacific as 
they are at home. 

At the present time, no part of the original 
buildings of C. Aultman & Co. is remaining, 
as at different times they have been rebuilt. In 
1868, a considerable portion of the present 
colossal structures was put up, and from time 
to time they have continued replacing the old 
with the new, making extensive enlargements 
and modern improvements, until now thej' are 
entitled to the credit of having the largest ag- 
ricultural machine manufactory in the world. 
A brief summing-up of the merits and advan- 
tages and most notable triumphs of the several 
Buckej-e machines, followed by a sketch of the 
works of C. Aultman & Co., fitly concludes this 
article. 

Ever since the famous national field trial 
of mowing machines at Syracuse, N. Y., in July, 
1857, when the " Buckej-e " was awarded the 
highest prize, the grand gold medal, over all 
competing machines, its onward march in pop- 
ular world-wide fiivor has been marked by a 
succession of brilliant triumphs in numerous 
competitive field trials with all other makes of 
mowers, not only on this continent, but in for- 
eign countries as well — winning the laurels of 
victor}' in every fair and honorable contest. 

The frame of the Buckeye mower is made of 
cast iron, in one piece, braced with wrought 
iron. It is strong, stiff, and not at all liable to 
get out of line. The gearing is still constructed 
on the .same admirable plan that was originally 
adopted for this machine. The system, one set 
of bevel gears to give the first and slower mo- 
tion, and the spur gears to give the last and ac- 
celerated speed, is universally conceded to be 
the best, simplest, safest and most durable and 



perfect ever devised. Rival manufacturers have 
long cudgeled their brains in desperate eflbrts 
to bring forth a system of gearing or some ori- 
ginal motion which would approacli the Buck- 
eye in simplicity and efficiency, but they have 
been compelled to give up in despair. The 
summing up of the principal advantages of the 
Buckeye comprehends its scientific simplicity 
and perfection of construction, superior strength 
and durability, thoroughness of work, lightness 
of draft, fixcility of operation and immunity 
from danger of serious accident to the driver. 
The new automatic side-delivery reaper is one 
of the greatest inventions of the age, and is 
built and sold only in connection with the Buck- 
eye mower. The pronounced superioritj- of this 
apparatus, as compared with the so-called 
" reel-rake," is clearly manifest in its admir- 
able operation. It will cut nearly 14 per cent, 
or about one-seventh, more grain per da}', than 
any reel-rake having the same length cutter-bar, 
the horses walking at the same rate. Moreover, 
the Buckeye is guaranteed to have no equal in 
lodged and tangled grain, as is proven by the 
testimony of many practical, reliable farmers 
who have thoroughly tested its admirable quali- 
ties under the most adverse circumstances. 

The Buckeye dropper is a prime favorite 
with the farmers who do not. raise very large 
crops, because it is the simplest form of reaper ; 
the easiest to handle and operate ; its work is 
equal to the best, and it is the least expensive. 
With the Buckeye as a dropper, the driver is 
enabled to drop the gavel at the proper time, 
which obviates scattering the grain, and being a 
front-cut machine, the platform is immediately 
under the driver's eye, thus relieving him of 
the straining and wearisome effort of constantly 
looking behind to ascertain the size of the gavel, 
while his attention should be upon the team 
and watching for obstructions. Taken in con- 
nection with the Buckeye, this is unquestionably 
the safest, simplest, most economical and reli- 
able harvesting machine ever produced. 

The Buckeye Harvester is on every hand ac- 
knowledged to be the leading light-draft har- 
vester in the field. In cutting with this ma- 
chine, the cut grain falls directly upon a travel- 
ing endless apron, transmitting it to the double 
canvas elevator, which deposits it all upon the 
l)inding table. Two men bind the sheaves, lay- 
ing the bundles upon a slatted table, until half 
a shock is gathered, when all is dropped ready 



"IV 



J^± 






CANTON TOWNSHIP. 



;«7 



for shocking. It is claimed that with regard to 
perfect proportions, superior material and work- 
manship, simplicity and strength, case of man- 
agement, excellent finish and great capacity, 
the Buckeye harvester stands without a peer. 
These liarvesters are so made that a self-binding 
attachment can readily be affixed subsequently, 
should it be desired. The many advantageous 
conveniences of this popular machine need only 
be seen to be appreciated. 

The Buckeye self-binder machine did not 
enter the competitive field as early as some 
others, but in the few seasons that it has been 
in the market, its success has been such as to 
win the highest encomiums of praise from all 
who have given it a fair trial. Messrs. Ault- 
man & Co. promise for the harvest of 1881 a 
self-binder with important improvements, plac- 
ing it as to intrinsic merit in advance of any- 
thing in this line ever brought before the 
public. In construction, it is singularly- sim- 
ple, and therefore not at all liable to get out of 
order, while in all its working parts the most 
ingenious devices are adopted to secure the 
most satisfactory results from its use. It is a 
wonderful labor-saver, requires but little atten- 
tion in operation, and is destined to triumph 
over all competition. It uses less wire than 
any other binder ; the tightness of the band is 
regulated by a tension, speedily adju.sted, and 
this tightness is limited only by the strength 
of the wire. The grain saved by the binder 
will pay for the wire consumed. A host of 
those who have used this admirable device tes- 
tify that it proves all that is claimed for it in 
every description of grain. 

For the long period of twenty-nine years the 
incomparable Sweepstakes thresher has been 
manufactured by Messrs. C. Aultman & Co., 
and tiiey have spared neither cflbrt nor expense 
to bring it to a state of absolute perfection. 
Tlie practical record of the Sweepstakes ex- 
hibits a series of magnificent successes that is 
altogether without a parallel, and it is such as 
to iifford the purchaser the most emphatic 
guarantee of entire satisfaction in its use. 
Great improvements have been made from year 
to year, and sufficient time has elapsed to 
thoroughly test the threshers, as now built, in 
ail conditions of grain, as well as in fiax, tiuio- 
tliy, clover and rice. No other thresher has 
been so severelj- tested, and the grand result 
fully justifies its manufacturers in claiming for 



the Sweepstakes the championship of the thresh- 
er familj- in America. 

The needs of threshcrmcn for a better engine 
than had ever been built had long been pressc'd 
upon the attention of the inanulacturers of tlie 
Buckeje machines. Forced I)}- these require- 
ments upon them, in the centennial year they 
commenced the construction of the -'Monitor" 
engine. The best skilled advice and the ripest 
experience of the most practical threshers and 
mechanics were brought into requisition to aid 
them in making the portable engine which 
would be pronounced nearest perfect. After 
fully consulting every plan presented, they 
made choice of the vertical engine and boiler, 
of the model upon which the Monitor is built. 
It was exactly adapted to a special field of op- 
erations, and the satisfaction rendered by it 
has been so perfect that it cannot be overstated, 
and its decided advantages over other engines 
are attested by the emphatic and unsolicited 
approbation of all who have used it. Everj- 
year, so far, the number required of them has 
been greatly- in excess of the manufacturing 
capacity of the works, and this has compelled 
them to make a large addition to their shops, 
which will double their facilities for turning 
out these universally approved engines. 

Parties who have experimentallj' tested the 
Canton Monitor Traction Engine, and those who 
have had it in use during the last two years, 
speak in unqualified terms of its extraordinary 
working qualities, pronouncing it a perfect suc- 
cess in all respects. For propelling, threshing 
and machinery operating purposes it stands 
without a rival. A farmer who has thoroughly 
tested it says : " It has so far answered every 
call upon its resources, and is always ready for 
use. I have a Taylor & Chandler muley side- 
cut saw-mill, and your Kl-liorse engine drives it 
at the rate of 4(1(1 to 5(10 strokes per minute, 
and the thing works like a charm. I am now 
running a full line of fiax machinerj', consist- 
ing of a roller gang break, beater, picker, etc.. 
and have abundant power. I prefer the Mon- 
itor because tlie number of flues gives a great- 
er heating surface. The boiler being perpen- 
dicular, the action of the fire comes directly 
upon the lieating surface. It requires less fuel 
and also a shorter time to raise steam. The 
cylinder, placed between the steam chest and 
tiie heater, is protected from the cold atmos- 
phere — therefore there is less condensing in 



3->S 



HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY. 



the cylinder and less bilging ; and being per- 
pendicnlar, it is not liable to become untrue 
through the wear of the weight of the machin- 
ery, as is the case in a horizontal engine. As 
a traction or locomotive engine, I consider it 
superior." The compound or -'jack-in-the-box " 
gear is a very ingenious device, whereby one 
wheel may be made to revolve independent of 
the other, so that in turning, the wheel going 
the faster receives the greater power, thus en- 
abling the engine to be headed in any desired 
direction with great facility. N(3 other porta- 
ble engine has this admirable feature. The 
independent steam pump for supj^lying and 
emptying the boiler, which can be run with or 
without ^iie main engine, is also a most advan- 
tageous adjunct. A massive sprocket chain 
running over sprocket wheels communicates 
the power from the fly-wheel to the counter- 
shaft, which is much stronger, more direct and 
reliable than the lievel gearing ordinarily used. 
Among the latest improvements is the link 
motion, similar to that of the locomotive, 
whereby the engine can be propelled forward 
or backward without stopping. The speed on 
the road is regulated by a governor, while the 
starting and stopping, reversing and steering, 
are under perfect control of the engineer with- 
out leaving his seat. It is fitted up with all 
necessary' steam engine connections, and the 
gear is encased in order to exclude all dust and 
dirt. The whole engine rests on rubber springs, 
preventing concussion, and all in all it is the 
most complete and successful traction engiue 
ever invented. 

Tiiis colossal establishment took its start in 
Canton in the year 1851, with a working capi- 
tal not exceeding §4,500. The original propri- 
etors were Cornelius Aultman, Lewis Miller, 
Jacob Miller and George Cook, the latter now 
deceased. Thej' and their associates were the 
original inventors and patentees of all the 
Buckeye harvesting machines. The more re- 
cent additions to their list of successful man- 
ufactures are the Buckeye Self-Binding Har- 
\ester, the Canton Monitor Engine, and the 
Traction lload Engine, all of which are well 
calculated to conserve the exalted reputation 
of this house for producing the most celebrat- 
ed and efficient agricultural machines in the 
world. The works embrace the following 
named structures : Building for threshing and 
wood-working machinery, brick, 400 by 50 feet, 



four floors. Reaper warehouse, brick, 181 bj- 
60 feet, four floors. Iron machinerj- building, 
brick, 147 Ijy GO feet, four floors. Iron finish- 
iug building, brick, 70 by GO feet, three floors. 
Core, pattern and engine liouse, brick, 150 by 
60 feet, two floors. Engine shop, brick, 302 
by 50 feet, two floors. Moiiling room, brick, 
125 by 75 feet, one floor. Blacksmith shop 
and iron room, brick, 313 by 41 feet, one floor. 
Five acres of wooden structures, comprising 
wagon shop, boiler works, testing house, paint 
shops, store-rooms for thresher and engines, etc. 
These structures have a total floor area of 
459,528 square feet, or upward of ten and a 
half acres, being some three and a half acres 
larger than the next largest agricultural imple- 
ment works in existence. This mammoth es- 
tablishmenthas eleven distinct departments, giv- 
ing employment to an aggregate of 550 skilled 
workmen, the monthly pay-roll amounting to 
$25,000. The motive power comprises two en- 
gines each of 120-horse power, and one engine 
of 50-horse. Their products find a ready and 
expanding market in both hemispheres. While 
at the works, we noticed a shipment of their 
world-celebrated machines to Algiers, Africa. 
They have branch offices and supply depots at 
Paris, France, London, England, Baltimore, 
Chicago, Cincinnati, and other leading distrib- 
uting points, while they. also have general and 
local agents in all the agricultural sections. 

Agricultural machinery has revolutionized 
the pursuits of the farmer throughout the civ- 
ilized world, and Canton may justly- be proud 
of the pre-eminence which the success of C. 
Aultman & Co.'s works have achieved for her. 
Their growth and development have been coin- 
cident with her own, and in the past histor}' of 
Canton thej' have been a \'ery great part of 
that growth. But, in addition to the above 
described works, and the brief history of the 
Ball works included therein, the citizens of 
Canton are equally proud of her other manu- 
facturing interests that within the past few- 
years have assumed such large proportions. 
The history and description of those that fol- 
low we glean from the same source as that 
which precedes. And first we call attention to 
the Peerless Reaper and Mower, which was 
invented and originally brought out by Mr. W. 
K. Miller in the year 1857, and put on the 
market by Russell & Co., of Massillon, Ohio. 
It was the third successful two-wheeled mowino- 



ihL^ 



CANTON TOWNSHIP. 



329 



machine with flexible finger-bar, being preceded 
in its introduction b}- onl}^ Ball's Ohio and the 
Buckeye. The distinctive and patentable fea- 
ture in the Peerless was the manner of con- 
necting the finger-bar and cutters to the main 
frame. Tlie original patents were issued to 
Mr. Miller, the inventor, in 1857. The Peer- 
less was the first successful two-wheeled reaper, 
in this, that it was the initial introduction of a 
practical!}- operative flexible reel. Formerh', 
the two-wheeled machine had carried the raker 
on the main truck, who reeled in the grain by 
hand and discharged the sheaf on gavel in the 
rear of the platform ; or placed him on the 
platform, so that the gavel was discharged 
with a hay fork — both of which plans were 
objectionable. But in the Peerless the reel 
was made to conform to the inequalities of the 
ground, as did likewise the flnger-bar — these 
parts acting independently in their up and 
down movements of the main truck, while in 
their progressive course they were controlled 
by the truck upon which the raker was seated, 
who discharged the gavels at one side of the 
platform, with an ordinary hand rake, leaving 
room for the machine on its return cut. The 
Peerless was the first maciiine to adopt the 
valuable device whereby the finger-bar could be 
successfully folded and carried in a perj)eiidic- 
ular position, thus facilitating transportation. 
In the 3'ear 1871, commodious brick buildings 
were erected in Canton b} the new firm of C. 
Russell & Co., and the manufacture of the 
Peerless machine was thereupon transferred 
from Massillon to this city. Tlie Canton firm 
comprised the following members ; Clement 
Russell, N. S. Russell, Joseph K. Russell, 
Thomas H. Russell, George Ij. Russell, James 
S. Tonner and W. K. Miller, who continued to 
improve and manufacture the Peerless up to 
and including the year 1878, at which time the 
machine was thoroughly re-formed in all its 
parts, except in the devices used and manner of 
arrangement for giving motion to the cutters, 
whicli in previous protracted use had proved 
practically perfect and all that was required, 
Tliis last re-organization was effected, not so 
much because of defects in the mechanism, but 
only to modi!}- the machine to existing require- 
ments demanded by the modern popular fashion. 
.\ large request hail been made for smaller and 
lighter machines which should possess the 
features of gi-eater simplicitj-, reduction in 



number of parts, superior convenience, accessi- 
bility and durability. Hence, with a view to 
satisfyingthese demands of progressive farmers, 
the new Peerless was invented and introduced 
to the public for the harvest of 187!', embrac- 
ing all its old, long-tested and well-established 
characteristics, with the addition of a newly- 
organized sweep-rake, patented by W. K, Miller. 
This highly approved rake differs from tliat 
upon the old Peerless in these important par- 
ticulars : It is divested of about one-half its 
former weight of material ; is located near to 
the cutters and i)oint of vibration ; requires no 
adjustment for different kinds, qualities or con- 
ditions of crops — harvesting witli equal ease 
and perfection the siiortest barley or tlie tallest 
rye. This greatly' improved rake is entirely" 
under the facile control of the driver, who can 
make the sheaves as frequently as desired, 
accommodating its operation to any condition 
of gi'ain. wlietlier light or heavy ; or it ma}- 
readily be arranged to work automatically 
altogether. The cutting apparatus with rake 
and platform attached are also under easy con- 
trol of the driver, wlio can raise or depress the 
cutters and rake, for the purpose of gathering 
up short, tangled or fallen grain, thus prevent- 
ing all waste. 

The Peerless Reaper Company, successore to 
the firm of C. Russell & Co., was organized De- 
cember 1, 1879, having been duly incorporated 
under the State laws thirty days before. Offi- 
cers : Isaac Harter. President ; W. A. Creech. 
Treasurer ; W. K. .Miller (inventor of the Peer- 
less Reaper and Mower). Superintendent. Their 
works in Canton are finely located, directly on 
the line of the Pittsburgli. Fort Wayne & Chi- 
cago Railway, and in all their arrangements 
they are specially adapteil to the peculiar busi- 
ness carried on tliereiti. Tiie main building, a 
substantial brick slate-roof structure of four 
floors, including basement, measures 225x50 
feet, with an •• L ' (50x210 feet, a part with two 
floors and a part (the foundry), one floor and a 
center spur 40x150 feet, one floor, containing 
the engine room and smith-shop. The engine 
is of 80-horse power, and the battery of two 
tubular boilers, 120-horse. The works have a 
fine equipment of modern improved machinery 
and every needed lacility for systematic and 
economical production. Their present annual 
capacity is 5,000 machines, employing 200 
hands. The Peerless Mowers and Reapers 



^ 



330 



HISTORY or STARK COUNTY. 



have found a ready market all over this conti- 
nent, and have been considerably introduced in 
France, Germany, Belgium, Norway and Russia. 

The Canton establishment of the noted cor- 
poration known as the Whitman & Barnes 
Manufacturing Co. is a branch of the Akron 
and Syracuse houses, and was put in operation 
in November, 1878, in the works formerly oc- 
cupied by Ballard, Fast & Co. Mr. George A. 
Barnes is the efficient Superintendent. Here 
are manufactured for the local harvesting ma- 
chine companies superior mower and reaper 
knives and sickles, the works turning out some 
50.000 ■' sections " per month, and 3,500 knives. 
Tlie power is supplied by a fine OO-horse power 
engine. Forty hands are employed, to whom 
the sum of $1,300 is disbursed monthly for 
wages. The premises have a frontage of 320 
feet on Walnut street, 200 feet on the railroad, 
a depth of 138 feet, and a rear measurement of 
170 feet. 

Officers of the Whitman & Barnes Manufact- 
uring Co.: George Barnes, President; A. L. 
Conger, Vice President ; George E. Dana. Sec- 
retary ; I. C. Alden, Treasurer; W. W. Cox, 
Assistant Treasurer. The excellence of the 
goods produced by the vast corporation under 
notice has secured for them the patronage of 
the largest and most reputable mower and 
reaper manufecturers, both in America and 
Europe. In their several establishments, they 
employ a total of 400 skilled workmen, while 
their aggregate annual production, which is 
steadily increasing, already reaches the sum of 

i*(;:)0,oi)ii. 

Tlie Torrent Light- Power Boiler Feed-Pump, 
manufactured 1.13' E. E. Miller & Co. is attract- 
ing much attention among engineers, experts 
and the class of manufacturers who have occa- 
sion to usesteam-iiumiis. Iiy reason of its novel 
and ingenious mechanism, and its practical 
efficiency, wonderful convenience and uneqiialed 
economy in service. This model pump is the 
result of long and patient study on the jiart of 
its inventors. E. E. and C. M. Jliller. of this 
this city, and they are entitled to great credit 
for their signal success in devising and perfect- 
ing so useful an adjunct to the steam engine, 
and which has been accorded the highest en- 
comiums of commendation by the many who 
have put it into practical use. This pump 
supplies a want long felt by those emploving 
light steam power ; and it is especially designed 



and adapted for use in connection with thresh- 
ing, traction, sawing, portable and small sta- 
tionary engines, as it combines all the requi- 
sites which go to constitute a successful inde- 
pendent boiler-feeder, that can be run irrespect- 
ive of whether the main engine is in motion or 
not. Being entirely independent of the en- 
gine, as it takes the steam direct from the 
boiler, it can be located at auj- convenient and 
advantageous point in the boiler or engine 
room. It can be run fast, slow, or stopped en- 
tirely, as desired, thus relieving the engine 
proper from the constant friction and wear of 
an attached pump which must be kept in opera- 
tion while the engine is running, whether 
needed or not. It will work perfectly under 
any given pressure of steam, requiring not tiie 
least regulating or attention. 

The lifting power of the " Torrent" is greater 
than that of any inspirator or injector, and it 
can easil}' be run b^- hand with the same power 
when there is uo steam. Using the expansive 
steam, it effects a material saving of steam over 
all pumps without fl3-wheels, and the so-called 
injectors, etc. It is impossible to burst the 
feed- water pipes, when b}- carelessness or other- 
wise the water is shut off between the pump 
and boiler, as by the excessive pressure on the 
plunger the Torrent will .ha immediatel}' 
stopped. 

Mr. C. M. Miller, one of the inventors of the 
Torrent pump, is also the inventor of the cele- 
brated " Canton Monitor Engine " and " Trac- 
tion Engine," manufactured I)y C. Aultman & 
Co., of whose engine and boiler departments he 
is the efficient general superintendent. The 
Torrent independent pump is used on both 
these engines, with the best results. The fact 
tiiat it is adopted by the above-named firm is a 
first-class indorsement of its merits. Although 
in the market but a short time, it is rapidly 
superseding the ordinary attached pumps and 
injectors long before the public, which is suffi- 
cient evidence of its excellent work. There is 
not a State in the Union where this pump has 
not been introduced, while in Chicago and the 
Northwest, it has already had a large sale, and 
where it is in constantly increasing demand. 

The success of the firm of Joseph Dick & 
Bro. is something noteworthy. Thej' com- 
menced liusiness here some five years ago, in 
the manufacture of haj-, straw and corn-stalk 
cutters, splitters and crushers, small horse- 



:±. 



CANTON TOWNSHIP. 



331 



powers, etc. The first j-ear they made just 
seven cutters, while last season the number 
lurnet) out was over 400, and this was con- 
siderablj' less than the number ordered. This 
remarkable increase is indicative of the fact 
that the}' have been fortunate enough to hit 
upon the most practical and effective device 
for the given purpose ever contrived — the 
ingenious invention of Mr. Joseph Dick. These 
approved machines have been shipped to all 
parts of the Union, as well as to Australia, 
and wherever introduced and operated the}- 
give complete satisfaction, on account of their 
strong and simple mechanism, easy and rapid 
working, and perfection in cutting, splitting 
and crushing. These machines are made of 
ditl'erent sizes, the largest having a capacity 
for cutting from 3,000 to 5.000 pounds per 
hour, according to material and length of cut. 
They are suited for either steam or horse pow- 
er, and so arranged as to cut on both sides of 
the main shaft, thus cutting from two boxes 
instead of one. The shear-plates are made 
adjustible, and are independent of the working 
parts. All the working parts are encased. 
The advantages claimed for this apparatus are 
that it will cut hay, straw, etc., in a superior 
manner : also that it will cut, split and crush 
eorn-,stalks with or without the ears on ; that 
the splitting and crushing device will not de- 
stroy the tender parts of the stalks, while re- 
ducing the coarse portion to a proper grade of 
fineness ; besides other meritorious features 
previouslv enumerated, 

Messrs, Dick & Bro,'s one to six horse- 
powers are in extensive use for dri\ing their 
feed cutters, etc., with or without a belt or 
jack. Their band-jacks, of two sizes, are 
similar to the ordinary jack used for threshing 
purposes, with the exception of being arranged 
to hitch the coupling on either shaft, so that 
the line-shaft can be attached direct onto the 
pulle3-shaft if desired, and a slower speed at- 
tained than if the line-shaft is attached to 
bevel gear wheel shaft. This firm likewise 
manufacture Joseph Dick. Jr.'s. patent com- 
bined hand and foot power attachment, .Mr, 
I'ick has devotett much time and .study to de- 
vising a plan whereby the hand-crank can be 
combined with an oscillating foot-treadle so as 
to obtain a power from both devices simul- 
taneously by one operator. He lias succeeded 
in perfecting this valuable improvement, by 



which greatly increased power can be obtained 
over the ordinary vibrating treadle. This ad- 
mirable arrangement can be applied to a great 
variety of hand-power machinery, and needs 
only a trial to be highl}- appreciated. All the 
aforenamed appliances are meeting with splen- 
did success, 

A look through the extensive and finely- 
equipped Red Jacket Plow Works of A, Ball & 
Co, presents a scene of great activity and 
industry, affording the beholder an idea that 
something is made here which is in popular 
request. This is found to be the famous ■'Red 
Jacket" Plow — an implement whicii has gained 
wide renown over a large portion of the 
Western countrj'. This plow is indeed '• a 
thing of beauty," iis well as utilit}-, economy, 
strength and durability. The beam is made 
of the best quality of wrought angle iron, by 
means of a novel and ingenious device invent- 
ed and patented by Jlr, Ball, which forms and 
perfects the beam at a single operation, and 
without the use of which this peculiar beam 
could not be constructed. It is the only beam 
ever contrived that forms a direct attachment 
and support to every part of the plow, while 
its curved shape insures the greatest strength 
and rigidit}-, certainly superior to any wood or 
or cast beam. Its unapproached lightness, 
finnness and durability, as well as adaptability 
to various conditions of soil, combine to render 
the '• Red Jacket " a most desirable, econom- 
ical and easy working plow. That it is in high 
favor with the farming community is demon- 
strated by the fact that the demand therefor 
is constantly in excess of the supply, thus ne- 
cessitating a large addition to the works this 
season, whereby their producing capacity will 
be increased fully one-third. No traveling 
men are employed, as these superior imple- 
ments sell readily on their merits. 

While Messrs. Ball & Co, make the Red 
Jacket Plow tiieir leading specialty, they also 
manufacture some fifteen other kinds and 
styles of plows, to suit different soils and con- 
ditions, including the favorite •' Tornado " 
brand, all of whicli find appreciative patrons 
in the various sections of country, to the re- 
quirements of which they are best adapted. 

Tiie Red Jacket Plow Works are as well 
and substantiallj' built shops as any in the 
State. The main building is of brick, two 
stories, with dimensions of 70x100 feet ; the 



33-2 



HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY. 



blacksmith and molding shop, 100x40 feet : 
the grinding and finishing department. 36x50 
feet : the engine room. 36x20 feet ; the ware- 
house 30x140 feet. These works are ver}- con- 
veniently arranged, and supplied with every 
modem mechanical device calculated to facili- 
tate and economize the manufacture of the 
several styles of plows here produced. The 
number of hands given regular employment is 
thirty, and the total value of implements turned 
out in 1879 was 150.000. which aggregate will be 
considerably exceeded this year. The Red 
Jacket aiid other plows made irt this establish- 
ment are weU known and in extensive use 
throughout the States of Ohio. Indiana. Michi- 
gan. Wisconsin and Western Pennsylvania, 
and the demand therefor is steadih" augment- 
ing. Messrs. A. Ball & Co. have been pro- 
prietors of these works some three years, and 
by superior skill, indefatigable efforts and ex- 
cellent management, they have carried this 
industry forward to a condition of substantial 
prosperity. 

Bueher. Gibbs & Co. also manufacture plows 
on a large scale, at their extensive works on 
East Tuscarawas street, which have a wide- 
spread and well-deserved reputation. They are 
an old c-ompany. well situated, and their work 
is well done and well known over a large extent 
of country. They have done much to build up 
and establish the building of Canton on a firm 
foundation. They employ between seventy and 
eighty hands, and turn out about $120,000 of 
work annually. 

The Chieftain Hay Rakes are also mannfact 
ured in Canton in great numbers, and are wide- 
ly and favorably known, never failing to give 
satisfaction where they have been introfluce<l. 
and that is in every direction, both far and 
near. They are always in demand, and meet 
with a ready sale. The business was carried 
on by Mrs. J. B. WUson. admirably and suc- 
cessfully, for several years after the death of 
her husband, who started the business many 
years ago. Her father. Adam Koontz. deceased, 
was an excellent business man, and she seems 
to have inherited much of his business ability. 
There was probably no business in Canton car- 
ried on more systematically, energetically or 
successfully than hers. A short time, about a 
year. ago. she disposed of the business to sev- 
eral parties, who, under the title of the Chieftain 
Hay Rake Company, have since carried it on. 



The inventor of Ney"s Patent Lever Hay 
Elevator and Conveyer, having for years been 
engaged in building and putting up hay eleva- 
tors, found that most of tliose in use did not 
properly perform their work, and failed of giv- 
ing satisfaction to the farmers employing them. 
He therefore set at work to invent an elevator 
that would embody all the advantages and avoid 
the defects of those heretofore in use ; one that 
would give entire satisfaction. This he claims 
to have done in the invention which we describe 
in this article. 

This invention, as set forth in the inventor's 
application for letters patent, relates to the con- 
trolling of the carriage and the operation of the 
elevating-head in that class of elevators in 
which the load is elevated by means of a head 
or block operated by a rope and pulleys, to a 
carriage or frame which travels back and forth 
on an elevated track, and carries the load held 
by the head to any desired point within the 
limits of the track : and it has for its objects 
to simultaneously lock the elevating-head and 
release the carriage when the load has been ele- 
vated, and to simultaneously release the ele- 
vating-head and lock the carriage when it is 
returned after the load has been deposited, both 
of which operations are performed automat- 
ically, to prevent any accidental movement of 
the de\ices by which, the locking and releasing 
are obtained, and to guide and operate the ele- 
vating-head so as to insure its engagement 
with the locking de\-iees and attachments to the 
carriage or frame : and its nature consists in 
pro\iding a stationary' disk having a concave 
face, and locked at one end of the track, and 
arranged to engage with a locking lever, or arm. 
and hold the carriage or frame while the load 
is being elevatetl. and release the elevating-head 
when the carriage is returned, for which purpose 
the lever, or arm. is provided with a projection, 
which ensrages the concave face of the disk ; in 
providing a spring located on the locking lever, 
or arm. for preventing any accidental movement 
of the arm ; in providing a hook or latch pi%- 
oted or connected to the arm, or lever, so that 
the movement of the arm. or lever, will operate 
the hook or latch as required, for engagement 
with or disengagement from the elevating- head ; 
in providing a bell-shaped guide, located on 
the carriage or frame beneath the engaging hook 
or latf;h, and having an oi^ening into which the 
point or latch projects, through v> hich opening 



:^ 



AXTriV TOWNS HI P- 



a slatted point on the elevating-L- 
to engage the locking arm. or lever, uiid • >j^".-rate 
the lever to throw the latch or hook into en- 
gagement with the elevating-head. 

The attachment of the lifting rope is such 
that it cannot twist and even if it did it 
would be all right before the lifting-head had 
reached the locking arm or lever. 

However formidable max seem the descri{>- 
tion of this new invention, it is but proper to 
remark that its operation is simple and perfect. 
In short- as a labor sa\-ing device, it is a pro- 
nounced success. These elevators are manu- 
factured bv Messrs. Ney &; Kiunev. at Canton. 
Ohio. 

The great corporation, known as the Diel»oki 
Safe & Lock Company. o{)erates the seci>nd 
lai^est industrial establishment in Canton, and 
has accomplished much in the direction of dis- 
seminating and conserving the fair fame of this 
city's products for positive excellence in style, 
quality, finish and durability. The business, 
of which this vast concern is the outgrowth, 
was originally established many years ago in 
Cincinnati by the firm of Diebold. Bahman & 
Co.. who were succeeded by Diebold & Kienzle. 
Their business so rapidly increased that in the 
course of time their manufacturing facilities 
proved inadequate to meet the augmenting de- 
mand for their superior safes, and consequently 
they concluded to seek another site for the 
erection of new and greatly enlarged works. 
Finding in Canton an eligible location for this 
enterprise, they determineil to remove their 
establishment from Cincinnati to this city, which 
change was eifectetl in the year 1 872. To accom- 
mrtlate their expanding op>erations, they had 
erected extensive brick workshops. esi>ecially 
designed and adapted for the requirements of 
this particular industry, and in its admirable 
plan of arrangement, convenience in every de- 
partment, and facility and economy of manu- 
facturing operations, the firm brought to l>ear 
their combineil skill and experience, thus de- 
veloping and completing the model safe works 
of the world. This is the only safe manufact- 
ory on the continent specially built and ar- 
rangeil for the purpose to which it is devoted, 
and unquestionably its facilities for the rapid 
production of safes, if equaled, are unsur- 
passed. 

Since these works were first erected, it has 
been found necessarv, in or\ler to answer the 



growing popular demand fnr their prodoct. to 

CO:.- - 

str - ' - 

as ■ - 

objects in this liiriving iodusuiai cuy. Tire 
main building is of brick, with slate roof. 50 
feet in width. ha\ing a frontage of 4<> ' '" " : 
Mulberry street : 250 feet on the lin- 
Pittsburgh. Fort Wayne & Chicago T.^ 
and 150 feet sooth on the alley. This series oi 
mammoth buildings forming three sides of a 
hollow square. !- ' -' ries. The':' "r 
tachments or ^ one story. - 

east from the M - -:-t section, e : - 

the filling room, measuring llMJx4t» feci; lire 
brass foundrv. 75x40 f*^t : the engine room. 
25x30 feet, and thi- - .-----..- 

There are. besides. ~ 

the rear, used for the - _ - - - 

buildings are heateti Laruugiivui by su:am. 
Each department is supplied with a foil equip- 
ment of improved machinery and appliances 
requisite to the expeditious performance of the 
work in its several stages, and there is no de- 
vice or convenience which the t^t of science 
and experienc-e could commend as advanta- 
geous which has not U-eu adopted by this en- 
terprising and progressive concern. Their ar- 
rangements for receiving materials and shipping 
finished product are all that need be desired. 
A siding from the Pittsburgh Fort Wa\-ne & 
Chic-ago Railroad r:: - _' ' ' - of 

the works, and con:. - - -e 

new Valley Railway - --s 

can be unloaded just where tiic-y are wauted. 
and the ponderous safes, which are shipped to 
all parts of the country, are • skidded "" directly 
on to the cars for transportation, without ex- 
pense for handling or drayage. The present 
capacitv of the works is thirty complete safes 
per day. 

In the year 1S74. the style of the firm 
changed to Diebold. Norris &: Co.. and in 1S76. 
a joint stock company was or^amzed and in- 
corporated, under the name of the Diebold Safe 
& Lock Company, and the Juisiness has since 
been conducted by '.' '• '■'' 

ample c-Apital. thor'_ 
system, fortifieil by _ , . ■ . \; 
are enabled to succwssiuilv compete wi;ii i.. 
other makers of safes. The officers of the 
company are W. W. Clark. President : John W. 
Xorris. Vice President : D. Tvler. Secretary 



'W 



334 



IIl^STORY OF (STARK COUXTY. 



and Treasurer. The gentleman last-named has 
general charge of the works and their products. 

Branch stores and warerooms of tiie coin- 
pan}' are established at 57 State street, Chicago, 
under the management of Mr. John W. Norris, 
Vice President; at 312 California street, San 
Francisco ; 27 Canal street, New Orleans ; 103 
Superior street, Cleveland ; 291 Broadway-, 
New York ; 5G Sudbury street, Boston ; 89 
Main street, Houston, Texas. At all these dis- 
tributing depots a full line of these safes is 
carried. There is no occasion for hesitancy in 
stating that the manufactures of this establish- 
ment, which are to be found in almost every 
place of any importance on this broad conti- 
nent, have withstood the severest tests from 
fire, and the desperate attempts of burglars, 
with more uniform success than any other make 
of safes on the market. 

The great fire in Chicago fully demonstrated 
their splendid heat-repelling qualities. No less 
than 878 of the Diebold safes were subjected 
to that terribly trying ordeal, and the record 
shows that they preserved their contents in- 
tact and uninjured. Had they never been thus 
tested in any othei' instance, this single striking 
fact would be amply sufficient to convince 
every one of their strictly fire-proof qualities ; 
but in thousands of cases have they been tried 
with equal severity, and with equall}- success- 
ful results. Hence there is now no question 
rai.sed on this score. Quite as important, how- 
ever, is the assurance of a safe being abso- 
lutel}' burglar-proof That this can justly be 
claimed for the safe under notice is evidenced 
by brief reference to its approved scientific 
principle of construction. The entire surface 
is of solid steel of a quality and temper best 
capable of resistance to hammering and drill- 
ing. The improved tenon and groove employed 
renders these safes air-tight and prevents the 
introduction of wedges or explosive com- 
pounds ; while l)y the use of the Burton cut- 
off spindle, which this companj' exclusively 
controls, angular connection is made with the 
lock, thus obviating direct entrance. The lock 
itself is thoroughly protected by alternate lay- 
ers of iron and steel, which are perfect protec- 
tion against both powder and drill. Thus is 
this usuall}' most vulneralile part of the safe 
rendered absolutely impeneti-able. Another of 
the notable improvements adopted by this com- 
pan}' is a patent round-cornered door, of which 



the}- are the sole manufacturers, protected liy 
patent issued in 1877, whereby the strength 
and inaccessibility of their safes are greatly 
promoted. All in all, it can advisedl}- be 
claimed that for reliability, durability and me- 
chanical perfection, the Diebold Safe & Lock 
Co.'s safes are without an equal in the market. 

Their line of manufacture comprises liank, 
store, office and house safes, safe-deposit vaults 
and vault doors, express boxes and railroad 
safes, jail and other wrought-iron work wherein 
superior strength and safety are factors. 

A safe-deposit vault for the German-Ameri- 
can Bank, St. Paul, Minn., has recently been 
completed by this company. This burglar- 
proof work has outer walls of solid metal two 
and a half inches thick, constructed of one 
slab of the Chrome Steel Co.'s five-ply metal, 
one of Park Bros. & Co.'s five-ply, one of An- 
derson & Co.'s five pi}-, a fourth of Park Bros. 
& Co.'s three-ply. and one layer of charcoal 
iron inside. The corners are perfectly solid — 
the steel being specially angled for the purpose, 
so that the would-be burglar has no advantage 
from a corner seam or joint to start with. 

The method employed for making the metal 
for safe walls may be briefly described as fol- 
lows : If for five-ply, then three pieces of iron 
are set in the ingot mold at the proper dis- 
tance apart, and the intervening spaces filled 
with molten steel. The ingot is then rolled into 
slabs, and is ready for the safe-maker'.s use. 
When three-ply is to be made, the same process is 
followed, except that only one piece of iron is 
set into the mold. This company make all the 
locks for their safes and vaults of the combina- 
tion pattern, and they arc pronounced unex- 
celled in point of safety, it being actually im- 
possible to pick them, or to throw back the 
bolts without knowing the combination. 

Their largest piece of work was the San 
Francisco Safe Deposit Company's vaults. 
The vault of this magnificent safe has dimen- 
sions of twenty-seven feet in width, thirty-two 
feet in length, and fourteen feet in height. Its 
walls are of the best welded wrought iron and 
steel, three inches in thickness, and compactly 
knitted together by double rows of conical 
bolts. The sides, floor and top are overlaid 
with nine inches of fire-proof cement, with an 
outer layer of iron — the whole adjusted in 
heavy masonry. The vault is provided with 
double doors at either end, the outer ones being 



■^ 



CANTON TOWNSHIP. 



33=) 



six inches tiiick, each made inaccessible to the 
unauthorized by two of the Diebold Safe & 
Lock Co.'s Peerless Burghir-proot' Locks. The 
interior of tlie vault has 4, GOO compartments, 
varying in dimensions. 3,000 of which are fur- 
nished with key locks, separately and distinctly 
operative, and the remaining 1 .GOO have su- 
perior coml)ination locks. This wonderful 
product of mechanical ingenuity and skill was 
awarded to the Diebold Company, in competi- 
tion with about a dozen bidders, and was com- 
l)leted to the entire satisfaction of the parties 
for whom it was constructed, at an expenditure 
of $100,000. Some idea of the magnitude of 
this contract may be formed when it is stated 
that no less than fort3'-seven ears were required 
to transport these colossal vaults in sections 
across the continent. The manufacture of this 
monster specimen of mechanic art maj' well be 
denominated one of the signal achievements of 
American skill and enterprise. 

The Mercliants' Safe Deposit Vaults, owned 
and controlled b\' the Jlerchants' National 
Bank of Chicago, are probablj', next to the San 
Francisco vault, the largest in the country-, and 
were constructed bj- the Diebold Co. This 
magnificent vault is one of Chicago's objects of 
interest, and is inspected by visitors with many 
expressions of coufitlence in its impregnabilit}-, 
and the utility and convenience of the safe de- 
positories. These vaults have a capacity for 
over 4,000 safe deposit boxes. A large ma- 
jority of the banks and corporations of Chicago 
use the Diebold safes, as do also the American 
and United States Express Companies, the 
North- Western and other railroads, and the lead- 
ing merchants, prominent among which are 
P'leld. Leiter & Co.; C. M. Henderson & Co.; 
Hll)l)ard, Spencer i Co.; W. W. Kimball, and 
hundreds of others. The Palmer House has a 
strong and at the same time beautiful and 
unique safe, made especially for Mr. Palmer, 
upon plans fnrnisiied by the company. But it 
would be impossible to give a list of all the 
patrons of this corapanj-. Sutlice It to sa}-, 
that where contracts are awarded on the opin- 
ions of disinterested experts, the Diel)old safe 
generally gets the preference, for then all the 
strong points receive due consideration. 

The numerous new uses to which steel is 
now being put. as Is indicated b}- the rapidly- 
increasing demand for this metal, go to prove 
that we have already crossed the threshold of 



the " steel age." Stimulated by this augment- 
ing demand on every hand for fine grades of 
steel for almost innumerable purposes, the en- 
terprising and progressive steel manufacturers 
of this countr}' have of late years perfected 
and introduced new and improved productive 
processes, whereby they are enabled to make 
a far better quality of steel than they were 
capable of producing ten, or even five, years 
ago. . So great has been this improvement, 
ment, that latterlj- the finest grades of the out- 
put of American steel works have received the 
unqualified Indorsement of the most experi- 
enced antl exacting users of this metal in their 
industrial operations — those who, a few years 
since, had really believed it to be impossible 
for our home manufacturers to make such a 
quality of this article as would compare favor- 
ably with the fine Shetheld and other long-time 
famous foreign steels. But what is the situa- 
tion in this regard at present ? The answer is 
a most gratifying one. To-daj- our manufact- 
urers of saws, tools, cutlery, and man^- other 
products re(iulring the highest grade of ma- 
terial, are employing exclusively steel of 
American make, as it proves fully equal to the 
best foreign product, and, consequeutlj', has 
almost entirely supplanted the latter in the do- 
mestic market. 

Canton enjoys the credit of having one of the 
most complete manufactories of steel in the 
country — the Canton Steel M'orks — of which 
Messrs. Bolton, Bulley it Co. are the proprie- 
tors. The premises occupied by these works 
have an area of about two and a half acres, 
very conveniently situated on the line of the 
Pittsburgh, Fort Wayne & Chicago Railway, 
with switch-track connection with both that 
and the Vallc}' Railway, and will have direct 
connection with all the railroads now under 
construction t<j this city, thus affording them 
first-class receiving and shipping advantages in 
every din^ctlon. Their liulldlngs comprise an 
iron-clad rolling-mill, sixty-four by two hun- 
dred and seventy feet, with an addition sixteen 
by one hundred and fifty feet, used as a boiler 
room. The open-hearth melting-shop is thirt}- 
by eighty feet, crucible shop thirty by sixtj-- 
five feet, and warehouse thirty-six by eighty- 
five feet ; open-hearth shop twenty-nine by 
seventy-one feet, machine-shop, laboratory and 
other adjuncts admirably adapted for the suc- 
cessful pro.sccution of this industry. The mo- 



336 



HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY. 



tive power is supplied by four steam engines, 
with combined capacity of 700 liorse. Ttie 
meclianical equipment is of a superior order, 
embracini; all the modern improved appliances 
needful for the expedite and economic produc- 
tion of the finest steel. There are two mills, 
one twenty-inch and the other twelve- inch, with 
a solid foundation composed of 165,000 brick 
under the twenty-inch mills and engines. 
Three steam hammers, one and one-half,- one- 
half and one-fourth tons, are employed, together 
with many ingenious and expensive tools and 
devices for the varied processes required in the 
several stages of manufacture. Among these 
is a Pratt '& Whitney (Flartford) Hollaway's 
machine for cutting shafting to exactly uniform 
lengths — a very valuable apparatus. One of 
the notable conveniences of this model estab- 
lishment is a system of tramways traversing in 
all directions the mills and yard, upon which 
the raw material, product in process of manu- 
facture and finished goods are transported with 
great facility. The capacity- of the melting- 
shops is fourteen tons ever}- twenty-four hours, 
double turn. There is a well-appointed ma- 
chine-shop for performing necessary repairs, 
and in every department a scene of tiie most 
intense activitj- is presented. Tlie reporter 
took a tour of inspection through the shops, 
and was impressed with the perfect conven- 
ience of arrangement apparent on every hand, 
and the thorough sj'stem established through- 
out the works — important factors in the suc- 
cessful management of so extensive an nidustry 
as is here carried on. The fine laboratory of 
this concern is under the immediate charge of 
Mr. R. H. BuUey, one of the firm, who is an 
expert chemist, and possesses an intimate 
knowledge of the science of steel working. 
They have the most approved appliances for 
making both crucible and open-hearth steel, but 
are at present producing only the latter, as by 
this process the)- are enabled to manufacture a 
quality of steel which excels the crucil)le iu 
every particular. 

Mr. Ogden Bolton, of this firm, has secured 
letters-patent upon an important improvement 
in the manufacture of steel b}' the open-hearth 
process, the same consisting iu first charging 
the carbon on the bottom of the open hearth, 
and charging the blooms or soft steel or any 
part of them on top of the carbonaceous matter 
previous to fusion, so that the iron maj- melt 



on the surface of the carbon and become car- 
burized as it percolates through it. By this 
process the carbon is packed in boxes or canis- 
ters and charged on the bottom of the open 
hearth, and then the blooms or soft steel there- 
on. When the mass is melted, after or at the 
time molten metal is tapped from the furnace, 
ferro-manganese or spiegeleisen is added. Bj' 
this new method is attained the production of 
high grades of steel, suitable for tools, etc., for 
which the more expensive crucible steel has 
heretofore lieen exclusivel}- employed. It is 
a carburizing, not a decarburizing, process, 
whereby a grade of steel is produced equal in 
qualit_v to the best English tool-steel. Messrs. 
Bolton, Bulle^' & Co. manufiicture the various 
descriptions of the fine east-steel, including pat- 
ent rolled machinery steel, oil and water tem- 
pered spring steel, round and square edged tire 
steel, gun-barrel and set-screw steel, and tool 
steel, making the latter a specialty, as also 
patent polished machinery steel of superior 
quality and finish. All these goods have achieved 
an enviable reputation wherever the}' have been 
used, and are in constantly increasing demand. 
This firm produce several grades of steel, uni- 
formly tempered for special purposes, designat- 
ed by colored labels. The " Canton " brand 
(yellow label) is best suited for the hardware 
trade, answering for machinists, blacksmiths, 
etc. The " Canton Soft '' (blue label) is adapted 
for oil-well jars, and tools subject to constant 
concussions. The " Canton Hard ' (dark red 
label) is only required for taps, dies, reamers, 
lathe tools, and other work necessitating a 
strong, hard edge. The '• Canton Extra Hard " 
and " Canton Choice " are designed for specific 
purposes. Their warehouse is pronounced to 
liave the most convenient and advantageous 
stoi'age facilities of any similar concern in the 
countrj". There is a sj-steraatic arrangement 
and classification of the different grades and 
brands produced, so tliat they are enabled to 
suppl}' orders with perfect aceuracj' and great 
dispatch. Here they keep in stock some 150 
to 200 tons of well assorted finished product. 
The present capacity of these works is 3,000 net 
tons per year, giving occupation to 140 skilled 
mechanics. Their annual output on present 
basis of operations reaches ^-100,000 in value. 
They have an extensive trade in all sections of 
the country, especially in the West, selling a 
large amountof goods in Chicago. Theirsuperior 



-£. 



CANTON TOWNSHII' 



337 



spring steel is used by four ol'tlie largest manu- 
facturers of springs in the West. A warehouse 
list of their varied product, containing full 
directions as to ordering any required descrip- 
tions of steel, is furnished at reiiuest. 

The Canton Wrought Iron Bridge Company, a 
large and successful establishment, was orig- 
inalh' put in operation about fifteen years ago, 
and was a partnership concern up to 1871, 
when it was incorporated under the State 
laws, with a capital of $10(3.000. This coni- 
pan\' have built more highway bridges since 
they started than any other works in the 
country. They have erected about 3,300 
spans, varying iu length from 20 to 301 feet, 
and in width from (i to 120 feet, aggregating 
over 33 miles in length. This work has been 
erected in twent3--fi\e different States and the 
Dominion of Canada, and includes nearly all 
forms of truss, arch, swing and plate bridge 
and iron piers. The material they use iu the 
construction of bridges is specially manufact- 
ured for them under the most rigid speci- 
fications, as to tensile strength and fiuality, 
and is critically tested on its arrival at the 
shops. Their bridges are built on scientific 
principles, approved b3' long and thorough ex- 
perience, and the utmost caution is exercised 
in their erection. In all the work they have 
executed, there has not been a single case of 
failure or accident, under protracted usage for 
road travel or excessively trying tests. Such 
an exceptional record is certainlj- worthy of 
consideration. 

Their facilities for accurate and reliable work 
are unequaled by those of anv similar estab- 
lishment, and enal)le them to complete con- 
tracts with great dispatch. The skilled work- 
ing force of the Canton Wrought Iron Bridge 
Company average 150 men, and their product 
last year aggregated §500,000. Olticers : I). 
Hammond, President ; J. Abbott.Vice President 
and Chief Engineer ; C. H. Jackson, Treasurer 
and Secretary. 

Mr. P. P. Bush, proprietor of the well- 
known Novelt}' Iron Works, is a practical ma- 
chinist of long experience, and was formerly 
established in business in New Haven, Conn. 
In 1871, concluding to locate at a point easy 
of access to the great Western markets, he 
fixed upon Canton as an advantageous place 
for the prosecution of his industrj-, and in 
that year removed his tools and fixtures to 



this city, taking the shops forraerlv occupied 
l)v the Canton iMalleal)le Iron Works, where he 
has ever since transacted a successful business. 
At these works are constructed in the most 
faithful and scientific manner, several styles of 
stationary engines, mill machinery, and archi- 
tectural iron work, for which the shops have 
admirable facilities and appliances. In these 
lines they supply chiefly- the local trade, selling 
largely to the towns and cities in Stark and 
adjoining counties. Mr. Bush owns the largest 
stock of patterns in Northern Ohio, and hence 
his peculiar advantages for executing with dis- 
patch every class of work in the stated depart- 
ments. He is now putting iron fronts into 
two new buildings in Canton, and is kept quite 
busy on first-class contracts, giving enii)loy- 
ment to an average of thirty-five skilled me- 
chanics. His product in 1879 amounted to 
$65,000. The fouiKhy has a measurement of 
COxlGO feet, and the machine shop 60x60 
feet. These buildings are situated in close 
proximity to the railroads, thus affording 
unsurpassed shipping facilities. The most 
widely-known of Mr. Bush's manufactures is 
the •• Imperial " job printing press, which 
possesses some important features of advantage 
over any other press in the market. Its peculi- 
arities of construction and mechanism are : 
All the working parts are built upon horizontal 
steel bars, capable of sustaining a tensile test 
of fifty tons each, without liability to fracture. 
The impression is made with a powerful tog- 
gle, giving a dead dwell on the impression, 
while the entire force of the impression is ex- 
erted upon these steel bars. No springing of 
the platen or bed is possible, and a stpiare. 
uniform impression is insured, the power being 
applied directl}' hrhind the bed, thus obviating 
all slurring. The tension of the rollers is 
easily regulated by a single nut on the spring, 
so that the pressman can adapt the pressure 
to any sized form. The press runs easily and 
smoothly, and can be speeded according to the 
dexterity of the feeder. Its superior simplicity, 
strength, power, ease and economy of running, 
and facility of making-ready, are recommend- 
ations which eveiy practical job printer will 
appreciate. A novel feature about this press 
is that there is not a cam in the entire mechan- 
ism ; the first and onlj- jobber ever made on 
this principle. The device for giving motion 
to the inking-rollers is also new. All the mo- 



ihL, 



338 



HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY. 



tions are direct, there are no springs, nothing 
likely to get out of order, and the press is the 
acme of simplicits'. The fraternity will do 
well to correspond with Mr. Bush regarding 
this wonderful and most successful invention. 
The proprietors of the Canton Spring Works, 
Messrs. D. Cobaugh and H. L. Kuhns, have met 
with signal success during the past two years 
in the manufacture of carriage, wagon and seat 
springs of unsurpassed iiuality and finish. They 
succeeded to the spring liusiness of Ballard, 
Fast & Co., and by dint of incessant perse- 
verance, practical skill and good management, 
have built up a trade of which they have rea- 
son to be proud, and which redounds to the 
credit^ this thriving, industrial city. They 
employ only the best quality of material, with 
thoroughly experienced workmen in every de- 
partment, and every requisite mechanical device 
to secure the most economical and perfect pro- 
duction of their uniformly excellent goods. 
The importance of the proper strength and 
safety of vehicle springs is generally appreci- 
ated, and in this connection we have to say that 
the Canton Spring Company practically and 
criticallj- tests every spring before it leaves 
the shops, thus making sure that no faulty or 
defective goods are ever placed on the market 
by them. The Canton springs have attained 
an extended celebrity, and are in such active 
demand that it is found difficult to keep up 
therewith, rendering it necessary to increase the 
producing capacity of the establishment in or- 
der to supply the rapidly growing wants of 
their patrons, who are located as far AVest as 
California, east to Baltimore, throughout Ohio, 
and in all parts of the Northwest and South- 
west. Everywhere that these goods have been 
introduced and put into practical use, there is 
only one expression in regard to them — that 
they possess great tensile strength, elasticity 
and durability, and are equal to the best in 
regard to quality, style and workmanship. These 
works emploj- eighty skilled artisans, and pro- 
duced last year springs to the amount of 135,- 
000, which at current prices would foot up to 
about $200,000. In 1879, they used between 
1,300 and 1,400 tons of steel, a large portion of 
which was made in this city, it being of unsur- 
passed quality for this purpose. Tiie main 
building has dimensions equivalent to 300 by 
40 feet, and there is a switch track running into 
the yard, afR)rding first class facilities for re- 



ceiving materials and shipping product to all 
parts of the couutrj^ 

In a long time we have not seen a more con- 
venient and useful contrivance than the patent 
revolving book-case manufactured of different 
styles and patterns by Mr. John Danner, of this 
city. During the last five jears he has made 
these cases, and so highly appreciated and popu- 
lar have they become that a large and flnel}- ap- 
pointed establisiiment is required to produce 
them in sutlicient quantities to suppl}' the ever 
increasing demand from all parts of the conti- 
nent and even foreign countries. Already over 
C,000 of these serviceable and beautiful -articles 
have been sold, and are in constant use by law- 
yers, clergymen, phj'sicians, business men, public 
and private libraries, courts, public institutions, 
reading rooms, literary and musical societies, 
public offices, etc. These revolving book-cases 
are far more convenient than the ordinary book- 
ease, occupy but little space, and hold more 
books than an3- other receptacle of equal pro- 
portions ever devised. The books on either of 
the four sides arc readily accessible to anj- one 
sitting at a table, or before the fire, without 
moving his chair or rising. These cases re- 
volve on an entirely new principle, whereby a 
slight pressure of the liand will bring either 
side to view. The mechanism is so simple and 
durable tiiat it is not at all liable to get out of 
oi'der, while the case is so substantially con- 
structed that it will last a lifetime. These ar- 
tistically finished cases are made in the most 
faithful and workmanlike manner, r)f the best 
selected Western ash and black walnut, and are 
an ornament to an^- library or parlor. The 
cases are made of any desired size and style of 
finish, with wood or marble top. Mr. Danner 
exhibited one of his elegant revolving cases at 
the Paris International Exhibition in 1878. 
On the top of the case was a large model of an 
American schoolhouse. The exhibit was made 
under the auspices of the National Bureau of 
Education, and nothing in this department was 
so much admired for its beauty and utility. 
Its appreciation is shown by the fact that it 
was honored with the award of a gold medal. 

For a long period of twent3'-one years the re- 
putable firm of H. W. Werts & Co. have been 
engaged in the manufiicture of fine carriages in 
this city. For this purpose they occupy two 
spacious buildings — a neat and substantial 
brick structure, corner of Seventh and Poplar 



^i^ 



CANTON TOWNSHIP 



■i.i'.) 



streets, of three stories above the basement, 
with (liineiisions of forty-five b^- one hundred 
antl fifteen feet, and the wooil department, of 
two stories, frame, thirty-live b^- seventy-five 
feet. These works are fitted up with all the 
modern eonveniences and mechanical devices 
calculated to facilitate manufacturing opera- 
tions on an extensive scale. The basement of 
the main building is used for storing finished 
work. On the street floor is a tastefully fitted 
up business office, leading off from which is a 
commodious repository, where may be seen on 
exhibition a fine stock of light carriages of 
graceful proportions and elegant finish. In the 
rear part is tlie smith shop, and on the ne.vt floor 
above is the trimming department and a large 
storage wareroom. The third story is occupied 
for painting and finishing purposes. In all 
their work they use only the most carefully 
selected materials, consulting especially the re- 
quisites to that degree of lightness, which is 
compatible with proper strength and great dur- 
ability. With this desirable end in view, they 
employ steel axles, steel tires, the best stock 
for wheels, Knglish and French upholstering 
cloths that will not fade, and never anv split 
leather. All their trimmings are first-class, and 
the paint and varnish used are the best and 
most durable the market atlbrds. It is not suf- 
ficient for them to turn out goods that look well 
on the surface ; Init the work all through, even 
to the smallest particular, is performed in the 
most painstaking manner, with the greatest care 
that nothing shall tsnter into the construction 
of their vehicles which shall prove in service 
otherwise than the finest and best. By this 
means Messrs, Werts & Co, have succeeded in 
establishing a reputation of the highest order, 
whicli they are assiduous in permanentlj* main- 
taining. They give employment to some twenty- 
five workmen, most of whom are thoroughly ex- 
perienced in their respective trades, so that 
while all the material used is of the best ([uality 
the workmanship is correspondingly excellent. 
Their average annual production of fine car- 
riages is about 130, valued at $30,000, 

The well known concern, the Canton Cutlery 
Company, is busily at work turning out the fine 
cutler}- for the production of which it is deserv- 
edly so widely noted. The line of goods here 
made embraces a great variety of pocket cutlery 
of approved styles and the most perfect finish. 
While so many other establishments have retro- 



graded in the quality of their product and flood- 
ed the market with cheap and well-nigh worth- 
less goods, the com|>any under notice have 
strictly adhered tf) their original standard (piali- 
ty, using only the best Jessup's steel and em- 
ploying the most skillful workmen. Hence they 
can safely warrant all their goods to be of uni- 
form and superior ([uality. These works have 
been in operation since 1872. and are now pro- 
ducing about $35,000 worth of goods annually, 
employing thirty five hands and three traveling 
salesmen. 

One of the prominent and thriving indus- 
tries of ('anion is tlie manufacture of .soap, 
which business is prosecuted on a large scale 
by Mr, Joseph Biechele, successor to the firm 
of C, Hiechele & Bro. This establishment was 
founded liy C, Biechele, in 1847, and the busi- 
ness was carried on in a small wa>' until 1858, 
Meanwhile, the reputation of the fine quality of 
Biechele's soaps had rapidly spread, and the 
steadily increasing demand therefor necessi- 
tated the enlargement of the works and the 
improvement of their manufacturing facilities. 
Consequently, in 1858, a larger factory was 
erected, modern appliances were introduced, 
and at the same time the present proprietor 
became a partner in the concei'n. The works 
were successfully operated for about ten years 
by C. Biechele & Bro., when, in 1868, Joseph 
bought out the interest of his brother, thus 
becoming sole proprietor. The constantl}' 
growing popularity' and sale of his product 
called for another enlargement of the works, 
which was accomplished in the year following. 
New kettles, steam boilers and all other ap- 
proved conveniences were adoptetl, having in 
view the rapid and economical production of 
the several famous brands of soap made here. 
By this means, Mr. Biechele found himself able 
to successfully compete, in regard to both 
quality and price. wit;h the largest soap manu- 
facturers of Chicago, Cincinnati, Butlalo. New- 
York and I'hiladelphia, and his trade expanded 
steadily over a wide area of territory, both 
Kast and West. It has been his undeviating 
aim and purpose to make the best soap that 
can be produced by the exercise of constant 
care, skill and long practical experience, and 
hence he uses only the best selected materials 
to be obtained, employs thoroughly trained 
workmen, and conducts every manufacturing 
operation under painstaking personal su|)er- 



HISTOIIY OF STARK COUNTY. 



vision. Herein lies the secret of his marked 
snccess. Mr. Biechele is not content with hav- 
ing established a far-reaching reputation for 
the excellence of his goods, and then, as is too 
often the ease, graduallj' deteriorating the 
quality, witlj the vain expectation that former 
fame will serve in lieu of present merit ; but, 
on the contrary, his laudable endeavor is to 
produce better soap to-daj' than it was possible 
for him to make jesterday, and thus to main- 
tain for all time the credit his goods have so 
honorably achieved. 

Mr. Biechele is now manufacturing some 
twenty different brands of laundry soaps, the 
leading of which are the California, Pure 
White, White Laundry, Pearl, Best Family 
and Banner. These well-known brands find 
ready sale throughout the country, and, indeed, 
the demand so rapidly increases as to render 
the present capacity of the works too small to 
meet it. This being the situation, arrange- 
ments are making to enlarge the factory next 
spring, whereby its producing capacity will be 
materially increased. The present dimensions 
of the building are 150 by 52 feet, and it will 
be enlarged to 175 by 100 feet, two stories 
high. Biechele's Pure White Soap is strictly 
pure, and manufactured chiefly fi'om vegetable 
oils, giving it medicinal properties. It is ex- 
cellent for both toilet and laundry purposes. 
His Magic Soap is highly commended, and will 
do its work well without the use of a wash- 
board, if directions are followed. The toilet 
soaps made at this establishment are noted for 
their fine quality and delicate [lerfLime. Among 
these are the Palm, Domestic Wliite and Mot- 
tled Castile, Magnolia, White Lily, Turkish 
Bath, Glycerine, etc. Four traveling agents 
are constantly employed in selling Biechele's 
soaps, which have become the favorite of every 
good housekeeper over a vast area of territory. 

Canton bjasts, also, of two woolen mills, 
which, though not so pretentious as some of 
the larger mills in the East, do a domestic busi- 
ness quite as important for people in this part 
of the country. The Canton City Woolen Fac- 
tory of L. Alexander & Son is one of these. 
They manufacture cassimeres, satinets, cloths, 
jeans, flannels, Ijlankets, stocking yarn and all 
kinds of woolen goods. The^- use a thirty horse- 
power engine in propelling their machinery- ; 
ten hands are regularly employed at a weekly 
expense of $100. Their trade, alread\' large. 



is constantly on the increase, and is derived 
mainly from Stark and the adjoining counties. 
The other is the Eagle Woolen Mill of Bobbins 
Brothers, which furnisiics employment to some 
twenty persons, whoso agtirrgate wages is about 
$300 per month. This firm works two sets of 
machinery, and use the self-acting spinning 
mules. They manufacture goods about like 
the other mill, and, besides a large home trade, 
they find good sale for their goods in the West, 
to which part of the countr\- they ship a good 
many of them. 

There are also two box factories here in active 
operation. The one run by Mr. J. C. Lantz, 
with a force of twelve workmen. They manu 
facturc wooden boxes, largely for the Biechele 
Soap Works, bee-hives and faucets. This estab- 
lishment is in a flourishing condition. The 
other establishment, of Mr. Charles E. Wrigley, 
manufactures paper boxes exclusively, in mak- 
ing which the)' are now consuming about a ton 
of paper a week. He employs seven haiids. 
He makes all the packing boxes for the mal- 
leable iron works in Canton, and one thousand 
every week for a druggist firm in Louisville, 
Ohio. The malleable iron works just referred 
to is a new concern, but recently located in 
Canton. These works are under the firm of 
Efiel, (Jilliom & Co., and do an extensive busi- 
ness. They already emplo\-, though in o[,)er- 
ation here only a few months, over one hundred 
and fifty hands, and are continually increasing 
their force. When they get into full operation, 
they will emploj- two hundred and fifty. They 
are at present paj'ing their hands about $1,500 
a week. This establishment manufactures all 
kinds of saddlery hardware, which they sell im- 
mediately to wholesale jobbers. 

Among Canton industries, prominent and 
well established, is the paper mill of Bachert, 
Silk & Co. This mill has been in existence for 
about a quarter of a century, and has been un- 
der its present management for seventeen years 
past. The original structure, which was a two- 
story brick l)uilding. IKtxKIO feet, has been en- 
larged, until now it covers an ai'ea of 150 feet 
square, and contains two stories and a basement. 
They manufacture every kind of manila, wrap- 
ping, tea and tissue paper. The capacity of 
the works is about three tons per day. They 
employ thirty-five hands, with a monthly pay 
roll of $1,200 per month. Their paper goes to 
the Cleveland Paper Company at Cleveland and 



^j g* * ^. 



.w 



CANTON TOWNSHIP. 



Chicago. This firm stands among the most re- 
liable in Canton, and is doing a very satisfact- 
ory and successful business. 

There are many other branches of business 
carried on in Canton, which, tiiough apparently 
small when viewed in detail, do a great part 
toward promoting the success of Canton's in- 
dustries. As a sample we may here remark, 
that not less than fifty hands are employed in 
UKiking cigars by tiie different manufacturers 
in the city. So too, it is in many otiier branches 
of trade. 

From the above exhibit of llie multiplicity 
and varied character of the manufacturing in- 
terests in this city, growing up and strengtlien- 
ing tiicmselves under many ailversc prospects 
in the past, there now appears glorious promise 
for rapid growth and increase in future, inas- 
much as Canton, naturally so well situated for 
building up and fostering manufacturing inter- 
ests, will soon be in commercial communication 
with all parts of the country b}- means of the 
several railroads about centering in this city. 

But the business importance of Canton, even 
at this time, is not to lie seen alone in her varied 
manufacturing interests. Her wholesale and 
retail establishments, in every line of trade, are 
worthy also of consideration. Our space will not 
permit us to notice them all in detail, and we will, 
therefore, be comiiflled to notice only a few 
of tlie older cstaMislimcnts in different branches 
of business. There are several wholesale houses 
doing each of them an extensive trade. Promi- 
nent among them is the wholesale grocerj- house 
of B, DauneniilUr iV Sons. There are few houses 
in any large metropolis which for extent, con- 
venience and fullness of stock are superior to 
that of this enterprising firm, as the following 
sketch will set forth : This Inisiness was origi- 
nally founded by Kimball Brothers ; and, in 
ISti'.i, the present firm succeeded them, at ;!() 
Soutli Market street, and subsequently removed 
to the corner of Market and Tuscarawas streets. 
Their trade steadily increased in volume, until 
it was found necessary to secure more commo- 
dious quarters. Accordingly, last year the firm 
erected the present elegant and spacious brick 
building on Market and Fifth streets, very 
eligibly located, having a frontage of 30 feet on 
Market street, 140 feet on Fifth street, and a 
wing 50 feet deep in the rear. There are four 
floors in one department and five in the other, 
fitted up with every convenience for the storage 



and handling of the immense stock of g«xxls 
here carried. One of Crane Brothers' (Chicago) 
improved elevators, with a capacity of S.OOO 
pounds, 0x7 feet in size, runs from the base- 
ment to the top fioor, rendering each depart- 
ment equally accessible. Having windovVs on 
three sides, ample light is admitte'd to all the 
rooms, so that not a single gas jet is needed 
until some time after sunset. 

There are entrances on both streets into the 
fine, large otlice and sample room, measuring 
28x30 feet, tastefully fitted up, and lighted by 
six French plate-glass windows. The stock 
comprises a full line of general groceries, wtVHlen 
ware, brooms, cigars, tobaccos, teas, coffees, 
canned goods, sugars, sirups, oils, soajis, fish, 
candies, crackers, and everything else usnally 
carried in an establishment of this character. 

W. A. McCrea's wholesale house of small 
wares, the only one of the kind between Pitts- 
burgh and Chicago, does, perhaps, the next Inisi- 
ness to Dannemillers, in Canton. This estab- 
lishment is in the Herbruck and Kaufman block, 
on East Tuscarawas street. Mr. McCrea's trade 
lies principally in Ohio and Pennsylvania, and 
five traveling salesmen are regularly employe<l 
by him. He carries a stock of about $35,000 
and his annual sales aggregate !{;120, 000, with a 
healthy increase from year to year. Besides 
these wholesale establishments, there are three 
wholesale licjuor stores in Canton, all doing a 
good business, viz. : the stores of L. J. Jliday 
& Co., in their own hand.some three-story brick 
building erected last year on North Market 
street, with ainiual sales amounting to $C5.000 ; 
of Schalm Brothers, on north side of East Tus- 
carawas street, with annual sales amounting to 
$75,000 ; and of Mr. S. Bear, who openeil his 
store in the Wernet Building, south side of East 
Tuscarawas street, and is also doing a thriving 
business. The retail Imsiness in dry goods, 
groceries, clothing, drugs, furniture, boots and 
shoes, etc., is also fully represented in the city. 
Among the many only a few can V)e noticed 
bricHy here: As far back as the year 1 81 5. 
Mr. Jacob Ilex started a tailor shop in the pres- 
ent Rex Building, corner of Tuscarawas and Bex 
streets. Mr. John P. Bex learned the trade 
with his father, and in 1840 succeeded him in 
the business, which has liccn continue<l on Ihc 
old site ever since. The boot and shoe firn) of 
J. C. Bockius' .Sons is one of the oldest cst'ili- 
lished houses of the kind in Ohio, perhaps the 



' ^ S r- 



Z^^ 



^1 



342 



HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY. 



very oldest. Mr. J. C. Bockius, the father of 
the present proprietors, opened a shoe shop on 
the 5th of May. 1820. in .in old frame building 
which stood on the site of the court house. 
This building was removed, with the slioj), in 
1822. to tlje site of the Bockius property on 
South Market street. In 1 836, it was moved one 
lot north, and in 1845 back again, where the 
brick building now stands. In 1S8C. the first 
stock of Eastern machine-made boots and shoes 
were brought to Canton by Mr. Bockius, and 
these goods were then quite ano\elty. Previous 
to that time, men would go to the tanncrj', buy 
their own leather and then have shoes made for 
the whole family b^- the shoemaker. Shoemak- 
ers were then scarce, and as all the work was 
done by hand, it was necessarily slow ; some- 
times there would so many orders on the books 
that families would have to wait as long as 
four or five months for their shoes. To avoid 
such delay, many persons were accustomed to 
order a supply some months before they were 
actually needed. The introduction of shoes 
from ttie East already made, therefore, wrought 
quite a revolution in the business. In 1851, 
Mr. Bockius bought the ground upon which the 
store is now located, on the east side of the pub- 
lic square and erected the three-story brick build- 
ing in which it is. In October. 1848. Mr. L. V. 
Bockius. and in 1870. Mr. Ed. Bockius became 
members of the firm, and after their father's 
death only a few years since, they continued the 
business, Mr. E. Bockius' death, this spring, left 
the elder brother, L. V. Bockius, as sole surviv- 
ing p;irtuer. Three persons are given constant 
employment on custom work, and four are em- 
ployed as clerks in the store. The stock car- 
ried along varies from $8,000 to $10,000, and 
about .$25,000 worth of goods are sold annually. 
In the dry goods line, John Schilling, identified 
with the business in Canton since 1846 ; Zollars 
& Co., of which firm Mr. Zollars has been en- 
gaged in this line of trade for some thirty years 
and more, and A. Herbruck, for twenty years 
associated with Mr. Schilling, and since 1874 
doing business in his own name, deserve hon- 
orable mention. ZoUar's store was for many 
3-ears before 1846. and afterward on its present 
site, conducted by Mr. Isaac Harter, deceased, 
a man of great business capacit}'. administra- 
tive ability and the strictest integrity. Mr. 
Zollars, a young man of limited means, entered 
his store in 1846 ; in the year 1852, he was 



taken into the business as a partner ; Mr. Har- 
ter sold out his interest to Samuel Bard in 
1862, who only remained eighteen months in 
the new firm, when Mr. Zollars succeeded to 
the entire business. In 1865, Mr. Peter Barlet 
was taken in as a partner, and he has been in 
the firm ever since. Mr. Harter, soon after re- 
tiring from the dry goods business, went into 
the banking business, and was the founder of 
one of the safest and best conducted hanking 
institutions in the State of Ohio. Strict in 
tegrity and honorable dealing made Mr. Bar- 
ter's name respected and his bank a trusted one 
far and wide. To his credit be it said, no trust 
reposed in him was ever betrayed. His sons, 
since his death, have continued the banking- 
business upon the same substantial basis, as 
that upon which their honored father built up 
an established business and a fair fortune. Zol- 
lars & Co's. store employs seven clerks, and 
they do an immense business, which is yearlj' 
increasing. Besides dealing in dr}- goods and 
carpets, in which his sales amount to $30,000 
annually, Mr. A. Herbruck also engages in 
wholesaling timothy and clover seed, of which 
he handles about $30,000 worth every 3-ear. 
Mr. Schilling carries a full line of dry goods, 
is widely and favorably known all over Stark 
Count}' and is doing a thriving business. He 
is a safe business man, and from an humble 
clerk in V. R. Kimball's thirty-five years ago, 
he has gone gradually onward and upward, un- 
til now he ranks among the best and most suc- 
cessful business men of the city. The jewelry 
establishment of Mr. .Joseph A. Meyer's is one of 
the oldest business houses now remaining in 
Canton. Mr. Mej'er himself is of old pioneer 
stock, and is highly respected by all who know 
him socially or in business. His establishment 
was originally started in 1837, b}' Mr. Samuel 
C. Fry, who sold out to Mr. Meyer in 1858. 
He carries a full assortment of watches, clocks, 
solid and plated ware, spectacles and jewelry 
of all kinds. Mr. M. Ruhman, still doing 
business in the Harter Block, is the pioneer 
merchant in ready-made clothing. He com- 
menced his business in Canton, nearly on his 
present site, in the 3^car 1851, and in his thirty 
j-ears' residence in Canton has built up a char- 
acter for honesty and fair dealing among a 
wide circle of friends and customers. These 
are brief sketches only of some of the estab- 
lishments which started business in Canton 



«^ n 




^^^^r^tL^t^t^.^^/^f^<^^^^^-<s 



CANTON TOWNSHIP. 



343 



when it was j-et a village, and before it began 
to put on the hal)iliments and airs of a city. 
With the development of the rich resources of 
the surrounding country, and the growth of the 
town, business has multiplied an hundred-fold, 
and Canton's trade in every branch of mercan- 
tile business has Ivept pace with the demands 
of tlie times. Therj is probably- not a cit}- of 
the same size in the West, whose business is in 
every respect upon so sound and firm a basis ; 
and when, in panickj- times, business houses all 
over the land have been going bj' the lioard by 
the thousands, scarcely a ripple of the wave of 
destruction has been felt among the business 
firms of Canton. 

As the manufacturing and mercantile int(U'- 
ests have become so varied and so extensive, 
exchange and banking facilities were naturally 
demanded bj' tiie business interests of the 
growing town. Notice has already been taken of 
the first bank in primitive times. This was re- 
suscitated in after 3"ear3, and served the public 
necessity for a long period. Incidentally also 
the starting of the First National Bank and of 
Mr. Isaac Harter's Savings Deposit Bank has 
been mentioned. For man}' years the Stark 
County Bank of Mr. James A. Saxton did a 
good work in meeting the needs of the public, 
with these other Ijanks. In later years, Mr. 
George D. Barter started his bank, on Tuscara- 
was street, east of tlie public square, which 
from the first received the confidence of the 
people. The Farmers' Bank was started a few 
j'cars ago, and is also upon a substantial foun- 
dation, and doing a good business, A year or 
two since, the Cit}- Bank of Canton, which had 
done business a little while, and then dissolved 
Ijy the mutual agreement of the stockholders, 
was again started up under a new management, 
as the Cit3" National Bank, with Dr. P. H. Barr, 
the popular druggist in the old and well-estal)- 
lished drug store of Dr. C. J. (leiger, deceased, 
as President, and Henry C. KUison, a former 
Auditor of Stark Count\\ as Cashier. Thus 
Canton is supplied with five banks at this time, 
all in good condition, and doing an extensive 
business. 

From 1852 until within the past two or three 
years, the only shipping facilities enjoyed Ijy 
the merchants and manufacturers of this city 
were furnished by the Pittsburgh, Fort Wayne 
& Chicago Railroad, which were for the most 
part not as liberal to her interests, nor, as one 



would think, to the interests of the company 
itself, as the good of a growing city, with well- 
estaljlished and successfully conducted busi- 
ness, and in the midst of resources which gave 
promise of much grander development and in- 
creased importance, seemed to demand. Com- 
petition is said to be the life of trade, and 
probabl}- railroads, as well as other branches of 
business, are all the better for a little healtliy 
competition. But the dawn of a better day in 
this regard also, is breaking upon the business 
interests of ('anton. She alreatly enjoys the 
advantages of cheap eoal and cheap living, and 
the chief remaining factor to secure increased 
success to her industries, in the way of cheap 
transportation, is rapidly lieiug provided. 
Already the effect of tlu; opening of the Valley 
Railroad to Akron and Cleveland, in the begin- 
ning of the year 1880, is favorably felt. This 
road had been projected several years before, 
and was pushed chiefiy l)y capitalists of Cleve- 
land ; but the citizens of Akron and Canton 
did not fail to appreciate the benefits which 
would accrue to themselves in its construction, 
and they, in company with the people of other 
smaller towns along the line of the road, gave 
a helping hand, until at last it was, after the 
usual delays, trials and tril)ulations, an accom- 
plished fact. Since Its operation, it has lieen 
doing good business, much better, indeed, than 
most new roads at so early a period in their 
history. What it needs now to insure its 
greater benefit to both stockholders and the 
people on the line of the road is an extension 
southward from Canton to bring it into connec- 
tion with the coal and iron of the southern por- 
tion of the State. This undoubtedly will soon 
also be accomplished. So far as Canton is 
concerned, the ^'alley road has already brought 
the l)nsiness transportation of the city away 
from the monopoly of the Pittsburgh, Fort 
Wayne & Chicago Railroad Company, and this 
last-named corporation now gives better terms 
to shippers than ever before. The Valley Rail- 
road has located the main pas.senger and freight 
depots near the crossing of the Fort Wayne 
road, in the southwestern part of the city, but 
recently, for the convenience of passengers, a 
neat and commodious passenger depot lias 
been fitted up on West Tuscarawas street, which 
makes it more convenient for passengers from 
the hotels and the greater part of town than 
the main depot. The Connolton Valley Rail- 



^1 



HlSTOUy OF STARK COUNTY. 



way Company continued Its road last year to 
Canton, and it lias been completed this year 
already to Kent, and before the end of the sea- 
son will probably be in full running order to 
Cleveland, But the railroad history is more 
fully given in another chapter of this work. 

A late writer says of the people's social life : 
The citizens of Canton are not given to dis- 
play. They are a quiet, order-loving people. 
None of them have a boastful spirit. It might 
be well for the town if some of its people were 
given to " blowing their own horn." But thej' 
do not seem to be so inclined. Hence we feel 
assured that the subjoined statistics of indus- 
trial enterprise here for the j-ear 1879 are 
within proper limits : 

Employes. Pioilnct. 

C. Aultmau & Co 5.50 .f 9.000.000 

Diebold Safe & Lock Co 2.50 1,000.000 

Wrouirht In m Bridsre Co 1.50 .500.000 

Canton Steel Works 140 400,000 

C. Russell it Co 70 27.5,000 

J. Biecliele 26 180,000 

Canton Spring Works 80 135,000 

Bucher, Gilibs & Co 75 125,000 

Whitman & Barnes Mfg Co 40 70,000 \ 

Novelty Iron Works 35 65,000 I 

A. Ball & Co 30 .50,000 I 

E, E. Miller & Co 30 .50,000; 

Canton Cutlery Co 35 35,000 

John Danner." 20 30,000 

H. W. Werts & Co 25 30,(X)0 j 

Canton Saw Works 15 30,000 

J Dick & Bro 7 10,000 

Floiirini: Mills 80 900.000 

Woolen Mills 65 3.50,000 

Brewery interest 30 100,000 i 

Minor Estat)lishnientK 225 275,000 j 

I.timlicr yards 80 225.000 ! 

I 

Grand tot al 2058 f 6.830.000 j 

We may add that upon personal inquiry we i 
find the above figures far below the actual facts, ! 
at this present time, in many of these establish- 
ments, as they are probably in nearly all of 
them. In the above table, for instance, the | 
Peerless Reaper Company, which appears as C. 
Russell & Co., in 1879, employed only seventy I 
hands, and put out $275,000" worth of work. ' 
Last year, they had eighty hands, and built 
over fifteen hundred of their popular machines, 
and were unable to supply the demand. This 
year, their working force has been increased to 
125 hands ; they intend making, the present 
season, 2,500 machines, and the value of their 
production will not fall short of $375,000, an 
increase in two years of nearly 50 per cent. 



A very large increase of working force and of 
inanufectured material has also been made the 
present year, by the Aultman Co., by the 
Diebold Lock & Safe Co., by the Buclier & 
Gibbs Plow shops, and doubtless in nearly all 
the other establishments. In few or none, on 
the other hand, has there been any decrease, 
showing a constantly increasing demand for 
Canton manufactures. 

A very satisfactoiy test of the business im- 
portance of a place to those who are interested 
in statistics and figures is furnished by the 
post office transactions. For the following 
facts in this line we are indebted to Mr. Charles 
S. Cock. Deputy Postmaster of Canton. The 
money order department of this office amount 
ed to over $50,000, and the postal receipts to 
more than $20,000, leaving a net revenue to 
the Postal Department of the country of $15,000. 
This shows an increase over the previous year 
of nearly 25 per cent. Thirty thousand, or 
thereabouts, three-cent stamps and stamped 
envelopes are sold now per month, 1 2,000 or 
15,000 postal cards and 20,000 one-cent envel- 
opes are also sold each month, mainly to the 
business and manufacturing firms of the city ; 
the demand is constantl}- increasing. It is es- 
timated that the receipts in the post office bus- 
iness of the city proper will be this year .sev- 
eral thousand dollars in advance of last year. 
This is certainly a good showing, and will 
secure for the city a free deliver}- within a ver^' 
short period of time. 

Another item of interest denoting progress 
is furnished by the census reports, and these 
will show a most remarkable increase in the 
citj' of Canton within the limits of the present 
generation. Before railroading, and with Mas- 
sillon, by means of her canal facilities, in the 
ascendant, the total population of Canton Citj' 
in 1850 was 2,603 ; this was also previous to 
the removal of the mower and reaper works 
from (rreentown to Canton. The population 
ten years later, in 1860, was 4.041, an increase 
of 55 per cent. In 1870, the population had 
gone up to 8,660, an increase in ten years of 
114 per cent. By the census of 1880, just ; 
completed, the population is 12,258, an increase 
in the past ten years of 41^ per cent, vviiich, if 
Canton authorities had done as many other 
towns in the State, similarh- situated, had done, 
would have been much greater than the data 
show to be the fact. There are iu all directions 



-® y^ 



t^ 



CAXTOX TOWNSHIP. 



345 



outlying additions sufficient to increase the 
figures on population at least 1,000 more, which 
for all business purposes are part and parcel of 
the city, and ought in justice to be brought 
within the municipal corporation. The popula- 
tion of Canton Township, exclusive of thecit}-. 
for the same periods, stands as follows : in 1850, 
1.719; in 1860, 1,704; in 1870, 1,952; and in 
1880, 2,015. We have not the figures at hand 
to give the population of the cit}- and township 
anterior to 1850. 

Previous to the year 1869, some action had 
been taken by the City Council to utilize the 
water of Mc^-er's Lake, as a permanent water 
supply for Canton, both for domestic and manu- 
facturing use, and for protection against fire. 
The committee of tlie former City Council had 
decided, on examination, to adopt the Holly 
system, and J. L. Pillsbury, an experienced 
civil engineer, had made surveys and estimates 
which clearly indicated the practicability of the 
work. In the organization of the City Council 
in 1869. Messrs Louis Schaefer, Jacob Hawk 
and T)aniel Worley became the Water- Works 
Committee, and, at a later da3-, were, under the 
law, elected the first Board of Trustees of 
Water- Works. Under their management, aided 
by the wise and experienced counsel of Mr. 
Pillsburj'. the work was pressed forward rap- 
idly : the citizens of Canton, by vote, authorized 
measures for raising the necessary funds: and 
b}' February. 1870, the works were in success- 
ful operation. On the first public trial of the 
new water- works Pel). 22. 1870, the District 
Court was in .session, and the Judges were 
specially invited to witness their working. Up- 
on the recommendation of the civil engineer, 
a niajorit}' of the committee on water-works 
had adopted the cement pipe for mains through 
the city. These had hardly' dried long enough 
for anj' test. The day was cold and windy. 



Everj'thing, however, went off well, until engi- 
neer and trustees l)ecame infatuated and con- 
sented to an undue increase of the pressure, 
which blew out a waste at the West Creek. 
There was a hurrying and a flurrying among 
Trustees and engineer until the exact loealit}- 
of the trouble had been discovered. This was 
on a Saturday, and by the following Sunday 
evening, everything had been put again into 
good running order. The cement pipes in this 
soil did not prove a success, and they have 
been gradually- replaced b}- iron pipe, which 
with tlie extensions made from year to year, 
gives Canton to-da}' one of the best sj'stems of 
protection against fire to be found anywhere. 
The larger manufacturing establishments have 
not onl}- introduced the water for ordinary use, 
but have also connections for emergencies from 
fire by which thej- can almost entirely save them- 
selves from the ravages of this king of terrors. 
With regard to the next great want of Canton, 
a system of complete sewerage, not so much 
can be said favorabl^y. The following remarks 
of another in this connection are very much to 
the point, and in the hope that the early future 
history of the citj' may record the suggestions 
therein contained as an accomplished fact, they 
are introduced at this place. 

While Canton is well located there is no 
doubt as to the susceptibility of its improve- 
ments in a sanitar}' .sense. Its vital statistics 
go to prove that malaria infects its atmosphere. 
What it needs is a thorough system of drain- 
age. ■ The project is quite feasible, by reason 
of the favorable lopogi-aphy of the city. A. 
fall of four inches to the hundred feet is ample, 
and Canton, because of her magnificent loca- 
tion, is capable of this advantage. An incline 
of three inches is better than many places 
enjoy. 



i, \ ' 



HISTORY OF STAKK COUNTY. 



CHAPTER XL* 

Till'; CITY OF CANTON — EDlTATIdNAL AGKNCIE-; — THE I'RESS — JOHN SAXTON AND 
McCREIiOK, THE VETERAN EDITORS —PRESENT NEWSl'Al'ERS — CANTON SCHOOLS 
— ('HUR(;H HISTORY — SECRET AND BENEVOLENT INSTITUTIONS. 



MAN is composed of mind and matter. In 
his individual development, and in the 
developments of civilization and progress, both 
factors deserve careful recognition. Mind con- 
trols matter, wliile, on the other hand, material 
influences have great weight in directing the 
operations of the mind. It is not, of course, 
the province of the historian so much to discuss 
philosopliical problems as to make a fair pre- 
sentation of facts in a somewhat logical manner, 
so that the philosopher may afterward, from the 
study of the facts, be prepared the better to 
speculate on the probabilities of the future. 
We have thus far presented almost exclusivel}' 
the material aspects of the growth and develop- 
ment of this city and township ; but we have 
not lost sight, by any means, of the most im- 
portant of all fiicts that mental culture is of the 
highest importance in every true and real prog- 
ress of any people or communit3'. To his 
credit, it may be truthfully said, that the founder 
of Canton, Mr. Bezaleel Wells, recognized this 
fact in the beginning, and donated in the plat- 
ting of the original town of Canton, one lot for 
school purposes and one for church purposes. 
The old Union School building on West Tus- 
carawas street, and the Presbyterian Church 
directly opposite, are now upon the sites of the 
donor, a living proof of his high estimate of 
education and religion as essential factors in 
the prosperity of any town. And imbibing the 
spirit of the founder, the great body of the people 
of Canton, from the beginning until now, have 
always been the friends of liberal education, and 
of the moral influences of the Christian Church. 
In modern times, also, the press has become a 
ver}' potent lever in the same direction. Ad- 
mitting that its influence has not always been 
used to promote the best interests of the people, 
it is nevertheless true that the press does much 
for the education of anj^ community, whether, 

* Contriljuted by Prof. Daniel Wurley. 



on the whole, it be for good or evil, though we 
may here express our own private opinion that 
it is generally for good rather than evil. In 
discussing the educational agencies of Canton, 
we shall, therefore, first present a brief history 
of journalism in this city, and some reminis- 
cences of the pioneer newspaper men of the 
earlier times. The following general history of 
the Canton press was prepared b}' one in the 
business for many years, and may be accepted 
as accurate : 

The newspapers of Canton represent the so- 
cial, moral and material interests of the city 
and county with unusual journalistic enterprise 
and abilit}'. Moreover, the gentlemen who give 
dignity to the noble calling of journalism here, 
are genial, whole-souled men, whom it is a 
pleasure to meet, and to whose good qualities 
of heart and brain we bear cheerful testi- 
mony. 

The Canton Hcpositun/ was the first news- 
paper in Canton or Stark County, and one of 
the first five or six in Ohio, the first number of 
which was printed March 30, 1815, by John 
Saxton. The paper is still in existence as the 
Canton Repositorj/, and until 1871, the time of 
his death, the original proprietor was connected 
with the paper in the capacity- of owner or ed- 
itor. The files of the Repository have been 
carefully preserved. The veteran editor, in his 
inaugural sheet, pledges that -'truth shall be 
his guide, the public good his aim," and lays 
before his readers the latest foreign news ; the 
report of A. J. Dallas, Secretary of the Treas- 
ury, to the Committee of Ways and Means, upon 
the state of the public credit, the circulating 
medium, etc.; the proceedings of the Thir- 
teenth Congress, among whose acts was one 
fixing the army list at 10,000 men ; news 
from the war with Algiers, and local intelli- 
gence. 

In 1831, Joshua Saxton, John's brother, en- 



r?T^ 



CANTON TOWNSHIP. 



tered the business and remained several years. 
Fie then removed to Urbana, and begsin the pub- 
lication of the Citizen ami Odzitlr, wliere he 
still lives. His retirement from active news- 
paper work took place only a few inonth.s ago, 
having been proprietor and editor of one jour- 
nal for forty-two years. In 18.51, Thomas W., 
John i^axton's son, was taken in as partner, and 
in 1871, the Rrjtositun/, with Tliomas as sole 
proprietor, was consolidated with the Ripub- 
licun. published by Josiah Hartzell. In 1874, 
W. T. Baseom purchased Ilartzcll's interest, 
and the paper took the name of tlic Canton Re- 
posiiori/. Mr. Basconi died in 1877. In Feb- 
ruary, 1878, a daily edition of the Rcjmsiiin-j/ 
was begun, and is still continued. It is the 
only daily in vStark County, and is an almost 
indispensable medium of intelligence to the 
people of Canton. It is conducted with ability 
and energ}- liy Mr. Thomas W. Saxtoti, the 
sole proprietor, assisted by a competent corps 
of writers and reporters. The jolj printing 
department is one of the most complete 
in Northern Ohio, and turns out large ([uan- 
tities of work for the great manufactories of 
Canton. 

The O/iio Volks-Zdtuiig. eight pages. 15x22, 
was established by the Ohio Volks-Zeitung Com- 
pany, J-anuary 23, 1879, and is the only (ierman 
paper printed in Stark County. It has a large 
circulation in Stark and the neighboring coun- 
ties as well as throughout Ohio and tlu; adjoin- 
ing States. As early as 1820. the (lerinan pop- 
ulation of Canton and Stark County had largely 
increased by emigration from Pennsylvania, 
Maryland and Europe, so that in October, 1821, 
Edward Schaefcr. a German printer from Frank- 
furt-on-t he-Main, established in Canton the 
WistJiclu- Biuhach/ir and Stark and Wayne 
Count}' Aiizi'igcr. being the second olde.st Ger- 
man newspaper published in the State of Ohio. 
In 182(5, Shaefer moved to (iermantown, Ohio, 
when John Sala continued the paper here and 
afterward took Solomon Sala and I). C. Lelimus 
into partnership. In August, 18:51, Peter 
Kaufmann came from Philadelphia and bought 
out the paper, which by that time had taken 
the patriotic name of Vaterlanxh frcund ttiul 
Gi'ist firr Zeit. 

In company with Franz Ilawerecht and Carl 
C. Fink, Kaufmann published, in 1838, the first 
German almanac in Canton. In the course of 
time several chanj^es were made in the owner- 



ship, until John Raeber came here in August, 
1858, with a printing olliee from Holmes Coun- 
ty, and estal)lishc(l ihe Ihultlu in O/i/o, in place 
of which the Oliin Staaia-Zcituufj appeared on 
the 15th of September, 1873 ; this was sold to 
the Ohio Volks-Zeitung Company, on the 8th 
of November, 1879. 

To give sufficient room for increased reading 
matter and advertisements, the Ohio Volks- 
Zeitung was enlarged to its present size, 31x15, 
December 4, 1879, and is now one of the lead- 
ing German Democratic papers in the north- 
eastern part of Ohio. The paper is very ably 
edited and conducted, and rellecls credit upon 
the enterprising community in w Inch it is pub- 
lished. 

The Stark County Ih ntonnt was established 
in June. 1S33. liy a gentleman named Bernard, 
who died of cholera after running it about six 
months. It was then taken charge of by Will- 
iam Dunbar, who carried it on successfully un- 
til about 1836 or 1837. when he sold out to 
Daniel Gotshall. who published the paper until 
April, 1847, when he sold to Messrs, Carney and 
Leiter. These gentlemen published it until 
May, 1848, when it was sold to John and A. 
McGregor. The former dying in September of 
that year, !Mr. A. Mctiregor has continued as 
editor ever since, with the exception of about 
eighteen mouths in 1858 and 1859, when it was 
edited by Thomas Beer . The Democrat is 
ably conducted and has a large circulation. 
It has been and continues to be the organ 
of the party in this county ; it being, in 
fact, the only English Democratic paper in 
Stark County. 

John Saxton, as the jnoneer printer and edi- 
tor of Canton, a resident of this city for fifty- 
six years, a good citizen and a Christian man, 
has iseen so closely identified with the progress 
of the town, that more than a passing notice is 
due his memory. He was born at Huntingdon, 
Penn., on the 28th of September, 1792, and 
was the eldest of a large family. It is well 
known that in April, 1815, he stsirted the Ohio 
Repoxiton/, on which he labored without inter- 
ruption for lifty-six consecutive years. In 1815, 
he wrote and published an account of the bat- 
tle of Waterloo, and the arrest of the first 
Napoleon. In 1870, he wrote and published 
an account of the battle of Sedan, and the 
arrest of Napoleon the third. It is believed 
that not another man in the United States has 



HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY. 



Jahared so long at one place on one newspaper. 
What an amount of work he has performed ! 
What volumes of truths he has laid before his 
readers ! His selections were always useful, 
always interesting, always inculcating pure 
principles. Nothing licentious or unclean ever 
found a place in his columns. No matter what 
party, school or creed to which a man might 
belong, he could always find either in editorial 
or selection, something wiiich would aflbrd 
pleasure and instruction. In his political views 
he was always sincere, and earnestly advocated 
what he honestly believed. Those views are so 
well known that in these brief notes we forbear 
to speak further. In matters of religion, he 
was a devout Presbyterian. In the winter of 
1833-34, he united with the church then under 
the pastoral care of the Eev. T. M. Hopkins. 
He at once became an active, zealous laborer 
in the cause of his divine Master. There was 
no half way work about him. No looks of 
solemn sourness, and mere Sunday perform- 
ance. His was a cheerful, happ3', conscien- 
tious, loving, performance rf religious duty. 
He was a Christian all over, in daily work, in 
heart and in purse. It was not a religion of 
constraint, but of freedom. He cho.se the true 
and right way because he loved it. He said of 
wisdom. 



"llcr wavN arc ways of i)l(asa)ili]cs>. 
And all'hiT pallis arc peace." 

He preached .religion in his daily life. He lit- 
erally went about doing good. No one doubted 
his piety, for. like the Apostle James, he be- 
lieved that pure religion and undefiled before 
God and the Father is this ; to visit the father- 
less and widow in their affliction, and to keep 
himself unspotted from the world. He had 
the wisdom which was from above, first pure, 
tiien peaceable, gentle, easy to be entreated, 
full of mercj' and good fruits, without partiality 
and without hypocrisj-. His evcry-day work 
was planned for the good of others. He l)e- 
gan and ended it with a careful reading of the 
Scri()tures and with prajer. He ascertained 
who was sick and who needy, and had about as 
many patients for his daily visits as a ph^-si- 
cian in a moderate practice. It might be sup- 
posed that his increasing deafness would inca- 
pacitate him for such a work, but if he could 
not hear the voice of the patients he would go 
and see them, feel their pulse, give them the 



benefit of his sunny smile, and perhaps pray 
with them. Never obtrusively, but always so 
gentlj- and kindly was this done, that in the 
circle of his acquaintance he was alwaj'S gladly 
welcomed, and many a one would have felt as 
much disappointed if they had missed his visit 
as they would that of their physician. Nor 
was this practice ephemeral or spasmodic. It 
was a life duty with him. Not only duty, but 
he loved to (lo it. His church was the object 
of his special regard. He arranged his busi- 
ness and the daj' of publication of his paper 
with a view to being alwa^-s present at the 
prayer meeting. At one time, he changed his 
publication day so that the issue of his paper 
should never interfere with his attendance at 
the prayer meeting. There was a time, many 
years ago, in which a season of spiritual de- 
clension had reduced the number of attendants 
to onlv four or five. Then it was unfashiona- 
ble to be a Christian, and it was almo.st as well 
known before meeting as after, who would be 
there. His faith never flagged, his punctuality 
never remitted, he was alwaj^s there. It is be- 
lieved that in thirty-five years, unless absent 
from town, he never missed a prayer meeting. 
His deafness was a sore trial to him. He could 
only hear by means of a trumpet. That he 
always carried with him. The time came when 
even that did not enable him to hear, but his 
attention was not even then remitted. He 
would occupj- his place. His minister gave 
him a memorandum of the hymns and lent him 
his sermon in manuscript to read. One great 
desire of his life was to see a new and commo- 
dious house of worsliip erected on the spot 
where the old inconvenient building stood ; he 
lived to see it done, and hoped to hear the Gos- 
pel there. His son James, in order to enable 
his father to hear, visited certain churches in 
the East, where speaking tubes were con- 
structed in such manner as to come to the ear 
by a flexible tube, and had one constructed for 
him in the new church ; he was delighted with 
the prospect now before him, but as Moses on 
Pisgah's top could see the land of promise, 
but did not enter, so father Saxton saw the 
work complete, and just one week before the 
dedication, passed awaj' without enjoying it. 

His evenness of temper was remarkable. 
The writer has known him intimately for thirty- 
three years, for more than twenty of them 
lived side by side with him, had dailj- inter- 



CAXTOX TOWNSHIP. 



^ 



course with him, and yet remembers onlj' one 

occasion in which that temper was riiffletl. 
For a. man of so much decision of character, 
sucli clear and well delinod views, and such 
earnestness in maintaining them, it furnishes a 
remarkable illustration of the power of his 
judgment over his passions. He had a great 
fondness for children. lie recognized tliem, 
knew who they were, remembered their names, 
talked to them, often gave them his advice. 
His genial ways and loving smile so attracted 
tlieir attention and won their regard, tiiat the\- 
loved him. 

In times when printing facilities bore no com- 
parison to tho.se of the present day, when in- 
formation in r(!gard to current events could 
only be jjrocured liy great labor, when mails 
were few and far between, when post-riders 
had tfl convey them over the mountains by 
painful and tedious work, often fording swollen 
streams and struggling through the mire in 
primitive roads and primeval forests, when the 
rude hand-levei- press was the best printing 
machine in use. and when the ink was distrili- 
uted by a ball-pad instead of a roller, it was no 
trilling task to get out a weekly" newspaper with 
regularity. In an editorial written by him 
fifty-tive years later, he thus alludes to his 
early labors : 

It would bf tliflicult for u person of this genera- 
tion to imagine llie forbidding a-speet of this region 
in the year 1815. It was the y<'ar which was signal- 
ized by the conclusion of the second war with the 
mother country, and which firmly estalilishid our 
complete independence as a nation. The l)usiness 
affairs of the coinilry, which had been prostrated. 
were made yet worse by the impoverished and \v()rs<- 
tlian worthless currene}' of tlie period. 

Canton was a village of three hundred inhabit- 
ants, and no paper was printed west of it. From 
ISl.") to 1819, the HejHMitori/ W'as printed in the build 
ing. and in the very room now occupied by I''esslers 
grocery. It was "then removed to tin- Kantfnian 
hnildiiig. still standing, on Soutli Market street. 
whire il remained until l.sii, when I removed it 
again to my own premises near by. where it had a 
home until the consolidation of the Rej/tmti'ri/ and 
Republinin, in 1808. My first article in my first 
paper, printed March 30. 181.5, was a prospectus, 
wliicli lead as follows : 

"TO THE I'lIil.ICK. 
"'In a government where the blessing of Freedom 
is en.ji>ye(l and .justly cstimatiMl, it is aeknowledgecl 
by all thai the <lissemination of correct practical 
knowledge is of the tirst importance. The continu- 
ance of that freedom, the ineslimabh' birthright of 
every American, must depend upon the Intelligence. 



Patriotism and virtue of the people. The estab- 
lishment of Newspapers are the mo.st easy and con- 
venient means of gaining that correct ini'orn'ialion, 
respecting tlieir political concerns, which will enable 
them to judge, with accuracy. Ibc wisdom or folly 
of their rulers. Strongly impressed with these sen- 
timents, the editor pledijcs himself to Ins patrons, 
that 'truth shall be his guide, the public good his 
aim.' In avowing his attachment to one of the two 
political parties which at jiresent so tmhappily di- 
vide om' country, be is free in declaring that his is 
an attachment, not of party, but from principle ; 
the result, not of interest, prejudice or passion, but 
founded on imjiarlial iuvesti,gation. It is an attach- 
ment to the prin<-iiiles avowed by the immortal 
Sages who declared our Independence — to the form 
of Government guaranteed by the Federal constitu- 
tion, and a disciple of the school of Washington. 
.\ candid and fair investigation of political subjects 
is, uiidoiibledly, the sweet palladium of National 
Freedom : liljeral and well informed men, of all par- 
ties, are invited to make it a liepositori/ of their sen- 
timents — the editor reserving on all occasions, the 
right of e.vcrcising a decided control over everything 
offered for insertion. He will reject everj-thing 
which he may deem illiberal, unjust or impolitick, 
everything calculated imnccessarily to e.xcite party 
prejudice or animosity, or lo wound llut feelings of 
individuals, .\ctualed by such motives, and guided 
by such t<'nct.s, he submits, <-heerfiUly, the merits of 
bis laliors and his cause to an enlghtened publick." 
Such were the sentiments that gave birth to the 
(Jhio li( jtositury, and these were my promises made 
fifty five years ago. But where are the then living 
witnesses who can testify in regard to my fulfillment 
of llicni V Alas! they have all gone before me to 
their linal account. Their children and their chil- 
dren's children, one after another, have risen up. 
The few familiar names of that day are multiplied 
over and over again. The- few rude traces of the 
improvements that then siinieed, disapi)car day by 
day. The village of three hundred is now a city 
of twelve thousand, and the wilderness ;d)out now 
"blossoms as the rose" with fruits and fields and 
homes that exhibit the highest efforts of modein 
civilization. Duringall this period, a merciful Provi- 
dence has sp.-u-ed my life, and enaliled me lo |)ar- 
ticipate in the working out of these wonderful 
changes. Il has been my pleasure every week to 
witness I he regular appearance of my paper, and to 
know that as an instrumentality of usefulness and 
power it has kept pace with the growth and expan- 
sion of the institutions of which it has been an index. 

His newspaper longevity is strikingly illus- 
trated by the fact that he recorded the liiial 
battles of both Napoleons — Waterloo and .Se- 
dan. 'J'he article in the ]'i ixisitdii/ and lirjiuh- 
liciiii of September 0. 187<l, 'setting forth this 
fact, was commented upon by editors all over 
the country. We reproduce this very extraor- 
dinary example here : 

In turning over the leaves of the Repositori/ tiles, 
back fiftj'-five years ago, we find in some pages 



HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY. 



striking points of similarity to those tlmt wc print 
to-day. Tako the following examples ; 

From thp ReposUory of .^ugUHt, From the Respoilory ami R<^nb- 
24, 1816. licnn of Si-ptemlier 0, 1370. 

FROM FRANCE. THE WAR. 



IPARTfi. I UBPUBLIC PaucI.A 



BoBton, August 5, 1815. 
The brig Abellinu, Capt. Wyor. 
has just arrived from Frauce, and 
brings Paris papers to June 23. 
Th*^y contain 



London, September 3. — A spe- 
cial correspondence of the Tribune 
telegraphs from the King's h^tid- 
■ THE WHOLE quarters at Vendre&t, near Sedan, 
Friday : The battle of Sedan be- 
gan at G o'clocli on the morning 
of Septem er 1. Two Prussian 
corps were fn position on the 
West of Sedan, having got there 
by long-forced marches to cut off 
tlie French r.-treat to Mezieres. 
South of .Sedan wjw the first Ba- 
varian Corps, and east, across tiie 
Meuse. the St-'coud Bavarian corps. 
The Saxons were on the northeast 
with the Guards. I was with the 
King throughout the day, on the 
hill above St. Meu^e, commanding 
a splendid view of the valley of 
the Meuse and of the field. After 
a tremendous battle, the Prus- 
sians, having completely sur- 
rounded Sedan, and the Bavarians 
having entered the fortifications, 
the Emperor capitulated at five 
o'clock and fifty minutes P. M. 

In his letter to the King of 
Prussia he said : •' As I cannot 
die at the head of my army, [ lay 
my sword at the feet of your 
Majesty." Napoleon. 

Brussels, September 3. — The 
Prince Imperial of France has 
arrived at Chemay, thirty-two 
miles southeast of Mons. and has 
been at the palace of the Prince 
of Chemay. 



FRENCH ARMV, 

on the 18th of June, with the loss 
of all its cannon, baggage and 
stores; 

The rapid flight of Bonaparte; 

His abdication of the throne; 

The choice of a provisional gov- 
ernment of five persons; 

The Declaration of the Em- 
peror, to wit : 

Frenchmen ! In commencing 
the war to support the independ- 
ence of the French nation I had 
calculated upon the co-operation 
of all. I had reason to hepe for 
success, and I have braved all 
the denunciations of the powers 
against me. Circumstances are 
changed. I offer myself asacrifice 
to the hatred of the enemies of 
France. 

MV POLITICAL LIFE IS ENDEU, 

and I proclaim my son under the 
title of Napoleon II. Emperor of 
the French. 

Done at the palace of Elysium, 
the 22d of June, 1815. 

[Signed], Napoleon. 
Boston, August 5, 1815. 

It appears by Wellington's 
official account of the battle 
fought at Waterloo, in Belgium, 
that Bonaparte was defeated with 
a loss of 20,000 killed and wound- 
ed, 200 cannon and two eagles. 
The loss on the part of the allies 
is also severe. 

Seldom is the artive, business life of a man pro- 
longed to such a period as li;is lliis one. the termini 
of uiiieli are marked l)y siicli siariling events. As 
will be seen elsewhere, Mr. .John Saxton. who en- 
joved this rare .good fortune, died nii Sumhiv last, 
theUith instant, 

A man universally beloved 1)3' okl iiml young, ■ 
Mr. Saxton, made a ^■el•y narrow escape with ' 
bis life in the fall of 1808, A .young man with j 
a great show of outward piety, and one who 
made long and eloquent prayers at the prayer- 1 
meetings of the Presbyterian Church and was [ 
greatly beloved by the sisters of the congrega- 
tion, rentetl the cellar of the house in which 
Mr, Saxton had resided for inanv years (the 



house within a few weeks torn down to make 
room for the extension of the new and beautiful 
post office building of Mr. James A, Saxton) for 
storing apples purchased for shipment to the 
Eastern market. He had bought and stored 
therein about 1,200 bushels, when he took out an 
insurance on them of $2,500. The name of the 
young man was J. W. Meyer, and he came from 
Pittsburgh. It is strongly- suspected, and in the 
lightof afterevents, reasonably certain, that, aft- 
er taking out his insurance, he had procured car- 
bon oil, and sprinkled barrels and boards with it, 
and then in the later part of the evening set 
fire to it. He was positively known to have 
gone into the cellar about 9 o'clock ou that 
evening. It was soon after the close of the 
prayer- meeting at the Presbyterian Church, 
and Father Saxton had already retiretl for the 
night. Providentially the prayer-meeting at 
the Baptist Church on South Market closed 
somewhat later than usual, and parties on their 
way home from the church discovered the fire 
and gave the alarm, and it was put out before 
getting into full headway. Moyer was arrested 
and tried by the court, but by the superior 
efforts of able counsel was ac(}uitted by the jury. 
It was currently reported at the time that hav- 
ing no money to hire counsel, he had secured 
the services of the gentleman who defended 
him, by executing a chattel mortgage to him 
on the apples which had not been materially in- 
jured by the fire, and that after being saved from 
the penitentiary by his attorney, he had en- 
deavored to cheat him out of his fee in the sale 
of the apples. Moyer soon found public opinion 
too strong against him in Canton and went to 
other parts. He came finall}-, it is said, to an 
untimely- end, a proof that '' the way of the 
transgressor is hard." Mr. Saxton was a soldier 
in the war of 1812, between the United States 
and England. While in the service, upon gar- 
rison duty at Black Rock, near Buftalo, he par- 
tiallj^ lost his hearing by an accident. In the 
discharge of .some duty he was under a large 
canon, when a soldier fired it off, paralyzing 
the organs of hearing. This was the greatest 
physical misfortune of his life. 

Mr. Saxton commenced the publication of 
the Repository tluring the administration of 
James Madison. He belonged to the Repub- 
lican party of that d.ay. He was suljsetiuently a 
Whig, but espoused the present Republican par- 
ty upon its first organization. He voted for the 



CANTON TOWNSHIP. 



following Presidential candidates : James Mad- 
ison, James Monroe, John Quiney Adams, also 
for Henry Clay, in 1882 ; for Harrison in 183G 
and 1840, for Clay aj^ain in 1844, Taylor in 1848, 
Suott in 1852, Fremont in 1850, Linoohi in 
1860 and 18G4, and Grant in ISCS. 

The biosjraphy of John .Saxton, ealls to mind 
the fact tliat Hon. Joseph .Medill, now one of 
the editors of the Chieai^o Trihaiif. began his 
newspaper life with .^Ir. Saxton. In 1831. when 
Mr. Medill was abont seven or eight years old 
— his parents then residing at Massillon, Ohio, 
— his father took him to Canton to attend a 
Revolutionarj- Soldiers' eelebration, and sub- 
scribed for the Rc/josifori/, which he continued 
to take unlil his death, in 1808 In the winter 
of 183S-3H, the younger Medill began writing 
for Mr. Saxton's paper, upon education and 
kindred topics. During the (;ampaign of 1840, 
he eontriljuted almost wcekl\- to the paper, 
many of his articles being used as editorials. 
Mr. Medill generally called at the olficc on pub- 
lication day, when Mr. Saxton would press him 
into the service in •• writing the mail, " after 
which, the young man would be loaded down 
with papers for the subscribers on his route 
homeward. About 1840, Mr. Medill ''learned 
the ease,'' and frequently helped in getting out 
the paper. He continued to write for it until 
about 1845, contributing many articles during 
the campaign of 1844, when he was editing the 
Cleveland Leader. He relates that Mr. Saxton 
usually composed his editorials at the ease, fre- 
quentl}' doing this while engaged in conversa- 
tion with his friends in the office. About the 
year 1858 or 185!l. Mr. Medill's brother, the late 
Maj. William H. .Medill, established the liipiib- 
h'caii at Canton, which, a few years afterward, 
was eonsolidateil with the Rfpository. The 
Messrs. ."Medill's father was a warm friend of 
.Mr. Saxton, and, during thirty years of his life, 
frequisntly contributed to the columns of his 
paper. 

In leaving the record of Father Saxton, it is 
but appropriate to refer to the somewhat won- 
derful career of John .McGregor, one of tiie 
original proprietors of the Sturk ('ounfi/ Denw- 
cr<il under its present management, which, from 
1848 to this date, has been with but little inter- 
mission under the editorial control of his son, 
A. McGregor, a period of nearly thirty-three 
years John ^McGregor made his advent in 
this city for the purpose of assisting his son, A. 



McGregor, in a private school of the latter, in 
the early part of the year 1848. Soon after, 
the Democrat was purchased by the two, and 
has remained in the family' from that time to 
the present. In taking control of the paper on 
the 24th of May, 1848, the new editors pre- 
sented their position as follows : " The paper 
will be conducted as heretofore upon Demo- 
cratic principles. We are. and alwaj's have 
been, opposed to a Bank of the United States, 
and to a paper currency in any shape, believing 
with .Mr. Webster, that banking enriches the 
• rich man's Held with the sweat of the poor 
man's brow.' We are opposed to a protective 
tariff, and fishing bounties, believing that they 
will cripple commerce and tax communities, to 
benetit the maimfacturer, the iron master, the 
sugar grower, and the fisherman. VVe are op- 
posed to all moiKi/Ki/ies. Iielieving that all that 
is necessary to raise our country to the highest 
pitch of greatness and glory is -n cleur course 
and IK) favor.' We are in favor of an inde- 
pendent treasury, believing that the people are 
better (lualifled to take care of the pul)lic monej' 
than is any soulless corporation. We are in 
favor of electing all public ollicers, believing 
that the people are better qualified to choose 
their own servants, than any President, Gov- 
ernor, Legislature, or Court is of choosing for 
them. These are our opinions on the subjects 
mentioned, and these subjects we will discuss 
calml}' and reasonably in the Demoerat. We 
will not, knowingly, injure an}' man in reputa- 
tion or feeling, and if, by inadvertence, anything 
should be inserted that is wrong or unjust to 
any individual, we shall always be ready, when 
convinced of the wrong done, to make the 
anifiuh: hoiwrabh. Having no personal feelings 
to gratify", with respect to any one — being un- 
der the control ol' no man or set of men, we 
shall avoid all personal altercations, and shall 
not allow oth(Ts (through the Demdcrat) to 
malign, traduce, or abuse any man in the com- 
munity, nor shall we be guilty of such conduct 
ourselves. I'rniciji/e.t, not men, is our motto. 
While we wish ' to do unto others as we wish 
them to do unto us,' we shall, also, act upon the 
converse of the [jroposition, and ccact from 
others such usage as we are willing to accord 
them. Guided by these principles and senti- 
ments, the Democracy of Stark County will, at 
all times, find us at our post, ready to do our 
best in the cause of freedom, equal riffhts. equal 



35'.' 



HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY. 



hiirdens, constifutlonnl rr/onn, and the defense 
of our common country against internal and 
external foes.'' 

John McGregor, the senior editor, died on 
the following (ith of September, at Wadsworth, 
Medina County, his place of residence in this 
State. He was born in Hamilton, Lanarkshire, 
Scotland, on the 28th day of June, 1706. At 
fourteen years of age, he removed to London, 
and was pl.aced under the care of the Rev, 
Alexander Fletcher, preparatory to his entering 
college. After graduating, a few years later, 
at the University of Glasgow, he adopted the 
vocation of a teacher in his native town, Ham- 
ilton. By nature an ardent Republican, he en- 
gaged with ardor in the cause of freedom, and 
was a distinguished member of the Radical 
party of 1819. in Scotland. His talents and 
energy made him a conspicuous leader of the 
Rehch — they were called rebels in those days — 
and he was appointed to head the revolt in 
Hamilton. In the spring of this year, 1819, all 
parts of Great Britain were rife for insurrection, 
but whilst millions of men, in England, Ireland 
and Scotland, had ' pledged their lives, their 
fortunes and their sacred honor." to stand firm 
in the hour of trial, there was treachery some- 
where, and the Government being made aware 
of the plans of the leaders, used its huge and 
mighty power to crush out the rebellion, and 
this was quickly accomplished. Of course, the 
leaders being known were marked as victims to 
satiate the demands of the offended and in- 
censed rulers. John McGregor, as one of these, 
preferring liberty, at auj' price, to a sdjourn in 
prison, tied to the mountains, and managed to 
elude those employed by the British Govern- 
ment to arrest the rebels, until the storm of 
governmental wrath had blown over, and par- 
don had been granted to all the leaders of the 
revolt who remained alive. Seeing that all 
hopes of establishing a British Republic were 
abortive, Mr. McGregor with his family, then 
consisting of his wife, his son, A. McGregor, 
and his three daughters born in Scotland, deter- 
mined to emigrate to America. In 1827, he 
settled in Addison County, in the State of Ver- 
mont, where he resided until 18.3.3, when he re- 
moved to Medina County inthis State. At the 
time of his decease, besides the four children 
brought along from the old countr}- as men- 
tioned above, five other children had been 
added to Mr, Mc(}regor's family. Mr. McGregor 



was somewhat known in Canton as a teacher of 
youth, before he assumed the more complex and 
arduous duties of an editor. In the strictest 
acceptation of the word, he was a genfleman. 
In politics, he was rigidly Arm but courteous. 
As a scientific man. he, then, had but few equals. 
He died honored and respected by all. and with- 
out an enemy. His mantle has fallen on worthy 
shoulders, in the person of his son, A, McGregor, 
Esq., the present editor of the Democrat. 

Besides the papers mentioned above, Canton 
has two papers of more recent origin, one the 
Canton RrpuliUnta, yet in its first volume, ed- 
ited and published by Robert C. Cassidy, advo- 
cating Republican principles from a proposed 
higher moral and social standpoint than is often 
taken by the political press of our country. 
The other, tiie Canton Coi/n'ei; a paper devoted 
to the advocacy of the most radical and ad- 
vanced views of the modern temperance re 
form, which is controlled and edited by R. C. 
Mosgrove. Both these papers are conducted 
with marked abilit}'. Of those wjio have con- 
tributed freely and largely- to the press of Can- 
ton, and who have had much to do in former 
years in shaping public opinion, and are yet of 
great influence in the communitj-, the names of 
Dr. L. Slusscr and Louis Schaefer, Esq., stand 
out prominently ; indeed a large part of this 
history of Canton citj' and township is compiled 
from their contributions. That " the pen is 
mightier than the sword " has lieen instanced 
on very many occasions, and the history of 
Canton is no exception. Ignoring the fact that 
at times the political press has been severe, 
possibly unjust and abusive, it maj- still be 
said that the press of this cit^', without ex- 
ception, has, as a rule, favored every movement 
looking to the material and intellectual im- 
provement of the people, and the cause of true 
morality and religion has had but little, if any, 
cause to lament the power of a free and untram- 
meled press. And this is as it should always 
be in a free country. 

Along back so far ago as the year 1837, the 
temperance movement commenced in Canton, 
as in other parts of the country. The Baptist 
Church seems to have taken the initiative sev- 
eral years before this time as the following ac- 
tion will show : " Regarding the evils of intem- 
perance and its desolating effects upon the hap- 
piness of individuals, public and private virtue, 
and the welfare of the community, it was de- 



(ANTON TOWNSHIP. 



:ir>:i 



claivil .May 22, 1834, to be tlie strong and de- 
liberate conviction of tbe church, that the time 
bad arrived when no professed disciple of (!lirist 
could manufacture, buy, sell, or use ardent 
spirit as a drink without being guilty of im- 
morality, and violating his profession as a 
Christian, and it was resolved that entire ab- 
stinence from the manufacture, use and sale of 
this article should be an invariable eoniiition for 
membership and good standing." The historian's 
position will not allow him here to sit in judg- 
ment upon the wisdom and propriety of the 
positions taken in this action, and the same will 
hold true in regard to other temperance move- 
ments and organizations for other purposes. It 
is his province to state the fticts, but he cannot 
help saying here, that in the absence of almost 
everything of a tangible nature, after his most 
diligent researches in regard to the rise and 
progress of the temperance movement in Can- 
ton, he is extremely gratified to be able to start 
his brief discussion of this part of the subject 
from this earliest action in that direction. 
Without being able to fix dates or furnish par- 
ticular reminiscences, Mr. John Danner. an old 
resident, and a lifelong active and consistent 
temperance man. informs us that this movement 
in Canton has gone through al)out the same 
stages and the same experiences as in the other 
older settled parts of the country. The original 
temperance agitation, as appears in the above 
cited action, was directed solely against spirit- 
uous li(iuors, and no effort was made to prevent 
the use of malt licjuors. wine and cider as a 
beverage. This made but little headway against 
the evils of intemperance, and it was not long 
until pledges were urged and taken also against 
the use of the latter. One of the more prom- 
inent movements against the use of all alcoholic 
beverages is known as the Washingtonian 
movement. The organization was specifically 
distinguished from all previous movements in 
this direction as the reformed drunkards' or- 
ganization, and was carried forward mainly by 
the recital of experiences on the part of men 
who had been victims of the inordinate desire 
for strong drink, and had taken the pledge. 
These experiences, laughable at times and piti- 
able by turns, addressed as they were to 
men's emotions, ran like wild-lin; throughout 
the length and breadth of the land. Ac- 
cording to our friend Danner, the Washing- 
tonian movement struck Canton before the year 



1840. The Presiilential campaign of this year 
was known as the ■ Hard Ci<U'i' Campaign, " 
and the effect of it upon " NVushingtoiiians " 
was sadly demoralizing. .Many went back to 
their cups and never rallieil again. Following 
the days of Washitjgtonianisra came the Sons, 
the Daughters and the Cadets of Temperance, 
organizations to some extent secret in charac- 
ter. While-these still live in some places, they 
have long since been buried in Canton. I'p to 
the time of these organizations, everything was 
ostensibly carried forward under the inrtuence 
of •' moral suasion." but while tlu^ (Constitutional 
Convention of Ohio, which framed the present 
State Constitution, was in session, a strong 
pressure was brought to bear upon the mem- 
bers b}- the more radical temperance people of 
the State, to take away the prestige of selling 
lifjuor, by refusing license for its sale in the 
Constitution of the State. The convention 
yielded so far as to present an article on license 
to a separate vote of the people. .V vigorous 
campaign followed ; the constitution was 
adopted, but the article providing for license 
was rejected. The views presented against this 
article were that the sanction of the law made 
the business of selling liquor respectable, and 
that if this sanction were removed, it would 
soon cease to be so ; that men would by the 
force of public opinion be compelled to desist 
from it entirely. But not so ; instead of the 
licensed houses under penalties for violating 
the laws, there was free trade in liciuor. and the 
traffic, at tirst open and public as before, multi- 
plied tenfold, and finally took refuge in base- 
ments and behind green screens and painted 
windows. This was the beginning of the mod- 
ern saloon business, and it may be styled also 
very appropriately the ' transition stage " of 
the temperance movement, not only in Canton, 
but all over the State of Ohio. After this be- 
gan the period of legal prohibition, which com- 
bined with various special movements to com- 
bine features of all the previous stages, have 
been going on for a period of nearly thirty 
years, but which are of recent origin and have 
hitherto been so unproductive of marked and 
permanent results that they can hardly as yet 
be considered historical. Among the present 
active, energetic temperance men of Canton, we 
give the names of Samuel J. Rockhill. for some 
years a teacher in the public schools, ami Maj. 
Frank Baird. 



^=^pr 



354 



HISTOIjy OF STARK COUNTY. 



There are two lodges of the Masonic frater- 
nity in Canton. One of these, Canton Lodge, 
No. GO, held its first meeting on the Istof March, 
1821, under a dispensation from the Grand 
Lodge of Ohio. The officers were Closes An- 
derson, Master ; James IXinnan, S. Warden ; 
B. C. froodwill, J. Warden, and J. W. Lathrop, 
Secretary. William Coolman was the first del- 
egate to the (J rand Lodge for Canton in Decem- 
ber, 1821. The lodge was dedicated January 
15, 1822, by Rial McArthur, Deputy Orand 
Master, and at this time received its charter. 
This lodge is now in a prosperous condition 
and is composed of 125 members. The present 
officers are Henry A. Wise, Master ; Joseph 
Weaver, S. Warden ; R. Bauhof, J. Warden ; 
W. H. Wyant, Secretary ; H. Bowen, Treasurer ; 
and M. Frederick, now one of the oldest mera- 
bers. Tiler. Eagle Lodge, No. 431, was organ- 
ized by members drawn from Canton Lodge. 
The first officers were Herman Mej'er, W. Mas- 
ter ; J. F. Bauhof, S. W. ; G. W. Lawrence, J. 
W. ; M. Ruhman, Treas. ; A. M. Shane, Sec'y. 
This lodge had an auspicious beginning, and 
has prospered from the start. It has a mem- 
bership at this time of seventy-two members. 
The present officers are C. F. Laiblin, W. M. ; 
J. F. Bauhof, S. W. ; A. J. Underbill, J. W. ; 
M. Ruhman, Treas. ; T. C. McDowell, Sec'y. ; 
M. Fulraer, Sr. Deacon ; William Ball, Jr. Dea- 
con, and M. Frederick, Tiler. Whether all its 
claims upon antiquity arc well founded or not. 
Freemasonry is the oldest, most wide-spread, 
and in our judgment the most perfectl}' organ- 
ized of all the fraternities. We are sorry, there- 
fore, at not being able to present any interest- 
ing reminiscences of Masons in the earlj' set- 
tlement of Canton. 

X;mi.^!/I„ Lo,/,,,. X,K .to, [. 0. (). /''.—Was 
instituted Jiuif '.I. 1S45, 0. F. Stidger, James 
Armstrong, (ieorgc .Miller, Ralph A. Ingersoll, 
and (i. T. Clark having been the Charter Mem- 
bers. This lodge has been for years in a pros- 
perous condition, and now numbers over 200 
members. Stark Lodge, No. 513, was institut- 
ed Ma}- 15. 1872, by members from Nimisilla 
Lodge, and now numbers about one hundred 
members. Manheim Lodge, No. 408 (German), 
was also instituted by members of the old 
lodge, August 27, 186S. Canton Encampment, 
No. 112, a higher branch of the order, was in- 
stituted August 3, 1868, and is prospering. 
All these lodges of the I. 0. 0. F. meet in the 



third story of Whiting & Poyser's Building, 
corner of Seventh street and the public square. 

The Knights of Honor, Canton Lodge, No. 94 — 
Was instituted March 15, 1875, witli about fifty 
charter members, and Canton Council, No. 373, 
American Legion of Honor, was instituted De- 
cember 10, 1880, with 156 charter members. 
These orders are both for the purpose of pro- 
viding insurance for their members at a veiy 
low cost. Up to this time onl}' one of the 
members has died in this cit}', and the amount 
of .$2,000 was paid to the family of the deceased. 
We are indebted for the above facts relating to 
the fraternities mentioned, mainly to Mr. Will- 
iam H. Wyant, and expix'ss our regret at not 
being able to make them fuller and more explicit. 
There are undoubtedly other orders of a similar 
character, which deserve as honorable mention 
as those named, but our limited space prevents 
any further notice of them. 

The early settlers in this township and city 
being mostly Pennsylvanians or native Gei'- 
mans, had a high regard, as a rule, for intelli- 
gence from their standpoint, and for a .sound 
moralitj'. It must be acknowledged by the 
writer of this part of the history of Stark 
County, himself a Penn.sylvanian, that their 
estimate of intelligence would not answer the 
gauge of the present time, nor was it up to the 
New Kngland standard ; but, beneath it all lay 
the natural conservatism of the German char- 
acter to '• make haste slowlj'." '' Try all things, 
and hold fast that which is good," is sound 
doctrine in many more things than in questions 
of religious doctrine and practice. Schools 
and schoolmasters, in German and English, 
though both partaking largelj- of the primitive 
tj'pe, were a part and parcel of the original 
settlement of this township and city. And one 
thing is to be said right here in favor of this 
old German conservatism, the schools here 
have never retrograded ; though slowl}-, still 
advancing, they stand equal to the best in the 
whole country to-da}'. Radicalism, in auj- 
sphere of progress, makes many mistakes and 
blunders, which require time for their correc- 
tion, while a progressive conservatism with 
fewer mistakes to correct, is likely to move 
forward more steadily and more successfully 
in accomplishing its object. Some of the earlier 
school efforts, reminiscences of teachers, and 
school experiences have been given in former 
chapters. Among the first teachers of Canton, 



CANTON TOWNSHIP. 



355 



besides those already mentioned, Capt. Darius 
Lyman may be raontionefl with honor ; he 
taiigiit successfully in (Linton, for three or four 
years al)out 1820-2S, when he removed to 
Wadsworth, Medina Co., where he is still living, 
though over ninety jcars of age and quite fee- 
ble. Bradley C. Goodwill was also one of Can- 
ton's earl}' and honored teachers. About the 
year 1830, William Dunbar taught school in 
this city. Before 1830 was also a Mr. Lyman. 
In and after 1831 came Dr. Harrick Michener, 
and Messrs. Monks, Timothy Hopkins, James 
Allen and Beck. Dr. .Michener was not only 
a successful teacher, but also a distinguished 
one. He studied medicine, practiced some 
years in Massillon, and afterward removed to 
Illinois. Andrew Monks, priding himself par- 
ticularly in teaching penmanship and figures, 
was a somewhat peculiar man. He was a very 
heavy man, with extremely large abdominal 
development, and withal, pretty fond of his 
toddy. One of the boys of the day, still living 
and honored in this city, states that it was 
almost his daily habit when school had closed 
for the day to repair to Clark's Tavern in the 
Fourth Ward and indulge with anj- boon com- 
panions he might chance to meet there. As 
Monks in li(}uor was very fond of discussion, he, 
on many occasions, provoked quarrels between 
himself and his friends, when, in accordance 
with the custom. '■ in such cases made and pro- 
vided," all parties would adjourn to a neighbor- 
ing tan-yard and settle the dispute by "a 
knock-down argument," in which Monks, from 
his great •■ weight," usually came off' victor. 
Mr. B. F. Leiter, when he first came to Canton 
from the State of Maryland, taught school for 
awhile, afterward studied law, was first elected 
to the State Legislature at Columbus, where he 
occupied the chair in a heated contest between 
the two parties to get control of the House of 
Representatives, under i)eculiar and somewhat 
embarrassing circumstances, and was afterward, ' 
in 1S54, and again in 1850, elected to the Lower 
House in the Congress of the United States. 
He continued to reside in Canton until his 
death. Mr. James Cowles, a graduate of Yale, 
opened a school in the old .\cademy liuilding, 
but only remained a year or two. A. .Mcliregor 
taught one of the public schools in the 
winter of 1842^3, .Messrs. E. L. (]arney and 
John Sheridan teaching with him during the 
same winter. Mr. .McGregor afterward had a 



select school until 1848, having associated with 
him his father. John .Mc(!regor, during the last 
part of the time, when both became coiuiected 
with the publittation of the Slark ('onii/i/ Ihmo- 
criit. John McfJregor died the same year ; A. 
McGregor still edits, as vigorously as ever, the 
Democrat. Ira .M. Allen took the .McGregor 
select school and continued it until 1849, when 
he became the first Superintendent of the Union 
School. A few years later, he took charge of the 
Charity School at Kendal, now a part of Massil- 
lon. Mr. Allen, after a lapse of some years, is 
again at this time in charge of that school. Be- 
fore proceeding to consider the present school 
system of the city, this is the place to state that, 
in 1838. Rev. Mr. Goshorn and his wife opened a 
Female Seminary in the city, under the auspices 
of the .Methodist Church, as will be seen under 
the history of the .Methodist Episcopal Church, 
given further along in this chapter. They 
taught in the seminary quite successfully for a 
number of years, or until about the year 1845, 
when they left. An interregnum of a year or 
so occurred, when the Trustees, finding no one 
in the Methodist Church desirous or willing to 
take the seminary, authorized Louis Schaefer, 
Esq., to correspond with Rev. Mr. .Mealy, and 
If possible, to secure him as Principal of the 
seminarj-. Some correspondence had already- 
passed between Mr. Schaefer and Mr. Mealy 
with reference to another position, which, how- 
ever, he had declined. The Trustees of the 
seminary oflered the use of their building for 
one year free of rent, showing a very liberal 
spirit, when it is remembered that the institu- 
tion was under Methodist auspices, and Mr. 
Mealy was a IjUtheran .Minister. He accepted 
the pnjfter made him. and at once removed to 
Canton with his wife and only daughter, who 
afterward became the wife of ].,ouis Schaefer. 
Mr. .Mealy continued in the seminary only one 
year. A few years later, he purchased the 
Witting drug store, the stand now occupied by 
Dr. P. II. Barr, so long and so favorably known, 
over most of the county, as the old Geiger 
drug store;, on east Tuscarawas street. .NIr. 
and Mrs. ]\[eal}- spent the remainder of their 
days in Canton ; they are gone from among us, 
as is their daughter and only child, Mrs. 
Schaefer ; but the remembrance of their Chris- 
tian kindiu'ss and sociability remain fresh and 
fixed in the hearts and memories of many of the 
present residents of the city. After Mr. Mealy's 



H56 



HISTORY OF STARK COl'NTY. 



retirement from tlie seminary, it remained un- 
occupied until it was sold and diverted into 
other uses ; it did a go<xl work, thougli its life 
was short, and its memory is Ijlessed. 

A convention composed of delegates i-epre- 
senting German citi«ens from all parts of the 
United States, was held at Phillipsburg, Penn., 
August i;^, iS41, to promote the study of Ger- 
man and Euglish classical literature, and the}' 
resolved to erect a seminar}- for that purpose. 
Louis Schaefer, of Canton, was a member of 
that convention, and although then a 3-oung 
man, he was appointed general collecting 
agent for the United States, to raise funds to 
establish such an institution. For some reason 
or other, the project failed of realization. But 
Mr. Schaefer has to-day, in his hands, a sub- 
scription list, with original and copied signa- 
tures, among the names upon which appear 
John Tyler, President of the United States ; T. 
Ewing, Secretary of the Treasury ; Daniel 
Webster, Secretary of State ; Fr. G ranger, Post- 
master General ; Henry Claj-, United States 
Senator ; Daniel Sturgeon, United States Sena- 
tor ; John Bell, Secretary of War ; John 0. 
Calhoun, United States Senator, and E. Whit- 
tlesey, Auditor of the Treasury. 

In 1840 or 1841, parties in Canton, interested 
in the cause of education, made arrangements 
to take possession of the school propert}- do- 
nated bj' Mr. Wells, and erect thereon a male 
academy ; the newly organized English Luther- 
an congregation paid a part of the money nec- 
essar}' to erect the building, with the privilege 
of using the first floor as a place of worship 
until it should be required for school purposes. 
The building was erected, but the school did not 
prosper to any great extent. In the spring of 
1840, a compan}' consisting of Isaac Harter, 
William Hawk, Martin Wikidal, Christian Pal- 
mer, Abraham Lind, Jacob Flohr, George De- 
walt and Louis Schaefer, bought the rights of 
the original Trustees on easy terms, organized 
under a written constitution still in the hands 
of Mr. Schaefer, and authorized the latter to 
secure the services of Rev. Dr. A. B. Bierde- 
mann as Principal, which he did. The arrange- 
ment seems not to have been entirely satisfac- 
tory ; Dr. Bierderaann, whom the writer of this, 
in after years, knew personally and somewhat 
intimately, vpas a fine scholar, and, in most re- 
spects, a genial man ; but he was also a man 
of very firm convictions and even prejudices. 



and of an unyielding character under opposition. 
At an}' rate, the Board of Trustees and he did 
not harmonize, and. at a meeting held Novem- 
ber 10, 184G, he was reijuested formally to sur- 
render his lease of the academ}- building, or 
rather that part of it used for school purposes. 
This he did, other teachers followed but with 
indifferent results, and a few years later the 
academy building became the nucleus of the 
present school sjstem of Canton, and was trans- 
ferred to the control of the Board of Education. 
In the year 1849, a general act was passed by 
the General Assembly of Ohio, entitled -'an 
act for the better regulating of public schools," 
but a year before this, by a public vote of the 
people, a public school was organized. Pre- 
viously, all the schools of the village were un- 
der private management, and no special arrange- 
ments had been made for the education of the 
poorer classes of children. The teachers of the 
former period were generally devoted and ear- 
nest educators, whose souls were in the work, and 
they laid deep and strong the foundation, upon 
which the present condition of general intelli- 
gence and educational progress in Canton has 
been attained. Among them, A. McGregor 
and Ira M. Allen were with the first advocates 
of the public school system. Upon the re-or- 
ganization of the public schools of Canton un- 
der the law of 1849, Mr. Allen, who had already 
taught one year in them, was elected the first 
Superintendent of the Canton Union School. 
Among those who did good, successful work, 
against all opposition, for the establishment of 
the public schools by a vote of the people, the 
name of Mr. G. W. Huntington stands pre- 
eminent. He lived, too. long enough to witness 
the good results, which the people and their 
children secured for themselves by the \ote of 
that election day so many years ago. The op- 
position came principally from the wealthier 
classes, and was somewhat formidable, though 
a few prominent property-holders gave the 
project their favor from the beginning, and 
nearly all have ever since given the public 
school work their cordial support. Canton was 
at this time a village of less than four thousand 
inhabitants. Mr. Allen was succeeded by Hon. 
H. S. Martin in 1854. The original records of 
the Board of Education have been either lost 
or destroj'ed, and there are no trustworthy 
statistics of the schools prior to the year 1855. 
In July of that j'ear, Mr. Martin was re-elected 




Jd a^ ..^er/zi' 



^LJZ^' 



CANTON TOWNSHIP. 



357 



Superintendent, and teacher in the iiigh school, 
with eight assistant ladj- teachers in the lower 
departments, as follows ; Two in the (J rain mar 
Stiiool ; one in the Secondary (C. and D. Gram- 
mar School) ; four in the primary schools ; and 
one in a mixed school. Among these was Miss j 
Betsey S. Cowles, who is j-et well-known all j 
over the State as of one of the best teachers 
that have graced the profession in Ohio. From ' 
the nearest calculation that can be made upon 
the meager data of this period at hand, tlie 
number of pupils in all the schools did not, in , 
the year 1855, amount to five hundred. Tlie i 
Superintendent's salary was S800, and that of 
the lady teachers ranging from §150 to S400. 
.Mr. Martin continued in the schools until 
January 1. 18G4, a term of over eight years. 
His former pupils invariably speak well of him, 
and some of them are at this time still teach- 
ing in the Canton Public Schools. He left the 
superintendency to take his seat in the Senate 
of Ohio, to which distinguished position he had 
been elected at the preceding October election. 
In the Senate, he was a warm friend and sup- 
porter of all measures looking to the greater 
efBcienc}- of the school work ; and, if we are 
not mistaken, ho served as a member of the 
Standing Committee on Public Schools through- 
out his entire term of two years' service. He is 
still a resident of Canton, and a warm friend 
and patron of the schools. His successor was 
Mr. H. S. Leland, who continued as Superin- 
tendent during the remainder of that school- 
year, and the greater part of the following one. 
On acci>unt of misunderstanding and ditlirul 
tics, which, for a time, seriously threatened the 
success of the school work in Canton, he resigned 
his position in the latter part of May, 1865. 
His siircvssor. Daniel Worley, who had before 
served a pc-riud of ten years or more as Professor 
of Mathematics and Natural Philosophy in 
Capital University at Columbus, Ohio, but who 
at the time was residing in Western Pennsyl- 
vania, was unanimously elected by the Board 
of Kducation, on the 13th of June following, 
l)ut he did not take the position until the be- 
ginning of the next school year, in September, 
1865. Mr. Worley was annuallj- re-elected un- 
til Jinic. 1874, when, under the new school law, 
he was the first School Superintendent in Ohio, 
to l)i' I'Iccted for a period of three years. Ow- 
ing to the failure of his health mainly-, he 
however, only served two years of this ap- 



pointment, and, after a period of eleven years' 
continuous service in the schools, resigned his 
position in June, 1876. In accepting his resig- 
nation the Board of Education passed a series 
of ver}' complimentar}- resolutions, and showed 
their further confidence in his administration of 
the school work by appointing Mr. John II. 
Lehman, long associated with Mr. Worley in 
the school work in Canton, as his successor, 
that the work might be continued in the same 
general spirit as before. 

Mr. Lehman is still in charge of the schools. 
Though Mr. Worley 's salary was, during the hit- 
teryears of his superintendency, SI ,800, Mr. Leh- 
man's was made $1,500 ; l)ut it is gratifying to 
the writer to be able to saj\ that the hitter's serv- 
ice has been so satisfactory', that in re-electing 
Mr. Lehman Superintendent a month or so ago, 
the Board of Kducation made his salary $2,000 
per annum for the new term, this being the high- 
est salary- ever paid any Superintendent in Can- 
ton. Since their organization, the schools 
have, therefore, been under the charge of the 
five following-named Superintendents : 

Ira M. Allen, from 1849 to 1854. 

H. S. Martin, from 1854 to ISlU. 

H. S. Leland, from 18G4 to 18(55. 

Daniel Worley, from 1865 to 1876. 

John H. Lehman, from 1876 to the present 
time. 

During Mr. Martin's administration, additions 
were made to the old Union School liuilding, 
and a small new schoolhouse, with two rooms, 
was built in the eastern part of the city, now 
for the first time beginning to be numbered 
among the cities of the State. During Mr. 
Leland's time, preparations were made for a 
new school building in the south part of the city, 
but it was not erected until after his successor 
had taken charge. During Mr. Worley's time, 
the Board of Kducation erected, in addition to 
the one last named, a building of four rooms in 
the northeastern part of the cit}- ; one of six 
r(>oms in the eastern part, and one f)f two rooms 
for primary pupils in llu' southeasti'rn part, and 
one of si.x rooms in the southwestern part of the 
cit}'. With all this increase of l)ulldings and 
rooms, the rapid growth at this time always 
showed a great lack in adequate .school facili- 
ties. The need of a new and better Central 
High Schol building became every day more 
apparent, and the Board of Education were at 
last constrained to take the sense of the people 



358 



HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY. 



upon the question of borrowing money upon 
bonds for a series of 3-ears, and a tax to meet 
the principal and interest as thej' became due, 
so that they might be able to erect several new 
buildings for primary and grammar schools the 
next season. Fierce opposition was made against 
the proposition ; but, after a warm contest, the 
majority of the people decided favorably. The 
Board of Kducation commenced the good work 
bravel}' at first, in accordance with the instruc- 
tions of the people ; but the clamor of the lead- 
ing capitalists soon scared them, and the work 
was left to progi'ess more leisurely* as before. 
Nevertheless, in 1877, during Mr. Lehman's 
time, four rooms were added ; in 1878 four 
rooms; in 1870-80, six rooms, togetlier with 
two additional rooms to the south building 
in 1876-77. Steps have also been taken for 
the erection of a building of six rooms in the 
northwestern part of the city, and an adtlition 
of two rooms to the building on East Kiglith 
street during the present summer, making eight 
additional departments for next year. The 
present growth and importance of Canton among 
the cities of the State imperativeh- demand a 
better and more commodious Central and High 
School building than the old schoolhouse on 
West Tuscarawas street. The growth of the 
sciiools and of the city may be seen from the 
following exhibit |)repared and pulilisiied five 
years ago 

Total enrollment for year ending August 3f, 
1855, about ." '. ,500 

Total enrollnicut for year ending August 31. 
1865 " ; 9(i5 

Total enrollment for year ending August 81, 
1875 ■ :. 1,674 

No. teachers in 18.54-55, male. 1 ; female, 8; total, 9 
No. teachers in 1864-65, male, 3; female, 11; total, 14 
No. teachers in 1874-7.5, male. 7; fem.alc, 26; total, 38 

Average .salarie.s paid in 18.54-.55 $ 800 $2r,0 

Average salaries paid in 1864-65 900 314 

Average salaries paid in 1874-75 1,037 4'33 

The status of the schools last 3' ear is kindly 
furnished us by Superintendent Lehman, as fol- 
lows : 

School year 1879-80.— Total enrollment, day 
schools, 2,453 ; night schools, 174 ; total, 2,627. 
Number of teachers, including Superintendent, 
male, 11 ; female, 39 ; total, 50. 

For the year 1880-81. just closed, the in- 
crease in enrollment will be not less than 300, 
with four additional teachers, and a prospect of 
even a greater increase during the next school 



year. About 30 per cent of the pupils enrolled 
in the primaries find their wa}' into the gram- 
mar schools, and about 20 per cent of tho.se in 
the grammar schools take a partial or complete 
course in the high school ; but it is gratifying 
to all the true friends of popular education to 
know the fact that within the past decade the 
number of pupils continuing longer in the 
schools, and of those completing the entire 
course is at least 25 per cent greater than before. 

The course of study below the high school 
provides for a thorough drill in the common 
Englisli liranches, including vocal music, draw- 
ing and object lessons in elementary science. 
In the high school, pupils are taken throuah a 
tolerably thorough academic course in language 
(Latin and (German), matlieraatics and natural 
science. With frequent reviews, the pupils in 
the departments, from the A Primar}' upward, 
are suljjected to the test of a written examina- 
tion several times a ^ear. Candidates for grad- 
uation in the high school are examined at the 
end of their course, and are given a diploma 
only after passing satisfactory examinations in 
all the .studies of the course, with the exception 
that in language only the full course in one of 
the languages stated is required. 

Pupils enter the school at six years o:' age. 
To complete the entire course ordinaril}-, with 
a pupil of average ability, requires eleven 
3-ears. Of these, four years are given to the 
Primaries — D, C, B and A ; four years to the 
Grammar Schools — D, C, B and A ; and three 
years to the High School. Promotions are 
made at stated times by the Superintendent, 
but provision is also made for promoting pu- 
pils at other times, whose natural capacity or 
diligent application euables them to advance 
more rapidl3' than the average of the class in 
whicli the3' may chance to be at any time. On 
the otlier hand, pupils not properl3' sustaining 
themselves are equally liable to demotion. Be- 
sides these regular grades of schools, the Board 
of Education, under the requirements of the 
general school law of the State, have provided 
for German-English schools, with three teach- 
ers, in which the gradation of the other schools 
is observed as nearl3' as !na3' l>e, as far as tlie 
B Grammar Grade, or througli six years of the 
school course. Man3' of the high school pu- 
pils and graduates of former years now fill re- 
sponsible positions at home and abroa<l, whose 
whole preliminary training was derived from 



■^0 



CANTON TOWNSHIP. 



our public schools. Through their influence in 
and upon societj', they are paj-ing back into the 
treasurj- of the public security and good, 
much, yea, infinitely more than was expended 
upon their education from the pulilic purse. 

Besides the excellent public schools of Can- 
ton, there are pannhial schools (English and 
(iiMinaii) of the Koiuaii Catholic Churclies, with 
seven teachers, enrolling during the year not less 
than six or seven hundred pupils ; a parochial 
school of the German Lutheran Ciuirch, with 
one teacher and from sixty to seventy pupils 
during the year ; a select school for bo3"s and 
girls, started and sustained b^' Prof Worley, 
May 1, 1877, who is still at the head of it, with 
a yearly enrollment of about fifty ; and an 
aeadtmy upon the ground of the Collegiate In- 
stitute of a few years ago, with two teachers — 
Mr. Spencer and Miss Danner — and about tiie 
same yearl}- enrollment. All these schools in 
their particular spheres, are doing good work in 
the field of education. In conclusion, it may 
be remarked that at no previous time in their 
historj- have the schools of Canton been dearer 
to the hearts of the people than the}' are now, 
and as increased facilities are afforded from 
^•car to year, they will, under wise and discreet 
management, assuredly' increase also in effi- 
ciency, in thoroughly preparing the mass of our 
growing j-outh for the responsil)ilities of the fut- 
ure, and in beneficent results upon society in 
general, which are onl}- to be secured through 
the intelligence and virtue of the people. 

Canton was originally settled by a class of 
men from the East and from '• Vaterland," who 
revered Deity and loved religion of tiie primi- 
ti\e type. For the first few years, the early set- 
tlers of course found it a hand-to-hand struggle 
to meet the wants of life ; but the first ditficnl- 
ties in this direction having been surmounted 
in a short time, they began soon to desire the 
spiritual provender they had enjoyed in the old 
homes left lieliind thi-m. At lirst this was spar- 
ingly furnished, and the more rclislied. Attliat 
earl}- day, an occasional visit from a mission- 
ary was hailed with delight ; to-day, with so 
raanj- churches and regular services every 
Lord's Day, how ver}' many, e\en of the de- 
scendants of those old pioneers, neglect en- 
tirely' to enter a church or to show any other 
reverential recognition of the Divine Being, 
As a rule, however. Canton people are a God- 
fearing people, and her churches are well main- 



tained. A list of them here given will show no 
lack for persons of all descriptions : 

The German Lutheran Ciuirch, East Tusca- 
rawas street ; First M. E. Church, corner Pop- 
lar and Tuscarawas streets ; Second M. E. 
Church, South Market street, near William 
street ; First Presbyterian Church, Plum and 
Tuscarawas streets ; English Lutheran Cluiicli, 
West Tuscarawas street ; First Baptist Clnircli, 
Ninth and Market streets ; St, Paul's J}piscopal 
Church, Tenth and Poplar streets ; Disciples' 
Church of Christ, Seventh and Poplar streets ; 
St. Johns English (,'atholic Churcli, Plum and 
North streets ; St. Peter's German Catholic 
Church, Poplar street, above North ; Evangel- 
ical Church, Fourth and Ilerbruck streets ; 
First German Bcform Church, East Tuscarawas 
street, near Herbruck ; Trinity Church, Second 
Reform, 90 East Tuscarawas street ; United 
Brethren Church. Charles street. South Can 
ton ; Mission Chapel >L E, Churcli, Cherry 
street and Washington avenue ; Winebrennarian 
Church, East Tuscarawas street, near creek. 

Most of the old pioneers were of Lutheran 
and Reformed stock, and hence these denomina- 
tions deserve first consideration. The first 
preaching in this neighl)orhood was held in the 
barn of Michael Heed, who lived on the (juarter- 
section just north of the present fair grounds 
He had a double log barn, and the threshing- 
floor was the auditorium. The seats were 
slabs from Slusser's saw-mill. The preacher was 
Father John Staueh, a Lutheran, whose home 
was in Beaver County. Penn., and he came at 
stated periods during the summer months as 
early as the year 180(>, Alternating with him 
was Father Mahnenschmidt, of the Reformed 
Church, preaching at the same place. The 
meetings were always well attended, as people 
of all classes came from every quarter, with a 
j desire to hear the latest news, as well as to dis- 
charge their religious duties. In the winter, 
private houses and the taverns were used less 
fre(iucntly as places of meeting, especially the 
dining-room of Dewalt's tavern. There are 
some reminiscences of this early period worthy 
of mention, of which we single out one only. 
The boys and girls of the early day usually 
went "barefooted ;" they would carry their 
shoes and stockings along, and would put them 
on before appearing in the presence of the 
great congregation ; but after the services they 
would invariably doff the said incumbranc-es 



360 



HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY. 



and return home, as far as feet were concerned, 
in :i primitive state. In 1810, tlie German 
Lutlieran anil Reformed congregations took 
possession of the lot on West Tuscarawas 
street (now occupied hy tiie Presbyterian 
Church), donated Ijy Bezaleel Wells for a house 
of worship, and erected on it a small frame 
structure for a meeting-house. The building 
was never plastered, but served its purpose for 
a short time, and several sermons were preached 
in it. In the meanwhile, about 1808, Rev. 
Anthony Weier, a Lutheran nimister, took 
cliarge of the congregation, and he was the 
first resident minister in Canton, and through 
his influence the two congregations purchased 
from JMr. Wells the grounds upon East Tusca- 
rawas street, upon which are at this time a 
Lutheran Churcli and parsonage, and a Re- 
formed Church and schoolhouse. Many were 
not well satisfied with this arrangement, and it 
was several years before they became recon- 
ciled. Steps were taken at once to erect a 
brick church. As an insufficient amount was 
subscribed, the progress of the building was 
slow. For several years it stood under roof 
unfinished, and in tlie meantime was stru k 
by lightning and considerably shattered. Up 
to this time the Reformed congregation did 
iiot have the services of a regular pastor. 
Occasional supplies were given by Revs. 3Iah- 
nenschmidt and Sounendecker. 

The first regular preacher was Benjamin 
Foust, who began his ministration in 1818. The 
frame cliurch was occupied liy the two congre- 
gations about four years, aud then thej' bought 
the lots on East Tuscarawas street, where they 
now are, and built the brick church in 1822, 
both societies occupying the same building un- 
til 1863. Benjamin Foust died in 1832, and 
was succeeded l>y Rev. Peter Herbruck, who 
was then only a little over nineteen years old. 
At the first communion there were only twentj-- 
six communicants present, and the pastor's 
salary at the time was $40 per annum, and 
kept rising until 1858, when it reached $100. 
This was his local station, but he preached at 
various points in four counties, ranging from 
eight to thirteen places. The gentleman is the 
oldest active minister ; that is, oldest in one 
place in the county, and is still hale and hearty, 
bidding fair to be among us yet for many j'ears. 
He resides in an old-fashioned house east of 
the church, almost concealed Irom view by a 



mass of trees and flowering shrubbery. A 
cozy studj' is his usual location and where he 
receives his visitors. 

Rev. Herbruck is still in charge of this old 
congregation, and will, within a few months, be 
able to celebrate, with his people, the jubilee of 
his connection with them. Up to this time he 
has attended two thousand and sixty-six funer- I 
als, has baptized four thousand nine hundred i 
aud ninety-seven persons, has confirmed two | 
thousand four hundred and forty-six, and has 
married one thousand nine hundred and sixt}-- 
one couples ; a record which, it is believed, 
cannot be efpialed by that of any one pastor in ', 
one place in Ohio or elsewhere in this country. : 
The church was finished in 1822, and occupied 
jointly by the two congregations until 1852. 

Rev. A. Weier, of the Lutheran Church, died 
in 1828. The first organization of thiscongre- I 
gation was effected about the years 1812 or ! 
1813. Among the first appear the names of i 
Simon Essing, Jacob Becher, a Mr. Kraft, Jacob 
Rapp, Jacob Bucher, Jacob Rex, George De- 
walt, Philip Dewalt, John Coleman, George 
Schneider. John Leininger and Jacob Kitzmiller. i 
After Weier, Rev. Prof William Schmidt had 
charge of the Evangelical Lutheran congrega- 
tion, commencing his ministrations in the latter 
part of the year 1828. During his connection I 
the Joint Evangelical Lutheran Synod of Ohio 
and adjoining States started the project of a 
Theological Seminar}-, and made Prof Schmidt 
the Theological Professor. His first class was 
organized in Canton, in 1830. The seminary 
was finall}- located in Columbus, Ohio, and, in 
1831, the Professor removed with his class to 
this place, and for several j-ears and to the time 
of his death, in 1830, he filled the position ably 
and to the entire satisfaction of the Synod. 
While residing in Canton, he united in marriage 
with Mi.ss Rebecca Buckius, a daughter of John 
Buckius, who had emigrated with his familj' to 
Canton some3'ears before from Alexandria, Va. 
It may be an interesting reminiscence here to 
sa\' that John Buckius was the last man to look 
upon the face of George Washington, first Presi- 
dent of the United States. Mr. Buckius was, 
at the time of Washington's death, a tinner in 
Alexandria, and sealed the lead casket which 
contained his mortal remains before they were 
laid away to rest at Mount Vernon. Three 
daughters of Prof Schmidt yet survive. The 
oldest is the wife of Prof Worley, in Canton ; 



-^1^. 



CANTON TOWNSHIP. 



the second the wife of Rev. M. B. Lenkcr, Ly- 
kens, Penu. ; and the jouiigest the wife of Rev. 
Prof E. Schmidt, of Capital University, Colum- 
bus, Ohio. The theological department of this 
university- is the same coinmenced in Canton, 
over fifty years ago. Pastors following Rev. I'rof. 
Schmidt were Rev. J. J. Fast, in 1831, or there- 
abouts ; Cadiz, Yale}-, Melsheimer, J, I). Xune- 
macher ; Fast again ; G. J. Bruegle, from 1862 
to 1866 ; J. C. Schulz, from 186(1 to 187(1 ; then 
J. J. Fast again provisionally until 1872 ; on 
the 8th of September. 1872, Rev. A. H. Feld- 
mann, took charge, and has served the congre- 
gation ever since. The present number of 
communicants is about three hundred. Rev. 
Mr. Feldmann also supplies the Hvangelical 
Lutheran Congregation at (Jsnaburg every' two 
weeks. At this time regular services are held 
in both the English and German languages. 
In 1852, the Reformed Congregation withdrew 
and erected a brick church on the west part of 
the premises, leaving the old church in posses- 
sion of the Lutherans. They occupied it until 
1 868. when it was taken down, and the present 
new church erected, a handsome brick structure, 
with two spires of unequal height on the north- 
east and southeast corners.with two large double 
door entrances in front, and one at the side for 
the Sunday-school. The church proper is a 
large hall nearly fifty feet high, frescoed, car- 
peted and contains pews capable of seating six- 
hundred persons, altliough, with a little prepai'a- 
tion, room can be made for one thousand : rose 
windows panel the sides, and gas chandeliers 
near the ceiling, under bright reflectors, illumi- 
nate the evening services. A commodious pul- 
pit in the '' west " accommodates the sacred 
desk. In the rear of this are two small rooms 
for the ministers, and still further back is a 
lecture-room, provided with a blackboai'd for 
illustrating Scriptural lessons, while texts plenti- 
fully bedeck the walls. A '-winding stairs" 
leads up to the second story, where is found 
the organ loft, and west still are a number of 
class-rooms used for Sunday-school purposes. 
Th(! entire building is heated by means of two 
iunncnsc furnaces. 

.Vbout the year 1837, a number of members 
of the German Lutheran congregation, desirous 
of securing services in the English language, 
more particularly for their children, and the 
majority being unwilling to grant them this 
privilege in the old church, they organized 



under Pastor J, J. Fast, deceased. The follow- 
ing history of the English Evangelical Lutheran 
Church, prepared a few years ago by a promi- 
nent member, will present the facts in a clear 
and concise maimer : 

About the year 1837, a portion of the English- 
speaking meiiibers of tlic I.utheran Church being 
desirous of Iniving occjisioiial services in the English 
language, anil t)i-i!ig frusli-.it<'(i in tliis by the C.er- 
man members, withihi-w from the ccingregation and 
formed a new organization under the pastoral ebarge 
of Rev. John J. Fast. They were joined by -ev. ral 
members of the German {{efornieil Chureh. ulm 
were also desirous of attending worship in the I'.n 
glish language, and, soon afterward, the organiza- 
tion was incorporated as the " Evangelical Congrega- 
tion of Canton. Ohio." Although always served by 
Lutheran ministers, it had no direct eouneetion with 
any Synod milil some vears afterward. The town 
hall, in the old market "house, which formerly stood 
on the north side of the public square (now the en- 
gine house at the corner of Eighth and Poplar 
streets), was engaged for their purposes, and was 
used as a place of worship tnilil 184'i or 1843. After 
serving the congregation for a year or more, Mr. 
Fast removed to Cincinnati, b\it after three or four 
years' ab.sence returned, and a.gain took charge of the 
congregation— they meanwhile being witho\it a Pas- 
tor." In'lH4() or 184"l, an arrangement was made with 
the Trustees of the Canton .Male Seminary (now 
forming a part of the \V<'st Union School building), 
by whiehtheeongn'galioii.ineoiisideralidnof §1,U(»0 
p'aid into the building fund of the seminary, were to 
be permitted to oeeupv the main hall on the tirst 
floor of that iiislitntion as a place of worship, until 
the room would be needed "for educational pur- 
l)oses," when it was to be surrendered and the con- 
gregation was to receive back the money so paid into 
the building fund. 

After the erection of the Seminary buildings, the 
congregation titted up its room with pulpit aiirl piu~. 
and at once took i)0.s.session of its new sanctuary. 
In 184-2, the Hev. -Mr. Wadsworth, who had just 
graduated from the Lutheran Theological Seminary 
at (Jettvsburg, Peim,, came to Canton in search of 
acharge. After preaching a few times forthe congre- 
gation, a majority of membei-s favored a change ol 
ministers, aiid accordingly gave Mr. Wadsworth a 
"call." Some of the nienibers being ilissali^li-d 
with the action of the majority, temi">rarily with 
drew from the congregation, and for a time atlciidcil 
the Presbyterian and other churches. .Mr. \Vail>- 
worth reinained about one year, when a Inonehial 
affection compelled him to "cease preaching. Rev. 
Dr, Hamilton was iie.xt emi)loye(l by the congrega- 
tion, and he continued to serve it until bSt.-i, when it 
was found necessary, on account of the ilislaud- at 
which the Doctor lived from Canton, his other <-n- 
.gagements, and th<' dillieully in holding services at a 
time to suit the various memliers. lo enga.^c a mini-- 
ti-r who would reside in Canton and ilevole his en- 
tire attintion lo the congregation. A "call" was 
accordingly extended to Rev. A. J. Karn, which was 
accei)te(l, and Mr. Karn remained Pastor for about 



^•t 




fiivir years. During' his iiKMimbciify. thi' congrega- 
l.ion tidurislicil. iiml nidst of tlir iiu'iiilicrs who had 
wit.liiirawii when Mr. Wadswnrtli liccanic Pa.stor, re- 
turned. Mr. K. was sneeeeded by Kev. L. Rizer, 
who eoutiiuied Iwo years, and after him came Rev. 
B. H. Biltle for oiie'year. Aliimt Ibis time, the sub- 
ieet of a new elnireh Imilding was tirst mooted, and 
Rev. S. A. 3lealy. who then resided in Canton, to 
aid in ereetin,g one preached to the congre.Lration for 
a time witlioiit compensation, but his healtli failing. 
Rjv. W. P. Ruthrauff, of SlnOlsburg, Penn., was 
next employed, and during bis pastorate of .seven 
years, tin' elinrch edifice now occupied by the con- 
.gregation was erected. 

The members of the coimre.galioii wim had eome 
into it from the Uerman Reformed Church bcin.i;- 
now all dead, the name of the firganizatiou was 
about Ibis lime (that is. during Air. Ruthraulf 's in- 
cumbency), chaii,!;ed to "Evangelical Lutheran Con- 
irregiitioii." and it was attached In Pittsburgli Syuoil 
of the Ev.-nigelieal Lutheran Church. This Synoil- 
ieal conneetiiin priMlui'ed several protests from other 
Svuodsof. the cburcli. The congregation was witliin 
the bouiidsof the Joint Synod of Ohio, to wlncli the 
Ciiiuan Church at the east I'ud of t..\vn belong.f. 
and also within the Iiomids of the P^ast iSynod of 
Ohio, which is attached to the (4enrral Synod nf the 
church. The Joint Svnod is independent'of theCien- 
era! Synod. The lines of the Piltslmrgb Svnod did 
not at" that time extend into Ohio, but Slv. Hulbraiitr 
being a member of that S.ynod, the emigregatinn 
voted to .LMi info it also, and bein.y' received liy the 
Synod, it rcm.'uned in connection with if until lS6:i, 
when it withdrew and united with the Last Ohio 
Svinid, where if still renuiius. 

"Mr. RuthrautT was followed by Rev. 1). (Jarvcr, 
who rennuucd about three years". While Mr. (Jar 
ver was Pastor, the .steeple of the churc-h was blown 
down by a high w ind. and the erection of a new one 
and other lu'ces.sary repairs, eo.st the congregation a 
considerable sum of money. For several months 
after Mr. (iarvcr's wilhilraw'a! the congregation was 
witboul a Pastor, beiui;- tem|)orarilv served by Rev. 
J. A. Kunkleman and others. In 'lH(«. Rev. G. F. 
Sli'lling took charge of the ccmgre.n.ition and re- 
niaiin'd one year. Xe.\t came Rev. jidin \\'. (ioodlin, 
who continued four vears and was succeeded in 
IHIi!) I,y Rey. L. .M. Kul'uis. the present Pastor, whose 
term of service has been longer than that of any of 
his juedecessors. (.)f all the ministers who have'reg- 
uUuiy servi'd this congrei;ation only four are now 
Hamilton,' Stellinsj." (ioodlin and 



-Re 



living 
Kuhn 

The following personal sketch of Dr. Rulins, 
now the I'astor of the Knglisli Lutheran 
Cliiirch. uiid second to Rev. P. Herbvuek, the 
longest resident minister in the city, will be of 
interest to his many friends here ancl elsewhere ; 

Mr. Ivuhiis i.s a native of Western Pennsylvania, 
educated at Wittenberg College, Springfield, Ohio, 
which institution conferred upon him the title of 
Doctor of Divinity in IHTfi. He entered the minis- 
try in the spring o'f 18.VJ. and his lir.st charge was at 
Freejiort and Leeehsburg. Penn., within a few miles 



of where he was born, and he preached there for four- 
teen years, in a neighborhood where his father was 
foiuider of the church, and lie contirmed. It is very 
i seldom that a young man can so long and favorabl)' 
serve a ccingre.L;ation at his own home, which goe.s 
greatly to (iisprove the old adage "that a prophet i.s 
not honored in bis own country." In the spring of 
1800, lie took charge of a Lutlieran Church at Belle- 
fontaine, Ohio, where he remained until 18li9, when 
he was called here, thus making eleven yeans of pas- 
torate in Canton, and now being the secoinl oldest 
minister in the city. He has a pleasant countenance, 
and numbers among his friends members of every 
church in the city, besides being on a friendly foot- 
ing with all the clergy, which, sad to say, cannot he 
said of ministers in every community. The com- 
municants number 210. .Since he came here, he has 
received 180 members, but many removals have 
taken place. He has baptized ei,ghty-seven chil- 
dren ; married eighty-one cou]>Ies ; but upon con- 
sulting some old yellow musty records, which we 
have found in most minislerial sanctums, could not 
give C(jrrect burial figures, as lie officiated at many 
funerals outside of his regular congregation. 

Trinity Second Reformed Church was organ- 
ized out of the German Reformed congrega- 
tion in 1870, with nineteen members. J, B. 
Shoemaker, of Lancaster, I'enu., was first Pas- 
tor. E. Herbruck tooli charge of the congre- 
gation in May, 1873. When he took charge of 
the congregation the membership was thirtj'- 
iive, and now numbers 160. At the beginning 
of his pastorate tliere was a heavy debt, which 
is not yet all paid. Church cost $8,000 ; pews 
free ; seats 350. He has officiated at the fol- 
lowing : Baptisins, 174 ; marriages, seventy- 
four ; deaths, fift^-three, A few months ago. 
Rev, E. Herbruck resigned his position and re- 

j moved to Tiffin, to take the editorial chair of 
the German Rcforinal Mcsscngi-r, the English 
organ of this church in the West. 

Tilt Roman Calliolir Cliiirch — Was represent- 
ed in the quite early settlement of Canton. 
John Shorb, who came to Canton as early as 
1807, with his wife and three children, was the 
first resident Catholic in the place. Soon after 
the war of 1812, other Catholic families came 
to town, and to ditferent parts of the County ; 
of the families settlitig in this neighborhood 

\ were Andrew ]Me3-ers, Stephen Shorb, George 
Hossofross, the Pirrong brothers, Joseph Trout, 
Adam Rider. Cassilj', Owen Grimes, Martin 
Zimmerman, John Gillig, Floom, and McCor- 
mick. As early as 1818, before this portion of 
tile State belonged to a diocese, the Dominican 
Fathers, who had been sent West as mission- 
aries, held occasional services at Mr, Shorb's 



~n'r. 



CANTON TOWNSHIP. 



363 



house, oil the locality still occupied by- liis de- 
scendants. The missionaries came about twice 
a 3'ear, and when the weather permitted the 
services were held in ii grove in front of the 
house. The time of the inectiiii; was made 
known in good time in advance, and parties 
from a great distance, in Stark and adjoining 
counties, were sure to he present. Catholic de- 
votion to the services of the Church is proverb- 
ial, and worth}' of closer imitation liy members 
of otiier coiumunions. Tile first Catholic serv- 
ice, in Ohio, was at Gallipolis, in 1793 ; the 
second in Perry County, in 1812 ; and the third 
in Shorb's Grove. Canton, in 181G. As the 
people came from great distances, as much as 
thirt}- and forty miles to attend these meetings, 
though bringing their own provisions with them, 
it was often a difficult matter to provide lodging 
places for them. Mr. Shorb was a zealous 
worker in the cause of his religion, and it was 
his ambition to iiave a church in Canton. In 
his visits to Baltimore and other parts of the 
country numerously inhabited by Catholics, he 
made it a part ot his business to get contribu- 
tions to the accomplishment of this end. When 
sufficient means for a start had been collected, 
he generously donated a site for the new church 
upon his own grounds, and gave his personal 
attention to the construction of the church 
thereon. The building, commenced in 1 823, and 
tinished the following year, was a structure 40 
by 90 feet, a section of the East part being par- 
titioned off for family use. Mr. Shorl) was 
fatally injured at the raising of the building, 
by a rafter falling from the hands of a work- 
man and striking him on the head ; he died the 
following day, lamented not only by his faniil}- 
and his church, but also by the entire coinmu- 
nit}-. who knew his personal worth as an upright 
man, desirous of promoting, by every means in 
his power, the best interests of the town of 
Canton. 

The first priest in charge of the church here 
was John A. Hill, a nephew of Lord Hill, of 
England. He commanded a regim(!nl at the 
battle of Waterloo. He was married soon after 
this, when both he and his wife became con- 
verted to the Roman Catholic religion. Mu- 
tually impressed afterward with tlu^ idea that 
they must devote the balance of their lives to 
the service of the church, they agreed to sep- 
arate, she entering a convent in Italy, and he 
an institution of learning, to qualify himself 



for the priesthood. After completing a course 
of stud}", he was sent to America, and served 
as a missionary for several years. He came to 
Canton in 182i, where he continued his labors 
successfully until death called him home from 
his earthly labors and usefulness. He was 
buried September 3, 1828, at his own request, 
under the eaves of the church, but lat(;r his re- 
mains were remo\ed to Somerset, Perry Co., 
Ohio. Father Hill was loved b}' his (lock and 
highly esteemed in the community. He was a 
lover of children, and, without respect to de- 
nominational distinctions, was generally beloved 
by the children of the town. He was a man of 
a strong social turn of mind, enjoyed a game 
of chess, and, it is said, he would occasionally 
try his skill with William Raynolds, Dr. Sim- 
mons and William Christmas, the prominent 
chess players of Canton at that time. For sev- 
eral j'ears after his death, the church was with- 
out a regular Pastor. Fathers Miles, Martin 
and others officiated at intervals. From 1830 
to 1834, Rev. John M. Henni was in charge of 
St. John's. During his pastorate, in 1832, 
Bishop Fenwick, of Cincinnati, after attending 
a jubilee in Canton, was taken with cholera on 
his waj' home in the stage, and died near Woos- 
ter, Ohio. Rev. J. S. Alemany followed Rev. 
Henni in this pastorate. Rev. Henni afterward 
became Archbishop of the diocese of .Milwau- 
kee, and Rev. Alemany the Archbishop of the 
diocese of San Francisco. The St. John's 
Church was twice enlarged to meet the growing 
necessities of the congregation. For about ten 
years after Rev. Alemany's time, pastoral 
changes were frequent. In 1844, al)Out twenty- 
five families left the English Church, and under 
Rev. H. Lahr organized a German Catholic 
Church, under the name of St Peter's, and 
mi'asures were at once taken for the erection of 
a German church edifice. Among the later 
Pastors of St. John's Church were Fathers Do- 
berty, Lindersmith and Bartolett. During the 
pastorate of the latter, a new church was built, 
one of the finest in the city, at a gn^at sacrifice 
of labor on the part of the Pastor, and sym- 
pathetic efforts and co-operation on the part of 
the people of his charge. This congregation 
has steadily increased, and now numbers not 
far from two hundred families. We conclude 
this notice of the Catholic Cliurch in (Canton by 
a l)rief history of St. Peter's Koinan Catholic 
Church. 



364 



HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY. 



As stated above, this congregation was 
founded in 1844 b}- Rev. H. Lahr, who died in 
Cincinnati a few years ago. The membership 
at that time was about thirty-five families, who 
had separated from old St. John's Church, which 
was too small to contain all its members. Un- 
der the worthy pastorate of Rev. F. M. Boff and 
J. B. Uhlman, the numberof members increased 
rapidl}', so that in the year 1865, when Rev. 
Arnould, the present Pastor, took charge of the 
congregation it numbered 206 families. In 
1874, the old church building being considered 
too small, the Pastor called a meeting of the 
congregation, at which it was decided to erect 
a large church edifice, the cost of which was 
not to exceed the sum of 880,000, at the same 
time a building committee was formed with 
Rev. V. Arnould as President ; Josepii Biechele, 
Treasurer ; William Dannemiller, Secretar}' ; 
Joseph Schott and George Gonder, Advisers ; all 
active, energetic men. The plan was made at 
once by H. Engelbert, of New York, in the 
Gothic style. In September, 1874, the founda- 
tion was built, and in June, 1875, the corner- 
stone was laid with appropriate ceremonies b}- 
Right Rev. Bishop Fitzgerald, of Little Rock, 
Ark., the Bishop of Cleveland being then ab- 
sent on account of ill health. The building 
measures 164x74 feet. The ornamental plas- 
tering or stucco work was done by Carroll & 
Nolan, a Cleveland firm of great experience and 
ability ; the wood work was under the direction 
of Stephen Wagner, of Canton, a very consci- 
entious and skillful mechanic ; the whole under 
the immediate superintendence of the reverend 
Pastor. The building is one of the finest in 
the State. The school children number 280, 
and are instructed by four teachers. The Sun- 
day school is attended by 300. During his 
pastorate, the clergyman has baptized 1,495 ; 
married 195 couples; buried 198 persons. 

This congiegation now numbers abont 300 
families, and is still under the charge of Rev. 
Father Arnould, a faithful Pastor, and a whole- 
souled, genial. Christian gentleman. St. John's 
is at this time under the charge of Rev. Father 
McGuire, a man of rare taste and culture, and 
the congregation seems to be flourishing under 
his pastorate. It is worthy of note that the 
priests in charge of the Canton Catholic 
Churches have, as a rule, been men of more 
than ordinary abilit3', some of them attaining 
high positions in the church, and to this fact 



much of the success of Catholicism in this citj- 
is mainly attributable. 

The ministers of the Presbyterian denomina- 
tion, on missionary tours through this part of 
the countrj-, first made their appearance in Can- 
ton about the year 1809, though previous to 
that time there were some families in town of 
that persuasion. Itinerant ministers of differ- 
ent denominations had worshiped in favorable 
weather in Michael Reed's barn, about a mile 
from town. In the winter season and bad 
weather, services were held in private houses 
until the erection of the first court house, corner 
of Third and 3Iarket streets. The first minister 
of whom there is any definite account was Rev. 
JoshiiaJSecr. He lived in Springfield, now in 
Summit County, but he seems to have labored 
in Canton, at stated periods, until 1815. There 
is an entry of a marriage in the records of Stark 
County, solemnized by him December 18, 1811. 
To a certificate of a still later date, he signs 
himself Joshua Beer, V. D. M., Presbyterian 
Church, Canton. From this fiict. it is tolerably 
certain that an organization existed at a very 
early date ; but as no records are known to be 
in existence, but little can be said about it. 
From 1817 to 1 81 9, Rev. James Adams officiated 
quite frequently, and there are several marriages 
solemnized by him on record. The names of 
some of the other ministers visiting here in 
the earl}' days were Mathews, ^^allandigham 
(father of Clement L. Vallandigham, a Demo- 
cratic legislator and congressman a few years 
back, a man of great personal power, of pleasing 
address, and of great importance to his part}') 
and Cleland. In the alisence of a regular set- 
tled Pastor and fixed services, the church did 
not at first attain very marked success. In 
1820, Rev. James McClean took charge of it, and 
found it in a very weak condition. He began 
his labors in the old brick court house, erected a 
few years before his coming. John Harris, 
esteemed a good singer, led the singing. In 
his second sermon, Mr. McClean spoke of the 
" utility and importance of Sunday schools. " 
This discourse so impressed his congregation 
that a meetmg was called at the court house the 
following Thursday evening to consider the 
matter. It was there resolved to establish a 
Sunday school, and a committee was appointed 
to complete such an organization. This school 
met for the first time in the court house on De- 
cember 2, 1820, and was the first Sunday school 



fc^ 



CANTON TOWNSHIP. 



iu the couut\\ It had, in the start, fifty-six 
scholars. Rev. .McClean continued to preach 
during the winter and siinuner following ; but 
spent a considerable portion of his time in visit- 
ing destitute localities in the surrounding coun- 
try. I'p to the lime of Mr. McClean's advent 
in Canton, no records of the church seem to 
have been kept. In the minute book of the 
session, the following entry appears : Mr. Mc- 
Clean. not finding any records of a regularly 
orgtinized congregation, a meeting was called 
and held on the 13th of Septeml)er. 1821, and 
proceeded to the election of three Klders. viz., 
Samuel Coulter, James Latimer and Roliert 
Latimer. These brethren, having accepted the 
ollice, were ordained antl installed on the 27th 
of September, and the Sacrament of the Lord's 
Supper was administered on the following Sab- 
bath, Mr. McClean being assisted liy Rev. A. 
Hanua, of Fredericksburg. The membership at 
that time was twenty -seven. Mr. McClean con- 
tinued his services until the spring of 1822, and 
six new members were added to the church. 
He left the field because of the non-payment of 
his salary. As the Trustees, Robert Latimer, 
George Dunbar and James Gaff, Sr., were un- 
able to collect the subscriptions, they were sued 
by the minister, and, confessing judgment by 
default, had to make good the amount from 
their own pockets. .Mr. McClean was an Ku- 
glishman b^* birth, and was a man of quite a 
stylish appearance. For more than three years, 
the new congregation was without a Pastor ; 
but occasional services were given by Revs. 
James Adams, James Snodgrass and A. Hanna, 
who had charges not far distant. In October, 
1825. J. B. Morrow, a licentiate of the Presby- 
tery of Winchester, A'a.. was engaged. After a 
foimal call, he was ordained and installe<l b}' 
the Presbytery of Richland on June 21, lS2t), 
when the ordination sermon and charge to the 
new minister were given respectively li}' Rev. 
James Rowland, of Mansfield, and Rev. James 
Snodgrass, of Pigeon Run. Rev. Mr. Morrow 
continued as Pastor until December, 1880, and 
during the time of his charge there were seventy- 
six additions by profession and letter, and losses 
bj- dismissal, death and suspension of fifty, leav- 
ing at his retirement a membership of fifty -six. 
The Sunday school was maintained during Mr. 
Morrow's connection with the church. From 
an old librarj- register of ]82!1, it appears that 
Jacob Rex was the Superintendent, and that 



Mary L. Craighead, Eliza Laird, Catharine 
Harry, Mary Coulter, Amanda Gaff, Thomas 
Christmas, James Ikizlett, Seth Godden, Joseph 
Parker, Joseph Heckman and Eliza Porter were 
the teachers. At this time, thej- numbered about 
one hundred scholars in the school. The lot 
now occupied by the Presbyterian Church and 
parsonage was donated by Mr. Wells, as we have 
had occasion to remark above, to any religious 
society who would take possession of it for a 
house of worship. In 181(1, members of the Lu- 
theran and Reformed denominations first availed 
themselves of the benefit of this grant, and as 
early as the year 1810, they erected thereon a 
small frame church, and held possession of the 
premises until 1 821 . The location did not please 
the meral)ers. and it was at last surrendered, 
and the frame structure was sold and removed. 
About the year 1827, the Presbyterians took 
possession of the lot, and commenced building 
a church, but by want of means and negligence 
it was not pushed forward to completion, and 
Mr. Morrow, thoroughly discouraged and dis- 
heartened, resigned his place and removed to 
New Philadelphia. Spiritual declension fol- 
lowed, and the Sunday school soon ceased its ! 
operations. There was occasional preaching by 
ministers iu search of new charges, but they 
received little encouragement until Rev. T. M. 
Hopkins, of New York, came along. His wife 
and himself were known as experienced teach- 
ers, and he was induced to come to Canton, to 
start a school, and to preach for the congrega- 
tion. General apathj- prevailed among the 
members of the church ; many persons of in- 
fluence in the communitj- had imbibed infideli- 
ty from Paine's " Age of Reason, ' and made pub 
lie opposition to the cause of religion ; and. on 
the whole, the field did not seem to be a very 
inviting one. After an interval of four 3 ears 
in the services of the church. Rev, Hopkins 
took the charge. He was in the prime of life, 
vigorous and enthusiastic in the cause of his 
Master, and at once took hold of his work in 
this new and neglected field with a vim that in- 
dicated success. The earlier members of the 
congregation were John Harris, Samuel Coulter, 
Robert, Thomas and James Latimer, James 
Gaff, James, Harry and Ebenezer Shaw. There 
were others, who by previous training and per- 
sonal preferences were led into sympathy with 
the Presbyterian movement, and gave it from 
time to time substantial encouragement. In 



^ 



-^ — i 



3G() 



HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY 



this connection appear tlie names of James 
Hazlett, William Christmas, Dr. Hartford, Will- 
iam Raynolds, John Sloan, Seth Godden, James 
Lathrop, George Sloan, George Dunl)ar, Sr.,and 
William Drayton, all of whom were in their 
day men of influence in the community. To 
add to the complications mentioned before, Mr. 
Hopkins found at first a considerable opposi- 
tion growing out of the new-school doctrines of 
the Presbyterian Church, which at that time 
were especially canvassed in his church, and 
which he himself had adopted as the trne basis 
upon which to build up a regenei-ated church. 
He went, nevertheless, earnestly to work, re-or- 
ganized the congregation, and in a 3ear or two 
began to see the fruits of his labors. The 
cause of the unfinished church edifice was tak- 
en up anew, the women of the congregation 
took the matter vigorously in hand, the money 
was raised, and the church was finished and 
dedicated in 1833. Its internal arrangement 
and construction were of the ancient order, 
with a gallery on three sides, the (ihoir occupj-- 
ing the side directl>' in front of the minister. 
The floor pews were boxes witii doors, and the 
seats narrow and straight-backed and high, 
suggesting anything else than ease and com- 
fort. Mr. Hopkins, nevertheless, was a popu- 
lar minister, and his services were well attend- 
ed. He was an outspoken temperance man, 
and his courage may be judged when it is stat- 
ed as a fact, that while it was the universal cus- 
tom of merchants in his day to keep the whis- 
ky bottle on the counter for the convenience 
of the customers, he was the first in the town | 
to condemn and publicly denounce the traffic in 
spirituous liquors. Soon after the dedication 
of the new ehursh in 1833. he removed to an- 
other field on account of personal difficulties 
among the members of the congregation, which 
seriously interfered with his pastoral adminis- 
tration. Mr. Hopkins was followed soon after 
by Rev. Mr. Reeves. He was a good man. but 
hardh- able to cope with the situation. 

While he was in charge, an Evangelist, by 
the name of Rev. J. P. Aver}', held a series of 
meetings for several months in the Presby- 
terian Church, though members of other 
churches in sympath}- with the movement, took 
an active part, also, in the meetings. 5Ir. Averj' 
was eminently successful in stirring up the 
" dry bones," and as a result of bis efforts, more ' 
than a hundred converts were reported, and 



among them some who had before boasted of 
their infidelity. As is apt to occur with purely 
sensational religionists, many of those in the 
'■ time of temptation " fell away, but, probably, 
the most disastrous effect of the excitement 
occasioned by Mr. Avery's preaching, was that 
the taste of the congregation for the plain and 
simple statement of Gospel truths was much 
disturbed, and it is recorded by one of our 
chroniclers of passing events, that " Mr. Reeves 
found himself inadequate to supplj- the pabu- 
lum desired bv the congregation, and he had a 
call to another field, the soil of which required 
less stirring. " Rev. Mr. Taylor followed Mr. 
Reeves, and being himself a man of decided 
convictions, he succeeded in !)ringing the con- 
gregation into active connection with the new 
school branch of the church. Mr. Taylor was 
a good speaker, and stood well generallj- with 
the congregation and the community. He re- 
mained onlj- four years, but during his pastor- 
ate, the church was remodeled inside, and its 
appearance and comfort greatly improved. 
Rev. E. Buckingham su(!ceeded Mr. Taylor, in 
1846, and remained in conthiuous charge for a 
period of twenty-six years. Mr. Buckingham 
was a man of strong convictions, in some 
things with a strong leaning to bigotry, but at 
the same time honest, conscientious and zealous 
in advancing the best interests of his charge, 
according to his own convictions. There can 
be no doubt that the substantial position of the 
Presbyterian Church in Canton, to-day, is very 
largelj' due to his earnest, active and long-con- 
tinned labors in this field. During his very 
long services, Mr. Buckingham retained the love 
and esteem of the greater part of his congre- 
gation. A man of noble impulses, and fearless 
in the discharge of every duty, as he regarded 
it, he sometimes came out very plainly in his 
public discourses, and taking a lively interest 
as he did in all public (piestions, he not unfre- 
(j[uentl3' trod very closely upon the toes of some 
of his parishioners, and little bickerings and 
dissatisfactions, accordingl}-, arose from time 
to time ; but as he never compromised his call- 
ing, and did not knowingly lend his influence 
or countenance to anything which might bring 
reproach upon the cause of Christ, and, while 
positive, was always the urbane and obliging 
gentleman, he retained a strong hold upon the 
affections of his people until the last. After 
his resignation in Canton. Mr. Buckinofham re- 



CANTON TOWNSHIP. 



moved to Muskingum County, and took charge 
of Putnam Female Seminary until iiis death. 
His remains were brought to Canton and in- 
terred in the cemetery west of the city. Dur- 
ing liis pastorate in 1850, a lielfry was attached 
to the cluirch edifice and a bell purchased, the 
one still in use ; in 1853, a parsonage was 
erected at a cost of $2,200 ; in 1857, the church 
was incorporated under the title of " The First 
Presbyterian (cluirch of Canton;" in ]85(!, 
measures were inaugurated and carried out for 
the building of the stone church, corner of Tus- 
carawas and Plum streets, at a cost of about 
$40,000. Mr. Whitelock, of Chicago, was the 
architect. Mr. Buckingham was a warm friend 
of our public schools, and did very much dur- 
ing his stay in Canton to enhance their popu- 
larity and usefulness. When he left at last, it 
would be hard to decide which felt the worse, 
his congregation or the community at large. 
A few months after Mr. Buckingham left Can- 
ton, Rev. W. J. Park received and accepted a 
call to this pastorate. He gave promise of 
great usefulness in this field, but after a few 
years" service and communion, on or near the 
5th day of June, 1871), he became complicated 
in grave charges ; his connection with the con- 
gregation was dissolved in July, 1870, and on 
the 7th of September of the same year, he was. 
.conditionall\'. deposed from his office by the 
I'resbyteiy to which he and the congregation 
belonged. From that time on until very re- 
cently, the congregation has had no settled 
minister. In January of this year. 1881. Kev. 
David K. Platter received a call, and in pursu- 
ance of an acceptance thereof, entered upon 
his duties last March. He was regularly in 
stalled on Tuesday evening. May, 31. 1881. 
The folhnviiig brief account of his installation 
will be of interest in the future : 

Tlic iiistalhition of Rev, D. E. Platl.T as Pa^itor 
of the First Frcshytcrian Church, hy a comiiiilU'e 
appoiiUcd l>v the Prcshytory of Mahoning, took 
phici' last evening; in tlic prosr-nce of a larire coiii;!'!-- 
gallon. The services were o])enc(l by tin: choir 
singiiisr " How Hcauliful I'poii IIkj Mountains." 
The Kev. I). II. Kvans. Pastor of the First Pnshy- 
terian Clnircliof Younf^slown, prcsitk'd anil preached 
a sermon approprialc to the ocoasion. after wlii<-li 
he proposed the Cnnslitntional (juestions to the 
Pastor-elect, then to tin- |)cople. The Kev. X. P. 
Bailev. I>. D.. of Massilloii. then delivered the 
chai-'Tc to the Pastor, and tlie Rev. A. B. Maxwell. 
l,,eeIonia, tlie eliarfie to the people, at the conchision 
of whieli the installing prayer was offered hv Mr. 
Evans, and the services closed with the henediclion 



by the Pastor. The floral decorations, the work of 
y\r. Harry Meyers, assisted by ,some of the ladies of 
the chureli. were very tine, and drew favorable eom- 
nienls from many admirers. 

Of the very earliest movements of the 
Methodists in Canton, in the absence of authen- 
tic records, but little is known. The first 
active Methodists of whom there is any knowl- 
edge were William Hill and Philip Schlosser. 
These men fre(niently met, discussed the situa- 
tion, and deprecated ihe lack, according to 
their judgment, of religious interest among the 
first settlers ; they accordingly agreed to help 
improve every opi)()rtunity to encourage meet- 
ings for divine worship. Whenever a missionary 
came to town they made themselves active in 
providing and giving notice of the place of 
meetings. These and a few other of the earlier 
Methodists frequently came together in private 
houses, afterward in the old log court house, 
and still later in the old schoolhouse, corner of 
Plum and Tuscarawas streets. For many 
years the members of this persuasion were 
accustomed to meet in this old school bnilding 
on Sunday morning for prayer and class meet- 
ings, and to preserve their identity as a special 
denomination of Christians. During this time, 
it is said, that .)ohn McLean, afterward Judge 
of the Ignited States Supreme Court, but at that 
time a young man, on a tour through Northern 
Ohio, stopped over Sunday in the Eagle tavern, 
kept by Philip Dewalt. He had been from his 
youth an ardent, devoted Methodist, and to his 
latest day he made it a point to attend relig- 
ious service's on the Lord's Daj-, and he never 
missed an opporttinily to do so if his health 
permitted hiin to lie out. His case is one of 
many others among our public men, who con- 
sistently, by profession and jiractice. have given 
their approval to the doctrines of our holy 
religion. On the Sunday morning he spent in 
Canton, Judge McLean inquired of Jlr, Dewalt 
whether there was any Methodist meeting in 
Canton on that day, and was informed that 
there was probably such a meeting in the 
schoolhouse. After finding out the location of 
the schoolhouse he directed his steps thither, 
and. on entering and taking a seat, he found a 
small number of persons holding a prayer- 
meeting. This closed soon after, and Mr. 
Schlosser announced a class-meeting, and re- 
quested all not members of the church to 
leave, and all not members left ; but Mr. Mc- 



308 



HISTORY OF STARK (BOUNTY. 



Lean remained. For liis benefit the request to 
leave was repeated more emphatically", but he 
still kept his seat, and the exercises commenced. 
The presence of a stranger of such command- 
ing appearance as Judge Mcljcan put a damper 
upon the meeting. There was no enthusiasm, 
and the meeting for a time was exceedingly 
cold and formal, until finally Father Schlosser, 
addressing the stranger, asked if he had any- 
thing to say. Upon this invitation the Judge 
arose, and, in a low, distinct voice, narrated his 
experience. He talked very impressively, elo- 
quently, and with such pathos as had never 
liefore been heard in their meetings ; he carried 
his audience with him, and soon there was not 
a dry eye in the room. Mr. Schlosser, upon 
his conclusion, congratulated him on being a 
better man than he had thought he was. As 
early as the year 1825, the society had acquired 
considerable strength and influence. Among 
the active new members were John and Thomas 
Bonfield, John Webb, Mother Cake, Peter Tof- 
ler and Newberry Cline. Mr. and Mrs. Jacob 
R_ex, originally of the Lutheran Church, united 
with them. At this time Canton was a " regu- 
lar appointment," with preaching once a month, 
and five years later, in 1830, every two weeks. 
The regular place of meeting was the upper 
room of the old Academj', corner of Tusca- 
rawas and I'lura streets. Revs. Frey, Plimpton 
Ruekel, Kent, Graham, Sheppard and Hany 0. 
Sheldon were among the earlier preachers on 
this circuit. Sheldon was somewhat peculiar : 
a stout, muscular man, he did not hesitate long 
to take rowdies in hand who disturbed his 
religious meetings, and he could gencrallj', as 
it became well known that, being without fear, 
he would, if necessary, Jigid for the Lord, as 
well as labor for him. Mr. John Buckius tells 
of his being nearly beaten on one occasion. 
Mr. Sheldon, after the introductory services 
were over, got up to preach, and began by say- 
ing, " I have been thinking of two texts, and 
revolving them in my mind as No. 1 and No. 2, 
and am undecided which to take." George 
Toller, a well-known character of the town, 
called out promptly, "Take No. 1." The min- 
ister was astounded, but soon recovered himself 
and responded, "So be it," and announced as 
the text, " He being dead, yet speaketh," upon 
which he then preached an excellent and 
impressive sermon. The first camp-meetings 
were held for several years in William Hill's 



woods, two miles northwest of town, drawing 
immense crowds of people. They were after- 
ward held in Williams' woods, north of town, 
and subsequently in the Yohe settlement, on 
the Steubenville road. 

In 1830, a lot was purchased on Kiglith street, 
near the corner of Plum street, and a frame 
church, 40x50 feet, was built npon it by Thomas 
Cunningham. There being no pavements at 
that day except on Market antl Tuseai-awas 
streets, and very muddy walking in every other 
part of the town during the winter, a tanbark 
walk was constructed to the church. Soon after 
the completion of the church building. Rev. 
Milton Colt, who was then on this circuit, 
took sick at Father Tofler's and died. He was 
buried upon the church lot. but his remains 
were afterward removed to the cemetery. Da- 
vid White and Joshua Saxton, of the Reposi- 
tory, William Dunbar and Daniel Gotshall, of 
the Drmocrat, George N. Webb, Sheriff of the 
county, and William, were, at this time, all 
prominent and active members. The oldest 
members still living are Frederick Hafer, re- 
siding on North Poplar street, and Barbara Ann 
White, on Cherry street. Next to them come 
Mr. and Mrs. Patterson, on South Market street, 
who settled in Canton in 1837. Rev. John M. 
Goshorn and wife came to Canton the following 
year, and started a female seminary. Thcj- were 
active members of the Methodist Church, and 
were both well fitted to conduct a first-class 
school. Mainly through the instrumentality of 
Dr. Thomas Bonfield, backed by the liberality 
of a few generous citizens not members of the 
church, means were secured to erect a good- 
sized seminary building, on the lot adjoining 
the church, corner of Eighth and Plum streets. 
This building still stands, though for almost a 
generation past it has no longer been used for 
school purposes. It has also been greatl}' 
changed and remodeled within and without, and 
has for many jears been used as a residence by 
Mr. John Buckius and family. The brick house 
on the corner of Poplar and Fifth streets, so 
well known as the old Grant corner, was occu- 
pied as a boarding-house, and was the first 
house in town furnished with a bell-pull. This 
was a very great temptation to the young gen- 
tlemen of the town desirous of obtaining inter- 
views with the young ladies, which were only 
sparingly granted by the worthy Princii)als. 
The seminary was well patronized ; pupils from 



CANTON TOWNSHIP. 



360 



a distance were in attendance, Graduation Day 
was made memorable, and tlic exercises well 
attended ; and this institution did much to ele- 
vate the standard of female education in Can- 
ton. On the openinii; of the seminary, the con- 
gregation, feeling assured of more liberal con- 
tributions, secured the services of a stationed 
minister, Kev. Kdward Burkett, who was the 
first stationed minister of the Methodist Church 
in Canton. It soon became evident, however, 
that the congregation was too weak to give him 
au :idc(|uale support, and they were therefore 
coinpcllcd again to forego regular Sunday serv- 
ice, and re-enter the circuit. This embraced 
( 'anion. Hartville, Greentown, Greensburg, 
Bethlehem, .Sparta and IMiller's Church, in Pike 
Township. The ministers who followed .Mr. 
Burkett on the circuit were Rev. Messrs. White, 
Hare, Cramer, Baker, McCue, Swasey, Mc.Vbee, 
Jackson and Scott, with probably a few others 
whose names have not been ascertained. McCue 
was here in 1840, and became a convert to .Mil- 
lerism, a prevalent hallucination of that da}' 
which dazed the minds of a great many good 
people all over the country. Believing the end 
of all things and the daj- of judgment to be 
near at hand, McCue turned his horse out to 
grass, arrayed himself in a white ascension robe, 
and put himself in readiness patiently to wait 
the summons of Gabriel's trumpet to meet the 
Savior in the air. But alas ! Mr. Miller's signs 
and calculations were not as infallible as the}- 
were thought to be, and the angel did not blow 
the trumpet at the appointed time. The com- 
pletion of the Pittsburgh, Fort Wayne & Chi- 
cago Railroad through Canton in 1851-52, and 
the advent of Ball, Aultman & Company, who 
were active members of the Methodist Church, 
gave the organization here new life and vigor. 
The congregation increased, the contributions 
grew apace, and it was not long before they had 
rc;j,u!ar, stated preaching. The old church on 
i;iL;liih >lreet was soon deemed inadequate, and 
ill l^ti2. a large and at the time, and to the 
time of its destruction, a very grand and im- 
posing structure was erected for the use of the 
congregation, on the corner of Poplar and Tus- 
carawas streets. An old citizen of Canton says, 
that '■ upon its occupancy, a new order of wor- 
ship and paraphernalia were instituted. The 
cushioned seats, carpeted aisles, grand organ, 
and the promiscuous seating of the sexes were 
regarded by many as a wicked innovation. The 



style of preaching was also changed, being less 
emotional and more logical, directed more to 
the head than the heart. Shouting, which con- 
stituted so prominent a feature in protracted 
meetings and revival occasions, became almost 
obsolete. The old members were slow to accept 
the new departure, but the world moves, and 
they were compelled to move with it or be left 
by the wayside." The new church was built 
upon the site of the first St. Cloud Hotel, 
erected, furnished and kept by Mr, John Buck- 
ius and his son-in-law. Will Hawk. It was 
burned down but a short time before. This 
church edifice was .'dso destroyed b}- fire on the 
first Sunday in January of the present year, 
1881, The weather had been excessively 
cold for a number of days, and it took a great 
amount of firing-up to make the audience room 
comfortable during the meetings held in it for 
a few days previous to holding communion 
services. On this Sunday a large congregation 
bad assembled with the Pastor, Rev. Dr. H. 
Miller, and the services appropriate to the cele- 
bration of the Lord's Supper had progressed 
almost through the act of blessing the elements 
of the communion. While on their knees, en- 
gaged in prayer, two or three gentlemen dis- 
covered fire in the upper part of the churc-h, 
and gave the alarm. Confusion prevailed for a 
moment, but a few hasty and earnest words 
from the Pastor restored order, and in a very 
few minutes, the congregation, without accident, 
had escaped from the doomi^d building, but not 
a moment too soon. In a minute (>r two, the 
flames burst furiously through the roof, and be- 
gan mounting the tall and stateh' tower which 
surmounted the building, and in a few hours, 
notwithstanding the heroic efforts of the fire 
department to stay the ravages of the destroy- 
er, it was a total wreck, and nearly all its con- 
tents were burned up with it. The congregation, 
however, not disheartened, resolved to go ahead 
as soon as the weather would permit, and 
" build a new temi)le, which should surpass the 
glory of the old one, " At this writing the 
work is progressing rapidly, and will be pushed 
energetically forward to completion. The de- 
signs for the new building are gotten u|) bv .Mr, 
Frank O. Weary, and are to be seen at his cjtlice 
in the County Survej-or's room at the court 
house, -\ writer in one of the local papers says : 

Judginjr from these liesigns tlx^ huilding will be 
of one of the finest cliurch structures in this part of 



HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY. 



tlie State. It will be a mixture of the gotliic and 
modern styles of nrohitecture, and will he built of 
pressed brirk. witli Berea stone trimmings. The 
length of the strueture will be one hundred and 
thirty-four feet, in the shape of a letter T. with the 
cross" arm running east and west at tlic sduth end of 
the l)u!lding. The front will be seventy-nine feet 
long, with three entrances, a stairway turret on the 
east side, and tlie tower rising to a height of one 
hundred and tlurty-five feet at the west. The audi- 
ence room, whiehwill be on the first floor, is 73x65 
feet. The pulpit will be located at the north end 
with the choir and organ back of it. Main entrances 
are on each side of the pulpit. The seats are de- 
.signed in amphitheater style, and the floor is raised 
two feet igher in the rear tliau in the front. In the 
center of the sides of the auditorimn are large win- 
dows, topped by gables on the outside. Three ad- 
dional double windows are on each side. Tliree 
large doors. l.").\18 feet, at the south end of the audi- 
ence room, .separate it from tlie Sundiiy sihodl nnim ; 
when desired, these dciurs slide down iiiln \tU~. pro- 
vided for the purpose, iiiid thus throw the I wo 
rooms into one. The Sunday-school ronm will be 
divided into two stories, each of which will contain 
five cla.ss-rooms, arranged in a sciiii circle, and fac- 
ing tlie general Sunday-school room, at the north 
end of which is the Su]icriiitcndent's platform. The 
class-rooms are tcj lie separated from the regular 
Sunday-school room by doors with glass panels, 
Thi' cc'iling of the audience room will be tinishcd in 
walnut paneling and fresco work ; that of the Sun- 
day-school room will be made dome-shaped with a 
skylight at the top. The means of entrance and 
exit to the first floor are numerous. The audience 
room is provided with two large entrances, and the 
Sunday school room with four. The north end of 
the structtu'e will be raised five feet from the ground, 
and the .south end seven feet. This makes a nice, 
airy basement, which will be divided into lecture 
and supper rooms, ladies' and gentlemen's parlors, 
cooking and serving kitchens, store rooms, pantries, 
toilet rooms, janitor's room, cloak rooms and boiler 
room. In the latter, will be located the steam boil- 
ers, which will furnish the heat for the building. 
Ventilating registers will be ]mt in the wainscoting 
of the audience and Sunday school moms, which 
will be connected by flueswith the veiilihitiiig tower, 
located at the juncture of the roof of the main build- 
ing and the hip roof of the Sunday school part of the 
Ktructure. The inner part of the building will be 
finely finished in walnut, and the larire windows will 
be furnished with stained glass. The roof will be 
surmounted by an ornamental tile casing, and the 
gables will be topped with stone trimmings. In the 
tower, a place will be made for a chime of bells. 
The contract for the foundation, to be of Massillon 
stone, has been let to Jlr. John Melbourne, who will 
begin work as soon as the ruins are cleari'd away. 
Contracts for the other work will be let, and it is 
expected that the building will be under roof before 
.snow flies. The estimated cost of this magnificent 
structure will be between .f 60,000 and .f 75,000. 

While the groat mass of the old congregation 
readilj- adapted themselves to the new order of 



things, there were always some imbued with 
the more emotional fervor of the older t3'pe of 
American Methodism, who could not bring 
themselves into full sympathy with their breth- 
ren in what they considered unwarranted inno- 
vations. These at last left the First Church, 
effected an organization as the vSecond M. E. 
Church, and erected a large brick church on 
South M.irket street, neat but plain, and with- 
out steeple or dome. There is no organ in 
this church, and the services. Including " revi- 
vals," are more nearly like those of the primi- 
tive Methodist Church. As there arc in every 
communitj- men and women in whom the en5o- 
tional naturally- forms the greater part of their 
intellectual and moral nature, there is probably 
necessity also in religious matters to arrange 
by organization that these be provided I'or ; at 
any rate, this organization seems to have meas- 
urably flourished from the start. Whether the 
emotional or the rational ought to have the 
higher value in any religious S3Stem is not for 
the impartial historian to determine ; the mid- 
dle ground is probably' the safe one ; a religion 
without place for the emotional in man's nature 
tends to formality and dogmatism ; a religion 
which ignores man's rational being tends on 
the one side to superstition, on the other to 
fanaticism ; true religion addresses man's 
higher intellectual powers, and through these, 
under subjection to faith, seeks to guide and 
control the affections, the feelings and the will. 
A third Methodist frame church building was 
erected a few jcars ago in the Fourth Ward, in 
the immediate vicinitj- of the north school 
building as a point for missionary operations. 
This movement, however, has up to this time 
not resulted in anything tangible or permanent. 
There are also two Jletiiodist churches in the 
township, one in Section 2C and the other in 
Section 30. 

The First Baptist Church was started in 
April, 1840. by Mr. and Mrs. John Danner, 
Thomas (ioodman and Robert C. Latimer, at 
which time the services of Elder John Winter, 
of Warren. Ohio, were secured at a salary of 
$300. April 22, 1849, a Sabbath school was 
formed with fourteen scholars. The communi- 
cants to the ciiurch at this tiine numbered 
seven. In 1852, Mr. Danner agreed to build a 
church if the Home Mission Society would pay 
$500 for pastor's salary for one }'ear, and at tlie 
end of the year he would guarantee it free 



lANTOX TOWNSHIP. 



371 



from debt, which the societj- agreed to do. 
June 25, 1853. the church was dedicated by 
Hev. John Winter, I'astor. The church, situ- 
ated on the soutlieast corner of Tenth and Mar- 
Icct streets, seating 350 people, was used for 
eighteen years. In 1871, the new church on 
.N'iiith and Marltct streets was built at a cost of 
$.")(! (1(1(1, wliich is now free from debt, with 275 
(•(iinnuinicants. Kcv. K. W. Lounsbury, the 
present Pastor, came here in March, 1877. and 
is well liked by his congregation. 

In 1853, a few Episcopalians associated them- 
selves together and held services under the 
nameof ''Church of the -Vdvent,' until 18G8; the 
number of Kpiscopalians increased, and a num- 
ber of lots were purchased at the northwest cor- 
ner of Tenth and South Popular streets, Easter 
.M(inil;iy, March 29, ISO'.I ; a Vestry was electeil, 
:iii(l the Kev. J. ('. Laverty called to the rector- 
ship. In September of the same year, turf was 
cut for the erection of a new church — the pres- 
ent edifice, which was soon after finished, with 
several thousand dollars indebtedness resting 
upon it. Mr. Laviuly reduced the debt largely. 
His resignation took place in the summer of 
1875. October 1, 1870, the Rev. Joseph 1'. 
Cameron was called to the rectorship, which 
continued until .\ugust 1, 1878. He al.so 
reduced the church debt, which was finall3' en- 
tirely paid in 1881, under Kev. Frederick Burt 
.\vcry. Rector, now in charge, who came to the 
parisii the hist Sunday in August. 1880. The 
church property now consists of a frame edifice, 
with a seating capacity of 300, well-furnished 
walnut seats, pipe-oi-gan, chancel windows and 
side windows of stained glass : the church 
is painted and in good repair. The whole is 
now paid for, as are also the two lots — tiie one 
on which the church is built, and the adjoin- 
ing one reserved for the rectory. Value of the 
property, about $10,000. Although a number 
of the old members iiave been removed by 
di'alh and otherwise, the communicant list 
has been increa.sed, by confirmation and trans- 
fers, by twenty new members. The Sunday- 
school numbers sixty-five scholars, ten otticers 
and teachers. The Ladies' (Juild has for its 
officers, Mrs, I>, Tyler, President ; Mrs. A. (J. 
Uart, Secretary, The officers of the church : 
Rev. Frederick Burt Avery, Rector. Vestry- 
men, E. W, Amsden, Senior Warden ; William 
Britton, Junior Warden ; J. H. Mathews, M. D., 
Treasurer ; A. (J. Dart. Clerk of Vestrj' ; Capt. 



Williams, J. W. Young, D. Tyler, H. Church- 
man, John Snj-der. 

The Evangelical Church took this cit}' as a 
mission field, .\. 1). 1852 ; and the same year, 
Rev. Peter Wicst was sent here as a missionary. 
He immediately set to work to build a church, 
which was completed in 1853. The building 
was a neat, one-stoiy brick, wliich answered its 
purpose at that time. The church was reliuilt 
in the year 1874, under the adininislratioii of 
Rev. T. Bach, as preacher in charge of the con- 
gregation, and Kev. S. B. Kring, as Presiding 
Elder. The edilice is now two stories high. 
This church is located on the east corner of 
Ilerbruck and Fourth streets, on a lot donated 
by Mrs. Barbara Voung. When this congrega- 
tion was organizeil in 1852, there were but 
twelve members, viz., Isaac Voegelgasong and 
wife, John Hane and wife, Peter Tream, Phillip 
Tream, (lotlieb Kasher, Sister Kitzmiller, Cath- 
arine Dittenhaver. Lewis Voegelgasong and 
Mr. Leininger and wife. Brother Hane served 
the church of his choice temporarily. The 
Brethren I. Voegelgasong, P. Tream and J. 
Hane, obligated themselves to the Conference 
to pay $10 a year to the missionary cause in 
order that they might be supplied with a mis- 
sionary. Rev, Jacob Burkett was the succes- 
sor of Rev, Wiesl, and his Labors were crowned 
with a success that resulted in the conversion 
of quite a number of souls. This gave the 
work a new impulse, and ever since that time 
the influence and the borders of the church 
have been extended. Kev, (i. F, Spreng was 
the first Presiding Elder presiding at this place. 
At present, Kev, J. .\. Yount is the Pastor of 
this congregation, and Rev, J, A, (Jrinim, Pre- 
siding Elder, The future for the congregation 
seems to l)e bright. A present, this church has 
about one huiulred and seventj" communicants. 

The Church of (lod is located on east Tusca- 
rawas street. Rev. M, M, Beck, of West Leba- 
non, Ohio, Pastor, This is a plain brick struc- 
ture surmounted by a small spire, containing 
no bell. The church is 60x40 feet and will 
seat 150 persons comfortably. It was built in 
1876, at a cost of $3,300, and is not yet free 
from debt. Inside the church is roughly plas- 
tered, and has plain benches and a small gallery. 
The illumination is furnished by coal oil lamps, 
and the heating apparatus consists of two 
stoves. The congregation consists of eighty 
communicants. They believe in immersion and 



i> "V 



^ 



372 



HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY. 



accept the Bible as their foundation rock. The 
society was organized about ten years ago, b}' 
Rev. Mr. Beclf." 

The United Brethren Church is on Charles 
street, and is built of brick with a seating 
capacity of about one hundred and fiftj'. It is 
lighted and heated in the old-fashioned st3'le. 
A small spire with a bell surmounts the church. 
Rev. S. W. Koontz is Pastor. 

The Disciples' Church of Canton dates back 
for its organization for more than a score of 
3'ears, and has, under a number of able Pastors, 
enjoyed a fair share of prosperity. The church 
building is on the corner of Poplar and Seventh 
streets. Rev. Mr. Henselman is the present 
Pastor ; he serves besides a congregation at 
New Berlin in Plain Township, and one newly 
organized, with a neat frame church lately 
built at North Industry in this township. 

A small brick Lutheran Church has also 
been erected about a half-mile north of North 
Industry, on the Canton road, which though 
occupied a few times for divine worship is not 
yet quite finished. 

Last of all, init doing a good work in its own 



sphere of activity, is the Mennonite Church 
just east of Canton, which was built during, or 
about the year 1830, b>- Jacob Rowland. Jo- 
seph Rohrer was the first minister, with the 
following members : Jacob Rowland and wife, 
Mrs. David Schriver, Mrs. Henry Hull, and 
Christian Wengard and wife. About the year 
1 852, Mr. Rohrer moved to Indiana ; from that 
time till about 1870, Revs. Smith and New- 
comer, from Columbiana County, officiated. 
The old log church was torn down, and the 
present brick structure erected in the year 
1875, since which time. Michael Rohrer has 
been the principal minister with from fifteen to 
twenty members. 

In concluding these sketches of the Canton 
churches, the writer deems it due to the pub- 
lishers and himself to say that it is to be re- 
gretted that so many of the ministers take so 
little interest in securing a histor3- of their 
church organizations in permanent form, such 
as this work would afl'brd them an opportunity 
of doing. With a few exceptions, they failed 
to co-operate heartilj' in the work, and left the 
historian to do the best he could. 



CHAPTER XI I.* 



i'KKRY TOW.NSHIl' — NA.MK ANU OlUiANlZATlON 
SETTLKUS—flRST RKLIGIOCS MECTINdS— 
TRIES— THE OHIO ("ANAL— KDL'CA 

'■ (Tiither we from the shadowy past 
The straggling beams that linger yet." 

— Spenser. 

AT a meeting of the Board of Commission- 
ers of Stark County, on the 7ih day of 
December, 1813, it was " ordered that the tenth 
township of the ninth range be, and the sa '. e 
is hereby made known as a separate and dis- 
tinct township Ijy the name of Perry. The in- 
habitants of said new township will meet at 
the house of Samuel Patton, in Kendal, on the 
last Saturday in February, and proceed to elect 
township officers." 

From the above it will be seen that the town- 
ship took its name from Commodore Oliver 
Hazard Perry, the hero of Lake Erie in the 
war of 1812. The battle at Putin-Bay had 
been fought but about three months previous 

*Ountributed by Robert II. Folj^er. 



SEriLEMKNT- AN INCIDENT — OTH Elv E.VRi.Y 

VILL.VGE (»K K'ENDAI I'lONEER fNDf.S- 

TIONAL— THE CIIaRITV S>"H0()L. 

to the above order, and as the success of Amer- 
ican arms in that liattle had saved the frontier 
settlements from being overrun I13' the British 
and Indians, the naming of the first township 
that was organized in the county, after the bat- 
tle, was a fit recognition of the benefits which 
accrued to the pioneer settlers of the exposed 
region. Comparatively few settlements had 
been made on what was known as the " New 
Purchase, " which was the territor3' l3ing west 
of the Tuscarawas Branch of the Muskingum, 
in what is now known as the townships of Sugar 
Creek, Jackson and Lawrence. West of the 
Tuscarawas River in Stark (Jounty, no organ- 
ization had been made prior to 1810, nor in 
Wa3'ne prior to 1812. In 1810, the township of 
Tuscarawas had been organized and its first 
census sliowed 145 inhabitants of all ages. 
South of the forty-first parallel of latitude. 




^y^^i>n.-^^^ {J<J (Xyt^^X^yt^ 



PERKY TOWNSHIP. 



373 



the lands were known as Congress lands to dis- 
tinguish them from the Western Reserve, Now 
Connecticut and the Fire lands as that portion 
lying nortli of the forty-lirst parallel was called. 
Much of the land now iiichidcd in the town- 
ships of Bethlehem, I'erry, Jackson, Lawrence 
and Franklin, in the county of Summit, was 
surveyeil b^- Ebenezer Ruckingham in the year 
ISOO, and a man of the name of Carpenter. 
The Tuscarawas was then the boundary line 
between the United States and the Indians, 
which was the reason why the balance of these 
townships was not surveyed at the same time. 
Mr. Buckingham was afterward one of the 
Commissioners of the Canal Fund of Ohio, and 
lived many years at Zanesville, where he died, 
closing a long, active and useful life. As 
already noticed, I'errj' is called Township 10 
of the ninth Range. In forming the ranges, 
the I'nited States began on the base of the 
Western Reserve, at the east line of the State, 
or the base line of the Western Reserve, or 
latitude forty-one degrees north, and every six 
miles west was a range, numbering from east 
to west. The townships on the east side, or 
first range, counted from the Ohio River north 
to the base line oi the Reserve. 

Pursuant to the order of the Commissioners, 
the voters of Perry Township met in Kendal, 
now the Fourth Ward of the city of Massillon, 
on the last Saturda}' in February, 1814, and 
elected the township officers, but who were 
elected to the particular otlices, cannot be as- 
certained, as no person is now living who was 
present at the election, nor is there a record to 
be found of an earlier date than 1825. Who 
were the first Trustees, Treasurer and Clerk, 
Supervisors, Fence Viewers and Overseers of 
the Poor and their succes.sors for the first 
eleven j-ears cannot be stated with entire cer- 
taintj- 

Among the residents of the township at the 
date of its organization, were Jacob Bahr\ey, 
John Waggoner. I'hilip Jacoby, (Jeorge Amick, 
Frederick Stump, Roliert Barr, Michael Rose. 
Stephen Shorb, William Armstrong, William 
McCaughe3', James McCaughey, Paul Beard, 
Ceorge Miller. Jonathan Neely, Abraham Uol- 
laday and Daniel Hitter, all of whom with others 
were residents of the south end of the town- 
ship. In Kendal and in the immediate neigh- 
borhood were William Henry, already men- 
tioned. Thomas Rotch. Charles Collin, Zaccheus 



Stanton, Moses Gleason, John Hendley, Abel 
Strong, Benjamin Franklin Coleman, Rowlaml 
Coleman, Alexander Skinner, Charles K. Skin- 
ner, Joseph Morton and Thomas Rotch, who 
resided at Spring Hill, the present residence of 
Hon, A. C. Wales ; John Hall, Arvine Wales, 
Ephraiin Chidester, Royd J. Mercer, Edward 
Nelson, John Bowman, Aaron (Ihapman, Am- 
brose Chapman, Austin Allen, Richard Whaley, 
John Shobe, a German, who Ijuilt a powder-mill 
on the south side of Sippo Creek, about 
twenty rods east of the llouring-mill of iMessrs. 
Warwick & Justus in the First Ward of the 
cit^- of Massillon. The powder-mill, as lemem- 
bered by the writer, was a log building, in one 
end of which old John slept with kegs of pow- 
der piled up around his bed, and around his 
fire, wooden trays of the explosive material 
were arranged for drying. He never feared a 
blow-up except from lightning ; on the appear- 
ance of a thunder storm, he was sure to vacate 
his mill and dwelling until the storm was over 
and danger Ironi lightning had disappeared. 
Among the prominent of the early settlers in 
1812, and who.se infiuence tended to lay brond 
and deep the foundations of social oriler in 
Perry Township, were Thomas Rotch and his 
wife, Charitj' Rotch, members of the Society of 
Friends, natives of New Bedford, Mass., who 
mo\e<l from there to Hartford, Conn., and from 
Hartford to Stark County. With him came 
Arvine Wales and the late Charles K. Skinner, 
who with Mr. Wales became permanently iden- 
tified with the growth of the township, and, as 
will be seen hereafter, with the now city of 
Massillon. Thomas and Charity Rotch were 
prominent members of the Society of Friends, 
both being recommended ministers according 
to the discipline of the society. The village of 
Kendal was laid out l)y Thomas Rotch, in 1811, 
who named it after a prominent manufacturing 
town in the West of England. On laying out 
the village, Mr. Rotch sought at once to utilize 
the water-power of Sippo Creek, the principal 
outlet of Sippo Lake, in the northeastern part 
of the township, by l)uilding a woolen factory 
and saw-mill, both of which have long since 
gone to decay. Mr. Rotch's policj' was not 
such as tended to advance the growth of his 
village, nor was the condition ol' the new coun- 
try favorable. The immigration was entirely 
agricultural. A land otliee was established at 
Canton, of which Col. Gibson and Col. John 






HLSTORY OF STARK COUNTY. 



Sloane were Register and Receiver respectively, 
and as fast as land came into market, it was 
entered. 

On the 18th of June, 1812, war was declared 
against Great Britain by the United States, 
which exposed the frontier settlements to 
incursions of the British and Indians, especially 
after Hull's surrender, when many of the set- 
tlers of the new country went back to their 
former homes. The paralysis of all sorts of 
business which followed the declaration of war 
can hardly be realized at this late period, and 
which continued many years, and retarded 
improvements of all kinds. At the close of 
the war, in 1814, the General Assembly sought 
to relieve the embarrassment in which all sorts 
of business was plunged by chartering banks, 
which went into operation without capital, but 
soon suspended operations, and nowhere was 
the embarrassment of the country greater than 
in the Tuscarawas Valley. There was no sur- 
plus of provisions of any kind for many years, 
and when the surplus came wheat sold for 
25 cents per Inishel, when it would sell at all, as 
late as 182ti, and all cereals proportionallj* low, 
potatoes at twelve and a half cents, while salt 
commanded at one time $3 per bushel of fift}'- 
six pounds. 

On the 14th of the ninth month, in 1823, 
Thomas Rotch died at Mount Pleasant, in Jef- 
ferson County, while attending the Yearly 
Meeting of the Society of Friends (Quakers), 
and was buried there ; he was born at New 
Bedford, Mass., on the 13th of the seventh 
month, 1767, consequently was but little more 
than fiftj--sis years of age ; he is well remem- 
bered by the writer as a man of fine presence 
and great shrewdness in all business matters, 
and, as all Quakers did and do, bore faithful 
testimony against human slaver}'. He was 
frequently called on to protect the fugitive 
slave on his flight to Canada, and never was 
known to let the call pass unheeded. A single 
instance will illustrate his devotion to his prin- 
ciples on that subject, as well as his courage. 
In the spring of the year 1820, a woman with 
two children called at his residence and satis- 
fied him that they were fugitive slaves ; he at 
once provided them with a place of safety in 
the second story of a spring house almost 
adjoining his residence. In the morning of the 
following day, immediately after breakfast, a 
couple of strangers on horseback rode up to 



the door and inquired if Mr. Rotch lived there, 
and, on being answered in the affirmative, com- 
menced to make their business known, which 
was that of slave- hunters, one being known as 
a man who was in the habit of aiding slaves to 
escape, advising them what route to take, then 
following them for the reward ottered by their 
masters ; the name of De Camp, the slave- 
catcher, had become as familiar as household 
words. Thomas heard him very patiently 
describe the woman and children, and say that 
he had traced them to his (Thomas') residence, 
and produced a warrant for their seizure issued 
under the act of Congress of 1793, and sup- 
posed his work was done — that, the Quakers 
being a law-abiding people, the mother and 
children would be at once delivered. 

After he had exhausted his vocabulary, 
Thomas said, '■ Dost thou think thou can take 
the woman and her children here if thou canst 
find them ?"' 

" Cert.iinly," replied the slave-catcher. 

" Well, " said Thomas, '■ thou maj- be mis- 
taken. Thou hast not found them yet, and 
shouldst thou find them, thou might have 
trouble to take them." 

The strangers had not been invited into the 
house, and while the dialogue was going on be- 
tween Thomas and him having the warrant, the 
farm hands, of whom Thomas kept three or 
four, gathered around, and seeing such a crowd, 
the strangers began to look at each other and 
evinced alarm, which Thomas was not slow 
to notice, and, breaking a momentary silence, 
said to the person having the warrant. 

" Dost thou know a man who follows the 
business of slave-catching by the name of De 
Camp '? " 

" I do," answered De Camp, for it was he, and 
was betraying fear of bodily harm, and inquired, 
" Have you any business with me ? M3' name 
is De Camp." By this time, the men of Thomas' 
household, himself included, had formed a sort 
of circle around the slave-catchers. Thomas 
replied with the utmost coolness, 

" I expect very soon to have some very im- 
portant business with thee, and it will be well 
for thee to be prepared for it. " 

De Camp and his confrere concluded it would 
be best to beat a retreat, which they did with 
out delay. On reaching their horses, they sprang 
into their saddles and left the Spring Hill farm 
and its Quaker occupants, and never again called 



PERRY TOWNSHIP. 



;!75 



there for human chattels. The home of Thomas 
and Charity Rotcli, like that of the "village 
preaclier's modest mansion "' at " sweet Au- 
l)urn.' 

■ Was known to all tlie vajrnuit train. 
Hi- chid their wandcrinirs and rclicvid their pain ; 
Tlie IcjiiL' reincnihered lieiiLiMr \\;i- lii~ LMie^t. 
Who.-;e iieanl deMcndin- vu, |,t hi^ ;,-,d ],n:i-[ : 
Tlie naked spendthrift, now ih. lonpr ]ir(nul. 
Claimed kindred there iind li:id hi.s elaims allowed." 

There are few now who remember Thomas 
and Charity Rotc-h. Those who, in ■' mem- 
orj-'s waste, " can bring up the reminiscences of 
the long-inurned, long-forgotten, long-gone 
past, will cherish their memory in great kind- 
ness, Thomas Rotch died in the prime of life. 
Could he have lived another decade and par- 
ticipated in the great changes in the Tusca- 
rawas Valle}', with his wealth and enterprise, 
the history of Perr}- Township would have 
borne on its pages a record of improvements 
beyond what is shown even now by the enterpris- 
ing pioneers who succeeded him, and who gave 
lavishly of time and money in the development 
of the resources of our favored township. 

It is not, however, to the enterprising cap- 
italist alone that credit should bo given for the 
wonderful development that Perry Township 
exhibited in the decennial period from 1820 to 
181-50. It is to the men who hewed down the 
forest and ran the plowshare beam deep through 
the, until then, unbroken sward. They came 
with strong arms and willing hearts, to find a 
new home and to found a new empire. The 
harvest yielded to their sickle, and their pos- 
terity and successors arc their heritors. With 
them came also another class of men, also pi- 
oneers, wlio contributed their share toward 
developing " the new country.' Thcj- were just 
in advance of the pernlanent settlers, and 
stayed until the charms of forest life overcame 
the desire to remain where progress toward 
political and social organization got in the ad- 
vance. Of that class was Massuin Metcalf, who 
came in 1810 and remained, a few years, when 
he left, saying, " The country is too thickly set- 
tleil ; I must go where I cannot see the smoke 
of my neighbor's chimney, nor hear his dog 
bark, " and he went to parts unknown. 

Among the hardy pioneer settlers, and who 
were among the earliest to build their cabins, 
and whose doors were always open to the 
stranger, were the Castleman brothers ; their 
niimes were John, Ilenrv, Richard and David, 



with their brother-in-law. Jacob Ross. Con- 
nected with them by marriage was a familj- by 
the name of Meek. Fond of the chase, not a 
deer or bear escaped their rifles when they 
started for game. The last wolf that was killed 
in the neighborhood north of .Massillon was 
brought down by the interring rifle of one of 
the Castleman brothers. Ross claimed that In; 
was the first white child born west of the Ohio 
River. He that as it may, a better type of 
manhood than Jake Ross was rarely found 
among the hardy pioneers of that day. Ex- 
cepting John Castleman. all the families left 
Stark County soon after the organization of 
Perry Township. John was a citizen of Ken- 
dal and Massillon until his death, which was 
occasioned by a tree falling upon hiin, from 
which he lingered, a helpless cripple, for many 
3ears, Ilis wife, Margaret Meek, survived him 
until a few years since, and lived to a good old 
age. a fine type of the women who sought homos 
with their families in the trackless forests of 
the Western country. At her death, she left 
four children — Mrs, Lyon, of Cleveland, and 
George and William Castleman and Mrs. Roof 
(since deceased), of ^lassilon. 

In 1813 and 1814. before and after the organi- 
zation of the township, immigration increased 
beyond any former period, and continued to in- 
crease, especially when the attention of the Leg- 
islature was turned to internal improvcinonts. 
Land, however, did not rise in value until 183(1, 
and within the personal knowledge of the writer, 
1,000 acres of ' the ]jlaius " in the south end of 
Perry Township sold for S4.2.") per acre ; the 
sale was made in 1824 by Capt. Mayhcw Fol- 
ger to Mr. William R. Dickinson, of Steuben- 
ville, and paid for in cloth manufacturi^d at the 
'• Steubenville Factory, ' of which Messrs. Bel- 
zaleel Wells, one of the framers of the Con- 
stitution of Ohio, of 1802, and Mr, Dickinson 
were proprietors. 

In the same year first above mentioned, 
among the "new comers,'' were Capt, Mayhew 
Folgor and his wife Slary, and their family, his 
brother-in-law, Thomas Cottin, whose wife, Anna 
CoHin, was a sister of Capt, Folger, and who 
took up by original entry and obtained by pur- 
chase the lands sold to Mr. Dickinson, above 
referred to. The newness of the country, and 
its social condition being so different from any- 
thing that Thomas Coffin and his wife, who, 
with Capt. Folger and his wife, were natives of 



376 



HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY, 



the Island of Nantucket, Mass., had ever seen, 
discouraged Thomas and he sold his interest in 
the Western lands to Capt. Folger, who re- 
mained at Kendal until February, 1828, when 
he removed to Massillon. During the year 
1813. also came Bradford Kellogg and rented 
the building on Lot No. 2 in Kendal, then 
owned by Arvine Wales. He and his two sons 
opened a brick yard immediately south of, near 
the extreme east end of, now North street, and 
which was afterward known as the Free Bridge 
Road, until Massillon and Kendal were united, 
and North street was extended to its present 
eastern terminus. At that brick yard were 
made the first l^ricks manufactured west of 
Canton. Kellogg and his sons came from Hud- 
son, in I'ortagc County, and brought the first 
oxen driven under the yoke in the township, 
and which were nsed for tramping the cla3' out 
of which the bricks were made for Alexander 
Skinner, Esq., who erected the first brick 
house in the township, and which was the first 
west of Cantim. The walls of the house were 
laid by Calvin Hobart and Peter Humphrey ; 
the building now stands on Front street in 
Ken<lal. where for sixty-five years it has stood 
a proud monument of the skill and integrity of 
the builders, and is a better piece ol work, even 
now, than much of the brick-work built a half 
a centurj' since. Messrs. Hobart and Hum- 
phrey removed to Wooster in 1817, where the)- 
remained until 1827. when Hobart returned to 
Massillon and built one of the first brick houses 
that was built there, and was finally drowned 
in the canal on the night of July 4, 1833. The 
brick house on F>ont street is now owned and 
occupied by citizen Anton Vogt, and bids fair 
to stand the storms of many years. Mr. Skin- 
ner removed to Loudonville, then Richland 
County, and died there. At the close of 1813 
and commencement of 1814, and during the 
latter year, the population of the township in- 
creased largelj'. and the increase was of valua- 
ble citizens, among whom were Jonathan Win- 
ter, his wife Nancy, son Abner and family, and 
daughters Sarah and Catharine. Uncle Jona- 
than, as he was familiarly called, was a Quaker, 
had been a soldier in the war of the Revolu 
tion, and was fond of " shouldering his cane 
and showing how fields were won." He drew a 
pension, but escaped a wound on the battle- 
field. Prominent among tiie arrivals that year 
were Dr. William Gardner, from Albany, State 



of New York, the first physician in the town- 
ship ; from here he removed to Norwalk, Huron 
County, remained there a few years and then 
returned to Stark County and located in Can- 
ton, where he died in 1833. Dr. Gardner was 
prominent as a physician, and earnest in his 
convictions, rarely yielding when once having 
formed an opinion ; also, about the time of Dr. 
Gardner's arrival, came John C. McCoy, from 
the city of Baltimore, a journeyman tailor, 
afterward well known in the Pittsburgh Method- 
ist Conference as Rev. J. V. McCoy, a useful 
and popular preacher ; from here lie removed 
to Loudonville, Ashland Co., Ohio, thence to 
Washington County, thence to Athens County, 
where he died a few years ago, honored and re- 
spected as a Christian gentleman. In the early 
part of 1814, came Thomas A. Drayton, after- 
ward a resident of Canton, and Hosea W. Tin- 
ker, all useful mechanics, who are pleasantly 
remembered by the few who yet remain to fur- 
nish items for these sketches. About the time 
of the organization of the township, a family 
known as the Andrews family came into the 
township, consisting of the father, Richard, Eve, 
the mother, and five sons, Daniel, Adam, 
Charles, David and Richard ; the old man en- 
tered the fractional section upon which now 
stands the manufacturing establishment of Rus- 
sell & Co., the station house of the Pitts- 
burgh, Fort Wayne & Chicago Railway, and 
the other l)uildings of that corporation, the re- 
spective residences of Mrs. Julia Jarvis, Her- 
man Schreiber and all others on South Erie 
street below the railway, all of which went for 
intoxicating liquors, which were drank in the 
family. 

Richard Andrews had a son-in-law, John 
Wolf, who, with two sons, Richard and Samuel, 
are sleeping their last sleep in drunkards' graves. 
Among the chattels brought from Maryland bj' 
the Andrews family was a stalwart negro, 
known as Black Jack, John Tibbs being his real 
name. On the family leaving Hagerstown thej' 
were about to sell Jack, and were offered $550 
for him, but upon his promising to stay by and 
support the old folks as long as they lived, they 
brought him to Ohio. Jack soon learned, how- 
ever, that the old Constitution contained a 
clause in the Bill of Rights prohibiting slav- 
ery, and he told his old master and mistres.s 
that he would fulfill his part of the bargain, 
but he would not work to support the drunk- 



PERKY TOWNSHIP. 



377 



en sons, and left them and lived afterward in 
Jackson T<)\vnshi|>. where he married, earned a 
fann, suhl it, moved into jjawrcnce, where he 
pureliased another farm, ami remained until the 
passage of the Fugitive Slave law, when he 
went to Canada and ended his days, fearing 
that some remote heir of tlie Andrews family 
might come from Maryland ami claini him. 

t'p to the elose of 1814, few seltlciiients had 
l)een made in the township west of the Tusca- 
rawas River. On the fractional section west 
and opposite the residence of Mrs. Jarvis. now 
owned bv the heirs of the late Peter Runser, 
was located a sturdy Irish pioneer, William 
Whitcraft ; he. however, sold out and removed 
to Lawrence Township. He was an energetic 
citizen and at his death left a worthy family. 
He sold to Ilczekiah Bull, of Hartford, t'onu.. 
who settled on the land and remained until 
1820, when he died. 

Mr. Bull was a Democrat of the New Hnglnnd 
Jeffersonian type, thoroughly imbued witli an 
intense dislike to the Federal p:irty. the Hart- 
ford Convention and New Knglanil politics in 
their length and breadth. He was exceeding!}' 
earnest in advocating and defending the war of 
1812. and the administration of President 
Madison. He was a kind neighbor and genial 
gentleman in his social intercourse. In point 
of culture, he and his family were among the 
first in the then new and really wild region. 
A'ery soon after his arri\al here, two of his 
daughters were married, Hetty, to Alexander 
Skinner, Es<i., brother of the late Hon. C. K. 
Skinner, and Hoyland to Thomas Taylor, Esq.. 
a son of whom. .\. A. Taylor, Esq.. is the own- 
er of the extensive flouring-mill on Erie street, 
in Massillon. .Mrs. Bull died a short time after 
lur husband, and the family, sons and daugh- 
ters, removed to Loudonville, where all except- 
ing Mrs. Taylor and Mrs. Sheldon died. Hon. 
John W. Bull, a grandson, a member of the 
present Legislature, from Ashland County, re- 
sides in Loudonville, and is alwaj-s ready to 
extend a generous hospitalit}' to his many 
friends. Durmg the years 1812-14, the 
supply of provisions was not efpial to the de- 
mand, and (,'harles K. Skinner. Edward Nelson 
and Charles Collin, who was a Nantucket ship 
carpenter, built a boat and went to Coshocton, 
where corn was plentj-, the Muskingum bottoms 
alwaj-s yielding an abundance, and brought 
several loads, which sold readily for $2 per 



bushel. Excepting Charles CotHn. none of them 
knew much in regard to the management of a 
boat, and on one occasion coming up, the}' 
struck on the Cedar Ripple, a few miles below 
where Massillon now is. and came near losing 
boat and cargo. 

The first religious society organized west of 
Canton in Stark (,'ounty was the • Kendal Pre- 
parative .Meeting of the Society of Friends, ' 
their .Monthly Meeting being at .Marlborough. 
Quarterly Meeting at Salem, and the Yearly 
Meeting being held at Mount Pleasant, Jefter- 
son County. It is supposed that all these or- 
ganizations existed as early as 181:!. The prin- 
cipal meml)ers of Kendal Preparative .Meeting 
were Isaac Bowman, Richant Williams, Zac- 
cheus Stanton, Charles Cotlhi. Thomas liotcli. 
Mayhew Folger. Joseph Hobson, Jonathan 
Michener. .Mathew Macy. a brother-in-law of 
Charles Coffin, Thomas Coffin, Mieajah Macy 
and others, all of whom, with a single excep- 
tion, were heads of families. Thomas Coffin 
could hardly be called a member of that meet- 
ing, as he returneil to I'hiladelphia : his wife, a 
sister of Ma>hew Folger and mother of the late 
Lueretia Mott. surviveil him thirty years. The 
influence of that little Quaker meeting was 
strongly felt in the community. So far as any 
religious sentiment was recognized, they were 
in the majority. The}' were first to erect a 
place for meeting for worship, called by them 
a ■' meeting house," which, when erected, they 
opened for a school, and it shouUl be said of 
them, they '■ bore, with liberty and law, the 
Bible in their train." Next to them and about 
the same time, or shortly after, came the Metho- 
dists to Kendal, as will be seen by the following 
extract of a letter from the late Rev. Adam 
Poe, I). I). It will also be seen that the labors 
of the Methodists were mainly on the west side 
of the river until the peri(xl above referred to. 

Dr. I'oe says : " At a session of the Western 
Annual Conference of the Methodist Episcopal 
Cluirch, held at a chapel in Shelby County. 
Ky., November 1. 1810, Rev. James Dixon 
was appointed to Tuscarawas Circuit in the 
Muskingum District ; Rev. James Quinn, Pre- 
siding Klder. The Tuscarawas Circuit then 
embraced all the country along the Tu.scarawas 
River from New I'ortage to Coshocton, taking 
in the new settlements on both sides of the 
river. He formed small societies, and only re- 
turned seventy-seven members in all that terri- 



z-,s 



HISTORY OF STAUK COUNTY. 



tory at the end of the year. At the next ses- 
sion of the Conference, which was held at 
Cincinnati, October 1, 1811, Rev. William 
Mitchell was appointed to the Circuit. Rev. 
James Qninn, Presiding Elder. Mr. Mitchell 
reported one hundred and forty-two members 
at the close of his year. I am not sure whether 
1 >ixon formed a society in Tuscarawas Township, 
Imt during the winter of 1811-12. Mitchell or- 
ganized a societj- at the house of Peter John- 
.son, Esq., and preached to them regularly 
every two weeks, since which there has always 
been a Methodist society in the township. The 
Western Conference was divided in 1812, and 
the Ohio Conference formed, which held its 
first session in Chillicothe, October 1, 1812. 
At this Conference, David Young was appointed 
Presiding Elder of the Muskingum District, 
and John Somerville was appointed to Tuscara- 
was Circuit, and seems to have had consider- 
able success, for he returned four hundred and 
ninety-one members. During this year, m}' 
first personal acquaintance with the societj' at 
Johnson's commenced, and during the ensuing 
summer, the meetings were removed to the 
house of Joseph Poyser. This was, I think, 
the first regularl}- organized religious society 
in the township. 

" At the second session of the Ohio Confer- 
ence, which was held at Steubenville Septeml)er 
1. 1813, Rev. John Graham was appointed to 
Tuscarawas Circuit. At the next session, held 
at Cincinnati September 8, 1814, Rev. John 
Cord was appointed to that circuit. At the 
next session, which was held at Lebanon, Ohio, 
September 14, 1815, Rev. Curtis Goddard was 
appointed to the circuit. The next session of 
the Conference vifas held at Louisville, Kj., and 
Rev. Archibald Mcllroy was appointed to the 
circuit, the societ}' meeting at Joseph Poyser's. 
now the residence of John Christman, Esq. At 
the next session of the Conference, held at 
Zanesville, Ohio, September 3, 1817, Rev. James 
McMahon was appointed to the Tuscarawas 
Circuit. At the close of tlie year, he reported 
41 1 members. This venerable gentleman is still 
living and active in the ministry. His address 
is Chesterville, Morrow Co., Ohio. He could 
probably give j-ou a more minute historv of the 
society than I can. Peter Johnson and Joseph 
Poyser are both dead. As the regular preach- 
ing, during this period, was at both their houses, 
if living they no donbt could be more particular 



in the history of the societ}' meetings there. 
Rev. John C. McCoy became a resident in Ken- 
dal, I think in 1813 or 1814 ; and, there being 
no Methodist society there, he joined in Tus- 
carawas Township. His address is Marietta, 
Ohio. Wesley Hatton, still a resident of Tus- 
carawas Township, was also among the early 
members of the society. Also Miss Catharine 
Thacker, now Mrs. Nathan Eldredge. Mr. 
Thomas Eldridge, an uncle of Nathan, was like- 
wise an earl}' and active member of the society. 
I think he is still living, but do not know his 
present address." 

The letter from which the foregoing extract 
was taken was written July 28, 1853. Dr. Poe 
was correct as to the death of Peter Johnson. 
He was well known to the writer, as was Poyser, 
who lived, until within a few j'ears pa.st, and 
died in Canton. All the other persons named 
by Dr. Poe, except Mrs. Eldredge, have been 
dead many years. She now lives with her 
nephew, William Motfit, Esq., about three miles 
southwest from Massillon, on the Millersburg 
road. 

The Ohio Conference included within its 
boundaries the entire State of Ohio, and much 
more. The Muskingum District remained in 
that Conference until 1824, when the General 
Conference erected the old Pittsburgh Confer- 
ence, so affectionately remembered b}' all the 
old Methodists in the valley of the Tuscarawas, 
which remained as erected by the Conference 
of 1824 until the year 1848, when it was so 
changed as to put Perry Township into the 
North Ohio Conference, where it remained 
until 1856, when the Pittsburgh Conference was 
restored to its original boundaries. The Gen- 
eral Conference of 187G changed the map of the 
Conference so as to bound it on the east by the 
State Line, between the States of Ohio and Penn- 
sylvania, and Ohio and Virginia. The first Meth- 
odist preaching in Perry Township, east of the 
Tuscarawas River, was by Josiah Foster, preach- 
er on the circuit, and as Presiding Elder of the 
Muskingum District he preached at the house of 
Rev. J. C. McCoy, in Kendal, once in five or 
six weeks, and as early as 181G. During the 
succeeding six years, it is impossible to learn 
with certainty in whose charge the Muskingum 
District and Tuscarawas Circuit were. In 1822, 
before the erecting of the Pittsburgh Confer- 
ence, Thomas R. Ruckle, a young Irishman, 
was appointed to the circuit, and came around 



PERRY TOWNSHIP. 



379 



once in five weelts, preactiing in tlie school- 
room in Kendal, sciiool tlien being in tlie east 
wing of wliat is called the '• L " house, a build- 
ing built by Kphraini Chidester, grandfather of 
Dr. Ephraim Chidester, of Massillon. The 
school was then taught by the late Dr. B. 
Michener, whose recent death in Iowa at the 
age of eighty was generally noticed in the 
public journals. The Doctor being then a 
Quaker, in unity with the society, and disposed 
to controversy, and lle\'. Mr. Ruckle being 
■ set in defense of the Gospel," soon got up a 
debate on paper, which was kept up for a long 
time, and finally tiled out bj- consent of the 
disputants themselves. The Methodists had 
no place for meeting at this period ; their leader 
in everything pertaining to the church. John 
C. JMcCoy, had married a young lady bj- the 
name of Coml}- and removed to Loudonville, 
and Methodism in Ferry Township made little 
progress, increasing, however, a little from year 
to year, and always holding its gains until it 
acquired strength enough to unite with the 
Freemasons in 1840, to have a place known as 
the Methodist Episcopal Church of Massillon, 
and which is fully noticed in the sketch of that 
city. 

Among the early Presbyterians who settled 
in the township were John and Garrett Cruson. 
two brothers, and their families, their sister, 
Mrs. Anna Burhans. Ephraim Chidester. Daniel 
Myers and his familv, Austin Allen, Boyd J. 
Meicer, and two or three other families in dif- 
ferent parts of the township, but no organiza- 
tion in the way of a church was had until after 
the now city of Massillon was laid out. and 
which will be noticed in its proper place. 

The tirst thing almost that was done by 
Thomas Botch on laying out and recording the 
plat of the village of Kendal, was to get a post 
otlice established on the great east-and-west 
route through the State, previous to which Can- 
ton was the post ofHce for all the region round- 
about. Thomas was appointed Postmaster, and 
John C. McCoy his deputy, as the Postmaster 
lived a mile out of town. McCoy withdrew 
from the ortice. and Matthew Macy was ap- 
pointed Deputy, or, as that officer was called. 
Assistant Postmaster, and held the place until 
the death of Thomas Rotch. when he was ap- 
pointed Postmaster, and held the office until it 
was discontinued in 1829. Matthew Macy was a 
man of rare integrity and rare business qualifica- 



tions. A native of the island of Nantucket, Mass.. 
he, as was common, indeed it was the rule, went to 
sea on board a whale ship bound to the Pacific 
Ocean, but getting crippled by a fall he left the 
ship he went out in and returned in a home- 
ward bound vessel, arriving at Nantucket soon 
after the commencement of the war of 1812. 
The ship he went out in was captured by a 
British cruiser, so that he lost his share of the 
cargo. Finding no emplo3ment at home in 
consequence of his crippled condition (from 
which he never recovered), he came to Ohio and 
was a clerk in Thomas Botch's store, taught 
school, was with Arvine Wales, an ailministrator 
who settled Botch's estate after his death, and 
held various offices of trust. His wife was a 
daughter of James Austin, a Vermont Quaker, 
who removed from Montpelier in 1817 to 
Kendal. 

The first blacksmith in the township was 
Jesse Otis. His shop was in Kendal, and he 
was ready for business as soon as a shop could 
be built. The first tanner in the township was 
Thomas Williams, whose tanyard antl currying- 
shop were in Kendal, on the north side of State 
street, which was the great thoroughfare from 
east to west. Originally, the road from Canton 
west diverged in a nortwesterly direction on the 
top of the hill near the Russell farm, running 
through the farm now owned by the heirs of 
the late John Yingling. then occupied liy Zac- 
cheus Stanton, and intersecting the cast end of 
State street, in Kendal, which street it followed 
to the west end, where it diverged to the south- 
west until it struck a point now known as the 
cast end of Cherry street, in Massillon, thence 
west to the Tuscarawas River, where a toll 
bridge was built and furnished the only cross- 
ing-place on the river in the township, except- 
ing at the '■ high banks " at the northern ter- 
minus of Clay street, in the city of Massillon, 
and at Barr's Fording, three miles south, near 
where are now the Wormington Coal Mines. The 
stock in the toll bridge was mainly owned by 
Judge William Henry, who had purchased the 
fractional section of land on the west side of 
the river, and erected the brick house, yet 
standing there, in which he •• kept store " and 
lived with his family. As immigration into 
Stark and Wayne Counties was in excess of 
any period before or since, the location for busi- 
ness was the best west of Canton or perhaps 
in the countv. The toll bridge became a most 



-\^ 



380 



HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY. 



odious mon()pol3', and the people everywhere 
determined that it should not exist. Their ef- 
fort was to get a road laid out from the diver- 
gence east of the citj' on a straight line west, or 
as nearl}- so as practicable, to the fording place, 
the now northern terminus of Clay street, 
thence, after crossing the river at that fording 
place, as nearly west as possible, until it should 
intersect the old Wooster road. This plan, of 
course, would onlj' answer wlien the river could 
be forded. It was at once determined to build 
a free bridge, which was done, and trade was 
then diverted over the new route, and the old 
toll bridge went to dec-aj', and is remembered 
by but few of the present residents of the Tus- 
carawas Valley. After the free bridge was 
erected, it was sought to be destroyed by cut- 
ting away its principal supports at the eastern 
end. Tradition says that David Andrews, al- 
ready referred to in these pages, did the job, 
for which he received a fiddle, a silver watch 
and a quart of whisky. The bridge was re- 
paired and served the people for many 3^ears, 
until an additional straightening of the road 
from Canton to Wooster made Main street, in 
Massillon, the great thoroughfare, when the 
principal crossing of the river was located 
where it now is. 

The first Justice of the Peace in Perry Town- 
ship was a blacksmith by the name of Francis 
Smith, the grandfather of citizen George W. 
Hathaway, of Massillon. Justice Smith moved 
to Brookfield, in Tuscarawas Township, where he 
died. He was succeeded by Capt. Nathaniel 
Ray, a retired shipmaster, from Nantucket, and 
it may be said of him that he was a -'charac- 
ter." While it was true of him that he had been 
a shipmaster, his sailing had been confined to 
coasting from Portland, Me., to the Capes of 
Florida and New Orleans. He had followed 
that mode of life until he felt that he, too, ought 
to join the vast crowd that was seeking a new 
home, so he came to Kendal. He had an un- 
fortunate habit of mixing whisk3- with his 
water in considerable quantities, and when 
under the influence of the mixture, had little 
control over himself On one occasion, while 
driving his iron-gray mare before a " Dearborn " 
wagon, as they were called in those days, a 
wheel came ofl', and he, considerably under the 
inflnence of the whisk}- he had drank, dropped 
the lines and jumped out. As he struck the 
ground the mare started for home, and got there 



with what was left of the carriage. As Ray fol- 
lowed, he found the pieces. He had the wheel 
on his shoulder that dropped from the wagon 
while he was driving. Meeting one of the neigh- 
bors he swore he would kill the mare, but on 
getting home he compromisetl by simply cut- 
ting off her ears, a feat Ray never survived so 
as to remain at Kendal, so he packed up and 
went back to Nantucket, got a little ves.sel and 
resumed his old avocation as master of a 
coaster, and finally anchored there. 

The first store that was opened in Kendal or 
in the township was opened liy Thomas Rotch ; 
next to him came William Henry and Gilber- 
tharp Earle, and lastly in Kendal, Isaiah Brown, 
noticed more particularly in the sketches of 
Massillon. The embarrassment in all business 
matters, stagnation of trade, and especially the 
ruin of commerce upon the ocean, upon which 
New England subsisted, occasioned by the war 
of 1812, drove many shipmasters and New 
England people to the West, and the year 1814 
was strongly marked by the increase from that 
quarter. Among those who came into Perry 
Township that year were Gilbertharp Earle and 
his family, Capt. James Duncan, a retired ship- 
master from the merchant service, his residence 
having been at Portsmouth, N. H.. and manj' 
others. These gentlemen are mentioned particu- 
larly because of the important parts they sus- 
tained on the historic stage, as did Alexander 
Johnston, Esq., who came into the township a 
year or two earlier, and before the township was 
organized. 

Gilbertharp Earle was born June 19, 1772, 
at Burlington, N. J., and was married at Upper 
Freehold, Monmouth Co., to Sarah Cook, Octo- 
ber 10, 1799 ; he remained at Burlington until 

1813, when he removed to Canton in the autumn 
of that year, and remained until the spring of 

1814, when he removed to Kendal. He en 
tered at the land office the fractional Section 
on the west side of the river, known as No. 6, 
and after merchandising at Kendal and remov- 
ing to Canton again, where he remained but a 
year or two, returned to his farm, gave his atten- 
tion to farming and the dispensing of a gener- 
ous hospitality that will ever be gratefullj' re- 
membered by all who shared it. The residence 
of Mr. and Mrs. Earle was a resort for young 
and old, and all were made happy by the unfailing 
politeness always kindly tendered. On arriv- 
ing at Kendal, the family of Mr. and Mrs. Earle 




^ummJ JtC^yuA^yfJv 



PEUKV TOWXSHll' 



:iSl 



consisted of Sarah B., who married Dr. (rard- 
ner, by whom she was lol't a widow in 1S38, 
and moved to Marmar, Wasliiiiirton Co., Ohio, 
and married Henr}- Fearing, i'lsq. ; slie died on 
tlic SOtii day of July. l.S7(i; Jolni, wlio died 
January 8,1855: Tlionias Karle, M. !>.. now 
living in Brooklyn, N. Y., at the age of seventy- 
.six ; Hannah, now the wile of Hon. Harlow 
Cliapin living at Harmar, at the age of seventv- 
four : Frances, who married (Jen. (Gardner 
Field, a notice of whose death will be found in 
the sketch of the city of .^lassillon ; she after- 
ward married Edward ("lark, Esq., of Harmar, 
and died on the 2Gth day of February, 1879. 
Gilbertharp Earle. Jr.. horn in February, 
1812, and died at his residence near tliis city 
in September, 1873. Mr. and Mrs. Earle had 
three children born in Ohio, but one of wiiom 
survives, Mrs, Rebecca Johnson, widow of the 
late Hon. Matthew Johnson, member of the 
Legislature of Ohio in 1837 and 1838 from this 
county, and 3Iarshal for the Northern District 
of (Jhio. during the administration of Presi- 
dent Bnclianan. Mr. Earle died January it, 
1850, at the age of seventy -eight, and Mrs. 
Earle died at Harmar in 1855, aged sevent}'- 
iiine ; they led useful and acti\e lives, Mr. 
Earle having filled important public trusts. 

The organization of the townsliip as a polit- 
ical and social organization fell into the hands 
of men who studied the public weal and carried 
out praclicall}' views and plans that met the 
entire approbation of the community. '■ Schools 
and the means of instruction." as recommended 
in that grand instrument, the old Constitution 
of Ohio, were encouraged, a refined social in- 
tercourse all o\er the township was establislied, 
that is affectionately remembered by tlie now 
old men who survive. In the language of the 
great British essaj-ist : 

" Tlicn none wjis for a jiaity ; 

Tlien all were for the State- : 
'I'licn the frreat ni:in liclpi-d tlic poor. 

.\n(l the poor man IovcmI the jjrcal. 
Then lands were fairly portioned. 

Then >poils were fairly sold; 
The Romans were like brothers 

In the brave (lavs of old." 

When Mr. Duncan left Portsmouth, his ob- 
jective point was the State of Virginia, that 
portion now included in West Virginia, and es- 
pecially Brooke and Ohio ("ounties. At Wheel- 
ing, he had friends, Messrs. Jacob Atkinson 
and Peabody Atkinson, brothers, and a Mr. 



Peterson. He remained in those counties for a 
year or two, and married Miss Eliza T. Vilette, 
and with the two brothers Atkinson con- 
eluded as a sort of horseback adventure to 
visit the " Rotch Settlement." Accordingly the 
three gentlemen started on horseback in the 
spring and came to Kendal, and stop|)ed at a 
hotel kept by John Bowman, a Pennsylvania 
Dutchman, which was the only one in the vil- 
lage, and was the first hotel opened in the town- 
ship. It soon became known that there were 
strangers from I\irtsinouth. X. II.. in town, and 
as there were several New England families 
already in the village and vicinity, a (Quaker 
woman, who with her husband, had a year or 
two before visited Portsmouth, strangers, and 
received genuine New England hospitality, said 
to her husband. •■ Thee had better go and call 
on the strangers ; they may be connected with 
the families who were so polite to us. and if so, 
we shoidd at least invite them to dine." 

The Quaker head of the family said to his 
wife, •• I should be glad to invite them at any 
rate, and if thee thinks thee can make out a 
dinner for them. I will call on them and invite 
them for to-morrow." The preliminaries being 
thus settled, he called on the strangers, had a 
long talk with them in regard to the county 
and State of Ohio, its prospects, and invited 
them to dine ; the invitation was promptly ac- 
cepted, and after dinner they all rode over a 
considerable portion of the township, exam- 
ined the water-power of the Sippo Creek, rode 
over the grounil plat of the now city of Mas- 
sillon, and the strangers were favorably im- 
pressed ; they went no further west, returned 
to Wheeling, and Wellsbiirg. Va.. and Mr. 
Duncan returned shortly afterward and pur- 
chased the Estremadura farm, now owned b\' 
the Kegler heirs, and purchased the quarter- 
section on which the city is. in part, laid out. 
The purchase was made for the water-power of 
Sippo Creek, and near where now stands the 
Masonic Lodge, an<i the merchant fiouring-mill 
of Isaac N. Dexter. Mr. Duncan erected a Hour- 
ing-mill and saw-mill, having first erected a 
dam across the creek, near where East street. 
Massillon. now crosses the creek. The plac^e 
was known as Duncan's Mill, as it had no other 
way of distinginshing it from any other point 
in the Tuscarawas Valley. 

There was one member of Mr. Earle's family 
when he came into the township, who yet lives 



Ml 



:?82 



HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY 



in the township just outside the city limits at 
the age of ninet^y-six jears, Mrs. llebecca Staf- 
ford, her maiden name being Coolt, a sister of 
Mrs. Earle ; she married Abel Stafford, one of 
the colony wlio settled in Tuscarawas from 
Essex County, N. Y., by whom she was left a 
widow many years sinoe. She is iu the enjoj-- 
ment of excellent health and bids fair to see 
the one hundredtli anniversary- of her birthdaj'. 
Tiie name of Aunt Rebecca Cook sixty years 
ago, was as •■ familiar as household words." 
She has life-long been a remarUal)le woman, 
and her bright intellect makes her liome a 
pleasant place to visit; her reeol lection of the 
events of early times is clear. 

The stagnation of business, scarcity of mono}- 
and almost cessation of immigration, commenc- 
ing soon after the close of the war, seemed to 
paralyze the energies of every body ; a surplus 
of agricultural products was always on hand, 
and no outlet to market ; a general feeling of 
discouragment pervaded the community ; when 
land would sell at all, it sold for merely nomi- 
nal prices, compared with its real value. To 
get rid of the increasing produce on his hands 
after the building of his mill, Mr. Duncan 
erected a distillery, a log liuilding which stood 
near the corner of Charles and Mill streets, 
Massillon, the first distiller being Seth Chase, 
a native of Vermont, who had settled in Tus- 
carawas Township. As time wore on, Mr. 
Duncan accumulated a large quantity of whisky, 
and, in 1822. he determined to load a flat-boat 
with flour, whisky and potatoes for the New 
Orleans market. The idea had hardly entered 
his mind, until he went with all possible haste 
to (Uiarles CoHin, and contracted for the build- 
ing of a boat to be launched in the Tuscarawas, 
and loaded with flour, whisky, potatoes, bacon, 
and, in short, anything that would sell in 
Southern market. The boat was built and 
launched exactl}- where now is the eastern end 
of the arched stone bridge in Massillon ; the 
amount of her tonnage is not recollected, nor 
can it be ascertained. She was built bottom 
up and turned over into the water with entire 
success ; her upper works were immediately 
set up and Hnislied ; a fortunate rise in the 
river was taken advantage of, teams were em- 
plo^-ed which worked night and day, and with 
the rise, the boat was loaded, and in the early 
spring of the year, the '• Walk in the Water," 
as Mrs. Duncan had named the boat, started on 



her voyage. Much apprehension was felt lest 
the dam across the river at Zoar, and Baker's 
dam at New Philadelphia, should be in the 
wa}-, but the flood kept up and the dams were 
crossed in safety. 

The Muskingum was reached and being at 
flood-tide, having the waters of the Tuscarawas 
and Walhonding to keep it up, Capt. Duncan 
had company to the (Jhio, Coshocton and 
Zanesville and other towns on the river being 
engaged in shipping to New Orleans. No time 
was lost in reaching Cincinnati. On arriving 
tliere, Capt. Duncan found the market buoyant 
for his entire cargo, and sold out boat and cargo 
at a fine advance, and walked from Cincinnati 
to Kendal, where he then resided. His success 
was followed with other and similar ettbrts, 
none of which, however, were near so successful. 

Mr. Duncan's success was only an additional 
stimulus to greater improvements in the valley, 
in which all liis fortunes were staked, his am- 
bition for improvement was only restrained b}' 
his means. On his return from Cincinnati, he 
and Mr. Skinner immediatel}' formed the part- 
nership of C. K. Skinner & Co., and first put 
up a carding-machine, picker and the other ap- 
pliances, simply for carding wool and reducing 
it to rolls for the spinning-wheel, Mr. Skinner 
having been bred to the business while in the 
service of Thomas Rotch, and such was their 
success that the flouring-mill was soon turned 
into a woolen manufactory, and was known as 
the " Free Bridge Woolen Factory Fifty rods 
east of the Tuscarawas Free Bridge," and was 
continued as a woolen factory; an addition was 
made in which the works for manufacturing- 
flax-seed oil were erected, and the business of 
manufacturing oil was carried on for manj- 
years. 

Under the untiring energy of Mr. Duncan, in 
which he was ably seconded by Mr. Skinner, the 
improvements of this portion of the Tuscara- 
was Valley were rapidly accelerated. Among 
the old-time landmarks of a pre-historic period, 
so far as the city of Massillon is concerned, is 
the building now owned by James Bayliss, Esq., 
and occupied by T. Clarke Miller, M. D., and 
which was erected in 1823, the east end being 
first used by Mr. Duncan for a dry goods store, 
the west end beipg occupied by Mr. Duncan as 
a residence Ibr his family. The year 1824, 
however, was the turning-point for business in 
the entire length of the Tuscarawas Valley, and 



-$1 



M± 



PERKY TOAVNSIIIP 



383 



especially in so much of it as lies in the county 
of Stark. In tliat year, 1824, the Legislature 
of Ohio, which ha<i had for several years the 
subject of internal iniproveraent in one form or 
.•mother before it, resolved to proceed ; and an 
act was passed February 24, directin<i; the Com- 
missioners, who had been already appointed, to 
continue their labors and (Mn|)loy an able engi- 
neer and assistiints. Tlie reports of the Com- 
missioners were so favorable, that, in 1825, an 
act was passed "to provide for the internal im- 
provement of tlie State of Ohio by navigable 
canals," and agr(H!ably to the provisions of 
wliich act the Ohio Canal, iVora Cleveland to 
l'<n-tsmouth, was built. 

Immediately upon the passage of the last- 
mentioned act, Jlr. Dinicau commenced and 
never ee.-iscd his labors until the canal was lo 
cated in the Tuscarawas Valley, and on the east 
side of the Tuscarawas Kiver. On the 18th 
day of January, 1826, forty-four sections, com- 
mencing at the .south side of the Summit Lake 
in Portage, now Summit County, on the Portage 
Summit, and extending south to the second 
lock south of the city of Massillon. near the resi- 
dence of Mrs. Jarvis, a distance of twenty-seven 
miles, .soutii of the now city of Akron, were 
let to contractors, the letting taking place in 
Kendal at Mr. Duncan's residence, which was 
the only brick house in the village, and which 
will be remembered by the reader as the one 
erected bj- Alexander Skinner, Esq. 

As soon as it was settled beyond peradven- 
ture where the canal was to be located, Mr. 
Duncan commenced to purchase land in the 
valley north and south of the tracts alread\- 
owned by him, and also commenced to laj- out 
a town, which extended from North street, on 
the north, adjoining the residence of Dr. Joseph 
Watson, to South street, adjoining the " Excel- 
sior Works," west to the Tu.scarawas River 
(bcyoiid that boundary the land was owned I>y 
Judge William Henry), and east to High street, 
wliicli bordered on lands owned by the estate 
ot Thomas Rotch, deceased. Excepting on the 
south. .Mr. Duncan took in all the territory he 
owned. The fractional section on the east side 
of the river, not owned by Mr. Duncan, lying 
between his land and the river, was owned by 
Hon. P. A. Karthans, of Baltimore, having 
been entered by him at an early day, and on 
which a large portion of the village, between 
the canal and river, was laid out. The new 



town was called Massillon, taking its name 
from Jean Baptiste Massillon, a celebrated 
Roman Catholic French Bishop, of the days 
of Jiouis XIV, of France. The name was 
suggested by Mrs. Duncan, who was a tine 
French scholar, and of whom, it raaj^ be said 
in passing, she was a niece of the Hon. Charles 
Hammond, one of the early cdiUn's of the 
Cincinnati Gazritc, and a woman of rare edu- 
cation and social qualities. 

The first school in the township was taught 
by William Mott, a young Quaker of limited 
education, but earnest in his efforts to dogood, 
faithful and upright ; he realized his incapacity, 
and soon (juit teaching, and worked in Thomas 
Roteh's woolen factory, and finally returned to 
the East. Next to him as a teacher was Cyrus 
Spink, a man of education and excellent habits. 
As a teacher for those days he was a success. 
But one of his pupils yet remains within the 
bounds of his territory as a teacher, now draw- 
ing rapidly to the seventh decennial period of 
life, and another now residing at Mantua Station 
in Portage County, Ohio, just entered upon his 
seventy-eighth year. Mr. Spink, on leaving 
Kendal, went to Wooster and remained there 
until his death on the lilst of May, 1859. At 
the time of his death he was a member of Con- 
gress elect from that district, and was sixty- 
seven years of age. He was JMajor (Jeneral of 
the Military Division in which Wooster is situ- 
ated, and life-long sustained the reputation of 
an upright man. Among the teaclu^rs of that 
day was Ruth Logue, a Quaker, afterward the 
wife of Nathan Galbraith, of New Garden, Col- 
umbiana County. She was a model woman as 
teacher and in every other respect. The writer 
can well .say of her, as was written l)y C.old- 
sniitli of tlie \illage master of Sweet Auburn, 
she was a woman. 

•Severe and stem to view, 
I knew licr well as cvcrv Iniant knew ; 
Full well ha.l h.Hliriu' truu'nlcs learned to trace 
Tlic (lay '^ cli^a-lci-> in her ninniing face : 
Yet .she was kind, (ir if si^vcre in aught. 
The love she bore to learninj; was in fault." 
The children she taught loved her, and the 
few who yet remain to visit the old plaj-ground 
on the '• (Jreen " in Kendal, cherish for her af- 
fectionate memories. 

The wa>- schools were organized and con- 
ducted, the mode of teaching, indeed every- 
thing connected with education in those days, 
was, perhaps, the best that could be under the 



384 



HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY. 



circii instances ; but while tluit is eonceded, it is 
a wonder that eiiildren learned anything useful, 
or received just impressions of anything calcu- 
lated to serve them in the future. The founda- 
tions for usefulness, however, were laid, and 
many of the men and women educated, in part, 
in those schools, poor as they were, have writ- 
ten their names high up on the historic page, 
the women as teachers, and the men have taken 
their places in all the learned professions, and 
as legislators in the General Assembly of the 
State and in Congress. 

On one occasion, a teacher came to Kendal 
and called on Capt. Mayhew Folger, who was 
always among the first to interest himself in 
the cause of education, and made known his 
desire to have a school, and represented himself 
as well qualified. Capt. Folger gave him pen 
and ink and said if he would draw a subscrip- 
tion paper, he, Capt. Folger, would subscribe a 
certain number of scholars ; the teacher drew up 
bis paper misspelling about half the words ; his 
attention was called to that defect in his own 
education, when he replied with the utmost 
coolness, " Spelling is not very essential.'' 

Until 1825, there was no uniform school sys- 
tem in Ohio. 'In that year, the friends of 
schools and canals,'' says the late Chief Justice 
Chase, in his admirable historical sketch of 
Ohio, preliminary to his great work. " Chase's 
Statutes," " united in the Legislature, and the 
following systems of internal improvement and 
general instruction were simultaneously brought 
into being. The act, from that year, imposed 
a general tax of one-half of one mill on the 
dollar for the support of schools, and provided 
fortheirestablishment in every township." The 
schools were championed by the Hon. James 
W. Lathrop, a member of the House from Stark 
County. On Mr. Lathrop's return to his con- 
stituency at the adjournment of the Legislature, 
a hue and cry was raised against him. which 
threatened his defeat as a candidate for re-elec- 
tion ; he was, however, re-elected by a reduced 
majority, the objection to him was the increased 
taxation to support common schools. '• Peo- 
ple do not want so much learning," said a prom- 
inent farmer, whose grandson, in 1840, gradu- 
ated from JeflTerson College, Penn.sylvania, at 
the head of his class, Mr. Lathrop returned to 
the Legislature and remodeled the " act entitled 
the act organi.'iingthe common schools of Ohio, " 
increasing the taxation and improving the law 



generally. The clamor against him was increased 
tenfold, but he was re-elected in 1827 ; and 
true to his convictions, he started again to im- 
prove, by amendments to the former acts, '■ The 
Common-School System of Ohio.'' While en- 
gaged on his work, he was stricken down by 
disease and died ; his wife, a resident of Canton, 
rode to Columbus on horseback, arriving in 
time to witness his death : his remains were 
laid away in one of the cemeteries of the (lan- 
ital Cit}', and remained there until 1873, when 
Hon. Samuel C. Bowman, then member of the 
House of Representatives from this county, of- 
fered a resolution providing for their removal 
to Canton. The resolution was at once adojjted, 
and the Stark County members of the House 
and Senate were appointed a Joint Committee 
to attend to the removal. Hon. Ellis N. John- 
son, Jr., being the colleague of Mr. Bowman 
and Hon. Arvine C. Wales from the Twenty-first 
District, vStark and Carroll, being the Senator, 
the Committee and remains being attended by 
Frederick Blankner, Esij., Third Assistant Ser- 
geant-at-Arms of the House. 

Mr. Lathrop having been an honored mem- 
ber of Canton Lodge,"No. 60, of A., F. & A. M., 
the brethren of both lodges in that city met the 
remains at the railwaj- station at Canton, and. 
under their care, the remains were deposited in 
the beautiful cemetery of that city. A large 
number of the prominent citizens of Canton 
and Massillon paid their respects to the remains 
of the founder of the common-school sjstem of 
Ohio !)}• their pre.sence at the interment; re- 
marks, suited to the occasion, were made by 
gentlemen from both cities, but no eulogy can 
ever do justice to the memory of James W. 
Lathrop. A monument to his memory " more 
durable than brass, ' should be at once erected, 
u|)(in which should l)e inscribed, simply, ■' The 
Founder of Common Schools," with the name 
of tlie distinguished citizen ; and, as Daniel 
Webster said of Bunker Hill Monument. ■ there 
let it stand and meet tlie sun in his coming ; let 
the earliest light of the morning gild it, and 
parting day linger and play upon its summit." 

Still the imperfections of the common schools 
were such that select schools were everywhere 
springing up, until repeated legislation has 
given the township, as well as the entire State, 
tlie best school system in the West. 

Perry Township was never behind other por- 
tions of the county in its attention to education. 



=jrr 



PKHRY TOWNSHIP. 



:wr. 



The excellent school taught by IJarak Miehener, 
in Kendal, before he studied medicine, brougiit 
pupils from Canton who were taught the rudi- 
ments of a common English education. Tiie 
year 1817 brought many " new-comers " from 
New England, among wliom were Thomas Reed 
and Richard Bn^ed, and their families, from 
Lynn ; and Sylvanus Hathaway and his famil\-, 
originally from New iJedford, Mass. The first 
two went into the then lately organized town- 
ship of .Jackson, and llathavvay stopped at 
Kendal, where he died in a few years. Miss 
Eliza Reed, one of the three children of Thomas 
Reed, was married to Mr. 0. K. Skinner in 1822. 
They lived in Kendal and in Massillon forty- 
four years, she dying in 1860 at the age of si.\- 
ty-nine ; her life was one of great usefulness. 
Before her marriage, she, too, was a teacher of 
a select school at Kendal. 

The first orchard planted in the township is 
on the south side of the road between Massillon 
and Canton, on what is now the farm of Mr. 
Daum, and it is believed to have been planted 
by Jonathan Chapman, l)etter known as Johnny 
Appleseed, who was well known through this 
part of Ohio during the earliest settlement of 
which any account can be had, as a planter of 
orchards. He is well remembered as going 
from house to hou.sc and calling for apple seeds. 
The fruit then had was brought from the East 
in wagons, and sold at fabulous prices. A full 
sketch of Johnny Appleseed will be found in 
" Howe's Historical Collections of Ohio," in the 
history of Richland County. The next orchard 
was planted in the south end of the township 
by John Reamer, on a trac^t of land sold b^' 
him to Mayhew Folger, and sul)sequently owned 
by Mr. Coder. After Mayiiew Kolger purchased 
the land, a portion of the trees were trans- 
planted to the orchard formerly within the now 
city limits of Massillon, where stands the resi- 
dence of Henry Beatty, Estj. On the west side 
of the river and now in the Second Ward of the 
city, was another early orchard, planted by Al- 
exander Johnson. Esq., already mentioned in 
these pages. He had scr\'ed in the army (jf the 
United States with (len. Wayne in his campaign 
in 179-i. He came from Western Pennsylvania. 
and was of as hardy a race of men as ever peo- 
pled any country, and was a man of as high a 
sense of honor and integrity of character as 
ever aided in the formation of society. Earnest 
in liis convictions and true to himself, he never 



was false to anybody else. He was killed in 
1841 by falling from his hay mow on the sharp 
paling of his liay ladder in his barn on the 
farm where now resides iiis son, Jonathan John- 
son, just outside the cmIv limits of Massillon, at 
about the age of seventy. 

This township claims the distinction of hav- 
ing first introduced Spanish Merino sheep into 
this portion of Ohio. Thomas Rotch intro- 
duced them ; they were driven from Hartford. 
Conn., and were the product of importations 
from Spain made in 1803. by Col. David Hum- 
phreys. The next i inportations of merino sheep 
into tiio Tuscarawas Valley were by Bezaleel 
Wells and William R. Dickenson, of Steuben- 
ville. -Mr. Dickenson being the owner of the 
celebrated merino ram '• Bolivar," which took 
the premium, a silver cup, in Baltimore. Boli- 
var was sent from Mr. Dickenson's farm, '■ Es- 
trcniadura, " in this township, in a covered cart 
in charge of a faithful shepherd, and at an ex- 
hibition of flne-wooled sheep from all parts of 
the United States, Perry Township bore away 
the prize. 

.\mong the institutions oi Perry Township 
of which everybody should be proud, is the 
Cluirity School, of Kendal, sometimes called 
the Rotch School, founded on the following be- 
quest in the will of Charity Rotch : 

llaviiiij for many years past been very desirous of 
pn)motiii,L,Mlic cstiili'lislinicnt of :i bciiovolciit insti- 
tution foi- till- cMlucalioii of (U'slilutc orphans and 
indigent eliil<ln'n, more pnrtieularly those wliose 
parents :ire <if ilepiaved morals. Iliiif they nia.y he 
trained in liiil)ils of iiwlustr}- and economy ; it is 
my will llial my e.xecnlors convert the remainder 
of my jiroperty, liolli real ami personal, into money 
as soon iis praeliealile, and place the same in per 
manent fuiuls. the interest of which to he .solely up- 
plied to said insliliilion. .Should the same he sulli- 
cicnt to attach a farm thereto, .so that a portion of 
the boys' time may he devoted to the huuliihle pur- 
suit of af^ricullure, and a [jart of the ,!;irls' time to 
be devoted to the duties of hon.sewifeiy, whereby 
they may support Iheni.selves and heeome useful 
memhers of society, and also that a suflieieni tim<' 
may he devoted to tlu' aequirinjj of a connnon 
English education. It would more fully comply with 
my desires, should the amount not be sultieient fully 
to accomplish said object, and no other fmid e<iuld 
be added to second my efforts, it is my will that the 
interest of said ftnid be solely applied to the instruc- 
tion of such children in a common English educa- 
tion. 

It will be observed that, according to the 
terms of the foregoing bequest, the school was 
made a residuary legatee. The testatrix had 



HISTORY OF .STARK COUNTY. 



no idea what the amount would be, but greater 
or smaller it was to be carefully husbanded by 
her executors, who were Arvine Wales and 
Matthew Mac\', who after settling the estate 
and paying the last farthing in the way of spe- 
cific legacies, and reducing the resl and residue 
to monej', or its equivalent, found tluit :?L'(),()OU 
would remain for the purpose of estahlisliing a 
school, sucii as was contemplated by the Quak- 
er woman wliose net was for the rncc, the poor 
ami iirnli/ irliiiin site lacei-foir/of. The fund was 
carefully managed by the executors, Arvine 
Wales, especially, and within twenty years after 
the death of the testatrix, Mr. Wales had pur- 
chased 185 acres of choice farming land just 
outside the city limits on the north, and on 
whicli tile scliool buildings are erected. 

The following very complete history of the 
school, its objects and the success that has at- 
tended it, is furnished by Ira M. Allen, Esq., 
Superintendent : 

Tlie main luiildiiig' ^va.s commenced in 1.S42, and 
in 1844 a school was opened with ten .scholars. 
Philander Dawley, from Newark. N. Y., Superin- 
tendent, the Trustees and Superintendent liaving 
adopted tlie following plans; 

The school, when full, to consist of twenty boys 
and twenty girls were indentured to the Board of 
Trustees for four years, ten to he admitted and ten 
to graduate at the end of four years. No child to 
be admitted under twelve, nor over fifteen j'ears of 
age. As the children were to be tauglit, the boys 
farming, and the girls to do all kinds of housework 
and plain sewing, which was one of the require- 
ments of the will, and the school has been managed 
substantially upon that jilan since its organization, 
except that when the prices of clothing and supplies 
for the school advanced during the war, it was 
foimd that the income was not sufficient to maintain 
so many, when the number of pupils was reduced 
to thirty. 

The school has been conducted on the plan of a 
family, as far as possible. All cat at the same table 
and mingle together as brothers and sisters, and 
there is very little more restraint than woidd be 
found necessary in a well-regulated family, they 
are, in fact, a family of brothers and sisters. The 
cultivating of the idea that we are a family, works 
well. All that is required for an applicant, when 
there is a vacancy in the school, is that he or she 
shall be of sound mind and body, of fair moral 
character, and so poor as to be unable to procure 
decent educational advantages. Mr. Dawley re- 
signed bis pii'iitioii as Superintendent. April 1. lS.'i4, 
and was v||, r,r,l, ,1 I.v Ini :\[. Allrn. who rcsiLincd in 
1864. and \v;i< mi. , r.Urd bv Adam W. Ileldenhrand, 
a former iiiqiii. w lio \\ a^ ileciid ( 'lerk (jf tbrConrt 
of Common Pleas in l>*<;:,. .hhI i- ut.n Probate .lud-v 
of Stark Counly. holdiii;: the tiller |. lace lor lliii-c 
terms. Judire lleldenbrandV successor was Abraham 



C. Dulev. who managt'd the school successfully for 
seven years, when hc' rcsigncil and Mr. .1. W. tiese- 
man took his jilace. who was ai;ain succeeded by Ira 
M. Allen, Ajjril 1, 1879, and who has charge of the 
school at this time. 

There have been graduated at the Kendal Charity 
School, which is the corporate name of the institu- 
tion, aliout one hundred and fift_v scholar.^ -.incc its 
organization, mo.st of whom have Ipccoulc liouora- 
ble members of society, and many have arisen to 
eminence in tlu' learned |irn(cssions. The farm is 
nearly all unilcr culli\ ;ilion, I he entire labor of the 
farm and in llic bouse is piitoiiued by the pupils, 
notwithstanding which, the division of labor and 
study is such that the children have about as many 
hours of study during the year, as is devoted to 
teaching in the best Union schools of the State. 
Many complete the entin- <ourse of study, which 
consists of reading, writing, geography, arithmetic, 
grammar, natural philosophy, Histor_y of the 
United States, elements of phj'siology, algebra and 
geometry. 

Whatever may be due to Charity Rotch for 
her gift for the education of the poor and 
needj', all of which will ever be gratefull}- ac- 
knowledged, the name and memory of Arvine 
Wales will ever be kindly and affectionately re- 
membered in connection with the cause of edu- 
cation, not only for his guarding the fund upon 
which the Charity School is based, but for his 
devotion to the cause of popular education dur- 
ing his long and useful life. The Charity 
School of Kendal, and the Union School of 
Massillon, are monuments which bear the im- 
press of his care and watchfulness. 

While great credit is due to the Superintend- 
ents of the (Uiaritj' School, their wives, who 
have had the responsibility, in addition to their 
own families, of looking after the pupils, must 
not be overlooked nor forgotten ; thej', too, 
have liorne burthens that entitle them to men- 
tion ever3where in connection with the school, 
and nobly and well ha\e they discharged every 
dutj' and every responsibility connected with 
their position, they will be ever gratefully- re- 
membered bj- the poor for whom they so faith- 
fully labored. 

On the Gth of the eighth month, 1824, 
Charity Rotch died at the Spring Hill farm, and 
was buried in the Friends' burying ground in 
Kendal, where rest the remains of many of the 
" rude forefathers of the hamlet." 

The property belonging to Kendal Charity 
School, at a low estimate is valued at $60,000. 
The interest on the fund, now about $30,000, 
with the labor of the pupils, pays tlie entire 
cost of the school, and under the management 



PEKKY TOWNSHIP. 



of the present careful Board of Trustees and 
Superintendent, tlie school is fulfiHing the 
an.xious wishes of its founder, as expressed in 
her hist will and testament near sixty j'ears 
since. 

The present Board of Trustees eonsist of 
Thomas McCulloutrh, President; Charles F. 
Hicks. Frank L. Baldwin, Horace Richards and 
Hon. A. C. Wales. Secretary and Treasurer. 
The grave of Charity Rotch may possibly be 
found in the old Quaker burying ground. If 
there be anything to enable the stranger to find 
it, it is a plain sandstone just above the sur- 
face of the earth with the initials C. R. " The 
foe and the stranger might tread o'er her head," 
unconscious that he is standing on the grave of 
the noble woman who divided her estate with 
t he poor. The writer of these sketches attended 
her funeral, and as no epitaph graces her tomb- 
stone, he desires to say of her, "she loved 
mankind." 

While each )-ear's history discloses some 
event that was regarded worth remembering, 
the year 1 824 has its event, and that was the 
running of a four-horse post coach from Pitts- 
burgh to Mansfield once a week, and earr3'ing 
the mail ; then the post office department in- 
creased the mail service to twice a week in 
coaches, then tri-weekly, which soon became a 
daily : before the running of coaches, the mails 
were received weekly ; their coming was an- 
nounced by the 

" Twaiiu-jn;; liorii of the jmstman that 
With il~ \viari>i(iiTic. l)Ut needful lengtli, 
Bc-sliDilc till.' wintry flood." 

The four-horse post coach was an incident in 
those days, but few yet remain who remember 
its coming. 

The proprietor of the stage line, as it was 
called, was Daniel Burgert. of Paris, the driver 
a man by the name of Estcp, afterward a mer- ; 
chant in New .Mexandria, Columbiana Co. ' 
I'roprietor and driver have long since closed 
their accoimts. 

The year 182fi. was marked by many impor- 
tant events in the history of this township : the 
laying-out of the new city of Massillon, the let- 
ting of the work on the Ohio Canal to contract- 
ors and the commencement of the work, were 
regarded as works of great importance in the 
effect they were destined to have on the future 
history of the county, and especially on the 



western townships, but to those who can say in 
reference to those events — - 

"All of wliich I .saw — " 

no circumstance in history is remembered with 
more interest than the formation of the Kendal 
Community, its rise and progress and decline 
and fall. 

In the }-ear 1825, it will be remembered that 
much was written on the subject of socialism 
and social reform, and that among the writers 
and advocates of such a reformation was Rob- 
ert Owen, father of the late Robert Dale Owen, 
and who will ever be remembered as a human- 
itarian of the most noble type, unbounded be- 
nevolence, and stainless purity of character 
and reputation, of New Lanack, Scotland. Paul 
Brown, one of the clearest writers and think- 
ers on that subject ; Josiali Warren, a man 
somewhat Utopian in his ideas, but. neverthe- 
less, upright and honest in his convictions, and 
many others, were prominent in their efforts to 
awaken the public mind to a consideration of the 
subject. Paul Brown and .Josiah Warren bi'ing 
in the West and visitors at the Kendal Com- 
munity, were known to the writer. Men and 
women of liberal and enlarged views, and who 
might well be classed among the most advanced 
thinkers, gave the subject attention, and the re- 
sult was, that, in the summer of 1821). man}' of 
the residents of Perry and Tuscarawas Town- 
ships and also from Portage County, after \'ari- 
ous meetings and discussions of the sul)ject. 
determined to organize a comniiniity based 
generally upon the views of Robert Owen ; the 
name adopted by the association was the Ken- 
dal Community. The name given it by the 
public was the '• Owenites. ' They purchased 
of the estate of Thomas Rotch, 2,113 acres of 
land in the neighborhood of Kendal and Mas- 
sillon. together with some town lots, improved 
and unimproved, in Kendal, for 82it.000. ()f 
the officers, or mode of government of the com- 
munity, little can now be ascertained. In No- 
vember, 1827, the community was re-enforced 
by a considerable accession from the State of 
New York. Edward Dtnin and James Bayliss. 
of the city of New York ; Dr. Samuel I'nder- 
hill. wife and children, a total of five ; Nathan- 
iel Ilnderhill. wife and children, a total of five ; 
Jethro Macy. w'ife and five children, a total of 
seven ; Henry C. Fosdick, wife anti children, a 
total of seven ; William (i. Macy and Edward 



388 



HISTOEY or STARK COT^NTY. 



Hussey, making a total of twenty-eight. They 
started from Coxsaekie, Greene Co., N. Y., so near 
the close of navigation as to be subjected to al- 
most untold trials before reaching Kendal. On 
reaching Buffitlo, all the steamboats on the lake 
were laid up, and it was with great difficulty 
that a small and inferior schooner could be had 
to bring them to Cleveland, where the3- arrived 
after " hair-breadth 'scapes." The Ohio Canal 
was only navigable to Akron, in its best con- 
dition, and, at that season of the yeai-, could 
hardlj' be called navigable at all ; some of the 
men walked to Akron on the towing-path of the 
canal, which, much of the way, was through an 
almost uninhabited portion of the country ; 
those who managed to get to Akron were met 
with teams from the community, and, after 
much suffering, all got through safely, and all 
united with the Kendal Community to which 
they had been invited, and which they intended 
to do before leaving home. 

For the rest, in regard to this social enter- 
prise, one of the surviving members of the 
community furnishes the following, and from 
whose manuscript the foregoing, much con- 
densed account in reference to the New York 
accession to the communit}- is taken. It is 
much to be regretted that the full account of 
the journey from Albany to Kendal could not 
be inserted, as it is full of points of exceeding 
interest. 

" On our arrival," says the gentleman from 
whose manuscript the following is copied, " we 
went to work with a will, and were very anxious 
to make a success of the undertaking, and will- 
ing and ready to make any sacrifice to that end. 
We had listened to that eloquent philanthropist, 
Robert Owen, had read much that he had writ 
ten, and were thoroughly convinced — as he 
taught — that man is the creature of circum- 
stances, over which he has no control whatever. 
That he cannot say who his parents shall be, 
what shall be their country, polities or religious 
creed ; therefore his character is formed for him 
and not by him. That propertj* was very un- 
equally divided ; that all things were tending 
to make the rich richer and the poor poorer. 
That those who produced the wealth enjoyed 
only a small portion of it, and that those who 
produced nothing had too much wealth for their 
own good. That the producing classes, if prop- 
erl\' educated and surrounded by proper cir- 
cumstances, could easily arrange society so as 



to secure to each the product of his or her own 
labor, and all the best advantages of securing 
to all the children equall}- the very best educa- 
tion attainable. 

"The Kendall Community, at tiie time of the 
arrival of the friends from New York, was com- 
posed of the following persons : 

'• Amasa Bailey, Asa K. Burroughs. Matthew 
Macy, Frederick Oberlin, Philip Waggoner. John 
Waggoner, John Newcomb, William Harding. Ze- 
no Culver, Hezekiah Culver, John H. Blackman, 
John Harmon. John Sprague, William Widgeon, 
Jehiel Fox, Jonathan Winter, Joseph Tinkler, 
Dr. Luther Hauchett, William Hauchett and 
Elijah Bigelow ; all these had families. Of 
those who had not families were Lutlier Pond, 
David Kennedy and Jolui Kennedy, and doubt- 
less others that I cannot remember. 3Iost of 
the families were large, and seemed to keep all 
busy to make a living, and no remunerative la- 
bor offering to enable them to earn money to 
pay the annual amount coming due on the large 
tract of land purchased of the Rotch estate, 
many of the aoove-named individuals had sold 
good farms or homes to raise money for the 
first payment. Some began to feel discouraged, 
and, unable to accomplish the object and pur- 
pose for wh.ich thej' came together, they ga\'e 
it up, and the property was sold to Messrs. 
Duncan, Wales and Skinner, who divided it into 
farms and town lots, and sold much of it at a 
good profit, and divided the rest. 

■' The members of the community scattered 
in various directions, each pursuing those ob- 
jects in life most likely to lead him and his to 
enjo}- health, wealth and happiness. Some of 
the above-named persons still remain in this 
neighborhood, notwithstanding the wonderful 
changes that have occurred in the last fifty-four 
years.' 

South of the center of the township is the 
village of Richville, laid out by John Honk, in 
183(5. 3Ir. Houk was proud of the title, 'the 
proprietor of Richville," and did what he could 
to give the village celebrity. It is on the State 
road running from Canton, southwest to Navarre, 
in Bethlehem Township, Wilmot. in Sugar Creek 
and Holmes County. 

For sixty-seven j-ears. Perry Township has 
been an organized political coramunit}-, occupy- 
ing a most important position in the fertile val- 
le\' of the Tuscarawas. East and west of the 
river, it produces ever3'thing that any township 




produces in an agricultural sense, and its min- 
eral wealth is uncqualed by any other township 
in the Congressional District. 

I'nder the great and onlightcncd policy that 



marks Ohio's history, Perry Township must 
alwaj's be in the front rank of the townships of 
the county, whose boast shall soon be, that she 
contains within her borders three cities. 



CHAPTER XIII.* 



THE CITV OK .\I.\SSII.LON— ITS lUKTU AND CliOWTFI — ,\ DESTKUCTIVE KIHE — THE lUlLDINCi OF 

THE CANAL — THE I'OST OFEICE — EUUC.VTIO.VAL — THE UNION SCHOOLS OF MASSIL- 

LOX — INrORl'ORATION OF THE TOWN — ITS MUNICII'AL GOVERNMENT. 



AS noticed elsewhere, the city of Massillon 
was laid out as a village in the winter of 
1825-26. One of the first lots purchased after 
the village had " a local haliitation and a 
name " was purchased by C'apt. Mayhew Folger 
and was Lot No. 4.5, on which now stands the 
three-story building occupied by Clarence L. 
Mcljain, Ksq., as a store ; this lot was purchased 
for the purpose of erecting upon it a hotel, and 
which was built and opened as such on the 4th 
of February. 1S28, l)y Capt. Folger. 

.Mniost cotemporaneous with that purchase 
was the purchase of the lot on the southwest 
corner of Main and Mill, by Jacob Miller, Es(|., 
and the two lots west of it extending to the 
alley. On the corner lot purchased by Jacob 
Miller, a building for a hotel was also erected 
and opened in the autumn of 1827, and occu- 
pied by Mr. Miller for many years, when he re- 
tired from the business and engaged in mer- 
chandising, and was elected one of the Asso- 
ciate Judges of the county, a position he tilled 
until his death in February, 1843. In all the 
relations of life. Judge Miller commanded the 
respect of his neighbors ; his father, (Jeorgc 
Miller, is belic^ved to have been the first settler 
in the Township of Jackson, having erected a 
cabin on the west side of the Tuscarawas 
River opposite .Millport as early as 1806. 
Judge Miller lost no time in filling his front, 
on Main street, with buildings which stood 
until July. 18;");!, when a fire swept out the 
whole square, since which, the lots have been 
divided and subdivided, until they have gotten 
into their present shape, forming an important 
business block. 

On the 27tli of August, 1851, the entire 
square, from the northeast corner of Main and 

♦Conlributtd l.j- R..l.ert H. Folger. 



Erie streets to the northwest corner of Main 
and Mill streets, extending north to Plum 
street, was swept away by the first reallj' 
destructive fire that occurred in the city. In 
this lire but a single building escaped on the 
entire square, and that was the building adjoin- 
ing the one now occupied by F. Lehman as a 
book-bindery. The American House, then 
standing on the corner now occupied by C. L. 
McLain as an extensive drj' goods establish- 
ment, and which was kept by Samuel Hawk, 
late of the St. Nicholas and Windsor Hotels in 
New York. The store of Messrs. L. & S. Ran- 
son, the dwelling and grocery establishment of 
N. Sibila. the building on the northwest corner 
of Main and Mill, where now stands the Park 
Hotel, as well as all others, went down in the 
general conflagration, thus removing many of 
the original landmarks of the village of 5las- 
sillon. The first dwelling erected within the 
village limits, and the first occupied after .Alas- 
sillon was known as a village, was the building 
on the southeast corner of Erie and Oak streets. 
It was erected by Julius Heydon, out of lum- 
ber gotten for a building in Kendal intcndetl to 
be a home for the family. The rapid indica- 
tions of growth in Massillon induced the young 
man to consider whether the new village did 
not ofler inducements to go there and build a 
home. Accordingl)-, after considering the pos- 
sibilities and probabilities, he determined to 
purchase the above described lot, and did so 
and paid Mr. Duncan $40 for it, and erected a 
portion of the building now standing thereon, 
and known as the Farmers' Hotel. 

The first marriage in the village was Julia 
A., a sister of the proprietor of the building 
just described, and William M. Folger, now re- 
siding at Mantua Station, Portage Count}-. 



^- 



HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY. 



This marriage took place on the 18th day of 
May. 1826, Hon. (lilbertharp Karle, then a Jus- 
tice of the Peace of Perry Township, otlieiating. 
Mrs. Folger died in the city of Altron. on the 
5th of October, 1870. Tije first marriage iu 
Massillon, according to the ceremonj' of the 
Protestant Episcopal Church, was that of Her 
man B. Harris and Louisa M. MeClar}'. the 
Rev. Mr. Morse, Rector of an Episcopal Church 
in iSteubenville, lieing the olliciatinti- minister. 
This marriage tooic place in 1832. in the dwell- 
ing now occupied by T. Clarl< Miller, M. D. 
Miss McClary was a niece of Mr. Duncan, the 
daughter of a widowed sister. Mrs. M. H. 
McClary, one of the pioneer women of Kendal, 
and of rare accomplishments. Slie brought a 
small but well-selected library, which left its 
impress on tlie society she aided in building up. 
Mr. Harris died at sea on his way to Califor- 
nia, and Mrs. Harris in this city manj' years 
since. 

The next building erected in the village as a 
dwelling-house was the present residence of 
Hon. S. A. Conrad, now a member of the House 
of Representatives, in the General Assembly of 
the State of Ohio. This building was erected 
by Dr. Beriah Broolis, who was the first physi- 
cian in the county west of Kendal, and the 
second west of Canton. Dr. Brooks was from 
South Hadley, Mass., and a thorough type of 
the New England Presbyterian. He first set- 
tled in Kendal, and as a physician was success- 
ful. When Massillon 

"From dirt and seaweed like proud Venice rose." 

and began to assume the proportions of a vil- 
lage. Dr. Brooks was one of the first to rec- 
ognize its importance, and at once pnrcliased one 
of the most eligible lots on Main street. On 
getting his house liabitable, he moved into it, 
buried his wife from there, and died there him- 
self in 1831. 

On the locating of the canal in 1825, and the 
letting of the building of it in January-, 1826, 
an entirely new and dififerent class of people 
came into the village. Before these events, 
Kendal had a little store kept by Ambrose Chap- 
man, and a still smaller one by his brother 
Aaron, who was a sound, orthodox (Quaker, and 
who had the gift of making money out of his 
little business. He moved to Morrow County 
and died. Ambrose died before Massillon 
sprang into existence. In January, 1826, be- 



fore the letting of the contracts for the building 
of the canal, the brotiiers H. and H. A. How- 
ard, merchants, who had settled the year before 
in Middlebury. Portage County, furnished a 
stock of goods to Isaiah Brown, a most enter- 
prising young man from Berkshire County, 
Mass., which stock he opened as a dry goods 
store in Kendal, and was successful. He de- 
termined at once to go into business in the new 
village, and made arrangements for a storeroom, 
which was erected b}' Isaac Austin, al)out where 
now stands the drug store of Ph. Morgen- 
thaler, and there commenced business under the 
firm of I. Brown & Co., but did not get into 
their new building until near the close of the 
year. 

The letting of the contracts on the canal took 
place at Kendal, at the residence of James Dun- 
can. Es(|.. on the 18th of January, almost co- 
tenipiiraneous with the hiying-out of the village 
of .^lassiilon. Work progressed on the canal 
rapidly, tliat portion through the village being 
done by Jesse Rhodes and Horace E. Spencer ; 
they had two or three more sections of half a 
mile each, which the}' completed. 

Mr. Duncan and (reorge Wallace, of Brandy- 
wine, Portage, now Summit County, built the 
canal through the stone quarry, on the east side 
of the canal, between whose work and the village 
Aaron Chapman had a half mile to build, who, 
when advised that he had succeeded in getting 
a "job," advertised for laborers and added at 
the foot of his advertisement, •' Those who can- 
not work without whisky need not apply." 
The result was tliat Aaron employed no whisky 
drinkers, his half-mile of canal was first finished 
in 1828, his work was better done, and while 
the history of the canal lasts, his section will 
be remembered as one built without whisky. 
Aaron gave his men liot coffee as a beverage, 
paid them promptly, and his work tells its own 
story. Just here the writer desires to sa}' that 
the aqueduct just this side, north, of Bolivar, 
was built by the contractor, John Laughery, 
Esq., in the same way ; no intoxicating licpior 
was allowed on the contract, wet or dry. and 
there was a preponderance of wet iu the con- 
struction of an aqueduct to take the canal 
across the river. No whisky or other intoxicat- 
ing liquor was used as a beverage in the build- 
ing of that work. Mr. Laughrey, the contractor, 
was a most worthy man. After finishing his work 
on the canal in the neighborhood of Massillon, 



b^ 



CITY OF MASSILLON. 



391 



he was largelj- engaged on the aqueduct across 
the Scioto River, at Circleville, Pickaway Coun- 
ty; from tliere he went to Adams County, and 
engaged in fruit culture, and ended a long and 
useful life. 

As the work of building the canal south of 
the Portage summit progressed, business cen- 
tered at JIassillon. the only important point in i 
the Tuscarawas Valley, north of New Philadel- 
phia, and south of Akron, which is in the Cuya- 
hoga Valley, and as fast as a ro(jni could be ' 
had it was tilled. The first stock of goods 
opened in the village as a store was that of A. 
McCulley & Co.. who erected a small building, 
where now stands the establishment of Messrs. 
P. Dielhenn & Son. This establishment was 
backed up by Judge William Henry, and did a 
wonderful business. The Hon. Bezaleel Wells, 
almost as soon as lots were in market, pur- 
chased the block of lots on which now stand 
the stores of S. Oberlin. G. L. Albrecht. Joseph 
Coleman, watches and jewelry, the Union Na- I 
tional Bank. Joseph Oppenheimer's Star Cloth- 
ing Store and the First National Bank, and 
erected a small frame and put in a stock of 
goods, previous to which thej- had kept as a 
store in the east end of the building now occu- 
pied by T. Clarke Miller. M. I)., the style of the 
tiim being S. 0. Wells & Co.. Samuel 0. Wells 
being a son of the senior partner. Thus 
it will be seen that I. Brown & Co., S. O. Wells 
& Co. and A. McCulley & Co. were first to en- 
gage in the business of merchandising in the 
n( w village, all of whom had good backing, 
Messrs. Wells & Dickinson being in the film of 
S. 0. Wells & Co.. Judge Henrv in that of A. 
McCulley & Co. and the brothers H. & H. A. 
Howard in the film of I. Brown & Co. Im- 
mediately following them came Hiram Johnson, 
from Middlebury, and business took a start — 
the town began to grow. In 1828, a malignant 
fever swept over the Tuscarawas and Cuyahoga 
Valleys, which baffled the best medical skill 
that could be had. The Howard brothers fell 
before it, as did almost all who were attacked. 
The population along the line of the canal es- 
pecially was almost decimated ; it swept over 
the country, scarcely missing a house. The ne- 
crology of that year records the death of many 
of the most enterprising citizens. As cold 
weather came on and the ravages of the disease 
were staj'cd, business resumed its wonted char- 
acter and all kinds of labor found employment. 



Still progress was not rapid ; there was a full 
supply for every demand. Within the knowl- 
edge of the writer, Capt. Ma3'hew Folgcr sold. 
in 1826, 1(10 barrels of flour at $2 per barrel. 
The great change in the entire business rela- 
tions of the county came, but too late in the 
season to be felt to any great extent. On the 
25th of August, 1828, the Ohio Canal was 
opened from Akron to Massillon. The first 
boats that arrived here were the Allen Trimble 
of the Ohio, Troy & Erie Line, Capt. Z. Matluu-, 
and the State of Ohio, of the Farmers' Line, 
Capt. H. Wheeler. They brought the Acting 
Commissioners and Engineers and the event 
was celebrated with bonfires and illuminations 
at night as it had been l)y the roaring of cannon 
during the day. A poem was written for the 
occasion, a single stanza only of which is re- 
membered, and is in this wise ; 

•■ (■( nil- nivc us ;i l)iiiiiii<r ;iii(l let it run full 
Wliilc we drink to tlie licaltfi of our friend .loliii- 

ny Hull, 
And long nuiy pio.^perity follow us all, 
Wliilc water shall run iii the Ohio Canawl." 

Navigation was thenceforth open between 
Massillon and the outside world. Warehouses 
for the storing of produce had already been 
erected ; a system of warehousing, in the nature 
of a foiwaicling and commission business was 
inaugurated, and a new impulse was given to 
all sorts of enterprises. With the closing of 
the canal, business closed, and it was not until 
1829, that a regular and systematic mode of 
business could be said to exercise control of the 
commercial relations of the countr}- just opened 
to the rest of the world. Massillon was put in 
communication, bj- means of canal navigation, 
with Cleveland, and the world was open to her 
enterprise ; boats continued to arrive and de- 
part during the season of the open canal. In 
1820, near the close of navigation, a mercantile 
film ccmpos(d of liiiain B. Wellman and Mar- 
shall T). Wellman, by the firm of II. B. & M. D. 
Wellman, brought a large stock of goods into 
Massillon. H. B. Wellman had a year or two 
before opened a law office in Wooster, and M. 
1). Wellman, who had been a cooper and set- 
tled in Wooster, left there and went into the 
State of I'ennsylvania, and went to building 
canals under State contracts, and succeeded in 
money-making. These brothers started the 
firm under the above name. On opening their 
store in Massillon, thev ofl'ered ''cash for wheat, " 



HISTORY OF STAKK COUNTY. 



and advertised tlie public that the3- would take 
all the wheat they could get, and would pay 
cash ; and that was the commencement of the 
prosperity of Massillon. To the firm of K. B. 
& M. D. Wellnian may be accredited the begin- 
ning of the great name that Massillon acquired 
as the '• AVheat City," and which it proudly- held 
until the railroad era noticed hereafter. For 
twenty-five years Massillon knew no competition 
nor allowed any competition to cross her path. 
She purchased and stored wheat, paid the 
largest prices, and grew more rapidly than any 
commercial point on the navigable waters of 
the interior of the State. She never knew what 
it was to call a halt until the building of the 
Ohio & Pennsylvania Railway and the numer- 
ous other railways which ottered transportation 
to markets with which she cannot nor does 
compete by means of the canal, so far as the 
grain traffic is regarded as an important factor 
in the business of the country. 

During the year 1827, a movement was made 
for the establishing of a post office in the new 
village ; a petition was forwarded to Hon. John 
McLean, then Postmaster General under Presi- 
dent Adams, and to appoint Capt. Folger Post- 
master, Kendal then being the post office at 
which all mail matter was delivered for the 
county west of Canton — Jackson. Lawrence, 
Tuscarawas, Sugar Creek and Bethlehem being 
without any mail facilities. Of course there 
were rival candidates for the office, but Capt. 
Folger received the appointment and opened 
the office in January, 1828 ; before he moved 
into the village, his first Assistant Postmaster 
was Orlando Keyes. a clerk in the store of 
Hiram Johnson, and where the office was kept 
until Capt. Folger removed into the village, 
which — as already noticed — was on the 4ch of 
Februarj-, 1828 ; he then opened the Commer- 
cial Inn, and kept it as a hotel until his death 
on the 1st of September* of that year. The 
first quarterly report from Massillon Post Office, 
as rendered by Capt. Folger. showed a balance 
due the (lovernment of 80 cents. Ou the 
death of Capt. Folger, his son, William M. Fol- 
ger, was appointed and held the office until the 
administration of Gen. Jackson got fairly at 
work, when Alexander McCulley was ap- 
pointed, who held the office until 1839, when 
the late Hon. !Mathevv Johnson, Jr., was ap- 
pointed. McCuUey's accounts had got into a 
bad shape, the drafts upon the office were not 



paid, and McCulley had to surrender at discre- 
tion. Mr. Johnson held the office until after 
the election of " Tippecanoe and Tyler too,'' 
when, under tiie Postmaster Generalship of 
Hon. Francis Granger, of New York, he sur- 
rendered to Dr. Abel Underbill. The Doctor 
held the office until a few months after the 
death of Gen. Harrison, President, when the 
Government became Tylerized, and he was re- 
moved to make room for G. W. Williams, a 
Tyler man. A change of administration put 
him out and Samuel McCaughej' was appointed ; 
he held until another change of the appointing 
power, when Samuel F. Jones took charge ; he 
held until John Shepley, under another admin- 
istration, took the office, who was removed to 
make room for John J. Hofnian, who held the 
place until the late respected Dr. John Schert- 
zer took the office and held it two terras, when 
Isaac H. Brown, Ksq., was appointed and held 
it to the satisfaction of all who got their mat- 
ter at the office, when he gave way for the 
present incumbent, Charles F. Ricks, Esq., 
whose second term expires early in 1882, and 
who has rendered entire satisfaction in all re- 
spects. The writer of these sketches has wit- 
nessed all of the above appointments and 
changes from 1828 to the present time. From 
the appointment of Capt. Folger to the latest 
appointment, he has had an opportunity to ex- 
press his preference between the applicants. 

Capt. Folger was also the first Collector of 
Canal Tolls for the port of Massillon ; at his 
death, Hon. James Duncan received the ap- 
pointment for the succession, and held the 
office manj- years ; after whom, John F]verhard, 
Mathew Macy, John S. Johnson, Judge Thomas 
Blackburn and others successively held the 
office ; it is now held by David Atwater, I'lsq. 

Prominent among the early business men of 
the village was the late Hon. John Everhard. 
He erected the first brick building on the west 
side of the canal, and opened a store, his firm 
being J. Everhard & Co. Dr. Thomas Hart- 
ford, of Canton, being his partner. Mr. Ever- 
hard erected one of the first warehouses for 
storing wheat that was erected in the city, and 
which was built on the lot where now stands 
Beattj''s Block. The last mentioned building 
was built by the Johnson Brothers in 1837. 
who from 1832 to 1845, were prominent in 
business circles. Their business was dry goods 
and commission merchants, produce dealers. 



CITY OF MASSIIJ.ON. 



and shippers on the canal. The old landmarks 
in the way of business houses that have stood 
more tlian fort3- years, are the building erected 
by Gen. (Jardner Field, the Farmers' and Me- 
chanics' Block, erected b\' Ilogan & Harris, 
now owned by Hon. George Harsh, Coleman's 
Block, northeast corner of Main and Mill 
streets, and the building at the east end of the 
canal Ijridge, south side of Main street. Older, 
however, than any other building in the city 
erected after the city was laid out, except the 
Farmers' Hotel, is the brick l)uilding on the 
west side of the canal, south side of Main 
street, erected by Judge Everhard. In tiiis 
connection, it should be remarked that few 
men among the earlj' settlers of Massillon have 
left as good a name, or one that will be re- 
membered in greater kindness. Although long 
years have passed since his death, his name is 
inseparably connected with Massillon's early 
history. 

The first saddler and harness-maker wiio 
opened a shop in the village was Thomas S. 
Webb, now a resident of the city, and better 
known as Col. T. S. Webb. Since Col. Webb 
came to Massillon, fift3-two years have flown, 
during whicli period Col. Webb will be remem- 
bered as the host of the Franklin House in this 
citj', the Eagle and Union in Philadelphia, the 
National in New York, and during the Centen- 
nial year, two in Piiiladelphia. after having 
jears before retired. As a hotel keeper, he has 
achieved a world-wide reputation. 

In 1831, KS32 and 1833, the business talent 
and enterprise of the village was largel3' aug- 
mented by the new firms of Hogan & Harris, 
Hull & S'hcpard, A. & F. Vinton, and J, 1). & 
D. R. Atwater. Messrs. Hogan & Harris were 
agents for the Ohio, Troy & Erie line of canal 
boats, and diil a large forwarding, com- 
mission and produce business, going out of 
business with the changes brought aljout by 
the panic of 1837, Messrs. ^'inton. as gen- 
eral dry goods merchants and produce dealers, 
did business in the village for several years, 
when they removed to Fort Washington, Tus- 
carawas Countj', where Mr. F. Vinton died, 
after many years of suceessfid business. Messrs. 
Heill & Shepard commenced and continued in 
the produce business also for many years, and 
erected the first steam flouring mill in the vil- 
lage. The Atwater Brothers continued in 
the grocery and provision business until 1840, 



when their firm was dissolved by the death of 
Mr. J. J). Atwater ; the survivor, 1). H. .\t- 
water, Esq., continued business until his death, 
on the 31st of July, 1875, at the age of sixty- 
eight years. In 1833 also came Dr. Joseph 
Watson and family, from Dalton, Wajne County. 
The Doctor at once opened a large drug store, 
and continued in business until within a few 
}-ears past, when he disposed of his stock of 
goods and retired from business and is now 
quietly enjoying the luxur\' of 

••HIcsl rclirciiicMt. I'l-ii'iiil of lifi-'v (li'clinc." 

Tile first school opened in Massillon was in 
1827, in a l)uiiiling standing on the present cor- 
ner of Mill and Charles streets, which had been 
erected by James Duncan, the proprietor, for 
some other purpose. 

•• Tlicrc, in hi.'; noisy mansion skilled to rule. 
'I'lic village master lauirlit his little school." 

The village master was a young gentleman 
who, in the autunni of that jear, had left his 
native home, Berkshire County, Mass., and came 
west to find employment as a teacher. That 
young gentleman is now known in Ohio as Hon. 
Harlow Chapiu, of Ilarmar, Washington Co,. 
Ohio. Ferry Township was all included in one 
district under the law, as prepared by Hon. 
James W. Lathrop. The Directors were James 
Duncan, Alexander Johnson and Gilbertharp 
Earle. Mr. Duncan was a resident of the village, 
and Mr. Johnson resided on his farm southwest 
of the village, and Mr. Earle on his farm north- 
west. Tlie amount of money which was raised 
by taxation was not half enough to pay the 
teacher, and the deficit was made up by volun- 
tary- subscriptions l)y the parents or guardians 
of the scholars. The School Districts of Ferry 
Township now numlier ten. each having a good 
schoolhouse. independent of JIassillon Union 
School, which enumerates 2,4C1 children entitled 
to the benefits of the common school fund. 

Mr. Chapiu had tried in Medina County to 
obtain a school, but the ground was occupied ; 
he came into Stark County, James F. Leonard 
being then a School Examiner ; under the pro- 
visions of the law, although Mr, Chapin was 
provided with a certificate from Medina, he was 
not authorized to teach in Stark County until 
he could produce a certificate from a Stark 
County Examiner. On making the acquaint- 
ance of Mr. Leonard, whom Mr. Chapin found to 



304 



HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY. 



he a " very kind-hearted man," he obtained the 
necessary authority to teach in Starli. Armed 
with the proper authority and encouraged, with 
but 18f cents, as money was then counted, in 
his pocket, he arrived at Massillon and at once 
took lodgings with Jacob Miller, and made 
known his business. Mr. Miller said a school 
was needed, and tendered his aid at once, but 
there was no building suitable — in fact, no build- 
ing at all. 

It would be interesting to narrate the trials 
and tribulations through which Mr. Chapin 
passed in order to open a school. Mr. Duncan 
treated him with habitual kindness, but was 
'• very busj-," and referred him to the other 
Directors, Messrs. Johnson and Earle, who gave 
little encouragement. The truth was ever^-- 
body was poor in this world's goods ; they were 
rich in hopes of the developments of the 
" sliadowy future." l)ut they had not learned to 
wisely improve the present so far as education 
was concerned ; the}' were men of limited edu- 
cation themselves, consequently- had not that 
appreciation of the necessity to 

" Driuk deep, or taste not the Pierian siu-iiig-." 

While despair seemed almost to hold Mr. 
Chapin within its dreaded grasp, he fell in with 
John Everhard, one of the pioneers of Massillon, 
a School Examiner, a gentleman of education 
and refinement — a son of Henry Everhard, a 
pioneer settler of Plain Township — and who at 
once interested himself for the young, friendless 
and penniless teacher. Mr. Everhard. after- 
ward Associate Judge of the Common Pleas 
Court, went to the Directors and obtained their 
consent to the opening of a school in the build- 
ing described, and which is well remembered 
l)v the writei' as being about twenty feet square. 
A contract was made, and Mr. Chapin opened 
the first school in what is now the city of Mas- 
sillon, the teacher to receive S12 per month and 
board, which was to be with Jlr. Miller, neces- 
saril}- often referred to in these sketches, and 
who gave his full iuHuence to the enterprise. 
All arrangements being made, no time was lost 
in obtaining and placing ihe meager stock of 
furniture for Mr. Cbapiu's school, which con- 
sisted of four long slab benches or seats, with- 
out backs, and a sort of sloping shelf on one 
side of the room for practicing writing, with a 
large open fire-place on another side capable of 
receivinff cord-wood from which to warm the 



room, " and all was ready," as Mr. Chapin says, 
for the first school in Massillon. 

Mr. Chapin's first term was such a success 
that he was immediately employed for a second, 
at the end of which his school closed with a 
theatrical exhibition in the ball-room of Judge 
Miller's Hotel. Mr. Chapin was assisted in his 
histrionic effort to close his school with eclat, 
by outside parties, " who with the school 
acquitted themselves with credit, and elicited 
praise from a full house.' 

Mr. Chapin furnishes a most graphic account 
of his labors in thus starting and closing the 
first school, and which, did room permit, would 
cheerfully be given at length ; those who recol- 
lect the early means of education may make a 
large draft on their imagination for what he has 
so kindly written, in aid of Massillon's earlj- 
history. Tn naming the early pupils whom he 
taught in the little building, he gives tho.se of 
Amelia and Fanny Heydon, the former of whom 
is now Mrs. Folger of this city, and the latter, 
Mrs. Pinton, wife of Alvin Finton, Esq., an em- 
inent banker and capitalist at Xew Philadel- 
phia and Dover in Tuscarawas Co., Ohio ; James 
Henr}', son of Hon. James Duncan, who died in 
1828, an unusually bright young man, whose 
death was long mourned by his parents and 
friends ; Mary G., daughter of .Mr. Duncan, af- 
terward wife of the late Hon. J. L, Reynolds, of 
Chicago, now residuig at (Irand Rapids, Mich.; 
Caroline, also a daughter of .Mr. Duncan, after- 
ward Mrs. Wheeler, wife of Hon. H. Wheeler, 
Jr., Superiutendent of the Massillon Rolling 
Mill Co., by whom she was left a widow in 1841, 
she subsequent!}- married David J. Ely, Esq., a 
prominent merchant in New York, and is now 
a widow enjojing a competence, and residing 
in the city of her husband's business and resi- 
dence. 5lr. Chapin also mentions (leorge, a son, 
whose death is noticed elsewhere in these 
sketches, and Mary and Clarissa Miller, daugh- 
ters of his patron and friend. Judge Miller; 
Mary became the wife of Henry Waggoner, and 
died in Cuicinuati, and Clarissa, by her second 
marriage, is the widow of the late Dr. J. P. Bar- 
rick, her first husband being Pomro}' Baldwin, 
Esq, Mrs. Folger and Mrs. Barrick are the last 
of Mr. Chapin's scholars now residing in this 
city. 

After Mr. Chapin concluded his teaching, he 
went into the service of the State as engineer 
on the Ohio Canal ; thence as contractor on the 



-^ 



CITY OF MASSILLOX. 



395 



Muskingum improvements. He married Han- 
nali. (laiigliter of Oilbortharp Earle, Esq., and 
lias lived in Harmar many years. He repre- 
sented Washington County in the Constitutional 
Convention of 1873, and life-long has sustained 
a position commanding the respect and esteem 
ol' the people of the State. 

Mr. Chapin's school was followed by man}' 
teachers, men and women, and among those 
ever ready to aid in the cause of education were 
Judge Miller, Hon. .Vrvine Wales and the late 
Dr. William Bowen. Dr. Bowen became a resi- 
dent of this city before the organization of the 
Union School, and remained here until it was 
in successful operation, when he removed to 
Akron, where his useful life closed a few years 
ago, at the age of seventy years. Since Mr. 
Chapin closed his school at >Iassillon, he seems 
to have abandoned the profession of a teacher, 
educated as a civil engineer, and succeeding in 
getting positions more to his taste than teach- 
ing ; he has not. since leaving Massillon, accepted 
any of the numerous positions as an educator 
that have been within his reach. His failure 
to follow a business for which he was so well 
qualified by nature and education is to be re- 
gretted, as his labors as a teacher in this city 
will ever be kindly remembered. To attempt to 
enumerate those who have followed him in this 
city, between the time of his teaching until the 
organization of the Union School, now the pride 
of the city, would be a hopeless task. It can- 
not, however, be said of him, as of him of Sweet 
Auburn — 

" But past is all his fame ; the very spot. 
Where man}- a time he triumphed is forgot." 

On the contrary, he will be ever gratefully re- 
membered by his surviving pupils, and the spot 
where stood the old schoolhouse will not be 
permitted to be lost '■ in memorj-'s waste." 

The influence left by Mr. Chapin's .school 
continued to live and thrive. The people of 
Massillon. young as was their village, fell the 
importance of education. They realized that 
England's Lord Chancellor, who defended Queen 
Caroline, uttered a great truth when he said, 
'• The schoolmaster is abroad," and that •■ the 
schoolmaster is greater than the soldier. " Mr. 
Chapin was succeeded by many teachers ; the 
names of but few are remembered. John Mark, 
Brice S. Hunter, Wallace and Miss Grosvenor 
are, however, among those whose names as 
teachers deserve mention. 



When Messrs. Duncan, Wales and Skinner 
purchased the real estate of the '■ Kendal Com- 
munity," they laid out a portion of it into lots 
as an addition to the village, and named it 
Duncan, Wales & Skinner's Addition. This was 
in 1832. They donated a square containing 
near two acres for - literary purposes. " The 
first use to which this doiuition was put, was by 
a Mr. Wallace, whose Christian name is not re- 
membered ; he taught for some time success- 
fully, but it was not until 1848 that .Massillon 
Union Schools were organized and in successful 
operation. In 1847, a plan of a union school 
was gotten up by William Bowen, M. D., who 
with Arviue Wales and Charles London, were 
elected Directors. The plan of a building was 
fixed upon, and on the 21st of Februar}'. 1848, 
the General .\ssembly of the State of (Jhio 
passed " An iwi entitled, an act to incorporate 
School District Number One, in Perry Township, 
Stark County, Ohio." Under that act. the 
Board of Directors organized bj- electing 
Charles London. President ; Arvine Wales, 
Treasurer; and William Bowen, Secretary. Of 
that first Board of Directors of Massillon Un- 
ion School, Charles London is the sole survivor, 
a firm friend of education, honored and respect- 
ed wherever he is known. On perfecting their 
organization, the Board appointed Philander 
Dawley (who at that time was Superintendent 
of the Charily Scltool of Kendal) George Miller 
and Kent Jarvis, Esqs., examiners for the dis- 
trict, to serve three years, two years and one 
year in the order named. The teachers em- 
ployed for the year were Lorin Andrews, Super- 
intendent and I'rincipal, salary $8(10 ; Miss Bet- 
sej' M. Cowles, $300 and board paid ; Miss Jane 
M. Becket, $300 ; Charles It. Shreve, $200; Mary 
Ann llussell, $225 ; and Sarah J. Ilox worth, 
$140. In 184!l, the corps of teachers was in- 
creased by the addition of Miss Sarah C. Pearce 
and Mr. Frederick Jioefller, teacher of German 
and Music. This year the first catalogue was 
published and among the pupils in the high 
school is found the name of W. B. Hiizen, 
Hiram, Portage County, now Gen. W, B. Hazen. 
U. S. Array and Chief of tlie Signal Service. 
He left Massillon in 1850. and was appointed 
to the U. S. Military Academy that year or the 
next, graduated after the usual course of study, 
and has served in the U, S. Army with distinc- 
tion ever since. 

Mr, Andrews resigned in 1 852 to accept the 



396 



HI8T0KY OF STARK COUNTY. 



Presidency of Kenyon College, at Gambler, 
Knox Count}'. Ohio, where he remained until the 
breaking-out of the war of the rebellion, when 
he resigned and entered the army ; was appoint- 
ed Colonel of the Fourth Ohio Volunteer In- 
fantry, and died in the service. 

The Union School of ^lassillon, was opened 
in a plain substantial brick building, erected on 
the lot donated by Messrs. Duncan, Wales & 
Skinner, by the board already named, and it 
must be said of the board, the}- builded as well 
as they knew. They had no experience in 
building or fiirnisliing such houses as are now 
required by the Union Schools of Ohio. The 
building stood for thirty years, when it yielded 
to the unchangeable law of change which always 
enforces obedience, and in its place stands the 
grandest structure in Ohio, finished in 1879 at 
a cost, including heating apparatus, seats, an 
additional square of land purchased on the 
north of the school building, outbuildings, 
well and cistern and grading of the new lot, of 
$48,000, imposing a tax cheerfully borne by 
the district. The board who erected the build- 
ing and watched its progress with characteris- 
tic fidelity were Henry Beatty. John R. Dang- 
ler, J. E. Brown, J. (1. Warwick, James H. Jus- 
tus, W. B. Humberger, S. A. Conrad and Dr. J. 
P. Barrick. ^Messrs. Conrad and Humberger 
have served as members of the board nine and 
eight years respectively. Dr. Barrick did not 
live to witness the completion of a work to 
which he faithfully devoted his careful atten- 
tion. 

Of the many Boards of Education that have 
been elected for the Union Schools of Massillon, 
the following gentlemen are conspicuous. The 
first Board entire, Arvine Wales served until 
his death, January 1, 1854. Dr. Bowen, for 
his devotion to the cause of education, as does 
citizen Charles London, deserves especial men- 
tion. Hon. Arvine C. Wales has served thirteen 
years. Hon. George Harsh was elected in 
1851 and served until 1869, the full period of 
eighteen 3'ears. when in consequence of failing- 
health, he declined a seventh election. No vil- 
lage or city in Ohio has been more favored in 
its selection of wi.se and prudent men for its 
school boards, than has the city of Massillon. 
By a vote of the citizens, and according to the 
provisions of the amended school law, the 
number of members of the Board was increased 
from thiee to six and the following gentlemen 



were elected. Hon. Kent Jarvis, S. A. Conrad, 
James H. Justus, Warren C. Richards, Frank 
L. Baldwin and William B. Humberger. Messrs. 
Jarvis and Richards, both of whom were for 
many years identified with the public service, 
holding offices of trust, the duties of which 
they always faithfully discharged, are dead. 

After the resignation of Mr. Andrews, Hon. 
Thomas W. Harvey, late State Sciiool Commis- 
sioner, was appointed Superintendent and held 
the place fourteen years, his term of service 
closing in July, 1865. He was succeeded by 
Professor Joseph Kimball, who remained until 
1869, when Prof E. A. Jones served for four 
j'ears, until 1873. Mr. Jones then declining a 
re-election, D. P. Pratt was called to the super- 
intendency and remained from 1873 to 1875, 
when Mr. Jones was again tendered the posi- 
tion and accepted and remains at the head of 
the schools. 

Among the teachers who have served long 
and faithfully should be named Miss Jane M. 
Becket, ten years in the high school. Miss Nancy 
Stone, in the different departments, including 
the high school, fourteen years, both of whom 
are well known in Ohio as teachers and as hav- 
ing occupied important positions as educators. 
Miss Sarah J. Hoxworth began as a teacher 
in the primary wlien the school was first or- 
ganized, and served in the different depart- 
ments until 1872, when she resigned her posi- 
tion in the high school, having taught more than 
twent3'-three years in the same building. Miss 
Sallie Brannan was connected with the schools 
as teacher thirteen years, and is now teaching in 
the same building. Miss Temperance Dunn 
and Miss Sarah R. Folger, ten years each. 
Miss Dunn is not now living and Miss Folger 
holds a prominent position in the " Mann " 
High School, at Toledo, where she has taught 
many j'ears since leaving the high school here. 
For nine years last past Mrs. L. D. Pinaey has 
been Principal in the high school, where her la- 
bors have been distinguished bj' marked success. 
The Union Schools of Massillon. whether con- 
sidered in the past or present, need no praise 
from the historian. For the third of a century, 
thej' have been making their own history, and 
have written it ineffiiceably upon the character 
of the scholars. Young men and women who 
have graduated there and become teachers, 
entered the learned professions, graduated at 
the U. S. Military and Naval Academies, and 



^ a 



CITY OF MASSILLON. 



:!97 



have arisen to honorable distinction, and some ' 
are achieving honorable distinction in the serv- 
ice of the State and I nited Stales. 

During tliat long period the school has taken 
no steps backward. I'nder the present as well 
as the past management of the Hoard of Edu- 
cation and teachers its march will be as it has ^ 
been onward to greater improvement and greater 
excellence. Its present Board of Hducation is 
composed of the following gentlemen ; John (J. 
Warwick. Silas A. Conrad, Ilenrv Beatty. Will- 
iam B. Humberger. William H. Justus and 
John K. Dangler.' 

The following is the corps of teachers : Super- 
intendent. Prof. K. A. Jones ; Principal High 
School, Mrs. L. D. Pinney ; Assistant, !Miss 
Cassie Reamer; (irammer School, Mr. John 
Ellis. Miss Emily Brainard, .Miss .Mary Dieter, 
Mr. Jacob Graybill and Mrs. Laura Taylor; 
Secondary. Miss Susie Graybill, .Miss .Alary 
Merwin, Miss Ella Hershey, Miss Laura Ware, 
Miss A'iola Pepper ; Primary. Aliss liachel 
Elsass, Miss Sallic Braiman. Miss Bell Willi- 
son, Miss Ijillian I'lnian, Miss lleilly. Miss .\da 
Hollinger. Miss Louisa Strobel and Mrs. C. 
Moore ; (Jerman, Mr. Philip Wilhelm ; Music, 
Prof Whelpton. 

In 181^)8. when Hon. Matthew Johnson was a 
member of the House of Representatives in 
the State Legislature, an act of incorporation 
for the town of Massillon was obtained, and an 
organization was had which lasted until 18-1.'), 
when in a nswer to numerous petitions the act 
was repealed, and Massillon was not known as 
a municipal incorporation until 1853. when un- 
der the provisions of the general act regulat- 
ing towns and cities, it was again incorporated, 
and at the first election, held on the 28lh day 
of May, 1853, being the first election under the 
proceedings to incorporate the village, Samuel 
Pease was elected Mayor, (i. W. Williams, Re- 
corder and Hiram B. Wellman, Isaac H. Brown, 
Thomas Mct'uUough. \'aleutine S. Buckiusand 
Warren C Richards. Trustees, and they consti- 
tuted the Council of the incorporated village of 
Massillon. On the 31st of May next succeed- 
ing the election, the persons above named met 
at the ottice of II. B. Wellman. and were duly 
sworn according to law by Robert H. Folger, 
Justice of the Peace, and the Council of the in- 
corporated village was organized in due form 
of law, which organization continued until the 
17th of March, 1868, when by act of R. B. 



Ha3'es, Governor, J. H. Goodman. Auditr^r and 

John Russell, Secretary, of the State of Ohio, 
it was advanced to a city of the second class, 
the preliminary steps to eflect the change from 
a village to a city having been commenced on 
the, 12th of February of that year, in accord- 
ance with a numerous petition of the citizens, 
which petition was referred to Robert H. Fol- 
ger, attorney at law. with instructions to take 
the necessary steps to procure the advancement. 
Upon the advancement being effected, the city 
was divided into four wards, and at theelecti(m 
in .Vpril. 1808, the following persons were elect- 
ed to the .several city offices : 

Mayor, Bennet B. Warner ; Marshal, Milo 
Alden ; Solicitor, Louis K. Campbell. Coun- 
cil— George L. Russell. Charles London, First 
Ward ; Jacob Herring, Francis Willenburg, 
Second Ward ; Atlam Mong. Otis (i. Madison, 
Third Ward ; Louis (iies, (ieorge Bollinger, 
F(Knth Ward. David W. Huntsman was elect- 
ed Clerk by the Council. The following gentle- 
men are charged with the business matters of 
the city : 

Mayor, L. C. Cole ; Marshal, Frederick Paul ; 
Street Commissioner, Louis Limbach ; Treas- 
urer, Hermann Shaidnagle ; Solicitor, Otto E. 
Young. Council — lames II. .McLain. George 
Snyder, First Ward ; Thomas Lavier, Jonas 
Sutz, Second Ward ; Conrad N. Oberliu, Fran- 
cis Willenburg. Third Ward ; Anton Bamberger, 
Joseph Dressier, I'ourlh Ward. 

The disasters cdnnecled with the old corpor- 
ation of Massillon— that of 1838 — have been 
carefully avoided by the late ones. The city 
owes no debts, and while it is constantly pro- 
gressing, and is the soundest municipal incor- 
poration in the Stale, its maxim is ' hasten 
gently.'' It is able l<j borrow money on long 
loans at five /we ceutnm. It has never adopted 
the plan of running into debt for the purpose 
of making improvements, preferring to see its 
growth forced by the natural course of events. 

For beauty of natural surroundings it is un- 
surpassed. ■' I would not have the hills sur- 
rounding Massillon leveled if I could,'' said Mr. 
Duncan, the proprietor of the village, in reply 
to a friend who objected to the location because 
of its hilly surroundings. ' The day will come," 
said he, " when those hills will be covered with 
residences overlooking the city, to which the 
hills will but add beauty, and .Massillon will be 
celebrated for its beauty, " 



398 



HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY. 



What was then regarded as a wild creation 
of Mr. Duncan's fancy has grown into a beau- 
tiful reality, and vindicates his Judgment as to 
wiiat the future would develop. 

In 18in, Judge Henry laid out an addition 
to the original plat, and called it West Massil- 
lon. That portion of the cit3' is now included 
in the Second and Third Wards, and is a most 
important part of the city. On that tract, tiie 
south end of fractional Section G, and former- 
ly in Tuscarawas Township, is located that por- 
tion of the Cleveland, Tuscarawas Valley & 
Wheeling Railway, the bnildings of which cor- 
poration stand on the ground where stood the 
cabin of Judge Henry, and where he first had 
his home. It was in that cabin that his daugh- 
ter, afterward Mrs. Cummins, was born, and 
who was the first white female child born on 
the territory known as the New Purchase, the 
first male child being a son of Peter Slusser ; 
he was born on the territory now included 
within the limits of Tuscarawas. 

The only item of a pre-historic character 
that has been developed in Massillon oi'curred 
in 1832, when Christian Witt, from Lower 
Alsace, and some fellow-laborers by the name 
of Miller and Simmons, while ditching what 
was then the swamp south of the village, and 
near where now stands the paper mill, found 
two tusks of a mammoth, each eleven feet in 



length and twent3'-seven inches in circumfer- 
ence at the larger end. They were justlj- re- 
garded as a great affair. The finders conclud- 
ed that there was money, if not millions in it, 
and arranged for traveling and exhibiting 
them. Thej" employed an agent to manage the 
business, and Witt went to Pittsburgh with the 
part}-, wiien he became satisfied that there was 
not so much in it as he had supposed, and 
came home, leaving Miller, Simmons and the 
agent to make the most of the " show business. " 
They went to Philadelphia where they left the 
tusks and came home. Similar discoveries have 
been made in the Tuscarawas Valley, but with 
the finding all information in regard to them 
ceased. Indian relics have been found in 
various parts of the township, but notiiing of 
an uncommon character. 

On the obtaining by the (xovernment of the 
United States the title to the New Purchase, by 
the treaty of Fort Industry the tribes named 
in the treaty departed toward the setting sun, 
and few remained on the coming of the pale 
faces. In the language of Ossian ' The chiefs 
of other times are departed. They have gone 
without their fame. Another race has arisen. 
The people are like the waves of the ocean ; 
like the leaves of woody Morven, they pass 
away in the whistling blast, and other leaves 
lift their green heads on high.' 



CHAPTER XIV. 



THE CITy OF MASSILLON — MANUFACTURING INTERESTS — KU.SSELL & COMI'ANVS WORKS — THE 
MASSILLON IRON COMPANY— OTHER INDUSTRIES— COAL INTERESTS— RAIL- 
ROADS OF MASSILLON— THE liANKING ISUSINES8, ETC. 



■■ Huriies.s me ddwii with youi- iron bands." 
— Cutter. 

IN 1 832, in the presence of the writer, a casual 
conversation on the subject of manufact- 
uring pig iron sprang up between Jesse Rhodes 
and James Duncan, the result of whicii was the 
taking of immediate measures to erect a blast 
furnace at or near the village of Massillon. Mr. 
Rhodes had been in the employ of Laird, Nor- 
ton & Co., proprietors of Congress furnace, and 
had acquired a considerable knowledge on the 
subject of manufacturing pig and iron castings 

* Contributed l.y Robert H. Kolgei-. 



The Massillon Iron Company was formed, con- 
sisting of James Duncan, Joseph G. Hogau, Her- 
man R. Harris and Jesse Rhodes. The business 
was not, however, confined to the making of pig 
iron. Castings of all kinds were made — the old- 
fashioned ten plate stove — specimens of which 
can be found in the count}-, and all other kinds 
of ironware, now only made at foundries, in- 
cluding tea kettles, sugar kettles, and, in short, 
everything under the general nomenclature of 
" castings.'' The furnace was erected and put 
in operation in 1833, on the west bank of Sippo 
Creek, south of Main street, near the present 



CITY OF MASSII.LON. 



.!> 



eastern limits of the city, where some marks of 
its having stood can yet be found. The Mas- 
silion Iron Company' stopped business in 1838, 
when Messrs. Hart & Brown boui;ht out the 
coinpanj-, tlie furnace was abandoned. Messrs. 
Hart & Brown purcliascd the patterns an(i otiier 
stock re(|uisite for a foundry and niachine-sliop, 
and started the first foundry in the county, in 
January. 183it. in a tliree-story stone building, 
which stood where now stands the main build- 
ing of the Excelsior Works. That building was 
burned in 1840. :ind was the lirst lire of any 
magnitude in the village. When burned, it was 
occupied liy Hart & Brown as a machine-shop ; 
.■NIcMillau. l'artri<lge& Co. ; as a manufactory of 
all sorts of machinery for woolen mills ; John 
H. Wheeler, carpets, and John Harlness, window 
sashes, blinds and doors. The brick building, 
lately occupied by the Kxcelsior Works, was 
built in 1843. Messrs. Hart & Brown went out 
of business in 1858. Of all the persons named 
in the foregoing article, Mr. Brown alone remains 
in this city. Mr. Hartncss resides in Cleveland, 
and the rest are, some of them dead, and some 
scattered over the Western States. 

The first of the followers of St. Crispin, who 
was. and still is, at the head of his profession 
as in Massillon's early days, was Col. Benjamin 
Baser. He is one of Massillon's earliest citizens, 
having come into the count}- in 1825, and to the 
little village as soon as it obtained a place in 
history. In the earlier and better daj's of this 
city's history, when sc^rne attention was paid to 
the organizing and disciplining of the militia, 
.Mr. Kascr was elected Colonel of a regiment in 
the Third Brigade and Sixth I )i vision of Ohio 
Militia, and came near being called into active 
service in the long-time-ago unpleasantness be- 
tween Ohio and her loving sister Michigan. 

Col Kaser and his excellent wife, a daughter 
of (Hitfitii Cooper, one of Perry Township's 
pioneers, celebrated their golden wedding a few 
months since. 

The first carpenter in the village, and who 
became a property holder immediateh" on the 
lots coming into market, was Hamilton Sherer. 
The property he purchased is now held by his 
heins. and is valuable. 

The great and crowning glory of Massillon 
industries is the mammoth establishment of 
Russell & Co., manufacturers of the celebrated 
Massillon threshers, horse-powers, etc. It was 
started on the Istof January, 1842, consequently 



antedates all other manufacturing establish- 
mentsof asimilar kind now in Stark County, At 
the date above given, three brothers — Charles M ., 
Nahum S. and Clement — carpenters by trade, 
formed a partnership in Massillon, under the 
style of ('. 31. Kiisscll <.t Co., for the manufact- 
ure of threshers and horse-powers, in connec- 
tion with their business as architects and build- 
ers. Their capital stock was $1,500, with which 
they began work fortj- j-ears ago. The senior 
partner had seen and carefully examined the 
Pitts Buffalo Separator, which had already been 
constructed and in use, and on that examina- 
tion Mr. Russell believed that he saw where im- 
provements might be made, ami with character- 
istic energy set about trying to make it better, 
and so succeeded that the improved machine 
took the premium at the Ohio State Fair at 
Columbus in 1845. 

Thus encouraged, the new firm pushed ahead, 
sparing no effort, and met with continued en- 
couragement in their progress. They continued 
to improve all their machiuerv, and led all 
competitors in the race for popularity. When 
the far-reaching influence of what is now the 
great railwaj' system of the Western Continent 
reached Massillon in 1847, the firm of C. M. 
Russell & Co. at once gave it their influence. 
As the history of the Ohio & Pennsylvania 
Railroad attests, they took stock, the elder Mr. 
Russell was a contractor who built large por- 
tions of the road, and with all their other busi- 
ness, built cars for freight and passengers. 
After the road was opened to Massillon. Mr. C. 
M. Russell was elected a director, which place 
he held by successive re-elections until his 
death in February, IStJO, which made a break 
in the business of the firm, which had gone on 
uninterruptedly for eighteen years. The death 
of the senior partner dissolved the lirm of C. 
M. Russell & Co., and the survivors immedi- 
ately re-organized by the name and style of X. 
S. & C. Russell, which continued until January 
1, 18()4, when the brothers Joseph K., Thomas 
H. and (Jeorge L. Russell purchased an interest 
and were admitted as partners, and the lirm 
name changed to Russell & Co.. which it still 
bears. One year later, W. K. Miller and Thomas 
H. Wilhams, Ks(js.. were admitted to member- 
ship in the firm. 

In 1S57. Mr. .Miller perfected and patented 
the I'eerless, originally- called the Russell 
Mower and Reaper, and this successful ma- 



^ 



^^ 



400 



HISTORY OF .STARK COUNTY. 



chine was maaufactured by Russell & Co. up 
to 1871. In the spring of that year, the '■ Peer- 
less " was sold to C. Russell & Co., of Canton, 
and its production transferred to that city, Mr. 
Miller withdrawing to take the superintendencj' 
of the Canton establishment. Prior to 1865, 
the shops were located on Erie street, ijetween 
Tremont and South, north of the Pittsburgh, 
Fort Wayne & Cliicago Railway. I)ul the busi- 
ness having (lutgruwn their iirnduriiig larilitics. 
at this time the lirm drcidcii U> erect more t-om- 
modious and convenient Ijuildings just south of 
the railway. Accordingly, in 18(54-05, the pres- 
ent extensive and substantial buildings were 
put up and equipped with improved machinery. 
tools, and every convenience requisite to the 
rapid and economical manufacture of their in- 
creasingly popular products. In the summer 
of 1868, Mr. T. H. AVilliams retired from the 
firm. In December, 1871. Mr. Allen A. Russell, 
the youngest brother, and Alanson A. Rawson, 
since deceased, a nephew of the brothers Russell, 
became members. On the 1st of January, 1878, 
the firm was dissohed by mutual consent, Mr. 
Clement Russell, one of the original meml)ers. 
retiring, and has since had no connection with 
the house. 

On the 17tli of May, 1878, just as tiiey were 
fairly under way for the season's business, fire 
destroyed all their iron working machinery, 
wagon stock and thirty-six years' accumulation 
of patterns, the latter having cost not less than 
$75,000, and throwing 250 men out of employ- 
ment. The entire south wing and one-half of 
the Erie street front of the main Iniilding, 
were destroj'ed, invohing a loss, exclusive of 
that in patterns, of .$75,000. The whole amount 
of insurance realized was $53,100. Many of 
the valuable patterns could never be replaced, 
and the net loss by the disaster was estimated 
at $50,000. The tire liroke out soon after 1 
o'clock, A. M., and had it not been for tlie 
almost superhuman exertions of the flre depart- 
ment, aided bj- citizens, the entire works would 
have been destroyed. Fortunately about tvvo- 
thirds of the main building was saved. At 
daylight the next morning seventy men v\'ere 
set to work on the ruins, and two of the part- 
ners started, one East and the other West, to 
procuri' inacliiiiery to replace that destroyed. 
Such [iromptitude and pluck are characteristic 
of the enterprise of the firm. By the kindness 
of C. Aultman, Esq., of Canton, and Capt. J. 



H. Kauke, of Wooster, machinery which they 
had in charge as assignees, was promptly loaned 
to the firm until new machinery could be pro- 
cured. Gas was put into the works and a sup- 
plementary engine attached to run the foundry; 
so that just one week from the time of the fire 
they were running the iron department double 
time to make up for lost time, and within thirty 
days were turning out their full complement of 
machines. The Erie street front was rebuilt 
during that summer, and in order to make more 
room in the works, the office was removed, and 
the present elegant and spacious two-story office 
building was erected the same _year, and, in the 
winter ( if 1 S80-81, erected a four-story new brick 
wareliiiusi' 250 feet in length. 

In the lall of 1878, Russell & Co., under the 
general law of Ohio, without a change of stjle, 
became an incorporated body. The corporators 
were .J. E. McLain, N. S. Russell, J. K. Russell, 
T. H. Russell, G. L. Russell, A. A. Russell and 
J. W. McClymonds. Capital stock, $500,000. 
The first election resulted in the selection of 
Nahum S. Russell, President; J. W, McCly- 
monds, Secretary and Treasurer ; T, H. Russell, 
Superintendent ; since which they have created 
the office of Assistant Secretary and Treasurer, 
to which position Mr. C. M. Russell has been 
elected. The works have . been repeatedly 
enlarged and improved until they now comprise 
one of the largest and most complete manufact- 
uring establishments on the VVestern Conti- 
nent. The premises have an area of about 
seven acres. A convenient side-track connect- 
ing with all the railroads runs alongside the 
shops with excellent facilities for receiving 
materials and shipping products. The works 
are splendidly equipped with every mechanical 
appliance calculated to expedite manufacturing 
operations and processes, thus reducing to the 
minimum the cost of production, and enabling 
Messrs, Russell & Co, to place upon the market 
their superior machines at figures which defj^ 
competition. The entire establishment in all 
its parts is governed by a perfect system and 
discipline. The several departments are under 
the watchful and vigilant care of practical 
members of the companj', who see to it that 
nothing in the way of labor or material is neg- 
lected or executed in any unworkmanlike man- 
ner, Mr, Thomas H, Russell is charged with 
the general superiutendency of the establish- 
ment, Mr, Joseph K. Russell has the purchas- 



^- 



CITY OF MASSILLON. 



401 



ingof the lumber and the general management 
of the wood-working department. Mr. George 
L. Russell has charge of the metal- working 
department. Mr. Allen A. liusscll has super- 
vision of the finished machines and territorial 
agencies, several hundred in number. His resi- 
dence is in Indianapolis. 

Russell & Co. have branch houses at Indian- 
apolis, Ind., Mr. (1. W. Harbaugh, manager; 
Council Blufl's, Iowa, Mr. V. S. Russell, mana- 
ger ; 8t. Joseph, Mo., Mr. (Jeorge O. Richard- 
son, manager; Dallas, Tex., Mr. V. R. Rowley, 
manager ; Mc(Jregor, Iowa, Mr. G. W. I'rim, 
manager. The number of workmen employed 
in all ilupartraents is 425. whose monthly wages 
exceed •■<18.(IOlt. The aggregate product of their, 
extensive establishment approximates .•? 1.500,- 
000. A description of the ditt'erent kinds of work 
manufactured by .Messrs. Ru.ssell & Co., does 
not come within the scope and design of this 
work. It is sufficient t<3 say that they invite 
competition. They are the only establishment 
that has taken hold of the threshing machine 
business in the city of Massillon and reduced 
it almost to an exact science, their labors are 
rewarded b3' a market for their products all 
over the United States and Territories, Ger- 
many. Russia. South America, Australia and 
New Zealand. 

While the old firm of C. M. Russell & Co. 
were not the first to engage in the building of 
threshing machines, they were first to see what 
the business could be brought to by care and 
attention. The first machines tiiat were built 
in Massillon were called the '■ Pitts Separator," 
and were introduced liy H. I). .Jameson, from 
Rochester, N, Y.; he built 100 in one year, in 
ls:i8 or 1839, when his works were closed by 
Ills sudden death. Messrs. Kuapp & McLain 
embarked in the business about the same time, 
but did not continue. 

The making of pig iron received little or no 
attention until IS.')!}' when the late M. D. Well- 
man conceived the idea that that branch of in- 
dustry could be succ(!ssfully carried on here, 
and by subscriptions of money added to his 
own capital, which had become much impaired 
by unsuccessful ventures, he erected the fur- 
nace latelj' torn down to make room for the 
glass-works now aliout to lie erected, and which 
was a success as a manufactory of pig-iron, 
and a source of wealth to the owners. During 
much of the time that it had an existence, the 



fluctuations of business after it had passed out 
of Mr. Wellman's hands, ruined the iron manu- 
facturers, and the " Massillon Furnace " passed 
out of existence, and as incidentally noticed 
above, in its place is to be glass-works. In 
185.5, Messrs. Hiram B. Wellman, .James S. 
Kelley and others seeing the success of the 
Massillon Furnace, as it was called, determined 
to build another, and accordingly the; A'olcano 
Iron Company was incorporated under the gen- 
eral law of Ohio, and went into operation. It 
was a failure, and made bankrupt many of the 
stockholders, was sold, and is now owned by 
the \'olcano Furnace Company, the principal 
stockhoklers of which are .James Lee, Esq., and 
Hon. Anthony Howells, late Treasurer of the 
State of Ohio, under whose judicious manage- 
ment it promises success. As this work goes 
to press a new enterprise for the Tuscarawas 
Valley and the city of Massillon. in the shape 
of glass works for which Massillon afl'ords 
abundant facilities, is fully inaugurated with 
ample capital, skill and experience on the part 
of the proprietors. 

Inside of the city limits are the Merchant 
Flouring IMills : Messrs. Warwick & Justus, and 
Isaac N. Doxsee, in the Sippo A'^alley ; Messrs. 
Kitchen & Sons, on Tremont street, west of the 
Tusear.awas River, on the line of the C, T, Y. & 
Wheeling Railway ; .McLain Brothers, on Ex- 
change street, in the heart of the city ; A. A, 
Taylor, Esq., on North Erie street, and George 
Heppert, on the northwestern boundary of the 
Third Ward, Messrs, Kitchen. McLain Broth- 
ers and Taylor use steam exclusively, while the 
rest use steam and water. Just above the cilv 
limits is the Crystal Spring Mill, also owned 
and run by the McLain Brothers, making seven 
extensive flouring mills in and near the city ; 
and which, if they are not already, can be put 
within call of each other by telephone, and 
which consume more wheat annually than was 
ever consumed or purchased during the busiest 
days of the wheat city. Independent of the great 
coal interests of the city. Massillon supports 
more than fift\- establishments of various kinds, 
manufacturing, commercial and industrial, and in 
addition to those above enumerat«l, including 
an extensive paper mill, under the general man- 
agement of C, T, Bicknell, Esq,, also foundries 
and machine-shops, each carrying on a healthy 
and paying business. Its stone quarries within 
and just outside the citj- limits are a great 



^1 



402 



HISTORY OF STARK COTTNTY. 



source of revenue, antl furnish emplo} ment to 
all who want work. A sale of the stock in trade 
and fixtures of a single one of these establish- 
ments, in the early part of June, in the present 
j'ear, for $35,000, exhiliits the importance of 
that branch of trade in this cit3'. 

The formation of the Massillon Iron Company, 
which was a voluntary association of individuals, 
was followed by the obtaining of a charter for 
the Massillon Rolling Mill Company from the 
Ohio Legislature ; and but for the panic of 
1837, would have given the place a start in 
manufactures that would have made it one of 
the most important manufacturing points in the 
State. The charter was extremel)' liberal. The 
capital stock named in the charter was $600,- 
000, the compan}' having power to do anything 
but a banking business. It invested a large 
amount in real estate, city lots and farms ; and, 
under the pressure of the panic referred to al- 
ready, sunk all the capital subscribed. The 
stockholders, most of whom resided in Boston, 
became discouraged, and the Massillon Rolling 
Mill Company, of which James Duncan was 
President, and H. Wheeler. Jr., Superintendent, 
is now only remembered in the description of 
premises where the " Massillon Rolling Mill 
Company's alteration and subdivision of cer- 
tain lots in the city of Massillon '' forms a part. 

The coal interest alone in jMassillon is repre- 
sented by $840,000 of capital invested by the 
following-named persons and companies : Camp 
Creek Mine, 0. Young & Co., $80,000 ; Pigeon 
Run, Pigeon Run Coal Company, composed of 
Hon. John G. Warwick, Hon. Anthony Howells 
and James Lee, Esq., Massillon, and Hon. W. 
S. Streator, Cleveland ; capital, $80,000. War- 
mington Coal Company, Messrs. Robert Rhodes 
& James Rhodes, sons and successors of the late 
Hon. D. P. Rhodes, Mark A. Hanna and George 
Warmington, Esqs., Capt. Henry Foltz and Hon. 
J. G. Warwick ; capital, $80,000. The Grove 
Coal Company, first organized under that name 
and st3'le by Charles H. Clarke and Orlando 
Grove. This company and its extensive mines 
have been merged in a sjmdicate able to com- 
mand all the capital required. The amount of 
capital at present invested is about $60,000. 
The Massillon City Coal Company, composed of 
Capt. Henr3' Foltz, the Nestor of all coal oper- 
ators in the Tuscarawas and Newman's Creek 
Vallej'S, and James F. Pocock, Esq. This well- 
known company commands all the capital it 



needs, and its operations are extensive, extend- 
ing into Tuscarawas Count}-. The Sippo Coal 
Company, an incorporated company, Hon. Clem- 
ent Russell President, and Milton Wilson, Esq., 
Secretary and Treasurer. These gentlemen are 
the principal stockholders : capital invested, 
$60,000. The Willow Bank Coal Company : 
This compan}- operates through a slope and shaft, 
and have a capital invested of $60,000. The 
Mountain Mine : This is a roost extensive organ- 
ization, and has invt'sted $80,000. The Ground 
Hog, $40,000. The Ridgeway Coal Company : 
The nominal capital of this company is $60,- 
000 ; but commands all the capital required for 
its extensive operations. It is under the man- 
agement of J. P. Burton, Esq., one of the most 
energetic operators in the Tuscarawas Valley. 
The Oak Hill Coal Mine is under the general 
management of James Neall, Esq., and is owned 
by him. John Albright and others. Its capital 
invested is $40,000.' 

The above mines give steady employment to 
at least fifteen hundred persons, operatives of 
ail kinds, inside and outside of the mines, and 
make Massillon a shipping point, in connection 
with the other industries of the city, from which 
a greater tonnage is shipped than from any 
other railroad center in the interior of the State. 

In 1831, when Capt. James Allen was a 
member of the House of Representatives in 
the General Assembly of the State of Ohio, an 
act was passed incorporating the Massillon & 
Pittsburgh Railroad Company. The necessary 
reconnoissance was made by a corps of engi- 
neers, at the head of which was Lieut. 0. M. 
Mitchell, just then graduated from the United 
States Military Academy at West Point, and a 
member of the United States Topographical 
Corps. In those piping times of peace, Lieut. 
SMitchell resigned his position in the Ihiited 
States Arrnj', and cultivated the arts of peace, 
and became a resident of Cincinnati. At the 
breaking-out of the war of the rebellion, he 
tendered his services to the Government, which 
were accepted, and while in command of the 
Tenth Army Corps, with the rank of Major 
General, he died on the 30th of October. 1862, 
at Beaufort, South Carolina. 

Lieut. Mitchell made his surveys, and re- 
ported it impracticable to construct a railroad 
from this city to Pittsburgh, and the project 
was abandoned. The charter of the road and 
the names of the corporators will be found in 



CITY OF MASSILLON. 



•:0;5 



the Local Laws, 29 Sess. Gen. Ass. The 
names of James Duncan and Charles K. Skinner, 
always connected with every improvement, 
were first, and could the road have been a suc- 
cess, would have reaped the bcnctit of their 
enterprise, as would ^lassiUou. 

The fact that the lino between Massillon and 
Pittsburgh was deemed impracticaljle for the 
construction of a railroad, and that tweut}--two 
\'ears later a railway was opened between these 
two points, known as the ()hio & Pennsylvania 
Kaihoad, is suggestive of the fact that 

' Xew occa.sions teach new duties, and that 
Time makes ancient good unccmlli." 

In 1841), the year of the great wheat crop in 
Ohio, it became apparent that new and more 
rapid outlets and greater facilities for getting 
Western produce to the seaboard must be had, 
and Massillon. always first to move in those 
enterprises, had a small meeting at the law 
otfice of Uen. Dwight Jarvis, and he and 
Charles K. Skinner. Es(i., were ajipointed a 
committee to visit I'ittsburgh, and with statis- 
tics of the business of Massillon, to go before 
the Board of Trade and show the extent of the 
resources of this great producing region. The 
committee went, made known their business. 
The Bo.ard of Trade and the Councils of Pitts- 
burgh and Allegheny listened to them, and 
were surprised. Thej", the City Councils and 
Board of Trade, at once determined to give 
the subject attention, but having the Great 
Central Pennsylvania Railroad under considera- 
tion, western connections with Pittsburgh were 
permitted to rest. Massillon became impatient, 
called another meeting, and added to the old 
committee Hon. David K. Cartter. then a dis- 
tinguished member of the Stark County bar, 
and these gentlemen went again to Pittsburgh, 
and through the late Hon. Andrew W. Loomis, 
another meeting of the Board of Trade and of 
the Councils of Pittsburgh and Allegheny was 
called, and the matter of Western railway con- 
nections with Pittsburgh was prcsenttxl b\- Mr. 
Loomis, in a most able speech, which he con- 
cluded by introducing Hon. D. K. Cartter, the 
additional nieml)er of the committee. The com- 
mittee had learned before the meeting that 
Pittsburgh and Allegheny were not disposed to 
favor the enterprise, and were, if not dis- 
couraged, a little disheartened. 

Mr. Cartter. however, on being introduced, 
said he •' should not undertake to present the 



advantages that would accrue not only to 
Pittsburgh and Allegheny, but to the whole 
State of Pennsylvania, and especially Phila- 
delphia. That matter," said Mr. Cartter. -was 
presented to you in detail a few weeks since by 
the gentlemen now with me, and tlie}' may re- 
produce it at this meeting if the3' choose. For 
myself, I have come to deal in practical matters, 
and to Serve a notice on )'ou, gentlemen com- 
posing the Board ol' Trade of the City of Pitts- 
burgh and the Councils of Pittsburgh and 
Allegheny, that we out West, comprising the 
backbone, not only of Ohio but of the Western 
Continent, mean business. .V road is to be 
built from this city through Massillon to Chi- 
cago, and in its construction you must either 
fish or cut bait; now take 30ur choice. We 
are going home, and are going into this busi- 
ness at once. If 3-ou can take some immediate 
measures indicating that you are really- awake, 
we can wait, and shall be glad to bear to our 
people the tidings that you are with us ; but, 
gentlemen, you must accept the alternative I 
have presented." 

The speech from which the above extract is 
taken was made thirty-four years since, and is a 
specimen of the impetuosity of Mr. Cartter's 
character at middle life, and its effect may be 
well imagined. The Councils and Board of 
Trade started up. rubbed their eyes, and asked. 
"Where is Massillon?' -'Who is this fellow 
that talks to us in thiswise?" The^- finally 
concluded that it would be well to give the 
subject attention, but they delayed until Mas- 
sillon became impatient, and called a meeting 
to be held at Massillon in November, 1847. 
The meeting was largely attended from Philadel- 
phia, extending westward to the west line of 
Ohio. Hon. William D. Merrick was chosen 
President, and active measures were taken, 
which resulted in the obtaining of a charter for 
the Ohio & Pennsylvania Railroad, and which 
was oi)cned to this cit^' in 185;!. The Ohio & 
Pennsylvania Railroad extended to Crestline 
and there connected with the Ohio & Indiana, 
which made the link to Fort Wayne, and the 
Fort Wayne & Chicago thence to Chicago com- 
pleted tile great chain of railway communica- 
tion from Philadelphia to Chicago, and was 
the first railroad through this city. In 1801), 
the Massillon & Cleveland Railway Companj- 
built the road from Massillon to Clinton, thir- 
teen miles in length, which connects this city 



:[£ 



404 



HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY. 



with the Cleveland & Mount Vernon Railway, 
and wliich aflbrds a direct connection between 
Massillon and Cleveland. lu 1871, the Cleve- 
land, Tuscarawas Valley & Wheeling Railway 
Company was formed and built the railroad of 
that name, passing through Massillon to Wheel- 
ing, and as this work goes to press, the Wheeling, 
& Lake Erie Railway, which connects the cities 
of Toledo and Wheeling, making Massdlon a 
point on its line, is rapidly advancing to comple- 
tion, and when completed places this city in a 
direct connection with the city of Baltimore, via 
Wheeling and the Baltimore & Ohio Railway, 
and the West and Northwest, by way of Toledo, 
also on a direct line. The railway connections 
of the city are surpassed b^- none in any sec- 
tion of the State by direct lines in all directions. 
A more detailed history however is found in a 
preceding chapter of this work. 

In 1833, while Hon. David A. Starkweather 
and Hon. Jehu Brown represented Stark County 
in the House of Representatives, and Hon. 
Matthias Sheplar in the Senate, the Bank of 
Massillon was chartered with a capital of $200,- 
000, and which was the second bank of dis- 
count and deposit in the county. The Farmers' 
Bank of Canton having been chartered in 1816. 
The new bank started out successfully, its stock 
was taken, much of it at home, some at Troy, 
in the State of New York. On the 1st of Oc- 
tober, 1834, the bank went into operation, its 
banking room being on the second floor of 
Hogan & Harris' Block on Main street. Its 
first officers were James Duncan, President, 
and J. D. W. Calder, Cashier. Mr. Calder was 
from Tro}', and represented the Troj- stock. It 
soon became apparent that there was a want of 
harmony between the Cashier and President, 
which flnallj' culminated in a third party, the 
Dwights of New York and Massachusetts pur- 
chasing a controlling interest in the stock, which 
was done on the 9th of July, 1835, one of the 
Directors being actively engaged in the pur- 
chase, 150 per centum premium on the amount 
paid in being freely paid. The Calder party in 
the board resigned, and their places were filled 
by friends of the new rrginu-. The Cashier re- 
signed, and Parker Handy, Esq., of Cleveland, 
was elected in his place. Mr. Duncan, the 
President, also resigned, and Augustus 'Bald- 
win, Esq., of Hudson, was chosen to till that 
\'acancy, he remained liut a short time, when 
the late Charles K. Skinner took his place and 



continued President as long as the bank had 
an existence. In 1838, Mr. Hunt, then clerk 
m a mercantile establishment in this city was 
chosen by Mr. IIand3' as Assistant Cashier, 
and kept the place until the resignation of Mr. 
Handy, when he was appointed Cashier, and 
held ttiat position until the impending destruc- 
tion of tlie bank, the controlling interest hav- 
ing passed into the hands of Henry Dwight, 
Jr., tendered his resignation, and was succeeded 
by F. E. Piatt, of Owego, N. Y., who remained 
until the crash came in 1853. It may be re- 
marked in passing that Mr. Piatt was an elder 
brother of IMr. Piatt, late Senator from New 
York in the United States Congress, and that 
the es-Senator was & clerk in the bank at one 
period during his brother's cashiership, and also 
a clerk in the drug store of Messrs. Joseph 
Watson & Co. When the bank closed, it was 
found that all its assets had been transferred to 
the city of New York, that it had in circulation 
$400,000, which was its full limit according 
to its charter, it capital stock being all paid 
up and it being allowed to issue two to one on 
its paid-up stock. As soon as it was ascer- 
tained that a crisis in the affairs of the bank 
had come, the President and Directors made 
an assignment to Charles D. Smith, Dwight 
Jarvis and M. D. Wellman who were afterward 
removed b^' the Court of Common Pleas on a 
motion by E. P. Grant, Esq., counsel for par- 
ties in interest, and Hon. George Harsh, Dr. 
Isaac Steese and Hon. P. C. Hull, now of Oneida, 
Carroll Count3-, substituted. The entire assign- 
ment was thenceforth managed by Mr. Harsh, 
the other assignees of course being consulted, 
and being advisory members ; and it should be 
placed on an enduring record that no assign- 
ment was ever conducted with more unyielding 
fidelity than was the assignment of the Bank of 
Massillon, after it had passed into the hands of 
Messrs. Harsh. Steese and Hull. Whatever there 
was of its assets was faithfully accounted for to 
the last cent, and the records of the Common 
Pleas of Stark County show an honorable dis- 
charge of the assignees after having discharged 
their trust. The assets of the bank, not stolen by 
the Dwight management, paid about 30 cents on 
the dollar, 70 per centum being plundered fi'om 
the holders of the liabilities of the bank. 
Meanwhile, Mr. Hunt whose sagacity had en- 
abled him to escape the fraud for which Henrj' 
Dwight, Jr., with his confreres, was liable, in 



^' 




^^^i:^^ 



connection with Dr. Isaac Steese and H. B. 
Ilurlburt, under tlie general banking law of 
Oliio, organized tlie Merchants' Bank, with Dr. 
Steese as President, and Salmon Hunt, Cashier; 
their lirst office of discount and deposit was in 
the room on the east side of Erie street, south 
of Main, now occupied bj- George Yost & Son, 
saddlerj- and hardware, where they remained 
until they purchased the premises on the south 
end of the Welhuan Block, corner of Erie street 
and the allej'. There the}' closed out the Mer- 
chants' Bank, and under the National Banking 
law of the United States, organized the First 
National Bank of Massillon, with Dr. Steese as 
President, and S. Hunt, Cashier, with a capital 
of $200,000, and the following-named gentle- 
men as Directors; Isaac Steese, James M. Brown, 
Arvine C. Wales, Charles Steese, Jacob S. Bach- 
tel and John Jacobs, with unimportant changes, 
tliat organization continued until August, 1874, 
when the death of Dr. Isaac Steese occasioned an 
entire change. .Mr. Hunt was elected President, 
and Charles Steese,wiio had been a Director in the 
bank from its organization, was elected Cashier, 
under which management it has continued except 
an occasional change in the Board of Directors, 
and is one of the institutions of the West. Its 
influence in money circles is not confined to 
Massillon. or the county or State. It bears 
upon its history and present existence the 
names of Hunt anil Steese as its present mana- 
gers, which are a guarantee as to its manage- 
ment. The name of Isaac Steese is indissolubly 
connected with the history of the banking insti- 
tutions of Massillon. 

In November, 1847, the Union Branch of the 
State Bank of Ohio, at Massillon, was organ- 
i/.ed. with Dr. Steese as President, and S. Brain- 
ai'il. {■',s(|.. as Cashier. This position Dr. Steese 
ir>ii:ii<il ill 18")0 to engage in private banking 
with .Messrs. II. B. llurlbut and Alvin ^'inlon, 
wiiich firm was dissolved a year later for the 
purpose of organizing the Merchants' Bank, 
already mentioned. I)r. Steese was in all re- 
spects a representative man. and was so regard- 
ed, as the following extract from a notice written 
at his decease by one who knew iiim well, fully 
attests : 

Willi Dr. Stccsc's removal to .Massillon. he en- 
tered >i|)on Ills widest tielil of iiscfulncss. For 
Iwinly-tive years he was one of the largest landed 
proprietors and farmers of the county. For twen- 
ty-five years lie was the manaf^er of the larfresi 
liankinjr institution in the countv. No man was 



better fitted by nature and ac(|uirenieiils for an cmi- 
j n<'nt hanker. Of the whole theory and science of 
I lianking he was a thorough master. Ilis j)evfe(t 
j rectitude and inteiri'ity were widely known, and 
were never (Hiestioned where known. His pcrtV'Ot 
aecjuainlancc with business, .-ind his sagacity wcr<' 
such that the institutions under his <lin'eIion"iia.ssed 
through all tlie monetary eonviilsions of the past 
quarter of a century almost wholly without lo.ss. 
and without once failing to make their eiistomarv 
dividends to their shaieholdcrs. Their sliairs wei-'e 
never iijion the marki-1, unless brought there by the 
death of their owners. Always anxious to encoiir- 
ag<' tlie eommereial and industrial enterprises of the 
lilaee so far as he safely could, no loiisideialioiis of 
imbli<- spirit or of private friendship roiild cause 
him to forget for a moment that as a banker he was 
the trusted eiislodian of other people's moiii-y. 

The iiiiivirsal respect and eoiilidrnee wiiicli' be in- 
spired, caused him largely to be sought out as the 
manager of tlie funds'of the p<cipli> in <Ii'eli[iiiig 
years — of widows, of minor eliildren, and of people 
of small savings, carefully hiisliaiideil and left with 
liini a.s in a jdaee of the last security against a time 
of need. In times of tiiiancial peri] and alarm, the 
sense of responsibility which these |)eeiiliai-ly sacred 
trusts entailed upon him was oppressive, sometimes 
almost crushing. 

Always a man of marked individuality, one of 
the most prominent traits of his character was his 
strong iiltachment for books, and for sound and gen- 
erous literature. It began with his earliest Jioy- 
hood. Before he was fifteen he secured the use of 
a little island in Pcnn's Creek and planted it with 
the castor bean, with the sole purpose of founding 
a library with the proceeds. Friends who knew 
him forty years ago, are full of amiisiiig recollect 
ions of his insei)aialile coiii|ianionsliip with books, 
A few men w lio begin life with these ta-stes pre- 
serve them to the hist, but generally at the e.\|)ense 
of all relish for business avocations. It w'as not so 
with liim. His active and comprehi'nsivc mind 
maintained to the last its keen enjoyment of intel 
leelual pursuits, and the most llioinii;;li understand 
ing of all the details of allaiis. For twenty live 
years he directed his c.xtensivc fainiing operation^, 
the running of his banks, and a miilliplicity of [iri 
vale undertakings, and during all this lime lie was a 
devoli'd and most loving student. He ,seemed to 
have the power of most perfectly absorbing the 
whole contents of a book. What was once read 
was never forgotten. He delighted to share with 
others the resuh of his studies, and could condense 
into an hour's conversation, the whole pith and siib 
stance of a bulky volume. 

Few practicing iihysici.ins kept so well read up in 
the advance of medical sci<'iice. The discovery of 
a new remedy, a new method, or an ingenious ope- 
ration was hailed with the joy of an entfcusiast. 
There is no book in the Knglisji language treating of 
metaphysical tojiies that he wa-noi familiar with 
Not twenty men in the nation wer<' better informed 
in politics in the large and liest sense of the woril — 
in political economy, and especially in (|ueslions of 
finance, ta.xation. the intercliaiige of commodities, 
and the fluctuations of prices; his knowledge of the 



lU.STOKY OF STAKK COUNTY. 



action of our own ant] Euroiican Govci-nincnts on 
tlji.-sc sulijccts was vorv full, and his reasonings won- 
flcrfnlly clear. Il was a subject of fr<'i|uenl re^n-el 
among his friends that he had not exercised his tal- 
ents of this ki]id in a widi'r way. and in a |inlilic 
capacity. 

In several de]iarlnii'nts of natural |ihiloso|iliy — 
in history, in the hest litrhter literature, in social 
and reformatory topics, he was well read, and kept 
abreast wilh the best minds of the age. His kind- 
ness of heart was universally known and .acknowl- 
edged. But the extent of it never was and never 
will be known. Hundreds of the kindest acts of 
his life were so (piietly and so delicately done that 
they never ri'ached the knowledge of any but Ihi' 
recipients of tliem. Of the most genial disjiosilion. 
few men -o enjoyeil llic society of his fellows. 

Wli;ii he w:is I,, hi- funnily — what to a circle of 
friiniU laiiivi- tli;iii .ilicii g:itliers around one man 
who walked with him through half a. life time so 
nearly that their hearts touched his. 1 dare not, with 
the grief of his death fresh upon me. trust myself 
to write. 

The home which he builded up in Ma.ssillon was 
known far and near not more for it.s elegance, its 
culture and reliueraent (haii for its open-handed 
ho.spitalit)-; it wa.s always the home of teachers of 
youth. Its welcoming doors were always open. 
There were few days in the year when its generous 
tables were not surrounded, and its rooms were not 
filled with neighlioring or distant friends. At this 
home, on the lOih day of August. 1874. attended by 
all that the highest medical skill or the most pain- 
fully anxious aifection could suggest, ministered to 
by loving hands, and surrounded by a devoted and 
heart-broken family, he ()uietly passed away. 

From the orgauization of the Merchants' 
Bank until the death ol" Dr. Steese, Hon S. 
Hunt, now' President of the First National 
Bank, was associated with him ; and of Mr. 
Hunt, it may be said, his name is a synonym 
for integrity and uprightness. For forty-tliree 
years, with a slight intermission, he lias been a 
banker in this city. From Assistant Cashier 
to President, he has by unswerving fidelity 
built up and sustained a reputation for purity 
that cannot be assailed, and with that of Dr. 
Steese, will be treasured as one of Massillon's 
brightest jewels. 

Next in order was the Union Branch of the 
State Bank of Ohio, which was started in 1 847 
by Dr. Isaac Steese, Sebastian Brainard and 
others. After the death of Mr. Brainard it 
passed through many hands, and was finally 
merged in the Union National Bank of Massil- 



lon, and is one of the soundest hanking insti- 
tutions in Ohio. The President and Cashier 
are among the soundest business men in the 
Tuscarawas Vallej', and its stock is held by 
men of wealth. The following gentlemen com- 
pose its Board of Directors : John K. McLain, 
Thomas McCuUough, Joseph Coleman, Frede- 
rick Loeffler, Edward Kachler, Frank U. Webb 
and James H. Hunt. President, John K. Mc- 
Lain ; Vice-President, Thomas McCullough ; 
Cashier, James H. Hunt. The capital stock of 
the bank is $100,000. 

The Massillon Coal and Iron Company was 
formed in 1873, with a capital stock of $50,000, 
all paid. Its principal stockholders are John 
E. McLain, James Bayliss, Clement Russell, 
Nahum S. Russell, Peter Dielhenn. Edward 
Kachler, Hermann Schrieber, Joseph Coleman, 
Gnstavus P. Reed, William F. Ricks, Henr^- 
Beatt}', Silas A. Conrad, James H. Justus, 
Peter Sailer, Salmon Hunt and others. 

Its present officers are S. Hunt. President ; 
Edward Kachler, Secretary, and Joseph Cole- 
man, Treasurer. 

The company, immediately on its organiza- 
tion, being incorporated under the general law 
of the State, built a rolling mill which, for its 
capacity, is regarded one of the best in the 
country. It is now leased to Joseph Cams, 
Esq., for three j'ears, who has taken a son into 
partnership, the firm being Joseph Cams & 
Son, and who are running the mill successfully. 

The mill has eight puddling furnaces, two 
heating furnaces ; much train, eighteen-inch 
bar mill train, nine-inch small train. The prod- 
uct of the mill is 425 tons per month, and 
has more orders than it can possibly fill. The 
force employed is 120 men, and the cash value 
of the product of the mill is about $20,000 per 
mouth, or from $240.0(10 to $250,000 per 
annum. 

Messrs. Cams & Son are at the head of tiieir 
profession, as managers of a rolling-mill, and 
by tlieir energy and sound judgment are mak- 
ing the Massillon Coal and Iron Company's 
Rolling Mill a most important item in the busi- 
ness of the city, and in the northern portion of 
the Tuscarawas Valley. 



( ITV OF MASSILLOX. 



CllAPTKH \V.* 

TIIK riTV OK MASSl, LOS — [IS CHIKCII IIISTOKV — TIIK KARLV MEIHOIMSTS — l'RE.SnV IKKIAN 

CHIhCH— UTHKRCHIKCII OIIGANIZATIONS— .SE'KKT AND liENEVOLKNT IXSTITCTIONS 

■ —THE IMIESS— FIKST NEWSI'Al'EK IX MA.SSILI.OX— CM ANCES, ETC. KIT. 



AT tlie laying out of Massillon fitl^-five 
years ago, "the word of the Lord was 
precious.' Tiie Methodists, always on the 
frontiers of civilization, had preaching at stated 
periods. .Massillon belonged to ("anton Circuit. 
Steubeiiville District, of the Pittsburgh Con- 
ference. Their preachers occupied the school- 
room, when there was one, for that purpose. 
When no school-room could he had, a private 
house was opened, if in the winter; if in the 
summer, the threshing floor of a large barn : 
but Methodist preaching was sure to come. In 
1882, Messrs. Hogan & Harris, a firm of forward- 
ing and commission merchants, erected the brick 
building on Main street, now owned by lion. 
George Harsh, in the third stor3' of which was 
a hall, known as Hogan & Harris's Hall, which 
was used for all public gatherings, religious or 
political, or for any sj)ecial meetings. The 
Methodists eontinui^l in this houseless manner 
until 1840. At that time Rev. D. R. Hawkins 
was on the circuit. He was a young man of 
great force of character, and he determined 
that there should be a Methodist Church edi- 
fice in the village. So he at once r)pened a 
correspondence with the Freemasons, who held 
their meetings in Hogan & Harris's block, oc- 
cupying the room on the west side, the public 
hall being on the east side. The result of the 
correspondence was the Methodists and Free- 
masons determined to erect a two-story build- 
ing, the lower story to be fitted up for a room 
for the church, and ihe second stor_v for a 
Lodge and Chapter for the Masons. The 
building was erected in 1840. On the 24th of 
June the corner-stone of Clinton Lodge, No. 
47. and Hiram Chapter. No. 18, and of the First 
Methodist Kpiscopal Church of Massillon was 
laid. ■■ with pomp and circumstance. ' For 
seventeen years there had not been a public 
Masonic exhibition in the county, thi^ last one 
having been in Canton in 1828. Clinton L<idge 

'Cflnlribiiled I y Iti.ltcrl H Folc-r. 



was organized b}' charter from the (irand 
Lodge of Ohio in 188(i, and was almost the 
onlj- working Lodge north of the National 
road in the State. The building was erected 
and the two institutions occupied it harmo- 
niously until 1860. when the xMasons bought 
out the Methodists, and the Methodists had 
bought the old church edifice of the Baptists 
in 1858, which, as is noticed elsewhere, had 
been abandoned by the Baptists many 3ears 
before. Although the Methodists purchased 
the building for a mere nominal sum, the ex- 
tensive repairs they have put on it have made 
it cost as much as a new building would have 
cost, and is now commodious and well adapted 
to the wants of the church and congregation, 
now one of the most numerous in the city, of 
English Protestant t;hurches. In 1845, the an- 
nual conference made Massillon a station, and 
the first in the county. Rev. Dr. Osborn is 
now the preacher in charge. 

The first organization of a Preshj-terian 
church and congregation in Perry Township 
or in tlii.s city is hidden in impenetrable obscur- 
ity, there being no one living who aided in such 
organization ; nor is there any record that aids 
in arriving at a correct conclusion. As early 
as 1820, a distinct and earnest movement lend- 
ing to such an organization was had. Rev. 
James B. Morrow then settled at Canton, 
and after him Rev. T. M. Hopkins came to 
Kendal and Massillon, and preached in Daniel 
Myers' carpenter-shop on State street in Ken- 
dal. At that time the Cruson brothers. John 
and (iarrett, Austin Allen, Joseph Ileckraan 
and a few other families, composed the entire 
church, and tlu^y were the first U) get a house 
which should be used for religious worship, 
after the Quakers of Kendal. They gave liber- 
ally, and got help from those who "had a kind 
word for all " evangelical denominations, and 
erected the building now used by the veteran 
carpenter of the city. John Zimmerman, as a 



408 



HISTORY OF .STARK COUNTY. 



carpenter-sbop, which stood near where it now 
stands, on the hill between Kendal and Massil- 
lon. as the topou;raphy of the place was then 
described ; and it was used as a meeting house 
for all religious sects, the Presbyterians how- 
ever claiming the exclusive right. In this 
building Mr. Hopkins preached first, and which 
was iu 1830 or 1831. In 1832, the mercantile 
firm of Baldwin & Noble came to IMassillon 
and opened a stock of goods in the frame 
building which stood where now stands William 
Vost s saddlery and harness shop and store. 
They were Presbyterians, earnest and deter- 
mined to see a church organized in the village. 
Through their influence the Rev. Elijah Buck, 
with his young and excellent wife, came from 
Rochester, N. Y., or from that section of the 
State, and becoming discouraged at the pros- 
pect for organizing a church, did not remain a 
great length of time. He is remembered, how- 
ever, as an earnest, sincere young man, of schol- 
arly att;unments, and, if living, is supposed to be 
in Branch County, Mich., at or near Coldwatcr. 
In Mareii, 1833, Rev. G. W. Warner, now of Ca- 
naan Corners. Columbia Co., N. Y., then Pastor 
of the Presliyteriau Church in Wooster, being on 
ills way to Sandy ville, Tuscarawas Co., to aid the Church in this city was first organized bj- Rev. 



would seem that a church was organized in 
Massillon at that time. It is certain that on 
the 30th of January of that year, there was no 
settled Presbyterian minister in Massillon, as 
the writer has a tolerably vivid recollection of 
a marriage that took place at that date, at which 
Rev. T. M. Hopkins, then settled at Canton, was 
the officiating minister. It was not, •' however, 
until the 17th of April, 1836," says Rev. Mr. 
Warner, " that a minister of this denomination 
went among this people with a view to steady 
and exclusive operations." '■ At that date," 
adds Mr. Warner, ■' I found a church organized, 
and Mr. Heckman its only Elder ; and, during 
the first of my ministry, Mr. P:irker Handy, 
Cashier of the bank of Massillon, and Darius 
Ford, were ordained Ruling Elders, making the 
session to consist of Rev. George W. Warner, 
Moderator ; Joseph Heckman, Clerk, and Parker 
Handy and Darius Ford. 

" I was an ordained minister when I went to 
Massillon, but was never installed as Pastor of 
the church there." 

The Trustees were Parker Handy, Harper 
Partridge and James 0. Bloss. From the fore- 
going facts, it is clear that the Presbyterian 



minister there in the labor of a four da3's' meet- 
ing, stopped heie in response to repeated invita- 
i(.)ns, and made tlie aciiuaintance of the Presby- 
terians of .Mtis^illoli, and such otiicrs :is uttelidcd 
iiis meeting. The senuc^n on that occasion ' was 
founded on the first clause of the 8th verse, 33d 
chapter of Ezekiel." and. as Mr. Warner says in 
a late letter to the writer, ■was as plain and point- 
ed as the prcaclieiroiild po.^^ibly make it. Tliis 
meeting was followed liy a pnmipl and decided 
reijuest for tinother sermon, and an appoint- 
ment was made for May 25. "On this even- 
ing," says Mr. Warner, "almost the whole city 
came together to hear the word of the Loi'd." 
Mr. Warner adds: " The impression was favor- 
able. Written as well as oral testimony, of the 
most gratifying character, rendered it certain 
that the labor was not in vain in the Lord." 



Elijah Buck or Rev. T. M. Hopkins. Mr. Hop- 
kins succeeded Mr. Morrow at Canton, as is now 
recollected, and Mr. Morrow removed to New 
I'liiladclphia where he died. The followiuj 
tribute to the memory of the late Joseph Heck- 
man, by Rev. Mr. Warner, is so just and so well 
deserved that it is given a place in the.se rem- 
iniscences : 

•' He for many years, even unto the day of 
his death, with marked consistency exemplified 
the principles and power of his Christian faith ; 
and it should be added that as a citizen and 
public officer, his name will always, in the his- 
tory of the good and useful men of Massillon. 
be especially remembered." 

Dating from April 17. 183(i, the Presbyterian 
Church of this city has had an existence. From 
Rev. Mr. Warner at that date there has been a 



" Indeed, from that very point in the history of j succession of ministers, stated supplies and in- 
your thriving village, was dated the more man- | stalled Pastors, who have maintained its po- 
ifestly growing change from the old regime of j sition as one of the institutions of the citj'. On 



infidelity to the ultimate and completely com- 
manding inlkience of Christianity." 

From the fact that there is a record in ex- 
istence showing that the late Joseph Heckman, 
Esq., was installed as Elder June 1, 1834, it 



Mr. Warner assuming the duties of the pasto- 
rate of the little church here, he, with char- 
acteristic energy, set about getting a house in 
which to worship. The eligible lot, on the cor- 
ner of Hill and Plum streets, was purchased. 



i^ 



CITY OF MASSILLON. 



409 



and a building erected, which served the church 
until 1852. during the pastorate of Rev. D. C. 
Blood, and durins: which it may be said the 
church grew and flourished, equal to its pros- 
perity in any former period. In tlie year above 
named, the old building was sold, and the pres- 
ent commodious one erected. The old liuilding 
was purchased by J. J. Ilofnuui, and took the 
name of Ilofman s Church, while he continued 
to own it. It is now occupied l)y .Mr. Hoke as 
a residence on North strci^t. On the resignation 
of Mr. Blooil. after many years of faithful serv- 
ice, lie was succeeded by Rev. (leorge A. Little, 
now of Warsaw. Kosciusko Co., Ind., on whose 
resignation, Rev. R. L. Williams, now of Bar- 
aboo, Wis., was installed as Pastor ; and who, 
in 1879, after twelve years of service, resigned, 
and was succeeded by Rev. N. I'. Bail}'. D. I)., 
who is now the Pastor, having been installed at 
the date above named. During that j-ear, the 
church was made the recipient of a most mu- 
nificent gift from Hon. H. B. Hurlbut, of Cleve- 
land, consisting of a most commodious chapel, 
erected immediately adjoining the church, 
building, furnished and ornamented with every 
thing useful and beautiful, including a piano. 
As a church, the Presbyterian is the oldest or- 
ganization in the city ; and, in view of the 
changes of the past fort3'-five years, while it 
has not escaped the trials and vicissitudes in- 
cident to all organizations, its permanence and 
prosperity, as at present organized, arc assured. 
There are some things connected with the 
history of the Presbyterian Church in Massil- 
lon and the old building in which Hev. George 
W. Warner's ministry commenced as Pastor, 
that should not be forgotten, first and foremost 
of which was the organization of the Massillon 
Jjyceum and the great debate in the winter of 
1837 on the question. 'Docs Justice demand 
the Immediate Abolition of Slavery?" Mr. 
Warner and the trustees freely opened the 
house, which was filled to its utmost capacity 
every evening of the debate, and every possi- 
ble phase and idea involved in the (juestion 
were discussed in their length and breadth. 
Seed was sown that took root downward and 
sprang upward until the final result was. Al- 
though it took long yeai's to accomplish it. 
Massillon became thoroughly abolitionized from 
being intensely pro-slavery, and on th(! close 
of the debate, the President. Hon. Hnnking 
Wheeler, Jr.. OTie of the best debaters and par 



liamentarians of that day. decided that the af- 
firmative had the advantage in the argument, 
but qualified his decision by saying, " Had the 
word -expediency ' been substituded for justice, 
he should have decided diflerently." The popu- 
lar vote of the liyceum was hugely in the nega- 
tive. 

In 1832, the first temperance lectures delivered 
in the county were delivered in Massillon b}' 
Theodore D. Weld, supposed to be living now in 
the State of New Jersey. These lectures revolu- 
tionized public sentiment for the time being, 
and when Mr. Warner came four years later, he 
put the Presbyterian Church into active work 
on that subject, and which lasted until he re- 
signed in 1840. In November, 1841, he ac- 
cepted an invitation to return, and did so, re- 
maining two years, when he tendered his resig- 
nation, and is now, at the age of eighty, Pastor 
of a Presbyterian Church at Canaan Four Cor- 
ners, Columbia Co., N. Y. 

The first preaching by any minister of the 
communion known in Stark County as the 
llnited Brethren in Christ was at the tavern of 
Philip Slusser, in what is now Brookfield, in 
Tuscarawas Township, and was l)y Bishop New- 
comer, in May, 181t!. From the Bishop's jour- 
nal, it appears that on the 24tli of May he 
lodged with Jacol) Rowland, near Canton, and 
on the 25th reached Philip Slusser's. '■ To-day 
and Sunday," says the Bishop, '• we held a sac- 
ramental meeting here, " which is the first ac- 
count that can be had of any religious services 
by the United Brethren in the township. Later 
in the year. Rev. Messrs. David Wimar, Chris- 
tian Kauaga, John Wimar and I'etei Wimar 
held meetings in the township of Sugar Creek 
and at Pigeon Run, in Tusc-arawas Township, 
and at some period between 181(i and 1820 a 
society was formed. Among its members were 
Adam Shilling, (ieorge Krider, Christian Max- 
himer and many others. Preaching was had at 
private houses. The Pigeon Run Chapel was 
built at some time during the four years from 
1816 to 1820, and regular preaching has been 
had in the township ever since. In 1829 or 
1830, there was an accession of new members 
from Franklin County. Penn., .\braham Bowman 
and his family, and Samuel Zent and his fam- 
ily. The circuit was extcmded. and Brookfield 
was taken into that circuit, and, in 1849. a 
church building was erected and the ditferent 
congreuations were merged in the Brookfield 



i \ ' 



t^ 



HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY. 



congregation, except at Pigeon Run, ttiose [ 
within tlie bounds of tlie cliarge remaining < 
there. In 1873. the congregation was trans- j 
ferred to Massillon, the church building in 1 
Massillon was erected, and since which Massil- 
lon has been a station. The first preacher at 
the station was Rev. Elias Lower, now in Michi- ! 
gan. The first Trustees were xVbram Bowman, 
John Silk, John Reeves and B. F. Booth. The ! 
present Pastor is Rev. J. M. Poulton. Present < 
board of Trustees is Abraham Bowman, John 1 
Waggoner. John Silk, Tho's H. Seaman and the ' 
Pastor. The church in Tuscarawas Township, | 
as well as at Massillon, is growing, and is exercis- ' 
ing a wholesome influence. The journal of Bishop 
Newcomer is intei-esting, as showing the ear- 
nest faithfulness of his labors in his Episcopal 
visit to the West sixty-five years ago. The Mr. 
Bowman referred to as a member of the church ' 
in 1829, was the father of Abram Bauman, ; 
Esq., now a resident of Tuscarawas Township, 
and of Hon. Samuel C Bauman, of Massillon. 

Thirty-eight years have gone into the great 
ocean of time since Elder Jonas Hartzell or- i 
ganized the Disciples' Church in Massillon. 
The first Pastor was Elder Eli Regel. The 
first Board of Trustees was Charles Lond<in, 
John Bender and Isaac N. Doxsee. Mr. London 
and Mr. Doxsee yet survive, representatives of 
the doctrines of their church, and as such are 
representative men, and as higlily esteemed cit- 
izens. In the " noiseless tenor of their way '" 
the church and congregation meet at their 
meeting-house, corner of Hill and North Streets, 
and of them it should he said they are com- 
posed of many of the best citizens, and while 
they do not increase rapidly, they are always 
in the front rank of every reformatory move- 
ment. 

The following history of the (Jerman Evan- 
gelical Lutheran Church is furnished by Rev. 
P. J. Buelil. the Pastor in charge : 

The members of the Evangelical Ijutheran 
Church was gathered together and organized 
b}' Rev. P. J. Buehl, Pastor of the Evangelical 
Lutheran Zion's Church of Akron, the sermon 
for tliat purpose being preached on the 5th 
day of September, 1863. The regular organ- 
ization took place on the 1st day of January, 
1864, at which time a constitution was adopted 
and a church council elected by the members 
of the church present, and installed by Rev. 
P. J. Buehl. and incorporated under the General 



Laws of the State of Ohio Ijy the name of The 
p]vangelical Lutheran St. Pauls Cluirch, in the 
City of Massillon. The following members 
were elected to constitute the first Church 
Council. As Deacons, Hermann Schreiber, 
Adam (xemmiuger, George Schueir and Peter 
Bause ; as Trustees, George Speigel, Balthazer 
Ketterer and Peter Diemer ; Treasurer, Gattfred 
Danner ; and Clerk, J. Frederick Lehmann. On 
the 22d of February, 1864, Rev. P J. Buehl, of 
the city of Akron, was called as the I'egular 
pastor, which call was accepted, as advised by 
high officials of the Evangelical Lutheran 
Church, on the 4th day of May. 1864, and on 
the 16th day of the same month moved his 
family to the city of Massillon, and since said 
time has remained the regular pastor of said 
church, now more than seventeen years. On 
the 12th day of May the Church resolved to 
purchase the premises upon which now stand 
the church buildings, then owned by Arvine C. 
Wales, and the estate of William S. Wetmore, 
deceased, and, after grading and much prepara- 
tion, the present buildings were erected. First, 
a schoolhouse for a German and English Con- 
gi'egational School, which was dedicated on the 
1st of January, 1865. After preaching from 
the 6th of September. 1863, to the 1st day of 
February, 1865, iu a building called Hofraan's 
Church, on North street, now changed into a 
dwelling-house, and from the last above date to 
October, 1870, in the lower room of the Masonic 
Building on Mill street. On the 13th day of 
June, 1869, the corner-stone of the new church 
edifice was laid with beeomintj ceremonies, and 
on the 18th Sunday after Trinity, A. D. 1870, 
the same was finished and dedicated to the 
service of the Triune God. The building is 47 
feet wide, and, with the projection of the tower 
and altar place, is 110 feet long, with a tower 
170 feet high, the whole of first-class finish and 
materials. Near the schoolhouse and church 
edifice stand two dwelling houses, one a par- 
sonage and one a dwelling for the Congrega- 
tional teacher and organist, built since the 
building of the church edifice. The congrega- 
tion increased during the first year to a com- 
municant membership of ninety-seven members 
of both sexes. It now numbers 300, exclusive 
of 130 children of school age, which are taught 
to a certain age in the Congregational day 
school in German and English, and the relig- 
ious principles of the word of God and the 



^: 



j:di 



(ITV OF MASSILLON. 



doctrines of tlie Kvangelical Luthcian Church. 

To the above should l)e ad(U'd that the 
rliurch ediflee and "jrounds of the Hvangelical 
J^utheran Church are surpassinijly beautiful. 
Tlie Iniildings are surrounded by an Osage 
orange hedge, which is Itept trimmed and in the 
highest state of cultivation, inside of which 
are shubbery. Howers an<l evergreens, among 
which are carriage-wa3's and graveled walks, 
all of which are kept so neath' that the place 
is an object of the admiration of all strangers 
visiting the city. All the ornamentation of 
the grounds is the work of Rev. Mr. Buehl, 
who, in addition to the duties of the pastorate, 
finds time to embellish the churchyard with 
flowers and shubbery, and keeps them in order 
beyond similar work in point of taste and ele- 
gance in the city. 

On the 7th day of June, 1836, the Parish of 
St. Timothj-'s Church was duly organized, ac- 
cording to the Canons of the Protestant Episco- 
pal Church, a charter therefor having been 
previousl}- obtained through the influence of 
Hon. David A. Starkweather, member of the 
Ohio Senate. The Rev. John Swan was elected 
the first Rector, October 10, of the same 3"ear, 
the corner-stone of tiie church edifice having 
been laid by Rev. Charles P. Mcllvaine, D. 1)., 
Bishop of the Diocese of Ohio. On the 13th 
of .May. 1843, the church was consecrated by 
Bishop Mcllvaine. On the loth of Jul}-, the 
Rev. John Swan resigned the charge of the 
parish. July 2(;. 1840. Rev. Anson Clark ac- 
cepted a call U} the parish, and remained in 
charge until May 11, 1851. From October 1, 
1851, until April 3, 18511, Rev. Kdward H. 
Cumming was Rector; from July ]. 18511, to 
Juh. l^tlo. Rev. Henrj' H. ^lorell was Rector: 
from l-'eliruary 1. 1867. to May 1. 1871, Rev! 
G. W. Timlow: from October 1, 1871. to 
October 1. 1872, Uv.v. Wilifred H. Dean ; from 
May 15. 1873. to March. 1877, Rev. W. M. 
Probasco. who died that month of small-pox. 

The present Rector, Rev. R. I). Brook, took 
charge of the parish October 16. 1877. having 
been unanimously elected thereto by the 
\'estry. 

The first Vestry were James Duncan. Herman 
15 Harris. James S. Reynolds. Hunking Whee- 
ler. Charles K. Skinner, Dwight Jarvis. Matthew 
Johnson and (jeorge Paine. The present Vestry 
arc Thomas McCullough. Senior Warden ; Hi- 
ram K. Dickey, Junior Warden ; Thomas 



Hopper, .Vugustus J. Ricks. Moses .\. Brown, 
Jacob (!. Bucher. James W. Dunn. II. 11 
Everhard, Edward B. Upham. and Jf>liii <'> 
Warwick. 

Through the long period of forty-five years. 
St. Timothy's has been one of the standard 
institutions of the city. The beautiful location 
of the church and parsonage, in (me inclosure. 
at the southeast corner of Tremont and l-^ast 
streets, attracts the attention of strangers visit- 
ing the city, and is. of itself, an enduring 
monument of the liberality of Hon. James 
Duncan, whose generosity was restricted only 
by his means. 

In 1849, the German Protestant element 
having increased rapidlj-, a meeting was called 
of those of the German Evangelical Church. 
In a legal proceeding of a later date, they were 
sued as the German Evangelical Church of St. 
John, and to that style the trustees answered. 
At the date above named, thei'e were fort}-- 
eight families. .Vt the meeting ;im organization 
was effected, and the Rev. Dr. J. <i. Buettner. 
a most scholarly and elegant gi'utleman, was 
chosen Pastor. He remained four years. Of 
the original forty-eight families, but seven or 
eight remain. The luimbcr of families now 
composing the membership is two hundred 
and sixty-five. This church has grown in wealth 
and influence. The first meeting-house is the 
stone building on East street, south of St. 
Timothy's Protestant Episcopal. Tn that they 
met for long years, and when it got so small as 
no longer to be used for that [jurpose. they 
purchased the beautiful lot on the corner of 
Tremont and Mill, than which none is more 
eligible in the city, and on that they have 
erected a large and commodious building — an 
honor to themselves and the city. Their former 
meeting-house has been sold to the Union 
School District, and. as a .schoolhouse, is useful. 
It was built in 1840, and after twenty years of 
use as a chmx'h. was sold. In 1863 and 1864 
there was a secession from the church of about 
fifteen families, making about sevent^'-five mem- 
bers, on account of a dift'erence of opinion oti 
the subject of parochial schools, those who 
withdrew l)eing in favor of establishing schools 
of that character. \t that time Rev. .^Ir. 
Weisgerber was I'astor of the old (Jerman 
Evangelical Church. He was a positive man 
in all his opinions, and especiall}- positive in 
his opposition to distinct schcxils, under the 



412 



HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY. 



inanagemeut of the church. Upon the fact 
being settled that, under the government of tlie 
(Jerman Evangelical Church, parochial schools 
would not be established, the withdrawal took 
place, and the (iorinan Evangelical Lutheran 
(-hurch was at once organized, and is now one 
of the institutions of the city. Under the 
fostering care of Rev. 0. W. Shetlar, the old 
(ierman Evangelical Church is moving onward, 
embracing in its membership a most useful and 
intelligent class of the (rerman population of 
the city and township, and largel}' increasing 
in numbers. by the unparalleled immigration 
from the Fatherland, and the influence and 
well-directed labors of its worthy Pastor. 

In October, 18o5, Rev. 0. N. Sage, now of 
Cincinnati, a Baptist minister, arrived in Mas- 
siilon, then a young gentleman from Eric, Penn., 
unheralded and unknown, and as he says 'not 
knowing the name of any one of the people of 
the place.' In those days, the village being 
on the full tide of successful competition with 
all the neighltoring towns, pa3ing always the 
highest prices for produce of all kinds, its iarae 
as the '• wheat city " of Ohio attracted the 
young Baptist Minister. It seemed to him to 
be the field wherein ho could labor and leave 
at least '• some footprints on the sands of time," 

■■ Fiicifjii iiils tli;it (irrliaiLs another 
Sailini;' o'er ]\fr\ Mjlcmii main, 
A finlorn and sliipwreckcMl lirntlicr. 
Seeing, miglit take heart again." 

The young minister was right in his conclusion, 
as the following extract from a pleasant letter 
received from him indicates. He ' found a quiet 
temperance house kept by William M. Folger, 
and preached the next day in Hogan i.t Harris' 
Hall to a good, attentive audience. Before 
leaving the hall, it was resolved by the people 
that a meeting house should be built, and the 
young man was informally invited to become a 
citizen of what was then known as the most 
enterprising business place in the interior of 
Ohio." 

When it is remembered that there was not at 
that time a half a dozen Baptists in the town- 
ship of six miles square, it will strike the reader 
singularly that on the second day after the ar- 
rival of Mr. Sage, which was on the first Sab- 
bath, and on hearing his first sermon, that his 
congregation should resolve that a house should 
be Ijuilt, and he invited to become a citizen. 
The people of Massillon were not disappointed. 



The name of Rev. Orrin N. Sage is kindly re- 
membered by the few who remain, who listened 
to his preaching, and who will never forget his 
earnest labors to fashion and improve the social 
and moral condition of the then plastic society 
of Massillon. 

The encouragement given to Mr. Sage of 
course set him at work. He purchased the lot 
on the northwest corner of North and Mill 
streets, which was then the extreme northern 
boundary of the village, and, with untiring en- 
ergy, erected the church edifice now there. As 
soon as it was inclosed and convenient rooms 
iu the basement could be finished, religious wor- 
ship was had there, and the first Baptist Church 
of Massillon was organized, with Mr. Sage as 
its Pastor. The church edifice, under the gen- 
eral management of Mr. Sage, the funds for 
which were furnished, mostly, says Mr. Sage, 
" by the business men of the place, who had no 
particular devotion to any religious sect ; but a 
a kind word for all." 

Those who have lived since 183G and re- 
member the inflation of the cu.'rency and con- 
sequent panic in the following j ear, will remem- 
ber how eas}' it was to lay out cities, and in 
part to build them up. Massillon went into the 
wildest speculations. Corner lots, that have 
since been sold for less than a tenth part of the 
then prices, brought $5,000, and more was paid 
in '• hand money " than thej- were worth ; the 
result was bankruptcy and ruin, iu which the 
First Baptist Church of Massillon was a suf- 
ferer. The church edifice was erected on the 
credit of the subscriptions of those persons 
" who had a kind word for all," who subscribed 
without thinking of the pay day. In 1837 
came the crisis. Gen. Jackson, President of 
the United States, the year bef re had issued 
his famous 'specie circular," and in May, 
1837, a general suspension of specie payments 
liy the banks all over the country took place, 
and suspension of payments /;( anything, by in- 
viduals, followed. The church had a heavy 
debt, and which was an incubus from which it 
never recovered, Mr. Sage remained five years, 
struggling to save the property and keep the 
congregation and church, especially, intact. 
It was the darling object of his early life as a 
minister. His health, from labor and anxiety, 
broke down, and he was compelled to seek an- 
other home. His successor was Rev. S. B. Page, 
D. D.. now of Cleveland, who found about one 




^.^ 



Ul 



fe- 



CITY OF MASfill.I.OX. 



413 



hundred members connected with the church, 
who were increased during iiis ministry to about 
one hundred and twenty. Mr. Page was Pastor 
in ISil. As services were had in .Vpril that 
year on the occasion of the death of President 
Harrison, the opening hymn, as is well remem- 
bered, commencing with the lines. 

•■ God Miovcs ill a iiiy.-iti'iious way 
His wonticis lo perform." 
How long after that year he remained is not 
certain. The church being liurthencd with a 
iieavy delit and accruing interest, struggled 
for many years. The business of the town 
changed and went into new hands, who were in 
no wise responsible for subscriptions to the 
church nor were members. As an organiza- 
tion the churcii could not be sustained. Super- 
added to all other calamities, it passed into the 
pastorate of a most unpcjpular minister, under 
whose pastorate the house was closed forever 
to the Baptists, and the church was scattered. 
Few yet remain who were members. Among 
those who are yet living should be named An- 
drew B. Cox and William Bohanon. respected 
citizens of the Tiiird Ward in this city. The 
building was sold at Slieriti's sale, under a de- 
cree or judgment of the Court of Common 
Pleas of Stark County, and the First Baptist 
Church of !Massillon exists only in history. 

Although the Baptist Church oiganized hy 
Mr. Sage was the organization of that com- 
munion in the city, he was not the first Baptist 
minister who ha<l preached there. As early as 
]8oU. Klder Jehu Brown, by occupation a mill- 
wright, who di<l a great amount of work for 
Mr. Duncan, preached on alternate Sundays at 
his boarding-house, corner of Oak and Krie 
streets. He was a man of strong mind, and did 
his duty faithfully as he understood it. He 
was elected in lS8:!-34 to the House of Hepre- 
sentatives in the General .\ssembly of the Slate, 
and afterward removed to Mt. Carroll, Carroll 
Co.. III. Rev. O. N. Sage is now, and for thirty- 
seven years has been, a resident of Cincinnati, 
beloved and respected by a largecirele of friends. 

The first preaching or address by a Priest or 
Bishop of the Hoinaii Catholic Church in this 
city was bj- Bishop Purcell, and was in what 
was then Johnson s. now Beatty's. Block, on 
the corner of the canal and .Main street, in the 
room now occupied by the Knights of Pythias. 
The Bishop had been in the northern part of 
the diocese, Ohio being then included in the 



Diocese of Cincinnati, on an Kpiscopal visit, 
and took Massillon cii nmti' on his return. 
Timothy Finnegan, an active Irish Catholic, 
procured the hall for the Bisliop. This visit 
was in 18.'!S. and before many of the since nu- 
merous (ierman Catholic population had settled 
in the Tuscarawas Valley, in the neighborhood 
of Miissillon. The old church at Canton. St. 
John's, being the only one in this part of Ohio, 
except a little elinreli in Lawrence Townshij), 
naturally drew around it the immigrants of 
that faith. 

The few Catholics in .^Iassillon were not 
without religious services. The first celelira- 
tion of mass was by llcv. Father Hotl'man. from 
Canton, in a private house. He continued to 
visit the members of the church during the 
year 1836, as circumstances permitted him to 
do so. The next year, Father Yunker had serv- 
ices in a little one-story dwelling house, since 
raised to a two-stor}" building, near the corner 
of Mill and Plum streets, and also had service 
at the house of Patrick Harney, northwest of 
where now stands the station house and other 
buildings of the Cleveland. Tuscarawas A'alley 
& Wheeling Railway, which house is yet 
standing, and is one of the oldest frame houses 
in the township, having l)een built and occu- 
pied by an early settler by the name of David 
Anderson. Esq.. and father of Samuel M. 
Anderson, now of Dallon. Squire Anderson 
will be remembered as one of the early Presby- 
terians of the Tuscarawas Valley. In 1838. 
Father Kuhr, from Canton, had services in the 
third storv of (Jen. (lardiier I'ield s liuildingon 
the west side of the canal. This was a com 
paratively large and comfortable room, but it 
could not be had at all times, and the Catholics 
were driven into private houses. They next 
met in 18li(. in a small frami> house on Charles 
street, near the corner of Muskingum ; then at 
Widow Krtle's, on North Mill street, near the 
present residence of David Kerstetter. Ksq. 
That year services wen^ also liehi at the house of 
Tiinothv Finnegan. in a building yet known as 
the '• Finnegan House, " corner of .Mill and 
North streets. Timothy was a scholarly Irish- 
man. Tradition has it that he was educated 
for a priest, but was cajjlured by a bright Irish 
girl, whom he married, and then learned the 
trade of a cooper, at which he excelled, as he 
did in defense of his religion. He finally re- 
moved to Cincinnati, where he died. 



^^ 



HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY. 



Near the close of the Pontificate of I'ope 
Gregory XVI, there came into the village a 
Presbyterian minister by the name of Delavan. 
and the Presbyterian pulpit being vacant, he, 
Mr. Delavan, was temporarily employed. He 
at once commenced preaching sermons and 
publishing articles in the newspapers against 
the Catholic Church, and especially against 
Pope Gregory XVI. The irreverent boys about 
town gave him the sobriquet of " Pope (ireg- 
ory," which fastened itself upon him until he 
was better known by that name than any other. 
His articles were replied to vvitli great spirit 
and ability by Finnegan, over his initials. His 
familiarity with the history of the Church, and 
his quotations from the Fathers, accompanied 
by translations, surprised everybody, and the 
Presbyterian minister found his match. His 
perfect discomfiture by the Irish cooper did 
much to prevent his being permanently em- 
ployed by the P) esby terians. 

At the time Mr. Delavan left, a most amus- 
ing incident occurred. A meeting had been 
called by the Presbj'terians to determine wheth- 
er they would employ him, F. M. Keitii, Esq., 
then of the law firm of Pease & Keith, being 
his warm friend and a member of the church. 
On the evening of the meeting, he went into the 
office and had a conference with Mr. Keith, 
after which Messrs. Pease, Keith and two 
students went to the church, the students to 
see what would l)ecome of " Pope Gregory,' 
under the championship of their preceptor. 
When the vote was taken upon employing Mr. 
Delavan permanentlj-. there was l)ut one in his 
favor. After the close of the meeting, he again 
went to the office and found one of the students 
in, and at once asked him if '' there was a good 
degree of unanimity in tlie proceedings ?" " Oh 
yes," replied the joung man. " It lac^ked but 
a single vote of entire unanimity." Mr. Delavan 
seemed delighted and left for his lodgings, and 
encountered Mr. Keith on the wa}-. who gave 
him the facts. Mr. Delavan left the next morn- 
ing, and Timothy had the field. 

In 1840, the Catholic residents within what 
might be denominated the Massillon Mission, 
or 8t. Marj-'s Mission, and who are really tiie 
pioneer Catholics, were Frederick Krtle, Nicholas 
Smith, Andrew Paul. Christian Witt, Nicholas 
Heiser, John Frease, Anton Vogt, John Boerner, 
John Yungbluth — commonly called Young- 
blood — lohn Ynngling, Francis Miller. John 



Kutcher, George Seifert, George Ress. Thomas 
Kegier, George Hoke, Adam Hamersmith, Mar- 
tin Bauman, Peter Runser, Magdalena Bamber- 
ger, Margaret Frease, Nicholas Bamberger and 
some others whose names cannot be ascertained. 
Few of these pioneers yet remain ; [trominent 
among the survivors are Christian Witt. John 
Boerner, Anton Vogt and Adam Hamersmith. 
In the summer of 1840, for a short time 
Father Peter McLaughlin, was at Massillon, 
making his home with Timothy Finnegan. 
Father Peter, as he was called by those whose 
acquaintance justified such familiarity, was one 
of the most genial gentlemen ever at Massillon 
in the service of the church. His truly Chris- 
tian character will ever be regarded with affec- 
tion by all who knew him. The last known of 
him was that he had a parish in Milwaukee. 

At the date last mentioned, the Catholics of 
Massillon and vicinity, extending to McDonald- 
ville, in Jackson Township, Richville, in Perry, 
Brookfleld. in Tuscarawas, feeling that they 
should have a church edifice and grounds sur- 
rounding it, purchased the premises where now 
stands the magnificent structure known as St. 
Mary's, or Neue Katholishe Mutter Gottes 
Kirche. in Massillon. Ohio, and which when 
completed will eclipse anything of the kind in j 
Northern Ohio. The photograph, by Haring, 
shows what will be the elegance of the build- 
ing when it shall have received its flnisliing 
touches. 

On purchasing the premises, which were then 

far north of the city limits, the few Catholics 

of the mission proceeded to build a church 

edifice, which thej- accomplished under the 

guidance and supervision of various priests, 

who were sent here, and St. Mary's grew and 

prospered until 1852. when their church was 

destroyed by fire, the work of incendiaries. 

Stricken, but not disheartened, they rebuilt 

and enlarged the building, and continued to 

use the repaired structure until a few years 

since, when they tore down the old building, 

I that with its repairs, had for more than thirty 

I years ser\ed them, and have gotten their new 

j building in a condition to be u.sed. The new 

I liuilding was commenced by Father Koehn, 

but his health failing, he was transferred by 

Bishop (iilmour to another field of labor, where 

I he soon ended a useful life. On his leaving 

j the parish of St. Mary's, Rev. Father Kuhn 

took charge, and has since remained. There 



7[. 



CITV OF MA.SSIl.J.ON. 



415 



47, Ancient, Free 
I'liis institution coin- 
liisponsiition granted 
William .J, Keese. 



are nearly three biiiulred families connected 
will) the church, with which they have :i 
large ,9ehool. hy the enlarjjenient of the city 
limits ; the Iniildintts and cliiirchyanl are on 
the corner of Cherry and Mill streets, a loca- 
tion well adai)ted to the wauls of the large 
membership, 

Clinton Jiodge. No 
and Accepted Masons, 
meiiced work under a 
by Kight Worshipful 
Grand Master of the State of Ohio, in 188ti, 
and continued so to work until the 22d 
day of .January, ,1837, when a charter was 
granted to (Jeorge 1), Iline. W, M,; Jo.seph 
(i. llogan. S, W,; S, Hiickius. J, W.; Asa 
l{ii:e. Treas.; (reorge W, Swarengen, Secy ; 
('only Hunter. S. D,; Britton Kd wards, J. D.: 
Andrew R<)l)ertson, Tiler. 

There were many others in tlie neighbor- 
hood who had not alliliuted with the craft, 
their being no working lodge within their 
reach. For forty-five years Clinton Lodge 
has sustained itself and is now about to 
erect a new and commodious hall, having 
used the present one since 181(1. Its pre- 
sent officers are : (i. \V, Hlanchard, W, M.; 
Frank Strobel, S. W.; I). L. St. John, J, W,: 
J. H. Dangler. Treas.; F. A, Brown, Sec j' ; 
.1. ('. Ilarwood, S. 1).; Howard (iarrigues, 
J, 1).; J, .M, McK»ven, Tiler. Of the orig- 
inal members who obtained the charter 
and organized the lodge, not one remains. 

Iliram Chapter. No, 18. of Royal .\rch 
.Masons, was organized by charter from the 
(irand Chapter of Ohio, i8:!9. The first of- 
ficers were; Oeorge D. Hine, M. E. H. P.; 
T. Dunham. E. K.: Jesse Rhodes, K. S.; 
John K. Dunbar and others, .Vssocialcs. 
The present otlicers of the Chapter are : (ieorije 
W. Hatiiawav. M. E. H. I'.: Charles II. Tinkler, 
K. K.; G. IJv. Ryder, E. S.; J. C. Harwood, 
Capt. Host; B. F. Cline. P. S.; D. J. Kirk- 
land. R. A, Capt,; D. L. St. John. Third 
Vail ; A. I*. Wiseman, Second Vail ; I). At- 
water. First Vail ; J. R. Dangler. Treas.; 
C. H. flai-riirues. Sec'j- ; J. M. .McEwen. 
(iuard. 

A Coramandcry of Knights Templar was or- 
ganized under a charter issued Oct. l(i. 1842. 
fts original otlicers were W. J. Reese. G. I). 
Hine, K. Porter, John Barney. Joseph B. 
Heuzey. Sylvanus Buckius. Thonias Hine and 



George A. Kellenberger. Tts present officers 
are; H. V. Hampson. E. ('.: Frank Pi, Webl). 
Generalissimo: James H. McLain, ('apt. (ien,; 
James 1!. Dunn, Prelate ; C. H, Tinkler, 
S, W.; W. H. Kirkland. J. W.; G. Mv 
Ryder. Warder; J. K. Dangler, Treas.; (;. W. 
Blanchard. Rec; liUther Hicks, Standard 
Bearer; J. Bobbins, Sword Bearer; J. .Mc- 
Ewen, Sentinel. 

Sipi)o Lodge, No. IS. 1. O. (). P., was in- 
stituted August :!(), LSI."). Charter members ; 
F. T, Hurxthal, .James S. Kelley, George 
.Miller, Joseph Culbertson, John Wisner, First 
officers: James S, Kelly, N, (L; George Mil- 
ler. \. (',.; .John Wisner, .Secy ; Joseph Cul- 
bertson. Treas. Present officers ; C. H. Mono. 
N. G.; C. E. Taylor, V. G.; Charles T. 
Higginbolham. R. Secy ; H. C. Brown. P. 
Secy. 

Eureka EncampMient, .No. 24, 1. O. ( ». P.. 
was instituted August Li. 1847. Charter 
members : (Jeorge .Vliller. William C. Karl. C. 
A. ]{robst, Porneroy Baklwin, Samu(4 Oberlin, 
William H. Bahney, William S. Wann, N. S. 
Husscll, F. W. Parmelee. First officers ; 
W. C. Earl. C. P.; (Jeorge Miller. H. P.; J. J. 
Hofman. S. W.; Pomeroy Baldwin. J. W.; 
1. H. Brown, Scribe ; Samuel Oberlin. Treas. 
Present officers: Henrv Suhr. C. P.; C. W. 
Kline, H. P.: C. H. NLmg, S. W.; Thomas 
Laviers, J. W.; 11, C. Brown. Scribe; N. S. 
Russell. Treas. 

Massillon Lodge, No. 484, I. O. O. F., was 
organized July 11. 1871. Charter members: 
Coin-ad (iessncr, Louis Stilke, Frederick Jjoef- 
fler, Hein-y Nalter, Joseph Slel)augli, Frede- 
rick Buckel, Charles Zupp. Christian Blaker. 
Frederick Beck. First otlicers : Conrad (ie.ss- 
ner, N. (L; Louis Stilke, \'. (!.; G, F. Buckel. 
Sec'y ; F. Loclller, Treas. Present officers : 
Johii Kapp, N. (i.; Phili|) BaldauH'. \'.G.: Val- 
entine Kroenerich, Secy ; .Julius Koehnle. P. 
Sec'y. 

There is a large and flourishing (Jerman 
lodge, and is composed ')f representative Ger- 
mans. 

Perry Lodge, Knights of P\thias, was insti- 
tuted June 3(1. 187.5, the following persons 
being charter members : Henry .\lterkruse, 
Alexander .McLaughlin. L C. Cole. Isaac I'l- 
man, \'ictor Burnet, George W. Earle. Herr- 
man .Maver, George Goodheart, Z. T. Baltzley, 
R. A. Walker, S. S. Whisler. Orlando .Martiii, 



416 



HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY. 



Henrj' Waggoner, E. N. Seelev, Turenne Goetz, 
W. V Harshe.y, W. G. Curry, Henry Peters, W. 
G. Foe, D. Kitchen, R. Hay, Robert Lormer, 
John Jjun. On tlie organization of the lodge, 
the following persons were elected to the sev- 
eral otfiees: Isaac Ulinan, O. C; Z. T. Baltzley, 
y. C; S. S. Whisler, P.; H. Mayer, M. of F.; 
li. C. Cole, K. of R. &. S.; H. Altekmer, M. of 
h].; A. McLaughlin, M. at A.; Orlando Martin, 
T. (;.; TurenntMJoetz, 0. G.; (i. W. Earle, I). 
D. G. C. The institution has progressed until 
it numbers seventy-five members, and is now 
governed by the following officers : D. A. 
Ilenney, C. C; M. V. Young. V. C; John 
Spuhler, P.; Alexander Mcljaughlin, M. P.; Z. 
T. Baltzley, M. of K.; H. H. Minnick, K. of R. 
&S.; John Martin. M. at A.; A. Matthews. 1. 
G.; T. Goetz, 0. G. 

The j'ear 1836 opened upon Massillon with 
one of the saddest events of its early history, 
in the death of Gen. Gardner Field, which 
occurred on tlie road between Massillon and 
(j'anton. (!en. Field was driving to Canton in 
his sulky, and by some mishap fell from his 
seat, and was found with his skull fractured, 
and beyond the reach of medical aid. lie 
was taken to Hawk's Hotel, in Canton, where 
he died. 

Gen. Field was largely- connected with the 
business and social interests of Massillon, and 
his loss was severely felt for a long time. As 
an indication of the public feeling and pub- 
lic sentiment on the occasion of his death, 
the following pioceidiugs were had, as shown 
by the obituary notice of Gen. G. Field, pub- 
lished in the Massilli:)n Guzcitf, January 9, 1836 : 

DK.XTU OF (iEN. (). FIELD. j 

111 our last wu.s iiinilioiu-d the :H'ci(lciit wliicli 
liappencd lo Gcii. (J. Kirld. of this village 

We have now IJic melancholy duly to peil'urni 
of reeordiiiu' his (le;ifh. He expired in (Canton, (jn 
Fi'iday eveiiiiii^', on the 1st ilay of this month, in 
the tliirly liltii year of his age. aliout ten hours 
alter tile aeeidelil. The manner in wliieli lii' was 
thrown from his carriage is not known heyond the 
border of a conjceliire, as he was ridhig alone and 
none sullicienlly near to witness the conimencenient 
of tlie scene. The vehicle wa.s proceeding over a 
snioolh ])art of the road, there was no running off, 
yet he was found dragging between one of the shafts 
ami llie wheel liy which his head was so horribly 
mashed I hat lie iievci- after uttered a word. In the 
death of this man society has sustained a shock from 
which it will not easily recover. The conimunity 
at large will feel it. and will regret it the more that 
he has been snatched away in the flower of his years, 



in the spring-time of his career of usefulness. The 
calamity, however, must be felt with greater poign- 
ancy or grief and sorrow by his family and con- 
nectious, by having by so lamentable an occurrence 
their late happy homes changed into grief and 
mourning, and the smile of peace anil comfort giv- 
ing way to the tear of family affliction. The mem- 
ory of the deceased will long continue engraven on 
the i'eeolle<^tions of many; but uo condolence can 
materially lessen the sorrow of domestic woe. 

The deceased was the son of Waterman Field, 
of New Berlin, Chenango CJounty, New York. In 
the spring of 1837, he came to this State, and en- 
gaged as an engineer on the Ohio Canal, in which 
service he remained until about three years since, 
wlien \\v left it to engage in business in this town. 
He had held tor tlic past year the oihce of Collector 
of Tolls on the Ohio Canal at this port, and only a 
few weeks previous to his death was elected Briga- 
dier General of tli<' ,'Militia in this county. 

Among the active, industrious and enterprising 
citizens by whom (Jen. Field was surrounded. ni>ne 
were itore so than himself. He ciijiiyed in an emi- 
nent degi'ee the (■onfidence of hi- nciL^libors :ind 
fcllow-eitizens, and in the chararir i j-iii - nl iirijinjit 
ness, energy and activity in all npnaiinn^ which he 
undertook, either for individual cjr public lieiu'tit, 
no one excelled him; and being amiable in his de- 
liortmenl. conciliating ami just with all, ami friendly 
lieyond the usual acceptation of tlii' term, his death 
will be mourned liy all, and bis wortli, now that he 
has gone, will lie more fulh aiipreeiati-il and his loss 
more sensilily felt. Hi' has left an amialile and in 
tcresting widow and an infant son to dejilore his 
sudden and untimely end and their irreparalile lo.ss. 
His remains were lu'ought to this place ■in S.iliuday 
Last, and were buried on the folluw ini: ila\ willi mili- 
tary honors, and, notwithstandiiii; I lie c\iic nicly un 
pleasant weather, a large concnurse nl |hu|>1c ;iI 
tended his funeral. A "meeting of lii> iiirml-, .mil 
acquaintances was held the evening pn c nlin;; hi^ 
burial to cxjircss their legrel on the uccasiou, and 
to make aiTangcmcnts fur the funeral, the proceed- 
ings of which as furnished to us, read as follows: 

At a meeting of the citizens of Massillon con- 
vened at the house of William M. Folger, i,ii Sai in- 
day evening, the id iiist., for thepurpose ..I inakiiig 
necessary arrangements to pay the last tribute of 
rcsiieet "to llieii- late valuable' fclhiu cilizen, Gen. 
(Jarilner Field, .\lc.\anilcr .Met ally, Es,,.. was 
called to the Chair, and A. G. Ilammiind appointed 
Secretary. 'I'lieubjccl iif the meeting having been 
brietly siali d by I he iliairman, the following resolu- 
tions were unanimiiusly adopted. 

Benoloed, That in the melancholy and sudden 
death of our highly esteemed fellow-citizen. Gen. 
G. Field, society has sustained an irreparable loss, 
and his numerous acquaintances, a warm and gen- 
erous friend. 

Resolved, That this meeting tender to hjs widow, 
relatives and family connections, their deepest and 
most sincere sympathies, and that a committee of 
three be appointed by the chair to communicate 
these resolutions to them. (Whereupon D. .Tarvis, 
P. Handy and William M. Folgcr were appointed 
said committee). 



riTV OF MASSll.l.ON. 



417 



Resoleecl, That tliu followiiijt ^ciilliMueii be re- 
(|U<'st(>d to !U-I as pall bcarors, vi/.. ; I). Jnrvis, H. B. 
Harris, H. Wliodcr, Jr.. .1. (J. Ilo.iran. Alc.xaiuU-r 
McCully. .IdIiii Kvcrlianl, William M. Folucr and S. 
Biu'kiiis. 

lieiiiilrcil, Tliat llir fclldw liiiz.ns ..f the (Iccoa.sed 
he rcqucstcil lo wear crape on lliiir U-ft arm, wliilc 
attciuiing his funcial ol)sc(|uics. 

nexolreil. Thai C. K. Skinner, Osic Welch. M. I). 
Wellman, F. Iliirxlhal. P. (' lliill and Ceoriie 
Harsh he a general eornniittee of arranirements. 

ResoUcd. That the proceeilinu; (jf this nieelin.i; lie 
published in the papers of the county. 

A. a. II.\M.MoND. Ai.i;x.\ni)i;h.AIcCl'I,i.y. 

Secretary. ('hairnian. 

The year 184S. while it was the year for or- 
ganizing the Union Schools of .Massillon, wit- 
nessed an event of a different character, and 
one that will never be forgotten while any one 
lives who witnessed it. For the purpose of sup- 
plying the village with pure water and creating 
a water power of immense value lo the pro- 
prietors, the ■• Massillon Rolling .^lill Company " 
purchased all the land immediately adjoining 
Sippo Lake, alxint three miles northeast of the 
village, and, by means of a dam across the out- 
let of the lake, created a reservoir of water 
covering about 1.10(1 acres, fed from the lake 
and some small springs, and which was as fine 
a body of water as is usually found. In addi- 
tion to the purposes sought to be a(;complished 
by the rolling mill company, the State became 
a party to the enterprise lor the purpose of 
using the water for the Ohio ("anal, which is 
near ninety feet below the surface of the lake. 
The plan proved to be a success in every re- 
spect, and could the reservoir have been per- 
mitted to remain, the benefit the city would 
have derived can hardly be estimated. 

Almost as soon as it was built and filled, and 
Ijhfore it was possible for any evil effects to 
have arisen from the accumulation of so large 
a bod\" of water, a hue and crv was raised 
against it because of alleged malaria arising 
therefrom, and thereby prejudicing the health 
of the neighborhood. Threats of its destruction 
were made, but as the}- could not be traced to 
any reliable source, and considering the effect 
upon the city, involving property and life, as 
the whole lower part of the city would be swept 
away, no one supposed that the neighborhood 
either of the city or the reservoir contained any 
person who would be guiltvof such an outrage. 

On the night of the 22d of I-'ebruary. 1848, 
which had been selected because of its being 
the anniversary of the birthday of Washington. 



and the opening of the Tremont House, then 
much the largest hotel in this section of the 
State .south of Cleveland, arrangements were 
made for a dancer in the spacious dining-hall of 
the hoU^l. Parlies were present from till the 
prominent places in the neighborhood, including 
Akron, Wooster, Canton and Cleveland, and 
the occasion was. as it was intended to be, one 
of' the grandest festivals that Massillon had 
ever witnessed. The rolling mill company, who 
were the owners of the hotel, had spaied neilhei 
pains nor money in its construction or appoint- 
ments for the purposes for which it was erected, 
and taking its name from the 'Tremont" 
House, of Boston, .Mass., it was intended by the 
proprietors that the Tremont of Massillon 
should be to that city what the Tremont of 
Boston was to the ■ Hub of the universe." hence 
its opening was signalized by extraordinary 
efforts on the part of all concerned. 

While the dance was at its height and all 
present wen^ in the full tide of enjoyment, "1110 
sound of revelry ' was hushed, and • whisper- 
ing with while lips" took its place; the roaring 
and hissing of the torrent up the valley told 
but too truly that the reservoir was coming. 
The dam had been blown up with powder, and 
suddenly the whole body of water was put in 
motion, having a fall of ninety feet before it 
reached the level of Main street, in .Massillon. 
The effect of a breast-work of si.\- to eight feet 
of water moving down the little channel of 
Sippo Creek (;an hardly l)e imagined. It had 
been known for a long time that the 22d of 
February had been seh^cted for the grand open- 
ing of the hotel, and that occasioii was un- 
doubtedly selected by the miscreants who blew 
up the dam as one in which not only property 
in the city could be destroyed, but a destruc- 
tion of human life could and woidd be effected, 
to the greatest possible extent, and why no 
lives were lost is a f|uestion that cannot be 
answereil. The designs of the conspirators 
were comi)letely foik'd in that respect. The 
loss of property was simply immense. The 
solid gravel street between the south end of the 
stone block and the north front of the hotel, 
which stands on the southeast corner of Tre- 
mont and Krie, as far east as the corner of 
Tremont and Hast .streets, was swept away. 
Reaching Krie street, it swept that away also, 
taking with it the large and well-built three- 
story brick warehouse, owned by the Rolling 



^ 



HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY. 



Mill Company, occupied by J. L. Reynolds as a 
wholesale grocery store. Of tliis building "not 
one stone was left upon anotlicr, " nor was one 
dollar of the stock saved. The flood swept 
through the street to the canal, and through 
both banks of the canal, and up and down the 
canal, with a resistless force, filling the base- 
ment of all the warehouses, crushing in ,the 
doors on the canal side, and floating out everj - 
thing that would float. Such packages as were 
too heavy to float were swept into the river, 
and went down with the current. The south 
end of Tremont Block, better known as the 
" stone block," a three-story building of cut 
stone, built in the very best manner, by the 
late Francis Worthorst, was swept out as though 
it had been a cot house, and to this fact may 
be attributed the safety of the hotel. Before 
reaching the hotel, the current took a northerly 
course, striking the end of the stone block, and 
while it retained sufficient force to wash awaj' 
the earth from the cellar walls of the hotel, it 
had not force enough to disturb the wall. As 
the water fell, the cellar wall was exposed from 
the lowest foundation stone to the brick 
work. A critical and careful examination by 
experts showed the walls to be uninjured. The 
entire lower part of the city, south and west, 
was completely submerged, and what the loss 
was has never been completely ascertained. 
Among the greatest losers were the heavy 
wholesale grocery firm of J. Watson & Co.; 
Fenner & McMillen, wholesale groceries and 
dry goods ; the Rolling Mill Company, the 
damage to which consisted in injury to real 
estate, loose property carried ofl' by the flood 
and damage to buildings. 

Since that memorable night, thirty-three 
years have passed awa3', and whatever is written 
of it now must be transcribed from memory. 
At the time, dreadful as was the calamit3-, and 
it was worse than all the fires the citj- has ever 
experienced, no record can be had that gives a 
detailed account of the losses. Many who 
were great losers have passed away. Death 
and removals, in the absence of records, tend 
largely to increase the difficulties attendant 
upon the obtaining of correct local history. 

Tn April, 1830, Capt. James Allen, of Canton, 
who had .served his apprenticeship to the '-art 
preservative of all arts" in the otiice of the 
Ohio Rcpum'tori/, at Canton, came to Massillon 
with the material for a newspaper, and rented 



the upper room of a building on Main street, 
immediately east of the store of I. Brown & 
Co., about where now stands the drug store of 
Mr. Ph. Morgenthaler. The material that he 
bought included all that was necessary to get 
out a paper such as was gotten out a half a 
century ago. The press on which the papcT 
was to be and was printed, was an old Ramage 
press, so old and dilapidated, that the inventor, 
himself, Adam Raniage, would hardly have 
recognized it as a copy of his invention. It, 
with the other material, was brought into the 
county in 1827, by that veteran printer, now 
gone to his long rest, Joseph Wilkinson White, 
a printer who had started more newspapers in 
Ohio and elsewhere in the United States west 
of the River Ohio than any man. living or 
dead, except Sam Pike. When Mr.White brougut 
his printing material to Stark County, he was 
bound to start a paper to supjiort the Adminis- 
tration and re-election of John Quincy Adams, 
then, 1828, being in its last year ; but falling in 
with several influential Democrats at Canton, 
he concluded to start a paper at Paris, in this 
county, then a little hamlet, in the support of 
Gen. Jackson. He did so, and his paper, the 
Ohio Democrat, lived and flourished until after 
the Presidential election, when it was removed 
to Canton, but did not flourish there. Capt. 
Allen was in some way connected with it, and 
finally became the owner of the establishment, 
and brought it to Ma.ssillon at the time named, 
and, with Dr. John Townsend, started the Mas- 
sillon Ga.wttr. It was printed on a small super- 
ro^al sheet. Massillon at that time had possi- 
bly five hundred inhabitants, when the Massil- 
lon Gazette, by Allen & Townsend, appeared in 
April, 1830. The political tidal wave that car- 
ried Gen. Jackson triumphantly into the Presi- 
dency had scarcely subsided ; the ground-swell 
after the storm was still rolling, everybody was 
Democratic save a few who inherited the faith 
of the Federal fathers, and, under these circum- 
stances, the Gazette, without any particular 
principles, started. Townsend soon withdrew 
from it. Allen, one of the most genial men 
ever connected with the Stark County press, 
and of remarkable abilitj" as a writer, and whose 
colloquial powers were rarely equaled, and a 
practical printer withal, was unable to make 
the Gazette a success. The Democrats of Mas- 
sillon, under the lead of Alexander McCully. 
bought out the paper, and it went into the hands 



!k^ 



CITY OF MASSILLON. 



410 



of Bernard & McCully, Bernard being a prac- 
tical printer. 

In tlie autumn of ISHl. Alien was elected to 
the Iji'iiislature. and did not return to Stark 
('i)unly from Columljus. Wlit-n the Legislature 
adjourni'd, lie went lo Cincinnati, obtained a 
berth on a steamboat as clerk, for a time, and 
finally brought up as editor of the old Cinein 
nati Nipiil/liiiiii. then published by Looker & 
Reynolds. He remained there until the estab- 
lishment clianged hands and lie became pro- 
prietor, and tlie firm was Allen, Looker & Dis- 
ney, familiarly called Dick Disney. Allen was 
a man of fine pn'sence and engaging manners, 
and with a thorough knowledge of English 
literature and Knglisli history, he was able to 
write an article on almost any subject witli little 
preparation. His fine y)/»/«(/«e gave him, while 
he resided in Cincinnati, the sahnquct of " The 
Six-foot Two," which was really his height, and 
admirably proportioned, by means of wliich, as a 
military officer, he was enabled to present an ap- 
pearance which was envied by many an officer 
who served with him. His paper, the Rrpuhli- 
<•(//(, went down. Allen remained in Cincinnati 
until 183t;, when the Texas fever broke out. He 
then raised a company in Cincinnati that was 
armed, equipped, and provided with the muni- 
tions of war in almost every respect, and, tak- 
ing passage on a steamboat to .New Orleans, 
thence to some Texan port, they went into the 
contest ■' to extend the area of freedom," but 
like almost all of Allen's schemes, his Texas 
adventure was a failure. The ('onipany was 
disbanded in Texas. Allen and Sam Houston, 
afterward Senator from Texas in the United 
States Senate, could not agree, and Allen came 
home to Stark County, like Francis the First, 
of Austria, having lost everything but his honor. 
The citizens of Massillon, of whom the writer 
was one, recognizing his talents, got together 
the material for a newspaper, and again set him 
at work as the editor of the Gazette.. re\'ived, 
after many changes, as noticed elsewhere. Still 
the phantom, success, was just out of his reach, 
and his second attempt to conduct a new^spaper 
was a worse failure than the first, seven years 
before, and he went to Columbus to edit the 
ikilhj .Journal, which was simply another fail- 
ure. When the memorable campaign of 18-K) 
came around, Allen, Sage & Beveridge started 
a paper at Columbus called the '• Strait/lit-nnl 
Harn'soiiian." a campaign paper, which, with 



the election of Gen. Harrison, ceased to exist. 
Capt. Allen and Oen. Harrison were warm per- 
sonal friends, and could the President have 
lived, he would have remembered his earnest 
friend of many years, whose trenchant pen had 
vindicated his claims to the [)residency against 
Buckingham, of the Boston Courier, in the 
palmy days of that well-remembered paper. He 
did get a clerkship at Washington, but had to 
surrender that wdien things there became Tyler- 
ized, and he came back to Ohio. 

In ]84(), when the Mexican war broke out 
and troops were called for, Allen enlisted and 
was elected Captain of Co. A, of the First 
Ohio Regiment, Col. Samuel R. Curtis, after- 
ward Major General of Volunteers in the war 
of the rebellion, and Member of Congress from 
Iowa. As tlie then Ohio regiments were only 
intended for one year's service, when the year 
was u[) the troops were mustered out, and 
Capt. Allen came home, after having done 
camp duty a year at Matamoras ; he went to 
his old home at Canton, was elected a Justice 
of the Peace, and was appointed a Deputy 
Clerk of the Common I'leas Court of the 
County. In 1849, on the discovery of gold in 
California, Capt. Allen detenninetl, like the 
Argonauts who sailed in search of tlie Golden 
Fleece, to sail for California as soon as circum- 
stances would permit him to do so, having a 
brother-in-law at Marysville, Hon. O. P. Stid- 
ger, a Judge of one of the courts, who had 
gone there in 1849. He left Canton for the 
Golden State in 185;!, and arrived there after a 
two or tiiree months' journey. He, soon after 
arri\ing there, was ottered and accepted the 
position of editor of the Marysville Herald, 
where he remained for some time. Leaving 
there, lii^ visited various portions of the State, 
and finally brought up again at Washoe. Nevada, 
and. in 18(53. was editor of Washoe Citi/ Times, 
a daily. How long he remained there is not 
known. In 1805, as nearly as can be a.sccr- 
tained, he died suddenly, somewhere in the 
Sierras ; and a truer man, in all that constitutes 
genuine manhood, than James Allen never 
lived. Under other circumstances, his name 
would have been peerless in the list of Ameri- 
can writers. 

From 1843 to 1848, it is exceedingly ditlicult 
to keep track of the changes in the newspaper 
press in Massillon. At one time, during those 
few yearf, the late E. P. Grant had charge of a 






^ 



HISTORY OF ST AUK COUNTY. 



paper. Also, the late Dr. William Boweu. 
There was the MasslJIo,, Xnrs, in 1847. by 
Messrs. Keith & Miller. 

The following, furnished by Joseph K. 
Merwin, Esq., a practical printer residing in 
the city, may be regarded as giving a correct 
account of the newspaper press of Massillon 
since 1848 ■ 

"The IRni/J of Freedom ami Wlhnut Pfoeisii 
was printed in the summer and fall of 1848 as 
a Free-Soil campaign paper, by E. Burke Fish- 
er, tlian whom there were few more spirited 
writers. That year, the Massillon Tclegnijih was 
published by Painter & Wilson, and was a 
Whig paper. It ceased to e.vist in 1849, and 
the materials belonging to the office were pur- 
chased by a Mr. Hanna, from Circleville. He 
had a fondness for the name he gave his paper, 
the Herald^ having been connected with the 
Circleville Herald. The late Hon. William C. 
Earle and James S. Underhill, Esq., now in 
Illinois, purchased the material and revived the 
Massillon Xew^. Mr. Earle soon purchased Mr. 
Underhill's interest, and edited the paper sev- 
eral years with marked ability and success, 
when he sold out to "Messrs. Logan & Fletcher, 
who held the paper something over a year, when 
they sold out to Charles A. Hugns. James E. 
Wharton bought Hugus out, and continued the 
publication of the paper until 1857, and then 
stopped. In 1858, in the early spring, Joseph 
K. 3Ierwin and David W. Huntsman purchased 
the material of the Neirs office, and commenced 
the publication of a paper called the Jounud 
of the Times. After publishing a paper neutral 
in politics for fifteen months, Mr. Merwin pur- 
chased Mr. Huntsman's interest, and continued 
the paper as a Republican paper until the spring 
of 1861, when he sold out the good-will and 
subscription list to Josiah Hartzell, of the 
Stark Ciimdij liejiuh/ieaii. Soon after, tlie ma- 
terial composing the otHce was purchased by 
Robert & Alexander Harkins, who revived 
the old Massillon Gazette, and continued it un- 
til May, 1802. 

After the Harkins Brothers ceased to publish 
a paper, John Frost, of New Lisbon, the veter- 
an printer of this Congressional District, and 
Peter Welker. Esq.. of the city of Massillon, 
purclia.sed and commenced the publishing of 
the Massillon Independent. The}' were suc- 
ceeded by Charles E. Taylor, Esq., who continues 
to publish it. In the meantime, J. W. Garri- 



son removed to Massillon from Alliance, bring- 
ing with him a general assortment of printing 
material, and commenced the publication of 
the Massillon Ameriean November 10, 1809. 
He was succeeded by Messrs. JlcCurdy & 
Geesaman, in August, 1870, and they in turn 
were succeeded by Messrs. S. & J. J. Hoover, 
in Decemljer, 1870, who have continued the 
publication of the paper to this time.'' During 
all this period other papers have started and 
gone "where the woodbine twineth.' In 1851, 
the ubiquitous Joseph Wilkinson White started 
the Wheat t^iti/ Mercury, which lasted about 
three months. Dr. Bowen, an enthusiast on the 
subject of education, at one time published The 
Free Srhiml Clarion, and in 1841, The Geniaus 
of Temperance lived as long as the friends of 
temperance would sustain it. When they 
ceased its support, it sickened and died, as did 
more than one hundred temperance papers that 
sprang into existence that 3ear all over tlie 
land under the dispensations of Washingtonian 
temperance. 

Tluit part of Massillon now known as the 
Fourth Ward, originally as Kendal, was always 
famou.s for its celebrities. In its earl3- daj's, it 
had its Poet Laureate or Laureates, for they were 
many, one of whom seemed especially favored. 

In 1822, while Thomas Botch was proprietor 
of the Kendal Woolen Factory, he liad in his 
employ an Irisli weaver, who was in man3' re- 
spects a genius, by filename of Moses McCam- 
mon, who, in addition to his being a weaver 
and at the head of his profession in the hand- 
ling of the warps and woofs of a piece of cloth, 
often essayed to scale the rugged heights of 
Parnassus. His Pegasus used to carry him to 
the mountain top. 

One of his flights brought forth the following. 
His employer, Thomas Rotch, having sent to 
Sally McCammon, Moses' wife, a small package 
of tea, Jloses tlius acknowledges it in a note to 
his employer ; 

Di.siipiiiiintmciits of view and the cdurses of f;ite 
Press ilowii on (lur l)<)S(>ms witli wonilerfu! wciglit, 
But all tlic annoyance that tends us through life 
Is nothing at all to tlie ffown.s of a wife. 
1 have one. who as long as her teapot's supplieil. 
1 si'ldorn have known her to scold or to ciiide. 
But when it is empty, no mortal. I'm sure. 
Could bear the abuse I am fon-ed to endure. 
Since evef she got what you sent her, slit's been 
As great in her mind as a Dueliess or Queen ; 
Like a kitten, she skips thro' her house full of glee, 
And I am as happy as liappy can be. 




^u/A^ (ii^^^^i^ 



LtXIXGTON TOWNSHIP. 



She vows and declares, to the end of her days 
While her tongue it ean wajr she will sound forth 

your praise, 
And she'll work lil<e a Trojan tliro' cold and thro' 

heat. 
And endeavor to make all her endin,!?s to meet. 

Let speckled faced topers, so jolly and frisky. 
Keep roarins; the praises of hranily and whisky ; 
They may roar till they split, il is nothing to me; 
I'll sins while I'm able the virtues of tea. 



Tea makes an old woman that's withered and gray 
As blithe and as blooming as daisies in May. 
And I know very well that it quiets the strife 
Which often ari.ses 'twixt husband and wife. 

Here, now, I conclude, and as long as tlie si)ring 
Entices the bushes ";ay verd\n-c to bring. 
Or as long as great Erie produces a salmon. 
So long, t'nx your 



Well wisher, 
Kendal, February '22, 18'i'i. 



Moses McC.vm.mon. 



CHAPTEU XVI.' 



LEXINGTON TOWNSIHl'— THE E.AIILV HISTORY AND PHVS1C.\L FEATfUES — .SEITLEMENT BV 
WHITES— riONEEI! INDrSTlUES— EUr('.\T10NAL INFLUENCE.S— CIIUHCU HIS'lOKV, ETC. 



THE chronological increase of agricultural 
products, wealth, population of the town- 
ship, etc., are garnered matters of record, open 
to research and examination, now as in the 
future. But tiie arduous labors, interesting 
luinting exploits, depredations, heroic fortitude, 
reminiscences of the Indians, etc., of the 
pioneers of the township, have their record only 
in the fading memories which gleam dimly on 
the incidents of early life. It is the design to 
incorporate as mtich of this class of material 
in the subsequent chapters as has been or as 
can be reliably obtained. 

The facts herein written were obtained some 
twentj- years ago from the first settlers of 
1800-08 ; since then, the last of these, Shadrach 
Feltz. has passed the threshold of that home, 
which fast bolls its treasniy of early remem- 
brances from the prj-ing scrutiny' of inquiring 
posterity. There are many who sleep in the 
small, neglected and almost forgotten grave- 
yards of the townships, whose heirloom was 
heroism. l)ut whose wager of life was hard. 
The}- battled with interminable forests, wild, 
beasts and wilder men. and to-day the}' sleep 
forgotten. Tlieir h-ird-earned patrimony is in 
the fertile fields, early life, happy homes clus- 
tering with peace and comfort — a realized 
legac}' to-day. For these bequeathments we 
will read and write their names anew. 

Settlement in Lexington Township was made 
in lS05-0(), by families attached to the Quaker 
faith, among the first of whom were Amos Hollo- 
way, Zaccheus Stanton, Nathan (laskill, John 
(Jrant, David Berry and Jesse Feltz. Amos Hol- 

*C.inTibut«ll>y Dr. L. T,. Ijimlmrti. 



loway emigrated from Loudoun County, Vir- 
ginia and entered the land that was chosen for the 
site of the village of Lexington, and, in conjunc- 
tion with Nathan (iaskill, was the proprietor. 
The first roads laid out in this township were 
the ones leading from Deerlield to Canton, diag- 
onally across the township, and the other was 
from Salem, intersecting the first at the village 
of Lexington. The first post office was on the 
first of these routes, located in 1811, three- 
quarters of a mile west of the town, at the 
house of the pioneer, Jesse Feltz. Th(! farm 
is still occupied by his son, Shadrach Feltz, who 
had the control of the ottice near twelve years. 
A weekly mail arrived at this station, it was 
first carried on horseback bj' Judeth l"'arnam. 
It was considered an extraordinaiy trip to 
reach Canton from Deerlield in one day. The 
same post office was kept till it was laid down 
in Lexington, by .Mr. William Kingsbury, a 
volunteer soldier in the last war with England, 
and who was in the reception of a pension from 
the Government for over thirty years. In an 
engagement with the British on our northern 
frontier, he was struck with an ounce lead ball 
in the occipital region of the head, which deep- 
Ij- embedded itself and was not dislodged by 
surgical skill until some weeks after the acci- 
dent. The old man kept the ball and his 
bloody shirt till his death, which occurred in 
1835, as tro[)hies of the danger he encountered 
through his youthful patriotism. His son, (iu\- 
Kingsbury (deceased) represented the county 
from this township in the lower branch of the 
Legislature in the 3'ear 1888. Mr. Guj- Kings- 
bury was the only resident of the township 



:1>- 



422 



HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY. 



that ever represented the county in the Legis- 
lature, except the Hon. Hiuuphrey Hoover (de- 
ceased) who was elected in 1 SOU. and re-elected 
in 18(12. Since then R. (}. Williams and 
E. Hartshorn have served in that capacity. 
John Kingsbnry, a resident of tliis city, 
was a brother to (ruy Kinosbury. The Oliin 
Ri'piisifoTi/. which was published in Canton 
for more than fifty consecutive years, by tlie 
respected pioneer editor. John Saxton. was 
the first paper received at the first office and 
road liy the first settlers of Lexington Town- 
ship. The first child born in the township was 
a daughter to Timothy and Alice Grcweil. The 
first marriage was a daughter of Abraham and 
Tabitha Wileraan to William Beedcr, of New 
Garden. The second marriage was a daughter 
of William and Mary Pennock, to Matthew 
Vauohn, of Virginia. 

It seems singular to the third generation 
that the prospecting settlers of Stark County 
should prefer to pitcli their tents on tlie.thin, 
cold, clay soil, common to the immediate \^icinity 
of Lexington, when much more fertile locali- 
ties lay in close proximity. The barrens, or 
that section surroundinsi Canton, now grown, 
except where cultivated, with small oaks, was 
considered, in 1806. to he very worthless land. 
Time has proven it to Ije tlic richest land in 
the county, and peculiarly adapted to the cul- 
tivation of wheat. But there are many influ- 
ences at work controlling the judgment of lo- 
cating pioneers ; soil and timber kinilred to 
the kind fi'orn whence they came is not the 
least potential. The Mahoning, at this date. 
was a mighty river, often sweeping to the brovv 
of its secondary embankments, its tributaries 
yielding it their ever constant supplies, drawn 
from the humid soil, evaporation shut out by 
dense, over-arching forests. It is now shorn of 
its majesty, and dry seasons see it dwarfed to 
a rix'Ulet. Then the white-barked cottonwood 
trees, a few of which remain along its course. 



■•river,' enters th'e township on the southern' 
third of its eastern border, runs a circuilous 
direction and passes out at its northeastern 
corner. At the time of the first settlement, it 
was well stocked with fine fish ; from its waters- 
the pioneers and Indians drew a supply of 
food of this kind, ecpial to all their wants.! 
Notwithstanding its present diminished volume' 
and interrupted waters, many good-sized fislv 
(bass) are. yet annually caught. The bank of 
this stream in this township for sixty -eight 
consecutive years has had its continuous line 
of Daniel Waltons. Cotemporary with the set- 
tlement made in Lexington Township, one was 
made at Kendal, now a northern ward of tlie 
city of .Massillon. It gives the mind a better 
conception of the wild and chaotic condition of 
things in tluit territory six miles square, known 
as Lexington Township, at the time of its first 
settlement, viz.. 1805, to know that tiie county 
of Stark was not organized for four years after 
this date (1809). The first house in the town 
of Lexington, and the first with a shingle roof 
in the township, was built in 1808 by Amos 
Holloway. In this building; the first store was 
opened, by Gideon Hughes. The heaviest of 
any one article, as well as the one in which 
most cai)ital was invested, was earthen-ware. 
This mercantile enterprise, proving anti-lucra-' 
tive, was soon abandoned, and this shingle- 
roofed St. Paul's of Lexington was used as the 
first house for the assemblage of public wor- 
shi() hy the Society of Friends, and in the 
interim of its religions occupation, was lud- 
lowed to the noble use of •' teaching tlie young 
idea how to shoot." The first pedagogue in 
this scliool was Daniel Votuw. This was a 
subscription school, and conducted in harmony 
with the views of Friends. 

The land of Lexington Township was entered 
•at S2 per acre, and payable in three install- 
ments at the land office in Steubenville. In the 
reduction of the price of Government land to 



though prostrated, had no power to dam its [ $1.25 per acre, there was a clause permitting ai 



waters or stay its course ; they were swept as 
feathers from its channel. The early settlers 
were of the opinion that the Mahoning was 
navigable and would be the liighway of com- 
merce from the Ohio River to Lexington. This 
opinion had much to do with the first settlers 
locating upon its banks and calling that loca- 
tion Lexington in 1805. This stream, which 
once was deservedlv dignified bv the title 



who had fm-feited their land, by not paying the 
second and third installments, to re-enter Gov- 
ernment land at the rate of :?1.25 per acre, to 
the amount of the money they had paid on their 
forfeited estates. From the scarcity of |)ost- 
routes, and consequent difficulty of disseminat- 
ing a knowledge of enacted laws, as well as 
other news, in these times, the early settlers 
were generally ignorant of this providing clause 



J^ 



J.EXIXGTOX TOWNSHIP. 



in the new land-law, and thought thej- had lost 
all under the pro\isions of the old law. A few 
men, or rascals, aoquainled with the facts in the 
case, purchased the entr_v papers of numerous 
defaulting early settlers, for a few dollars, and 
paid the balance due or entered new lands to 
tliu amount that had been paid upon what had 
been deemed forfeited patents. The beginning 
of some of the largest fortunes in this section 
were laid by dealing in these papers, Tlie 
morality of the procedure may be a question 
upon wiiich the posterity of a defraiidecl ances- 
try may speculate. A real estate operator, well 
known in this section of Ohio, obtained a be- 
ginning in this wa}-, and died ten years ago 
worth §1,500,000. 

In the war between Eiigiand and America, 
in 1S12, the British (ioveriiinent sought in the 
savages, numerous in the West, and in front of 
the advancing tide of Caucasian civilization, 
emissaries to assist in the doniinaucy of their 
arms. Prior to this period, the Indians of Lex- 
ington Township weie numerous. The red men 
throng and linger where game abounds. The 
forests here were alive with game, and the 
waters of the river filled with fish. From the 
earliest settlement of the township until the war, 
the conduct of tlie Indians toward tlie white 
settler was pacific, if not kind. This, to an ex- 
tent, was referable to the fact that the first 
whites were disciples of William Penn, and the 
kind, peaceable di.'ii)osition of the members of 
the trilie inhabiting the townsliip. We have uo 
savage brutality upon their part, occurring in 
the township, to record. One white ir.an w-as 
siv't, tlie ball passing through both eyes and 
the liritlge of the uOsc. yet lived deprived of 
.'^ight. His name was Daniel Diver. lie died 
in Deerfield in ISiJO, where the shooting oc- 
curretl. It sprang out of a horse trade. The 
Indians trapped game on the Mahoning. Beech 
Crock and Deer Creek, all larger streams than 
now. but they had no permanent settlement in 
the township. Another feature which attracted 
the Indians to Lexington Township, besides the 
abundance of game, was the large, compact 
groves of sugar trees peculiar to the township, 
from which they obtained a supply of the sac- 
charine element. Some of the trees yet show the 
scarifications and girdlings adopted by them to 
obtain the water. It was also the current be- 
lief among the people of the township, even as 
late as 1840, that the Indians obtained their 



suppl}- of lead from this immediate vicinliy. 
At the time of the lirst white settlers the 
Indians possessed many of the common imj)le- 
ments incident to frontier civilization, such as 
guns, hatchets, axes,- kettles, etc. The chief 
encampment of the tribe found in this town- 
shi]) was four miles south of New Philadelphia, 
in what was then Coshocton Comity. But it 
was then common for Indians to stay o\ er the 
hunting season, committing no depredation, and 
remaining kind and deferential to the whites. 
The exact spot of one of their primitive mills 
is a little south of ]Mr. Haines' orchard. The 
machinery consisted of a stump hollowed out 
and a sapling bent over; to the pendant ex- 
tremity of which was attached liy thongs of 
tough bark a large stone, which, by Ijeariiig on 
the bent sapling, played upon the maze in the 
concavity of the stump, which would reduce it 
rapidly and effect nally. Snsiucion is a strong, 

i latent or developed trait in tiie Indian charac- 
ter. Tliev raisetl the war-whoop against the 

j settlers in 1S13. Pome few settlers of the 
township left through fear, for more populous 

I and better protected localities, but Commodore 
Perry put an effectual quietus upon the un- 
natural and baibarous coalition foinicd l)v En- 
gland against Amerioan.s ; and the Indians, left 
uusuppoited by British gold, rum and inllueiue, 
grew sullen and suspicion.*— stopped all inter- 
course with the whites of the township, and 
withdrew to unoccupied, or new hunting- 

I grounds. After 18K!. only a traveling or pass- 

I ing Indian was seen in the township. Occa- 
sionally an Indian grave isliy accident o)icned, 
revealing only some rude device for hunting 
less perishable than their bones — Hint, darts 
and stone axes being now ami then turned up 
by the plowman. These, with the traditions 
we have recorded are the only reminders that 
they ever trod the soil of the township. Let 
them go from other pilaces as from here, their 
destruction is fixed and necessary everywhere: 
we have no sentiment to waste on a savage. 

Wild game, at the settlement of l/cxinglon 
township, was very jilenty, with the exception 
of beaver, which, being very scarce at first, 
soon entirely disappeared. Otters and musk- 
rats were trapped by the Indians until 18!:?. 
on the Mahoning. Bears were very plenty and 
destructive on hogs as late as 1815. They 
would seize a hog that would weigh one hun- 
dred pounds, in their fore paws, and run direct 



^^ 



424 



HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY. 



with it to ttie forest. If tlie hog was too large 
for them to manage In this manner, they would 
jump on it, guiding it with tlieir fore feet, and 
stimulating it by gnawing its neck, thus ride it 
to the woods and destroy it. A large speci- 
men of the bruin species, engaged in this 
equestrian exercise, was shot by Shadrach 
Feltz, (a pioneer living about one mile west 
of Lexington, on the road to Limaville). Its 
weight was two hundred pounds. The Bu- 
cephalus of its choice was a large hog be- 
longiiiij: (() Mr. Feltz. Bears attack swine by 
giunvinu tlie tops of their heads and shoulders. 
A liog lielonging to Nathan Gaskill had sta^-ed 
away in search of mast ; it returned with its 
eyes out and its skull bone exposed. This 
hog, though scalped and blinded by bruin, 
lived and was fattened by Gaskill. The last 
bear seen in the township was in 183(1. A 
large tract of land that is low and level, con- 
sisting of ten or fifteen feet of turfj- vegetable 
deposit, resting on a body of water about three 
feet deep, upon which E;ist .\lliance is now built, 
was known to the earliest settlement of the 
township as the '■ Bear Swamp." This wet or 
swamp land was covered with a dense growth 
of alder bushes, ten or fifteen feet high, which 
formed an excellent rendezvous for bears. 
From its being their covert, it received the 
name of " Bear Swamp." But there are no 
alder bushes or swamp or bears there now, and 
the title is fast losing its significance. 

Isaac Teeters — who don't know Isaac '.' He 
has been for years an essential feature of the 
P.. Ft. W. & C. R. R. at this point. Isaac and 
Peter Chance each lost an arm b3- the prema- 
ture discharge of an old cast cannon, with 
which they were trying to give character to a 
national birthday- in Williamsport, over thirty 
years ago. Isaac well remembers his father, 
Jonathan, going to this swamp to hunt deer, 
always returning to his home laden with 
bear, deer or otter. Deer, in 1806-07, in Lex- 
ington Township, were as abundant as sheep 
are now, and continued abundant until the 
great snow storm of 1817, which thawed a 
little, then froze, thus forming a crust which 
incapacitated them from traveling; hundreds of 
them starved to death. This protracted snow 
starved many other varieties of game. The 
great snow of 1817 is yet ominously referred 
to by old people now, but young and vigorous 
at that date, and battling bravelj' with the 



vicissitudes and obstacles of frontier life. The 
snow averaged a depth of four feet, and con- 
tinued on the groun(l near four months. Deer 
could ill}' travel on the frozen crust of the 
snow, and if they broke through, they could 
not extricate themselves, and consequently 
perished by the score. Wolves were numerous 
and the wary and common enemy of the sheep 
the settlers were tr}'ing to introduce, which 
could only be preserved by penning them up 
through the night and guarding them through 
the day. Turkeys, between the years of 1806 
and 1820, wore seen in great flocks, often 
numbering hundreds. Porcupines were very 
thick ; the}' are strictly vegetarian in their 
habits, living on bark, roots, buds and wild 
fruits. There are none now in this section. 
A price is paid to see them in traveling me- 
nageries. Rabbits and quails were very scarce 
in early times. These and some other animals 
are a link between domestic and absolutely 
wild or untamable animals ; they flourish bet- 
ter under the shadow of a sparse population. 
There are more of them to-day in the townsliip 
than there were fifty years ago. From 1805 to 
1820, deer skins were worth 75 cents; raccoon 
skins, 25 cents ; otter skins, $4, and bear skins. 
$1.25. Rattlesnakes, in earh' times, in Lex- 
ington Township, were quite common, and 
very numerous. In 1812, one struck an ox 
above the eye, which speedil}' caused his 
death. The ox was owned by John Grant, 
father-in-law of R. J. Haines. (Iraut's first 
cabin was about twenty feet nortii of L. L. 
Lamborn's stable. The debris of the cabin 
was partially exhumed by the plow last fall. 
The last rattlesnake seen in the township was 
caught by the writer in ! 850, on tlie grounds 
now owned and occupied by the Mt. Union 
College. It was captured by inducing it to 
enter a barrel laid on its side, and when in, the 
barrel was straightened up ; it was two feet 
long and had eight rattles. It was kept and 
experimented with for four months. It took 
no nourishment during this long time but a 
small, green-colored snake, nine inches long. 
When first captured, this snake was very 
poisonous ; it struck a quail on the thigii, which 
caused its death in five minutes. From con- 
finement and improper nourishment it graduallj' 
lost its poisonous qualities. It is a traditionary 
practice with hunters traveling grounds in- 
fested with this reptile to stuff' their boots or 



LEXINUTON TOWNSHIP. 



425 



shoes with white ash leaves, believing them to 
be an effectual remedy against liie attack of 
the rattlesnake. So far as this snake was con- 
cerned, it was found to be but a traditionary 
practice, for it would dart its head into a bunch 
of white ash leaves as quickl}- as it would into 
a tuft, bush or elder h-aves. 

Bees were alnnnlaiit in the township in early 
times; wild honey was an article of export sec- 
ond only to maple sugar. The value of honey 
from 1806 to 1815 averaged about 12 cents 
per pound or ?1 per gallon. The pioneers 
were very expert in ferreting out bee-trees. 
They noticed the direction a bee wouid take 
when heavil}' laden with the sweets of a 
wild Bower, and that direction would be in a 
straight line to the hollow tree in which the 
swarm rendezvoused. The tree were also found 
by the drones of the hive which had been killed 
by the workers and thrown out and lay dead at 
the roots of the tree. And in the early warm days 
of the spring the bees would be drawn out of 
their winter quarters and make a peculiar buz- 
zing noise ; these and many other devices were 
oft resorted to by the sharpened senses of the 
bee hunter to find this hidden treasure. It is 
singular how quick the civilized Caucasian 
becomes an expert in all the shrewd tactics of 
the savage, to circumvent and capture all kinds 
of game ; these capabilities have been supposed 
to belong exclusivel}' to the Indian race, but 
frontier life on the continent has developed 
many white hunters far superior to any red men 
of whom we have an3' account. Squirrels were 
not so plenty at the period of the first settle- 
ment of the township as they were twenty 
years after. Black squirrels at first were the 
only ones seen. About 1820, the gray variety 
made its appearance, and the few that remain 
at this date are of this kind. In 1840, the red 
s(|uirrel made its advent into this section and is 
now altogether the most numerous species. In 
1 S27. there was a hegira of squirrels ; tliey were 
so numerous that thej' destrojed the farmers' 
crops. There was a scjuirrel hunt organized 
this year; a sum, or purse of money, was raised, 
— the hunters were to receive this money in 
proportion to the number of squirrels the}- shot. 
They were all to hunt on the same day. and 
meet in Mount Union in the evening, count the 
s(-alps and receive their /;to rata of the fund. 
Job Johnson was purse holder, and Nathan 
(laskill judge. E. X. Johnson, Sr., shot 55, 



Charles May, 170, etc., and in all they 
killed in one day seventeen hundred sijuirrels. 
Thomas Grant took the premium for killing the 
greatest number. He now resides in Williams 
County, Ohio. In the year 1821, wolves were 
very numerous, and .so bold they would attack 
stock of anj- kind. .V little west of I'lcedom. 
on the farm now occui)ied l)y .Mr. Elisha Ti^cters. 
a pack of these animals attacked and killed a 
six-years-old cow that belonged to John Grant. 
About this period, the last otters were killed in 
the .Mahoning and its tributaries. Clayton 
Grant, now living in Hourlion, Kosciusko Co., 
Ind,, shot the last deer, and caught the last 
otter seen in Lexington Township, In the year 
1818, a Mr, Hubbard lived one mile east of the 
town of Lexington, lie. as well as .Mrs. Hub- 
bard, were excellent rille shots, and often amused 
themselves by shooting at a mark. But death 
came into the family and left Mrs, Hubbard a 
widow, with four children dejjending upon her 
for the necessaries of life. To illustrate the 
trials, fortitude and heroism of a pioneer 
mother, the following incident is given: About 
dusk one evening, a sow that had a l)rood of 
pigs by the side of a larger log, in tlu- woods a 
little south of y\v. Hul)bard s cabin, was heard 
demonstrating in a wa^' peculiar to hogs when 
menaced with danger ; Mrs, Hubbard, with the 
quick sense of a hunter, at once suspected the 
cause of the threatened peril to the pigs, took 
her trusty rifle from its resting place, and with 
a courage that would blanch half the men in 
the township to-day, went to the scene of the 
trouble ; when within a hundred paces, slie 
barely discovered the dim outlines of a great she- 
wolf battling with the sow. With insutlicirnl 
light to see the sights upon the gun, she lired. 
The wolf not knowing from which direction the 
shot came, or intending to attack her, sprang 
toward her and fell dead at her feet, .Mrs, 
Hubbard drew the knife from her hunting gir- 
dle, and skinned the wolf, threw the skin over 
her shoulder and started in the supposed direc- 
tion of her cabin. In this she was mistaken 
and bewildered. It was now blank darkness, 
and she wandered in the woods all that night 
and all next day, in the vain search of her hum- 
ble home and little ones. Again night donned 
its sable mantle, and to mock its blackness, lit 
it up with stars, beneath which, and the somlier. 
spectral gloom of arching primitive forcsis. 
moved the wearied steps and lieat the anxious 



HISTORY OF STAItK COUNTY. 



heart of that brave mother. After thirty hours 
of travel and counter-travel, and circiiugs in 
the woods of almost tropical denseness, she 
caught a ray of light, which, on ncaring, proved 
to be a glimmer escaping from between the 
rude logs of her rustic home, though to her 
more than a palace, for it contained lier chil- 
dren, a mother's priceless jew'cls. Jlrs. Hub 
b:ird's second husband was a Hazen. by wliom 
she had three children — Daniel, Simeon and A''al- 
cntine — uncles to the present generation of 
Hnzens in Lexington Township. This circum- 
stance was related to E. X. Johnson by 3Irs. 
Ilubljard herself, and he thinks he is not mis- 
taken as to lier being grandmother to our liv- 
ing citizens of that name ; to say the least, 
Ihey are worthy enough to be her ofl'spriug, 
anil she was brave enougli to be their grand- 
mother. 

Up to 1812, salt was very iiigh and scarce ; 
it had to be packed on liorseback from Cleve- 
land or Conneaut. The lirst barrel ever teamed 
into the township was in 1814, and cost :!!12. 
A few years after this, manufactories of salt 
were established on Yellow Creek, from which 
source the early settlers obtained their supplies, 
at a cost of $(5 a barrel. The first improvement 
east of Alliance was on the then called •■ Jlorcer 
Clearing,'' afterward known as the ■■ Oyster 
Farm ; " it is now owned and occupied by James 
Iloiles. The farm lies at the junction of the 
county line road and the JMt. Union road. The 
only house or cabin in 1818 between Salem 
and this point was one half a mile this side of 
Damascus, built and used by a Mr. Morris, who 
was grandfather to the Hon. James Bruff. who 
now owns the spot of these primitive improve- 
ments. How strangely are the conveniences 
enjoyed to-daj- contrasted with those of the 
settlers of this township at the beginning of 
the j)resent century, when it is remembered 
that {Jharlcs Hamhn. father-in-law to Shadrich 
Feltz, Nathan Gaskill. father-in-law to Joshua 
Hamlin, residing now just west of Alliance, 
and other persons, had to go to the mouth of 
tlie Little Beaver to get their grain converted 
into flour. Corn was brought down the Ohio 
in barges, from the Monongahela region, and 
landed at the Little Beaver. From this source 
the first settlers obtained their supplies, until 
these " openings "' or " clearings '' would yield 
them a sufficiency. It required three days to 
go to mill and bring home two busliels of corn 



meal on horseback. The next approximation 
to a llouring-mill to these localities was one 
erected in the vicinit}' of New Lisbon. It only 
requiring two days to go and return from mill ; 
this mill was considered quite convenient, and 
supplied all furt!\er demands in the waj- of lux- 
ury for a number of years. The next great 
move, in the mill line, toward degeneracy upon 
the part of the vigorous pioneers of Lexington 
Township, was to have flouring machinery so 
luxuriously near to their cabin doors, that they 
could visit it with their batch of corn and 
return in a single day. So to meet this volup- 
tuous demand, a mill was erected on the waters 
of the Mahoning, in Deerfleld Township, Por- 
tage County, and long known as the " Laughlin 
Mill." It was owned and run by the father of 
Harvey Laughlin, Esq., a citizen of this city. 
A satiety of epicurean convenience was at last 
reached, but the cause of development and 
decaj' was at work, as it alw'aj-s has been and 
always will be. It ran Kome and Greece from 
noble, vigorous men to voluptuous imbeciles, 
and both became the easj' prej- of hard}- ene- 
mies, who were destined to run this, the same 
course, and leave the track open for successors. 
It was true at the advent of the " Laughlin 
jMills ; " the scitlers of Lexington Tow-nship 
had not reached the epicurean sensuality of 
Romans, at the era of their greatest debauchery, 
but their yearnings were in that direction. Pow- 
dered diamonds could not be drunk, butlinsey- 
woolsej- trousers could bo substituted for buck- 
skin breeches. The aromatic fruits of the 
tropics were not of easy access, but a flouring- 
mill run by water, with wooden gudgeons, and 
costing the enormous fortune of $-100 or $800, 
conld be built within a stone throw of their 
clapboard cabin doors. There was the sweeping 
current of the Mahoning, made into a highway 
of commerce by legislative enactments, restless 
to revolve the ponderous machinery. 

The first grist-mill in Lexington Township 
was south of the town of Lexington, on the 
river ; it was built by Aaron Stratton. A saw- 
mill was built in conjunction with the nrill. It 
was on the latter mill that Job Holloway, son 
of the pioneer, Amos MoUoway. lost his life by 
the falling of a beam. Job Holloway was the 
father of Mrs. William Antrum, now living with 
her excellent husband on a finelj'-cultivated 
farm immediately west of Mt, Union. Treble 
the quantity of rain fell in early times that falls 



.t. 



-^ 



J.EXlXdTOX TOWX&IIIP. 



427 



now. The Mahoiiiug was subject to tliiee or 
lour frightful freshets every ^-ear, iuuuclatiug 
all the bottom lauds. The river, restive of all 
first restraints upon its swollen waters, washed 
away the lirsl enterprise of the kind altempted 
in the township. The next mill buiil in the 
township was by Bryan Elliot, on the less angry 
aud more generous waters of Deer Creek, about 
one mile west of the village of Limaville. This 
mill, though frequently repaired, has run con- 
tinuously siuce its first erection. In 1818, a 
grist ant! saw mill of some greater pretensions 
was built in Williamsport by Johnson & Pen- 
nock, on the Mahoning. The water being in- 
sutlicient at times, steam was introduced. It 
is al present in successful operation under the 
management of Kirk & (jo. This mill has 
been successively owned by Thomas Grant, 
John Grant, John Miller. M. Miller, C. Russell, 
Buckman Oc Co., aud others whose names are 
not obtained. Mr. Burgett, formerly of Paris 
Township, erected, about 18C3, a steam grist- 
mill in Alliance, which has ruu continuously 
uniler his management since it was first started. 
The Limaville -Mill, Kirk & Cos ■ ( ity Mills " 
and Burgett's Mill are the three ttouring-mills 
now in operation in Lexington Township. The 
proprietors of these mills are all fine citizens, 
au(.l their respective brands of fiour have a good 
reputation in the market. An incident is reiateil 
to illustrate the jollifications of the settlers. 
In 1818, at the opening of the Williamsport 
Mill, John Meese, a hunter of considerable note, 
had a large and ferocious male l/uci/ie, which he 
had broken, to be led antl carry burdens. He 
ladened this bull with a bag of corn, rustically 
ornamented his horns, and mounted on his back 
one of his boys that could play the fife, and to 
its sprightly music he led the beast to the new 
mill with the first grist overground in Alliance. 
Saw-mills are more transitory in their lives 
than grist-mills. Uolla Day built the first saw 
mill in Lexington Township on the Mahoning. 
A saw-mill was connected with the Williams- 
port grist-mill ; <;ne was built on lUpckliilllon 
Creek, on the farm now owned by David Hock- 
hill ; one in Freedom, east of the present steam 
mill; one in Limaville; one about one. mile 
west of Limaville ; one on Beech Creek, in the 
neighborhood of John Taylor's ; one on Little 
Beech Creek, in the settlement of David Minser ; 
another in the Hively neighborhood, on or ad- 
joining lands owned by Jacob Lower. The ruins 



of one are seen on a small brook west of the 
Seranton farm, north of Lexington. There 
have been from ten to twelve water saw-mills 
built in the township, but none have been erect- 
ed since 1840. The ruins of some of the above 
located mills are found on what are now not 
even rivulets, water scarcely passing by the 
ruined tail-races of these former mills, in the 
wettest season. 

Steam saw-mills have supplanted water mills ; 
there have been five of these miils in the 
township ; one was built in Alliance by George 
Stroup, in 1857, sold by him to Watson & 
Barnab}', and now owned b}- the latter member 
of that firm. Another steam saw-mill was lo- 
cated north of Strong <!«; Lower's warehouse, 
one at or near Carr's Corners, and one on lands 
owuei.1 by Mr. (jlreenshiekls, three and one-half 
miles northwest of Alliance, and one west of 
Limaville. The era of saw-mills of all kinds 
has about passed. In this township, limber is 
comparatively scarce and inditl'ereut for sawing 
purposes. Pine aud hemlock are brought into 
the city from the Saginaw region and sold as 
low as the native timber of the township. But 
little sawed timber was used or needed prior to 
the era of water saw-mills. The first sawed 
lumber commanded a value equal to 25 cents 
per hundred feet from 1815 to 1820. It was 
worth 50 cents a hundred feet from this date 
till 1845, when it brought in trade at Canton 
from 75 cents to $1 per hundred feet. After 
this period, the rapid development of the coun- 
try and the increase of manufacturing, the 
price of lumber in the township has gradually 
advanced, till it has reached its present price, 
viz.. $2 per hundred feet for hard wood, beech, 
sugar, elm, oak, etc. : white cucumber .ind pop- 
lar commanded at the mills from S2 to $2.50 
per hundred feet. This is probably the maxi- 
mum price which sawed lumber of the town- 
ship will ever reach, for the reason that the 
quality is fast deterioratiug, and hemlock and 
pine are now imported by the lumber mer- 
chants, and sold at the quoted rates. 

The town of Lexington was surveyed in lots 
in 1807. and duly christened after that spot on 
the continent which witnessed the first contest 
of British and Colonial arms, and inaugurated 
the Revolution of 1770. The name was his- 
torical, aud the anticipations of its founders 
doubtless great. By legislative decree, the 
Mahoning was made a public highway of com- 



428 



HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY. 



merce. Provisions were made in the survey 
for all necessary flocks and wharves. Imagina- 
tion possibly saw the first occupied with masts, 
whose spars floated the flags of other nations, 
and the latter piled with the exports of the 
North and the products of tiie Gulf It can 
easily be imagined how metropolitan this town, 
laying claim to such grand expectations, was 
held by the primitive settlers. Williamsport 
was not laid out for twenty years thereafter, 
and then was suburban to Lexington. Free- 
dom followed in twenty-one years. Mount Union 
in twentj'-three years. At or soon after the 
founding of the city of Lexington, e.x-Presi- 
dent Grant's father lived in the adjoining town- 
ship of Deerfteld. and was engaged in the 
tanning business, ('apt. Oliver, once Mayor 
of Alliance, William Vincent, James Garrison 
and other citizens attending tiie National Con- 
vention at (Chicago in 1868, which noniiuatcd 
for the Chief Executive of the United States 
U, S. Grant. The Captain and his comrades 
went to the headquarters of the Ohio Delega- 
tion, and found the Deerfleld tanner there. 
They were introduced to the old gentleman, 
who inquired where they were from. They in- 
formed him from Alliance, He said he had no 
remembrance of that place or of any of the 
surrounding towns, which they named. The 
Captain then told him they lived about mid- 
way between Canton and Salem. He then re- 
marked they must be from the town of Lexing- 
ton. The town of Lexington had a tavern, a 
store, a Friends' meeting-house, and a school ; 
it had tlie thrift and economy common to Qua- 
kers ; it had an expected future, and besides 
these grand frontier privileges, it had a weekly 
)30st office, and was the headquarters of news 
for a large adjacent district. Mount Union had 
n(.) ))i>st office for twenty j'ears after one was 
estalilisiied in Lexington. Freedom had none 
for nearly forty years thereafter. 

The post office in Freedom was established 
in 1848, David G, Hester was the first ap- 
pointed. He held the position eighteen months. 
The first mail to Alliance or Freedom brought 
one paper, the Ohio Rcj)osito7-i/, and one letter. 
The gross receipts for the first quarter were $17, 
The position was responsible, and the distribu- 
tive laliors of the office arduous. David re- 
signed, and Robert N, Buck (deceased), the 
father of Dr. R. M. Buck, formerly a physician 
of this place, was his successor. Mr. Hester 



kept the post office at his then residence, facing 
the Central LTuion School grounds, Mr, Buck 
then owned and occupied the grounds now 
known as "Garrison's f^iarden," at which point 
he dealt out the instalhncnts of news for three 
months. Not relishing the duties of the position, 
he sought a resignation and a successor for 
tiiree months more, wiien one turned up in the 
person of Thomas Beer, a telegraph oper:itor, 
occupying a room in the frame deput Ixiildiiig, 
since burned, located opposite the present brick 
depot. Mr, Beer was an ardent Democrat, He 
turned his attention to the law ; moved to Bucy- 
rus, Crawford Co., Ohio, and has gained some 
eminence in his profession. He has been twice 
honored by the citizens of that county with a 
seat in the councils of the State, Mr, Beer's 
successor was H, Laughlin, Esq,, who held the 
office during the last two 3ears of Buchanan's 
administration. The post office during his term 
was in the building now occupied by J. M. 
Webb as a restaurant. On the accession of 
Abraham Lincoln to the Presidency, D, G, 
Hester was again appointed to the position of 
Postmaster, and held the same for six years, 
A part of the time the office was in the building 
now occupied liy Leek & McKlroy as a provision 
store, and the ijalance of the time in the room 
now owned and used by iMr. Hester as a book 
and stationery store, Mr, Hester yielded the 
post office to Wilson Culbertson through the 
persuasion of one Andrew Johnson, Mr. Cul- 
bertson located the office in tlie room now occu- 
pied by Dr. Pogle as a drug store. His lease 
of office continued only six months, when it was 
yielded to the Hon, Humphrey Hoover, and re- 
turned to Mr, Hester's store. It continued un- 
der the management of Mr, Hoover for eighteen 
months, Mr, Henry Shreve, an assistant in tlie 
office under .Mr, Hoover, was his successor, and 
has served the position of Postmaster acceptabl}' 
to the departments and to the people for four 
years, and was re-appointed for another four- 
year lease. Mr, Shreve had the office in Mr. 
James Vallillej''s building, on the west side of the 
public square. It requires three persons in the 
post office to discharge the labor. What better 
commentary on the development and growth of 
Lexington Township could be found, than the 
statement, that, in 1848. the receipts of the post 
office at this point were $17 per quarter; in 
1873, they were over $1,500, and in 1881 
$1,800 per quarter. The people of the town- 



1^ 



LEXINGTON TOWNSHIP. 



4-2!) 



sliijj are further supplied with postal con- 
veniences at Limaville and Mount Union. 
Tlie offices at these points ma\- be referred 
to in a sul)se(|Uent ch:i|)ter. A colony of 
colored people located in licxiuiiton Township, 
one mile east of Willianisport. that beinu the 
name of the few buildings on the north side of 
the Mahoning River. This people had a church 
at the above -mentioned point, and Ihey called 
themselves •• Christ's |)isci[)lcs." .\11 that re- 
mains of that church now is a narrow strip of 
land thrown out to the commons, on the north 
side of the high was running east, and overgrown 
by brambles. This was their burying ground. 
This settlement of colored jjcople compriseii 
about 200 souls, and was made up chietly of 
fugitives and freedmen from \'irginia. They 
were orderly, industrious, and esteemed good 
citizens. Messrs. T. Price. Roland Bracy and 
K. Hamlin olHci.'ited in the church in the ad- 
ministration of the Word. An anecdote is re- 
lated of one of their preachers, as occurring in 
the heated summary of his discourse, establish- 
ing the doctrine that they were God's peculiar 
people. He touchingly referred to the laml)-like 
tufts of wool upon their heads as conclusive upon 
the point that they were his especial lambs. 
This church and settlement is now. and has been 
for years, entirely broken up. From this point. 
two fugitives were recaptured ami consigned to 
a life of hopeless toil. Logan County, in this 
State, and I^ower Canada were the two chief 
points to which the\" emigrated. In 1850. there 
were only 30 colored residents in Lexington 
Township; in 18(10, there were l.")7; 38 in the 
Limaville Precinct, and 11!) in the Alliance 
Precinct ; in 1870, there were 201 colored citi- 
zens in the township ; Cfi in the Limaville Pre- 
cinct, and 134 in the Alliance Precinct. This 
people possesses, in a large degree, the religious 
element. They have a church in Alliance, or- 
ganized in 1870. by '' Uncle Josie Armstrong," 
a colored man of large brain, and jiossessing 
great power as a preacher and great unction in 
prayer. This organization is called the .\frican 
Methodist Church. It has no regular Pastor at 
present, and is languishing, embracing only from 
fifteen to twenty members. 

Prior to 1812. there was no necessity for 
sawed lumber in the township. The floors of 
the cabins were made of '• |)uncheons. ' their 
roofs were covered with "clapboards," rived 
from straisiht-srained oak timber, their sides of 



round logs, their doors of heavy clapboards ami 
swung on wooden hinges ; their window con- 
sisted of a couple of feet cut from one of the 
side logs and the hole covered with greased 
paper. The chimney and fire-place was a mag- 
nificent affair, the latter often occupying the 
entire end of the cabin, and the base of it was 
built of " nigger-head " stones or '■ bog-ore,'' 
and the balance of the chimney above the con- 
tact of the fire, was built on the outside of the 
cabin, of cross-sticks and tempered clay. These 
cabins made one room, were one story high and 
a '■ loft." The furniture consisted of a rude 
table and stools of primitive style. In some 
instances, there were two doors in the same 
cabin directly opposite, and Ijgs ten feet long 
and eighteen inches in diameter were drawn 
with a horse into the cabin, and then rolled into 
the ("ipacious fire-place. A few green logs of 
this size, when fairly ablaze, would l)id defiance 
to the coldest weather. This form of architec- 
ture w:us followed, not precisely by the Corin- 
thian, but bj- an improved hewed log house. The 
logs were tlattened on both sides, the joists were 
hewed, the flooring sawed, and the buiMings 
were mostly two stories high ; the roofs were 
made of rived, and often shaved, oak shingles, 
fastened to the sheeting with nails which would 
now be obtained at 25 cents per pound. The 
windows were few. but consisted of a four-light 
sash window, made to hold 8x10 glass; the 
crevices between the logs were filled by juggles, 
and then neatly plastered on the in and out side 
with well tempered yellow clay, of which article 
there has never been any scarcity in the town- 
ship. The outside ponderous chimney of the 
round-log cabin was moved to the inside of the 
hewed-log house. This kind of a house was 
warm and neat, and also aristocratic, until John 
Grant, in 18 — , built a commodious tW'O-story 
brick house, west and aci'oss the j-avine from 
where Amos Coates now lives. 

There have been three woolen mills in Lex- 
ington Township. One w'as built south of Lex- 
ington, on the Mahoning, by W. S. Miller ; it 
was sold by him to one Snyder, under whose 
management the enterprise failed. It was then 
purchased by Lawrence Alexander, under whose 
practical control it manufactured a variety of 
fabrics for clothing, as well as carded wool. 
This mill was burnetl. Mr. Alexander removed 
to Canton, and now owns and runs fine woolen 
mills in that cit)^ Another woolen mill was 



:V 



!kL 



4:m 



IIISTOJiY OF STARK COl'X'lY. 



built in Limaville by William Hicklen and sold 
to JI. Allison, and then purchased by Elias 
Hoover. During the administration of the 
above parties, the mill was operated for the pur- 
pose for which it was built ; but YiY. Hoover 
sold it to John Ware for a cliair factory, and 
wliile thus occupied it was burned. The third 
and last mill of this description was built on the 
Freedom side of the Mahoning. The race is yet 
to be seen, about which a law suit was cora- 
nienced at the time the mill was ready to go 
into operation, which defeated the project, and 
the machinery was moved to the northern part 
of Portage County. 



■ Xofliiiii;- .-o (U';u- 



talc of tlir old,' 



The dili'erence.s being so great between the 
surroundings of life in Lexington Township 
sixty years ago and what they are to-day, many 
might conclude tliat those old veterans of pio- 
neer life had deprivations and hardships with- 
out any interims of pleasure. Sue;h a conclu- 
sion is verj- wide of the mark ; they had their 
recreations and lestivals. The brain power and 
moral tension for wealth was not so gi-eat then, 
and more frequently relaxed than it is to-day. 
Democracy pervades society in fnmtier life, 
wealth and development are the lever-arms 
upon which aristocracy treads to power. ])e- 
mocracy is equalitv and humanity ; border and 
dependent life compels it. Aristocracy is en- 
throned selfishness ; wealth and its purchases 
permit it. The pioneers, outside of superior 
social enjoyment common among early settlers, 
enjoyed a delirious pleasure when, with their 
sinewy arms, they grappled with the ferocious 
bear. They felt a wild enjoyment when the 
fleeting stag fell dead in his lightning course, 
through the agency of their unerring rifles. 
This exhilarating and manly sport raaj- be 
startling to the pampered, elfeminate sons of 
luxury. Those iron-armed, resolute settlers 
might have been unlearned in books, but thej- 
were wise and ennobled from an admitted con- 
verse and intimac}' with nature, when her 
grandeur was undefaced liy man's spoiling art. 

The population of Lexington Township in 
1820 was 165, all enumerated. In 1830, it was 
809; in 1840, 1,600. The value of personal 
property in 1853 was $122,808, with $31,968 of 
an increase over the previous year. The value 
of real estate in 1853 was $183,783, with $15,- 
175 of an increase over the value of the same 



property the year previous — there being three 
times more of an increase of real estate than in 
any township in the county, save Canton and 
Perrj^ In 1852, Lexington Township had 
6,000 acres of wheat, which yielded 13,56-1- 
bushels. The same year was cut 506 acres of 
corn, which produced 15,627 bushels. The 
soil of Lexington Township is thin and clayey. 
White oak timber was the chief variety in the 
northeast corner ; the other sections grew more 
poplar, maple, beech, chestnut, etc. The soil in 
the neighborhood of the town of Lexington 
seemed originally quite productive, but from 
bad husbandry or a deficiencj' of the proper 
elements of a good soil, it must be regarded 
as the poorest in the county. Politics never 
caused much excitement in this township until 
the log-cabin and hard-cider campaign of 1840, 
since which time there has been a sufBeiencj' 
of zeal manifested on all election occasions. 
The stores in the township in 1823 were 
owned b}' Jacob Shilling, Limaville ; Stephen 
Hamlin, Lexington ; Akey & Culbertson, Li- 
maville ; Mathias Hester. Freedom ; Job John- 
son, 31t. Union. 

The total amount of tax assessed on the du- 
plicate of iStark County was as foUovv's : 



18-.'(! !s;4,i)94 19 

18-M 4,181 8") 

18J.' 4,125 77 



18--;!. 
18:i4-, 
18:.V>. 



..!i;.").82;i 0(! 
.. 5,19S) !)8 
.not found 



In 1826, separate township lists were matle, 
and the amount assessed upon Lexington Town- 
ship was as follows : 



18-.Mi. 
IS-il. 
1828. 
1829. 
1830. 
1831. 
1832. 
1833. 
1834. 
183.5. 
183G. 
1837. 
1838. 
1839 . 
1841). 
1841. 



.4 132 (54 1 18.5(1, 
not foiuid 

. 237 64 

. 264 26 

. 284 23 

. 343 02 

. 430 19 

444 87 

. 394 00 

. 375 35 

565 68 I l.'^(il) 

. 898 87: 1851 



090 07 

1851 3,822 00 

18.52 3,501 31 



18.53 

1854, 

18.55. 

18.56. 

1857, 

1.8.58, 

18.-,9 10.(il5 

.... I0.0i)5 
9.940 



.5,133 88 
5,440 Oli 
7,230 90 
7,0(;; 51 
9,0.50 39 
9,800 .50 



850 43 ' 1802 9,02:i JS 

i;itcd 908y5|l8(i3 10,221 iO 

.... 1 ,020 20 ! 1864 24,219 57 

.... 1,251 50 1 1865 19.7.58.50 

1842 1,27138 1800 21,0.54 94 

1843 1.351 40|l807 27,924 92 

1844 l.-.'.^! '.« ISi-.8 39,000 82 

1845 I ,:;ji; 11(1 ! s<\>J 3.5,.852 .S5 

1846 l,.ili DO ls;o 35,31i 30 

1847 1,843 90|18T1 40,518 89 

1848 1,908 .58 1 1872 49,2-58 67 

1849 1.8.52 15 



w 



LEXINGTON TOW XslII P. 



>^, 



Making a grand total since 182G until 1872 
of §415,781.07. These amounts of course in- 
ciiule Alliance, as well as the other portions of 
tlie township. No ta.\ duplicate has been made 
for Alliance separately, except tiiat of 1872, 
wlien it was made in a separate list, and. for the 
sake of convenience, has since been made so. 

The municipal gevernmont of Limavillc was 
orgaiiizotl on April 3,-18 II, bj- tlie election of 
Isaac Winans as .Mayor. The follmving is a 
list of .Mayors elected Ijy the citizens of the 
corporation since that time until 1870 : 

Isuiic 'Aiuiviis .Vpril ;;il, 1811. 

Noiili I'pson No date. 

Norllinip April i:), 1846. 

John (i^.llo.'.s April 7, l«4;i. 

Arbii Kiiliity April il, 1851. 

Avba ICiihuy April 0, 1851. 

John (i. Muise April 10, 1805. 

John (J. .Morse April 16, 1856. 

John G. .Morse April 6, 1S57. 

Stephen Loguc April 1, ISM) 

Stephen Lague April 1-, 180". 

Mason U. Uav \pril 1, 1861. 

E. a. .Morse..! April 6, 18(13. 

John G. .Moise April ;!. 1865. 

John G. .Morse April 2, 1866. 

W.J. Osborn April 6, lb67. 

I Ewar. April 6, 1868. 

W. K. Pa.xson April 6, 186'.). 

W. E. Paxson April 6, 1870. 

For the following list of Justices of the 
Peace the readers of the liistory of Lexington 
Township arc indebted to Ed Page, Esq., the 
efficient and courteous (Merk of tlie Common 
Fleas of Stark Comity : 

Ka»R. Wm-.N CoMMl'^SIONF.D. 

Nmliiin GaskiU M,iy 19, 1817. 

William Beeson April 27, 1820. 

Thourn Wool April 27, 1820. 

Thon.as Woo.l March I, 1823. 

John Wiimcr .March 1. 1823. 

John Giver April 26, 1826. 

Levi Bur.lin April 23, 1827. 

James Akev May 21, 182'. 

Levi Burden ^pril 24, 1830. 

Thomas Wood April 17, 1832. 

Levi Burden April 15, 1833. 

E. N. Jjhnson April 15, 1833. 

Thomis VVooJ April 23, 1835. 

Thomas Wright April in, 18-;6. 

Joseph Johnson .April 28, lS"i7. 

Mahlon Allison... April 17, 1838. 

John I). Elliot Noviniher 11, 1830. 

Abraham Oa.vkill April 2'.), 1840. 

John G. .Morse November 23, 1840 

John G. .Morse October 25, 1843. 

Koberl l\. Barr April 13, 1846 

Thomas .1. Wood October 30 1846. 



Namk. Whhx Commissioned. 

TalnmJge \\. Leek April 22, 1847. 

Koberl 11. Barr April 18, 184'J. 

Abr.iham GaskiU iuli" 28, 184'J. 

Thomas J. Wood October 2o, 1849. 

Robert M. Buck October 10, 1852. 

A. L. Jones October 15, 1856. 

Abraham GaskiU (Jctober 15, 1856. 

John Ellison April I'..*, 1856. 

B. B. Green October 15, 18.J8. 

John G. Morse October 15, 18.i8. 

John Ellison November 13, 1860. 

John li. .Morse October 12, 1861. 

Joicpli Baruaby November'.', 1861. 

Joseph Baruaby October 14, 1864. 

William C. Hichmoi.d Ociober 14, 1864. 

Joseph Barnaby October 18, lt)b7. 

L. n. lloaih October 18, 1867. 

.Simon Johnson february 18, 1870. 

Jacob 1'. Zaizer October 26, 1870. 

Joseph Baruaby March 2'.l, 1873. 

•' Tis ediK-atiou thai lorm.^ tUc comnion mind. 
Just a.s the twig is bent the tree's inclined." 
The drst school ever opened iu Lexington 
Township was in the town of Lexington, in the 
year 1809. The iirst school teacher in that 
school was Dtmiel \otaw. It was a subscrip- 
tion school, and under the managemeut of the 
Society of Friends. A lew years thereafter, a 
subscription school was opened iu the vicinity 
of Limaville. The tirst school held in the Al- 
liance section of the township was held iu a 
vacatetl cabin on the land now owned by Clem- 
ent KockhiU, just west of the fair groumls. 
it was taught by Andy Murran in the year 1820. 
It will be reineiubered thai the present common- 
school system of the 8iate was not instituted or 
organized until alter 1824, cou.se(iuenlly, all 
schools, prior to this date, were temporary, 
springing up in tliis or that locality, and liviug 
two or three months, as the school neces.->ities 
of a neighborhood seemeil to give them birth. 
They were held in vacateil cabins, and the 
teachers paid by subscription, i'o 8tark County 
belongs the credit ot Imviiig sent a represeula- 
tive to the State Legislature in 1822, wtio intro- 
duceil the Iirst bill which was ever introduced 
into the Legislature for the establishing and 
regulating of cominon-schools iu Ohio. The 
experience of ahnost half a ceutury has reu- 
dereil changes in the law necessaiy ; but to the 
Stark County representative be the credit of 
having introtluced a system of common schools 
that has, with it-s amendments, been found suf- 
ficiently comprehensive to educate all the chil- 
ilren iu the State. Everv niau who has lived 



432 



Hl!?T<)IiY OF STARK COUNTY. 



in Stark County long enough to remember, and 
has noticed the current of events, can call to i 
mind the opposition that burst upon Mr. La- ! 
throp on his return to his constituency. A howl 
wont up against taxation and against Mr. La- 
throp : but he was not to be driven from his pur- 
poses. 

The School Board has wisely adopted the 
distributive system of schools ; locating one 
Primary Department in Webb's Addition to the 
northeast section of the town ; one on Market ; 
street, in the southwest section ; one in Lam- 
born's Addition, in the southern section. The 
School Board asked the voters to grant funds 
in the way of self-imposed tax to erect a fourth 
building to meet a growing want in the south- I 
east section of the town. The three Primary | 
Departments are clever, substantial, two-story | 
brick structures, which have been built at a cost 
of about $2,000 each to the people. 

The following official census report of the city ; 
of the number of youths between the age of five 
and twenty-one 3'ears, for the years ]8fi7-72, ; 
inclusive ; also the number of children under 
five years of age for the year 1 872 : 

18G7 — Number of children between five and 
twenty-one years of age. 610; 1868, 1,002; 
1869, 1,128; 1870, 1,255; 1871, 1,393; 1872. 
number of children under five years of age, 698. 

The history of Lexington Township would be 1 
incomplete, should it fail to speak of an insti- 
tution, which more than any other in the county, 
was humble and unpromising in its origin ; yet, 
with objects based on the wants of the people, 
has overcome almost insurmountable obstacles, 
and .stands to-day a source of usefulness high 
in the confidence of the people. A six-room 
schoolhouse was erected in 1856. A system of [ 
graded schools, under the State laws of 1849, } 
was organized, in March, 1857. Under this or- 
ganization, schools were opened in four rooms, 
in charge of a Superintendent, with the total ! 
number of youth of school age in the district 
amounting to 860. The number of youth of , 
school age in September, 1880, was 1,452. The 
number of rooms occupied in 1880, and each in | 
charge of a separate teachei", was 19, and the 
number of schoolhouses at that date, each con- 
taining from two to six rooms, was 5. The 
l)uildings are located to suit the convenience of 
younger pupils. Tlie following gentlemen have 
served as Superintendents during the term speci- 
fied : J. K. Pickett, George Hester, Jesse Mark- 



ham, D. M. Miller, W. H. Dressier, C Y. Kay, 
J. F. Richards, and at present Mr. Dressier is 
again in charge, and discharging the responsi- 
ble duties acceptably to the people. The pub- 
lic schc5ols of Alliance have attained a high 
degree of efficiency in organization, course of 
study, discipline, method of instruction and pro- 
ficiency in the substantial studies, justly plac- 
ing them in the front rank of liie better class of 
.schools in the State. 

As nearlv as can now be ascertained, the first 
Methodist societ}- of Lexington Township was 
formed in the village of Lexington in 1819. It 
consisted of a class of six members, of whom 
Thomas Wood was appointed leader. It was 
perhaps in the autumn of the same year that 
Lexington became a regular preaching-place in 
connection with what was called Mahoning Cir- 
cuit, with Calvin Ruttor and John Stewart 
preachers. The society first worshiped in private 
dwellings, then in an old schoolhouse. In 1827, 
thej- erected the first Methodist Episcopal 
Church built in the township. It was a rude 
afl'air. constructed of white oak logs, ])uncheon 
seats, minus backs. In this homely structure, 
they worshiped with slow but steady growth, 
until their present neat and comfortable building 
was erected. Some members of the first society 
still survive. In 1840, a class was formed, and 
preaching established in what was then called 
Williamsport, in connection with Salem Circuit, 
Brother M. L. Weekly preacher in charge. The 
society worshiped in private dwellings for a year 
or two, when thej- fitted up an old wheelwright- 
shop for the purpose. In this extemporized 
church, a series of meetings were held, under 
the superintendence of the Rev. S. D. Kinear, 
which resulted in the conversion and addition to 
the church of about ninety persons. Among 
them was Henry Chancre, the popular temperance 
lecturer, known as the '' Buckeye Broadaxe." 
Mr. Chance is still living, and doing effective 
work in the cause of temperance. This large 
addition to the society encouraged the hitherto 
little band to inaugurate a movement to secure, 
if possible, a house of their own in which to wor- 
ship. The result was the erection of the frame 
building in which the Friends now hold service, 
located in what was called Freedom. Here the 
society worshiped with constant growth until 
1865. when the house, becoming too small for 
the congregation, it was sold about the 1 st of 
May to the Society of Friends, who repaired it. 



LEXINUTOX TOWXSHIl- 



and still occupy it as a place of worship. The 
congregation, then under the superintendence of 
Brother. \. B. lA'onard. engajicd inanewciuirch 
enterprise, whicii ciiliuinaled in the erection of 
tlie brick building in which they worship. This 
society has a membership of about 400, which 
is constantly increasing. 

The Sal)bath School connected with the 
charge is f)ne of the largest in Eastern Ohio. 
It is under the supervision of an able body of 
officers and teachers, and is in a flourishing 
condition. The Society is contemplating a 
radical iraproveuient of their church building, 
which is greatly needed. The truth is. Alliance 
ought to have better church accomodations and 
we have no doubt if the congi'cgation of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church will undertake the 
erection of a tinst-class church, the}' will have 
the earnest co-operation of tlie citizens gener- 
ally, and will deserve the everlasting gratitude 
of every one ambitious for the improvement of 
the growing young city of Alliance. In 1841, 
a society was formed and preaching estalilished 
in Mt. Union, by Rev. M. L. Weekly. This 
congregation has steadily prospered and is now 
in a flourishing condition. Mount Union, it is 
well known, is the seat of Mount Union Col- 
lege. 

A Methodist society has existed for 3ears at 
Limaville. From a feeble start it has grown 
into a vigorous band of Christian workers, 
numbering some fifty communicants, have a 
fine sabbath school and a neat church. There 
are now. in Lexington Township, about ten 
hundred members of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church ! Over twelve hundred Sabbath school 
scholars, and over ijaOO.OOO worth of church 
and college property. Besides all this, a large 
number of the members of the church here, 
from time to time moved to other sections of 
the country, while many have gone to that 
better land. This is but a brief and imperfect 
sketch of the history of th(! Methodist Episcfi- 
pal Church in Lexington Township. It is the 
best we can do with our present limited data. 
The following is a list of Methodist ministers 
who have served charges in Lexington Town- 
ship and Alliance station since the church was 



organized, in the fall of 1839, with the dates of 
their respective appointments : 

July 17, 1839— Simon Elliot (deceased). M. 
L. Weekly. 

July 15, 1840 — Joseph Montgomery (trans- 
fered), Thomas Thompson (deceased). 

July 13, 1842— G. D. Kinnear, J. Tribby. 

July 12, 1843- J. Murry. 

July 10. 1844— J. Murrv (located), Ilosea 
McCall. 

July 2, 1845 — Robert Wilkins (superannu- 
ated), Hosea McCall, Henry Ambler (expelled). 

July 1, 1846— David Iless. N. Gilmore (lo- 
cated). 

June 30, 1847 — Hh'am Gilmore (transferred). 
James II. White (transferred). 

July 5, 1847 — John Huston, H. Rogers. 

June, 1849 — Z. 11. (iastin (superannuated). 

June, 1850 — Joshua ^Monroe (supcraiuiu- 
ated), Richard Jordan. 

June 28, 1852 — Aaron II. Thomas (deceased). 
John Aiiisle^'. 

June 23 — Hugh D. Fisher (transferred). 

June 20, 1854 — Samuel Wakefield (superan- 
nuated). 

June 13, 1855 — John Wright, Samuel Crow. 

June, 1856— J. C. High, S. Burt. 

April 29, 1857— Lewis J. Dales, F. D. Fast. 

April 28. 1858— David B. Campl)cll. 

April 27, 1859— M. S. Kendig. K. .Morrow. 

March 20, 18(51— A. E. Ward. 

March 19. 1862— T. Storer. 

March 18, 1863— Wesley Smith, T. S. Hodg- 
son. 

March 10, 1864— A. B. Leonard. 

March 15, 1865 — John Williams. 

March 7. 1866— William Cox. 

March 18, 1868— W. K. Brown. 

March 17, 1869 — (Jeorge W. Johnson. 

March 15, 1871— S. P. Woolf. 

March 15, 1872— W. H. Locke. 

March, 1876— S. L. Binkley. 

March. 1881— L. W. Day. ' 

Of the above list, five have died, five are 
superannuated, three have located, six have 
been transferred to another conference, one ex- 
pelled. Thus, out of forty-seven ministers, 
twentj--six onlj- are in the work. 



HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY. 



CHAPTER XYIL* 

THE TOWN OF ALLIANCE— GROWTH AND ADVANCEMENT— HU^^l NESS INDUSTKlIvS — Si'HOOl.S AND 
C0LLE(;ES_'I'HE press— church is. SCNDAY SCHOOLS. !:T<\— BENEVOLENT ORGANIZATIONS. 



A LLIANCE is buill. at tbc crossing (»f the 
X~A_ Pittsburgli, Fort Wayne & Cliicago and 
tlie Cleveland & Pittsburg Eailroads ; the for- 
mer is a continuation of the great Pennsylva- 
nia Central, through Ohio, lutlianaand Illinois, 
to the city of Chicago ; the latter connecting 
the "Forest" with the ''Iron" city, and with 
its branches associating in business relations 
with those two great inland marts a wide farm- 
ing and grazing district in the Buckeye State. 
The etiraology of the term denotes its origin, 
and though it has resulted that these two 
routes were not really allied at the time the 
town was named, yet it was supposed they 
would be. Alliance was named by Gen. Piob- 
inson, deceased, of Pittsburgh. The lots around 
the crossing were surveyed c^hiefl}- by the 
County Surve\'or, Mr. Whitacre, in 1851, and 
the propi-ietcn's of the adjoining land were Sim- 
on Jennings, Joseph J. .Brooks, I. 1\". Webb 
and Klisha Teeters. 

And now that the town was located, it be- 
came necessary to improve it. Accordingl}', a 
house was built by Mr. Hester, the first house 
ever erected in Alliance, and which is now 
standing, and occupied by Mr. Olliger. The 
same year, Mr. Hester started a store, thereb)- 
being the first to establish mercantile pursuits 
in the town. Mr. Hester gave the town the 
name of Freedom, by which it w-as known until 
ten or twelve years after its oriain. or until the 
completion of" the C. & P. and P., Ft. W. & C. 
Railroad, when the railroad companies gave it 
the name of Alliance. Mr. Hester made a 
public sale of lots, the same year in which the 
town was laid out, and disposed of several, 
upon which buildings were soon erected. In 
18-41, or about three years later, Mr. S. Shaffer 
came here from Pennsylvania and opened 
another store. Here was the first competition 
in trade in Alliance. And from these two in- 
significant establishments have sprung over 100 
odd business houses of to-day. Verilj'. their 
progeny has been prolific. For the first ten or 

^(.'ontiibutnl b; Dr. L. L. Liuiiln.iji. 



twelve .years, the growth of the town was ver}' 
slow ; the accessories were few and infrequent'. 
Another store was added, a small brick school- 
house, a church and a few dwellings comprised 
the principal improvements. There was nothing 
here at this early day to attract immigration'. 
The country was almost a -wilderness ; there wa^ 
no milling privilege, there were few comforts 
of any kind to Ije obtained, and many annoy- 
ances and inconveniences were submitted to: 
The post ofI1<;e was two or three miles distant. 
There were no markets for surplus products 
nearer than Massillon, 26 miles awaj', and to 
that point faimcrs would haul their grain, re- 
ceiving for it 40 or 50 cents per bushel. Our 
merchants' supplies were purchased at Pitts- 
burgh and Philadelphia, and transported by 
canal and river to Weilsville, aud from there 
by v.agons to this pkne. In those days it re- 
quired from four to six weeks for our merchants 
to make the trip to Philadelphia, purchase 
goods and return. Now, with our present rail- 
road facilities, the same trip may be easily ac- 
complished in the space of one week. The 
ground upon which (he city now stands was. 
at the time of the location of the town, owned 
by the following gentlemen : Matthias Hester. 
William Aultman, Michael and John Miller. 
Mr. Scott and Mr. Cassidy. These gentlemen 
made numerous additions to the town, and 
public enterprises, in the way of land for the 
purpose of stimulating and encouraging the 
improvement of the town, but its progress was 
verj' tardy, and twehe years after its origin, or 
in the year 1850, the place contained only 
about 200 inhabitants. 

Much the same as Altoona is on the east, 
Alliance is on the west of Pittsburgh, an off- 
spring of the locomotive, a legitimate child of 
steam. In the history of the last few years, 
a great chapter of which is occupied by rail- 
way events, an episode injected into the stale 
memoranda of former centuries which are con- 
tinued in this — ^.stereotypes of diplomatic strate- 
gy, wars, marches, battles and sieges — this 



.u 



CITY OF AFJ.IAXl'K 



4:!5 



word Alliance has repeatedly appeared in the 
daily and weekly bulletins of news. Some- 
times it lias fiiiurcd as the seene of unfortii- 
nsite fatality, at others as the theater of social 
or politii-al demonstration, and the telegraph 
announcing to distant cities the arrival here, or 
the passage of this or tliat distinguished per.son- 
au'o tlirough the place, has helped to lend 
celebrity to the town. Tiie following is the 
additions to and composing the city of .Al- 
liance : 

Mathias Hester and John .Miller laid out 
the town of Ficedoin July 21. ISIiS. composed 
of sixty lots. William Altnian hiid out an 
addition to Frei;dom September 17, 1841. 
composed of eleven lots. IMathias Hester laid 
out an addition to Freedom Seplemlier 17, 
1841. composed of twelve lots. Alliance was 
laid out by Mathias Hester September 10. ISoO, 
composed of fifty-eight lots. E. Teeters laid 
ont an addition to Alliance Septembers. 1851, 
composed of fifty-one lots. M. Hester laid out 
an addition to Alliance September 10. 18.")1. 
composed of forty-four lots. Jennings & 
Brooks laid out an addition to Alliance May 
21, 1852, composed of sixty-five lots. I. X. 
Webli laid out an addition to Alliance May l(i. 

1852. composed of sixteen lots. William Tee- 
ters laid out on addition to Alliance August 
28. 1852, composed of eight lots. E. Teeters 
laid ont an addition to Alliance .May 20. 1852, 
composed of sixty-live lots. Samuel Shaffer 
laid out an addition to Alliance April 15. 1853. 
compo.^ed of seventeen lots. Mathias Hester 
laid ont an addition to Alliance December 18, 

1853. composed of thirty-one lots. E. Teeters 
laid out an addition to Alliance April 4. 1855, 
composed of thirty-seven lots, -lohn Miller 
laid out an addition to Freedom July 3, 185(J, 
composed of seven lots. E. Teeters laid out 
an addition to Alliance June 14. 1856, com- 
posed of one hundred and fourteen lots. T. X. 
Webb laid ont an addition to Alliance May 27, 
1856. composed of thirty lots. F. N. Webb laid 
out an addition to Alliance June 0. 1856, com- 
posed of nine lots. JM. Hester laid ont an ad- 
dition to Alliance February 27, 1856, com- 
posed of five lots, E. A. & C. W. laid out an 
addition to Alliance July 7, 1860. composed of 

lots. Outlots sixteen. I. X. Webb laid 

out an addition to Alliance April 26. 1861, 
composed of nine lots. Lee's outlots. laid out 
August 5. 1863, composed of twenty-four lots. 



Mathias Hester laid out an addition t« Alliance 
October 14. 1856. compo.sed of fourteen lots. 
L. L. Lamborn, May 18, 1866, an.l May 18, 
1868, composed of one hundred and fifty-two 
lots. Josiah Kosenbeny laid out an addition 
to Alliance June 5, 1867, compo.sed of fifteen 
lots. J. Pi. Haines laid out an addition to 
Alliance April 27. 1864. composed of twi'Uty- 
eight lots. E. Teeters laid out an addition to 
Alliance l)eccml)er 10, 1865, composed of one 
hundred and fif(v-two lots. Ijinus Ely laid out 
an a<ldition to .Mliance May 11. 1870, com- 
posed of six lots. ti. W. Sears laid out an ad- 
dition to Alliance January 25. 1870. composed 
of seventeen lots. J. B. Milner laid out an ad- 
dition to Alliance April 10. ISOO. composed of 
twenty i(>ts. I. X. \Velib laid out an addition 
to Alliance !May 1, 1866. compo.sed of twenty- 
five lots. I. X. Webb laid out an addition to 
Alliance August 27. 1 866. composed of thirty- 
two lots. Philip Ktiene laid out an addition 
to Alliance July 2f>, 1867. composed of five 
lots. Elizabeth Grant 1,'iid out an addition to 
Alliance Xovember 14. 1867, compo.sed of nine 
lots. M. .\. Uarasey laid out an addition to 
Alliance June 14. 1861 (outlots). composed of 
twelve lots. J. H. Haines laid ont an addition 
to Alliance June 20, 1867. composed of ten 
lots. Orant & Kice laid out an addition to Al- 
liance July 1.3, 1867, compo.sed of eighteen 
lots. 31. Hester laid out an addition to Alliance 
December IS, 1867, composed of twelve lots. 
Moushey & Davis laid out an addition to Alli- 
ance Novemlier 21, 1861. composed of six lots. 
J. B, Milner laid out an addition to Alliance 
April 24. 1868. composed of two hundred and 
five lots. Simon Johnson laiil out an atldition 
to Alliance Septemlier 18. 18(18. composed of 
thirteen lots. J. B. Milner laid out an addi- 
tion to Alliance February 16. 1867. composed 
of seventy-two lots. Teeters, Lamborn & Co. 
laid out an addition to Alliance, various dates, 
composed of nine hundred and ninety lots. 1. 
N. Webb laid out an addition to Alliance May 
6. 1870, composed of twenty-four lots. D. F. 
Eosenberry laid out an addition to Alliance 
X'ovember 20. .187((. composed of thirteen lots. 
Buck's heirs laid out an addition to .Mliance 
March 13, 1872, composed of ten lots. I. X. 
Webb laid out an addition to Alliance February 
22. 1870, composed of eleven lots. .Vnua Webb 
laid out an addition to Alliance May 14. 1870. 
composed of thirty-nine lots. 



— tS) 

1 — ^ 

-^ 5.[V 



436 



HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY. 



It will be seen that the city has 2,(>38 re 
corded lots. In addition to these are very 
many pieces of land but little larger than a lot, 
not numbered, upon which residences are built. 
There are 390 pieces of land upon the tax du- 
plicate of the township outside of tlie incorpo- 
rate limits of Alliance, Mount Union and Lima- 
ville. The average amount of land to each 
land owner in the township is thirty-seven 
acres. 

The following are the additions and lots com- 
posing the town of Limaville : David HoUoway 
first laid out Limaville June 18, 1830, the same 
being composed of twenty two lots. David 
HoUoway laid out an addition to Limaville De- 
cemlier 8, 1830, composed of ten lots. Peter 
Akey, Isaac Winans and Alva Proutz laid out 
an addition to Limaville October 3, composed 
of fifty-nine lots. Peter Akey and A. Proutz 
laid out an addition to Limaville July 24, 1836, 
composed of forty-one lots. Thus Limaville 
has 132 recorded lots. 

The following are the additions and lots com- 
posing the town of Mount Union, to wit : Rich- 
ard Fawcett laid out Mount Union August 22, 
1833, the same at that date being composed of 
forty lots. John Hinds, E. N. John-son. N. 
Holies, J. Watson, Rachel Holies and Daniel 
Reeves laid out additions to Mount Union com- 
posed of thirty lots. Ellis N. Johnson laid out 
an addition to Mount Union May 22, 1851, 
composed of four lots. J. B. York laid out an 
addition to Mount Union September 30, 1863, 
composed of forty-five lots. Ellis N. John.son laid 
out an addition to Mount Union November 29, 
1858, composed of four lots. Pettit & Park laid 
out an addition to Mount Union March 29, 1859, 
composed of twenty-four lots. J. B. Milner laid 
out an addition to Mount Union July 20, 1867, 
composed of 142 lots. E. N. Johnson and J. 
V. Gould laid out an addition to Mount Union 
November 10, 1871, composed of ten lots. This 
number added to the 390 pieces of land, makes 
3,437 distinct and separate pieces of real estate 
in Lexington Township. A number of the lots 
are yet in the hands of the first owners, but 
probaljly not more than would be equaled b}- 
the pieces of land in the three incorporations 
which are not estimated in the above aggregate. 
At a public sale of lots on Main street in 1851, 
made by Mr. E, Teeters, the lots barely aver- 
aged $40 apiece. The lots known as the Rey- 
nolds corner were purchased by Mr, Jacob Os- 



walt, of Washington Township, at $37. He 
thought he had paid dear for his whistle, and 
got Mr. William Teeters to take it otf his hands. 
During the 3-ear 1873, the same lot, with but 
little improvements on it, sold for $13,500. 

It is to W. C. Wilcox, Esq., the Recorder of 
Stark County, we are indebted for a transcript, 
owners and dates of the various additions to the 
township mentioned in this chapter. 

The reputation of '' Coates Lock-Lever Hay 
& (jrain Rake," is so thoroughly established 
that it finds a sale in all parts of the United 
States, and large numljers of it have been 
shipped to Europe. The factory has a perma- 
nent investment in grounds, buildings and 
machinery-, of about $75,000. Employs about 
sevent^'-five men, and turns out from $100,000 
to $200,000 worth of work annually, while 
the gross sales of this rake alone have exceed- 
ed $1,000,000. At the Paris Exposition, in 
1878, the '• Coates " Lock-Lever Rake received 
the only silver medal awarded to any horse- 
rake separate from other farm implements. 
The business is now conducted under the firm 
name of A. W. Coates & Co,, and is one of the 
most substantial manufacturing enterpri-ses of 
the State, having withstood the terrible press- 
ure of hard times and financial ruin of the past 
five 3'ears, and stands forth to-da^- with strong 
reputation and largely increasing patronage. 

On Thursday, June 8, 1854, the first news- 
paper was published in Lexington Township, 
at Alliance. It was printed at Salem, Colum- 
urabiana County, at the office of J. K. Ruk- 
enbrod, the present able and popular editor of 
the Salem RcpuJilirdv. L, L. Lamborn, a prac- 
ticing physician of Mt, Union, was the editor, 
A few weeks after this period, a Washington 
press and a tolerable printing office outfit was 
purchased of Lyman W, Hall, the present effi- 
cient editor and proprietor of the Portage 
('ounty Democrat, and brought to Alliance and 
an office opened in Merchant's Block, After 
this the paper was printed and published in 
Alliance, The paper was christened the Alii 
ance Ledger. By reference to the editorials of 
the Ledger recently reviewed, the fact was 
clearly elicited that the paper was strongly op- 
posed to the Democratic partj-. The readers 
of this article might infer this would be an 
astonishing disclosure to the author of the his- 
tory of Lexington Township. Tlie Ledger was 
also viruleutly anti-slavery and wonderfully 




^^90^Bc^rz^^ 



CITY OF ALLIANCE. 



437 



Maine-lawish. After about one years time A. 
H. Lewis bought tlie entire interest in the Lnhjfr, 
and ran the paper for two years. James Estell, 
Esq., then bought the ofliee and ran a paper in 
the interest of the Demoeracy, under the name 
of the Timia. Mr. Estell removed from Alli- 
ance to Holmes County, Ohio, and published 
liie lldhni.i ('ouiiti/ Fanntr, and was elected 
Probate Judge of Holmes County, and received 
other evidences of the people's confidence and 
ability. In ISoC. S. G. McKce removed to Alli- 
ance from CarrolUoii, Carroll County, and pur- 
chased of Mr. Estell the Tinus ofhce, and owned 
and uublished the paper under the name of the 
Tiiiirs up to 1801. Barlow & Morgan, Webb & 
Co., Elmslie & Co. successively <»wiied tiieoMice 
after this. Gotchell Bros, bought the oHice and 
moved it to Canton, and published a paper 
there for a few months. The Local was a part^- 
organ, giving its inHnence exclusiveh' to the 
tenets and policy of tlie Republican organiza- 
tion. The Mfinitiu- was a hybrid ; it tried the 
circus feat of riding two horses named I'ro- 
hibition and Republicanism. The True. Press 
belonged to the neuter gender hermaphrodite ; 
some think it faced toward Demoeracj'. The 
Miiiiilnr was ehielly edited by Mrs. Brown, a 
clever lady, fine writer and excellent itemizer. 
The Loeul was done up by Joe Gillespie, Few 
local items passed unchronicled in his paper : 
he was brief and decisive in his retorts and 
criticisms. The I.ncal cut, the Mu/iitoriare and 
the True Press poulticed ; the Local pilled, the 
Monitor gnped and the 7'ruc /Vf,«,s- soothed. All 
of those papers were ambitious ; the Local for 
party dominancy, the Monitor for money, and 
the True Press for that (pi let which came to the 
waves of Gallilee. Out of the Sanctum, the 
Local was aflTectionate, the Monitor courteous 
and the True Press placid. The Local was 
pointed, the Monitor general, and the True Press 
neither. The ]joc<il shot at the heart, the Moni- 
tor at the whole body, and the True Press shud- 
dered. The editor of the Local was obese and 
childless, the editor of the True Press was gaunt 
and wifeless, and the editress of the Monitor was 
lithe and guileless. 

The^' were an inimitable trio. Concretelj' 
they were prismatic, resolving a ray of life's 
great duties into primordial elements even to 
the negation principles of light, with all the in- 
termingling rainbow tints. Abstractly they 
were less ostentatious and gaudy. It is true 



the Local, Monitor and True Press were not the 
Tribune, I/mild and Times, or the editors 
Greeley, Bennett and Raymond, but they were 
respectable in their spheres, and the city of 
Alliance w^as proud of them as editors and 
citizens. In the way of journalism. Alliance 
was the peer of any interior town in Ohio. 
These presses were the heralds of the cit\-'s 
future ; for them to languish was for the city 
to die at heart ; for merchants and manufact- 
urers to give orders for printing to traveling 
rats to advertise competing towns is felo-de-se 
— it was suicide — it was a stone at the goose 
or geese that lay the golden eggs ; it might not 
have killed, but it wounded tliem. Mr. Lewis 
managed the Fnss for a few months, and then 
disposed of his otlice to W. F. Hart. .Mr. 
Mossgrove assisted him as Ibreraan and asso- 
ciate editor. The Monitor was started by J. 
W. Garrison and J. Hudson July KJ, 18G4, 
In October, 18(J6, Mr, Hudson sold his interest 
in the ollice to iMr. Garrison. This establish- 
ment in 1804, was a new and splendid outfit, 
with steam presses and all fitting adjuncts. Mr. 
Garrison sold the ofliee to A. W. Taylor, and 
moved to Massillon where he inaugurated the 
Massillon American. Mr. Taylor .soon found a 
purchaser for the Monitor, in the person of W. 
K. Brown. While Mr, Garrison owned the 
Monitor ofHee, he printed for one year the 
Christian Standard, a religiou.s paper in the 
interest of the Christian Church, and edited l)y 
Rev. Isaac Errett. The Led(jir, under the 
management of A. H. Lewis, published for one 
year, the Family and School fns/ructor, a 
monthly of respectable size and appearance, 
projected by the Faculty and students of 3Iount 
Union College. Mr. Gillespie, of the Local. 
has published for one year the Literari/ Ad- 
vance, a monthly emanating from the same 
source. Mr. Patterson, the excellent fore- 
man of the Local ofliee. and .McKee's partner 
in the publication of that paper before Mr. 
Gillespie purchased his interest, ran for several 
years a job otlice in the building owned and 
occupied by J. Murray Wel)b. The Weaver 
Brothers also ran a joli ollice in this city be- 
fore the}' purchaseel the .Minerva Comniercial. 
Mr Stewart McKce, who has been almost con- 
stantly connected with the press of this city 
since 1S.')4, in connection with his son-inlaw, 
now runs a tidy and excellent job office in 
Harrold's Block. This includes, so far as mem- 



^« 



:^ 



438 



IILSTORY OF STARK COUNTY. 



ory now serves, the v:ii-ioiis printing and news- 
paper enterprises in tliis city. 

The Democracy of Alliance anil surrounding 
country purchased an ortice and reshipped it 
to this city to print a paper under the manage- 
ment of one Robinson, who formerly had some 
reputation as a writer, having been connected 
with the Cincinnati Emjuirri-. At one time, 
Mr. Robinson, though a virulent Democrat, 
patriotically held that the national debt created 
by the war, should be promptly paid, and that 
the most expeditious plan to liquidate the 
nation's liabilities, was the payment of an in- 
ternal revenue by an extravagant consumption 
of whisky. He largely and liberally practiced 
on his theorj' and his paper died Patterson 
& McKee purchased the ofiBce and issued the 
Local. After a time Joseph W. Gillespie pur- 
chased the Patterson interest in the office, con- 
tinuing the paper under the same name. Mr. 
Gillespie soon became the exclusive owner of 
the office, but feeling that a Washington 
hand press and accompanying material, much 
of it quite old, could not be made to meet the 
necessities of the increasing patronage of an 
enterprising town fast merging into a city, sold 
the press and office, the historj' of which lias 
been brietiy traced since 1854, to Lacoek&Co., 
of Salineville, to which place it was shipped a 
few years back, and where it is probably entei'- 
ing on the vicissitudes of a twenty years' ex- 
perience, such as it passed in Ravenna and in 
Alliance. After S. G. McKee sold his interest 
in the Load to Gillespie he purchased a splen- 
did C3'linder press and jobber, with correspond- 
ing and accompanying outfit, and issued a 
weekly called the Tdeyntph. The Tchgrdjih 
apparently was well supported and entering 
a career of unusual prosperitj-, when one morn- 
ing the citizens of Alliance were astonished 
with the report that (xillespie of the Local had 
bought out the Tclc</irijJi. The latter paper 
supported the interests of the Democratic 
party, and the Local was the organ of the Re- 
publican party. The purchase gave the Local 
every facility for successfully competing with 
the Monitor. There was Tnore material than 
could be advantageously used obtained by the 
purchase of the fc/cr/raji/i office, and Dr. Lewis 
bought a hand press and some of the material 
of Mr. Gillespie, and in the fall of 1872 started 
a paper. Since the above occurrences, other 
papers have been published in Alliance. 



The Alliance Tri- County Review, edited and 
published by Capt. J. W. Gillespie, is one of the 
newsiest papers in Eastern Ohio, and has ob- 
tained considerable celebrity for its independ- 
ence of thought, its bold and fearless defense 
of its opinions, and its carefully edited local 
and news columns. It is Republican in politics, 
but evidently does not take kindly to the ex- 
treme hard-money doctrines of that party, and 
having opinions of its own on all the issues of 
the day, to which it gives fearless expression 
and a bold defense, it occasionally- of neces- 
sity, incurs the adverse criticisms of the more 
hide-bound leaders of the party with which it 
is identified ; and yet, on all the doctrines which 
properly and originall}' entered into the creed 
and confession of political faith of the Repub- 
lican partj', as well as in spirit, the paper is 
"radical" and "stalwart." The history of the 
Review is one of success. In May, 1871, Capt. 
Gillespie bought a half-interest in the Alliance 
Local, a small ■' patent outside " sheet, strug- 
gling for existence with a nominal subscription 
list of barely three hundred, and, in company 
with Capt. S. G. McKee, undertook to conduct 
it as a neutral pajier. This, of course, was un- 
satisfactory. A man with positive opinions and 
convictions, must necessarily chafe and fret un- 
der the restraints of neutral journalism, and in 
November of the same year, Capt. Gillespie 
bought out his partner, and, abandoning the 
" patent outside," changed its character to one 
of the most pronounced and wide-awake Repub- 
lican papers in the Seventeenth Congressional 
District. Prom that day may be dated the 
present popularity of the paper, and its pub- 
lisher could not help but see, in a short time, 
that it had outgrown its name and had become 
something more than a mere " local '' paper. 
He, therefore, dropped the nnxna Local and sub- 
stituted the more pretentious and significant 
title of Review, changing its form, too, to a 
quarto and enlarging it. The next advance step 
was taken in 1876, when the Review was made 
a cash-in-advance paper, and immediately fol- 
lowing this and entirely contrar}- to the expec- 
tations of man}' of its friends, it obtained a cir- 
culation four times larger than any paper ever 
published in the town of Alliance. But another 
change seemed to be demanded, and in the same 
line, indicating growth and progress ; the Review 
rapidly extended its circulation in the adjoining 
counties till, on the 1st of January, 1881, its 



y: 



— -^t^. 



CITY OF ALLIANCE. 



proprietor, as a fitting recognition of this gen- 
erous patronage, adopted its present title ; and 
now, as the IVi- Count 1/ Rfri'ew, its subscription 
is hirger than ever before, and daily increasing. 
Aggressive, outspoken, saucy and combative as 
the Rciieir lias always been, it, of course, has 
made some enemies, and in its treatment of 
these, it seemed never to be able to appreciate 
the nursery axiom of •' a kiss for a blow." Tit- 
for-tat was ratiier its motto, and it seems to 
really enjoy a s<iuare stand-up tigiit, and is not 
likely to grow rusty in literary pugilism for 
want of practice, or sulk, or whine, or snitlle at 
the result of any of its set-tos. 

One of the leading Repul)lican newspapers 
of Stark County is the Alliance sStandai-d, 
which was established January 1. 1880. by John 
G. Garrison. At its inception, the Slfnu/unl 
was a six-column folio, but under Mr. (iar- 
rison's careful editorial and practical mechanical 
management, it soon became an enterprising 
local journal, and an enlargement became neces- 
sary'. It is now an eight-column folio. The 
Stciiidanl has steadily grown in favor and influ- 
ence until it has become one of the most widely 
read local newspapers ever published in Alli- 
ance. Its careful make-up, tine paper, good press 
work and neat typographical appearance, give 
it the reputation of being a handsome county 
paper. Much of the success of the Standard 
is due to the refined and elevating manner in 
which it has been conducted, as well as its fair 
and gentlemanly treatment of the people, wheth- 
er they were patrons of the paper or not. and 
its impartial, unselfish and journalistic manner 
of handling all questions. The otHcc is one of 
the finest equipped of the kind in the county, 
and the only one in the city which combines all 
features of the printing business under one 
nian<agement. A new six-horse power engine, 
paper cutter and other conveniences have re- 
cently- been added, making the job department 
most complete. Much of the work turned out 
by Garrison's Standard Steam Printing House 
has never been equaled in the city, and would 
favorablj' compare with that executed by first- 
class city offices. 

The Monitor was established in 180-4, by Hud- 
son & Garrison. In 1865, Hudson sold his in- 
terest to his partner. J. W. Garrison (father 
of the editor of the Standard, of .VUiance), 
who conducted the paper until he established 
the Massillon American in 18611, when he sold the 



Monitor to A. W. Taylor, who, a year later, dis- 
posed of it to Rev. W. K. Brown and wife. 
They ran it until 1877, when it suspended. In 
18ti!), the Monitor had a circulation of about 
1,200 copies. The Christian Standard, with a 
circulation of 18,000, was published by Mr. 
Garrison from the Monitor office, at this time. 
The latter paper is now published in Cincinnati. 
Among the industries that have appeared in 
Alliance is the large bagging factory now in 
operation. It was erected in 1870 at a cost of 
$82,000. Its annual capacity is 450,00(» yards 
of bagging, which is used in covering cotton so 
that the latter can be readily transported to 
market. The material used in the manufacture 
is flax, tow and jute butts. The first two are 
obtained in this country and Canada, and the 
latter is imported from the West Indies. Dur- 
ing the year there are consumed 600 tons of 
nearly e(iual (pianlities of flax and jute. The 
number of hands employed is from forty-five 
to fifty, and tlic average wages per day is 
65 cents. 

After 1824, and up to the time the Union 
school system was adopted in Alliance, there 

' was a small brick schoolhouse, 18x24, located 
in the immediate vicinity of the Disciple Church, 
which house was of sutlleient capacity to meet 
all the educational wants of this locality. 
School was held in this small structure three 
months every year. Since the establishment 
of the present school system, the township has 
been divided into ten separate school districts, 

; and each district has a neat and commodious 
s(;hoolhouse, with ample accommodations for 
the children of the district. In most of these 
districts a winter and summer school is taught. 
The I'nion School of Alliance was organized 
under the act of February 21, 1849, in the 
month of February, 1857. Mr. J. K. Pickett 
was elected the first Superintendent, in March, 
1858, and continued to act in that capacity 
until January. 18(i0. George D. Hester was 
elected in August, IStU), and continued until 
June, 1861. J. K. Pickett was re-elected April, 
1861, and continued until March, 1865. Je.sse 
Markham was elected in March, 1865, and con- 
tinued until April. 1865. D. M. Miller was 
elected in April, 1865, and continued until June. 
1866. E. N. Johnson. Jr., was elected July, 
1800, and continued until June, 1807. W. H. 
Dressier was elected August, 1867. The single 
buildinsnow known as the Central School was all 



■rr 






440 



HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY. 



the school room afforded, or needed, as late as 
1857. Ill that year there were but 300 ciiildren 
in the Union School District. The first Superin- 
tendent had four assistants. One of tlie finest 
edifices to be found within the scope of a hun- 
dred miles is the Alliance College, a magnifi- 
cent brick, erected on tlie liill site of our city, 
within live minutes wall? of the railroad depot. 
It is just cause of pride in our citizens, being 
an ornament to the place, and those who con- 
ceived the design and carried out the execution 
can well be proud ol' their conception and 
labors. It owes its paternity to Prof. A. B. 
Way, and was built under the patronage of 
the "Christian Church. It cost $50,000. >rof. 
Way was continued as Financial Agent, aud to 
his herculean efl'orts we are indebted for the 
completion of the College. 

Mount Union College was founded for a pur- 
pose, with a definite plan. Its humble origin, 
dating from its provisional organization, Octo- 
ber 20, 1846, has"ever since continuous!}' out- 
lined its progressive character; while its exist- 
ing membership, appointments, provisions, in- 
structed students, permanent improvements and 
regular workings under its charter, show its at- 
tained growth and usefulness. The true history 
of the College, showing the facts, growth and 
results of its plan, would be misunderstood, 
without constantly keeping in mind not onlj' 
the results of its providential facts, but also as 
its progressive or final end, the following pro- 
posed or fundamental objects : 

1. To found a progressive institution for 
truthfully developing right character, culture 
and knowledge, and for making a thorougli. 
liberal, Christian education accessible to all. 

2. Besides ancient classical, to provide fresh 
courses and departments fundamentally essen- 
tial for educating symmetrically all the fixcul- 
ties, for promoting character above culture, and 
culture above knowledge, and for earnestly 
uniting the utilitarian, disciplinary and aes- 
thetic ; aud thus practically and truthfully 
making not only laborers and scholars, but 
citizens and the highest grade of men and wo- 
men. 

3 Rightly to enable any students to choose 
and master a thorough general course, as the 
ancient and modern classical, philosophical, 
scientific, or literary ; or take electives or a 
post graduate course, or a special or technical 
course, as preparatory, business, mining, engi- 



neering, normal, musical, fine arts ; or such 
studies ill any course or department, and for 
sucii time as students desire and need for har- 
moniously educating the head, hand and heart, 
and for giving them true personal ability, avail- 
ability and reliability. 

4. To secure a moral, healthy and enter- 
prising location, improved and ample grounds 
and buildings ; a voluntary and effective asso- 
ciation of competent and reliable patrons, trust- 
ees, faculty and students, with wise manage- 
ment ; logical systems of thorough, illustrative 
instruction, with moral, social, lesthetic and 
phj-sical culture aud self-government ; also, pro- 
gressively to secure improved libraries, and an 
abundance of superior, scientific and artistic 
apparatus, implements, cabinets, museum, pict- 
ure galleries, observatory, gymnasiums, botan- 
ical and zoological gardens, aquaria, parks, 
models, relics and charts, with natural, classi- 
cal, archaeological, industrial, paleontological 
and iBsthetic specimens, as cosmic endowments, 
with which truthfullv to illustrate and apply all 
studies. 

5. To make the c<jllege a free, patriotic, 
Christian and aggressive institution ; to hold and 
use its property perpetually, in trust, for the 
benefit of its students ; to bring a thorough, 
liberal. Christian education in easy reach of all, 
enabling enterprising students of either sex, 
however humble or self-dependent, to complete 
a general or elective course, and support them- 
selves ; to adapt the terms, curricula and man- 
agement to the actual needs of the people, and 
to our country's public school system ; to regu- 
late the price of student's rooms and board, 
(their chief expense), and keep their expenses of 
living within certain low rates, by erecting 
buildings and providing good rooms and ample 
boarding fiicilities. 

(5. To promote the union of earnest and 
generous patrons, trustees, professors and stu- 
dents, and thus to perpetuate the plan and 
growing membership and usefulness of the in- 
stitution, with God's continued favor, by largely 
keeping the College, internally, self-supporting, 
and externally, through permanent improve- 
ments as representative free-will offerings, and 
by progressively adapting the college to the 
actual needs of our American masses. 

The main reason for chartering the institu- 
tion as a college, was the better to carry out 
the foregoing fundamental objects, the time be- 



f ^ 




^'"'^' 






1'''%?=^.- 







442 



HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY. 



ing arranged to suit the large attendance of 
students, who had in this institution been pur- 
suing a full college course, and who desired to 
graduate and obtain the degrees legally and 
honorably from the institution where they had 
received their chief instruction. 

In addition to the foregoing objects, the 
charter provides that the property of the 
college shall be held perpetually in trust, by a 
board of trustees, for the educational benefit 
of students. It is al.so provided that the 
trustees and faculty shall carry out progress- 
ivel}' the foregoing fundamental objects of the 
institution ; that they shall acquire and supply 
the means of a thorough, liberal. Christian 
education, equally to persons of both sexes, 
irrespective of their religious or political opin- 
ions ; that the facultj' shall possess and exert 
the requisite authority to establish and admin- 
ister all necessary and proper regulations for ' 
the instruction and internal management of the ' 
college as related to students, and for any 
general, elective, special and practical courses of 
study ; that the institution shall be conducted in 
harmony with the principles of Christianity ; 
that any department or school that may be estab- 
lished, or any literary society or other organ- , 
ization composed of students, shall be under 
the supervision of the college authorities ; that 
all moneys and property of the college shall be 
faithfully and safely appropriated by the trust- 
ees to the purposes for which they were respect- 
ively donated ; that the trustees hold their 
otflce chiefly during three years, about one- 
third of the number being elected each year ; 
tliat in electing the trustees, any candid per- 
son, religious denomination or philanthropic 
association, accredited or donating to the college 
money or property, shall be respectively en- 
tilled to one vote for a trustee, for every $25 
donated to the college ; that the institution 
shall be patriotic and Christian, but not sec- 
tarian or partisan, and shall be generously 
conducted on the voluntarj' philanthropic prin- 
ciple of doing the greatest educational good to 
the greatest praetic'able number of worthy, self- 
dependent students. 

Thus, through trustees whom they elect as 
their representatives, the college is equitably' 
and generously controlled or governed by the 
people who, with a united interest and just 
representation for the impartial and equal good 
of all, voluntarily bear the responsibility of 



contributing the means for sustaining the 
college in its benevolent mission. 

The degrees or other hor.ors that raa^- be 
conferred, are similar to those that may be 
granted by colleges or universities of this or 
other countries. The charter has undergone 
no modifications ; contains no limitations or 
reservations as a condition in grants or other- 
wise, or as to any scholarships or requirements 
as to instruction in particular studies, and pro- 
vides for any changes necessary to adapt the 
college to the needs of the people. 

Immediatelj" after perfecting the charter, 
January 10, 1858, this institution, whose dis- 
tinctive features had been nominally developing 
since its provisional organization in 1846, was 
now regularly and efficiently organized as a 
college. A suitable board of trustees was 
elected, with an eflective executive committee, 
also a competent faculty of experienced pro- 
fessors. Rev. 0. N. Hartshorn, LL, D., was 
elected President of the Trustees and Faculty ; 
Ira 0. Chapman, A. M., was elected Professor 
of Mathematics and Astronomy, and Secretarv 
ofthe Faculty ; G. W. Clark, A. M., was elected 
Professor of the Latin and Greek languages, 
and Treasurer of the Trustees, and E. N. 
Hartshorn, A. M., was elected Professor of 
Natural Science, and Auditor of the Trustees. 
The first class was regularly graduated in the 
summer of 1858, and, ever since, classes have 
duly graduated each year in the several author- 
ized degrees. 

The attendance and needs of students so in- 
creased, as to make it necessary to enlarge the 
college grounds and erect a new and capacious 
main building, which was in 1804 completed, 
the dedicatory address being delivered by Hon. 
S. P. Chase, who was one of the trustees. 
Among other things. Chief Justice Chase pub- 
licly said : '• Jlouut Union College, as to both 
means and usefulness, is among the foremost in 
our country ; it certainly is greatly needed ; 
has a superior system of instruction, govern- 
ment, support, membership, and of equal and 
equitable patron relations ; is nationall}- and 
wisel}' located and conducted ; its simple and 
impartial, yet complete and distinctive, plan, 
merits the generous and united patronage of 
all American people, for it generously makes a 
thorough, integral. Christian education easily 
obtainable to every enterprisijiij youno- man or 
lady." 



CITY OF ALLIANCE. 



Tn Feliniary. 1865, Bishop M. Simpson, D. D., 
liL. I)., delivered in tile large hall of this new 
Iniilding, to an intelligent audience of 2,500 
persons, his address on the '■ Future of our 
Country," and at tlie close of wliicii he puljjicly 
stated that •• Mount Union College, manifestly 
a girt of Providence, is an ouiinently needed, 
live and progressive institution, where excellent 
government, high intellectual and moral (uiltu re, 
cheapness and thoroughness, with a sound plan 
wisely' adapted to the enlarging wants of the 
American people, are happily combined.'' 

Bisliop Vj. Thomson. I). 1)., LL. D., another 
trustee of this college, spent a week attending 
the annual examinations of the classes and 
other commencement exercises, in the summer 
of 1805, and, upon delivering, on commence- 
ment day, the annual address, he publicly stated 
that "Mount Union is an established collegiate 
center, eligiblj' and beautifullj' situated, ad- 
mirably managed, possesses highly valuable 
apparatus and specimens, with extensive col- 
legiate facilities ; its mission is philanthropic, 
equitable and providential, its objects impartial, 
practicable and widelj- demanded. This col- 
lege has a superior and distinctive plan, em- 
bracing wise government, economy, right pat- 
ronizing relations, thoroughness, elective courses 
of study, integral illustrative teaching, and 
adapted to develop sterling character, personal 
liberty and culture, and to meet the progress- 
ive wants of society, recognizing erticientl3', 
besides the mathematics, literature and ancient 
languages, the growing importance of the 
natural sciences and modern classics." 

At their annual meeting of the board, in 18(55, 
on motion of Lewis Miller, the trustees resolved 
to erect an additional commodious ))oarding 
hall, to accommodate a large number of stu- 
dents, and thus to enable the college to keep 
the price of students' rooms and boarding at 
the lowest practicable rates. A Building Com- 
mittee of Trustees was elected, consisting of 
Hon. Lewis Miller, of Akron, Col. K. Ball, of 
Canton, J. B. Milner, of Alliance, O. N. Harts- 
horn and William Autrara, of Blount T'nion. 
In 18(5(). this committee erected an excellent 
four-story Itrick V)uilding. 132 feet long by 4(! 
feet wide, on an addition often acres of college 
grounds. 

At a special meeting of the trustees, held 
Jul}- 6, 1867, in the oflice of C. Aultman & Co., 
Canton, Ohio, " Dr. O. X. Hartshorn was au- 



thorized to visit Europe in the interest of the 
college, especially b}' investigating educational 
improvements, courses of study, the importance 
and methods of procuring apparatus and speci- 
mens, for fully illustrating and applying the 
various branches of study; ' and subse(|uently, 
after reporting to the trustees, - the results of 
his investigations in Kurope. respecting appar- 
atus, specimens, courses of study, methods of 
teaching and other educational improvements. ' 
•■ Dr. Hartshorn was instructed to lit up rooms 
and cases, and to purchase proper specimens 
and apparatus for fully illustrating and apply- 
ing the courses of studies. " 

Through written introductions and the rec- 
ommendations of such men as Chief Justice 
Chase, and (len. Cox, then (iovernor of Ohio, 
Dr. Hartshorn found ready access to all the 
educational institutions and national nniseums 
of Europe. He not only made full investiga- 
tions, but arranged for the jn'ocuring, from 
every part of the habitable globe, rare antl val 
uablc specimens of science and art, on the plan 
and through the agents of the British museum, 
of London. Thus this Museum chiefly took its 
origin, and has since been rapidly and grandly 
acciunnlating, both systematically and econom- 
ically. 

In 18G8, 0. N. Hartshorn, in order to give 
his whole time to the increasingly responsible 
internal duties of the college, resigned the 
Presidency of the Board of Trustees, and Hon. 
Lewis Miller, of Aknju. was elected, and still 
holds that otiice. About the same time, C. 
Aultman, Esq., of Canton, Ohio, was elected 
Treasurer ; and Hon, Joseph Walton, of Pitts- 
burg, I'enn., was elected .Vuditor. Hon. John 
A. Bingham. LJj. D., a Trustee of the (College, 
delivered here, just before starting as United 
States Minister to Japan, a public address, dur- 
ing which he observed : ■ I find at Moimt 
Union College both the facilities and instruc- 
tion (juite as ample and thorough, as I lately 
saw at Yale and other Eastern colleges." 

.\s the purling rivulet, issuing from some 
perennial spring, gradually carves its channel 
through flinty rocks, and eidargcs its current 
by each additional streamlet, forming at length 
a majestic river, whose lucid waters, in their 
onward course, widen and deepen by accessions 
from a thousand noble tributaries; so has 
Mount Union College providentially taken its 
humble origin, and thus has regularly progressed 



4U 



HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY. 



ill essential appointments, permanent improve- 
ments and eminent usefnlness, by con- 
stantly developing, through voluntary agencies, 
its chartered objects, until it has already, not 
only gained a distinguisiied position in tlie 
confidence and affections of the American peo- 
ple, but alsj has nobly developed and largely 
achieved the following distinctive features : 

1. The making of a thorough, liberal edu- 
cation, e(iually and economicall}' attainable to 
all enterprising youth, without restriction of 
tlieir true individuality. 

2. Thorough, illustrative instruction, to de- 
velop symmetrically all a student's faculties. 

3. Electives, or liberty- in the choice of 
courses, or studies. The student may select 
any one of the four general courses ; or, from 
the general course, may choose, in proper order 
and amount, any studies that he may lie quali- 
fied to take. 

4. Prominence to practical studies. This 
practical. Christian age, demands practical 
studies to develop all the powers thoroughly 
and symmetrically, and to give wise and full 
preparation for responsible, active life. 

5. General and special courses, with free 
literary societies. In addition to the eijual four 
years' general courses of study — classical, sci- 
entific, literary and philosophical — extensive 
provisions are made for systematic and illus- 
trative instruction in thorough special courses, 
as the three years' preparator}-, normal, com- 
mercial, music, designing, laboratory practice, 
engineering and fine arts, in thoroughlj- system- 
atized departments ; also, free efficient liter- 
ary societies — the Republican, Liumean and 
Cosmian. 

fl. Christian and patriotic ; not sectarian, 
sectional or partisan. The college seeks radi- 
cally, benevolently and eflfectively to advance 
Christian civilization. 

7. Equal privileges to ladies. They, from 
the first, have been admitted as students on the 
same terms as gentlemen, to all the departments, 
to all honors and privileges, and are equally' 
eligible to the position of trustee, professor or 
patron. 

8. Apparatus and specimens to illustrate 
and apply each study. Next to good teaching, 
the apparatus and specimens for illustrating 
and ai)plyiug the principles of science, are in- 
dispensaljle to a student's success in any studj'. 
enabling him much more easily and quickly to 



acquire and permanently to retain any stud}- 
or branch of knowledge. 

9. Economy in expense ; there are no ma- 
triculation or incidental fees, which, at many 
colleges, amount to several times the trifle of 
tuition charged here. Simple dress, and plain, 
economical habits are encouraged. The cheap- 
ening and regulating of student's board — their 
chief expense — b}- having erected buildings and 
providing rooms and boarding facilities, save 
to students each term a large amount. 

10. Three regular college terms, and one 
special winter term, each j-ear ; thus enabling 
students to earn their entire college expenses 
by teaching public schools during the winter sea- 
son, while a special winter term accommodates 
others not teaching, and thus to complete a 
four years' college course in three calendar 
years. The college year is divided into three 
terms — fall, spring and summer. Students who 
teach in winter desire three terms — not two 
only — between the closing of their schools, 
about the last of Februaiy, and the beginning of 
their next .schools in November ; so that they 
can support themselves by teaching without 
losing a college term, and its consqueut de- 
rangement of a college year. 

11. The polity of applying all general do- 
nations or interests to extending permanent 
improvements. This has been the practice of 
this institution from its origin, and it has proved 
both successful and satisfactory. 

12. Students taught and aided to govern, 
think, and to act properly for themselves. Free, 
conscientious thought and action are essential 
to the full aud symmetrical development of true 
chaiacter and culture. 

13. Care for the health, morals and comfort 
of students. Both tiie trustees and faculty 
take pleasure in providing every facility, and 
using every proper effort for promoting, as in 
home life, the health, morals, self-discipline and 
comfort of students, as well as their intellectual 
advancement, social refinement and general cult- 
ure and ele\ation. 

14. A college for the masses. Ignorance, 
or neglect of culture, is a crime — the radical 
bane of humanity. Every person should have 
educational opportunities as extensive and va- 
ried as his capacities. Those endowed with 
the greatest capacities rise usually from the 
mass of humanity, and belong to the lowly and 
industrious ranks. From the farmer's dwell- 



CITY OF ALLIANCK. 



.!> 



ing. the mechanic's shop, the merchant's cot- 
tage and the hiborer's home, come the pioni-ers 
and advocates of true reform, national weal and 
human elevation. This college is designed for 
the masses — even the most lowly and self-de- 
pendent. 

15. Self-government. Sclf-governnieut, hon- 
est, voluntary and prompt, in strict conformity 
to publisiied provisions, foundctl on Truth and 
Right, has always been the rule of this institu- 
tion. 

As evidence of the fidelity an;l success with 
which these characteristic features have lieen 
honorably achieved, and are now daily causing 
their distinctive results, the following facts and 
statements from competent judges will rightly 
attest : 

Rev. C. H. Fowler, D. D., LL. 1).. former 
President of the Northwestern University, at 
Evanston. Til., stated, May 27, 18S0, at an edu- 
cational re-union (at Cincinnati) of the Alumni 
and the (General Conference Delegates of the , 
Annual ConferrMicos of the Methodist Episco- 
pal Church, patronizing this college, and as re- 
ported in the Cincinnati papers, stated ; " Mount 
Union College is pre-eminently an institution 
of the people, by the people, and for the people, 
and is one of the most useful in the land. It 
has been in existence as an institution of learn- 
ing, thirty-three years ; and, as a chartered 
college, twenty-three j-ears. It has had over 
15,000 different persons as students, and has 
graduated with college honors over 80(1 students, 
uearl}" TOO students being in attendance the last 
year." After referring to and concurring in 
the estimates and statements as made by Bay- 
ard Taylor. Rishop Gilbert Haven. Chief Jus- 
tice Chase and Bishop E. Thomson. Dr. Fowler 
further said : • I have been there myself and 
have carefully looked into its plan, appoint- 
ments and methods, and know whereof I 
speak. It is no imitation, but a true aggressive 
college, with live and competent men compos- 
ing its Faculty- and executive committee of 
Truste(!S. Its students are as smart, energetic 
and persevering as are found anywhere. While 
there is due care for the health, morrds and 
comfort of students, the}' are rightly taught to 
think, act and govern themselves. Science and 
Christianity are here practically united. Its 
Faculty, Trustees and I'atronizing Conferences 
are doing a grand work, and the college should, 
in addition to promptly completing its local 



improvements, increase the value of its general 
improvements to a round million dollars, during 
this centennial quadrenium, and this will be 
done, for its Trustees and patronizing bodies, 
like its President, are able and enterprising. 
The college is healthily and beautifully located 
on the highest ground in Ohio, at the junction 
of the Cleveland & Wheeling and the Pitts- 
burgh, Fort Wayne & Chicago Railroads. The 
property of this college is worth over half a 
million dollars, above any indebtedness. All 
the Bishops have commended this college to 
the confidence and benefactions of the people, 
and Bishops Simpson, Harris, Bowman, Merrill, 
Hurst and Foster have delivered lectures or 
sermons in the college. As God is obviously 
in its plan and work, it will certainly triumph 
in the interest of the masses. ' 

Bishop E. (). Haven, LL. D., former Presi- 
dent of Michigan University, at the same meet- 
ing with Dr. Fowler, said, -I have never seen 
Mount Union College on its landed estate ; but 
1 have seen it often in its reports, in its work, 
and in its students. If it is to be judged by its 
results. Mount Union College is outstripping us 
all, and stands sui giwn-is. In our educational 
councils and conventions, where the plans and 
practical workings of all (jur Colleges have been 
freely and fully discussed, that of .Mount Union 
has received favorable consideration and com- 
menilation. This college for the people, also 
its generous capitalists and patronizing con- 
ferences, are well known all over the country. 
Its distinctive object of making a liberal edu- 
cation properly attainable to any poor and 
worthy young man or woman, certainly merits 
corrcsjioiidiiKjIij Inri/i- iwniiif hik/ sik-ciss. 

Bisho|) C. 1). Foss, D. D.. LL. D., formerly 
President of the Wesleyan University of Mid- 
dletown. Conn., says : • 1 heartily in^lorse 
what others have said of this deserving college, 
and hope its trustees, patronizing conferences, 
and all generou.-; men and women of means, 
friendly to this uni(iue idea of liberally edu- 
cating the masses, will, during this immedi- 
ate centennial, permanently place this worthy 
enterprise, in the interests of the common peo- 
ple, in the front rank of American colleges." 
Says Bishop I. W. Wiley. D. D., former editor 
of the Ladies' lieposltori). aX Cincinnati; 'To 
the remarkable objects and success of .Mount 
Union College, not only our attention, but that 
of the people of our country are turned. This 



'^ 



446 



HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY. 



has beuome a well established college. Its 
distinctive plan and characteristic features 
should he brought to the notice of all, and be 
studied by all. It ranks among the fore- 
most under the patronage of our church. 
It is doing a noble work for humanity, 
and its students are among our most en- 
ergetic and useful workers. Its President 
and other members of the Faculty are C(jm- 
petent and experienced, and arc puttini; tlieir 
minds and hearts in the great work of reach- 
ing the masses with liberal culture. The 
church and country' owe a lasting del^t of grati- 
tude to Lewis Miller, the enterprising President 
of its Trustees ; to C. Aultman, its generous 
and far-seeing Treasurer, and to Jacob 3Iiller, 
and other liberal men of means, whose noble 
benefactions to this college will be appreciated 
during the ages by the self-dependent youth of 
the land." 

Grants and Endowments. — 1. The original 
grant, under which the college was chartered, 
was donated by 0. N. Hartshorn, December 12, 
1857, embracing, as appraised in the recorded 
schedule, all the property previously used b_v 
the institution, including the grounds, buildings, 
furniture, cabinets, apparatus, implements, speci- 
mens, etc., and by him, under the State and 
National Laws, conveyed in fee simple to the 
college as a body corporate and politic. 

2. A series of grants bj' Professors (). N. 
Hartshorn, Ira 0. Chapman and George W. 
Clark, donated by them from 1859 to 1864, 
chietly in nione^y for purchasing philosophical 
apparatus and the telescope ; estimated at 
$8,200. 

3. A grant of about eight acres of additional 
college grounds, deeded to the college. Dec. 25, 
ISGL 

4. A grant of 630 acres of land, donated by 
Rev. T. C. Hartshorn, D. D., and deeded to the 
college, November 15, 1864. 

5. A series of donations, by divers persons, 
including many generous contributions by citi- 
zens in the vicinity of Mount Tnion and Alli- 
ance, of the means for erecting on the college 
grounds in 1862 and 1864 the symmetrical and 
capacious main building, its value having been 
estimated by the architect. Col. Porter, of 
Cleveland, at $100,000. 

6. A series of donations, chiefly b}- students, 
made prior to 1866, for procuring books for the 
libraries of the Republican and Linmean Liter- 



ary Societies, and furniture for their halls, esti- 
mated at $6,300. 

7. Various subscriptions, amounting to 
$34,000, bj- various persons, as reported March, 
1866. 

8. A few small grants in 1876, to apply on 
erecting the boarding hall, and to purchasing 
ten new pianos, and an addition of ten acres to 
the college grounds. 

9. Subscriptions, aggregating $20,250, by 
sundry persons, made on Commencement Daj', 
June 21, 1866. 

1 0. The donation of $25,000, made October 
4, 1866, by Lewis Miller, of Akron, Ohio, 
endowing the Professorship of Philosophy and 
Astronomy. 

1 ] . The donation of $25,000, made October 
4, 1866, by C. Aultman, of Canton, Ohio, endow- 
ing the Professorship of Mathematics and Civil 
Engineering. 

12. The donation of $25,000, made October 
4, 1866, by Jacob Miller, of Canton, Ohio, endow- 
ing the Professorship of Moral and Mental 
Philosophy. 

13. Tlie donation of $1,000, made October 
4, 1866, by Miss Libbie Aultman, daughter of 
C. Aultman, of Canton, Ohio. 

14. Donations amounting to $2,375, made 
October 4, 1866, by citizens of Canton, Ohio. 

15. An extended and specific series of val- 
uable donations for purchasing mathematical 
implements, chemical and ph3'sical apparatus, 
for the laboratories and lecture rooms, physio- 
logical apparatus and specimens, geographical 
and astronomical apparatus (not in(lu<ling the 
telescope), with various important apparatus 
for teaching engineering, mining and other 
applied science. 

16. Grants of money and materials prior 
to 1874, by divers persons, for specific im- 
provements, chiefly libraries, furniture, and 
improvement of grounds — $500 being sub- 
.scribed in books by W. A. Ingham, of Cleve- 
land, Ohio. 

17. Munificent grants for the museum, re- 
peat(!dly made by various liberal patrons of this 
college— the value of this museum being esti- 
mated at $251,000. This estimated value — 
$251.000 — of this college's Museum of Science 
and Art, is considered too low by many expe- 
rienced travelers and judges of the value of 
the museums in different countries, among 
whom are the late Bayard Taylor and Bishop 



CITY OF AJ.LIANCK 



447 



(jilbert Haven ; the former, after carefully, in 
1876, iuspectintr and estimating the value of 
the specimens, stated, in the New York Trllnine, 
that 'The museum of Jlount Iniou College is 
among the hist 1 ever visited anywhere, and the 
natural specimens are the most select and valu- 
ahlc I have seen in any country." The latter 
(Bishop Haven), one of its Trustees, after also 
carefully estimating the value of this museum, 
wlien attending the annual examinations of 
classes, and the commencement, in 1874, and 
subsequently, when lecturing in the college, five 
ditlerent times, stated. June, 1879, in his pub- 
lished correspondence to the Atlanta ((!a.) Ail- 
cocate : "It is but just to Mount I'nion Col- 
lege, to say that its curriculum is as stiff as its 
neighbor's ; and its graduates show that thej' 
have to do something to get out and get on ; 
among its appointments is a museum superior 
to any other college in the country : 1 do not 
think the Smithsonian is richer." 

!)r. Daniel Curry, of New York, stated. May 
1~ . 188(t. in an address then published: 'One 
of the things to make a successful college, is 
money well invested, and enough of it. Moi.nt 
Union College has an estate of over $,")0(l,t)00. 
The first time I ever saw its President, Dr. 
Hartshorn, he had just landed from Kurope 
with a vast amount of — 1 will not say curiosi- 
ties, but peculiarities. From what 1 know of 
the Custom House entries in New Y'ork. I can 
appreciate what Bayard Taj'lorsaid, that Moinit 
Union College had the best museum he had 
seen in any country. Bishop Gilbert Haven 
had truly said that he did not consider the 
Smithsonian Institute's better." 

18. A valuable grant of a silver mine in 
Arizona, donated to the College, Jlarcli 23, 
1876, by Col. William C.. Boyle, of London, 
England. 

19. A valuable grant of a silver mine in 
Montana Territory, near Bannoc City, donated 
to the College April l.'i, 1876, bj- James Ham- 
mond, a resident of Bannoc City. 

20. A series of donations, cliietly by students, 
since 1866. for additions to the libraries and 
furniture of the Republican and Linnsean Lit- 
erary Societies, estimated at §3,300 ; also a se 
ries of donations, chiefiy by students, since Maj- 
1876. for procuring the library, piano and fur- 
niture for the Cosmian Literary Society, esti- 
mated at i?2,150. 

.Ml moneys or property donated to the Col- 



lege, with all interests or proceeds therefrom, 
instead of any of the above being used to pay 
the p.'ofessors or other current expenses, have, 
in all instances, l)een applied to increase the 
permanent improvements and facilities of the 
College, thus perpetually bc'uefitting the stu- 
dents. 

The Alumni Association has taken st<'ps to 
endow an .Vlumni chair. The above amounts 
do not ini'lude the subscriptions of ?'3r),000, 
lately made by citizens of Mount Union for 
permanent improvements, including a new mu- 
seum building. 

The educational work which this institution 
has, in accordance with the aliove princi- 
ples, already accomplished, and the stu- 
dents instructed in the several departments, 
may be inferred, when brietiv indicated, as fol- 
low-s : 

In the department of literature, science 
and the arts, of last year (1880-81): Seniors. 
32 ; juniors, 23 ; sophomores, 48 ; freshman, 
118, preparatory, 15."); normal department. 
110 ; business department, 224 ; department of 
music, 183 : department of fine arts, 21 ; mak- 
ing, as a total for the past year, after deducting 
those counted more than once, 679. The total 
number of students since the origin of the in- 
stitution, is 15,911, of whom 8,917 have l)een 
employed as teachers of public schools. The 
whole number of graduations in the general 
courses, in citrsii, with degrees and diplomas : 
Bachelor of arts, 173; bachelor of philosophy, 
114; bachelor of literature. 7; bachelor of 
science. 100 ; master of arts. 121 ; master of 
philosophy, 43 ; master of literature. 1 ; master 
of science, 97 ; total. /» nirfni. Col. (iraduates, 
pro mfi-ito, with degrees and diplomas: bachelor 
of arts, 5 ; bachelor of philosoph}', 1 ; master 
of arts, 6 ; master of philo.sophy, 2 ; doctor of 
philosophy, 5; total, /<to iinrito. 19. Graduates 
in the full commercial course, in ciirsu. with 
degrees and diplomas : Bachelor of commercial 
science, 405. Graduates in special cour-r.-i, 
with diplomas and no degrees, normal orlr:i' h 
ers' course: gentlemen, 2,716; ladies, l.l.')^ ; 
total, 4,174 ; instrumental music : full classical 
course, 12 ; Cramer course. 4 ; fine art course, 
3. Graduates, /«/• lnuturr. with the following 
honorary degrees and diplomas : Master of 
arts. 10; doctor of divinity. 30: doctor of laws, 
3. Total graduations, with degrees and diplo- 
mas. 1,123; 



448 



HISTORY OF STARK COITNTY. 



The city government of Alliance in 1873 was 
represented b}' the following ofHccis : 

Mayor — Simon Johnson. 

Clerk— A. W. Grei'u. 

Solicitor^— WilliMin Pippitt. 

Marshal— John C. (Jrifflth. 

Treasurer- WiUiani H. Teel. 

Street Conimissionei- — Z. B. Johnson. 

Council — B. F. Mereer. Henry Aultman, John 
McConnel. Joseph L. Brosius. J. H. Sharer. Caleb 
Steele. 

Board of Health— L. R. Davis, William Stallcup. 

C. C. Douglas. Isaac Teeters. James C. Craven, S. S. 
Shimp. 

Healtli Officer— Dr. J. B. Wilson. 

Policemen — Micliael Condon, Solomon Berlin. 

The city government of Alliance is represent- 
ed now (1881) by the following persons : 

Mayor — Simon Johnson. 

Clerk— W. E. Fonts. 

Le.gal Ailviser — J. Amnerninn. 

Marshal— T. J. Johnston. 

Treasurer — William Teelc. 

Teamster— W. L. Bardsley. 

Council— Frank Mercer. Frank Transill, G. B. N". 
Coats, W. L. Bardsley. Jolni Slilwell. John Town- 
.send. 

Board of Health— Sylvester W. Sechrist, Dr. L. 
Dales, James Craven, A. B. Love. John McConnel. 
Levi Hill. 

Policemen — James G. Hogne, Solomon Berlin. 

Merchants' Police — Midiael Conden. 

There have been twenty-one Ma3'ors elected 
in Alliance since the city government was ef- 
fected in October, 1854, up to 1873, that being 
the date of the first Mayor's commission. The 
following are the names of the various Mayors 
of Alliance : n,,, „, c..n,mi.s,io,.. 

Harvey Laughlin October 1. 1804. 

Harvey Laughlin April 1, 18oo. 

Henry Chapman April 8, 1856. 

Harvey Laughlin Apiil 11, 1857. 

Harvey Laughlin April 12, 1858. 

Linus Ely April 13, 1859. 

Simon Johnson April 4, 1860. 

Joseph April 5, 1863. 

Joseph April 3, 1864. 

A. L. Jones April 4, 1865. 

Heury Buck April 2, 1866. 

Henrv Buck April 1, 1867. 

J. J. "Parker April 5, 1869. 

Harvey Laughlin April 4, 1870. 

Harvey Laughlin April 6, 1871. 

J. F. Oliver. April 3, 1872. 

Simon John.son April 7, 1873. 

D. W. Fording April, 1875. 

Joseph Barnabv April, 1877. 

John L. Day . ." April, 1879. 

Simon Johnson April, 1881. 

The following are the receipts and expendi- 
tures of the corporation of Alliance for each 



year since the organization of the municipal 
governmeutof which minutes could be obtained, 
up to ISI'2 : 

Total rrc,.i|,l> of 1855 $ 245 18 

Toliil rx]» n.lilures 60 16 

Tohil ii,, ipis ,,11856 233 77 

Tolal ixpcncliiures 166 54 

Total ivcipts of 1859 308 58 

Ti>tal e.xocnditures 302 34 

Totiil n-cripis of I860 667 35 

Tot;il ('\|i.iHlilm-ef; 300 95 

Ton.l iv,ri|,i. nf 1861 791 25 

T(jtal (xptiulilures 357 99 

Total ri'ceiptsof 1862 630 27 

Total expenditures 372 38 

Tolal iv(cj|.ls of 1863 1,291 55 

Totiil I xpcndilures 716 77 

Tohil n. , i],u of 1867 7,714 24 

Total .•xpcnilitures 4,984 55 

Total receipts of 1868 9,924 63 

Total expenditures 6,126 88 

Total receipts of 1869 9,885 70 

Total expenditures 5,707 41 

Total receipts of 1870 12, 199 63 

Total expenditures 11,628 92 

Tolal receipts of 1871 11,928 32 

Total expenditures 7,792 51 

Total receipts of 1872 16,584 80 

Total exiiendituiv^ 12,367 51 

Total n'i(i|il> ..1 ls7:!-74 12,217 36 

Totiil exiiriHlituro of 1873-74 11,209 92 

T(.t:il n,, ipi, of lw;4-75 34.916 66 

Tolal <x|MiHlilures of 1874-75 13,439 40 

T.iliil n,-, i|,i. nf 1875-76 30,997 21 

Tolal ex|M.,!,iiturcs of 1875-76 11,497 60 

Totnl iv,vi|,u ,.r Isrc-TT 27,283 64 

Toliil ixi.rii.lilur.s of 1876-77 10,055 32 

Tohil ivccipuof ls;7-78 25,622 21 

Total cxiiciiditures of 1877-78 9,929 07 

Tolal icvipis of 1878-79 44,500 24 

Total .xiMiKlitures of 1878-79 34,597 73 

Tot:il ivr, i|,N ..r ls;!i-80 53,546 85 

T(>i:il i\p. ii.liiiirr. ,,i 1879-80 52,436 97 

Total ri'i cjpis nf 1S,S0-81 26,832 03 

Total expenditures of 1880-81 26.461 97 

The town house is a substantial and creditable 
structure. It will endure and subserve its pro- 
posed purpose for half a century of time. A 
coming generation ma}- be interested in know- 
ing the name of its builder and its cost. The 
following is appeiided. Some additions make 
the cost exceed $5,000. The following pro- 
posals for building town house were received : 

J. T. Weyhrecht *4,740 110 

Baird, Aikin & Young 4,950 00 

Ross & Robert Rue 5.400 00 

J. T. Weybrecht being the lowest bidder, the 
contract was awarded to him, and the building 
was completed in six months from date of con- 
tract. The following; is the list of Recorders 



CITY OV AI.LIANCK. 



elected since the corporation of Alliance ex- 
isted : 

Diivid Hoover i-lectcd Oclolnr 4, 1804. 

I). (}. Ilcslcr cltMlrd April 'i. IHo.-,. 

D. G. Hester eleeled April 7. IHr.ti. 

Jesse Reeves appointed .lime "iii, IH"))). 

(Jcorsre Mediiir appointed Octolier 17. ISTiti. 

(;.orj;c Mctiuir ele<te<l April 7. ia">7. 

Saiiiiicl Sliimp appointed Aiiiriist 3. 18o7. 

.lolin C. B<'er elected April 2. 18")8. 

I). G. Hester appointed May 17. 18.58. 

1). G. Hester eleeled April 1, 1859. 

H. Camp appointed December 12, 18.59. 

Oavid Hoover elected April 2, 18fi0. 

.1. N. Hamsv elected April 2. 1801. 

J. X. HmhisV elected .\pril 3. 1802. 

.1. M. Ciilliertson elected April. 1803. 

.). M. Culljertson elected April, 1804. 

P. D. Keplinser ele<led .\pril. 180,-). 

.T. W. Harnaby elcclc.l April, ISfifi. 

.losejili Harnahy appointed June 20. 1800. 

Joseph Barnabv elected April. 1807. 

Josepli Harnabv elected Ajiril. 1808. 

Jo.seph Harnaby elcctc<l April. 1809. 

.Joseph BarnabV eleclcil April, 1870. 

A. AV. Green elected April. 1872. 

Frederick Berkheimer Vpril. 1870— two terms. 

William Fonts Aitril, 1880— two terms. 

In the j-ear 1847 Levi Bortoii and family 
moved into the village of Mt. Union. A few 
days afterward M. I). Stallcnp and family 
moved to the villa>ie. Mr. Borton. his wife and 
line daiiiihtcr : M. T). Rtallctip and wife were 
incnilKTs (if the hisciplcs' {'Inircli. Those live 
constituted the mcmljcrship of tiiis religious 
persuasion in the township in 1847. During 
the four years following this date by concert of 
action between between Borton and Stallcnp, 
occasionally the services of this dcnominalion 
were obtained at this point. Among the min- 
isters who preached in the interests of the 
Disciples at this point during the period of four 
years, might be mentioned Israel Belton, Jolm 
Whitacre (deceased). Benjamin Patterson (de- 
ceased), J. Warren, Joseph Moss and J. H. 
Jones. There was a small band of Baptists in 
.Mount Union, whose house of worship was ob- 
tained to hold the meetings called by those 
transient ministers. In .March, lS,-)2. Mr. A. 

B. (ircen, accompanied by Austin Peter, of 
Warren, came to .^lonnt Union. Mr. Green 
preached sixteen discourses during this meet- 
ing. Mrs. B. W. Johnsf>n and others connected 
themselves with this persuasion during this 
meeting. There were at this time eight indi- 
viduals banded together to investigate the 
Scriptures and meet on the first day of every 



week. Whc^n stei)s toward an orgaiuzation ' 
was taken, the Baptists refused this iittle band ' 
the use of their house of worship. They met ' 
thereafter for two years in the old Seminary, or 
the Peoples' meeting housi-. The mt'iiibers al 
this time consisted of Levi Borton, wife and 
daughter ; Asa Silvers, .M. D. Stallcnp and wife, 
Mrs. B. W. Johnson and W. S. I'ettit. at pre- I 
sent an esteemed citizen of this citv. Mr. 
Benjamin Pigeon, of Smith Township, recently 
deceased, associated himself with this organi- j 
zation. After the coinpletion of the railroads j 
through Alliance this band changed their loca- 
tion to the Christian Church, westof .\llian»;e. at 
present used by Mr. Haines as a carriage house, 
and regularl\' organized, b}' appoinlhig two Dea- 
cons and two Elders. Asa Silvers and Bryan 
Patterson, Klders : Kdwin Vaughn and Kdward 
Pettil, Deacons. Additions ran the membership 
up at this time to twenty members. AI)out Ihis 
time Mr. Ilarmaii Hcvcs held a protiacled 
meeting, continuing for two weeks, during which 
time there were some sixteen additions to the 
church. During the year of ISfjC). a series of 
protracted meetings were held in the Baptist 
Church, in old Freedom, since pulled tlown. 
One of these meetings was under the manage- 
ment of Mr. Dibble, cantinuing some three 
weeks. The results of his ettbrls was the 
emersion of over forty persons. .\t this time 
father lliister, wife and two daughters con- 
nected themselves with this church. They 
were formerly Baptists. From 1847 to 1857, 
the church had no regular or continuous 
preaching. Levi Borton. Asa Silvers and Ben 
jamin Patterson olliciated as ministers and in- 
structors of the society in the absence of 
foreign preachers. Those three persons were 
the bone an<l sinew of this infant organization. 
Father Silvers and Father Patterson arc both 
gone to their rewards. They have left with 
hundreds who.se t\\es may fall upon these lines 
the full memory of a right legacy of being 
honest, pious and true men. Mr. Borton is still 
with us. lirm in his primitive faith, and, during 
the religious trials of thirty years, has never 
faltered in the final triumphs of his faith, and 
in tlie successful esljiblishment of a prosperous 
church in this neighborhood. 

The first elfort inaile to build up a Lutheran 
congregation in .Mliance was in 18G5, under 
the pastoral care of Rev. J. II. Brown. lie or- 
ganized with Dr P. H. Barr, Peter Keplinger, 



A! 



450 



HISTORY OF STARK COl'NTY. 



Martin Tidd, William L. Kunlile, Joiin Miller, 
Augustus Buckius, George H. Buckius, Emery 
Miller, and others. Judging from the records, 
the enterprise began in a hopeful manner. The 
Ohurch Council (which is the official board of 
the congregation) were : Re\'. J. 11. Brown, 
Pastor ; Martin Tidd, Wm. L. Knnkle. Elders ; 
Geo. H. Buckius. Emery Miller, Deacons ; but, 
for some unexplained reason, failed. The con- 
gregation owned no " house of worship," which, 
no doubt, was to their disadvantage, as well as 
a mistake. After the Rev. Mr. Brown resigned 
andlett the field, the congregation had no regular 
pastor for over a year, when the Rev. A. Essie 
visited the congregation and endeavored to re- 
vive and continue the work, but it was too far 
gone for recovery. The members scattered : 
some by removal, some uniting with other 
churches, some losing interest in the work, 
whilst a few still entertained hope for a Lu- 
theran church. 

The second undertaking : On the 4th of July, 
1872, Rev. J. L. Smith arrived in Alliance un- 
der the auspices of the " Board of Home Mis- 
sions of the Evangelical Lutheran Church,'' to 
begin the work anew. There was no Lutheran 
organization in the city at this time, as the pre- 
vious one had disbanded. The missionary be- 
gan his work at once by preaching, visiting 
Lutheran families and earnestly soliciting sub- 
scriptions for the erection of a church. He met 
with many difficulties in the way, and the dis- 
couragements, arising from a previous failure, 
were hard to overcome ; but with earnest resolve 
and indomitable perseverance, he went forward 
in the work. On the 1st of September. 1872, he 
effected the organization of a new Ijuthcran 
congregation, styled "The Evangelical Lutheran 
Church of the Holy Trinity," of Alliance, Ohio. 
A constitution and articles of discipline were 
adopted, and officers regularly elected. On the 
8tli of September, one week after the organiza- 
tion was efi'ected, the corner-stone for a church 
edifice was laid according to the liturg}- sei'vices 
of the Lutheran Church, in the presence of a 
very large audience. The Pastor pushed the 
work forward as rapidly as possible, and the 
edifice was completed during the winter. The 
church is a fine Gothic structure, with tower, 
and beautifully furnished within, and cost 
$C,000, not including the lot. It was dedicated 
on the 28d of March, 1873. and has no superior 
in the city for its beauty of situation and ele- 



gance of finish. The enterprise met with much 
favor with many of the citizens. Too much 
credit cannot well be given to the little band of 
earnest men and women for the energy and self- 
denial by which they have made their work 
such a complete success. The whole work was 
done during the severest financial crisis the 
country has hereto felt, and yet the Pastor and 
his church council have with united activity 
provided for $5,(100, leaving a debt of $1,000 to 
be met and collected. A Lutheran Church is 
now established in the city of Alliance, and as 
such commences its history. The Church 
Council are : Rev. J. L. Smith, Pastor ; W. U. 
Beeler, David Weikert, Elders ; Henry Miller, 
Peter D. Wonders, Deacons. The seats are free 
in the Trinity Lutheran Church, and the con- 
gregation is rejoicing with encouraging success. 
The congregation has a new church finished, 
and a membership of over fifty. The Sunday 
.school, lately organized, is hopefully growing. 
The foregoing facts were obtained from the Rev. 
J. L. Smith, who was Pastor of the E. L. Church 
in Alliance. 

In the year 1857, the Disciples were yet with- 
out a house of worship in Alliance. They met 
in the old Baptist Church, owned by Matthias 
Hester, who was then <»unected with the organ- 
ization. Mr. Hester was born in Greene Countj', 
Penn., in 1793 ; he came to Lexington Town- 
ship in June, 1838, and purchased 60 acres of 
land, part of which he still retains in the shape 
of town lots. After the town of Freedom was 
laid out, he erected his dwelling, and, in August 
of the same year, removed his family there. 
He has resided there since that time, and added 
several additions to the place, also erected a 
number of buildings. At this time, there was 
an octagon hall in the vicinity of Mr. Hester's 
present residence. This building was used for 
public purposes, and on one occasion of a 
school exhibition it was densely crowded and 
broke down, killing one person and injuring 
several others. This hall was also used by the 
Disciples after the aolvent of A. B. Way to Al- 
liance. In 1858, steps were taken for the erec- 
tion of a new meeting house. Mr. Hester fur- 
nished a lot, and the building was erected now 
occupied by this branch of the Christian Church. 
Mr. J. K. Picket, a number of years Superin- 
tendent of the Alliance Union Schools, and Dr. 
Clover, a physician, succeeded Benjamin Pat- 
terson and Asa Silvers (deceased), in the elder- 



CJTY OF ALLIAXCE. 



451 



ship in the church. Jlr. Elislia Teeters, a mem- 
ber of the ciiurcii, was aljout tliis time called to 
the eldership. Mr. Teeters was born in Greene 
Township, Columbiana Co., Ohio, on the 1 1th of 
Januarj'. 1814. and removed lo this township in 
1835. Mr. Teeters laid out three additions to 
Alliance, respectively, in 1851, 1852 and 1853. 
The first addition was survej-ed by Ellis John- 
.son.and the second and third by Mr. Whitaker. 
In these surveys, Mr. Teeters carried the chain 
himself, and frequently joined in the chant of 
the professional carrier — • stick, stuck " — over 
the fields and Hats where now stands the city of 
Alliance. In 1S52, lots were offered at public 
outcry b}- Mr. Teeters, in his first atldition : 
the lots upon which now stand the business 
blocks of Bleakly, Ilaincs, Young, and the pri- 
vate residences for some distance west along 
the north side of Main street, were bid in tor 
the proprietor at $40 a lot, that amount being 
considered too fabulous, in the minds of the ad- 
venturous spirits present, ever to be realized 
again out of their sale. Some of these lots have 
since changed hands at $13,500 with Init little 
improvements thereon. Mr. J. B. Mihier, a 
prominent citizen of Alliance, moved here from 
Salineville, Columbiana Co., Ohio, was chosen 
an Elder in the Church about this date. Mr. 
Milner was born in Columbiana County, Ohio, 
in 1823. lie is just in the prime of life, and wo 
hope he may live long and enjoy his home. 
The operations of Mr. Milner in our midst are 
somewhat extensive. He came to Alliance on 
the 15th of October. 18(j3. The east wing of 
the Commercial Block was erected by him 
among his first cflbrts here. He laid out three 
additions to our city. The first addition con- 
tained 20 town lots ; the second, which com- 
poses the old Nixon farm, wlic^re he now resides, 
contained ilO ; the third, that of the Garwood 
farm, contained 190 ; making 300 lots in all 
which he has added to Alliance. He is a large 
contributor to the support of the Christian 
Church. .Mr. Pinkerton,a graduate of Bethany 
College, was called to the pastoral charge of the 
church in 18(J(!, and continued in charge for 
about two and a half years, and under his man- 
agement the church was characterized by growth 
and prosperity, the nKunbership amounting at 
this time to about one hundred and eighty. 
Dr. R. P. Johnson, Samuel .Milner, Isaac Jolly, 
I'liny Allen and Iloratius Hubbard were elected 
Deacons of the church in addition to .Matthias 



Hester and others formerly mentioned. Isaac 
Everett, President of the Alliance College, 
Profs. Benton, Hin.sdale and other members of 
the faculty' of the college .served the church as 
ministers during the years following .Mr. Pinker- 
ton's administration. Mr. J. H. Jones followed, 
and during one or more years was Pastor of the 
church. W. S. Pettit, who connected himself 
with the church during boyhood, in Mount 
Union, was elected to the eldership about this 
time, also A, W. Coates. Mr. F. >1. (Jreen fol- 
lowed Mr. Jones in a year of pastoral labors for 
the Alliance church. Mr. E. L. Fraizer, from 
Dayton, Ohio, is at present the efficient Pastor 
of the church, and is in the second 3ear of his 
labors, 

[lev. James O'Leary, of Alliance, writes as 
follows : " I find, for the first time, mention 
made of a Catholic priest's holding service at 
.Mliance in 1848. A Rev. Father Pendergast 
attended Leetonia, East Liverpool, and as far 
west as Louisville, until 1853, when he went 
West. He held divine services occasionally in 
some of the ' shanties ' at Alliance, then occu- 
pied by some poor Catholic families. In 1850, 
Father Lindsmith, then stationed at Canton, 
where there was only one small church, rented 
Lamborn Hall, and changed its name to Catho- 
lic Hall. This old hall constitutes the upper 
story of Mr. McElro^-'s present business store. 
In ISljl, Rev, Edward llannen, now stationed 
at Toledo, bought the first church properl:}' 
owned by the Catholics (two lots) from L. 
Teeters, for $125. According to the tradition, 
this amount was paid for one lot, and iMr. 
Teeters donated the other. Rev. Hannen col- 
lected from both Protestants and Catholics, 
and built the old frame church in 1862. Kev. 
' P. H. Brown, of Hudson, attended from 1862 
to 1864, when Rev. L. Hoft'er. of Louisville, 
supplied his place until 1865. Rev. Mantrier 
was the first resident Pastor. He came in 
1865, and left in 1867. After Mantrier came 
Father Lindsmith, who attended Alliance and 
Leetonia togidher until 1872, when he resigned 
Alliance, but retained the other charge. Dur- 
ing his pastorate, a brick house, on Market 
street, was purchased for a parsonage. Between 
four and five acres were bought, south of town, 
for a cemetery. Other improvements in church 
property, amounting in all to about $8,000. 
Nearly all had been paid for when Kev. Mona- 
ghan came, and remained until 1875. This 



452 



HISTOKV OF STARK COT'XTY. 



Pastor contemplated biiilcliug a new church, 
and for that purpose bought three more lots 
for $1,800. On one of these the foundations of 
a new church were laid, and the walls built 
almost to grade. About this time the mill shut 
down, many of the congregation, which then 
numbered about 150 families, left, and the pro- 
ject was abandoned. When Father Ahone 
came, in 1875, there was a debt of $700. Dur- 
ing his stay nothing was done in the way of 
improvements, and when he left, in 1877, the 
debt had been reduced to $400. In 1877, Rev. 
James O'Leary was appointed, and still con- 
tinues in charge. During the first two years 
the old debts were paid, and between $2,000 
and $3,000 saved. About April, 1880, the 
foundation laid by Rev. Monas;han was raised. 



and a new church commenced, which was nearly 
completed in about October of the same year. 
This church, 97xG0, will cost, when fully finished, 
about $10,000. It is expected that when the 
work is complete a debt of only about $600 
will rest upon the church. In 1S80, the old 
church lots were sold, and three, situated south 
of the new church and joining the lots upon 
which it is built, were bought of Dr. L. L. 
Lamborn. The lots where the old church was 
located are to be used in future for a Catholic 
school. The parsonage was also sold, and the 
money used toward building the new church. 
The congregation at present (1881) numbers 
about one hundred families. In 1859 there were 
about 12, and in 1877 there were 00. 



C II A P T E R XVIII. 



L.WVRENf'K TOWNSHl!' 



-(IRG.\NIZATION OF THE TOWNSHIP — E.\KLY SETTLERS — CHURCHES - 
V1LL.\CtES of FULTON AND LAWRENCE, ETC. 



" He Cometh unto you with a tale which holdeth children from 
play, and old men from the chimney corner." — Sir Philip Sidiieif. 

"Don't give up the ship." — Capt. Jumes LmrrettC€y V. S. -V. 

THIS township, one of the best in the county 
in point of material wealth, agricultural 
resources, and social advantages generally, is 
known as Township Xo. 1, Range 10. That 
portion of the township lying on the east side 
of the Tu.scarawas Branch of the Muskingum 
River was surveyed in the \ear 1800 by Messrs. 
Buckingham and Carpenter, and being included 
in the treaty of Fort Mcintosh, the Indian title 
was extinguished in 1785. That on the west 
side was surveyed by the late Hon. Joseph H. 
Larwill, Judge William Henry, and Judge 
John Harris. The surveys made by Messrs. 
Larwill. Henry and Harris were the result of 
the treaty of Fort Industry, made in 1805. 
Twenty years elapsed between the two treaties, 
but at a period when little was done on either 
side of the river in the way of settlements. 
Adventurers, even at that early day, penetrated 
the country by means of the Cuyahoga, from 
Cleveland, south, reaching the portage, after- 
ward known as the New Portage, between the 
the Cuyahoga and Tuscarawas, and, going down 

•Contributed hy Robt. H. Folgf r. 



the Tuscarawas, reached the Muskingum, Ohio, 
Mississippi, and the (iulf of Mexico. On the 
organization of Stark Count}', in 1809. the 
territorj" above named formed a part of the 
county, and, as has been seen, surveys had been 
made on both sides of the river, lines had been 
run, entries had been made of lands, and the 
rude cabin of the settler was found here and 
there in the wilderness, indicating that the 
■'Chaos of a mighty world 
Was rounding into form." 

and nowhere did that chaos assume the form 
and comeliness of social order with more rapidity 
than in this portion of the count}'. 

On the 4th day of December, 1815, the Com- 
missioners of Stark County made the following 
entry on their journal : 

Ordered. That the First Township in the Tenth 
Kangi- be and the same is herebj' erected into a 
new townshi]) by tin- name of Lawrence. 

Ordered. Tliiit ;m1\i rti^rmcnts l)e put up at tlie 
houses of Gooriic \';iii'-iii:iii, .bilin Morehead. and at 
Leonard Kcrstctt.rs ;Mill, notifying the electors of 
said township to nuit at llie hou,se of Robert Lytic, 
on the first Monilay of .VpriL ne.xt, and then and 
there elect township ofticcrs. 

The township was named after Capt. James 
Lawrence, of the United States Navj-, in the 



"^^ 




^^/y^-^^ (^^t^7^ 



LAWRENCE TOAVNSIIIP. 



453 



war of 1811'. and who. witli the ill-fated Chesa- 
peake, foujiht the Uritish fiij,Mte Shannon, on 
the lirst of June, 1813. alniossl in Boston har- 
bor, and of whom it is said, that when carried 
below, mortally wounded, his last order was : 
•' Don't give up the ship. ' Those words are 
the motto of the township, and in political pro- 
cessions, her banner, with tiiat inscription, 
alwajs soars aloft. 

The township records sliow that on tlie 1st 
day of April. 1815, the qualilied electors of the 
township did meet at the house of Robert Lytic, 
and elected the following otticers for the town- 
ship ; James F. Leonard, Township Clerk ; 
William Alban, John Campbell, Jacob Kirk, 
Trustees; William Whitcraft. Joseph ITobson, 
Overseers of the I'oor ; Stephen Wilkin, Joseph 
Tritt, Fence Viewers ; Hugh S. Vaneman, Hol)t. 
Ijytle, Appraisers of Property' ; George A'ane- 
man, John Meese, George Waggoner, Super- 
visors of Highways ; Richard Hardgrove, Jacob 
Klick. Constat)les ;. Treasurer, John Morehead ; 
Kichard Hardgrove, Lister of Taxables. The 
Township Clerk certified that " On the !)th of 
April, 1S16. personally appeared the different 
officers elected, and took the oath of office, as 
the law directs, except Joseph Hobson. Signed, 
J. F. Jjeonard, Township Clerk." On the same 
page it appears, as follows, in tlie handwriting 
of James F. Leonard : " I hereby certify that 
Joseph Hobson personally appeareil before me, 
Jacob Kirk, a Justice of tlie IVaee, and was 
qualified as Overseer of the Poor for Lawrence 
Township, according to law. Given under m\- 
hand, April 9, 1818. " 

It appears, therefore, that all the officers of 
the township above named were ' qualilied " 
on the same daj', namely, the 9th of April, 
1816, but it nowhere shows on the record that 
Justices of the Peace had been elected for 
Lawrence Township at the election on the 1st 
of April. Was Jacob Kirk a Justice of the 
I'eacc for Lawrence Township, at the time he 
certified for the "qualifying" of .Joseph Hob- 
son ? James F. Leonard, the Township (Uerk. 
certifies to having administered «« oal/i to all 
except Joseph Hobson. who was well known to 
the writer as a member of the Society of 
Friends, a most conscientious and upright man ; 
he died in 1827, and was buried at the Friends' 
burying ground at Kendal, in Perry Township., 
now ill the Fourth Ward of the city of .Njas- 
sillon ; his widow married Charles Colliu. re- 



ferred to in the history of Perry Township, and 
with him is sleeping -'the sleep that knows not 
breaking," in Friends' burying ground at Rich- 
mond, Jett'erson Co. Joseph Hobson and his 
wife, Rebecca, were rare specimens of those 
who felt that they were led by 'that inward 
voice, uncreated by schools, independent of re- 
finement, and is that which opens to the unlet- 
tered kind, not less than to the polished scholar, 
a sure pathway into the enfranchisements of 
eternal truth." They believed and regulated 
their lives by the conviction that ■' a spiritual 
unity binds together every member of the 
human family, and every heart contains an in- 
corruptible seed, capable of springing up and 
producing all that man can know of God and 
duty and the soul." They were faithful in 
their belief of the truth of the teachings of 
William Penn, (ieorgc Fox and Robert Barclay, 
and the few who yet remember them as mem- 
bers of the Society of Friends will reverence 
their memories. " Swear not at all," is a cardinal 
principle of human conduct with Quakers; 
hence, Joseph Hobson was not sworn ; he 
affirmed that, as Overseer of the Poor for Law- 
rence Township, he would discharge his duties 
according to the best of his skill and under- 
standing, and f(M' any failure, he would be lia- 
ble, under the pains and penalties of the law 
punishing perjury. 

On the same diiy, the 9th of April, the Trust- 
ees ordered that, until otherwise ordered, the 
township elections should be held at the house 
of William Whitcraft. William Whitcraft was 
a sturdy Irish Presbyterian, and made his faith 
manifest by his works ; his two sons, John and 
Thomas, were worthy representatives of their 
ancestor. 

On the same day, the township was laid out 
into three Road Districts; No. 1 was assigned 
to George Vaneman ; No. 2 to John Meek, and 
No. 3 to George Waggoner, the Supervisors elect, 
and it was ordered that John iMorchcail. Town- 
ship Treasurer, draw from Jackson Township, 
the sum of $5.7(1. which is the sum due to Law- 
rence from Jackson. 

The founders and framers of the political or- 
ganization known as Lawrence Township went 
at once into the business of organizing upon a 
sound basis ; they made a map of their town- 
ship, showing its thirty-six sections, with the 
Tuscarawas Hiver running through it from the 
northwest at Section (!, to the southeast, near 



±L^ 



4o4 



HISTORY OF .STAKK COUNTY. 



Section 36, with tiiu .Missilla Creeii entering the 
river on Section 9 ; Fox Run. riinninu; almost 
across the township, and entering the river on 
Section 26, near tlie northeast corner of the 
northeast iiuarter of the section, anrl New- 
mans Creek running entirely across the town- 
ship, leaving it on tiie southwest corner of the ' 
southeast quarter, and running through the 
northwest corner of Perry into the Tuscarawas 
River. Newmans Creek Swamp, in Wayne 
County, is al.so well drawn on the same map, 
the drawing of which was done liy James F. , 
Leonard, a most accomplished surveyor and 
draftsman, without the name of whom no 
history of scarcely any part of Stark County 
could be correctly written. Mr. Leonard was 
a representative man in everything he under- 
took to do ; modest and unassuming, he com- 
manded the respect of the pioneer settlers of 
what is now one of the grandest townships, in 
the grandest county of the grandest State, 
carved out of the Northwestern Territory, un- 
der the provisions of the Ordinance of Con- 
gress of July 13, 1787. The fact has found its 
way on to the record, that James F. Leonard 
and Sarah Barber were the first couple married 
in Stark County, and tiie date of their mar- 
riage is fixed as being on the 6th of June, 1806. 
At that time, there was no Stark County. 
Columbiana included Stark and wh;it is now 
Wavne, and when it is assumed that tlie mar- 
riage "was very likely without a license.' it is 
an assumption that is hardly justifiable. 

Mr. Leonard was one of those handy men. 
who was always in the front rank of advanc- 
ing civilization ; he is shown in these 
sketches to have been a Surveyor. Tovvnship 
Clerk, School Examiner and Justice of the 
Peace, all of which ottices he tilled to the ac- 
ceptance of his neighbors. 

The record kept by Mr. Leonard does not 
show when the Trustees adjourned, nor to what 
time they adjourned, but it appears that, on the 
10th of August, 181(), they met, and a petition, 
signed by James Campbell, William Whitcraft. 
James Patton, James F. Leonard, John More- 
head, John Morehead, Jr., Daniel Boiles, Rich- 
ard Hardgrove, John Meese,William Hills, John 
Roach, Ebenezer A. Roach, Francis Pumroy, 
James Barber, Abram Stevens, John .McCad- 
den, Isaac Edgington and Joseph Futton. was 
filed with the Clerk, praying for a road from 
Kerstetter's Mill, thence to the county line, at 



or near where x\.bram Stevens lives, on Section 
No. 7, in Township No. 7, in Range 10. On 
that petition " Louis Rogers, William Elliott 
and Henry Clapper were appointed to view said 
road, and Alexander Porter was appointed to 
survey ihe same. " The Viewers and Surveyor 
were "ordered to meet at Kerstetter's .Mill on 
the first Monday in September next. " Under 
the above proceedings a meeting was had. the 
Viewers were duly qualified, and the roaci was 
laid out, iu length seven miles and sixty -seven 
perches. Every report being signed, and an 
order made for opening the road, and which 
was the first i-oad opened in the township, by 
order of the Trustees. On the 1 9tli d;iy of July, 
181(i, Mattlicw Rowland and John Morehead, 
Esqs., were commissioned Justices of the 
Peace for Lawrence Township. 

The alcove named citizens were tiie first Jus- 
tices of the Peace for the township, so far as 
any record can be found. They held for three 
years, when it appears that Matthew Rowland 
and John Taylor were commissioned Justices 
of the Peace. They are both remembered as 
upright, worthy men, of whom, living or dead, 
nothing but good can truthfuUj- be said. Since 
their day. Abram Stevens. .Uexauder Porter, 
Alexander M. Russell. Dugald Campbell and 
William Alban. and many otliers who have 
passed awa_y, lield the office of Justice of the 
Peace, and their acts and example were the 
foundation of the great moral edifices of which 
the township is proud. They aided in estab- 
lishing schools and the means of instruction, 
and they are the edifices that are enduring 
monuments of the greatness of the township. 
James P. Leonard, after a life of great useful- 
ness in Stark County, removed to Independence, 
in Cu3'ahoga County, where he died, and left the 
memory of a good name. 

The entire population of the township at its 
organization was made up of men and women 
of singularly developed character. They were 
far in ad vance, in view of education, and that sort 
of social culture, of any township in the north- 
ern part of the county, and, as a rural dis- 
trict, their successors maj' be said to have kept 
their position. The earliest settlers in wnat 
became Lawrence Township, in the defining of 
the boundaries of Perry, Jackson, Tuscarawas 
and Lawrence, were William Crites, Henry 
Clapper, Jacob Clapper, the brothers Harris, 
John and Stephen, Massum Metcalf — incor- 



-^. 



LAWRENCE TOWNSHIP. 



reotlj- written Matthew Metcalf, in Evart's 
Atlas of Stark Count}'. He is well remembered 
by the writer, and was ordinarily known as 
" Madcap." He is referred to in the history 
of Tuscaniwas Township, his name appealing 
in the third United States census, as a resident 
of that township, the census being taken in 
]8]0, six years before the organization of the 
township of Lawrence, and at the taking of which 
all residents on the west side of the Tuscara- 
was Hiver south of the 41st parallel of lati- 
tude, which is the base line of the Connecticut 
Western Reserve, and north of the south 
line of Stark County, as established by Act of 
the General Assembly of Ohio, February 13, 
1!-(I8 (Chase's Statutes, Chapter 307). were 
included. As all the territorj' west of the 
Tuscarawas Eiver was, at the organization of 
Tuscarawas Township, included in that town- 
ship, in several instances the s:;me persons 
appear as the first settlcis of the tcjwnships of 
Tuscarawas and Lawrence. 

The first permanent settler of what is now 
Lawrence Township, and who remained on the 
soil after the township was organized, was 
William Crites. He rtniaincd many years in 
the township. His name, with that of Stephen 
Harris, Henry Clapper. Daniel Clapper. John 
Clapi'cr. Adam Lower. Adiim Guuids. George 
15ayst( ne, Massum Metcalf. Jacob Metcalf and 
Jeremiah Atkinson, appear in the census. 
neither of whom, except Hon. Stephen Harri.s, 
ever resided in Tuscarawas Township after it 
was reduced to its constitutional limits. Some 
of the persons named resided in l.awrcnce until 
it was organized, and seme went farther west, 
before any divisiin of the territory west of the 
river was made. 

During the war of 1812, when it became 
necessary for the Government to remove troops 
to the west, Col. Gibson, in ccrrmand of a reg- 
iment, cut a road through the south end of the 
township, running northwesterly from where is 
now the city of Massillo!), and is known as the 
'■army road," or the "territorial road." The 
late Gen. William I'lobinson, Jr., the first Presi- 
dent of the Ohio & I'ennsylvania Railroad, 
being then a Lieutenant in the United States 
Aimy. was with the regiment and with it en- 
camped where now is the Second Ward of the 
cit3' of Massillon. between the river and canal, 
the objective point of the regiment being Fort 
Miegs. or Defiance. Subsequently a State road 



was laid out on the road opened by Col. Gil)- 
son, and has ever since been used as such. 

The first efforts by any religious society to 
organize a subordinate society or obtain a 
place for religious worship in what is now 
Lawrence, then Tuscarawas. Township, were 
made by Rev. James Dixon, who was appointed 
by the Western Annual Conference of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church, held at a chapel 
in Shelby Count}-, Ky., in November. 1810. 
The circuit was known as ' Tuscarawas Cir- 
cuit," and extended from Coshocton to New 
Portage, about ninety miles. The district was 
known as Muskingum District, and Rev James 
Quinn was Presiding KIclcr. and from the best 
infoimation that can be had. Mr. Dixon pre:,ched 
at the house of W'illiam Crites, but whether 
Mr. Dixon Ibimed a societj' north of wliat is 
now the so\ith line of liawrence Township, 
cannot be ascertained. In 1812, John Sonic-r- 
ville was appointed to the circuit and relumed 
491 members, and from that day to the present 
it is safe to saj* that the township has not been 
without Methodist preaching, and from the best 
inloimation that can be had. Mr. Son;eivillc 
organized the fir.st Methodist society in the 
township. Pie was a man of wonderful energy 
and perseverance, doing his Master's work 
with all his might. In 1881. a church wjx, 
organized in Fulton, and the village was put 
into what was called the Dover Circuit, I ut 
what district it helc nged to cannot be ascer- 
tained. The Presiding Elder was Rev. W^. B. 
Christ}-. He was a man of great power, but 
was cut off in middle life and before he had at- 
taineel the height of his pepularity. The cii'- 
euit was composed of Dalton, Greenville. Brook- 
field and Fulton. Among the preachers of tho.sc 
days were Charles Elliott. Harry O. Sheldon 
and William Swazey. all of whom were men of 
strong character and untiring energy. Fulton 
is yet in a circuit of these charges, the Rev. 
Mr. Bell being the preacher. The absence of 
records has rendered it diflicult to obtain any- 
thing like an authentic history. The conference 
to which Fulton belongs is ihe North Ohio. 

The first Roman Catholics to settle in the 
townshij) came in 1812, and were Jolin Mc Cad- 
den, Matthew Patton and Daniel O'Bovle. In 
1813. Charles :\IcCadclen and John Gallagher 
settled in Baughman Tc wnship. in Wayne 
County, but so near the western line of Law- 
rence as to be scarcely separated, and these 



4->(i 



Hl.STOUY OF STARK COUNTY. 



the families fomposed the nucleus of the now 
tiouiishing parish of St. Philip and St. James, 
in Fulton. 

In the year 1817. Rev. Edward Fenvvick, 
from the diocese of Bardstown, Ky., left his 
home and traveled through the southern and 
eastern parts of Ohio in search of persons pro- 
fessing the Catholic faith, and came to Canton, 
and there found the several Shorb families, 
George Roofuer and his family, and a few 
others. By way of parenthesis, it may be re- 
marked thai (Jeorge Roofner was a well-digger 
by profession, and dug and walled the well on the 
premises in Kendal (now better known as a 
part of the city of Massillon) on which Adam 
Braehm resides. Roofner was killed by falling 
from the mouth to the bottom of a deep well, 
the fall being occasioned by the breaking of the 
rope used for hoisting the earth from the bot 
torn. Ho was a devoted Catholic. The few 
families of Catholics at Canton informed Rev. 
F'ather Fenwick of the Catholic families in Law- 
rence Township and west of the Tuscarawas 
River. He immediately came into the town- 
ship, celebrated mass, and preached and in- 
structed the youth and ministered to the spirit- 
ual wants of the six families, and promised to 
return nextj-ear. True to his promise, the good 
Father returned the next year and celebrated 
mass in the log-cabin residence of Daniel 
O'Bo^'le, and which was the first mass cele- 
brated in Lawrence Township. The celebration 
of mass the previous year was at the log-cabin 
residence of Matthew Patton, who had removed 
just over into Baughman Township. Wayne 
County. 

In the following year, 1818, the Rev. Father 
Fenwick and several .young priests of the same 
order located or settled on a farm two miles from 
Somerset, in Peny County, Ohio, after which 
the Catholics of the township were attended 
yearly by some one of the priests of that mis- 
siiin. which was known as St. Joseph's, Rev. N. 
Young and Rev. Thomas Martin being most 
frequent in their attendance until 1825. After 
that thej' were visited oecsionally by Rev. 
Fathers Hill and Ilenni, from Canton. Father 
Hill died in Canton, iu 1828, and Father Henni 
is now Archbishop of Milwaukee. Wis. Father 
Hill was a most brilliant and eloquent priest ; 
is well remembered by the writer, as is Arch- 
bishop Henni. Up to 1831, it would seem that 
the Catholics of Lawrence and Baughman had 



no church edifice, as religious services were held 
at the houses of Matthew Patton and others. 
A few Irish and German families were added to 
the congregation, and they resolved to build a 
church, and the farm of Phillip McCue being 
considered near the center of the congregation, 
a chapel was built on the west side of his farm; 
which farm is now the residence of his widow 
and her son, Thomas McCue, Esq., and his fam- 
ily, Mrs. McCue being in the eighty-second year 
of her age, and to whc>m, with Phillip Patton, 
Esq., of Baughman Township, the writer desires 
to acknowledge his obligations for many of the 
most important facts herein narrated. -The 
chapel was built," says Mr. Patton, ' 30x40 feet 
on the west line of the farm, and was the first 
Catholic chapel in the township. " The families 
worshiping in that little church were fnjui the 
townships of Baughman, Chippevvay and Sugar 
Creek, iu Wayne County, as well as from Law- 
rence, in Stark County. B}" this time the vil- 
lage of Fulton began to improve, and German 
Catholics began to settle in the village and in 
the eastern part of the township, among whom 
should be named the late Gottfried Bernower, 
the Hammers, Warners, Gills and others. The 
diflerent religious denominations throughout the 
township, that had erected temporar}- houses for 
worship, in the country, began to erect perma- 
nent church edifices in the village. The Hon. 
Hiram Griswold, now of Leavenworth, Kan., 
representing large interests in real estate in the 
village, the Catholics purchased of him a block 
of lots, in 1844, on which to erect a new church 
edifice, and work in that direction was immedi- 
ately begun. The corner-stone was laid by Bish- 
op, now Archbishop, Purcell, in 1845. A build- 
iug was eriM-tcd, :;,'ix.')0 feet, at a cost of $1,500, 
In 1868, the chapel being found to be too small to 
accommodate the large congregation, they '■' re- 
solved,"' says Mr. Patton, " to erect a chapel to 
honor the Supreme Being. Thev drew a plan 
of a building, to be 50x100 feet, tower lOU feet 
in height, brick, Gothic architecture, and which 
was erected at a cost of $30,000. " 

As reference has been had to that excellent 
man. Rev. Edward Fenwick, it is deemed 
proper to state that in 1821 he was consecrated 
Bishop, his diocese being in the States of Ohio. 
Indiana, Illinois and the Western Territories, 
the diocese being known as the " Diocese of 
Cincinnati." In 1823, he administered the rite 
of confirmation to eight or ten persons in Law- 



,l^ 



LAWRENCE TOWXSHll' 



rence Township, among whom was the respected 
Mr. Patton. so frequently- and necessarily 
named in this sketch. The 3-car 1832 will i)e 
remembered by some; yet livin<j as the first year 
of that frightful scourge, the Asiatic cholera. 
In that year, Bishop Fenwick went on an ex- 
tensive Episcopal visitation through Michigan 
and Wisconsin, returning through Northern 
Ohio, taking Canton en route to Cincinnati, 
and traveling liy stage coach. On his arrival 
at Massillon accompanied b}' one of the Sisters 
of Charity, it was made known to the person 
having the hotel in charge at which the coach 
stopped that the Bishop was very ill. lie was 
urged to stop, and was assured of every atten- 
tion the house could furnish, the proprietor being 
absent from town. The Bishop, however, 
thought he could go on with safety, and did go 
on. That night he died in Wooster. of cholera. 
He was attended by Drs. Bisscll and Coulter 
and a black boy. The hotel at which he died 
was kept by Samuel Coulter, one of the early 
residents of Canton. The rite of confirmation 
referred to, administered by Bishop Fenwick, 
was at the house of Mattliew Patton, about 
twenty rods west of the Stark County liue. 
At this time there are about one hundred fam- 
ilies who compose the congregation of St. Philip 
and St. James, Rev. Father Zattman being the 
priest in charge. 

The first Presbyterian preaching in the town- 
ship was by Rev. James Adams, ivhose name 
appears elsewhere in these sketches. lie 
preached first at the house of John Morehead, 
and was a thorough believer in the doctrine 
that " by faith shall all men lie justified." At 
that time the Presbyterian Church was strong 
and inttuential on the west side of the river. 
The members were of the hardy Scotch Irish 
peojjle of Western Pcnn.sylvania, who, as has 
been said elsewhere in these sketches of the 
Quakers. " Bore with liberty and law the Bible 
in their train." With such antecedents, Law- 
rence coidd not nor has ever been a second-rate 
township. Us present population is G,000. It 
has the growing and enterprising village of 
Fulton, the post office of which is known as 
Canal Fulton, situate in the northern end of 
the township, and nearly in the northwestern 
corner. 

Originall}'. that part of the village l^'ing 
west of the Tuscarawas River was known as 
Milan, and was laid out in 1814, by Matthew 



Rowland, l']s(i., afterward prominent as a Jus- 
tice of tlie I'eace, on the organization of the 
township and in the history of the county, and 
died in 1821. The township had a decided 
military taste, as it furnished no less than four 
Colonels of regiments, on what the late (Jov. 
Corwin, in his celebrated speech in reply to 
(Jen. Crary, called the " peace establishment." 
Their names were Isaiah Bowen. William Alban. 
William Ivlliott, and, at a later date, Jacob 
Harsh. Col. Bowen was a millwright by trade, 
and did much of the millwright work west of 
the Tuscarawas Hiver, in the now County of 
Stark, and also did the millwright work on the 
first mill built in Perry Township, known as 
Folger's mill. John Sturgeon, also a military 
man and millwright, worked with Isaiah Bowen, 
was a son-in-law of Matthew Rowland, Esq., 
and is believed to have erected the first dwell- 
ing house in the village of Milan. James 
O'Boyle, incorrectly written -Boiles," was 
Captain of a rifle company, made up of many 
of the young men of the township, and known 
as the '' Kendal llifle Blues. ' Their place for 
muster, exercisi! and drill was on the North 
square, in Kendal. The company retained its 
organization but a few years, but during its ex- 
istence was regarded as a ' crack " company. 
To those who remember the military spirit 
called into existence by the war of 1812, with 
Creat Britain, it is a little remarkable to wit- 
ness the degeneracy of that spirit in later days. 
In those early times, the citizen-soldier felt 
that he was the right arm of the Federal Gov- 
ernment. Xo West Point graduate excelled 
him in patriotism or bravery, and as Indian 
fighters, the hardy pioneers of what was then 
the frontier settlements yielded to nobody, 
whether he regulated his ideas of fighting liy 
subtle criticisms on strategy and careful re- 
views of marches, sieges, battles, regular and 
casual, and irregular onslaughts, or whether he 
fought by the practical notion of ■' the devil 
take the hindmost," the pioneer settler was 
always ready, and made his faith manifest by 
his works ; and of such were the men who 
peopled the Tuscarawas Valley, as soon as the 
right to take peaceable possession under the 
treaties already relerrod to was guaranteed to 
them. 

The first grist-mill erected in the township 
was built l)y Col. William (loudy, and was 
built in 1812, and was the one sold to Leonard 



HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY. 



^. 



Kerstetter, in 1814, alreaily referred to, and was 
finally destroyed by fire, while owned by tbe 
late Cyrus Young. At an early day, another 
mill was built, on Fox Run, by Col. Isaiah 
Bowen, which proved of little value. 

Home three ye.irs before the organization of 
the township, (ieorge H irsh removed into the 
territory then known as Tuscarawas Township. 
In 1812, he had sent his son John from Wash- 
ington County. I'ennsylvania, who purchased 
100 acres of land from Col. William Goudy, 
who liad purchased the quarter-section, the 
same rroudy who had erected the mill. The 
hu;i Iri'd acres purchased b^' John is the same 
land now owned by John Jacobs, of Massillon, 
anil which has been most fruitful in its yield of 
mineral coal of the best quality. On the arri- 
val of Mr. Harsh, the father, he entered the 
quarter adjoining the 100 acres already' pur- 
chased, on the north, at the Government land 
office. That quarter is now owned b}' the only 
surviving son, Hon. George H.xrsh, of Massil- 
lon, and on which is situate the celebrated 
'■ Mountain Coal Mine." The father, George 
Harsh, died August IG, 1833, aged seventy-three 
years. His wife survived him ten years, and died 
at tlie age of seventy-six. He was married twicj, 
having by his first marriage two sons, Henry and 
John. Henry lived in Virgina, now West Vir- 
ginia, and John in Wa3'ne County, Ohio. B,)th 
have been dead many years. By the second 
marriage he had Benjamin, Joseph. Jacob, 
Barbara and George, now sole survivor of the 
family, in his seventy-second year. Of the des- 
cendants of Leonard Kerstetter, but two grand- 
sons ramain. David and D.uiiel, and one grand- 
daughter, Mrs. Daniel Kleckner. Tlie descend- 
ants were numerous, and contributed largely to 
the growth and prosperity of the township. 
Leonard Kerstetter served in the war of the 
Revolution, and had two sons in the war of 1812. 

The first Presbyterian Church edifice in the 
township was built in the northwest corner, and 
was known as Newman's Creek Presbyterian 
Church. The congregation was composed of 
members from the townships of Chippewa, 
Baughmau and Sugar Creek, in Wayne County, 
and of those living north of Newman's Creek 
in Stark County. The first Presbyterian min- 
ister was Rev. James Adams, who resided in 
Sugar Creek Township, Wayne Count}'. He 
was succeeded by Rev, James Galbraith and 
Rev. James Snodsfrass. on the west side of the 



river, who preached occasionally at Newman's 
Creek. Of the early Presbyterians tiie names 
of Porter, Lytle, McCaughey, McDowell, Fulton, 
Mo'reEead, 'VVilkins, Alban, Whitcraft. Tate and 
many others, Scotch, Irish and the descend- 
ants of Scotch-Irish Presljj'terians, from West- 
ern Pennsylvania, will alwa3's be found promi- 
nent. In June, 1812, the cliurch was reiUDVed to 
Fulton, Rev. Jonas Denton being Pastor, and 
James Lee, Richard Porter, William Alban, and 
Thomas Ritchie, Elders. During the long period 
that has elapsed since the organization of New- 
man's Creek Presbyterian Church, being more 
than sixty years, the Presbyterians have had 
the stated preaching of the Gospel in the town- 
ship, and are now growing and increasing 
under the ministry of Rev. Mr. Carson ; D. C. 
McDowell. Andrew Lytle and John Porter, 
Elders. — 

In 1826, under the impetus given to the im- 
provement of the country generally, by the lo- 
cating of the Ohio Canal, the village of Fulton 
was laid out b}' William Christmas and Jamjs 
W. Lathrop, both of whom resided at Canton, 
and was, on the opening of canal navigation, a 
most important point for the purchasing of 
produce of all kinds. Among its merchants, 
the first was Henry A. Stidger, a nephew of 
Gen. George Stidger, one of the first rasrchants 
of Canton, and also an Associate Judge ; he, 
however, did not remain. He went to Carroll- 
ton, in Carroll County, where he has remained, 
having been a prominent citizen of that county 
seat ever since its organization. During his 
long residence in that county he has been Brig- 
adier General, and held other oiiiees of distinc- 
tion, and it is said of him that he has on hand 
some of the identical goods which stocked his 
store in Fulton, fifty six 3-ears ago. 

The Ohio Canal, when opened from Cleveland 
to Massillon, in 1828, was the great highway 
and medium of transportation through the State 
of Ohio, as far as finished. It brought a new 
people into the State, especially along its line, 
some of whom were of the hardy adventurers 
who, years before, had been traders up the 
Cuyahoga, from Cleveland to the Cuyahoga 
Portage, across the Portage to the head-waters 
of the Tuscarawas, and down that river through 
the navigable streams already described, as far 
as interest or enterprise might offer induce- 
ments to go. Once on the Tuscarawas, as far 
south as Clinton, in Franklin Township, in the 



-^ 



LAVVRKXCE TOWN-SIIIP. 



now county of Smninit, the via.y was open to 
New Orleans and the (iiilf. One trader, who 
used to boast of liis enterprise and success, was 
Capt. Henry Chirke. well recollected by the 
writer, in ISliti, as an explorer along the line of 
the canal, and afterwanl as a hotel-keeper at 
New I'ortage and the now city of Akron. Capt. 
Clarke, in telling his experience, on one occasion 
while the building of the canal was progressing, 
said he had transported salt from Cleveland up 
the Cuyahoga in canoes, and packed it in sacks 
on horseback over the I'ortage, an<l taken it 
down the Tuscarawas Valley and sold it out 
by the half-pint to the retailers. Those who 
remember Capt. Henry Clarke will recognize 
the likeness of the man in the story just re- 
lated. 

Prominent among the (^arly business and 
successful operators in Fulton was the late 
John Uobinson, Ksq. Mr. Robinson was trained 
to the profession and business of a merchant, 
under tlie care of Judge William Henry, com- 
mencing his apprenticeship in the brick build- 
ing on the extension of Cherry street, in the 
now city of Massillon, as early as 1823. On 
the locating of the canal and the laj'ing out of 
Fulton. Judge Henry, with that shrewdness 
that marked his character, established Mr. 
Robinson in business, the lirm being J. Robin- 
sou <fc Co. Mr. Robinson, being a man of strict 
business habits, and e(iually strict in all other 
respects, commailded the business of the entire 
surrounding country, including the northern 
part of Wayne 0>unty. The post ofiice. 
which had been originally kept by iVmzi D. 
Mecse, and while, in his hands, discon- 
tinued, was re-established, and Mr. Robinson 
appointed I'ostmaster, and Fulton took a start 
and attained a prominence as a business point, 
that it has kept. Many of the best buildings 
for business purposes in the village, and which 
gave the plac^e a start, were erected by Mr. 
Robinson, or through liis influence. In 18:56, 
he purchased the interest of Judge Henry, who 
had never advanced any capital, or if any, it 
was merely nominal, and continued business 
in his own name up to to the time of his death, 
which occurn^d in the city of I'hiladelphia, 
April 14, 18t;o. 

The merchant longest in l)usincss in Fulton 
at this time is John Mobley. vvho has resided 
there forty-six years, and has succeeded amid 
all the chansies of almost half a century, and 



may be said to bo one of the ancient land- 
marks by which the existence of i''ulton may 
be established. 

In 1858, a general law was passed liy the 
General Assembly of the State of Ohio, author- 
izing the forming of municipal incori)orations, 
and the citizens of Fulton availed themselves 
of its provisions and became an incorporated 
village, including tin- old town of Milan, under 
the name of the Incorporati^d Village of Ful- 
ton, since which its growth has [h-ou steady 
and permanent. 

The first lawyer in Fulton was the late William 
51. Cunningham, Ksq., who opened an office in 
1842 ; was a Justice of the Peace, and acvpiired 
prf)perty ; removed to Akron, where he died. 

The first teacher of a school in the township 
was Alexandei' Porter, who opened a school in 
a log house, built on the farm of William 
Alban in 1816. It seems he taught but one 
year, when George Waggoner took charge of the 
school, and wielded the birch and ferule, as the 
backs of the boys bore witness. Next to him 
was Stephen Casscl, who was First Lieutenant of 
the Kendal Rifle Blues, and was a man of taste 
and culture ; he removed to Holmes County, 
and remained until his life's work ended. 

An important item in the history of Fulton 
is the Stark County Orphans' Institute, a cor- 
rect history of which has ne\ei- been written, 
and probably never will be. The following, 
however, is believed to be as nearl}- correct as 
will ever appear : In 1837 or 1838. there came 
to the then village of -Massillon :i merchant by 
the name of Osec Welch, and a certain Dr. 
John (!ook Bennett; there came also a produce 
dealer from Buffalo, N. Y., bj" the name of 
Henry Roop. who had a brother residing in 
Paris, Stark County, Ohio, and who had resided 
there many ^-ears. There was also in existence, 
at that time, an institution known as the Gran- 
ville Alexandrian Society, having a charter as 
a literary society, which was granted early in 
1807, and during the mania for banking, at the 
close of the war of 1812, it was claimed that 
the Library Company of Granville had banking 
powers, and it at once commenced to exercise 
those powers by opening an office of discount 
and deposit. In the (trash which followed the 
chartering of the Hank ol'thc I'nited States, in 
1810. the Granville Alexandrian Society, and 
the bank established under the provisions of its 
charter, went down with a crash. Bv some 



^^ 



^V 



means, Henry Roop got possession of the char- 
ter, and under it re-organized the Bank of Gran- 
ville, and it appeared to be a success. Dr. 
Bennett and Osee Welch, seeing the probable 
success of Roop's eflbrt, got a charter through 
the Ohio Legislature for " The Universal School 
of Massillon." Bennett got into extremely bad 
odor and left for parts unknown, and was not 
iieard of for many years, when he turned up as 
Maj. Gen. John Cook Bennett, Commander-in- 
Chief of the Nauvoo Legion. He had joined 
the Mormons at Nauvoo ; he made an unsavory 
record there, renounced JMormonism and wrote 
a book disclosing the iniquities of the Latter- 
Day Saints. The appearance of the book was 
the last that is known of Maj. Gen. John Cook 
Bennett, M. D., and Commander-in-Chief of the 
Nauvoo Legion. 

The charter of the " Universal School of Mas- 
sillon," not being sufficiently liberal to allow 
all that Osee Welch desired as a banking insti- 
tution, a new charter was obtained for the 
Stark County Orphans' Institute. The object 
as expressed in the charter was to found an in- 
stitution for the benefit of orphans, somewhat 
upon the plan of the Charity School of Kendal. 
The first, almost, that the public knew of its 
existence was the issuing of paper of the like- 
ness and similitude of bank notes dated at 
Fulton, liy wiiich the "Stark County Orphans' In- 
stitute" promised to pay the amount therein 
named to the bearer. It being an unauthorized 
banking institution, the paper would not circu- 
late ; Welch was unable to give it credit, having 
none of that article on hand for himself Another 
difficulty was a defect in the engraving ; the 
notes were dated at Fulton, but the name of 
the State was left off, and the affair seemed to 
be still-born. It was not long, however, until 
new notes were engraved, dated at Fulton, Ohio, 
in which the " Orphan Institute's Bank '' prom- 
ised to pay, etc. Welch, who was the first 
President, seemed to have stepped down and 
out. Marvin Oviatt, of Medina County, was 
President and John Black, Cashier. Almost 
every farmer in the neighborhood and many in 
the neighboring townships of Baughman, Greene 
and Chippewa, in Wayne County, were induced 
to take stock in the bank, and in order that all 
should go right, new men were to have the 
management. A man by the name of Richard 
Huliljell, represented to be a capitalist of almost 
fabulous wealth, was to be the manager, but 



the plan would not nor did not succeed. Many 
of the honest and unsuspecting farmers who 
went into it were ruined. In 1842, suits were 
commenced against them under the provisions 
of an old law then in force, prohibiting unau- 
thorized banking, and finally the Stark County 
Orphans' Institute, and the Orphan Institute's 
Bank, with all its assets, real and personal, 
were sold Dut by the Sheriff. More than forty 
years have elapsed since the events connected 
with the institution transpired. Most of those 
who were connected with the unfortunate affair 
are dead. Their last days were embittered l)y 
relentless claimants, who brought suit in all 
the counties of the State wherein service of proc- 
ess could be had upon them. Many were re- 
duced from a competence to poverty. Welch 
took the benefit of the Bankrupt Act of 1841, 
and finally removed to Galena, 111., and has 
been dead many jears. It took a long time 
for Fulton and the surrounding neighborhood 
to recover from the paralysis occasioned bj' the 
effort to establish a bank without authority of 
law and without pecuniary responsibilit\-. It 
has, however, long since recovered, and is the 
peer of an^' village of its population — now 
about twelve hundred — in Ohio. Its railway 
connections and mineral and agricultural sur- 
roundings assure its continued prosperity. The 
township contains several hamlets erected by 
miners, principal among which are Youngstown 
Hill, Maple Grove, and Williamsburg, which 
includes Aberdeen Coal Mines. 

The village of Lawrence, laid out in 1852, 
by the late Hon. Arnold Lynch and Philip 
McCue, Esq., on the southwest and southeast 
(juarters of Section 20, is a village of grow- 
ing importance. It is situate on both sides of 
the Pittsburgh, Fort Wayne & Chicago Rail- 
way, and is known in the list of post offices as 
North Lawrence. 

Among the men of decided prominence in 
this township, of a later period, Cyrus Young 
will occupy an important position on the his- 
toric stage. He was, perhaps, as well known to 
the writer as to any person in the county, out of 
his own family or immediate connections. Mr. 
Young was descended from one of the oldest fam- 
ilies in Jackson Township. His grandfather, 
Frederick Young, was born in Bedford County, 
Penn., in 1777, and moved from there to Jackson \ 
Township, Stark Co., Ohio, and settled near Mud 
Brook, where he lived until his death. Adam 



V 



,t^ 



I, A WltK.XCE TOWNSHIP. 



Yoiini;,- fallun- of Cyrus Yonii^:. was born in 
Bedford County. Penn., Decenihor 28, 17!)9, 
and eamo to Ohio, wiiere he resided with his 
father until twenty -six years of ago, when he 
was married to Christina Sprankel. wiiose 
m:\iden name was Kirk, a sister of Jacob Kirk, 
one of the first two Justices of the Peaee elect- 
ed in Jackson Township. Mrs. Young's first 
husband is supposed to have been Christian 
Sprankel. who was killed by the falling of a tree. 
Bv iier marriage with Adam Young she had 
two children — Cyrus Young and Julia A. Young, 
now Julia A. Myers. On removing into Law- 
rence Township. Adam Young lived for a short 
time near the mill erected by Col. William (^oudy, 
on Newman's Creek, since owned by Leonard 
Kerstettei. Alexander Culbertson. John Spran- 
kel and others. After leaving that place, he 
removed to the farm known as the Stauflfer 
farm, in 1827; resided there two years, when 
he purchased the "Old Young Farm." now 
owned by John Myers, Esq.. where he resided 
until his death. Cvrus Y^oung was born in 
Jackson Township October 23, 1824. and lived 
with his parents in a log cabin until eighteen 
years of age. taught school from seventeen 
until nineteen years of age, went to Indiana 
and taught one winter, then returned and 
followed farming until twenty-four years of 
age. In 1848. he was married to Margaret 
Sheafl'er. and followed farming and threshing 
with a machine until 18,53. when he moved to 
the farm on which he died, and whicli was 
known as the old Kerstetter farm, and one of 
the first cleared up after the organization of the 
townshi)). The following notice of Mr. Young's 
death appeared in the Massillon Awrn'cini of 
April 27. 1881. and is deemed worthy of a place 
in the history of the townslii[). 



YoiTNo.— Wednesday, April 20, 1881. in Lawrence 
Township, Stark County. Ohio, Cyrus Young, Esq.. 
in the 57th ^-ear of his age. 

The death of ilr. Young occurred under circum- 
.stances so peculiarly distressing a.s to almost ren 
der description impossible. In the morning of the 
day of his death he was seen on the streets of this 
city, attending to his ordinaiy l)usiness and in usual 
heidth, and went from here to Lawrence to attend 
to so.nie l)usincss in connection with the ruiniiiig of 
a portable sawmill near that place, and wliile. as is 
siip|iosed. endeavoring to adjust some of the niaeliin- 
cry eiiiHiected with tlie steam engine, his clothing 
was e:iuglit. and he was drawn in and crushed to 
deatli ill less time than can he imagine<l. Leaving 



his house and lioniein the niorniug, in perfect liealth, 
he was taken back before noon— a corpse! Althougli 
there were tlu-ee persons, at least, about the mill, 
not one saw the terrible accident, and how it oc- 
curred is left to tlieories lliat may, or may not, be 
correct. 

Such was the niiiidity with which the machinery 
was running that he was stripped of all his cloth- 
ing, except his iieik-hiuidkerc.hicf and a small por- 
tion of his uiidenlolluini. Mr. Y'oung was a native 
of .Jackson Township: born October 23, 1824. By 
means of large eoal interests, he had acquired an 
ample fortune, consisting of farms in Stark, Wayne 
and Medina Counties, and heavy coal interests in 
Stark County and in Hocking Valley, the entire 
value of which is variously estimated. He was a 
man of positive character lind more than ordinaiy 
native ability. Starting out in life without any 
means, or but little, and inariying early, he met his 
responsibilities by liard labor. "in which he was aided 
bv a most faithful and excellent wife. who. with 
nine cliildieii, survives him, and who. in their sorrow- 
stricken condition, have tlu' sympathy of hosts of 
friends. Few gentlemen, iiiiy wliere, have any more 
of life's comforts aroiiii<l theiii than had Mr. Votnig, 
and no one provided for his large family with more 
princely generosity, 'fakeii away in the prime of 
his life, he leaves, in his circle of relatives and 
friends, a void that can never be filled. On Sabbath 
day his remains were laid away in the cemetery in 
this city, in the picseiice of aii immense concourse 
of people from city and coimtry, and where 

'■ Till' tioly calm tliiU breuttios around 

i^UU every tlerco, teiiipehtllous pnHBion ceasf*; 

In stin, sTniill iiccenta. wlii-pering from the ground, 
A gnileful fiirnest of eternal peace, 

" No fnrth'-r seek Ilia merits to disclose. , 
Or draw liis frailti. s from tlie:r dread abr.de; 

There thev alike in tr. mblinf h'P" repose. 
The l.isom ..f I. is Father and his G..d " 

On moving on to the Kerstetter farm, which 
which was the southeast quarter of Section 36, 
Mr. Young soon ascertained that he had a fortune 
iu the far-famed Massillon coal. Mines were 
opened on the tract which yielded sufficiently to 
lay the foundation of the fortiiiu' wliici Mr. 
Young had at the time of his dc^ath which was 
very large, there being few in the county equal 
to it. 

Another family prominent in the settlement 
anil organization of the township was that of 
Hichard Hardgrove, who settled on the west 
side of the Tuscarawas River in 1812. He was 
one of the first two Constables elected iu the 
township, and held other important positions, 
until his death, which occurred in 1843. He 
left a large family of sons and daughters, 
many of whom still reside in the township. 

The brothers William and John Shcaffer 
were among the earliest settlers in the town- 
ship, after its organization. John was one of 



^- 



402 



HISTORY or STARK COUNTY. 



I the earliest Abolitionists in the township. On 
the subject of human slavery he was outspoken, 
I and aided in organizing the old Free Soil and 
j Liberty Party in tlie county, of whom so few 
are left. These brothers were farmers, and did 
I as much to give character to the township as 
I any whose names are found on its I'ecords. 

Fulton, like every other place where the 
I ubiquitious newspaper has a "local habitation 
I and a name, " lias been called on to witness the 
I changes that follow in the wake of that great 
factor in advancing civilization. In these lat- 
j ter days, no one thinks of being without his 
I newspaper, daily nr weekly, as circumstances 
I maj' justify. 

I In 1S72, a Mr. Roberts, from somewhere in 
Richland County, commenced the publication 
of a weekly newspaper at Fulton, called the 
Times, but being without means, did not get 
I beyond tiie third number, and it is said that 
the thiee numbers he did issue were printed at 
I other offices, and tiiat ended the initial enter- 



prise. In July. 1873, a stock company was 
formed, known as "The Herald I'ulilisliing 
Company;'' A. J. Baughman,of Manstield, Ohio, 
was secured as editor and general business 
manager. He published the Fulton Herald for 
two 3ears, l)Ut giving little attention to the 
business, the Hinthl went the way of the 
Times, and ceased to exist. Its circulation 
was always light. In August, 1875, J. P. 
Yockey, Escj., took the material of the old office, 
added to it a complete outfit for a job office, 
and other new material, and commenced the 
publication of the Fulton SiynaJ, and has 
continued it and made it a success. By close 
attention to his paper, he has got a steadily in- 
creased subscription list, does good job work, 
and is doing a paying business. The SignaJ 
has become an important factor in the business 
relations of Fulton, and will retain its position 
while under the management of its present 
energetic editor and proprietor. 



CIIAl'TEU XIX. 



NIMISHILLEN TOWN.SHIP — ITS EARLY SETTLEMENT — NAM KS OF THE I'lO.NEKKS — LNCIDENT.S — 
RELFGIOX AND EDUC.VnO.V— E VRLY FRENCH SET I'LKyiS -TOWNS, Er(.;.. ETC. 



" I love everything that's old— old friends. 
Old times, old manners, old books, old wine." 

— OohUmith. 

"I^IMISHILLEX was named after the creek 
1 \i which takes its rise mainly in the town- 
ship. There is a tradition that the stream was 
named from the black alder which grew verj- 
abundantly along the bank, the Indian name of 
which is said to be Missilla. Prefix to this 
word ni, which probably meant stream, or 
water, and you have Nimissilla, since changed 
into Nimishillen. Col. Bouquet, a British 
officer stationed at Fort Pu Quesne (now Pitts- 
burgh), in his published narrative of an expe- 
dition through this section in 17()4. gives the 
orthography of the stream as Keiiienchelus. 
Whatever ma3- have been the original meaning 
of this word, it was evidently the one from 
which the present name has been derived. 

The first settler in the township was John 
Bowers, from Maryland. He entered the south i 



half of Section 32 in 1805. and in the following 
spring, moved out with his family, and com- 
menced an improvement on the east quarter. 
In the winter of 180(5-7, his son John, then a 
stout boy, was taken sick with a fever. There 
was no physician within reach, and, as the boy 
grew worse, and the family had exhausted 
their efforts to relieve him without success, 
the}- sent for the few distant neighbors, who 
were prompt to respond to the call. Their 
added experience and domestic remedies proved 
alike unavailing, aud the poor boy died. It 
was a terrible shock to the familj'. The mother 
blamed it all upon the new country, and re- 
gretted having left their Eastern home. In 
this their hour of affiiction. the neighbors were 
doubly kind, and did what they could to con- 
sole them. A rough coffin was made out of 
an old wagon box, and the boj' buried in the 
woods, some distance from the cabin. It was 
a solemn occasion, long remembered by the few 
in attendance. A tiee was cut so as to fall 




^^ 



M': 



'\iL 



NIMI8HILLEN TOWNSHIP. 



463 



across tho grave, in order to protect the body 
from tile \voh"es. Bowers sold this quarter to 
BoUiuger, and made a settlemcut upou the ad- 
joining quarter west. While here, he was 
elected County Coramissiouer, and afterward 
Ta.\ Collector, when the ottice was distinct from 
that of Treasurer. He is yet remembereil pass- 
ing over the counliy from house to house with 
a cylindrical tin bo.'v strapped on his back, col- 
lecting the taxes. Some j-ears later, he sold 
the balance of his laud, and purchased a small 
improved tract in Canton Township, where he 
died. He was buried in Osnaburg. 

John (rans, of Fayette County, Peun., en- 
tered the southeast quarter of Section 3, in 
180U, and settled thereon same year with his 
family, consisting of a wife and four children. 
His son Benjamin, now a resident of hake, was 
born in Nimishillen in 1807. Mr. (ians belonged 
to the religious sect known as Tunkers 
(from the (Jerman tuulccu, to dip), more prop- 
ei'ly, (Jenuan Bai)tists. He was a preacher 
among them, and a man of consideraable 
influence, (^uite a number of the same de- 
nomination followed him from Pennsylvania, 
and settled in central and eastern portions of 
the county. The Tunkers are a peculiar peo- 
ple ; don't vote or have au3-thing to do with 
politics ; avoid lawsuits, and in giving testi- 
monj-. do not swear, but always atHrm. They 
are opposed to war, and evade a draft. Usually 
wear the hair and beard long from a sense of 
religious duty, and the dress of both sexes is 
always plain, and never changed to conform to 
a popular fashion. As a class, they have not 
had a very high appreciation of education, 
especially an educated ministry, believing the 
Lord would inspire. It was their custom to 
hold preaching in barns. Latterly, they have 
taken to church buikhngs of plain construc- 
tion, and favor a more liberal etlucation. 

The .Mathias brothers. Daniel and Jacob, 
and their father, then a widower, came the 
same year and from the same county in Penn- 
sylvania as did Gans : they settled on Section 
14. Inloading their cooking and farming 
utensils, the families h!c(>ttncki<t under a tree, 
until the men erected a cabin. In October. 
180G. a child was born to Mrs. Daniel Mathias. 
the first white child born in the township. 
Henry Sanor made an opening on the same 
section. Fie and Jacob Mathias often told the 
story of hearing the sound of a horn in the 



north, when the wind was from that direction, 
and how they were puzzled to know whence it 
came, or what it meant. At length they deter- 
mined to find out. So one Suuda}- morning, 
they started in the direction they had heard 
the sound, and with an ax blazed their course 
on both sides of trees they passed, that XX\ny 
might be able to tinil their way back. In this 
way, they proceeded between three and four 
miles as they supposed, when they heard a dog 
bark. Following this sound, they came to the 
clearing and habitation of Jesse VVileman, and 
his son Mahlon, which place is now in Marl- 
borough Township. They had been there some 
weeks, and thinking there must be other emi- 
grants settling in the vicinity, they bethought 
themselves of occasionally" blowing the horn, 
in order to communicate to others tlieir wherea- 
bouts. 

At this period, Indians were njamiug over 
the country, and during the season of hunting 
and fishing, it was their custom to camp along 
the creek. They were inoffensive, but persist- 
ent beggars. They were particularly fond of 
whisky, and when once indulged with a taste, 
there was no cessation to their importunities 
for more " whisk," as they called it. Daniel 
Mathias brought a keg of several gallons trom 
Pennsylvania. On the occasion of a call from 
several of the tribe, he treated them each to a 
drink. This soon spread among the rest, and 
it was not long until he was besiegeil by such 
numbers that liis supply of the stimulant was 
soon exhausted ; nor would they accept his 
statement that he had no more, until he ex- 
hibited the empty keg, when they made fruit- 
less etlbrts to eke out a few more drops. 

There was an Indian trail running east and 
west, that passed through the township. John 
Thomiis, a resident of Columbiana County, with 
the help granted by the Commissioners, had this 
trail widened so as to make it passable for 
teams. It was afterward known as the 
'■ Thomas Itoad," and was the first highway 
through the county. Much of the road still 
remains in use, from Lexington, tin Freeburg 
and Louisville, to Canton. I'enticost & Scott, 
reputed lawyers, but more properly land specu- 
lators, laid out a town on this road, on the 
southeast quarter of Section 28, and called it 
■ Ximishillentown." Daniel L. McClure. the sur- 
veyor, made a beautiful plat of the town, 
which was exhibited to everylwdv from the 






4(i4 



HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY. 



east as the count}- seat of the new county of 
Stark. It was laid off in rectangular form, with 
wide streets, a large square in the center in- 
tended for the court house and jail, and other 
lots appropriated for church and school pur- 
poses. They erected a large story and a half 
log house, which did not have a single piece of 
sawed timber; all was split and hewn.^ The 
enterprise proved a failure, mainly because it 
was considered too far away from the center of 
the county. The ground was level, had been 
cleaned of all underbrush, and for years, during 
the summer months, was a place of resort on 
Sundays for the young men and boys living 
miles around, to play ball and pitch quoits. 

Henry Loutzenheiser and John Rupert, broth- 
ers-in-law, from Westmoreland County, Penn., 
came out in the summer of 1807. and. with the 
help of a hireling, made a clearing on the south- 
west quarter of Section 11, and erected a cabin 
about twelve feet square. Rupert made a clear- 
ing on the adjoining quarter, and built a cabin 
the same year. Loutzenheiser sold his land a 
few 3'ears after to Martin Houser, who had been 
a soldier in the war of the Revolution, and 
bought the quarter section with all of Ximi 
shillentown. Michael Rupert, uncle of Henry 
Loutzenheiser. married or lived with an In- 
dian squaw ; she had by him several children. 
His brother, .Alartin Rupert, and cousin, Martin 
Houser, were both taken prisoners during the 
Revolutionary war by the Indians, while driv- 
ing cattle to the ai'my. 

In 1825, Henry Loutzenheiser built the two- 
story brick house yet standing in Louisville, 
the first building of brick in the township. For 
many years he kept tavern here, sign of the 
spread eagle ; the house was well known, and 
was a popular stopping-place for travelers. At 
that day, most of the traveling was on horse- 
back, and the usual charges for man and lieast 
over night — supper, breakfast and lodging. :md 
two horse feeds — was 50 cents. The hicalitj- 
was known as " Loistzenheiser's,' and was one 
of the places where " general muster " was held 
at stated periods. John Augustine was the 
General ; David Bair. of Paris Tow-nship, the 
Colonel, and Henry Loutzenheiser, Major. 
Those were gala days, both for old and young. 
The parade usuallj- closed with a few figlits, 
and in the evening there would be a dance. 

Henry Loutzenheiser was the father of twen- 
ty-tive children, all living at one time ; the 



product of three wives. Notwithstanding latter- 
day achievements, this feat stands unrivaled 
in the history of Stark County. His first wife 
was Elizabeth Rupert ; second. Polly Hoover ; 
third, Polly Spangler. Daniel Brown, living 
on Section 25, same township, was the father 
of eighteen cLiildren. During the summer of 
1814, two of them, a boy and girl, the former 
eight, and the latter ten, were lost in the woods. 
Thej' were sent to bring up the cows. Taking 
a path which led in tiie direction where the 
cattle were in the habit of grazing, they came 
to where it forked. Here they disputed which 
was the right path, and as thej" would not 
agree, separated. It appears both were mis- 
taken, as neither led in the direction of the 
cattle. As a consequence, both of the children 
wandered on until lost, neither being able to 
find the way home. The cattle returned with- 
out them. The parents, becoming alarnied at 
their long absence, started to find them. Night 
overtaking them, they aroused the neighbors, 
and everybodj' that was able and could be 
spared turned out. Through the long and 
dreary night they kept up a din of noises, by 
shouting and blowing horns, in the hope of at- 
tracting the children, but no response came. 
It was feared they had fallen a prej- to some 
wild beast, as at that time there were bears, 
panthers and wolves roaming the forest. Day- 
light came, and yet no tidings. More persons 
were procured, and the search continued. About 
noon, the boy was found at a cabin, in the east- 
ern part of Washington Township, which place 
he had reached but a short time before. The 
girl was not found until the .second day, and 
when first seen was in a thicket gathering lier- 
ries, apparently as unconcerned as though she 
had just left home. When questioned about 
how she had spent the nights, her reply was, 
that she had slept on a bed of leaves. It ap- 
peared that she anticipated being looked for, 
and was apparentlj' very little disconcerted. 

Nimishillen Township was organized in 180!*. 
The early records are lost, so that it is impos- 
sible to give a list of the first officers elected. 
There are those still living who remember Daniel 
Mathias as one of the first Trustees, and Jacob 
Tombaugh as first Constable. John Hoo\er 
was an early Justice of the Peace. The north- 
eastern |)art of the township attracted the most 
settlers, mainly because of the beautiful timber. 
No larger chestnut and poplar trees coukl lie 



NIMISHILI.KN TOWNSIIir. 



405 



Ibiiiul ill thu county. The locality also abounded 
in ginseng, large quantities of wUicli were col- 
lected and sold to the stores, from whence it was 
shipped East. It was quite a source of revenue, 
and. at that lime, there was a popular belief that 
in China it was worth its weight in gold. 

The lirst grist and saw mill in the township 
was built by John Kb)- iu 1811. on Nimishillen 
Creek, in Section 81. As the country cleared 
up. and the supply of water began to fall oft', 
the power became insufficient, and both the mills 
were linalh' abandoned. 

Among the early settlers not already men- 
tioned were .Mathias Bowers, brother of John ; 
George Werteuberger, Ulrich Shivel3'. John 
Thomas (the lirst blacksmith), Henry Breyfogle, 
Henry Warner, John Eby, Michael Trump (the 
tirsl cabinet-maker and undertaker), John Wel- 
ler, llarman and Jacob Koontz, Dewalt Buclier 
(the first tailor), Daniel, David and John Brown 
(brothers), John Haney, John Hildebraud, Jacob 
Baughman, William Hoover, Jacob Tombaugh. 
Michael Ringer, Christian Sollenberger, the 
Obenours, Hiveleys and Warners. About the 
first marriage was Abraham Metz to Sally 
Shively. They were the parents of Dr. Metz, of 
Massillon, who was born in this township. 

The great eclipse of 1811, created (juite a 
consternation among the settlers. As they had 
no previous knowledge of its approach, the_\ 
were at a loss to account for the sudden dark- 
ness. Some thought it indicative of an earth- 
quake ; others, that it was the end of the world. 
Mrs. Mathews was awaj- from home on that day. 
and, on her reluru, it began suddenly to change 
Irom sunshine to darkness. It soon became so 
dark, that she was unable to see the path, and 
had to stop until the darkness passed away. 
She was terriblj' frightened. The falling stars 
of 1 832, was another phenomenon that seriously 
disturbed those who had the opportunity of 
witnessing it. It occurred between midnight 
and daylight, and some, who were out engaged 
in business not legitimate, regarded it as a 
manifestation of divine displeasure. 

Edward Carl, direct from ■ Ould Ireland," 
settled in the township in 1811. He was a 
shoemaker and tanner, and started the (irst tan- 
yard. The Motlit brothers, James, Patrick, Rich- 
ard and Thomas, early settlers, were clever 
men. and influential. They were the first 
Catholics, and fre<iuently hohl worship in jjrivate 
houses. 



In the spring of 1 826, five French families of 
Alsace, by occupation agriculturists, gathered 
together their household utensils and farming 
implements, took ship at Havre de Grace, and, 
alter a six weeks' voyage, landed in New York. 
Before the colony were ready to leave New 
York, one family had only a single five-franc 
left, nor were any of the rest in a condition 
financially to help them, so the destitute family 
was compelled to remain in the city, and engage 
in work until they could earn sufficient to pay 
their way farther West. The balance left via 
Hudson River, New York & Erie Canal to Buf 
falo, and thence by schooner to Cleveland, •■ a 
small town on a hill," as described by one of 
the couqjany. Here the families remained a 
month, (juarlered in a Ijarn, while the men were 
traversing the country, looking up a place to 
settle. It was in the heat of summer, that 
Theobald Frantz, the leader of the colony, and 
one other approached Canton from the north, 
when, at the first view of the town, he saw the 
cross on St. Johns Catholic Church, and ex- 
claimed, ' ,/e n'irai jjos jjIus loin ; c'est ici que 
j'ai trouve la premiere croix depuis que nous 
avoni quitte A^ew York, et c'est ici, pres de cette 
croix, que Jc metal)/ irai.' 

They straightway returned to Cleveland, and 
began making preparations to move their fami- 
lies and goods into Stark County. This was 
before the construction of the Ohio Canal, and, 
as their route was overland, and as they had 
brought along wagons and harness from France, 
the lirst business in order was the purchase of 
horses. In these, they were shamefull\ swindled, 
as, of the five purchasetl, not a single one could 
be relied upon as a true puller. They would all 
balk, and several were vicious kickers. In 
the first elforts to break them to work, Joseph 
Badeau was kicked in the bowels, from the 
effects of which he died in a few hours. Not- 
withstanding these misfortunes and all their 
mishaps, they kept up courage and persevered. 
In their trip to Canton, the horses in going up 
a hill, would frequently balk and refuse to pull, 
exhausting every effort to persuade them to 
pull, and failing, there was no alternative but 
to unload, and then all hands would assist, and 
by dint of pushing and pulling succeed in at- 
taining the top of the hill, after which the wagon 
had to be reloaded. 'J'hey finally reached Can- 
ton, and obtained possession of a vacant house 
on East Tuscarawas street for the families to 



HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY. 



occupy until the men could purchase permanent 
homes. After recoiinoiterins; the countr}- on foot 
and on horseback, Theobald Frantz, Louis Gar- 
rot, Jean P. Moinet and the widow of Joseph 
Badeau all settled in Nimishillen Township, 
purchasing in Sections 10 and 15. One of the 
five, named Jonare, purchased and settled in 
Jackson Township. These were the first Catho- 
lic French who settled in the county. There 
were a few Ornish (Mennonite) French in the 
county a year or two before. The reports they 
wrote back to their friends in France of their 
impressions of this country induced others to 
follow, and among the early French settlers of 
Nimishillen may be mentioned Franc.ois Bellot, 
Zeidor, Faufaunt, Pierre Cunira. Perrot, Chenot, 
Gerandeau, Favier, Barlet, Abadie, Garandot, 
Duprea, Favier, Cuniea, Adie and Mongary. 

It should be mentioned that bj' the time the 
families who came over first were settled, their 
money was exhausted, and some were compelled 
to engage in labor from home, in order to ob- 
tain means for support. Frantz had eight chil- 
dren ; two of the girls worked out. and two of 
the boys helped to dig the Ohio Canal, at $14 a 
month. The father tramped out wheat for the 
neighbors, for the tenth. Mrs. Badeau was 
endente at the time her husband was killed. 
She invested her means in the purchase of 
forty acres of land, and was working in the 
clearing when taken in labor. In the woods, 
without shelter and alone, slie had her child, 
now Frank Badeau, over fifty years of age. 
He is probably the first Frenchman born in 
the county. 

There must be, at this time, several hundred 
French families residing in Nimishillen Town- 
ship, forming an observable feature of the 
population. As a class, they are industrious, 
social, inclined to hilarity, law-abiding, honest, 
pay their debts, and make good neighbors. 
Tiiey readily assimilate with our native-born, 
and about the third generation their distinctive 
peculiarities are obliterated. 

Harrisburg was the first town in the town- 
ship. It was laid out in 1827. by Jacob Harsh. 
A lame man by the name of Patterson brought 
the first store. Following him, Jacob Wolfe and 
Jonas Hoover started a store and tavern to- 
gether. Wolfe took special charge of the tav- 
ern, and it is said to have been kept not unlike 
the one run at a later day, by his namesake in 
the West, of which it is presumed our readers 



have heard. David W. Kowan had a store in 
Harrisburg, in 1832, and after him, H. H. My- 
ers, both from Canton. The early physicians 
of the town were Dr. Aberham Stanley and 
Dr. Soloman Shrive. Henry and Jacob Stam- 
baugij, both farmers, supplied the preaching in 
the neighborhood. They belonged to the Unit- 
ed Brethren Church, and held worship in 
schoolhouses and barns. Harrislmrg was a 
more important place and was more widely 
known fifty years ago than it is now. The i 
railroad towns have drawn away the trade. A 
post oflflce was established under the name of 
Barry ville. May 18, 1830, and Jacob Wolfe ap- 
pointed Postmaster. It was called Barryville 
because there was already a po.st office in the 
State named Harrisburg, and there cannot, 
under the rules of the Post Office Depai-tment, be 
two offices of the same name in the same State. 

Louisville was located in 1834, by Henry 
Loutzenheiser and Frederick Faint, joint pro- 
prietors, as land belonging to each constituted 
a part of the plat. It was originally named 
Lewisville, after a son of Loutzenheiser, but 
on application for a post office, it was ascertain- 
ed there was already an office of that name in 
the State, and at the suggestion of the Post 
Office Department, the orthography of the 
names was changed to Louisville. The post 
office was established March 11, 1837, and 
Solomon A. (rorgas made Postmaster. 

The first organized church in the township 
was Catholic. It should be mentioned that be- 
fore this, a building designed for a church and 
schoolhouse was erected near Harrisburg, 
through the united efforts of members belong- 
ing to the Lutheran and Reformed Churches. 
Services were held in this building at irregular 
intervals, by both these denominations, but 
there never was a legal organization of either. 
There was a Methodist Church erected in Har- 
risburg at an early period. 

About 183G, a building was erected in Louis- 
ville, upon land donated by James Moflit. under 
the supervision of the Dominican Father at that 
time in Canton. The first priest stationed in 
Louisville was Rev. Mathias Wurtz, from Lor- 
raine ; next came Rev. L. de Goesbriand. Dur- 
ing his pastorate, the congregation consisted of 
about forty French families, twenty German 
and twelve Irish — in all about 400 communi- 
cants. During his stay the church building 
was enlarged, a tower built and a bell pur- 



MMl.SlllLl.KN TOWX.SIIU'. 



4(57 



chased. In 1846, Rev. I*. Peiuleprat otliciated. 
lie remained lour years, and was succeeded b^- 
Rev. Mareclial. who remained but one year. 
Then came Rev. L. F. D'Arcy. wlio was an 
enterprising, liberal and zealous man, as he 
built a scliooliiouse, repaired the church and 
improved the j^rounds around, spending liis 
private funds for the benelit of the congrega- 
tion. Rev. li. Iloffor. the present incumbent, 
succeeiled |)'.\rcv in ISOI. Since his ailvciut. 
an academy and college has been erected, and 
the congregation materiallj- increased. 

There were living in the township as early 
as 183(!. professors of religion who take the 
name of '■ Brethren in Christ." Jacob SoUen- 
berger, and a neighbor by the name of Roth- 
rock, were among the first. They did not have 
a building of their own until a late period. 

What is known as a Reformed (Muirch was 
organized in Louisville in Ifid.'i. The lirst 
members were Jonathan Slusserand wife. .Vdam 
Fogle, wife and daughters, Elenora and Krama, 
John and Andrew Sell. The first pastor was 
Abrani Miller, who served five year.s. He was 
succeeded by Joshua H. Derr. who remained 
two and a half years. Following him came J. 
J. Lebernian, who has continued since, now over 
eight years. Number of communicants, 100. 

The United Brethren have a church in Louis- 
ville, but the statistics of their organization 
failed to reach us in time for publication 

Ximisliillen Township has. up to the present 
time, enjoyed but little of the county oflicial 
patronage, and that little was more in the way 
of honor than profit. John Bowers was County 
Commissioner from 181!) to 1821!, when the 
pay was from ;>;20 to §25 a year, and no per- 
(juisites. John Hoover served as Associate 
Judge one term, and two terms as a member of 
the Legislature, in 1S22 and 1828. At that 
time, the Legislature met on the first Monday 
in December. With a few changes of under- 
clothing, packed in a pair of sacldle-bags, the 
member-elect would sUirt from home on horse- 
back a week before the opening of the ses- 
sion. It would take him four or five days 
to make the journey. Then he wanted several 
days to look around for a boarding house, and 
find a place to winter his hor.se. Once settled, 
he never thought of leaving his post of duty 
until the close of the session. Such was the 
custom of our legislators in those primitive 
days. Contrast them with the present. 



Among the leading attractions of Loui.sville 
is the woolen factory of Taylor it Stewart. It 
was during the spring of 1872 that a Joint 
stock company was organized for the purpose 
of establishing a woolen mill at that place. 
The stockholders were C. L. Juilliard, II. T. 
Finney, John Werner, Ellas Kssig, J. W. Wer- 
tenberger. Dr. J. P. Schilling, L. T. Myers and 
Etlward Schilling. The mill was erected at a 
cost of about $17,0(M). including a H.'i-lKn-se 
power steam engine. The mill was sold to 
William Taylor in 1877, and he has remained 
the owner to the present. Mr. Taylor took as 
a partner in the business, William Flinn, and 
two years afterward their connection was dis- 
solved. Owing to a desire on the part of Mr. 
Taylor to retire from business, the factory was 
leased to his son, John H., and John Stewart, 
who have actively carried on the business ever 
since. 1 'nder the management of Messrs. Tay- 
lor & Stewart, the partnership has been (|uite 
successful, producing a superior quality of flan- 
nels and yarns. They are making the manu- 
facture of fiainiels a specialty, adhering to the 
plan of producing pure woolen goods, and this, 
no doubt, is one of the caiuscs of their success. 
Their fabrics are found in all the leading dry 
goods houses of Stark and adjoining counties. 
Although young men. the proprietors of this 
establislnnent have, by their luiilivided atten- 
tion, made it one of the best mills in the county, 
and one of the chief attractions of tln^ place in 
which it is situated. 

In 1808, I). .M. Shisser and J. W. Werlenber- 
ger commenced the mannfactureof Ellis' patent 
laaskets in what is now the plaining-mill of Es- 
sig & Shengle. After a partnership of about 
eighteen months. Elias Essig was admitted into 
the (irm. Shortly after this, Mr. Shisser with- 
drew, and Wertenberger it Essig carried on the 
business until they were succeeded by Essig & 
Sluss. It is now in operation under Essig & 
Hang in the same building in which it first 
originated. 

Elias l';.ssigand Jacob Shengle formed a part- 
nership, in 1875, for the purpose of establish- 
ing a planing-mill where Essig & Hang have 
their basket factory. They occupy a two-story 
franu' building, :iOx.")((, with an engine house 
and boiK'r-ioom 18x:5ll, also a warehouse about 
20x40 feet. They have all the re(iuisite ma- 
chinery for carrying on their business in its 
various branches, which is operated by a 20- 



Ajf 



468 



IIISTOUY OF STARK COUNTY. 



horse power steam engine. They tlo a general 
lumber business, supply building material, latb, 
shingles, sash, doors, blinds, etc. The firm han- 
dle annually an average stock of (100,000 feet 
of rouij;ii and dressed lumber, 1,200,000 shingles, 
], 300, 000 lath, and they transact an annual 
business of not less than $15,000. The wagon 
and carriage shop of C. Bonnot & Son was first 
started as a Champion Plow manufacturing es- 
tablishment bj- J. H. Penney, M. Gibbs and Mon- 
roe Siberling, in 1871 ; but after a short period, 
the business was discontinued. In 1874, this 
building was leased to Keira, Finne3' & New- 
house, who placed in the proper machinery and 
commenced the manufacture of liuseeil oil. In 
1876, Juilliard & Co., purchased the business, 
and this firm in turn was succeeded by Keim & 
Sons in 1877. Owing tda disadvantage in ship- 
ping, together with considerable breakage of 
machinery, this firm discontinued the business 
in 1878, and oil manufacturing in Louisville has 
not since been revived. 

The flouring mill of S. Flickinger was estab- 
lished in 1851 by Daniel Chapuis, who con- 
ducted the business a number of years, and was 
succeeded by Louis Faber, wlio in turn was 
succeeded by Xavier Paumier. After him, the 
mill passed into the hands of the present 
owners, S. Flickenger and C. A. Newhouse. 
Tills partnership continued about ten years, 
when Mr. Newhouse withdrew from the firm, 
and Mr. Flickinger has since been sole owner 
and proprietor. He is a first-class miller, and 
with the help of his son, carries on a large trade 
of custom grinding. 

Geib & Pontius have a large merchant mill 
now under construction. This building will be 
a two-story frame with stone basement, 40x60, 
and a one-story engine room attached, 20x40 
feet. Tliere will be a run of five stone in this 
mill ; three for wheat, one for chop-feed, and 
one for middlings, all to be operated by a 70- 
horse power steam engine. The resources of 
the surrounding country' will prove this to be 
one of the leading mills of its kind in the county-. 

P. B. Moinet erected a brewery in 1865. He 
was succeeded by George Dilger. in 1876, who 
admitted Simon Menegay in 1878. This firm 
turns out about about 2.000 barrels of beer per 
annum. 

Brick manufacturing is carried on quite ex- 
tensively by A. Y. Pontius, and Murley, Dupont 
& Co. These two yards keep emplo^'ed a force 



of about twentj'-five men, and turn out a supe- 
rior quality of brick. The supply is unequal to 
the demand. 

Rogers & Warstler, druggists of the place, 
manufacture the Peerless Condition l^owders, a 
drug that is considered, among leading stock- 
men, the best of its kind in the market. It has 
a wide sale, and is steadily growing in public 
favor. 

Besides the above, cigar making is carried 
on to a considerable extent b}' Peter C. New- 
house, J. C. Hartman, William Weber and 
Jacob S. Oberdorfl['. Rinehart & Sons and C. 
Bonnot & Sons manufacture and repair wagons, 
buggies, etc. G. F. Baumann & Sons, tin and 
copper smiths, dealers in stoves, etc., have a 
large run in roofing houses with slate and tin. 
S. Paquelet deals in and manufiictures furni- 
ture, and J. G. Prenot is the Louisville harness 
maker. There are two hotels in the town — 
the Commercial and the Washington House. 
The former is kept bj- J. D. Baker, and the lat- 
ter by Geo. Nuuainaker. Both are doing well. 

The place supports two first-class livery sta- 
bles ; one owned by Lycurgus Wilson, the 
otUer by Mathias Walker. They both keep 
first-class turnouts, and are reasonable in their 
charges. The merchants of the place are 
Keim & Sons and Pierson & Metzger, hardware ; 
Julius Thurin, Julius Schwob, D. M. Sluss and 
L. F. Davis, dry goods and groceries ; D. M. 
Slusscr and J. M. D'Ostroph, groceries and 
provisions ; Schilling & Son and Rogers & 
Warstler, druggists ; Hannah Conrod and 0. 
Clark, restaurants. Mrs. A. Fritla_y and Sluss- 
er & McCoy supply the neighbohoord with 
millinery. Louisville Deposit Bank was es- 
tablished the spring of 1881, liy Keim & 
Sons. They do a general banking business 
For the past ten years tlie Keims iiave done 
more to build up the town than any other firm. 
They are enterprising and intelligent citizens, 
and a credit to the town in which they reside. 
Taking in consideration the wealth of the sur- 
rounding country, and the enterprise of the 
citizens of the town, Louisville can truly be 
said to be one of the leading towns of its size 
in the State. Its present officers are — Mayor, 
J. H. Penney ; Clerk, R. T. Rotlirock ; Treas- 
urer, Joseph Jloinet; Marshal, C. Gaurae ; Street 
C<>mmissioner, M. S. Stambaugli ; Councilmen, 
C. L. Juilliard, Ellas Essig, Lewis Newbauer, 
A. Poupney, L. P. Menegay and N. Bonvolot. 




J/^..^ ^^^ 



±hL. 



SANDY TOWNSHIP. 



CHAPTER XX.* 

SANDV TOWNSHIP— GENERAL DESCRIPTION — SETTLEMENT AND ORGANIZATION— INDIAN INCI- 
DENTS— PIONEER INDUSTRIES— OFFICERS— WAYNESBURGH LAID OITT— 
INrORPOKATED — CHURCH IIISTORV. ETC. 



(^ANDY TOWNSHIP, the most easterly of 
lO the southern tier of the townships of Stark 
County, is situated in loni;itute 4(P 15' west 
from Washington, and hitiltide 40- 12' north. 
It is watered by a system of small stieanis (liid- 
ing their source in Osnaliurg and Canton Town- 
ships and flowing south into Uig Sandy Creek, 
a tributar}- of the Tuscarawas River. The 
names of these minor streams are as follows, 
viz.; Little Sandy Creek, which is the most 
considerable in size, takes its name from the 
general character of the land through which it 
flows. It occupies the eastern portion of the 
township, and its waters were made to do good 
service in early times, to drive several saw and 
grist mills, and at Waynesburgh a woolen fact- 
oiy was operated by it until within the last dec- 
ade. Indian Kun. which derives its name from 
the fact that its banks were a favorite camping- 
place for the untamed sons of the forest, who 
made this neighborhood either home or hunt- 
ing-ground, flows through the center of the town- 
ship. Its waters were utilized as power for a 
small saw-mill, on the land now ov>'ncd by Jef- 
ferson J. Welker. A few decaying timbers is 
all that remains of this pioneer enterprise. 

Hypocrite Hun is saitl to have taken is name 
by genend consent from the personal character- 
istics of a man whose name it formerly bore. 
There was once a saw-mill on its banks, but all 
these smaller mills have given place to more 
improved establishments at Magnolia and 
Waynesburgh, where the Big Sandy, having 
gathered to herself the waters of the two 
former .streams, forces them, with her own cur- 
rent, through the wheels of a more modern 
structure, accomplishing with improved saws, 
buhrs and processes, a much greater and better 
work than before the uuiver.sal Yankee, with his 
'■ tarnel imi)roveraents," came this way. The 
land of Sandy Township is remarkably fertile, 
the hills being generally a rich clay loam, and 

* C nitrn.utedb)' i;imrK'9 H. Joi.ei. 



the plains and valleys alluvial loam, producing 
abundantly all the crops common to this lati- 
tude, of quality generally much above the 
average of perfection. 

The earl3- settlers in -Sandy" found noble 
forests of oaks, ash, elm. walnut, chestnut, hick- 
ory, sycamore, linn and other valuable woods 
occupying the higher lands of the towhship, 
while '• tlie plains " were covered with .young 
oaks, growing up amongst rank prairie grass. 
These hitter lauds, now our best and most val- 
uable farms, were not sought after bj' many of 
the earliest settlers, being deemed the reposi- 
tories of agues and fevers unlimited, besides the 
hills were found abounding in springs of pure 
water, near and toward which all things 
seemed to attract. 

The official organization of Sandy Township 
took place at Canton on the ICth of March, 
18oy, and, as then constructed, it contained five 
sections north and south, and six sections east 
and west — in all thirty sections — and it re- 
mained of this size until January 1, 1833, when 
the Legislature having passed an act erecting 
the county of Carroll, two rows of sections 
were taken from the east side of the township, 
with Rose. Brown and Harrison Townships 
(then a part of Stark), to help form the new 
county. This circumstance does not seem to 
have been a matter of such importance as to 
gain a record in the books of the Township 
Trustees of that date, to which the writer has 
access. An interesting item in this old book is 
a record of the financial situation on March 5, 
1832, the last settlement l)efore Sandy gave 
her ten sections to Carroll County. It is as fol- 
lows : 

Balance in trea-sury, March. 1831 2!).()0 

Kcoeived of William Fojrie, township ta.\. .$17 7.1.07 

Total receipts ^(18 04.07 

Total paid on orders 17 63.07 

Balance in Treasury 39.0<) 



^T^ 



47(J 



HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY. 



From the books of the Township Clerk for 
1880, we take the followinji; synopsis, for the 
purpose of comparison : 

TOWNSHIP FUKD. 

Balance in treasury on settlement^ 39 44 
Rceeived from all sources 736 84 

Tol al received .f 766 28 

Total expended 717 54 

SCIIOOI. Ft'Nl>. 

Balance in treasury 1 1,321 46 

Received from all sources 1,034 41 

Total received !|!3.3o5 87 

Total expended 889 69 

Balance !j!1.46() 18 

T<ital l)al.iiicc If;!,.-) 14 93 

Of the early officers of Sanrly Township, the 
writer has not ijeen alile to find complete records. 
The first election was lield at the house of Isaac 
Van Meter, near where Joseph Fiickinger's 
residence now stands, but what officers were 
elected does not appear in the old records of 
the township now extant. The oldest book in 
existence, so far as known, being a Township 
Clerk's book, bearina; date June 16, 1818, 
James Hewitt was the first Justice of the 
Peace, antl elections were often held at his 
house, which strjod in what is now Brown 
Township, Carroll Co,, on land owned by William 
Denny Robertson, south of the Cleveland & 
Pittsburgh Railway, For the following story 
of the first coming of permanent settlers, we 
are indebted to the graphic pen of Hon, John 
(t, Croxton. of Canal Dover, Ohio, who was for 
many years a resident of this township, and 
was well acquainted with many of its sturdy 
pioneers, Mr, Croxton's wonderful memory of 
names and dates is so well known in tills com- 
munity as to make him an acknowledged au- 
thority. Like all good story-tellers, he begins 
at the beginning, and his story shall not be 
spoiled by abridgement. He says : 

Jefferson County was the tiftli county in the 
then "Northwest Territory," It was created liy (4(iv. 
St, Clair, July 29, 1779, its ori.dnal limits including 
the country west of Pennsylvania and the Ohio 
River, and east and north of a line from thi' nnmth 
of the Cuyahoga River, siuitliwiinlly to tlie MuskiiiL'- 
um River, The town of Steul)en\ ille was laiil out 
in 1798, as the county seat, l)y Bezaleel Wells and 
the Hon. James Ross, of Pittsburgh, and here the 
first land office, for the sale of Government lands 



in the Northwest Territory, was established. Can- 
ton was laid out in 18t)6, by this same Bezaleel 
Wells, who had previously entered the land on 
whicli the town was located and the fractions of 
land aroimd the lake, west of the town, now known 
as Myer's Lake, Wells opened the first road or 
trail from the Ohio River to Canton, which trail or 
roa.l, as it soon became, passed through the whole 
lengtli of S.Hiily Township, and this was the first 
"wliil. liiaii'^ trail" from the Ohio River that 
crossed I h(.- nil 1 Indian or Tuscarawas trail, which, 
at this point, ran in a westerly com-se along the val- 
ley of the Sandy, As the means were not at hand 
for making roads along the sides of hills, they went 
straight over them, and as the hill at the" place 
where Wayncsburgh uow stands was too steep for 
safe descent, the party returned to what is known 
as the old Fox farm, now the property of Mr, Gus- 
tavus Deringer, and turned west, through the old 
Beatty, Boory and Elsass farms, and pas.sed through 
the plains, on the east line of Capt. James Down- 
ing's farm, and then pa.ssed on to the old Jlottice 
farm, now owned by Creighton Rodgers, Esq,, on 
the present road from Waynesburgli to Canton, 
Capt, Downing then lived across the Ohio River, in 
Virginia, opposite the mouth of Yellow Creek, 
Having had some difficulty as to the title of his 
property, he concluded to l<-;ive it and settle in the 
lieautifiil valley of Big Sandy, whose fertile plains 
and grand forests liad pleased him mightily when 
he was serving tlic Government as a 'ranger,' in 
1793. He acc(iriliu;;l\ i aine and entered a quarter 
section of land on llie lieton'-iiamed road, and built 
him a fine log eabiii house, and moved into it. He 
set about the improvement of his land, enter- 
tained travelers and traded with the Indians, who 
were, at that time, quite numerous. This was in 
1805, The following year, Mr. James Laughlin, a 
brother-in-law to Downing, and his two sons-in-law, 
Isaac Miller and Benja.inin ('ni>|)y eaiiie also from 
Vir.ginia. Laughlin enlend land on lie' same road, 
the farm lieing now known as I In- Bihuv farm. Miller 
chose the west side of the creek, close to where the 
village of Magnolia now stands, and opened a house 
of entertainment, and kept a ferry boat to take 
emigrants across Sandy Creek. He built a toll- 
bridge, also, which was the first bridge ever built 
across the Sandy, This bridge was built in 1814. 
A man named Jo.seph Handlon, who entered the 
land now owned by James Boyd, laid out a town 
in the plains, near where Mr. James Boyd's house 
now stands. He called the town Hamburg, but 
he seems to have been mistaken as to the needs 
of the times, for the town is no more. In 1814, 
Handlon had the "Bethlehem road," as this first 
road was called, straightened, from the old Fox farm 
through to Peter Mottice's land. 

The jurisdiction of the Justice of the Peace of 
th(^ township of Sandy then extended over what is 
now Rose and Harrison Townships, of Carroll 
Counlv. Earlv after ('apt. Downinirand his friends 
eame Peter Mottiee. Beattv. Ilililiiis, Reeves. Will- 
iam Knotts. Van Meters. Handlon. Brown, f'reigh- 
tons, etc. In August. 1812. when Gen. Hull had 
surrendered all our armies in the West and North to 
the British, jmd there was no organized force to 



SANDY TOWNSHIP. 



■171 



keep the Indians in check, there came to the "Sandy" 
settler.* a report that the (Jarver settlement, south- 
west of Canton, was all killed, anil that 400 
Indians were in the North Bend of Sandy Creek. The 
consternation amonj; the pioneers was terrible: war 
in its most civilized form was terrible to think of, 
but war and possible capture, by so relentless and 
barbarous an enemy, stnu k terror to the souls of 
even the sturdy woodsmen of the valley. All looked 
to Capt. Dowtiing as a leader, and he was not found 
wanting. He gave orders for a gatlieriug of the 
elans, with all the arms and munitions of war 
available, and directed the women to hide with 
the children in the corn-fields. Downing, with his 
three sons and two sons-in-law and si.\ty stalwart 
pioneers, armed in all .sorts of ways, marched in 
single tile to meet the enemy, passing <ui their way 
through win re Sparta is uhk situated, to the summit 
between that place and the Betlileliein .settleniciil. 
now called Nevarre. Here they heard shooting, and 
Capt. Downing called his men together and ordered, 
•• Now boys, double (|uick, and strike them with a 
dash!" and they charged v.aliantly across the ridge, 
oidy to tiiid another ]iaity of whites who, like them- 
selves, were hunting for I lie 4110 warlike red-skins, and 
not finding them, were shooting at a mark. One of 
Downin'j's party, William Kiiotts. used to tell that he 
ha<l had ma-ny a fight, •'tisty-cuff," as he called it. 
aiul thought it nothing but fun, but this Indian 
fighting with guns was a different matter; that when 
the old Captain ^avethe orders to "'strike 'em with 
a dash," and all felt sure the Indians were just ov<t 
the hilltop, he thought of Hannah and the children, 
and moved forward with the rest, but "had never 
felt such a ' wolloping' of his heart in all his life." 
During that same fall. James Downing, Jr., organ- 
ized a conii>any of troops, and was elected its Cap- 
tain, and marched to the front. The regiment to 
which the company was assigned encamped at 
Wooster on Christmas Day. and named the bivouac 
"Camp Christmas," thence they marched to Fort 
Meigs, at which place and Fort Stevens, they win- 
tered. Returning home with his men at the end of 
the war. he entered the land adjoining his father, 
now owned by Jacob Painter, Ksq. He man"ie(l 
Miss Nancy Hewitt, of Virginia, aiui cleared up a 
fine farm, on which he inclosed the family burying 
ground in a fine stone wall, where the remains of 
himself and wife, his father and mother and other 
relatives are interred. 

The first white ainiy that ever passed through 
Sandy Township traveled by the way of the Tus- 
carawas trail and whs the command of Gen. Bou- 
quet, who marched frcm old Fort Dn(|uesne, now 
Pittsburgh. Penn., and came bj- way of the Little 
Beaver Biver, and carried his boats across the simi- 
mit at Ilanoverton, brought them down the Sandy 
Creek into the Tuscarawas, up which they tiaveled 
to the Akron summit, and thence across into the 
Cuyahoga and thence by the lake to Sandusky. 
This was as early as 176"-\ In 1778. Gen. Mclnto.sh 
came bv the same route, without boats, to Port Lau- 
rens, wliere Bolivar now stands, left a small force 
and returned to Fort Mcintosh, at Beaver. The 
force at Fort Laurens was left under command of 
Maj. Gibson. 



So ends Mr. Croxtou's story of tlie early set- 
tlement. 

William Hewitt aiul .John Hewitt, now liviiii; 
in Waynesburgli, ai"e sons olMaines Hewitt, who 
came into the terriloi"y, afterward Sandy Town- 
ship, but now part of Bi"owii Township, ('an"oll 
County, and cntei"ed land in 1807. Hewitt's 
first cabin w"as built near the line of the ('. & 
P. R. K., as befoi"e stated, and in this rough, 
but as we shall see, iiospitable liome, on the 
olst of January, 18()i), William Hewitt was 
born, and still lives to claim the iionoi" of being 
the first white child born in the township. Here 
also Joiin Hewitt was born. An incident of 
pioneer life, which occiii"red at Hewitt's, is so 
fully illtisti"ative of the social life of the advance 
guard of our pi"esent civilization, that wc recoi"d 
it as we gathered it fi"oni Jlr. William Hewitt, 
whose well-told tales of those elder daj"s ai"e the 
delight of all who are so fortunate as to hear 
him. 

In March. 1821, the neighliors w"ere invited 
to attend what w"as then called a '• grubbing 
frolic," and. of course, lliey attended en )»«.ssc. 
The mode of invitation to all frolics, and thej" 
were many, was .simply to give out the fad that 
such a gathering was to take place, and it was 
uudci"stood that all who were not on absolutely 
unfriendly terms with the family were invited, 
and all were expected to attend, and failure to 
do so required explanation and a good excuse. 
Among those who weie present were Capt. James 
Downing, Robert Thompson. John Reed, J, 
Harvey Ross, John Ross. James Bi"Othei"S, TiOvy 
Brothers, Isaac Brothers. Simon Shook, Solomon 
Shook, Jonas Baum, Conrad Stull, .\dain Kcefer, 
John MeCall. The work in the grub patch 
being completed and supper about ready, and 
everybody merry and mellow with good humor 
and good whisky, an event took place wliich 
was destined to have a strong infiuence on the 
future of the neighborhood. It was no less an 
afl'air than the arrival of Denny Robertson, 
James Robertson. John Robertson and families, 
whose numerous descendants are to-day among 
our most respected citizens. Denny Robertson 
and family, and perhaps James also, accepted 
an invitation to stay all night at Hewitt's, while 
John Robertson passed on to his cabin in Rose 
Township. 

The wagons which were to stay were soon 
surrounded, and the weary travelers made wel- 
come. The amusements of jumping and shoot- 



47:^ 



HISTORY OF STAKK COUNTY. 



ing at a mark was abandoued. Levy Brothers, 
ruounted on Hewitt's old mare " Tibb," was 
dispatched up the creek after Tom Tidball, the 
fiddler. The boys struck out in every direction 
after the fair daughters of Sandy, and the frolic 
and the new arrival were jointly celebrated by 
a rousing dance, until the l)reaking day gave 
warning that the more serious concerns of life 
demanded attention. Then breakfast dispatched, 
the new-comers were escorted to their new iiome 
on the farm now owned by David Robertson ; 
nor did these stalwart volunteers quit the place 
until by aid of ax and arm a cabin grew up in 
the wilderness, and the emigrant of yesterday 
was as much a settler as any of his sturdy new- 
found friends. Among the girls found to lionor 
this occasion v/ere the Misses Sallie and Ollie 
Kellogg, Rachel Keefer, Susan, Kate and Bar 
bary Shook, Katie, Eva, Betsey and Julie 
Schultzo. Tlie dance, among these lusty revel- 
ers, could hardly be described as the " poetry 
of motion," althougii it was by far too energetic 
and boisterous to be called prosey. Dressed in 
suits of home-spun tow linen, shod in cow-hide 
boots, the honest but unpolished swain led Ibrth 
a partner blooming in stout brogans and frock 
of linsey-woolsej\ all innocent of frills and plaits, 
but whose radiant, ruddy smile, born of good 
humor and good health, made ample amends for 
the lack of what, too often in these later days, 
is little less than sickening affectation, both as to 
dress and manners. The music (?) of •' Monnaie 
Musk," " Chase the Squirrel," " Peel the Wil- 
low ' and other lively tunes, inspired an energy 
of action and a business-like execution tliat 
would command attention, if not admiration, in 
a fashionable ball-room of 1881. 

Along with James Hewitt came John Reed, 
Sr., and his son, James Reed, and John Creigli- 
ton, a nephew of Hewitt. John Reed's pos- 
t(^rity are yet residents of Malvern. The near- 
est neighbor was Isaac Van Meter whose cabin 
stood just at the top of the hill where Market 
street, of Waj'nesburg, descends toward the C. 
& P. Railroad. Moses Porter lived at what is 
now Malvern Hewitt and his company cleared 
out a field, planted and harvested corn, seeded 
the ground in wheat, and returned to MeKe3'S- 
port, Penn., to winter, and while there Hewitt 
married fjlizabetli Thompson, and. in March, 
1808, with his brother, John Hewitt, and Will- 
iam Tliompson, returned to staj'. 

The Wyandot Indians, who were encamped 



beside a small stream just west of where James 
A. Hewitt's brick house now stands in Brown 
Township, left in the fall of 1811, warnmg the 
people to leave before tliey returned, for they 
would then l)e on tlie war-path. Mr. William 
Hewitt remembers the coming of two squaws 
to his father's house just before ,they left, to sell 
baskets made of split ash-wood, and that each 
alternate strip of wood was colored red. The 
price asked for the baskets was that the basket 
chosen be filled with corn meal. Upon another 
occasion, two Indians came into the front yard 
at Hewitt's house and gave tlie people a l)ad 
scare ; they were named Capt. Beaver Hat and 
Capt. Pipe, the former drew his tomahawk and 
flourished it over young William's head, then 
laughing at his fright, took the boy up in his 
arms and said, " Beaver Hat. good Injun ; me 
no hurt white man's jjapoose. ' Beaver Hat 
claimed to have been at Braddock's defeat, and 
that he had fired six times at Washington, who 
rode a white horse, and, though he was a good 
shot, could not hit him ; then said, •' Man on 
white horse, mighty big medicine-man." 

In 1812, Fredrick Baum and his son, Jonas 
Baum, the father of William Baum. a well- 
known citizen of Sandy Township, came and 
entered land ; Solomon and Simon Shook and 
Adam Keifer, also Phillip Schultze, Conrad 
Boyer, Conrad Stull, Samuel Kimraell and Henr\' 
Bon.brak. The father of tlie present numerous 
Sicafoose family was also a very early settler 
on the land now owned by Benjamin Sicafoose. 
Henry Elson, Sr.. f\Uher of the good-natured 
shoemaki:r of the same name, whom two gene- 
rations of children of the village of Waynes- 
burg have known as a universal friend, came 
to Stark County in 1812, and settled first at 
Bethlehem, and a little later moved to what is 
now known as the Kintig farm. Henry Elscm 
tells the writer tliat he remembers coming to 
Pool's store, in the then village of Hamburg, 
after tobacco for his father as early as 1815. 
His father paid $1.25 per bushel for corn in 
1812 ; the corn had been brought in a keel-boat 
from Marrietta 1)3' Edward Nelson, of Kendal, 
near what is now Massillon. Mr. Robert Nel- 
son, so well known as a contractor and generally 
successful business man, was a son of Edward 
Nelson, and son-in-law of Henr3' Elson. 

Sand3' Township was, in the earl3' days of its 
histoiy, infested with snakes to an extent that 
made it very dangerous to go about at certain 



£k 



SAXDY TOWNSHIP. 



473 



seasons of the year ; there were numerous dens 
of rattlesnakes, and instances are related of 
hundreds of these reptiles having been killed 
from a single den in a season ; one of the most 
notable of these was situated near Capt. Down- 
ing's Spring. 

One of the most thrilling incidents in the 
earl}- historj- of Stark ("o,. which occurred near 
tlie present village of Minerva, deserves a rec- 
ord here ; because at least three of the partici- 
pants, several }'cars later, became residents of 
Sand}' Township, and two lie buried beneath 
its green sward. We have the story from Hon. 
John 0. Croxton, who gleaned its particulars 
from Lsaac .Miller, one of the chief actors in 
the afl'air. 

It was in the latter part of March or early in 
April, 1793. that Gen. Anthony Wayne's army 
broke camp at Legion Fields (now Economy), 
I'cnn.. and proceeded down the Ohio River. 

As a precautionar}' measure, spies or scouts 
were employed to range at will tlirough the ter- 
ritory north and west of the river, whose duly 
it was to traverse the conntrj- and report 
promptl}- anj- unfavorable condition of affairs 
at certain stated rendezvous. 

One of these parties was compo.sed of five 
trusty men. named Capt. James Downing. Isaac 
Miller. John Cuppy. (Jeorge Foulke and John 



The smoke of their camp-fire had betrayed 
their whereabouts to a party f)f about twenty 
Wyandot Indians, who proceeded, after careful 
recognizance, to attack their unsuspecting foes. 
To make sure work, the Indians divided their 
force into two parties— one scjuad going south 
of Clear Fork to a conceale<l position on what is 
now the farm of Dr. J. C. flostetter, while the 
other party went further south into the timber 
toward Still I'ork. 

Downing liad just made a remark expressing 
surprise that during the last day thej- had dis- 
covered no -signs" of Indians, when Cuppy 
sprang to his feet, declaring, with an oath, that 
there were Indians. He had discovered them 
dodging about in the Hostetter plains. Miller 
and Foulke picked up their guns and made for 
the enemy, Miller in tiie advance, when the In- 
dians fell back toward the timber. Foulke un- 
derstood their tactics, and called to MiHer to 
retreat at once, for as soon as the Indians would 
reach timber they would eacii take to a tree 
and shoot down their foes at leisure. 

Returning to the camp they found it desert- 
ed, the second parly of redskins having at- 
tacked the other tin-ee scouts in their absence. 
When attacked. Downing favored sticking to- 
gether, but Diliow sang out every man for him- 
self, and ran off down the blufl' toward the 



Diliow. Their station was opposite the mouth i forks of the creek. Downing and Cu|)py fol 



of Yellow Creek, on Tumblesou's Run, at the 
farm of Jacob Neesly. They were men pe- 
culiarly adapted to the task in hand, by rea- 
son of known skill in woodcraft, and the fact 
that the two last named had been captured in 
boyhood by the Wyandot Indians, and grew to 
manhood among tliem. They escaped to their 
white friends but a short while before the time 
we write of, and had taken service under old 
" Mad .Vnlhony. " 

I'pon a certain morning, these scouts were 
preparing a breakfast of wild turkey which had 
been shot the day b(!fore, as had been also a 
deer, the skin of which Capt. Downing pro- 
ceeded to dress while the fowl was cooking, 
improvising a '•graining knife" by driving the 
point of his hunting-knife into a stick, and 
thus securing a double-handled affair which, in 
tlu^ aliseucc of a iK^tter tool, did good serv- 
ice. Miller and Foulke were acting as cooks, 
Diliow was gathering dry wood, and Cuppy 
was. as he afterward told it, "sittin 
root of a tree standing guard." 



)ading 



lowed, keeping the Indians at bay by 
and tiring as they ran. 

Downing soon discovered that whenever 
they stopped the leader of the Indians would 
jump and howl and throw his arms about 
and make a great display of himself to attiaet 
attention, while the others would drop into the 
tall grass and run forward on their hands and 
knees to gain on them. Finally Downing, by 
a lucky shot, scut (his leader or chief to howl 
and dance in Merrin parts." as the old Cap- 
tain was wont to express it years afterward. 
Cuppy kept near Downing until they came up 
with Diliow, who had gotten into an awkward 
scrape by pulling the knot of a handkercliicl', 
which he had about his neck, in the wrong 
direction, and, being unable to loose it, was 
almost suffocated. Downing tore away the 
handkerchief, and the three ran on to a large 
thorn-tree, where Downing, who, being a very 
large man and almost exhausted by the race, 
at the i stopped, and declared that he would go no fur- 
ther, but staj- there and kill as many as he 



474 



HISTORY OF STAKK COUNTY. 



could before they got his scalp. At this June- 
tiive, Miller and Foiilke got back to the deserted 
camp as related above, and heard the firing of 
their friends down the bliitf. Miller had the 
most unbounded confidence in his own ability 
to outrun the whole party of red men, and de- 
termined to save the party by his fleetness if 
he could ; .so he gave a series of bantering yells 
which met quick answer, and his powers were 
at once put to the test, for the whole gang, as 
if by preconcerted signal, turned and followed 
him. Coming to the creek, he gave a desperate 
leap, clearing the stream, he said he believed, 
at one liound. . He gave a glance back, and, 
seeing an Indian coming down the one bank as 
lie went up the other, he exclaimed ; '■ Now 
legsferit. ' and bounded off. He ran perhaps 
two miles without venturing to look back, 
when he discovered that he was alone, and no 
pursuer in sight. He at once struck out for 
the river rendezvous. 

Tlie Indians, in relating the story of tliis 
chase afterward, said : ''White man run like 
hell. " On his way to the river, Miller slept all 
night in the woods under a fallen chestnut 
tree, the site of which was known for many 
years, but is now too much in dispute to \h' 
located. 

Foulke hid himself in the woods near whore 
IV'kiu now stands, and saw the Indians bury 
tlieir dead the next day. He said there were at 
least two killed, one being buried near the 
present site of Mr. Thomas Jackson's residence 
in Minerva. 

Tiie scouts all met the second day alter the 
fight at headquarters, and lived for years to tell 
the tale of their narrow escape. 

In October, 1793, this same five scouts, Dillon, 
Miller, Downing, Ouppy and Faulk, made an 
excursion, passing through this township to a 
point within about six miles of the villages of 
the Huron Indians, on the Huron River, in the 
present county of Huron, this State ; they 
here attacked an Indian camp ; the time chosen 
was at daj'break as soon as they couhl see the 
sights on their rifies. One of the Indians, be- 
coming uneasy from some cause, took up his 
gun and came out and stood between the Ran- 
gers and the camp fire. F'aulk said he would 
shoot him. and did so, when they rushed upon 
the camp and killed two more Indians. The 
Indian whom Faulk had first shot was not yet 
dead, but that gentleman declared that " he 



had begun and he'd finish him." so he drew his 
tomahawk, buried it the Indian's brain, scalped 
him, and the scouts returned to their rendez- 
vous on the Ohio River. 

Thus it was, that savage Indians were pur- 
sued to the death by scarcely less savage white 
men, in order to plant the present civilization, 
which is shaken to ils center b}' a deed of 
blood that, in those daj-s of yore, would have 
hardly been deemed worthy of a passing no- 
tice. 

Among our most respected and best known 
pioneer citizens now living is Mr. Jacob Gless- 
ner. Mr. Glessner was born about 170-t or 
1795, and his twin brother, Jonathan Gless- 
ner, is yet living in Indiana. Mr. Glessner's 
mind is (juite clear, and he relates manj- inter- 
esting incidents of early times. He came to 
Oliio in 1818, and worked at his trade, that of 
a cabinet-maker, near New Lisbon ; here he 
took a job of laying a large floor, and was to 
receive in payment a lot of produce, which, 
when counted up at the prices prevailing at the 
time, came to $9. This, considering that by 
dint of lively work he did the job all in one 
day, was deemed a remarkable day's wages. 
He, however, had to hire a man to take it to 
town, and when he got there and paid his team- 
ster, he hail not money enough left to buy a 
hat, which he much needed, and had to go 
into debt for the balance. All this was bad 
enough, but when the hatter became alarmed 
about his pay and sued for the amount due 
him, Mr. (rlessner began to conclude that he 
had better work ff>r less wages and take better 

About the year 1838, there lived near what 
was known as the Baker or BIcIntosh Mill, on 
Little Sandy, a cooper by the name of Jesse 
Evans. He was, in the main, a peaceful man, 
and remarkable for qualities of intelligence 
above his neighbors. He had a son William, 
who, at a law-suit between his father and one 
of the Creighton family, was compelled to give 
evidence unfavorable to his father. This led 
to a fierce quarrel, and the next morning Will- 
iam was missing. Suspicion was aroused, and 
search was at once instituted, but the young 
man had disappeared utterly. Parties were or- 
ganized and the mill-dam dragged, the woods 
scoured in every direction. A place was said 
to have been found where a struggle had evi- 
dently taken place ; hair and blood were found 



•ik£. 



SANDY TOWXftlllP. 



on the bushes and lea\es, :ind ever3'thing 
pointed to a "murder, foul and most unnatural." 
Jesse Evans was therefore arrested, charged 
with the murder of his son. and at the prelimi- 
nary examination before Ksquire John lloss, a 
most convincing chain of circumstantial evi- 
dence was adduced, and, protesting his inno- 
cence, the old man was securely locked up in 
jail to await a trial at the next term of court. 
By the time all thi.s had been done, the story, 
no smaller grown by travel, had reached Cleve- 
hmd and found a recoril in the weeklj- papers. 
Young Evans saw the tale of woe, and hast- 
enecj back to relieve his father from a tlilemma 
which was likely to find a terrible solution. 
This incident we have heard related b^' some of 
our most reliable citizens, and is recorded as 
one of the remarkable circumstances in our 
earl^- history. It seems to us a keen com- 
mentary upon all cases of conviction on cir- 
cumstantial evidence only. 

In these times, Sandy and adjoining town- 
sliips supported what is now an unknown occu- 
pation. William Mays, father of the venerable 
Andrew Mays, for many ^ears a citizen of 
Waynesburg, and grandfather of Madison M. 
Mays, Esq., was a traveling shoemaker. He 
went from house to house as he was wanted, 
making up shoes for the family. Mr. John 
Uewit has still in his possession a shoemaker's 
hammer, which once belonged to this •■ knight 
of the last." 

Travel from one part of the township to anoth- 
er, now a matter of so much ease, was, in the 
young days of the settlement, a (juestion of seri- 
ous moment, as will be realized upon reading the 
following incident : Mrs. Miles, a resident of 
the northeastern portion of the township, had 
occasion to visit a neighbor who lived in the 
south part of I'ike Township. .\t some point 
on the journey, which, carrying a young babe, 
she began after dinner, expecting to accomplish 
it easily and return before dark, the woman 
lost her wa^', and wamlered about in hopeless 
bewilderment until the darkness came on and 
night closed in to comph^te her misery. With 
the gloaming came the dismal bowlings of the 
wolves, which were numerous, and ever and 
anon the flashing of fiery eyes amongst the 
underlirush increased her alarm, until, terror- 
stricken, she hurriedly climbed into the branches 
of a friendly chestnut tree. This was the signal 
for an outbreak of howling rage amongst the 



cowardly wolves, and as if by magic the woods 
swarmed with them, snarling and fighting with- 
in a few feet of her beneath the tree. She feareil 
she might in some way drop her babe, and so she 
tied it up securely in her apron, and swung it 
to a limb of the tree near her. Then she made 
herself as comfortable as possible and awaited 
patiently for da^Might. It was a weary wait, 
but the dawn finally came, and with it the tor- 
mentors left, and she climbed down to find that 
she had lodged in a tree within a hundred yards 
of the very cabin she was seeking, and whose 
occupants came out in the morning to see what 
the wolves were making such a dreadful noise 
about the night before. Mrs. Miles was escorted 
safely home, and lived to tell to her grand- 
children in Iowa how their mother had slept 
snugly- hammocked in a chestnut tree. 

It may truthfully be said of the residents of 
Sandy Township, that 

"Far friim tlic madding i ruwd's iu:uol)lc slrift-. 
Their soIht wi^lu-s iicvt-r learned to stray. 
Along tfie eodl. seiiuesli red vale of life, 

They kept the nuiseless tenor of their way." 

and the result is, that its historian has no great 
or startling event to record beyond such as had 
an ecjual effect upon the country at large. Her 
people have been ever prompt in their response 
to calls of patriotism or luimanity. In the 
hour of his need, there were always those to be 
found ready to minister to the needs of the 
fugitive from bondage, and when the hour came 
and America's great apostle of Liberty com- 
manded ■' liOose him and let him go I " there 
was but a corporal's guard to be found in " Lit- 
tle Sandy' who failed to respond with a hearty 
approval. Incident to the war of the rebellion, 
much might be written of the experiences of 
its citizens who participated in that struggle. 
A complete roll of her volunteers has not been 
kept, and hence, after sixteen years, it would be 
impossible to give the names of all who went 
from the township. As an entire chapter in 
this work is devoted to the military historj' of 
the county, we will make no further allusion 
to it here. 

Peter Mottice kept the earliest regular tavern 
in tht; township on his farm, now the propertj- 
of J. Creighton Rogers, Escj., two miles north 
of Waynesljurgh. .Mr. Mottice kept this tav- 
ern as early as 181S, and perhapsayear before, 
but Capt. John Beatty, now of Carrollton, was 
sent to Mottiee's tavern in 1818, with a sack of 



;^ 



476 



HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY. 



oats to sell, and he says the house was crowded 
with travelers. Mr. Mottiee kept this place 
until 1829, when he sold it and a quarter sec- 
tion of land to Robert Hamilton, who moved 
from New York City in 1830, and kept the 
tavern for several years, and then moved to 
Wavnesburgh, where he continued in the busi- 
ness, and was one of the most popular land- 
lords in Ohio, as well as one of the most wide- 
ly known. He died in 187(5, highly respected 
and deeply regretted. The Hamilton House is 
still the property of Mr. Hamilton's children, 

Moses Porter kept a regular tavern on the 
present site of Malvern, and an old pear tree 
planted by him is still in flourishing health. 
He was there as early as 1807. 

Daniel Shaeffer started a hotel in Waynes- 
burgh in 1816, in the house now owned by the 
heirs of Daniel Glessner. His house was a 
noted one, and was the headquartfrs of the 
Democratic party of that day. It was in this 
house that the first political meeting of the 
township was held during the Adams-Jackson 
campaign. Robert Creighton was the Whig 
advocate and William Hammers was the 
champion of Democracy. In 1831, Mr. Shaetfer 
built the brick building which stood for fifty 
years on the southwest corner of Main an.d 
Lisbon streets, and which at the time of this 
writing is being razed to the ground to give 
place to a more modern structure being built 
by Messrs. G. W. Elsass & Bro. 

The first saw-mill in the township was built 
by Robert McCall, father of Thomas McCall, 
Esq., late of Sandy Township, but now of Can- 
ton, about the year 1815, near the present resi- 
dence of JlcClure Boyd. Esq. The first grist- 
mill was built by William Hardesty, where 
Malvern now stands, in 181G. Mr. Hardesty 
took his surplus stock of mill products to 
Cleveland by wagon. It required a week to 
make the trip and sometimes a part or all of 
Sunday. The first grist-mill in what is now 
Sandy Township was built by Jehu Brown, an 
early settler and a remarkable man in many 
respects. He was a fine mechanic, a preacher 
and a politician, but of these latter trades more 
anon. He built a grist-mill, saw-mill and wool- 
en-mill a short distance down the creek from 
where Messrs. Sherrod, Wilson & Co.'s fine 
steam luill now stands. The first distillery was 
built and operated by Daniel Shaeflfer, near the 
spring just south of the present residence of 



Alexander Robertson. A large thorn tree on 
the west side of the road from Waynesburgh to 
Canton marks the site of the first tannery'. It 
was built and operated by James McClure. 
The next was kept by George Beatty, on the 
site of the Boory Tannery of the present time. 
The first coal mine in Sandy Town.ship was 
opened by Samuel Allerton, the blacksmitii. 
near where Jlr. J. H. Ross is now operating a 
successful mine. There are at this writing, 
' 1881,' eight mines in successful operation. 

The Tuscarawas Indian trail passed througii 
the township from east to west, keeping gener- 
ally near the banks of Big Sand3' Creek. It 
crossed the Little Sandy, a short way north of 
where McCall's saw-mill stood, and crossed Big 
Sandy at an easy fording on the lands ncjw 
owned by Jacob Painter, and thence continued 
on the south side of the Sandy, (Jnadenhutten, 
in Tuscarawas County, being its objective point. 
This trail seems to have been a popular route, 
a regular ■' trunk line " amongst the untamed 
traveling public of those pre-Caucasian days. 
It was of quite narrow gauge, being not over 
eighteen inches wide, but its bed was beaten 
down bj' moccasined feet until it was two or 
three inches lower than the surrounding ground. 
There never was a toll road in the township. 
The bridge across the Sandy just north of 
Waynesburgh, was for a short timea toll bridge. 
The roads of this township, passing as they do, 
over sand and gravel have not required piking. 

We have not been able to fix the date of the 
establishing the first stage or hack line, but it 
was at least as early as 1830 that a through 
line of good stages was put upon the road from 
Canton to Steubenville. The steep hill south 
of Waynesburg was the scene of several acci- 
dents, which, though very startling, w-ere none 
fatal to human life. On one occasion, the brake 
upon the wheels of the stage gave way, just as 
it was applied at the top of the hill. The 
weight of a full load of passengers drove the 
stage upon the horses, and away the}' went, 
pell-mell, down the hill. Thedriver, Abe Hall, 
a famous '• whip " of the route, was on the 
seat. He gathered the lines carefully, braced 
himself as best he coidd, and applied the whip 
sharply, keeping the horses ahead of the coach. 
By the time the level was reached, the team 
was in a frenzy of excitement, and they dashed 
down the street at a terrible pace. The horses 
were in the habit of turning in at Hamilton's 




U^, ch.^eY^ 



Oxc^t^i^^^ 



:±i 



SANDY TOWN.SIIIl' 



477 



hotel, and the driver realized that it would be 
imiJObsil)lo to stop them otherwise than to 
iriiide tlieni into the inclosed barnyard. The 
iiotel people saw the stage coming, opened wide 
the gate, and by taking all the circuit the 
street afforded, the driver managed to guide 
the terror-stricken beasts safely throusjh the 
gate, and landed safely about as badly scared 
a lot of passengers as ever alighted from a 
stage-coach. 

The completion of the Tuscarawas Branch of 
the Cleveland & Pittsburgh Raih'oad was a 
death blow to this primitive mode of travel, as 
well as to the Sandy & Beaver Canal, which 
was commenced through the tonnsiiip in 1833. 
Work progressed until tiic financial panic of 
1837 locked the wheels of that, as well as of 
most other enterprises, and its building was 
suspended until 1845. when new capital was 
invested and the canal completed, in 1849, 
from the Beaver River to Bolivar, where it con- 
nected with the Ohio Canal. Its years were 
few, however, for, as before remarked, the rail- 
roads ca-iii' along by its coui-se. in 1854, and it 
yielded to destiny. 

.\boul the spring of 1852, a hack and mail 
route was established to connect New Philadel- 
phia with Bayard Station. These places were the 
termini of the then proposed railroad, which on 
the 1st day of January. 1854, ran it-s first train 
into Waynesburg. This hack line was owned 
and operated by Thomas Cannon. John Karn. 
of Waynesl)urgh, and John Stevenson, now 
one of the oldest and most popular ('onduc- 
tors on the Cleveland & I'ittsbnrgh Railroad, 
were drivers. It was on the first regular trip 
of this hack line that the first daily newspaper 
came to Waynesburg. The paper was The 
Fui-nsf i^iti/. pnblislied at Cleveland. As the 
railroad grew longer the hai'k line grew shorter, 
and its history closed with the completion of 
the railroad. Several of our citizens took a 
lively interest in the building of the railroad. 
Robert Nelson and John W. Mays built the 
mile whi(;li passes the village of Waynesburg. 
and 1. .V. Ross had the contract for the mile 
next east ; both parties made money by their 
contracts. The work at this point was heavy, 
and was conducted to the end with but a single 
serious accident, which residted in the crippling 
for life of Mr. William (ilessner, who still lives 
to tell the story of his sufferings. Sandy Town- 
ship lays claim to a very early railroad enter- 



prise, which was the result of the mechanical 
skill of Jehu Brown, whose name has already 
been mentioned. It was in 1833 or 1834, that 
it became necessary to transport a large num- 
l)er of heavy stone from David Reed's stone- 
quarry to what has been for years known as 
Seaburg's or Elson's dam. To do this conven- 
iently, Mr. Brown, who had charge of the worlt, 
contri\ed what w<}uld to-day be voted a good, 
substantial railroad, of three-foot gauge. It had 
its embankments, bridges, trestle works and all 
in order, save the iron rail. The rails were of 
maple wood, fastened with wooden pins. The 
motive power was a mule. The time made was 
not remarkafile. but the work was well done, 
and the road answered fidly the purpose for 
which it was built, it was about half a mile 
in length, and was considered a wonderful piece 
of work by the rural inhabitants of that day, 
one of whom gave us the above account. Not 
a trace remains of this early and successful 
railroad enterprise. 

Sandy Township has not t)een lacking in 
political preferment, and as the years have 
rolled awa}-. several of her citizens have licen 
chosen to fill positions of honor and trust. Of 
the first grand jury ever called in the county, 
Peter Mottice w:is an honored member. The 
first man of Sandy to bear legislative honors 
was Roljcrt Mef'all. father of the venerable and 
respected Thomas McCall, of Canton ; the next 
was Jehu Brown, and next. Dr. James Welsh, 
of Waynesbnrgh. The dates when these gen- 
tlemen served the county at our State Capitol, 
the writer is not able to fix from any data at 
hand. Thomas C. Snyder, of Waynesbnrgh, was 
elected in 1 879. At the county seat, the follow- 
ing men have held office during the time indi- 
cated : Gen. John Augustine was Sheriff, 1819 
to 1825 ; he also served in the Senate and 
House of Representatives at Columbus. Timo- 
thy Reed, Sheriff, 182() to 1827; Peter Mot- 
tice, Commissioner. 1825 to 1829 ; James Down- 
ing. Commissioner. 1833 to 1835; Robert II. 
McCall. Treasurer. 1841 to 1844; Thomas Mc- 
Call. Auditor, 1858 to 1859. Amongst those 
who served as Justices of the Peace in Sandy 
Township, are the following : (When known, 
the number of years of service is given.) James 
Hewitt, first in office ; Peter .Mottice. at least 
24 years ; Gist. Clinefelter ; John Ross ; An- 
drew Hamilton ; Michael Welker, 3 years ; J. 
S. Brownewell, 6 years ; A. B. Silver, 3 years ; 



HISTORY OF STAKK COUNTY 



John C. Moug, 20 years; William Raedel, 15 
years (iti office) ; Richard Netz, 3 3ears ; John 
K. Bowers, 3 years ; Thomas C. Snyder : Charles 
H. Slutz, in office. 

The village of Waynesburgh was laid out in 
1815 by Joseph Handlou, who had previously 
laid out Hamburg, north of the creek. It is 
believed that Daniel Shaeffer, the father of the 
once numerous Shaefi'er family in the village, 
assisted Handion. It is certain that these two 
men had very intimate business relations, for 
a short time afterward, Shaetfer be(uxme Hand- 
Ion's assignee, and in 1818, purchased the land 
which Handion had entered, receiving the war- 
rant therefor from James Muuroe. President, 
on the 21st of January. 1810. The first house 
vras the cabin of Isaac Van Meter, which stood, 
as has been before mentioned, on the bluff, 
where Market street descends toward the rail- 
road. This cabin was afterward occupied bj' 
Daniel Shaefler, until he could build for himself 

In 1816, Samuel Allerton came to town and 
started a blacksmith's shop, on the lot now oc- 
cupied bj- Frederick Mackaman's buildings, on 
the southeast corner of Main and Lisbon streets. 
John T. Rice was the first shoemaker, and 
Henry Wagoner the first tailoi'. Simon 
Shook was the first cooper ; he had his shop 
on the lot where L. B. King now resides. The 
first well ever dug in this town was on the 
Boegle property, now owned bj- Mrs. Sarah 
Guinney, and it was located about eightj' feet 
north of Lisbon street, and fiftj- feet west of 
Main street. The first regular mail brought to 
Waynesburgh was carried by Andrew Luckey, 
of Jefferson County. He traveled on foot from 
Steubenville to Canton, sixty miles, making the 
round trip easily in two days, one day each way, 
once a week. This was about 1825. George 
Beatty was tlie first Postmaster, and kept the 
post office on South Main street, in a log house 
yet standing, just across the alley from where 
John C. Mong, Esq., now resides. The post 
office has not changed hands very often. The 
following persons have held the office : George 
Beatty, Dr. James Welsh, Dr. Robert H. Mc- 
Call, Henry Rhoads. George P. Augustine, Rob- 
ert Hamilton, Robert B. Hamilton, Edward 
Scott. Mr. William A. Robertson was ap- 
pointed to the place under Andrew Johnson, 
but he never removed the office from the care 
of Mr. Scott. 

On the (Jth day of February, 1833, the Legis- 



lature of Oliio passed an act, entitled " An act 
to incorporate the town of Waynesburgh. in 
Stark County," and on the (5th day of May fol- 
lowing, an election was held at the house of 
Jacob Steiner (now the residence of Jacob 
Glessner), at which John Koontz and Jacob 
Steiner were Judges, and Rice Blackford, Clerk, 
for the purpose of electing officers for the newly 
made incorporate town. At this election, R. K. 
Gray, a prominent storekeeper, was chosen 
Mayor ; Rice Blackford, a hatter, was elected 
Recorder ; Dr. James Welsh, Daniel Shaeffer, 
Charles C. Camp, Solomon Koontz and Andrew 
Hamilton were elected Trustees, as the mem- 
bers of the Village Council were then called. 

The first meeting of this board of officers, 
was held on the 20th day of June, 1833. Its 
first official act was to elect Andrew Mays, 
Marshal ; Alexander Mcintosh, Treasurer, and 
John Koontz, Street Commissioner. Amongst 
those who have held the office of Mayor, are 
the following: R. K. Gray. James Welsh, Jo- 
seph Doll, John Ross, Gist Clinefelter, J. H. 
Estep, Robert Jones, nineteen years in succes- 
sion, and John W, Glessner, present incumbent, 
who was first elected in 1874. Illustrative of 
the straits to which the early builders were 
at times put, we mention the building of a large 
two-story barn by Joseph Handion. It was 
the largest structure of the kind in town, and 
was as well finished as any other hereabouts, 
but in his whole construction there was not 
used a single piece of sawed lumber. Doors, 
door-frames, floors, shingles, everything in the 
shape of lumber was made by splitting it from 
trees cut near by. and every nail used, and 
they were not many, was niade liy the village 
blacksmith. 

The first 'sign-board'' which was hung out 
in Waj-uesburgh was that of Daniel Shaffer's 
Hotel, in 1816, and its making and painting 
was a matter of serious consideration. When 
the board was finished, it was necessary to send 
to Canton for a painter, who painted on a black 
ground in yellow letters the words, "Tavern bj- 
D. Shaffer. ' It did service for many 3'ears in 
guiding the weary traveler to comfortable rest. 
The first pegged shoes and boots made in 
Wa3'nesburgh were made by a man named 
Henry Pickard. He made his own pegs, and 
had considerable trouble introducing pegged 
work, as people thought the pegs would rot off. 
The first frame house built in town was the one 



!:k^ 



SANDY TOWNSHIP. 



479 



now owned by Mr. Jacob Glessner. It was 
built by Andrew Mays. The first and only 
iron foundr\- Waynesburgli has ever had was 
established in 184;') by Patrick Call. He 
removed it from Magnolia to Waynesburgh at 
the instance of R. K. (iray. who assisted him 
to some extent. Call sold out in 1847 to Rob- 
ert Jones. Ksq.. wlio. at this writing, has con- 
ducted tile l)usiness for nearly thirty-four 
years. 

The first fire which resulted in serious dam- 
age to property was in about IB.'U. A log 
house, occupied by John T. Rice, which was 
i situated on the site now occupied by the •■ Ham- 
ilton House." It took fire early in the evening, 
while a congregation was listening to preaching 
at the residence of John Koontz. The people 
left the preacher without lienediction, and has- 
I tened to the assistance of their unfortunate 
neighbor. 

The only brewery the village has had ui) to 
this time was built by Roger Morledge. 
. The first serious accident was the scalding 
to death of Phillip, a son of Daniel Shaffer. 
The child was watching its father boiling some- 
thing in a large kettle, out of doors, and in an 
unguarded moment, fell into the kettle. It died 
in a few hours, and was the first body buried 
in the cemetery here. 

The first church built in the village, was 
on or near the site of the present St. I'aui's 
German Reformed Church, it was a large log 
structure, and remained unfinished for a long 
time. It belonged to the Lutheran and (Jerman 
Reformed societies, and these organizations, 
having flourished finely, in 1844 built the pres- 
ent brick structure, and continued to worship 
together in it until 187!l. when they .separated, 
the Lutheran Society building their present 
elegant edifice. The next church edifice was 
built In the Presbyterians. It was situated on 
the lot next east of West street, and on the 
south side of Lisljon street. The present First 
Presbyterian Church was built in lS{i7. when 
Rev. T. V. Milligan was Pastor. The .Metho- 
dists built a brick church about the year 1838, 
on the east side of the south end of Market 
street. This gave place, in 1804. to the present 
church on South Main street. The Disciple 
or ■• Cliristian " Cliurch was built in 1855 to 
1800. 

On the 5th day of December, 1854. the town 
Council entered intf) a contract with Robert 



Nelson, granting him the right of way through 
the streets, to lay pipes, and establish water 
works. He was prompt in the discharge of his 
part of the work, and expended nearly $2,000 
in building a reservoir and putting down cast- 
iron pipes. It was soon discovered, however, 
that the supply of water from the spring used, 
was not adequate to the growing demands 
of the town, during the summer season, and, 
although the water works are iu running order 
at this writing, not more than half the inhabi- 
tants draw their water supply from this source. 
On the 8th day of September, 1856, the Coun- 
cil granted Robert Nelson permissieu to sell his 
water works und franchise to the -'Waynesburgh 
Joint Stock Water Company," in whose posses- 
sion they now stan<l. At this writing an ettbrt 
is being made to have the village build new 
water works. The inhabitants are much divi- 
ded in opinion in regard to the matter, aud an 
injunction, sued out by the opposing party, has 
brought matters to a standstill, after the expend- 
iture of SI, 000, 

On the 15th day of May, 1841, the first ordi- 
nance was passed, compelling the la3'ing of 
proper sidewalks. It created quite an excite- 
ment, and it was considered by many that the 
members of the Council were assuming by odds 
too much authority. 

Of the numerous secret orders popular 
throughout the county, several have been es- 
tablished in Waynesburg. including Sons of 
Temperance, ( tood Templars, - Know-Nothings," 
Union League. Grand Army of the Republic, 
Freemasons and Odd Fellows. Of these onlj- 
the two latter have an existence. 

The following is a list of the business houses 
of Waynesburgh ; Beans & Elsass, J. Shaefter 
& Son, Raedel & lilythe, dry goods and gro- 
ceries ; W. A, Strayer, Charles 11. Slutz. hard- 
ware ; Robert Jones, stoves, tinware, foundry 
and plow works ; L. S. Bonbrak. stoves and tin- 
ware : George W. Elsass & Co., groceries and 
notions ; Lewis Scott, exchange broker ; George 
W. Burson, Kdward Scott, drugs and stationery; 
William (Jlessner, furniture store ; L. Scott & 
Co.. manufacturers of iron-roofing; John W. 
Glcssner. jeweler : W. H. Kvans, merchant 
tailor ; William A, Rhoads, tailor ; Christian 
Grul)er. brewery ; Charles Gruber, drinking 
saloon ; Christian Elsass, shoemaker and drink- 
ing saloon ; John Bangs, barber ; Barnhart 
Wingerter, nndertakei- aud notions ; Morledge 



HISTORY OF .STARK COUNTY. 



& Mackaman, grain and produce ; Netz & Myers, 
clothing and carpets ; Sherrod, Wilson & Co., 
millers ; G. 15. Belding, cooper ; K. 0. Bekliug, 
cooper ; James Gibson, stock dealer ; R. B. 
Hamilton, agricultural implements ; Ed Ham- 
ilton, Harry W. Shine, livery stables ; Doty & 
Troll, carriage makers ; Constantine Derringer, 
William Wirebaugh, blacksmiths ; H. Sweet, 
eggs and produce ; Yarger & Gruber, butchers ; 
L. Klotz. .J. W. McOollum, Henry Elson, 
shoemakers ; William F. Boory, tannery ; Geo. 
Bieter, marble-yard ; Marshall & Randal, con 
fectioners; Mrs. Alice Morledge, bakery ; Josiah 
Flemming. Elwood Shine, painters ; Chai'les 
H. Jones & Co., Are insurance ; R. C. Fawcett, 
attorney and Notary Puiilic ; John C. Mong, 
attorney and Deputy Probate Judge ; William 
Raedel, Charles H. Slutz, Justices of the Peace; 
Mrs. R. Guinney. !Mrs. M. Maeser & Sister, mil- 
liners; Miss Louvina Reed. Miss .\da Koontz, 
dressmakers ; Eincrson Koontz, Henry Casper, 
harness-makers : Andrew Waggoner, Andrew 
Derringer & Bro.. stone-masons ; Jacob Piiil- 
lippi, B, Monroe, plasterers ; Snyder Bros., 
builders and brick-makers ; L. B. King, job 
printer ; Joseph Flickinger. wagon-maker ; 
W. T. Jackman. dentist ; A. V. Atwell, John 
W. McCort, G. C. Welch, J. M. Bye, physicians ; 
Harmon Creighton, butcher ; Corwin Firestone, 
A. Xewkirk, sawing machines ; A. F. Rhoads, 
telegraph operator ; Henry W. Rhoads, agent 
C. & P. R. R.; William A. Robertson, A^lex- 
ander Robertson, John Hewitt, farmers ; Ham- 
ilton Hotel, by Hamilton heirs ; ■' ^lorledge 
House," John Shaofl'er. 

Magnolia, the second village in the township, 
was laid out by Ricluird Elson and John W. 
Smith in the year 1 83^. The line lietween Stark 
and Carroll Counties divides the village, the 
portion lying in Carroll County being ofHcially 
known as Downingville. This part oftlie town 
was laid out by Isaac Miller, and named in lienor 
of his son-in-law, James Downing, of wliom the 
reader has read Ijeforo. During the days of the 
brief existence of the Sandy & Beaver Canal, 
Magnolia enjoyed a season of prosperity, which, 
for a time, justified flattering hopes of future 
greatness ; but tiie departing canal-boats took 
away her trade, and for 3'ears she was almost a 
deserted village, but prosperity is contageons. 
and, within the last ten years, there lias been a 
steady growth, which, if not rapid, has been at 
least substantial, and the traveler of to-day finds 



a pleasant village of about 300 people, who are 
both industrious and hospitable. 

John G. Croxton kept the first store. !<]. J. 
Barkdoll & (Jo. were the largest general dealers 
ever in Magnolia. They sold and bought every 
thing sellable and buyal)le. Mr. Ed Scott, now 
Postmaster of Waynesburgh, was tlieir chief 
clerk. Wm. Harkness wasaLsoaprominentstore- 
keeper. It was with him that William H. Greer, 
Esq.. one of Magnolia's most successful business 
men, laid the foundation of his present worth. 
Isaac Teller was a storekeeper on a smaller 
scale, and with him John Walser, of Canton, 
learned the rudiments of business, which he has 
since so successfully pursued. Messrs. Adams 
& Chapman were also heavy dealers in general 
merchandise. Magnolia once had an iron foun- 
dry. It was built by Patrick Call, in 1834 or 
1835, near the present residence of A. R. Elson. 
He conducted the business four or five years, 
and then removed to Waynesburgh as already 
stated. There are two churches of comfortable 
style and capacity, belonging respectively to the 
society of " United Brethern in Christ " and to 
the " Evangelical Lutheran, N. S." 

In the Stark County part of Magnolia are the 
following business men : W. H. Knotts, agent 
agricultural implements ; .lacob Wadsworth, 
harness maker ; A. R. Elson, miller ; Richard 
Elson, farmer ; Felix blotter, stonemason ; ?>Ia- 
thias Koehler, saloon ; Dan'l Klopman, hotel ; 
John (xregory, hotel. .\. R. El.son's mill, estab- 
lished by Elson tt Smith in 1834, is one of the 
finest water-power establishments in this part 
of Ohio. He has saw mill and other wood- 
workirig machinery, and transacts a very large 
business. 

Of the progress of religion in Sandy Town- 
ship a whole chapter might be written, and the 
difficulty with the writer has been, what not to 
write down ratiier than what to record. The 
honor of the first preaching is claimed by 
l)oth the Lutheran and Pi-esbyterian people, but 
it is likely that Lyman Potter, a missionary of 
the Presbyterian Church, preached the first ser- 
mon to a white congregation, although Elisha 
McCurdy was a missionary among the Wyandot 
and Shawnee Indians some years before white 
settlement. Lyman Potter baptized .fames 
Hewitt, of Waynesburgh, at the house of Peter 
Mottice. while he was yet an infant, about 1810. 
Joshua Beers was the next preacher for the 
Presbyterians, and about this time a Ijutheran 



SANDY TOWNSHIP. 



481 



preacher named Wagonholtz came to llie lown- 
sliip and preaclieil at Uowiiing's house, which 
was open to all comers although J)owning was 
himself a Presbytei'i'in- The lirst preacher lor 
the German Reformed Church iicre was named 
Roilocker. This consircgatioii unileil with the 
Lutherans, as before stated, in tiie building of 
the tirst church in Wa^iiesburgh. The Baptist 
Cliurch had an earl^" and able minister in early 
times, whose name is already familiar to the 
reader — Jehu Brown, He was a man of much 
force of character, and made an impression, 
however eng;iged in life. In those days, as has 
been intimated, the practice of dram-drinliing 
was almost universal, and preachers were not 
all strangers to the spiritual strength to be de- 
rived from the omnipresent bottle. Brown was 
for many years not an exception to the rule, 
and it is related that he would go, just before 
preaching-time to ,Shaefler's tavern, take a full 
gill of good brandy, and then repair to the 
grove north of town, now owned by >I. M, Mays, 
and preach fervently, laying asitle his coat to 
gain greater freedom of action. He was often 
eloquent, and always an interesting speaker. 
He would often dwell at length upon the frail- 
ties of humanity, and was wont on such occa- 
sions to tell his congregalion to '-doasltell 
you, and not as I do." He was afterward a 
convert to the ideas of Alexander Campbell, 
who held several meetings here, and it is said 
that after this time he entirely eschewed stimu- 
lants and died an earnest advocate of temper- 
ance. 

The first Methodist meeting was held at the 
house of either Jlorgan Van .^Ieter or Fred 
Vanoster, the latter being the lirst class-leader. 
The first quarterly meeting was hehl in James 
Allerton's new barn, an<l Joshua Monroe was 
the Presiding Elder. Tiic quarterly collection 
amounted to $1.00], The first Methodist 
preacher who came regularlj- to preach was 
Ilev. Wcckh', and his sermons are spoken of to- 
day by those who were converted through their 
influence, as savoring strongh- of the fiery ter- 
rors of the law. The house of Fred Yaney was 
also an early preaching place, and herein 1837, 
the tirst regular society was organized. The 
first Methodist Church w:is built on land now 
known as the McCall farm, within the inclosure 
of the present cemetery, near the residence of 
J, J, Welker, Esq, This church was known as 
Wesle}' Chapel, It was replaced in 1807 by a 



new brick structure, in the vallej' south of the 
old church, and the name changed to Centenary 
Church, The lirst society in Waynesburgh had 
for its first class-leader James H. Rogers, who 
is now anil has for man}' years been a much 
respected preacher, being now a member of the 
the East Ohio Conference. 

The German .Methodists, or Albrights, once 
had a society in the township, and held their 
meetings at the house of Mr. Camp, on the 
farm now owned by John Rogers, Esq. 

In 1865 there came to Waynesburgh a mis- 
sionary of the Latter Day Saints, or Mormon 
Church. He made a few converts, and service 
was held at the house of Daniel Gauger, whose 
wife was one of the proselytes to the new faith; 
but they have passed out of existence. 

The followers of Alexander Campbell have 
had a society here ever since that eloquent 
divine preached his ideas through this part o:' 
Ohio. They have a comfortable church at 
\\'aynesbnrg. 

The early preachers had a serious time with 
their temporal matters. A single instance will 
illustrate the whole, Joshua Beers' '• subscrip- 
tion list for support " bears record of his pay hav- 
ing been given almost entirely in the products 
of the farms. An ordinary liberal subscription 
for the head of a famil}' was $4 to $5 per 
year, and this, if paid in produce, was to be 
delivered at Hardesty"s mill at Troy, now Mal- 
vern — but all these trials seemed only to fire 
i the old man's soul to greater etlbrts in the 
I cause of his chosen Master, and he died in 
j great peace and full of years, near Hanover, 
I Columbiana County, Ohio, 

The first schoolhouse built in Sandy Town- 
ship was on the farm of W, H, Knotts, west of 
Magnolia, in 1809 or 1810, The first teacher 
here was William Lee ; the next John LuUgh- 
lin. The site of the early temple of learning 
is still discoverable by a mound where the old 
chimney stood. 

The next schooliiouse was built on the farm 
now owned by J, J, Welker, It was 20x24 
feet in size, of rough, round logs, the 
spac(!S between them filled with "chunks" of 
wood and "daubed" with mortar of yellow 
clay. One log was left out all around as a 
window, and the space filled with greased paper 
to keep out the cold and let in a little light. 
The school was a subscription school, and Al- 
pheus Brown was the first teacher. He 



liL 



482 



HISTORY OF .STARK COUNTY. 



charged $1.50 per quarter for each pupil, 
and had from forty to forty-five pupils most of 
the time. The first schoolhouse in what is 
now known as Elson's District was built in 
1834, of hewed logs, at a total cost of $40. 
The stove to warm it cost $16 in Canton. 
The school at Magnolia has always been ac- 
counted a good one, and from the small begin- 
ning on the Knott's farm has grown to a re- 
spectable and useful Union School, with two 
teachers and modern apparatus and appliances 
for teacliing. 

The Waynesburgh Union School is the out- 
growth of a small beginning made in 1816 by 
Alpheus Brown as teachei-. The first school- 
house, a log one, stood on Lot No. 50 of the 
original plat of the town, not far from the site 
of Odd Fellows Hall. The next house, a frame 
one, was built near Gibson's Spring, in the 
southwest corner of lands owned by William 
F. Boory. The people took only an ordinarj' 
interest in educational matters until Mr. S. L. 
Adams, a genuine Yankee schoolmaster, came 
and took charge of the school. At his hands 
tbe cause of education received an impetus 
that has been felt ever since, and step by step 
advances have been made until the school is 
surpassed by but few of its size an}- place, 
and is conducted in a fine two-story brick 
house with four large rooms. Among those 
who have served as Principal of this school, in- 
cluding the teachers who served when only one 
was required, are the following, given as nearly 
as possible in the order in which they served : 



Alpheus Brown, John Alexander, Eliza McEl- 

mee, John Divine, Pierce, Abram Bair, 

Mary A. McCall, Charlotte Boegle, Henry 

Myers, William Freese, Mr. Ready, S. L. 

Adams, William Ungei-, James H. Creighton, 

A. W. Heldenbrand, Miss Bontrager, Mr. 

Carpenter, Mr. Hill, William H. Ray, George 
W. Yohe, A. ('. Naragou and Prof R. C. Faw- 
cett. 

There was an earlj- schoolhouse Ijuilt on 
Boyd's farm in the then town of Hamburg in 
1818. John Hancock, a Yankee, was the 
teacher and James and John Hewitt, of 
Waynesburgh, were pupils. The price was 
$1.50 per quarter, cash, or ten bushels of wheat, 
which was worth then only 25 cents per bushel 
in Canton. 

In closing this t'hapter, the writer has no 
apology to ofl'er for an^'thing therein which 
may, in the light of better evidence than 
he has been able to command, be found inac- 
curate. The shadows of almost eighty years 
rest upon the early history of the township with 
hardly a written line to aid in lifting their 
gloom. What has been previously printed, else- 
where, is found by careful investigation, to be 
grossly- inaccurate ; this has been corrected so 
for as possible in this chapter. It is desired to 
thus publicly acknowledge the valuable assist- 
ance of Hon. John G. Croxton, of Canal Dover ; 
Hon. John Beatty, of CarroUton ; Mr. John 
ShaeflTer, William Hewitt and others, of Wajmes- 
burg. Scn'pta rrrlm itiniinit has been the ac- 
cepted motto throughout the task. 



^ 



OSNABrnO TOWXSIIIP 



CHAPTER XXI.* 

rOWNSHII'— TOrOGKAlMIICAI. FKATURKS— AN INlMDENT — EARLY SETTLEMENT— lIAli D 
TIMES AND ROUGH SCENES — ORGANIZATION OF THE TOWNSIIU' — 
SCHOOLS AND CHURCHES— VILLA(iES, ETC. 



f'r^IIIS township is one of the hilliest sections 
L of Stark County, there bcinir but very 
little land within its limits that may be termed 
perfectly level. Notwithstanding its rolling 
surtace. however, tiie careful hands an<l method- 
ical work of the Pennsylvania Dutch have re- 
duced it to a fine state of cultivation. Indeed, 
through their wise husljandry. it may be .said, 
figuratively, th.at 

■Its rocks and hills, ami brocks ami vales, 
With milk and liom-y tlow." 
The character of the land renders it a line 
grazing township, though considerable corn 
and wheat are cultivated, and also some sinall 
grain, but stock and grazing is the main busi- 
ness of the farmer. The land is thorouglily 
drained by the Little Sandy and Indian Run. 
and their numerous tributaries, which, though 
mostly small, traverse the township in all di- 
rections, and afl'ord ample drainage. Coal is 
found in many places, and that of a very good 
article. It is rapidly becoming an important 
branch of liusiuess, and one that is being 
largely developed, through the means of the 
Conotton Valley Railway, recently opened for 
traffic. The township also affords some very 
fine stone quarries, which supply i|uantities of 
•rood building stone. The timber consists 
mostly of oak, hickory, maple, beech, with 
some black walnut and poplar. Osnaburg is 
bounded on the north by Nimishillen Township, 
on the east by I'aris. on the south by Sandy 
Township and Carroll County, and on i\w. west 
by Canton Township. 

Long ere the Pale-face dreamed of f lie fertile 
lands lying away to the west, these slopes and 
bluffs, and ravines, and groves of timber, were 
the hunting grounds of the lordly savage, and 
the natural birthright of his kindred. Here 
he roamed as undisputed master, and for years 
and decades, aye. for centuries, indeed, his 
war-whoop was the only music that broke upon 

•ronlrll.mp'l by W II, P.-rrin. 



the quietude of the forest, save the song of the 
wild birds, and the sighing of the winds among 
the trees. But the rays of civilization flashed 
over the land, and in their etl'ulgence, the 
council-fires of the Indians went out forever in 
this section of the country. Slowly the red 
man was pressed on toward the Far West, there 
to read his own doom in the setting sun. A 
sad story is told in Osnaburg Township of an 
old warrior, who, after the remnant of his tribe 
had departed for their new home beyond the 
great ■' Father of Waters," loth to leave the 
home of his fathers, remained behind. For 
hours he would sit in some lonely place, like 
" Patience on a monument smiling at grief," 
perchance, dreaming of brighter hopes of 
former days, when over those hills and valleys 
ho pursued the bounding deer, or howled be- 
hind his flying i)rey. One day, when sitting 
on a log in the forest, ([uietly smoking his pipe, 
wholly unconscious of danger, a pale-face foe — 
ever the red man's oppressor — stole near unto 
him, and. without a note of warning, shot him 
dead, and that, too, for no other cause than 
that he was an Indian. The poor savage was 
Imried in the midst of the present village of 
Osnaburg, and the spot where he sleeps is still 
pointed out to the stranger, by old residents of 
the place. Thus the red man's title to Osna- 
burg Township became extinct. 

The first settlement in Osnaburg Township 
was made in the spring of ISDO— just three- 
quarters of a century ago. The pioneers were 
Jacob Kitt and John Sluss, natives of Penn- 
sylvania. Their first visit to this section is 
thus told liy a local correspondent of the ("an- 
ton Df'tiiiirrfit : -'On a beautiful morning in 
the fall of 180.5, five horsemen might have 
been seen emerging from New Lisbon, then a 
frontier settlement of less than a dozen log 
cabins, and wending their way westward — (the 
horsemen, not the log cabins). They were a 
party made up to select land for future homes. 



484 



HISTOUY OF STARK COUiS'TY, 



Of the number were Jacob Kitt, John Sluss, 
John Thomas, another whose name has been 
forgotten, and a surveyor engaged to accompan}- 
them as guide, and who had field-notes and 
knew what quarter-sections were yet open to 
entry. The hind office was then in Steuben- 
ville, called at tliat time Stcwhai !"or short, with 
an accent on the last syllable. As there was 
no settlement between New Lisbon and the 
Tuscarawas River, the extent of the land otflce 
district, it was necessary for the explorers to 
provide themselves with rations — bread and 
cold meat — in sufficient quantity to last several 
days, which could easilj- be packed in their 
saddle-bags, and a blanket strapped to the sad- 
dles constituted the outfit. The horses could 
obtain subsistence by leeding upon grass and 
the wild pea vine, a succulent" growth with 
which the woods then abounded. The party 
moved along in single file, following the section 
line as indicated by blaze-marks on the trees, 
until they reached Range 7, when they turned 
south. Pursuing a southwesterlj' course thej- 
came to a spring. Here they all dismounted 
to take a drink (of water) and allow their 
horses to graze. While resting and viewing 
the surroundings, Kitt was the first to s.aj-, 
' I'll take f/iis quarter.' This was the south- 
east quarter of Section 18, the same now owned 
by David Bowman. At that daj^, for obvious 
reasons, land that had on it a good spring of 
water was preferred. xVt the time Mr. Kitt 
announced his decision to take the piece, the 
rest of the company, with the exception of one, 
agreed by an audible assent that he should 
have it, and a memorandum was made accord- 
ingl}'. The member of the company who in- 
terposed no objection, but was silent, was the 
same whose name could not be procured. Con- 
• tinuing their explorations, the next piece they 
found that had a spring, was the southwest 
quarter of Section 17, the same now owned by 
J. Cellars, and this was first claimed by John 
Sluss. Again the balance of the company said 
' agreed,' except the one who was before silent. 
This strange conduct on his part excited the 
suspicion of Kitt. Ruminating over the mat- 
ter during the night, he was satisfied the 
stranger intended to enter the same quarter, 
and to frustrate him, Mr. Kitt concluded to 
make an excuse in the morning and return 
home, which he did with all haste. Providing 
himself with the necessary funds to make the 



first payment, he proceeded to the land office 
in Steubenville, secured the land, and as he was 
about leaving town, whom should he meet l)ut 
the ver3' man whose ominous silence had so 
disturbed him. His suspicions were true, as 
the man acknowlenged that he was after the 
same tract Mr. Kitt had just entered. 

'■ Mr. Sluss, on his return, secured the place he 
had selected. Both he and Kitt were married, 
and were living upon land in the neighborhood 
of New Lisljon. They remained there during 
the winter of 1806, and came out together early 
in the following spring. Each had two horses, 
Mr. Kitt a wagon ; so they joined teams, and 
in the wagon both couple packed all their 
worldly goods. Their route was by the ■ Thom- 
as road,' then being laid out — the same that 
passes through Freebuj'g aud Louisville, the 
first legal highway in the county. They came 
to the improvement of Philip Slusser, who was 
then building a grist and saw mill on the Nim- 
ishillen, the same site now known as Roland's. 
Witli the help obtained here, aud the as■^is^ance 
of James F. Leonard, a surveyor, who had a 
camp on the west side of the creek, the two 
emigrants cut a way to their new homes in 
Osnaburg Township." This was the actual be- 
ginning of the settlement in this township. 
Nearly three generations have pas.sed away 
since Mr. Kitt erected his pole cabin on the 
southeast quarter of Section 18. He brought 
with him to his new possessions a hired man, 
and with his help logs were soon cut, or poles, 
rather, for help enough to handle large logs 
was not to be had, and a cabin was erected of 
sufficient magnitude to shelter the family from 
the inclemencies of the weather, and protect 
them against wild beasts. Tiiis primitive cabin 
was built without any iron, not even a nail was 
used. It was covered with clapboards or 
" shakes," which were held to their places by 
" weight-poles." and the door was hung with 
wooden hinges and the boards fastened to the 
rough battens with wooden pins. A chimney, 
built of '■ cat and clay," in connection with a 
fire-place, occupied one end of the cabin, and an 
opening filled with greased paper served as a 
window. Mother Earth formed the floor, and 
a rude frame in one corner constructed with a 
side and foot board, and a bed-tick filled with 
leaves and grass, was, bj' honest toil, rendered 

•' Soft as tlciwny ]iilli>\v.s arc." 

This was the rude st^de in which tlie pioneers 



r 




m^^^^^^^-^ 



-^ 



OSNAm-lia TOWNSHIP. 



of Osnaburg began life, and is not in the least 
exaggerated. Tiiere are those still living, who, 
though ehildren then, renieinlier much of the 
hardships of the pioneer days. Cooking utensils 
were scarce ; the modern cook-stove was un- 
known, and tableware was of the commonest 
kind. Mrs. Kitt, for a time, it is said, kneaded 
her dough in a bucket, and afterward in a 
sugar-trough. The following, related of Kitt, 
is an apt illustration of life in the carl}' days 
of the country : "A few weeks after he had 
settled in Osnaburg, he was in the woods one 
morning, when he heard some one chopping 
with an ax — a quite unusual sound at thatda}-. 
Suspecting there were Indians in the vicinity, 
as he had no knowledge of a white settler so 
near him, he determined to investigate the 
phenomenon. So he returned to his cabin, pro- 
cured his ritle and started in the direction of 
the sound. He advanced cautiously, always 
keeping a large tree in range between himself 
and the locality where the chopping was going 
on. Approaching nearer, he detected that it 
was not the work of Indians, and emboldened 
by the discovery, he advanced upon the chop- 
pers, when he found them to be the Latimers, 
— three brothers, who, with their hired men, had 
moved in, and were clearing, in Section 13, 
Canton Township, about one mile from his 
(Kitt's) own cabin. This was a welcome dis- 
covery, and .Mr. and Mrs. Kitt were delighted 
to find that they had white neighbors so near 
to them." Some five years after Kitt's settle- 
ment in Osnaburg, his house was destroyed by 
fire, but his neighbors, who had increased in 
number, came to his assistance, and soon rebuilt 
his cabin, and thus repaired his loss. 

When Kitt and Sluss moved into Osnaburg 
Township they brought some stock with them, 
besides the horses that drew their wagon, 
among which were a cow, and a hog of the fe- 
male species. Soon after their arrival, the 
cow brought forth a calf, and the sow a litter 
of eight pigs. This welcome addition to their 
•' families," notwithstanding it was a matter of 
considerable rejoicing, but increased the troub- 
les and perplexities of the owners. The wolves, 
which were exceeiiiiigly plenty and very troub- 
lesome, were attracted to the vicinity of the 
cabins by the smell of cooking meats, and in 
order to save their young calf and pigs, they 
found it necessary to take them into the cabins 
during the night. Mr. Kitt lived many j'ears a 



respected citizen of Osnaburg, and finally re- 
moved to Huntington County, Indiana, where 
he was still living a year ago, at the advanced 
age of 101 years, in good health. A daughter 
— Mrs. Joseph Doll, of the village of Osnaburg, 
now nearing her fourscore years, is still living, 
and in good health for one of her years. Her 
mother, Mrs. Jacob Kitt, was the first pale- 
face woman to tread the soil of Osnaburg, and 
Mrs. John Sluss the next. They accompanied 
their husbands to the township in 1806, and 
bore their part in all the privations of making 
a home in the wilderness. Referring to old age 
in Osnaburg Township, a correspondent gives 
the following to the Canton Repository \n March, 
1880: -^ There are three families very near 
each other in the village of Osnaburg, and in 
the three families can be found three of the 
oldest couples living in the county to-day. 
First, there is Jacob Marcker, aged 86, and his 
wife, aged 87 ; this couple has lived together 
as man and wife for 63 years. Next comes Jo- 
seph Doll, aged 78, and his wife, aged 75 ; they 
have been married for 55 years. The third 
couple is Anthony Kabenstein, aged 75, and 
his wife, aged 71 years; they have lived to- 
gether for 53 years. And these remarkably 
old people are enjoying good health, and to all 
appearances will enjoy life for many years to 
come. " 

Mr. Sluss, who came to Osnaburg with Kitt. 
was a man who was held in high esteem among 
his neighbors, and somewhat above the average 
in education and intelligence. He was elected 
Justice of the Peace at an early day, an office 
which he held for many successive terms, as 
well as that of County Commissioner. He raised 
a family of children, all of whom became highly 
respected men and women. His sons are all 
dead ; his daughters married and moved West. 
Mr. Sluss and his wife both lived to a good old 
age. When she died, he ordered a coffin for 
himself at the same time he did hers, remarking 
to the undertaker, that he should soon need it. 
He ordered the two, and paid the price — -$6 
apiece — the price, at that day, for the best wal- 
nut coffin made. He died in a few years after- 
ward, lamented by a large circle of frien<ls. 

Other pioneers of Osnaburg Township, in ad- 
dition to Kitt and Sluss, and who came in prior 
to the war of 1812, were Frank Ake, Douglas 
Wilson, Peter Moretz, Michael Kngle, James 
Leeper, William Nailor, John Studebecker, Ja- 



48(i 



HISTORY or STAEK COUNTY. 



cob Troxell, David Edwards, James Price. Jacob 
Bowers, Peter McCabe, the Bairs, Alex Cam- 
eron, Henry and Adam Shnll, (Jeorge Poe, B. 
Augustine, John and George McEnterfer, the 
Latimers, Daniel Gra^bill, Henry Bowman, 
John Crisswell, the Shearers — four brothers — 
Jacob. John, Adam and Henry. Daniel and 
John Lichtenwalter, the Floreys and the Camps, 
Samuel White, Casper Gephart, and others, 
whose names have passed from the recollection 
of the few older inhabitants now living. Most, 
if not all of these, came from PennsNlvania, and 
were thrifty, hard-working tillers of the soil. 
The neat and well-kept farms of the township, 
the comfortable, and even elegant residences, 
and the spacious barns, plainly denote their 
energy and industry. Alex. Cameron, who was 
of Scotch origin, settled near the present village 
of Mapleton in 1807. and Augustine and Poe 
settled on farms adjoining. ]>ouglas Wilson 
and Frank Ake settled on Section 32 in 1811, 
and opened up farms. Studeliecker was a 
Dunkard preacher, and brought to his new home 
his earthly all packed on a horse and a cow. 
The Floieys and the Camps enjoyed quite a 
reputation as fighters, and tiie state of society 
and of morals, at that early period, afforded 
them ample opportunities of gratifying tiieir 
tastes in that direction. Casper Gephart is said 
to have been a Hessian soldier who was cap- 
tured at the battle of Trenton, and decided to 
throw off the yoke of his former master and be- 
come an American citizen. 

The Bairs figured prominently among the 
early settlers of the township. Tiiey were men 
of considerable intelligence, and became, by 
natural right as it were, local leaders in the af- 
fairs of the time. There were Abraham, Sto- 
phel and Rudolph Bair ; the latter, who was 
commonly called "Rudy," was a member of the 
convention that formed the first State Constitu- 
tion, and afterward represented Columbiana 
County — then including Stark — in the Legisla- 
ture. Rudy and Stophel were brothers, and 
botii entered land in Osnaburg Township, but 
Rudy settled in what is now Paris Township, 
though at that time it was embraced in Osna- 
burg. He was an early Justice of the Peace, 
and it is said that the first law suit in what is 
now Stark County was tried before him. The 
particulars of this pioneer trial, as handed 
down through a long sweep of years, are thus 
detailed by a local writer : " Thomas and 



Bosserman, two early settlers of the neighbor- 
hood, had traded horses, and as Thomas con- 
sidered hiiiisfif rhcated in the swap, he brought 
suit against Bosserman for damages. A man 
named Hockingsmith, -of Pike Township, was 
Constable, and subpoenaed three witnesses. The 
parties and the witnesses were present on the 
day set for trial. When the parties met, Rudy 
brought out a jug of whisky and proposed a 
drink all around. At the close of this prelimi- 
nary indulgence, he suggested that they settle 
the case without going to trial ; that each one 
make his statement, and he would give judg- 
ment. To this Thomas objected, but after con- 
siderable talk, and another horn, he agreed. 
Each told his story, and the Court, after due 
deliberation, decided that Bosserman should 
pay Thomas S3 and the Constable's fees, where- 
upon all drank again and expressed themselves 
satisfied. The Squire was rejoiced at his sue 
cess in settling the case, as his docket, which 
he kept between the rafters of his cabin, had 
been carried awa}' by the s(juirrels, and he had 
nothing in which to make the entry. " This 
was an easy way of dispensing justice, and alto- 
gether different from that of the present day, 
when representatives of the law too often assist 
in stirring up bad blood, merely for the sake of 
litigation, instead of trying to nip little disputes 
in the bud, as Rudy did with his jug of whisky. 
A son of Stophel Bair, named Adam, had the 
reputation of being the stoutest man in the 
township. This championship was contested 
bj' one Jacob Shirley, a native of Bedford 
County, Pennsylvania, and an early settler in 
Osnaburg. The following incident is related 
of Shirley : ' He was a large man, and of great 
muscular power. He was a Dunkard, and was 
once beset by a crowd of seven men, who 
slapped his face, when he turned the other 
cheek and was again struck. This, he said, was 
according to Scripture, and he would now de- 
fend himself He accordingly turned upon the 
crowd and vanquished the seven, literally pil- 
ing them up on top of each other." These little 
exhibitions of manly strength were quite fre- 
quent in the early days of the country, and 
although considered highly degrading, in this 
enlightened age, as they truly are. yet it was 
deemed quite an honor, fifty or seventy-five 
years ago, to be known as the stoutest man and 
best fighter in the neighborhood. A story is 
told of a fight that occurred once at Osnaburg, 



OSNABURG TOWNSHIP. 



at " rauster," between Jacob Sherrick and Rich- 
ard Elson, in which they fought, and scratched, 
and gouged, and pounded each otiiev almost 
beyond recognition, and in a mnniier tliat wouhl 
scarcely be creditable at tlic present day. even 
among prize-fighters. But tiiis mode of settling 
old grudges has given place to the more refined 
way of unceremoniously pulling out a little gun, 
and shooting ofif the top of an enemy's head. 

Osnaburg is an old township, and was organ- 
ized before Stark County was created. It was 
part of Columbiana County, and its jurisdiction 
extended over all that part of Stark Count}- 
now lying east of Canton Township, and to 
tiie present western boundary of Columbiana 
County. Indeed, it is said of Kudolph Bair, 
who was the first Justice of the Peace, and 
was commissioned in 1808, that his jurisdiction 
as such extended from the Ohio Kiver to Lake 
Erie. The township was first surveyed in 1801. 
by John Bever, in sections of four miles square, 
and in 1806 it was subdivided, by James C. 
McFarland, Says a local writer upon the sub- 
ject : "As near as can be ascertained from co- 
temporaneous events, the township was organ- 
ized in 1806. The records of Columbiana 
County, however, of that date are lost or de- 
stroyed, and nothing has been discovered that 
would enlighten us. from any researches made 
among the archives of that county." At a 
meeting of the Commissioners, held in March. 
1809, the township was named Osnaburg, but 
why it was so called, or from what source the 
name was obtained, we are not informed. The 
next Justice of the Peace, after Bair, was 
William Nailor, who was commissioned Ma}- 1, 
1809. The next was Jacob Fulton, whose 
commission was dated a few days later. John 
Augustine and John Sluss succeeded them 
some years afterward. James Price was Col- 
lector of the township in 180!*, and the amount 
of tax collected amounted to the enormous sum 
of $19.50. 

In the natural course of human events, all 
things must have a beginning, and the con- 
tinuation of the human race in Osnaburg 
Township began in the family of Jacob Kitt. 
Not only the first white cliild born in the town- 
ship, hut the first in the present County of 
Stark, was a daughter, '-born." as it is reported, 
"to Jacob and Barbara Kitt." She is still 
living, and is the wife of Squire Poll, of Osna- 
burg village, and is still, as her friends say. 



as " pert as a cricket." She was born September 
7, 1806, and is now, 1881, seventy-five years 
old. The next birth in the township, and which 
proved to be the first male child born, was 
George Latimer, son of Robert Latimer, and 
was born a few months after Mary Kitt. He 
died in 1873, in Ashland County, from injuries 
sustained in falling from a load of straw. 
The first death was that of a Mrs. Milligan, 
and occurred in 181 1. Her cotfln was a rough 
box, and as there was no minister present at 
the funeral, a Mr. Hutchinson, a school teacher, 
sang a few verses of a hymn, and offered prayer, 
which comprised the funeral ceremonies. Since 
that first funeral, the "pale horse and his rider" 
have made numerous visits to the township, as 
the several graveyards will attest. The first 
marriage is thus described by a local historian 
of the township, in the columns of the Canton 
Dtmocrat: "The first marriage of which we 
have any account was mixed with a bit of 
romance. There were a Mr. and Mrs. Ander.son 
living in Osnaburg, who had two children. 
Anderson was a drunken loafer, who would do 
nothing for the support of his famil}-, and, as a 
consequence, Mrs. Anderson had to work out. 
She was a good spinner, and went from house 
to house, taking her children with her, earning 
about a $1 a week, beside their board. A 
man bj- the name of Ihry, a (lerman, proposed 
to man-}- her, and was accepted, although she 
was not divorced from Anderson. Mr. Kitt 
brought the couple to Canton, and they were 
married bySciuire Coulter. They lived together 
for three years, when Hiry died, leaving his 
wife a comfortable homestead. This pioneer 
wedding was followed by many others, as the 
present population of the township clearlj- in- 
dicates." 

In the early days of Osnaburg, the people 
went to Steubenvilie to mill. This was a great 
inconvenience, and took up considerable of their 
time. This dilliculty was, to some extent, obvi- 
ated by Mr. Kitt, who built a little mill, a few 
years after his settlement. It was what was 
known as a "tread wheel mill," and oxen were 
used to furnish power. This was a great im- 
provement on grinding corn in a coffee-mill, or 
of spending a week going away to Steubenvilie. 
Peter Boyer built a grist-mill in l.SU, and 
shortly after Daniel Laird built one on the 
Little Sandy. Abraham Bair built a saw-mill 
about this time, which was the first in the 



HISTORY OF STAKK COUNTY. 



neighborhood ; and previous to its erection, the 
people used punoheon floors in their cabins, if 
the3' had any floors at all. Christian Harsh- 
barger built a grist-mill on Little Sandy, .south 
of where Mapleton now stands. John New- 
man also built a mill on Little Sandy, two 
miles northeast of Mapleton. There are no 
grist-mills now outside of the village. The 
first goods were sold in the village of Osnaburg, 
which is one of the oldest towns in the count}'. 
The first tavern was also kept there, and the 
first blacksmith shop, etc. In fact all of the 
interests of the township, in early times, cen- 
tered in the little village. 

The early settlers of Osnaburg were a God- 
fearing people, and at an early day religious 
societies were organized in the township, and 
religious services held at the people's cabins. 
Among the earl}' messengers of glad tidings 
was Rev. William Mitchell, a Methodist circuit 
rider, who preached in the neighborhood as 
early as 1812. Rev. Edward Otis was a Bap- 
tist minister, and preached once a month at 
Michael Engle's cabin. A church society was 
organized in 1820 by Rev. Mr. Weir, a Luth- 
eran minister, and Rev. Mr. Faust, a German 
Reformed minister, with about twenty-five 
members. The first sermon by either of 
these denominations was preached in 1814, by 
Rev. Mr. Lambrick, a Lutheran, at the house 
of Mr. Minnich. As early as 1827 a Sunday 
school was organized in the neighborhood of 
Mapleton. Alexander Cameron was the first 
Methodist class-leader, and his class comprised 
four fiirailies. There are three church edifices 
in this township outside the villages. On Sec- 
tion 36 a German Lutheran and German Re- 
formed Church are located, not half a dozen 
rods apart. The two denominations originally 
occupied the same church, but could not agree 
very well, and finally the German Reformed 
congregation sold tlieir interest to the Luther- 
ans and built a new church in the immediate 
vicinity. It is a frame building and quite a 
tasty edifice, while the old building is a sub- 
stantial brick. The Disciples have a church on 
Section 28, which was built some twenty or 
twenty-five years ago, and is a handsome frame, 
beautifullj' located on the brow of a hill, even 
as Solomon's Temple adorned the brow of Mount 
Moriah. 

So far as reliable information could be ob- 
tained, John Augustine was the pioneer school 



teacher of Osnaburg, and '-taught the young 
idea how to shoot " as early as the winter of 
1818. Previous to that year, the few children 
in the township went to school on the Aultman 
place, in Canton Township. During the winter 
of Augustine's school, snow fell to the depth of 
three feet and lay on the ground for several 
weeks. A few days later, it rained and froze, 
forming a hard crust on the snow that would 
bear up a man. Jlany deer were caught by 
the school boys which were unable to make 
their wa}' through the deep snow witli much 
speed. Among their captives was a large 
buck, which they kept in a pen at the school 
house, but as he refused to eat they turned him 
loose again. William Hutchinson was an earlj' 
school teacher. Abraham Bair also taught as 
early as 1822. These were followed by teach- 
ers in different parts of the township, and as 
the country settled up schoolhouses were built 
in each neighborhood until the final develop- 
ment of the present school sjstem. From the 
last report of the Board of Education we extract 
the following statistics for Osnaburg. which are 
of interest ; 

Balance on hand Septemljcr 1, 18T9 p,366 85 

State tax 955 .50 

Irreducible fund 144 09 

Total ■. $4,466 44 

Amount paid teachers $1,794 16 

Fuel and other contingent e.x- 

penses 201 21 

Total *1,995 37 

Balance on hand September 1. 1880 $2,471 07 

Number of schoolhouses in the township 10 

Value of school property $13,000 00 

Teachers cniploycd — males 14 

Teachers emplnyed — females 8 

Total 22 

Number of pupils enrolled — mules 291 

Number of pupils enrolled — females 216 

Total .507 

Average daily attendance — males 160 

Average daily attendance — females 130 

Total 290 

Almost the entire township of Osnaburg 
seems to be underlaid with coal, and a large 
number of mines opened, but hitherto, for the 
lack of facilities for transportation, they have 
not been developed to any great extent. Now, 
however, with a railroad passing through the 



^i 



OSNABURG TOWNSHIP. 



■I.H'.I 



township, a full development of this interest 
maj- be looked fiir. Sannu-l .Montijomery has 
recently sold his land at $200 an acre, and 
measures are being taken for mining coal on it. 
Several mines are already opened on this land, 
and every means will be used to facilitate the 
work of mining and sliipijing. 

For the war of 1812, a little unpleasantness 
that took place some thirty years after the close 
of the Revolution, between the I'nited States 
and England, this township furnished a number 
of men. some of them volunteers, and some 
drafted men. The names of many of these old 
heroes have passed away with the heroes them- 
selves. Among the few still remembered, how- 
ever, are the names of Peter MeOane, Peter 
Moretz, Edward Strickland. Adam and Jacob 
Anderson, and Richard Byles, who went as a 
substitute of Jacob Kitt, the latter having been 
drafted. In the Indian wars of the earh' period 
many of them also parlici[>ated. Joseph Ander- 
son, a brother to Adam and Jacob, mentioned 
above, fell at the battle of Tippecanoe, in 1811. 
Indeed. Osnaburg has ever been patriotic and 
true to the Government. In the war of the 
Rebellion, she did her duty, and turned out 
volunteers by the score, as will be seen in 
another chapter on the war historj- of the 
county, .\fter the close of the war of 1812, 
under the old militia law of the State, which 
continued in force for a number of years, all 
the able-bodied men between eigliteen and for- 
ty-live years of age were compelled to attend 
the regular military trainings, or general mus- 
ter, as more commonly called, where they had 
to undergo military drill and inspection. The 
usual places of meeting of these troops of the 
" peace establishment," were at Canton, Ken- 
dal (now a part of Massillon), Loutzenheiser's 
(where Louisville now stands), and Osnaburg, 
These occasions drew out large crowds of the 
j'oung and old, male and female, for many miles 
around, and the sceni^s and incidents of the day 
— the parade, the sham battle, the personal 
encounters — were long afterward the subject of 
fireside gossip. As if by common consent, all 
sectional disputes and neighborhood quarrels 
were -readjusted" on these training days. 
Each party to a feud had their friends and 
backers, who were particularly careful to so 
engineer matters as to end the business with a 
tight. If the question was one of great impor- 
tance (!). others became involved, and more 



fights followed, U> the great del('<tation of the 
crowd. It was on an occasion of this kind, 
that the tight occurred already alluded to in 
this chapter. But we will not dwell further 
upon this subject. 

The first roads in Osnaburg 'i'ownship were 
the Indian trails. These were cut out l)v the 
settlers to suit their convenience, until public 
highways began to be ordered by the County 
Commissioners, The first of these was a road 
from Pekin to Congress Furnace, and was 
granted by the Commissioners in response to a 
petition of Samuel Mobley, in 1815. Other 
roads were made soon after, from different 
points, as necessity demanded theni for the ben- 
efit of the people. The roads of the township 
at the present day. while as good, in a general 
way, as those of any part of the county, yet, 
owing to the hilly nature of the country, are 
extremely crooked and zigzag in their course. 
After the settlement of the township by white 
people. Indians frciiuently made excursions into 
the neighborhood, hunting, but were friendly, 
and never known to do anj- harm to their white 
friends. They would often beg for something 
to eat, and what was given them they woukl 
either eat or carr\- awav. Tlieir village, or 
camping grounds, were west of the Tuscarawas 
River. 

Osnaburg Township has two villages, viz.. 
the village of Osnaburg and the village of 
Mapletou. Osnaburg is an old place, and started 
out in its career with the laudable intention of 
becoming a great city, and with hopes shining 
brightly through the expectation of finally win 
ning the seat of justice of the new county all 
knew must soon be formed. It was supposed 
that the county would be formed around it as a 
natural consequence, and from the incipient city 
raj-s of W'isdom w'ould diverg(! and penetrate to 
the uttermost parts of the new district, I'n- 
burdened with the weight of its lofty aspira- 
tions, for a time after its birth, it stood proud 
as Rome upon her seven hills, and serenely 
awaited its coming greatness. But at length 
the new county was created, and Osnaburg 
failed to be made its seat of justice. This was 
a severe blow to her anticipated greatness. Her 
aspirations withered prematurel}', and her 

■ no|ic.>^ (lepaited foicver." 

Like the Eternal City, even down to the present 
day. '• The spider weaves his web in her palaces. 



490 



HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY. 



the owl sings his watch-song in her towers." 
After three-quarters of a century, she is au in- 
significant village of a few hundred inhabitants, 
while Canton, "the beautiful city of the plain," 
wears the glory Osnahurg once fondly dreamed 
would l)e her own. 

The village of Osnaburg was laid out in the 
latter part of 1806, bj' James Leeper, a native 
of Washington County, Pennsylvania, and 
one of the early settlers of tiie township. It 
is located on Section 8, and is about six 
miles east of Canton. Leeper erected a one- 
story log cabin, and in this limited edifice 
opened a hotel. His mode of keeping a tavern 
may he gathered from the persomd experience 
of one John Larwell, as he told it to a corre- 
spondent of the Canton Democrat: '• Larwell's 
house was at Fawcettstown (now East Liver- 
pool), on the Ohio River. In March, 1807, 
he was sent with provisions to his brother, 
Joseph Larwell, then in (iovernment employ, 
surveying lands west of the Tuscarawas 
River. He went by an Indian trail lead- 
ing from the Ohio River, crossing Sandy 
Creek near the mouth. Having heard of 
Osnaburg, he concluded to return that way, 
as the distance was about the same. Leav- 
ing the camp of his brother in the morn- 
ing, he reached Osnaburg in the evening of 
the same day. Riding up to the most preten- 
tious house of tiie village, Mr. Larwell halloed, 
and out came Leeper, the landlord. He in- 
quired if he could stop with him overnight, 
and receiving an affirmative answer, he wished 
to know what accommodations he had for his 
horse. Leeper pointed to a beech tree that had 
just been cut down, saying that the horse could 
be tied to a top limb and feed upon the twigs. 
As there was not a stable in town, Mr. Larwell 
had no alternative but to submit to sucii ac- 
commodations for his jaded hor.se. The 
tavern was a log structure, the whole con- 
stituting a single room, wiiich was made 
to answer the purpose of kitchen, dining- 
room bed-room and sitting-room. The floor 
was of puncheons, and the chimney of sticks 
and mud. It had evidently been on fire 
at some time, as there was a considerable hole 
burnt through, near the ground. The supper 
consisted of a ' pone ' and fresh pork. While 
the pone was baking on the hearth, a pig came 
through the hole in the chimney, snatched up 
the pone and carried it out the same way he 



came in. Mrs. Leeper gave chase, recovered 
the pone, replaced it upon the griddle and 
watched it until the baking was completed. 
Mr. Larwell remarked that he enjoyed the 
supper, as it was seasoned with hunger, For a 
bed, he had his choice of the floor below, or 
on the loft. As the night was growing cold, he 
preferred the former, and with his feet toward 
the tire, his <;lothes on, and a bhinket, he had 
a tolerably co i fortable night. His breakfast 
was the same as his supper. Over a foot of 
snow fell during the night, to which his horse 
was exposed. For these limited accommoda- 
tions, his bill was 75 cents." 

Leeper is represented by those who knew him 
as a man of considerable energy and enterprise, 
and who worked industriously to build up his 
town. He was a good talker, and as ho kept 
the only tavern for many miles around, his 
house was the general stopping-place of those 
who came west in search of land, and he in- 
duced many to select homes in the vicinity of 
Osnaburg. He also induced many mechanics 
to settle in the village, and used ever}' exertion 
to promote the prosperity of the place. But 
the great evil that has wrecked so many lives 
was stealing upon him, as a thief in the night. 
He was of a social disposition, and in his zeal 
to build up a town, contracted the habit of 
drinking. His dissipation grew upon him, un- 
til in a case of delirium tremens he escaped 
from his house in the night, and was found the 
next morning in a pond, where he had drowned 
himself But for his dissipated habits, which 
made an unfavorable impression upon strangers, 
it is still believed by many that Osnaburg 
would have acquired such a start over Canton, 
which was not laid out until sometime after, 
as to have eventually made Osnaburg, and not 
Canton, the county seat of Stark County upon 
its organization. But the character of Mr. 
Wells, the origi-nal proprietor of Canton, and 
the influence he exerted in behalf of his town, 
more than overbalanced the start Osnaburg 
had in the race for the seat of justice. 

The first store in Osnaburg was kept by one 
John McC'onnell, who opened a small stock of 
goods in 1807. He kept but a few articles, and 
these were such as were mostly in demand in 
a new countrj-. McConnell, according to the 
gossips of the town, was a man not of the high- 
est moral rectitude. Some little indiscretions 
on his part excited such strong feelings of 



OSXABUllU TOWNSHIP. 



491 



indignation against him as to necessitate his 
abrupt departure from the town, between the 
setting of tlie sun and tiie rising of tliat lumi- 
nary. The next tavern in Osnal)urg after Leep- 
er's was kept by William Nailor. Jacob Kep- 
linger is note<l in both town and townsliip as 
a model landlord. The village at present con- 
tains two hotels, presenting to the traveling 
public good accomodations for a town of its 
size. An early institution in Osnaburg was a 
hatter shop, kept by Cpdegralf & .Mc(Juggin, 
who manufactured headpieces for the neighbor- 
ing gentry. The present business of the 
village is as follows ; Two general stores ; two 
grocery stores ; two blacksmith and wagon 
shops: one harness-shop; one mill ; two hotels ; 
three churches, and an excellent school build- 
ing. The mill was built about four years ago by 
Sheatsley & Stump, and is now owned by Sheats- 
iiy A; .\lillL'r. They have an excellent building, 
(■(intaining four run of bulirs, and do a large busi- 
ness. The mill originall}' cost about $15,000, 
and is still in a good state of preservation. The 
Connotton Valley IJailroad passes through the 
village, and has a comfortable depot and freight 
buildings. The churches are German Luther- 
an and Reformed, Albrights, or Evangelical, 
and Methodist. All have good church edifices 
and are well snpported. The schoolhouse is a 
spacious building, well furnished and adapted 
to school purposes. Osnaburg forms a special 
district, and the school is divided into three 
departments, but is ungradetl. Prof G. A. 
Wise is Principal ; Mr. DeHoflf", teacher of the 
intermediate department, and Miss Joetta 
Wliiteleather, teacher of the primary- depart- 
ment. The average attendance is about 150 
pupils. 

One of the most prominent business men 
ever connected with the historv of Osnaburg 
village was Christian Kountz. lie was for 
many years a successful merchant of the place, 
and an enterprising gentleman, who fostered 
every good work, and supported every enter- 



prise for the benefit of the town. The follow- 
ing extract from a publication concerning him is 
appropriate in this connection ; • Mr. Kountz 
was born in Saxony, where he learned the trade 
of a lace weaver. He came to this country 
when a young man, and on hmding in New 
York, all the money he had was three kreutzers, 
about two cents of our money. He immedi- 
ately sought work, but, unable to obtain employ- 
ment at his trade, he engaged in anything that 
otlered. Having accumulated a few dollars, he 
was induced, by a fellow-countryman, to engage 
in peddling. With his limited means he com- 
menced with a small bundle of notions ; then, 
with a pack which he carried upon his back, 
and finally he made a raise of a horse and 
wagon. He prospered, and in the course of 
time was advised, by a Pittsburgh merchant, to 
settle in some town and open a store. He lo- 
cated in Osnaburg about the year 1825. He 
was a man of strict integrity, would never him- 
self, nor permit an employe to, take advantage 
of or deceive a customer. His wcjrd was as 
good as his bond, and he raised his family to 
the same principles of integrity, and to industry 
and economy. He accumulated a handsome 
fortune, and died in 186G, at the age of about 
seventy years. His sons have added to their 
inheritance, and are successful business men." 
Mapleton is a small place, and is located on 
Section 27, about a mile from the Connotton 
Valley Railroad. Its business consists of one 
store, one hotel, one grocery store, two shoe- 
shops, two carpenter-shops, one blacksmith and 
one wagon shop, one post-oftice with dady 
mails by Connotton Valley Railroad at " Maple- 
ton Crossing," one physician, a schoolhouse 
built in the summer of 1880, and two churches, 
viz.: Lutheran and Immannel's Church of the 
Evangelical Association. The latter was built 
in 18()7, and the former in 1855. Both are in 
a flourishing condition, with Sunday schools 
and good membership. 



<> \ 



HISTORY OF STAKK COUNTY. 



CHAPTER XXII.* 

PLAIN TOWNSnil' — OUTLINE OF PHYSICAL FEATURES — VALUABLE STATISTICS FROM OLU 
RECORDS— LIST OF LANDHOLDERS OF 1828 — PIONEER IMPROVEMENTS AND IN- 
DUSTRIES— (iROWTH OF VILLA(iES. SCHOOLS AND CHURCHES. 

"They shunned not lalinr when 'twas due. 
Thcv \vniu;:lil witli liulil -ood will ; 
And for llic homes the\ won lor them, 
Their eliildren l.Uss tlieni slilL" 

PLAIN TOWNSHIP was among the five 
that were created at the time the county 
was organized in 1809. It was a common thing, 
in earlj' years, for the townships to have within 
their jurisdiction a large scope of country, which, 
as time passed on, and the land became settled 
by scattering pioneers, was created, piece-meal, 
into separate townships. This was the case 
with Plain Township. On the l(ith of March, 
1809, at the first meeting of the Countj' Com- 
missioners, Plain was created, with the follow- 
ing boundaries : " Beginning at the northeast 
corner of the 12th Township, in the 8th Range ; 
thence south to the southeast corner of the 11th 
Township, in the 8th Range ; thence west with 
the township lines to the west boundary of the 
county ; thence north and east with the county 
line to the place of beginning." Whj' the 
township received the name it now bears in an 
unsolved question. It is said by .some that in 
one part was an open tract of land, or a plain, 
and the township derived its title from this 
circumstance. Other reports are that some 
of the first settlers were from a township in 
the East called Plain, and in remembrance of 
their old home bestowed that name upon the 
new township. The next historian may solve 
this mooted question. When the township was 
created by the Commissioners, they ordered an 
election of officers to be held at the residence 
of George Harter, on the first Monday in April, 
1809. Pursuant to the order, the election was 
held, with the following result, as nearly as can 
be remembered, in the absence of the early re- 
cords : James Gaff and George Wyke, Justices 
of the Peace ; Abraham Van Meter, Clerk ; 
Jacob Warshler, Treasurer, and Henry Friday, 
Constable. It must be understood that the 

* Contributed by W. A. Goodepet-il. 



territory within what was Plain Township then 
included the present Lake. Lawrence and Jack- 
son Townships, in Stark County, and Green 
and Franklin Townships, in Summit County, 
in all, six townships. But, at that time, only a 
few settlers had yet located in any part of this 
territory, except the present Plain Township. 
The balance was an uninhabited wilderness, 
filled with fierce animals that attbrded rare 
and dangerous sport to those who were daring 
enough to hunt them. This class of men was 
not wanting among the first settlers. They had 
come into the forest prepared to bravely meet 
its dangers and hardships, and the mobile 
characteristic of human nature to derive pleas- 
ure from any and every surrounding asserted 
itself, and gave to the pioneer a comparatively 
happy lot. After they became accustomed to 
the trails of their surroundings, and inured to 
the loneliness and danger, backwoods life was 
not so bad after all. Question an old settler on 
this point and he will tell you that, although 
he had to work hard and deny himself many 
comforts, yet, after all, he enjoyed life first- 
rate. He had descovered the philosopher's 
stone — contentment. 

The following is quoted from the historical 
sketches of Stark County by Dr. Slusser, of 
Canton : " The first white man who settled in 
Plain Township was Henry Friday. He was a 
Hessian, taken prisoner at the battle of Trenton 
and paroled. He had a wife and three children, 
and, in 1805, came in a rickety cart drawn by 
an old horse, to Section 30, where he " squatted." 
It being early in the summer, he cleared a small 
patch, which he planted in corn and potatoes, 
and until the crop matured, the family lived on 
wild meat and berries. His special occupation 
was that of well digging, but until he found em- 
ployment in this line he cut and cured grass on 
the " wild meadows " in the southwestern sec- 
tion of the township, for which he found a 
ready sale to emigrants. He must have lived 



•^ S" 





//^> /yv>/-^/^^ 



^. 



PL.MX TOWNSHIP. 



like a Digger Indian, for it is said that in tiio 
year in wliioli the locusts appeared, he had a 
pie made of them, which he ate ; and in speak- 
ing of it, he would remark, ■' Es ist der besht 
poy es mer raaehe kan." After five or six years 
he moved to Jackson Township, where he died. 
Hugh Cunningham, an Irisiiinaii, came during 
the summer of 1805. and located in Section H4. 
His daughter, whose birth occurred the follow- 
ing year, was tiie first white child born in the 
township. It is said that when the draft for the 
war of 1812 oecnrred. he became so much 
alarmed that, to escape the service, he shot 
himself through the foot. During the autumn 
of 1805, (leorge and John Harter built their 
houses in the township, but the families re- 
mained at Be:iver until later, (ieorge Harter, 
the next year, brought with him two cows and 
a sow with eight pigs. The sow was kept in a 
pen for a short time, after which a bell was put 
on her. and sIk! was permitted to run in search 
of food. She had not gone far from the cabin 
when the family heard her ,squeal ; suspecting 
the trouble. 3Ir, Harter snatched up his rifle, 
which was always kept loaded, and made haste 
toward the locality from where the sound 
came, on his way ramming down a second bul- 
let. He had not proceeded far when he dis- 
covered a huge bear dragging the sow by the 
back of the neck, through the bushes. The 
sound of his approach attracted the attention of 
the bear, which dropped the sow, stood up on 
its hind legs and looked fiercely at the ajjproach- 
ing settler. Harter took deliberate aim at the 
chest of the bear and fired ; the bear fell 
over, but as Hartiu- was suspicious that it 
might not be dead, and knowing that it would 
be dangerous to go within reach of the animal 
if it was only wounded, he re-loaded his rifle, 
and, approaching within a few rods, took care- 
ful aim and shot it through the head, when it 
turned over, gave a feelile kick, and was dead. 
The bears and wolves carried off all his pigs 
but two. He constructed a trap, in which sev- 
eral were caught, as was also, on one occasion, 
a large turkey buzzard." 

Jacob Loutzenheiser, who afterward became 
inlluential and prominent in the township, 
arrived in 180(j, with several i)ack horses, and 
left his family for a short time with the Cun- 
ninghams. During the same year, there came 
in Valentine Weaver. Peter Dickerhoof Oeorge 
Bossier. George Hanev. 'leorge Miller. Simon 



Essig. Ileni'v Warner, John and David Eby, 
(•onrad Buffncr. and, [jcrhaps, f)thers. About 
the same time, or soon afterward, came George, 
Jacob and Christian Werstler, and their father, 
Henry Werstler, Christopher Palmer, Jacob 
Shoniehergcr, Aliraham Van Meter, the Bairs, 
Spielmans, (iatts. Willemans, Everhards, David 
Cunningham, Jacob Hosier, and many others, 
Mr. Weaver's three eldest children were daugh- 
ters, who went to work felling timber, cutting 
logs, splitting rails, plowing, sowing, reaping 
and threshing. It is said that Betsey Dicker 
hoof when the road between New Berlin and 
Green town was opened, took a contract to clear 
ten acres of timber for John W'ise, and complet- 
ed the contract satisfactorily. What do the 
damsels of the present day think of that ? 

Peter Willeman owned the land where the 
village of New Berlin now stands. After these 
dates the settlers came in rapidly, the most of 
them coming directly from the Keystone State. 
with but little or no money, but with an alnind- 
ance of self-reliance and unswerving determi- 
nation to create a comfortable home in the wil- 
derness. The land was pretty much all taken 
b\- 1815, at least all the better portions. In 
June. 1809, a tax was levied to meet the cur- 
rent expenses of the county. There were no 
roads, the best being but cut and corduroyed 
paths through the woods, the routes being 
established without any regard to section or 
township lines, but wholly through dry locali- 
ties, winding around on the upper lands. So 
much annoyance was occasioned by poor roads, 
that the tax levied was designed to be used in 
improving and constructing liighways; and the 
record of the Commissioners, from beginning 
to end. especially in early years, is one contin- 
uous chain of roads viewed, created and altered, 
or improved. The tax on horses was 25 cents, 
but soon afterward other domestic animals were 
also rated as taxalile property. Jacob Sh(ene- 
berger was the first Collector in Plain, and on 
the 15th of January. 1810. his tax duplicate 
showed that he had collected 5i:i2.20. George 
Miller, Collector for the following year, reported 
$1)2.05, which sum included his compensation. 
On the 5th of March, 1810, all the land then in 
Plain Township, west of the Tuscarawas River, 
was created, with other land, into a separate 
township. On the 8th of April, 1811, it was 
ordered by the Commissioners, that Township 
12, Hange 8, Townships 11 and 12. Range fl, 



'^W^ 



HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY. 



an(] all the remaining part of Townships 1 and 
2. Range 10, be severed from Plain, and ereated 
a separate township called Green. Since that 
date. Plain has retained its present geograph- 
ical boundaries. It has always been one of the 
most valuable townships in the county. On 
the 3d of December, 1810, the Commissioners 
ordered viewed a road that had been properly 
petitioned for, extending north from Canton as 
tar as the county line, and in a direction toward 
Ravenna. The Viewers were .John Shorb, Abra- 
ham (ralloway and William Williams. These 
men, assisted by (Jeorge Clark, Surveyor, com- 
pleted the work, and reported favorably the fol- 
lowing March, whereupon the Commissioners 
ordered the road to be laid out " forty feet wide, 
causewayed and finished so that travelers and 
carriages could pass. ' Several other roads, ex- 
tending across the township, were soon afterward 
surveyed and put in [lassable condition. Henr^' 
Everliard was one of the early County ('oinmis- 
sioners, was County Collector in 1817, and occu- 
pied other positions of honor and trust. The 
citizens were generally industrious and saving, 
and several of them accumulated large fortunes, 
and their descendants are now reaping the ben- 
efits. The following list of land-hdlders, who 
were in the township in 182.S, is given to pre- 
serve the names of the early settlers, several of 
whom, however, left the township before that 
period : Frederick Albright, John Arnst. Joiin 
Andrews, Abraham Bair. Henry Hiitterliaugli. 
Daniel Bender, Abraham Barnhart, Jacob Ri'ch- 
er. David Brady, John Bair, Jacob Bair, Sam- 
uel Bair, Baltzer Bentzel, Jacob Beard, Jacob 
Bachtel, Samuel Coulter, Andrew Crist, William 
Coleman, Isaac Cairns, Phillip Duck, Jacob 
Dissler, Abraham Dissler, John Essig, Simon 
Essig, Adam Essig, Jacob Essig, George Essig. 
George Everhard, Henry Everhard, David Eby, 
Thomas Eby, Joseph Eby, John Past. Nicholas 
Firestone, John Feather, Jacob Funk, Jacob 
Gaskin (colored), James Gatt', Jeliu (Jrulil), 
Peter Grupe, Solomon Grogg, Jacob Hower, 
George Hower, John Hower, Ferninand Fluck- 
stall, Jacob Hentzel, Michael Holtz, Peter Hou- 
sel, Abraham Holm, Christopher Haney, George 
Hanej', William Hanej-, Jacob Hoy, Jacob 
Harter, Christian Hain, John Hall, Phillip Hol- 
lebaugh, James Harry, George A. Ilontz, George 
Hontz, Phillip Homan. Jacob Homan, William 
Hill, John Hains, John Harris, John D. Hacken, 
Thomas Hill, Jacob Kouser, John Kryden, John 



Kendall, Isaac Kootzner, Jacob Loutzenheimer, 
Abraham Lantzer, David Landis, Abraham 
Landis, Jacob Livingston, John Long, Nicholas 
Murray, Abraham Miller, John Miller, James 
Miller, Henry Miller, Henry Markee, Henry 
Myers, Joseph Mishler, Andrew Myers, Daniel 
Mooser, Robert McClelland, Moses Nelson, Adam 
Oberlin, Christian Palmer, Frederick Pontius, 
Mr. Paulus, James Packer, Paul Rider, 
John Reese, Henry Rabert, Samuel Roofner, G. 
A. Ilex, Conrad Roofner, John Rice, David 
Risher, William Reynolds, Anthony Roof, John 
Reichart, Jacob Spangler, Michael Spangler, 
Benjamin Spangler, Joseph Spangler, John Sni- 
ner, (Jeorge Snider, (Jeorge Smith, Samuel 
Smith, John Smith, Jacob Shceneherger, Valen- 
tine Spielman, John Swigart, Jacob Stotfer, 
Frederick Shaefl'er, Daniel Smith, Christopher 
Sidnor, Jacob Sell, (jeorge Swihart. John Ster- 
ling, David Shook, David Shriver, John Trump, 
Peter Trump. Peter Troxal, John Thomas, 
Christian Warshler, Jacob Warshler, Henry 
Waltman, Tobias Wise, Al)rahain Wise, Peter 
Wise, Conrad Willeman, Peter Willeman, Jacob 
Willeman, (5eorge Willeman, Thomas Ward, 
Barnabas Weller, (ieorge Warshler, Adam War- 
ner, John Winger, Adam Wise, Michael Weaver, 
Samuel Weaver, Valentine Weaver. Joseph 
Weaver, Henry Weaver, George linger, Henry 
Zeigler and Phillip Zeigler. These were the 
resident landholders in 1828. (Ither early 
settlers were Ezra Pepple. Frederick Slusser, 
Joseph Bishop, Samuel Schrantz, Michael 
Schrantz, Jacob Mohler, George Bossier, and 
many otiiers whose names are forgotten. 

The first thing to be done after arriving in 
the wilderness, was to provide food and shelter 
for the families. Trees were immediately felled, 
cut the desired length, and everything got in 
readiness for the raising, at which time the 
neighbors would come forward, and the build- 
ing begun in the morning was often ready for 
the family the following night. Sometimes it 
was impossible to get the desired assistance, in 
which case the owner was obliged to resort to 
the tedious process of building his log cabin 
alone. To do this he must have a team, with 
which to draw the heavy logs, not only to the 
building, but upon it. The logs for the foun- 
dation were properly notched, and rolled to 
their places, after which strong skids were 
placed upon this frame-work and the ground, 
and then by means of long ropes or chains 



4-, 



itj. @_ 



k^ 



IM.AIX TOWNSHIP. 



495 



passing over the slowly rising structure, the 
logs, one 1)3' one, wore drawn up to their <les- 
tiaed positions. This process often consumed 
more than a week, and often, in the meantime, 
the family were obliged to live either in the 
wagon, in tlie cabin of a neighbor, or in tem- 
porary buildings or wigwams constructed of 
poles, bark and blankets. As soon as tlie 
building was completed, the family were moved 
therein, and then the clearing mu.st go rapidly 
on, to prepare suitable lields for the coming 
crop. Then it was that a life of hard work aiul 
continuous privation was begun. A section of 
wooiiland, probably ten acres, sometimes fortj', 
was leveled with the ground, and the trees were 
felled in windrows with their tops together. 
After the desired butt cuts had been rolled out 
of the way, and the brani'hes had become suf 
ficiently dry to burn, the lire was lighted from 
heap to heap much the same waj- that a prairie 
fire is started. Nights were ollen selected for 
this work, and then the scene was spirited and 
grand indeetl. While watching the fire, the 
settler would split the preserved butt cuts into 
rails, to be used to inclose the field. Some- 
times the settler went to work and leveled 
twenty or thirty acres with the ground, after 
which the neighbors were called in to roll the logs 
into heaps to be burned. These rollings were 
the principal means of bringing the settlers 
together, and the merriment always ran high, 
like the waves of the sea. The man who could 
do the most work was the hero of the occasion. 
If some circumstance occurred to interrupt 
their work, games were projected, wrestling 
matches were formed, or target practice was 
indulged in. A rolling without whiskj- was a 
sorry occasion, and, in fact, the settlers refused 
to assist unless they were supplied with this 
essential factor for a hard days work. Often 
some poor fellow would get too full (or fool) 
for utterance, when he would retire to some 
secluded spot to dream of bacchanalian bliss or 
blizzards, and to sleep ofi' the cHects of King 
Alcohol. It was usual for the women to assem- 
ble to do the cooking for this •■ raft" of men, 
and their sport was scarcely inferior to that of 
the men. 

The food was an important item to be taken 
into consideration among the earl}' settlers. 
There were no F)r. Tanners in those days; 
neither were there an}- dyspeptics ; l]Ut every 
person was possessed of a voracious appetite. 



The digestive apparatus were equal to those of 
falcons ; but the possessors were often obliged 
to go hungry, and to fill themselves like ana- 
condas when they were supplied with an abun- 
dance. Hundreds of hogs soon ran wild in the 
wo(xls, the great majority being without car- 
marks or any known owner. These were shot 
down whenever meat was desired, and the 
cabins were usually' supplied with pork, such 
as it was, which is saying a great deal. Large 
numbers of deer were iu the forest, and juicy 
venison steak was a common dish placed before 
the hungry settler. Venison, however, is dry 
and tasteless without plenty of grease, without 
which the meat is partially unpalatable. The 
flesh itself does not contain the necessar}' fat. 
Wild turkeys were numberless, and sometimes 
were so fat, it is said, that when they struck the 
ground, after being shot from the top of high 
trees, the skin upon their backs burst open like 
a ripe bean pod. Many wolves were in the 
forest, and were a great pest t(i those who tried 
to keep sheep. These tender animals had to be 
housed bv night and guarded by day, and even 
then the climate and other circumstances com- 
bined to kill them. When the county was first 
organized, the Commissioners offered a bounty 
of 5(1 cents for wolf and panther scalps of ani- 
mals under six months old, and SI for those 
animals above that age. So Irouljlesoine were 
the animals that a year later the Commissioners 
doubled the Itouuty, and then it became profit- 
able to hunt them. A skillful hunter would 
make better wages than a farmer. The streams 
and lakes abounded in musk-rats, minks, bea- 
vers and a few otter, and during the winter sea- 
sons large numbers of these were trapped, and 
the furs sent I'^ast, where there was a growing 
demand for them. Bears were numerous, and 
were very troublesome, as they boldly ap- 
proached the cabins in the night, and some- 
limes in the day, and carried oti' hogs, calves, 
sheep, or other small domestic animals. A 
large one would seize an unfortunate Sits scrafa, 
and, despite its sipieals and struggles, carry it 
off into the forest, and the next day its indig- 
nant owner would find its partially consumed 
carcass, JIany interesting stories are told con- 
cerning adventures with bears and other fierce 
animals, a few of which will be narrated. It is 
related that one of the settlers in the northern 
part, on one occasion, went to CanUm for a few 
groceries, and. becoming belated, night over- 



^V 



J^ 



496 



HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY. 



took him shortly after he started for home. He 
was afoot and alone, with a bag containing his 
purchases on his bacli. It was a bitterly cold 
night in winter, and the snow covered the 
ground to the depth of some six inches. Tlie 
moon was shining brightly, and the icy wind 
sighed through the branches of the trees, and 
daslied the drifting snow into eddies through 
the forest glades. The traveler hurried on, 
anxious to reach the shelter of home. As lie 
was moving swiftl)' along the obscure path, he 
suddenlj^ heard a peculiar sniffing .sound at a 
short distance to one side, and a few moments 
later a large animal ran out of a clump of 
bushes, and bounded off at full speed through 
the woods, uttering a peculiar cry at ever jump. 
Mr. Willeman had no gun. but he knew that 
the animal was a pantlier, and althougli he was 
considerabh' scared, he hallooed at the top of 
his voice, and was still more scared when he 
discovered that the cries had ceased, and the 
panther was coming back toward him. The 
fierce animal took a circle out to leeward, and 
after sniffing and following the traveler for 
aliout half a mile, it finalh' veered off and was 
soon lost to sight and sound in the depths of 
the snow-clad forest. At another time, a part\' 
of settlers living in Osnaburg Township, started 
a large bear with their dogs, and, having chased 
it to near the Wise Mill in Plain, succeeded in 
disabling it. They came up with their dogs, 
and, knowing that the bear could not escape 
them, they rfcsolvetl to have some fun. They 
got long clubs, and circling around the wounded 
animal, would dash in and deal a severe blow, 
and tlien retire as suddenly as their safety de- 
manded. The dogs were urged on, but the 
bear, frantic with pain and rage, soon settled 
them. One blow from a powerful paw was suf- 
ficient to either half-kill a venturesome dog, or 
prevent its second appearance on the scene. 
Finally, after the men became tired, tlic bear 
was dispatched by a bullet through the head. 
Prior to the war of 1812. bands of Indians 
wandered throuiih the woods, camping tempo- 
rarily on the streams for the purpose of hunt- 
ing and trapping. Many of the arts of the chase 
were learned from them by the wliite hunters. 
Within a few years after the township was 
first settled, industries began to spring up to 
furnish much needed articles nearer home. The 
township was supplied with excellent water- 
power, for all the streams were about double 



the present size, although the flow of water is 
probably swifter at present. Two large streams 
flow across the township, the West Branch of 
the Nimishillen and the Middle Branch. The 
former enters the township from the north, and 
flows across Sections 5, 4, 9, l(i, 17, 20, 29 and 
32, while the latter crosses Sections 1. 2, 11, 
12, 14, 13, 23, 26. 27 and 34. The former has 
quite a large branch entering it from the west, 
and all these creeks and their branches furnish 
excellent drainage. The townsliip is not only 
a first class agricultural section of the county, 
but it has scarcely a rival for manufacturing 
facilities. It is underlain with exhaustless beds 
of fine coal, three or four mines being worked 
at present, though, from the fact that the rail- 
roads have been built within the last few j'ears, 
this valuable feature of the township is not yet 
fully developed. Time will bring a vast reve- 
nue to the owners of the soil. The soil in dif 
ferent places discloses fine sandstone and lime- 
stone, which have been quarried to a limited 
extent in past years. A fine article of lime has 
been burned, and is burned at present. Taking 
all these things into consideration — the strength 
of the soil for agricultural purposes, the abun- 
dant suppl3-of limestone and sandstone, the in- 
exhaustible beds of bituminous coal, the fair 
water-power, and the healthfulness of the cli- 
matic features — the township is a pleasant and 
profitable place in which to live. 

As earlj' as 1810, A. Van Meter built a saw 
and chopping mill in the township. The build- 
ing was built of logs, and was divided into two 
apai'tments, one in which the sawing apparatus 
was placed being little better than a shed. 
A set of rough and coarse " nigger-head " stones 
was placed in the other, but the miller did not 
pretend to be able to furnish first-class flour 
and meal. He could grind the grains, after a 
fashion, and did for a short time ; but, owing 
to the weakness of the dam he had constructed, 
at the end of a year, a sudden freshet swept 
away his mill, and it was not afterward rebuilt. 
In the summer of 1811, G. A. Rex built a grist- 
mill on Nimishillen Creek, water-power being 
secured in the usual manner, by means of a race. 
IMr. Rex was an enterprising man, and had 
some property at his command. He brought 
from Georgetown a set of fine French Ijuhrs, 
that cost the then very large amount of 1800. 
This set was placed in the mill, and so excellent 
was the flour and meal turned out, that the 



il4. 



I'l-AIN TOWNSHIP. 



497 



miller soon had all he could do. His mill be- 
came known for twenty or thirty miles around ; 
and as the owner saw his business steadily in- 
crease, he improved the water-power as much 
as possible, and almost doubled the capacity of 
his mill. Still he found plenty to do. A saw- 
mill was built in connection with the grist- 
mill, and was operated with water from tiie 
same dam. A few jears after this mill was 
built, Jacob Holm placed, in a small a[)arlment 
set ofl' for the purpose, a small stock of goods, 
the first ever olfered for sale in the township. 
They were probably not worth more than $2(10. 
He kept calicoes, a few groceries and notions, 
and some hardware, including axes. How long 
he continued is forgotten or unknown. In 
1812, Henry Kverhard built a grist-mill on 
West Branch. This was located at a spot 
where the dam flooded considerable of the 
bottom, and where a small quantitj- of cran- 
berries grew in early years. This mill became 
well patronized, and furnished a fair article of 
flour. A saw-mill was built and operated on 
the .same dam. Other mills were built prior to 
1814, by David Wise, Conrad Iluflher and John 
Trump. Adam Wise, as some say, built a grist- 
mill at Middle Branch, as early as 1S15. He 
also built a saw-mill at the same place. In 
about the year 1810, he opened a small store 
in his mill, and for a number of years conduct- 
ed the combined pursuits. His mills and store 
became the central point, around which quite a 
section of country revolved, as it were. He 
succeeded in getting a post office (juite earl}', 
but for some reason unknown, did not lay out 
and plat a village, as he might have done to 
his pecuniary advantage. Nothing of the kind 
was done through the long lapse of years until 
the present. On the 2!tth of January, 1881, 
John I'onlius, the owner and proprietor of the 
land, had surveyed and platted the village of 
Middle Branch. Sixty lots were properh" laid 
out, by W. H. ^Martin, Count}- Surveyor, on 
parts of the northeast and southeast quarters 
of Section 2, Township 11, Range 8. This was 
done by reason of the presence of the Counotton 
Valley Railroad. A station was located at that 
point, whereujwn Mr. Pontius laid out the 
village, as stated, and ottered the lots for sale. 
In time, quite a little village will grow up at 
that point. 

The first death was that of a cabinet-maker, 
who was killed by a falling tree. John Andrews 



was an early tanner. In 1820, Abram Holm 
opened a tannery that he conducted quite ex- 
tensively for many 3ears. It was located in 
the northeast corner of the township. John 
Bowers collected the tax in 1807, and reported 
with it to the Commissioners of Columbiana 
County, of which Stark then formed a part. 
The tax on (luartersections was then $1.75 ; 
it is now more than §80. It was customary in 
early years, when a pauper turned up in the 
township, to sell the keeping of the same to the 
lowest bidder ; one was thus sold. It is said 
that when Beclitcl, an earl}- Constable, was 
sworn in, he made the following exception to 
the form of the oath : •' To swear when he 
pleased, and to hunt on Sunday." Joseph 
Somcrs built and operated an early saw-mill. 
The land upon which the village of New Ber- 
lin now stands, was originally owned b}' Peter 
Williman. Who built the first house is as 
difficult to discover as a needle in a hay-stack ; 
both remain lost ; somebody, however, was 
guilty, as there was a first house built. That 
is a safe conclusion, at least, but that is about 
as far as conclusions can go and be logical and 
consistent. Probabilities are much more satis- 
factory on this point than conclusions, and will 
be iniUilged in. It is likel}- that a cabin was 
built there by some one as early as 1815, as the 
location was pleasant and desirable. At all 
events, in 1830, several families resided there, 
and it, about that time, dawned upon the minds 
of those in that vicinit}', that a village was 
about to spring up. The question was dis- 
cussed, and the owners of the land flnall}- came 
to the conclusion to follow the example set by 
Romulus and Remus, sons of the war-god, 
Mars, some two thousand years before. John 
Hower was the owner and proprietor, and on 
the ISth of February, 1831, he employed Sam- 
uel Bechtel, surveyor, and laid out twenty- 
three lots, the most of them being in the acute 
angle formed by the junction of .^larket and 
Portage streets. The lots were ottered for sale, 
and erelong the population had run up to fortj- 
or fill}'. Long before that, however, the vil- 
lagers had become clamorous for a store and 
post office, and a few years later, Josiah Sher- 
rick (or perhaps Peter Schick) was induced to 
embark on the mercantile sea. He did not 
venture far from shore, however, as his stock of 
goods was worth only about $200. A few 
}-ears later he was succeeded bj' Peter Schick, 



;r^ 



498 



HISTORY OF STARK COl'NTY. 



who continued for quite a number of 3-ears, and 
kept a good country store, receiving a fair trade 
from the surrounding eountiy. It was prob- 
ably through the instrumentality of Mr. Schick 
that the post otHce was secured, although this 
is not absolutely certain. Quite a number 
have, at various times, sold goods at New Ber- 
lin, among whom are Peter Brilhart, Emanuel 
p]nsminger, Samuel Witwer. Bechtol & Pierson, 
Mr. Young. John Hill, Daniel Holl, Bechtel & 
Brother, William Schick and George Spon- 
seller, the present merchant, who has on hand 
nearly $10,000 worth of a general assortment 
of goods. He has a large and valuable trade, 
and is the present Postmaster. John Hower 
was the first blacksmith. Not long after the 
village was laid out, Peter Schick made con- 
siderable of an addition to it, and still later 
Samuel Schlott made another. These combined, 
furnished over a hundred excellent building 
lots. After this the village grew quite rapidly ; 
various other industries, besides those men 
tioned, sprang up through the medium of genius 
and necessity. The latter is the mother of inven- 
tion, and no sooner is a want felt by the American 
people, than some means to meet it are devised. 
The world is filled with men who would be 
properly classed among the great, were it not 
for some flaw or blemish in their otherwise fair 
capabilities. One man will possess transcend- 
ent genius in some branch of human endeavor, 
but, lacking the power to apply it properly, he 
passes through life comparatively unknown, 
and his death is unsung by the wise and great 
of earth, fi. G. Nodle, of New Berlin, is a me- 
chanic of rare powers, gifted with that pecul- 
iar cast of mind that can see, through neces- 
sity and want, the means of supplying them. 
He has invented several interesting and valu- 
able mechanical contrivances. A numlier of 
years ago, he invented a valuable improvement 
on Lamb's knitting raachme, prepared his model 
and sent it to the Patent Otflce, but a short 
time afterward discovered that his patent had 
been entered by some other person. Whether 
another man had invented the same improve- 
ment a little earlier, is not yet determined, but 
Mr. Nodle thinks otherwise. He works in any 
metal, ivory, bone, stone or wood. He has 
lately invented a combination door-lock, that, 
for simplicity and value, is without a rival. In 
proper hands, a fortune could be made with it. 
Several other valuable inventions have been 



developed, one of them being a machine for 
cutting cogs, and another for filing saws. 

In about the year 1807, Joel Stephens erected 
suitable buildings, and began the manufacture 
of various sorts of pottery, among which were 
crocks, jars, jugs, etc. The material was obtained 
near by, and,^fora number of years Mr. Ste- 
phens did extensive work, and under his manage- 
ment the industry was jirofitable to him, and a 
credit to the tillage. Some two years after 
starting, he sold out to Isaac Stripe, who dropped 
the potterj' business, and ventured in that of 
manufacturing tiles and sewer pipes. He em- 
ployed one or two steady hands, and, at busy 
seasons of the year, several others. He discon- 
tinued the occupation in a short time. In 1865, 
William II. Hoover, who owned and conducted 
a tanner}', began manufactaring horse collars on 
an extensi\e scale. He had the means at his 
command for supplying all necessar}- materials 
at a small cost, and his sales at home and 
abroad soon placed him in the catalogue of 
wholesale manufacturers. His sales from tan- 
nery and factory reach the satisfactory amount 
of about $40,000 per annum. He employs from 
seven to ten laborers. This is, perhaps, the 
most extensive and important industry ever in 
the township. It is ecrtainlv a credit to New 
Berlin. In 1880, Peter Pierson & Son, with a 
capital of nearly $10,000. opened a lumberyard 
in the village. The piles of lumber give the 
place the aspect of a city. This firm keeps on 
hand an abundance of ready-made doors, win- 
dows and other materials necessarj' in the erec- 
tion of buildings. They have both hard and 
soft woods, and are operating a saw mill in 
connection with their lumber yard. 

Henry Hoover, as earlj- as 1820, erected a 
distillery in the township. He had the neces- 
sary apparatus for manufacturing considerable 
liquor. He owned a copper still, which held 
some twenty-five gallons, and succeeded in dis- 
tilling about a barrel of whisky per day. He 
conducted the pursuit for many years, realizing 
fair pecuniary advantage therefrom ; but, at 
last, when the demand for strong drink at home 
had partially subsided, and larger distilleries in 
the county had captured his distant trade, find- 
ing that his time could be more profitably spent 
in other occupations, he closed his distillery, 
and retired from the now detested business. 
Samuel Cossler engaged in the same occupation 
about the time that Hoover began, erecting his 



PLAIN TOWNSHIP. 



499 



buildings, and placing therein apparatus neces- 
sary for ttn'ninu; out wliisky at about the same 
rale as tlie Hoover distillery. He continued 
for a nuinher of years. Solomon Miller is dis- 
tilling at present, and has been for many years, 
although not continuously. He distills about 
a barrel of* whisky every day the distillery is 
eondueti'd. and those in the township, who seem 
to know whereof tiioy speak, say it is a first- 
class article. In the fall, when cider is al)und- 
ant, Mr. Miller distills a fine article of eider 
brandy. He finds a ready sale for his liq- 
uor, not only at home, but abroad. No otlier 
distilleries, so far as known, have ever been 
conducted in the township. 

In the summer of 1880, Friah (iray erected 
a small building in New Berlin, and began 
the manufacture of cigars. Although not yet 
on a veiy extensive scale, his business is gradu- 
ally assuming shape, and erelong will be a 
vakiable feature among the industries of the 
township. He furnishes labor for one employe, 
and his cigars are said to be superior in fdlings 
and wrappers. His cigars are greedily con- 
sumed by the delighted Berlinites. 

Many other interesting items might be men- 
tioned of tills village. The first tavern-keeper 
was John Howcr. who opened his building to 
tlie public before the village could be called 
such. He has been succeeded by Mrs. Shriner, 
Jacob Wolf. Jacol) Mohler. Cyrus Jlanderback, 
(ieorgc Wagner. John Cloud, Amos Johnson, 
Jacoii Hisncr. .Martin Aist. Harry Triesch, 
Daniel WingiM'. Jacob Bowers, (lerhart Leed, 
Cyrus Brady, the present landlord, Jacob 
^I^lnderbaugh, William Pepple. Samuel Sloat 
and Michael Bitzer. 

The first resident physician w.is |ir. Allen M. 
Weidler. After him were Drs. Peter Crum, 
Benbarger, Shancfelt and Young. The latter 
was succeeded by Dr. George Hollz, who be- 
gan practicing in 1845, and has continued in 
the village ever since. It is scarcely necessary 
to add that he has an extended practice and 
the confidence of the citizens. If the writer is 
correcllj- informed, he is a graduate of the 
Cleveland .Medical College. Other physicians 
have tried to supplant him, but have signally 
failed. One day a young doctor went to .^lr. 
Picrson. and asked him if there was any chance 
for another doctor to work into a practice at 
the village. Mr. Pierson eyed the young man 
a few moments in silence, and then remarked : 



" I'll say to you frankly, I don't believe tlierc 
is any ciiauce for yon whatever, because Dr. 
Holtz has the unlimited confidence of tlie peo- 
ple, charges veiy low for his work, and never 
collects what he charges." That commenda- 
tion is enough to satisfy the most exacting. 
The Doctor lias served over twenty consecutive 
years a.s Justice of the Peace, often ngainst his 
expressed desire, although he never refused to 
serve when elected. It is said that his judg- 
ments are rarely reversed, and but low ap- 
peals are taken from his decisions. 

The first tanner in the village was Peter 
Brilhardt. He was followed in the same occu- 
pation by Jacob Mohler, John Lind. and tlie 
present one, W. H. Hoover. 

William i'almer ami Nicholas Kolp are the 
present shoeniakers. 

Frank Shields is the villagi^ butcher. lie 
adopts the now common method of conveying 
his meat to the residences of his patrons. He 
buys and ships considerable live stock. 

Israel Carpenter is the village cabinet-maker. 

H. Bailey is conducting a livery stable. 

This concludes the brief history of the vil- 
lage of New Berlin, with the exception of not- 
ing that a station on the Valley Railroad is lo- 
cated about a mile west, and that the village 
has a population of about 400. 

.\brain Stevens, who had enliisted with 
Aaron Burr in bis expedition to the South- 
west, and had embarked down the Ohio in a 
flat-boat, became dissatisfied with the prospect 
ahead, and. abandoning the enterprise at 
Steubenville. he started westward, and, in ]8f)7, 
arrived in Stark County. During the summer 
or fall of th(^ same year, a log .schoolhouse had 
been built by the settlers in the southern part 
of the township, and located on the farm of 
James Caft'. Stevens was employed to teach 
school in this house either during tlie fall or 
winter of the year 18(17. This is said to have 
been the first term of school taught in Stark 
County. But little is rcinembeied of it. except 
that quite a number of young men attended, 
and wen! in the habit of carrying their guns to 
school with them in ho|)es of being able to 
bring down a deer or other animal, either going 
or returning. The hours of intermission were 
often spent in seeing who were the liest marks- 
men. Children in the backwoods were ex- 
tremely backward in their studies. Young 
men over twenty-one years did not know as 



500 



HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY. 



much about their books then as children of the 
present do at the age of ten. What little book- 
learning the pioneer children received was ob- 
tained in the face of extreme discouragement. 
Dwellings were the first schoolhouses, and 
fathers were the first teachers. Often one book 
served the whole family, or perhaps several 
families. The letters which the small children 
learned had been pricked through paper with a 
pin, and to decipher them the child was obliged to 
hold the paper between himself and the window (if 
the schoolhouse had such an aperture). It is 
stated that some of the children in Plain 
Township went to school all winter during a 
number of the earlj' j'ears with no covering to 
their feet, their phalanges became covered with 
a thick, tough skin, that enabled the children to 
withstand, in a measure, the snow and cold. 
When the cold was too severe, the children 
would take a small piece of hard board, heat 
it extremely hot at the fire-place, and then, with 
this in their hand, would start on the run to- 
ward the schoolhouse. When their feet could 
bear the cold no longer, the hot board was 
placed upon the ground, and upon this the 
children stood until their feet had, in a meas- 
ure, been warmed, after which they took up 
their " portable stove," and again started on 
the run toward the schoolhouse. This per- 
formance was repeated as often as necessar}' 
until the schoolhouse was reached. It is said 
that nineteen scholars wei-e in attendance at 
Mr. Stevens' school. Some state that this 
building was not a schoolhouse but was a log 
dwelling that had been abandoned bj' the 
owner, and converted to the uses of education. 
Stevens is said to have been a large man, 
with red face and reddish whiskers, and nose 
of sutflcient size to answer all requirements. 
He was in the habit of participating in the 
games on the playground, and, in wrestling, 
could throw down any young man who came 
to school to iiim. His commands in the school- 
room were obeyed without question. He was a 
kind teacher and competent instructor. 

"He taudil h\s sehnbirs thf nili- of Uirec. 

Reaijiii;;'. :niil 'ritiiii;. and 'ritliiiii'lic loo; 
He took the little (iiirs upmi Ills knee. 
Foru kind old heart in his i.nast liad he. 

And the wants of the lillle^l . Iiild Ijeknew; 
' Learn while you're youiiii, he ntleii said. 

'There'.s iniieh to enjoy down here lielow; 
Life for the living, and rest for the dead!' 

Said the jolly old pedagogue long ago." 



Much of the early school history is forgotten. 
It is certain that in about the year 1815, there 
were four on more schools in session in the 
township, and before this time, several school 
districts had been created. The entire township 
was at first divided into two unequal districts. 
This was due to the fact that two distinct neigh- 
borhoods, separated by a distance too great to 
be traversed by the scholars, had separate 
schools. As the settlements widened, and the 
township became more densely populated, these 
districts were divided and subdivided, until 
tlie present number was reached. It is doubt- 
ed whether any other township in the county, 
except, perhaps. Canton, can show as early and 
extensive a -division into school districts. A 
log schoolhouse was built south of New Berlin 
before the year 1820. In about the year 1835, 
the first one was built in the village. It was a 
log building that was afterward weather- board- 
ed, and is now used as the residence of John 
Kolp. This building was used for school pur- 
poses some eight or ten years, when a fratne 
was erected to take its place. The frame is now 
used as a blacksmith-shop, by Henry Kloss. 
lu 18t)7, the present schoolhouse — a brick — 
was built. The school is graded, two teachers 
being emylo>ed during the winters, and one 
during the summers. The country schools are 
well conducted, and well attended. Log school- 
houses were the first on the programme ; but 
these, after being used from five to fifteen years, 
were replaced with small frame structures that 
have been succeeded by several others since, 
each an improvement on the one preceding it. 
The following is a statement of the receipts and 
disbursements of the school funds of Plain 
Township for the year ending August 31, 1880: 

Board of Education |1,9:25 23 

State Fund 1,349 '>0 

Section 16 283 83 

Building 1,157 91 

Incidental 966 34 

Balance from 1879 1,449 07 

Total receipts for the year |6,980 88 

Vouchers tiled 4,053 44 

Balance on hand !|i3,937,44 

Number of school districts 11 

Total number of scholars 833 

Whole number of acres 23,135.99 

Total value of land $1,144,580 

Value of houses 143,060 

Value of mills 9,()00 

Value of other buildings .■ 86, 150 

Average value per acre 49.4 




J^ 



n^to^ .Jt>fo^(y^>l^^~ 



liL 



PLAIN TOWNSHIP. 



501 



The following table shows the number of 
school districts in the township, the sections 
upon which the houses sbinil, the size of the 
lots in acres tinil hundredths of an acre, and 
the total value of the school property, census 
1880 : 



NUMBER OF 


DISTBIOT. 


Section. 


Acres. 


V»lu« of 
Property. 


N.. 1 




1 




1.00 




8900 


No > 




9 




.18 




S90 


hu t 




1! 




.05 




170 


^|> 4 




20 




.60 




250 


No 5 




Jl 




50 




850 


No r, 




14 




.60 




5.50 


No 7 




^6 




.60 




300 


N> k 




14 




.50 




600 


N > U 




12 




.25 




s»» 


No 1(1 




3) 




1. 00 




8(111 


No \i 






Lota n & 18 




IKW 








Nt 


w B-ilin. 







The Lutherans and German Reformers were 
the first religious sects to organize in the town- 
ship. In the fall of 1800, Eider Stough held 
a meeting in the house of Jat;(jb Loutzeuheiser, 
and here the seed was first sown that has pro- 
duced so abundantly and well. The first church 
was built in about the year 1800, by the com- 
bined societies, on the land of Henry Warstler, 
and was named in honor of this man " Henry's 
Church," a name that yet clings to it like a vine 
of ivy. Religious services were held here al- 
ternately bj- Rev. Benjamin Foust, of the Ger- 
man Reformed society, and Rev. Anthony 
Weycr, of the Lutheran. A constitution was 
framed and was signed by the following per- 
sons : Christopher Warstler, Michael Holtz, 
Jacob WarstU^r, Peter Troxel, Abraham Miller, 
Christopher Hetmig. Nicholas Schneider, Chris- 
topher Beard, John Holtz, I'etcr Schneider, 
Mathias Bauer, John Ringer, John Holm, John 
Everhard, John Stickler, George Wertenberger, 
George Smith, Conrad Ruffner, Antonius Weyer, 
Christian Krum, Adam Werner, Adam Essig, 
Jacob Schneider, Jacob Essig, Michael Holtz, 
Jr., George Beard, Henry Warstler, Jacob Lam, 



George Greasemor, Philip Hollenback and 
Adam Schmit. After a number of years, the 
two sects separating, the Reformers built a 
church in the norllicrn part, and the Lutherans 
retained the old church. These societies are 
yet in existence, and eacli has had one or more 
churches. Rev. Stough was a missionary, who 
lived at New Jjisbon, and traveled over large 
sections of country on his parochial visits. 
Many of the societies now numerically great 
and in excellent condition were organized b^' 
this good man. The " Zion Church " was first 
built about the 3ear 1812. The building was 
a rough affair, and never completed. Tlie 
Catholics of New Berlin built their •' St. Paul's 
Church '' about forty years ago, at a cost of 
some $1,200. It is yet in use, and has a mem- 
bership of some thirty-live families. A Union 
Church was built in the village not far from the 
same time. Some twelve years ago, the present 
brick was erected at a cost of about $1,000. 
In 1880, the German Reformers built a fine 
new brick church in the village. It is the 
largest and costliest church in the township. 
Its estimated cost is $H,000, over half of which 
was paid b}- John Sheets, who may be consid- 
ered its patron and founder. It will thus be 
seen that the village and township are well 
supplied with religious institutions. From tlie 
following table maj- be learned the names of 
the churches, their location, the number of acres 
in the church lots or cemeteries and the value 
of the church property : 



.VAMK OK CIIUIKJH. 


Section. 


1 V.il.icof 

Acres, j ( hurch 

Proii(ir(y. 


• St. Puur» (!«lholic nmrch 

I Union Clmrcli 

IIcur)-'8 ( hiircli 

ail. IMea-tiiiit church 

Midillc Br»iich Church 

St. Petpr'9 (([((rch 


17 
8 
...14423 
24 
2 
33 


2.00 J«.50 
.15 250 

3.00 acO 

l.((0 7oO 

.25 540 

11.00 1,200 



HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY. 



CHAPTER XXIII.* 

PARI8 TOWNSHIP — DESCRIPTIVE AND TOPOGRAPHICAL— SETTLEMENT I!V THE WHITES- 
ANIi INriDEXTS— EARLY IMl'ROVEMENTS- ORGANIZATION OF TOWN- 
SniP — EDrr\TIONAL— VILLAGES, 



"Here frowned the forest with terrific- shade; 
No fulturcd tield exposed the openinir glade." 

— Meiys. 

PARIS TOWNSHIP was originally a part 
of Osiiabiirsf, and so remained until 1818, 
when it was set off bj' order of the County Com- 
missioners, and became a separate and inde- 
pendent township. Although of more recent 
organization than Osnaburg. yet its history 
dates back to a period quite as remote as the 
latter, and embraces much that is equally as 
interesting. The first decade of its occupation 
by the whites, its history and that of Osnaburg 
were very similar, in fact the same, as both 
were tnider the same civil organization. The 
surface features are also much the same. Paris, 
perhaps, comprising a little more level land than 
Osnaburg. Tiie larger portion of it. however, 
is rolling, and in places even hilly. It is a fine 
agricultural region, notwithstanding the rough 
surface, the hills, where cultivated, producing 
excellent crops. Corn and wheat are exten- 
sively cultivated, and considerable attention 
paid to grazing and stock raising. The land 
is well drained by Black Streain — so-called from 
the dark color of its waters — Hngle's Run, San- 
dy Creek and their branches, with a few other 
little streams that are nameless on the maps. 
The timber consists of oak, hickory, maple, 
beech, elm, etc., with a little walnut and poplar. 
The township is bounded north by Washington 
Township, east by Columbiana County, .south 
by Carroll County, west by Osnaburg Town- 
ship, and by the census of 1880 had 2,720 pop- 
ulation. The Connotton Valley narrow-gauge 
and the Tuscarawas Branch of the Cleveland, 
Pittsburgh & Wheeling Railroads pass through 
its territory, also the projected line of the Steu- 
benville, Canton & Cleveland Railroad. Plenty 
of coal may be found, and that near the sur- 
face, costing but little trouble or labor to mine 
it. 

*Ci.ntrilHit.-d l)V W. H. Pcrriii. 



So far as our researches have gone, the first 
settlement made in what is now Paris Township 
by a white man was by Rudolph Bair, in the 
fall of 180(). He is prominently mentioned in 
the history of Osnaburg Township, as his resi- 
dence was in that division of the county, until 
the formation of Paris Township. He was a 
man of considerable native intelligence, and 
verv prominent in the early history of the 
country. He was a native of York County, 
Penn., and when grown to manhood came to 
Ohio, and located in Columbiana County, which 
was then a part of Jefferson, and comprised a 
large district of country. Ohio was still a Ter- 
ritory, and had but few settlers within its limits. 
A biographer of Mr. Bair thus speaks of him : 
"Rudolph Bair, Sr., generally called Rudy' 
Bair, was a man of more than ordinary ability. 
Though his education was limited, his natural 
endowments were above the average. He had 
a liberal share of good common sense, a qualifi- 
cation not acquired at college. Such confidence 
had the community in his judgment, and dis- 
position to do right between man and man, that 
he was a very general referee to settle questions 
of diflference that will occur between individuals, 
and from his decision no appeal was taken. He 
was a member of the (rerraan Reformed Church, 
and his daily life was consistent with his relig- 
ious profession. Though known as a farmer, 
his business was more particularly that of a 
land speculator. To accommodate emigrants 
of limited means, he often sold land on long 
time payments, and though these were not 
always met when due. he was never known to 
oppress delinquents." 

Mr. Bair was a member of the Constitutional 
Convention of 1802. that framed the first State 
Constitution. Says a writer, commenting upon 
the subject : '■ That Convention completed the 
work for which they had assembled in fucn/i/- 
iiiur diii/s, an example of industry and faithful- 
ness contrasted with the disposition of many of 



PARIS TOWNSHIP. 



■1^ 



our officials of the present day." It has been a j 
subject of Irequent remark in tliese hitter days 
tiiat the race of men who can dispatch public 
business as expeditiouslj' as thd the members 
of the first State Constitutional Convention of 
Ohio are rapidl}' becoming extinct. The more 
is the pity! Mr. Bair was an early Justice of 
the Peace in Stark County, when his jurisdic- 
tion extended over half the State of Ohio, and 
his decisions are said to have been models of 
justice and equity. He was also a member of 
the State Legislature when the State Capitol 
was at Chillicotiie. There arc traditions of 
great speeches made b}- him before this august 
bod_v. rivaling, in eloquence and wisdom, Cice- 
ro's appeals in the Roman Senate ; but those 
who knew him best are disposed to be some- 
what skcjitical on the subject, and to consider 
his speeches in the legislative halls of the State 
about as apocryphal as the story of George 
Washington and his little hatchet. 

A communication published in the Canton 
Dtinociat has the following of Paidolph Hair, 
which is of interest, as being a part of the 
early history of the township: '• Tn the sum- 
mer of 1800, Rudolph Bair and his brother 
Christopher made a trip on horseback through 
the castciii porti(jn of Stark County (what is 
now Stark;, with the view of selecting land to 
enter. They confined their explorations along 
each side of what is now known as State Road, 
at that time a mere bridle path; They selected 
a number of quarter-sections in Paris and Osna- 
burg Townships, which the}- entered in the 
land office at Steubenville. Among the num- 
ber was the south half of Section 5, now owned 
by the Mayer heirs. On this place Rudolph 
Bair settled in the fall of the same year. He 
built a cabin into which he moved, with all his 
household goods, before the floor was laid or a 
door hung. As a substitute for the latter, a 
quilt was suspended at the opening from 
wooden pins. In this rude shanty the wife 
was left alone, with her voung babe, several 
days and nights, while her husliand returned 
to Columbiana County for supplies. There 
were Indians encamped on the creek a short 
distance below, just where the State Road 
crosses the creek ; but there were no white per- 
sons nearer than Osnaburg, five miles distant. 
At night the wolves came howling around the 
cabin, and, in order to frighten them ofl', she 
would throw out chunks of fire, which had the 



eflFect to keep the wolves at a respectful dis- 
tance. Thus she spent the time until her hus- 
band's return. " Mr. Bair died in 1820, and lii-s 
buried in the graveyard he laid out, and which 
he donated to the town of Paris. There was a 
walnut slab placed at the spot to mark his 
grave, but it has long since raoldered into 
dust, and there is nothing now by which the 
place may be identified. No marble column, 
with its mock dignity-, points to the spot where 
the old pioneer calmly sleeps. Biquicscat injxia'. 
The next family to settle in Paris Township 
was that of George Tliumau, in 180S. He came 
from Bucks County, I'ennsylvania, and settled 
upon the northwest quarter of Section PJ, 
where he opened a farm and lived for mans" 
years. Mr. Deweese located on Section ](! the 
same year, and proceeded to clear up a farm. 
Samuel Deweese, a son of his, used to tell of 
going to Slusser's to mill, on the Nimishillen. 
and carrying a bushel of corn on the back of a 
bull, which served him in the place of a horse. 
Such a performance would present a rather 
no\el appearance at the present day. and atlbrd 
unbounded amusement to the small boys of the 
community. He used, also, to go to Yellow 
Creek for a bushel of salt, for which he paid 
the moderate sum of < ii/hf i/ollon^. It wasn't 
the day of war prices, either, but the times 
which " stirred men's souls," or their industry 
and energy, to enable them to make a living. 
Jasper Daniels, John Byers, Jacob Thoman 
and John Augustine came into the township 
in 1809, and made settlements. Augustine is 
represented as a prominent citizen, who was 
well known throughout the county, and one 
who possessed energy and enterprise, which was 
zealously used for the improvement and de- 
velopment of the community in which he live<l. 
He served as SherilT of the county for two 
terms— from 18:^0 to 182-1— and State Senator 
eight years in succession — from 1824 to 1832 
Conrad Ilenning came to Paris Township in 
1811. He was from Pennsylvania, and upon 
his removal to this place, he bought of Mr. 
Bair 100 acres of laud in the southwest quarter 
of Section 4, for which he paid $200. He and 
his good wife proved very inqKjrtant personages 
in tlie little community — he as the first black- 
smith, and she as a midwife. In this branch of 
medical practice she was eminently successful, 
it is said, as during a period of thirty years or 
more, in which she attended more than five 



li£ 



504 



lilSTOliY OF STARK COUiXTY. 



hundred cases, she never lost a single patient 
nor called in medical assistance. 

In addition to the pioneers of Paris Townsliip 
already named, the following parties rank 
among the early settlers : John and Zadock 
Welker; Peter Musser, who was a great fighter 
and neighliorhood bully; John and William 
Mclnderfer. Adam Shiill. John Thomas, George 
Crowl. two men of tlie name of Fulton and 
Scovey, Michael Stonehill, Daniel Shively, Sam- 
uel Neidigh, John Cameron, Vance, and Pipher, 
and Jacob Ha3man. The following incident is 
related of Hayman : He was returning home 
one evening from a house-raising, when he met 
with a bear that had been wounded liy a rille 
shot. His courage, stimulated by the whisky 
he liad drank at the raising, and armed with an 
ax, he gave Bruin battle, under the determina- 
tiorf of taking his scalp home, as a trophy to 
his frau. Advancing upon the bear, with his 
ax uplifted, intending to cleave his skull, his 
arm was rather unsteady, and the blow proved 
ineffectual. Bruin concluded to take a hand in 
the melee, and grappled with Ha\man, who, 
before he could extricate himself from the 
clutches of the bear, had nearly all his clothes 
torn ofl', and was severely wounded. When he 
did succeed iu getting away, he discovered that 
his desire to carry him home as a trophy had 
vanished, and that he felt like giving him a 
wide berth. Of the other settlers mentioned, 
little niaj- be said, beyond the fact that they 
moved into the township, entered land, and 
opened up farms. Most, if not all, the settlers 
mentioned came in previous to the war of 1812. 
After the close of the war, and the establish- 
ment of peace, an influx of immigration set in- 
to this section of the State, and people poured 
into Paris Township so rapidly that it is impos- 
sible to keep trace of them, or to notice, indi- 
vidually, the settlement of each family. 

The day of the pioneer is gone — the period 
in which he lived has passed away. A local 
writer, moralizing on his day and generation, 
thus speaks of him : " We may now regard 
him as a soldier in the cause of human advance- 
ment, whose battles have been fought and won, 
and he may well look back in surprise at the 
wonderful social and material results that have 
followed in his wake. The shifting sands of 
time have covered his footsteps, but the solid 
and substantial foundation laid by the pioneer 
for the social structure of the West will endure." 



Modern inventions have followed the old-time 
implements and tools used by the pioneer fifty 
or seventy-five years ago — ux wagons, wooden 
plows, the '• reap-hook," the scathe and cradle, 
wooden-tooth harrows, and all such antique 
utensils, have, in the slang of the period, 
"played out," and in their stead the farmer has 
plows that will almost turn the soil without any 
motive power ; reapers that cut and bind the 
grain as they go, and in place of the patient ox 
and lumbering wagon, they have the locomotive 
engine and the rushing railroad train. As we 
contemplate these gigantic strides in the march 
of impi'ovement and progress, what may we 
not expect in the next fifty years to come? Is 
it not possible that we shall then fly through 
the air in our pleasure cars, as we now fly over 
the country- at the heels of the iron horse ? 

During the earh" years of the settlement in 
Paris Township the inhabitants were compelled 
to make extensive journeys to get their grain 
ground. To go twenty or thirty miles through 
unbroken forests was no small undertaking, 
and as each grist was ground in the order of 
its reception at the mill, the trip often con- 
sumed days of valuable time. These disad- 
vantages and inconveniences originated many 
" wajs and means " of providing meal for 
family use. It is said that •' neeessitj- is the 
mother of invention," and the straits in which 
the pioneer often found himself led to many- 
rude modes and expedients to enable him to get 
along at all. One of his inventions was the 
'• stump mortar, ' which was made b3' burning 
a cavity in the top of a stump. A spring pole 
was then arranged, to the end of which the 
pestle was attached, when the mechanism of 
the primitive • flouring establishment " was 
complete. The unfortunate individual who 
furnished the motive power for this rude ap- 
pliance realized the Scriptural injunction, '• In 
the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread." 
Other modes resorted to were the cofl'ee-mill 
and the grater. At last, when a little mill was 
built in Osnaburg by Jacob Kitt, which was 
operated by oxen on a '■ tread wheel," it was 
considered a great benefit to the community, 
and Kitt as a benefactor of his kind. The first 
grist-mill built in what is now the township of 
Paris was built by Rudolph Bair, on Black 
Stream, about the year 1814-15. It was a 
two-story frame building, with two run of 
buhrs. The history of this mill is somewhat 



■^ 




t^qji'-v— 



PAH IS TOWNSHIP. 



tht^ 



eventful. It passed int<^) possession of Daniel 
IJair. upon tlie death of his father, and at his 
death to Benjamin Koop, who sold it to John 
P. Myers. The water supply, never verj- strong, 
finally failed, and the mill was ai)andoned and 
a steam mill erected near by. which a few years 
later was sold by Myers to a man named 
Oreiner, who eventually removed it to Stras- 
burg. Bair also built a saw-mill on Black 
Stream, a few j-ears before erecting the mill 
just described. A grist-mill and saw-mill were 
built in 1.S20, by John Whiteacre, which were 
for years known as the " Whiteacre Mills." He 
also kept a distillery in connection, which fur- 
nished fighting whisky to the surrounding 
population. Other mills were built in adjoin- 
ing neighborhoods, and the troulde of the early 
settler in this direction was forever removed. 
Peter Oyster opened a tanyard, the first in the 
township. It was a small affair, but found of 
considerable convenience to the community at 
that early day. 

Paris Township has excellent railroad com- 
munication, as it is tapped b}' two already com- 
pleted lines, with a flattering prospect of 
another. The roads, which are mentioned in 
the opening of this chapter, have l)een of great 
benefit to the township, and brings the best 
markets of the country to the vcrj* doors of 
the people. The old Sandy and Beaver Canal 
also passed through Paris. It was built during 
the great "internal improvement ' fever, and 
extended from (ilasgow. on the Ohio River, to 
Bolivar, in Tuscarawas County, and on the 
Ohio Canal. It was abandoned some thirty 
years ago, but still remains as a part of the 
drainage system of the country through which 
it passes. 

Much of the early history of Paris Township 
is very closelv connected with the little village 
of Paris, laid out in an early da\', and will be 
given under that head. The first religious 
meetings were held then; and the first church 
organized there, also the first store and first 
post ottice were kept within its limits, together 
with many other items of interest that occurred 
in that immediate vicinity, which will be men- 
tioned in their places. 

As stated in the begiiming of this chapter, 
Paris Township was originally a part of Osna- 
burg. It was organized into an independent 
township, on the 1st of April, 1818, At a 
meeting of the Countv Commissioners, who 



were then composed of John Sluss, William 
Alban and John Saxton. held on that day, the 
records show that '• Rudolph Bair presented a 
petition for the incorporation of a new town- 
ship, by the name of • Paris.' now a part of Os- 
nabnrg. signed by himself and otiiers, and that 
the election of township otlicers be held on the 
list inst.. at the town of Paris, in said town- 
ship." At the election referred to. Thomas 
Dewcese and Samuel Bosserman were elected 
Justices of the Peace. The following incident 
is related of Bosserman. one of those early 
representatives of the law. He accepted his 
commission with considerable misgiving as to 
his ability to discharge the duties, and his first 
case, it is said, so • befuddled ' his mind that 
he resigned the otlice in disgust. As no one 
else could be found in the township willing to 
accept it, Daniel Burgert. a resident of Osna- 
burg Township, agreed to remove into Paris on 
condition that thev would elect him, which 
agreoniPMt was faitlifnlly carried out, and Mr. 
Burgert clothed formally with the dignity of 
office. As the early records of the township 
are destroyed, any further roster of the early 
officers is not to be obtained. I'revious to the 
formation of Paris Township, its (Mtizens voted 
at Osnaburg, but this movement brought the 
war into Africa, or, in other words, gave them 
a voting place of their own. The township has 
furnished its quota of talent for engineering 
the aflairs of the county. Its first public ser- 
vant was (ren. John Augustine, who was elected 
Sherifl'in 1820 and served until 1824, when he 
was elected, to the State Senate, in which body 
he served eight years. Rudolplius Martin 
served as a IJepresentative one term ; Arnold 
Lynch, RccoriUa- three terms, from 18H7 to 
18-13 ; Isaiah Kstep, (Jommissioner one term, 
and John W, Oreenwood was appointed Asso- 
ciate Judge of Common Pleas Court, in 1812, 
serving seven years. Thus it will be seen that 
Paris has furnished some of the brains of the 
county, as well as a good deal of the l)one and 
sinew. 

Of the first births, deaths and marriages, wc 
have hut little record or data from which to 
glean information, Thomas Deweese, Jr., a son 
of one of the early settlers, was born in Feb 
ruary, 1808, and is supposed to have been 
the first-born of what is now Paris Townshi)). 
The cabin in which his father's family then 
lived was neither 'chinked" nor "daulicd," 



5 6 



HISTORY OF STAKK COUNTY. 



noi- had it any floor, except mother Earth. Such 
were some of the hardships of pioneer lite. 
The flrst couple to embark in a matrimonial 
venture was John Bair and Catharine Henning. 
Since the soleranizatioii of their nuptials, man}' 
have gone and done likewise. Of the flrst 
death we were unable to obtain any informa- 
tion. 

The flrst physician was Dr. Robert Estep, 
who came from Pennsylvania, and settled in 
Paris in 181S. The following is related of 
him : - He had served an apprenticeship as a 
silversmith, but soon abandoned the business, 
for the study of medicine, for which he exhib- 
ited more than ordinary aptitude. Thrown 
upon liis own resources for pecuniary aid. he 
was uual)le to attend medical lecturer, but, lilce 
the majority of practitioners of that day, in 
the West, set up in the business without having 
obtained the decree of M. D. He very soon 
aequii-ed quite a reputation, not only as a suc- 
cessful practitioner, but as a bold and skillful 
operator in surgery. Twice he perfi^rmctl the 
Cesarean section, the only physician in the 
county who ever attempted tlie operation. He 
left in 1834, removing to Canton, and was suc- 
ceeded by Dr. Preston. 

Conrad Henning was the first blacksmith in 
tlie township, and was here as early as 1811. 
For several years be did all the work in this 
line for the entire communitj-. 

During the war of 1812, many of the al)lc- 
Iwdied male citizens of Paris volunteered, or 
were drafted into the service. Among them were 
Samuel and Jacob Thoraan, and Jacob Augus- 
tine. While Augustine was at Detroit, there 
was a call for volunteers to go on a perilous 
expedition to Mackinaw, and he was the first to 
offer his services. He assisted in building the 
fort at that place, and was in an engagement 
with the English forces, August 14, 1814, under 
Col. (Jolgrove. His immediate commander was 
Maj. Holler, of Columbiana County.* These 
citizen soldiers participated in many of the 
battles of the war. and, in all, acquitted 
themselves with credit. The township has 
always lieen patriotic to the core. Tn the great 
rebellion its record is glorious, and worthy 
the great State, of which it is a part. During 
the existence of the old Militia Law of the 
State all able-bodied men between the ages of 
eighteen and forty-five, were compelled to turn 

* Canton Dem"crnl. 



out on certain days to " muster." Paris sup- 
ported a fine company of this '• cornstalk " 
militia, who always participated in the gen- 
eral musters, and received many merited com- 
pliments for their fine appearance and ex- 
cellent discipline. Their officers were John 
Unkefer, Captain ; David Unkefer, Lieutenant, 
and John Henning, Ensign. 

The cause of education received the atten- 
tion of the people of Paris in an earl}- period 
of its history. The first school in the town- 
ship of which we have any account, was taught 
in the winter of 1810-11, by Thomas Deweese, 
in a log house of Jasper Daniel's, his father- 
in-law. The next school was taught by Con- 
rad Henning. in a building put up especially 
for school purposes, and was the flrst temple 
of learning erected in the township. It stood 
on Section 4, on land owned by Jacob Motts, 
and was of the regular pioneer pattern, viz., 
log structure, clap-board roof, stick chimney, 
puncheon or slab floor, greased-paper windows, 
etc., etc. Rapid strides have been made in ad- 
vancing the cause of learning in the last flfty 
or sixty years, as the following statistics from 
the Board of Education will show : 

Balance on hand Septemljor 1. 

187'J 1943 54 

State Tax 687 00 

Irreducible fund 135 76 

Local ta.v for school and school- 

house |)ur|io.scs 2,111 53 

Total .|3,877 31 

Amount paifl teachers $1,810.00 

Fuel and other contingent ex- 
penses 485. 7'i 

Total expenditures |2,295 72 

Balance on hand September 1,1880 $1,581 59 

Number of schoolhouses in the township 8 

Value of school property .f 6,700 00 

Number of teachers employed — Males. 10; 

Females 7 17 

Avera'ac wairi-s paid teachers— Males |38 00 

Avrr.iur wiiLTrs ]iaid teachers — Females. . 18 00 
Nunilin ..I iHipils enrolled — Males, 100; 

F.-iii;ilrs, IS7 377 

Averaiiv iiioiitlily enrollment— Males, 128; 

Females. 142 270 

Average daily attendance — Males, 97; 

Females. '104 201 

The following incident, which occurred in 
this township, may be read with some inter- 
est, and is from a communication recently pub- 
lished in the Canton Repoaitorij: "A very sin- 



PARIS TOWNSHIP. 



507 



gular circumstance occurred in Paris Township 
not man}' years ago. tliat should be mentioned. 
.Mr. Carr and wife, of Wa3ne County, were 
traveling in a one-horse buggy, east on the 
State Koad. It was in summer, and on a still 
day ; not a breath of air stirring. A short dis- 
tance beyond the town of Paris, as they were 
passing a dead tree standing by the roadside, 
it fell, without warning, directly across the 
buggy, crushing the vehicle and both occupants 
lo the earth, killing them instantlj'. The horse 
l)r<)ke away, was caught by a neighbor who 
happened to be on the road, taken back, and 
the couple found as described ; though yet 
warm, there were no signs of life. A sad end- 
ing of an anticipated pleasure trip. The mel- 
ancholy event created quite a sensation in the 
neighborhood, and was the subject of comment 
and speculation for a long time after." In the 
■ midst of life we are in death,'' and the ways 
of Provuience are inscrutable. 

The township of I'aris is well supplied with 
villages, but all of them put together would 
scarcely make a respectable town in point of 
population. The village of Paris was the first 
projected city, and dates its origin back only 
xi.tty-nglit years. It is located on the north- 
cast corner of Section 8, and is supposed to 
have been laid out by Rudolph Bair, December 
22. 1813. It was surveyed and duly platted b\- 
Daniel L. McClure, July 1, 18113, and recorded 
in the Recorder's ollice the September follow- 
ing. The State road passed through it, or by 
it, which gave it considerable prominence, as that 
road was then the great thoroughfare of travel 
through the country. The stages that ran over 
the State road changed horses here, which further 
contributed to its notoriety. The first tavern in 
the place was kept bj'one JohnUnkefer, who is 
1 described as a jolly, good fellow, and as belong- 
I ing to that class of landlords who could spin a 
I good yarn and furnish a square meal, which 
gave his house, as well as the town, a wide- 
spread reputation. He kept the stage stand, 
and while the horses were being changed, the 
passengers were fed by the hospitable landlord. 
.\bout stage time, everybody- gathered around 
the door of the old log tavern to see the stage 
come in, just as the boys of the present day 
gather at the railroad depot at train time to 
disgust decent people, in trying to see who can 
swear the biggest oaths, chew the most tobacco, 
squirt the greatest quantity of tobacco juice 



anil use the most ol)sceue language. As the 
stage rattled up with the " blowing of the horn 
and the prancing of the steeds, ' the people 
stood round, open-mouthed, read3' to pick up 
any stray scrap of news from the outside world. 
The first store in the town was kept by Samuel 
Putnam. His stock would, at the present 
time, be considered rather limited, but the 
wants of the people were confined to a few 
actual necessaries. Had their desires extended 
beyond this, they had not the means to indulge 
them, as money was scarce and not easily at- 
tainable. I'utnam finally sold his stock and 
good-will to Robert Alexander. A man named 
Daniel Burgert, mentioned elsewhere as one 
of the early Justices of the Peace, engaged 
next in the mercantile business. lie carried on 
an extensive traile and did a considerable busi- 
ness, dealing largely in horses and cattle. He 
was the first Postmaster of the town, and as 
such was commissioned August 12, 1822. The 
fate of Mr. Burgert was involved in some mys- 
tery, and is thus related by those who are 
familiar with the circumstances: "It was in 
1833, that, having some business in Steuben- 
ville, he started to go there on horseback. 
The next morning, after leaving home, he was 
found dead in a saw-mill race in Jefl'erson 
County. The supposition of many was, that 
during the night, which was very dark, he had 
mistaken the mill for the bridge, and was killed 
in falling off. By others, he was believed to 
have been robbed and murderetl, as it was well- 
known that he frequently carried large sums of 
money on his person. The mystery remains 
unsolved to the present day." 

After the laying-out of Paris by Mr. Bair, his 
next move was to lind a name worthy of the 
town whose foundation he had just laid. He 
chose the name of I'aris, but wherefore, we are 
unable to saj- ; whether it was for Paris, the 
son of Priam, who.se judgment on Mount Ida, 
in favor of the beauty of \'enus, obtained for 
him the promise of Helen, whom he afterward 
carried oft' from the house of her husband, 
thereby involving Troy in tlames, or whether 
for Paris, the beautiful city of the plain, the 
great metropolis of the fashionable world, or 
whether in the •■ eternal fitness of things'' all 
objects must have a name, is now unknown and 
of little moment to the reader. It was chris- 
tened Paris, and by that name it is still called. 
Shortly after the town was jilatted, Bair donated 



JiJ^ 



508 



HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY. 



two acres of land within its limits to the Ger- 
man Reformed and Lutheran Congregations for 
a church and cemetery. Upon this lot a log build- 
ing was erected at a very early day, and used 
both as a schoolhouse and a church, and in it 
John Augustine taught the first school. Among 
the first ministers who preached in it were the 
Revs. Mahuesmith and ITewett, who were itin- 
erants. Revs. Weir and Faust, from Canton, 
were the first regular preachers. A cemetery 
was laid out adjoining the church, in which a 
child of Robert Stewart was the first burial. 
The old log church lias been replaced by one 
in keeping with the time, and the cemeter}' has 
become rather densely populated. The Presby- 
terian denomination occupy the Lutheran 
Church, and the Methodists have a church of 
their own, which was built in 1873. The pres- 
ent business outlook of Paris is two dry goods 
stores, one drug store, one provision store, two 
hotels, one wagon and carriage factory, one 
wagon ta< tory, two paint shops, two harness 
shops, three boot and shoe shops, two black- 
smith sliops, one meat market, one planing mill 
(built in 1880), one saw mill, one grist mill, one 
vinegar factory, etc., etc. 

Minerva is the largest village in the town- 
ship. It is in the southeast corner, on Section 
36, and lies about one-third in Carroll County. 
It has communication with the outside world 
by means of the Tuscarawas Branch of the 
Cleveland ct Pittsburgh Railroad, and the Con- 
notten Valley Narrow-(}auge Railroad ; it also 
has the benefit (?) of a projected road, known as 
the " Steubenville, Canton & Cleveland Rail- 
road." The piaee has a fine water-power in the 
Sandy River or Creek, and the old Sandy & 
Beaver Canal, which is, to some extent, utilized 
by mills and other industries of the village. 
Minerva was laid out about the year 1835, by 
John Pool and John Whiteacre, who, to give it 
prominence, perhaps, and to make it a success- 
ful competitor of Paris, which had already been 
booming for several years, called it by the clas- 
sical name of Minerva, the daughter of Jupiter, 
who, it is said, sprung from his brain " fully 
armed and equipped." just after he (Jupiter) had 
swallowed his frau, Metis. Minerva was the 
goddess of wisdom and the patron saint of lit- 
erature ; and in this respect, her namesake on 
the banks of the raging Sand}' very closelj' re- 
semliles her. as evidenced by their support of 
the history of Stark County. 



The first house erected in the village was 
built by John Whiteacre, about the time the 
town was laid out. He erected a grist mill in 
1830, which received its motive power from the 
Sandy Creek, and was the first mill in the vil- 
lage. The first store was kept b3' a man named 
Tabor, who opened a small stock of goods 
about 1836. He was followed by John Christ- 
mas and John Pool, who managed the mercan- 
tile business for some time. Bennett Perdue 
built a house in 1835, in which he began keep- 
ing tavern, and for several years it was the only 
public house in the place. A post office was 
established February 8, 1828, and John Pool 
was commissioned as Postmaster. 

The Disciples, or Christians, organized the 
first church in the village of Minerva, and 
erected the first churcii building, but at wiiat 
precise date we were unable to learn. It still 
retains the strongest membership of either of 
the four churches in the village. Besides this 
church, the Presbyterians, Methodists and Luth- 
erans have organized societies, and each have 
a good, comfortable temple of worship. They 
are all supplied by able pastors, are well sup- 
ported, and have large membership and flour- 
ishing Sunday schools. The Masons organized 
a lodge years ago, as Brown Lodge, No. 235, 
but, from some cause, interest in it waned to 
such an extent, that in the summer of 1880, it 
suspended work, and its charter was returned 
to the Crand Lodge. The Odd Fellows, too, 
had a lodge here at one time, but it has also 
become extinct. The school building of Mi- 
nerva, which is a large and commodious edifice, 
is located in that part of the town lying in Car- 
roll Count}'. It forms a special district, and 
the school is graded, a movement which was 
accomplished in 1879, through the exertions of 
the present able Principal and Superintendent, 
Prof. S. D. Cameron. The teachers, besides 
Prof. Cameron, ^e S. D. Sanor, Eva H. F'erdue 
an«( Lizzie M. Bforrison. 

The Minerv^Tnion Agricultural Fair Asso- 
ciation has its founds here. An annual fair is 
held, and occasionally a horse fair in the early 
summer. This interest, however, is fully given 
in the chapter on geology and agriculture. 
Since the town sprang into existence, it has 
enjoyed the luxur}- of several newspapers at 
different periods, which were established and 
flourished, some of them, but for a brief while, 
and then passed awaj' "among the things that 




iMj^tayyi. ^Qik/ycy^T 



PARIS TOWNSHIP. 



509 



were." The last venture in the '-art preserva- 
tive" is the Minerva Mmiitor. which issued its 
initial number May 20. 1881. and is edited and 
published by l>. B. Sherwood. It is a four-page 
paper, with eight coluuius to a page, and is well 
tilled with reading matter, and a good display 
of advertisements. It should receive the hearty 
supjiort of the citizens of .Minerva and the sur- 
roiuKling country. The first paper in Minerva, 
was established by William Morris, but did not 
last long. This was followed by the Minerva 
r,mm<',xM. established in 18(i!),'by R. K. Wat- 
son. In March, 1872. the Weaver Brothers 
liecame the proprietors, and in 1^77 the paper 
was discontinued. From this time the village 
was without a paper until the recent establish- 
ing of the Monitor. 

The commercial and social interests of Mi- 
nerva, as mirrored at present, show the follow- 
ing cast: A large flouring mill, owned and 
operated by Davis Brothers; a planing mill, 
by T. D. Yost; car-shops (a private enterprise), 
carried on by Pennock Brothers, doing a large 
and profitable business ; general repair shops, 
by A. B. CUaffey & Co.; four general stores; 
two millinery stores ; two drug stores ; two 
hardware stores ; one jewelry store ; one furni- 
ture store; one bank ; a schoolhouse ; four 
churches ; a post office ; one newspaper and 
four hotels. Mr. (1. F. Yengling, a prominent 
business man. is putting up quite an elegant 
little opera house, and several other business 



blocks are in the course of construction, which 
will add materially to the attractiveness of the 
town. 

Kobertsville, or Robaidsville, was laid out in 
1842. It is situated on Section 19, and has the 
ath'antage of Black Stream as a " water high- 
way," and the Connotton Valley Railway, which 
passes through. It was laid out by Joseph 
Kobard, a Freiiehman, who bought the land 
upon which it stands, from Samuel Rhodes, an 
early settler in the vicinity. Samuel Young 
kept the first tavern in the place. A post otfice 
was established in December. 1862, and Peter 
.\dolph commissioned as Postmaster, There 
are two churches in the village, Catholic and 
Reformed, The former was built some twenty 
years ago, and the latter about 1875-76, The 
business consists of two dr\' goods stores, one 
gro(^erj' store, and a number of shops, a steam 
saw mill and a planing mill, a churn manufac- 
tory and a schoolhouse, A new schoolhouse 
will be built during the present summer, 1881, 

New Franklin is situated in the northeast 
corner of Section 12, and has never been regu- 
larly laid out as a t(jwn. It consists of a small 
collection of houses, and has a Methodist 
Church, and a Lutheran Church and cemetery, 
a schoolhouse and a store, with the usual com- 
plement of shops of different kinds, generally 
found in a hamlet of its proportions, A post 
office was established in February, 1882, with 
Jesse Shoard as Postmaster. 



^ 



HISTORY OF STARK COUXTY. 



CHAPTER XXIV.* 

TUSCAKAWAS TOWNSHIl'-- DESCRIPTION AND BOUNDARIES — TH K ROLL OF EARLV SETTLHRS — 

FIRST CENSUS— SCHOOLS AND EARLY TEACHERS— CIIUK(IIES— THE 

FOE FAMILY — POST OFFICES. ETC. 



ON the tifth day of March, 1810, the Com- 
missioners of Stark made the following 
entry on their jonrnal : " On the petition of 
sundrj- inhabitants of that part of Canton and 
Plain Townships lying west of the Tnscarawas 
River, was organized into a township called 
Tuscarawas, and it was ordered, that the first 
election be held on the first Monday of April, 
1810." The limits of the township, as do those 
of all the other townships south of the Western 

1 Reserve, include thirty-six sections of G40 acres 
each, or 23,040 acres each, and it maj- be well 

j said of the township that for mineral and agri- 

1 cultural re-sourees. it has no superior in the 

I county. 

Following in the wake of the ■■ New Pur- 
chase," as the territory west of the Tuscarawas 
Branch of the Muskingum was called, immi- 

j gration commenced into that territory in 1807. 
The surveys were commenced in that year, and 

I concluded l)y William Henry. Joseph H. 
Larwill, John Larwill and John Harris. Among 
the first lands entered in the township, was 
Section 10 ; this was entered by John Barr, 
and by him sold to Jacol) Bowman, Esq.. after- 
ward President of the Monongahela Bank of 
Brownsville, Penn., and by his heirs, or the im- 
mediate grantees of his heirs, to James Bajliss, 
Esq., and is as fine a body of land as is in the 
county. Having been kept in an unbroken 
body for years, it is known all over the town- 
ship as the " Section.'' 

During the time of the making of the sur- 
veys on the west side of the Tuscarawas River, 
settlements were made there more rapidly than 
in the west. That portion of the county was 
known as a part of Canton and Plain, as late j 
as the organization of the township, and such 
was the weight of population that the count}' j 
had been entered but one year, when the peo- ' 
pie petitioned for a separate township, and ob- 
tained their organization, so as to be included 



' C.intriluted l.y Rubert H. Folgei 



in the third census of the United States, under 
the name of Tuscarawas Township, the true 
name being Tusearora, as will be seen by con- 
sulting the treaties by which the territory was 
obtained, and the works of Francis Parkman, 
Jr. The first permanent settlement in the 
township, then, however, oul}' known as a part 
of the '• New Purchase," was made by two 
brothers, Scotch-Irish Presbyterians, John and 
Robert Warden. 'I'hey left their home in Wash- 
ington County, Penn., with a cart and horse, 
and rifles, a change of clothing, a filled straw 
tick and blankets and rations, to be replenished 
as time and chance might enable them to do 
so, they had forded the river where is now tlie 
northern terminus of Clay street, Massillon, 
and reached, in their western journey the .sur- 
veyor's camp, at the spring on the " Section." 
There the}' made a permanent halt, and when 
the land came into market, entered the quarter- 
section now owned and occupied by David Gib. 
Subsequently', John purchased the interest of 
his brother, and lived many years on that farm, 
holding offices of trust and responsibility in 
the township, and aiding in laying the founda- 
tions of good order, for which the township 
has since l)een celebrated. 

The third census of the United States showed, 
of old and j'oung in the township, 145 inhabi- 
tants, nearly ever}' man in the township being 
the head of a family. Their names are here 
given ; William Henry, Seth Hunt, Daniel Hoy, 
Charles Hoy, Stephen Harris, John Patton, 
Isaac Poe, William Byal, Caspar Noll, James 
Eldredge, Stephen Eldredge, Thomas Eldredge, 
Edward ( )tis, Thomas Chapman, Henry Clapper, 
Daniel Clapper, John Clapper, Adam Lower, 
Peter Johnson, William Crites, Adam tlrounds, 
George Baystone, Massum Metcalf, Jacob ]Met- 
calf, Jeremiah Atkinson, Robert Warden, John 
Geringer, Peter Slusser, Andrew Augustine and 
Robert Barr. At this date, 1811), the entire 
population of Stark and what is now Wayne 



TUSCARAAVAS TOWNSHIP. 



Conntj', was 2.734 ; Wayne had of th.at num- 
ber 332. and Stark 2,402. These facts arc 
taken from the original manuscript census, 
furnished to the writer bv the hue Hon. Joscpli 
II. Larwill. It is proper, just here, to correct an 
error into whicii tlie author of Howe's Histor- 
ical collections was inadvertentlj' led in i)repar- 
ing that valuable work. 

On page .517. Mr. Howe says : • Wayne was 
established by do v. St. Clair. August 13, 
1790,'' and adds: '■ Its original limits were very 
extensive." and proceeds to give them, 'Tis 
true that Uov, St, Clair, by proclamation, did 
enact a county called Wayne, of widel}' ex- 
tended limits, but those limits were reduced b}- 
the erecting of other counties by Gov. St. 
Clair, and the General .Vssembly of the State of 
Ohio, after 1802, until Gov. St. Clair's county 
of Wayne was in the Territory of Michigan, 
where it j-et remains, Detroit being the county 
seat. On the organization of Stark County, 
Ohio, in 1809, the act of the General Assembly 
creating the county, described certain territor}^ 
lying west of Stark County, but subject to its 
jurisdiction until otherwise ordered, to be called 
the county of Wayne, In 1812, the (Jeneral 
Assembly of Ohio provided that that territory 
should thenceforth be known as a separate and 
distinct county, and should be called Wajne 
County, The correctness of this statement will 
at once be acknowledged when it is remem- 
bered that it was not until the year 1805, by the 
treaty of Fort Industry that the Indian title to 
the territory west of the Tuscarawas Branch of 
the Muskingum was extinguished, and the 
United States authorized to assert their author- 
ity over any territorv west of the Tuscarawas, 
Under the order of the Commissioners, the 
township was organized as a political commu- 
nity, and it is much to he regretted that the rec- 
onls of the earl}- organization cannot be found. 
The township was settled rapidly with industri- 
ous and useful inhabitants. They realized that 
'■ schools and the means of instruction were 
essential to good ^vernment. " and accordingly 
churches and schoolhouses were erected in every 
neighborhood, or religious exercises were held 
in private houses. 

From the best information that can be had, 
the first election in the township was held on 
Monday, April 1, 1810. at the house of William 
Henry, at which William Henry and Daniel 
Hov were elected Justices of the I'cacc : Ste- 



phen Harris, Daniel Hoy and Peter Slusser, 
Trustees ; Thomas (Jhapman and Henry Clap- 
per, Supervisors of Highways; Adam Lower 
and William Crites, Fence \'iewers ; Andrew 
Augustine, House Appraiser ; William Henr\-, 
Treasurer ; Stephen Harris, Constable ; Peter 
Johnson, Township Clerk, 

At this time the township embraced a large 
amount of territory in fractional sections adjoin- 
ing the ri\er which became parts of Perry, 
Lawrence, Jackson and F'ranklin, the latter 
township being now the southwestern township 
of Summit County, as it was the northwestern 
township of Stark previous to 1840, when, bj- 
act of the General .\ssembly of Ohio, it was 
taken from Stark to help Summit to the consti- 
tutional amount of territorj- to make a count}'. 
Hence it will appear in man}' instances that the 
same persons were original settlers in two or 
more townships. For example, Stephen Harris, 
William Crites, Henry Clapper, Daniel Clapper 
and John Clapper, lirsl settled in what is now 
Lawrence Township, and, except Mr. Harris, 
never moved away from their first entry of land 
west of the river, until after Lawrence was 
organized, in 1816. When Tuscarawas Town- 
ship was reduced to its legal number of sections 
b\' the organization of other townships, Mr. 
Harris, as appears hereafter, sold his land in 
Lawrence, purchased property in Tuscarawas, on 
the hill south of Lawrence Station, on the 
Pittsburgh, Fort Wayne & Chicago Kailway, 
removed into that township, and remained 
there until his death. He lived to an old age. 
and was prominently iilentitied with the growth 
and prosperity of the county, as will be seen 
by a personal sketch of that gentleman, of 
peculiar interest, derived from a source that 
entitles it to the highest credit. 

Among the very early settlers west of the 
Tuscarawas Kiver and before the organization 
of the township was Michael Oswalt ; the Ind- 
ians disturbed him and he went back to 
Columbiana County, but soon returned and rep- 
resented .'^tark Count}' in the House of Repre- 
sentatives many years. He was an upright man, 
and discharged his duty according to the best of 
his ability. During his term of .service in the 
House of llepresentatives, the great question 
of State internal improvement, by canal naviga- 
ble, came up, and during its preliminary stages, 
Mr, Oswalt voted for it. On its final passage. 
the hue and cry that had become general 



;t^ 



513 



HISTORY OF STARK COl^NXY. 



throughout the county against it so alarmed 
him that he voted against it. He lived, how- 
ever, to see the Ohio Canal opened, and naviga- 
ble to the now city of Massillon, when he 
joined in the popular feeling in its favor, and 
insisted that the Ohio Canal was his haby. In 
1836, he sold his land in what had then lie- 
come Perry Township, and moved to Fairfield 
County, where he ended his days, a respected 
citizen of that excellent count}'. 

Among the survivors of the early days of the 
township is Alvah Wood, born at Brookfield, 
(.'linton (.'ount}', New Yoi'k, May 5, 1795. This 
venerable gentleman is now a member of the 
farail}' of William Walter, in the southern portion 
of the township. Henevcr was married. By his 
labor and economy, he acquired a farm which now 
supports him comfortably. With his father, 
Jonathan Wood, a Revolutionary soldier, he 
came into the township in 1819, and, with the 
interegnum presently noticed, has been a resi- 
dent ever since, for the full period of sixty- 
eight years, and is believed to be the oldest 
person in the township. The writer of these 
sketches is indebted to him for many facts 
touching the earh- settlement of this town- 
ship. 

In 18(19, James Eldredge entered the south- 
west quarter of Section 25. at the land oflice at 
Canton, and paid all in silver. Between that 
period and 1813. Robert Barr entered the 
fractional Section, now in Perrj* Township, 
in which is located the celebrated Warming- 
ton Coal Mines, and, in order to facilitate 
the transit across the Tuscarawas River, es- 
tablished the fording known as " Barr's Ford- 
ing." near where is now the iron bridge. 
Robert Barr is yet remembered as a genial 
Irishman, whose house was never clo.sed to the 
new-comer seeking a home in the then wil- 
derness. He was one of those who had left the 
land of the harp and shamrock during the re- 
bellion of 1798. and found a home at last in 
the then dense forest on the west side of the 
great county of Stark, now numbering its GO. 000 
inhabitants. He removed west, after selling his 
possessions in this township, and aided in build- 
ing up another portion of the great empire, 
the success of which is renowned alike in song 
and in story. 

Another pioneer settler whose name ajjpears 
in the census of 1810. was Massum Metcalf. 
generally called Madcap. He had started with 



the march of civilization. He located in what 
is now Lawrence Township, but did not remain, 
for the reason that the ' count}' was too thickly 
settled ; he could hear his neighbor's dog bark, 
and it was so cleared up that he could not fell 
a tree at his door for firewood." " AVild game 
was plenty," say.-i Mr. Wood, •' wolves, deer, 
bears, wild cats and turkeys were plenty, and 
among the Nimrods were Charles Dougal and 
Solomon Wilson, who never traveled anywhere 
without a rifle, powder horn, shot pouch, 
and a sheath-knife suspended to a belt. When 
game was killed too large to be can'ied home, 
it was thoroughly bled, the entrails removed, 
and the carcass hung to a limb, and, under the 
common law of hunters, it was safe for the 
owner to call for it. with tlie means of tansport- 
ing it home. He who would disturl) it, did so 
at the peril of his life, if ever found out. As 
the county was settled, Dougal and Wilson 
went where civilization had made fewer in- 
roads. Mr. Wood has resided in Tuscarawas 
Township, since 1813. excepting three or four 
years, when he returned east, and remained in 
Vermont. He is now at the age of eighty-six, 
enjoying excellent health and a clear memory 
of many events of the early settlement of the 
township. In those days there were few mills 
in what now constitutes the township of Frank- 
lin, Summit County, Lawrence, Jackson, I'erry 
and Tuscarawas, Stark County. On Newman's 
Creek, in Lawrence were two, Roger's and 
Grundy's being the first, and the}' of limited 
capacity. (Joudy's mill was erected in 181 2, of 
wouden gearing, which was constructed by two 
young millwrights, one of whom. John Crail, 
died within ten years last past, and was the 
father of Mrs. Fletcher, of Massillon. When 
the young men reached the Tuscarawas River, 
on their waj- to their job, the ferryman pro- 
posed to charge them 50 cents each for carrying 
them across. Unwilling to pay such a price, they 
waded the river and carried their tools and 
saved their money. After finishing their job 
for Col. Goudy, they went m Kendal, and, in 
1814. built the dam across Sippo Creek, which 
supplied the water ff>r the mill of Capt. Mayhur 
I'^olgcr. referred to in the History of Perry 
Township. Mr. (!rail was well known to the 
writer, as an upright and useful citizen, who 
life-long contributed his share to the common 
weal. The mill he built for Col. Goudy passed 
through many owners, was repaired and iron 



t^ 



T use A K A W AS TOW NSH 1 1', 



613 



machinerj- put in, and finally destroj'ed by fire 
a few years since. 

The first licensed minister of the Gospel in 
the township was the Rev. Edward Ii. Otis, a 
Baptist, who settled in the sonthern portion of 
the township prior to 181(1, as his name ap- 
pears in the census for that deceimial period, 
and who had the stated preaching of the Gos- 
pel at the houses of the five neighbors in that 
portion of the township. The second minister 
who came into the township was the Rev. 
James Dixon, who was appointed to Tuscarawas 
circuit, Nov 1, 1810, the district being known 
as Muskingum District of the Methodist Epis- 
copal Church, the conference being known as 
the Western Conference ; and since the coming 
of the Rev. James Dixon, the township has 
never been without preaching by some minister 
of that church. 

p]lder Otis was born in Massachusetts in 
176(5, was a son of Stephen Otis, who was a 
Major on the staflTof (Jen. Joseph Warren, when 
Gen. Warren fell at the battle of Bunker Hill, 
Maj. Otis being also severely wounded (Jn 
recovering from his wounds he was attacked 
by small pox, which carried him off', (ien. Elder 
Otis' wife, Mary, was born April IS, 1770. 
Their famih- was Lois Otis, married to Thomas 
Eldridge ; Ezekiel Otis, married to Widow 
Stansbury ; Jesse Otis, married to Charlotte 
Davy ; Phebe Otis, married tf) George All- 
man ; .Mary Otis, ma:ried to William I larding, 
well remembered as a wagon-maker in Kendal, 
in Perry Township, in 182G; Merrill Otis, mar- 
ried to Hannah Piersoll ; Edward Otis, mar- 
ried to Sarah 8hul.b ; MarillaOtis, who was mar- 
ried to James Kilgore, a son of William Kilgore. 
On the death of Marilla, Mr. Kilgore married 
Miss Olive Dean, of the Pigeon Run settle- 
ment. Elder Otis organized the first Baptist 
Church in Stark Count}-, and which, as nearly- 
as can be ascertained, was known as Pigeon 
Run Baptist Church. Among the members 
were Curtis Downs, Jacob Cox, his family and 
sister, Jonathan Wood and his familj- of six or 
seven, Thomas, Charles and John Rigdon, and 
their families, cousins of Elder Sidney Rig<lon, 
wiio afterward became prominent as a Mormon 
Elder. They also had a cousin George, a 
plain, blunt man, whose integrity of character 
compelled him to speak out just what he 
thought, no matter who might be hit and hin't. 
Oil one occasion, at a meeting of Elder Otis' 



church and congregation, for praj-er and con- 
ference, the Elder called on the brethren and 
sisters present to tell their religious experience. 
George had taken a seat in a remote corner of 
the room and listened attentively to the tribu- 
lations, trials and wrestlings with the adversary, 
of those who spoke, and finally the Elder said 
to him, ■• Brother Rigdon, haven't you some- 
thing to tell us concerning what the Lord has 
done for you since our last meeting '?" George 
sprang to his feet and in his peculiar manner 
said, " Brother Otis, I'll be dang'd if 1 came 
here to lie, " and immediately sat down. The 
Elder made a closing prayer and dismissed the 
congregation. 

Death and removals have long since scat- 
tered the Pigeon Itun Baptist Church. The 
history of thi? township immediatelj- following 
its organization is strongly marked by the in- 
coming of the Presbyterian element, among 
whom were Ebenezer Shaw, John Warden, his 
brother Robert Warden (who now became per- 
manent settlers), William Johnson, Nathaniel 
McDowell, John Forsythe, Archibald Steele, 
James Irvin, Robert Noble, Daniel Hoy, Charles 
Hoy, Robert McDowell, James McDowell, Will- 
iam Donahey, the Tiltons, McFaddens, Evanses, 
Fultonsand Lytles. Col. John McDowell, who 
afterward moved into Sugar Creek Township, 
Wayne Count}', as did William Erwin. There 
were a number of families by name of Porter, 
from Western Pennsylvania, who settled west 
of the river, who, when Lawrence Township 
was organized in 1816, found themselves in 
that township, where they remained. 

Ebenezer Shaw will be remembered with all 
the other Presbyterians named, as one of the 
true men of Tuscarawas Township. He came 
into the new territory of Stark County with 
Robert Latimer and Daniel Carter, in 1806, and 
entered land about four miles east of the now 
city of Canton. On that farm Mr. Shaw had 
two .sons born — James and Abraham F. James 
studied for the ministry, and was called to the 
church at Windham, Portage County. Shorth- 
after, he was ordained, and if the memory of 
the writer be not at fault, he remained the Pas- 
tor over that church until his death, a few years 
since. He was an early graduate of Western 
Reserve College, and spent a long and faithful 
life in his Master's .service. He was born in 
1807. and at his death had nearlj- or quite 
filled out the tlnxH^score and ten years allotted 



•> \ 



514 



HISTORY OF STAllK COUNTY. 



to man. His brother, Abraham F. Shaw, re- 
sides at Savannah, Ashland County-, at the age 
of seventy, and is one of the worthy citizens 
of that eoiintj', deservedly enjoying tlie esteem 
and confidence of a large circle of friends. 
Many of the early Scotch-Irish Presbyterians 
settled in the northern part of the township, by 
means of which the neighborhood took the name 
of Dublin, a name the school-district bears to- 
day, and Dublin Schoolliouse is a historic land- 
mark. The elder stock of the McDowells has of 
course passed awa}-, but with all the rest of that 
class, including the Erwins, they left a name 
the excellence of which is transmitted to their 
posterity. Most of them moved into the town- 
ship about the same time, 1815 and 181(j. On 
getting into the township and providing a 
hou5e of the rudest kind for their families, their 
nest care was to see to it that a house for re- 
ligious worship should be erected, previous to 
which the preaching was at Mr. Shaw's in the 
winter, and in the summer at Mr. Daniel Hoy's 
barn. The first Presbyterian preacher was Kev. 
James Ad;ims, from Dalton. Wayne County. 
The rrcsbytcrian Church of Pigeon Run was 
organized in 1S20, although it is somewhat cer- 
tain that a church edifice was built much earlier 
on Mr. Shaw's land, as Robert Noble assisted 
in hewing the logs, of which it was built, in 
1816. On the organization of the church in 
1820, which was done in the barn of El)enezer 
Shaw, William Johnson, Nathaniel i^IcDowell 
and Ebenezer Shaw were chosen Elders. At 
this time. Rev. Archibald Hanna was Pastor of 
Mount Eaton. Fredericksburg and Pigeon Run 
Churches, one-third of the time being devoted 
to each, at a salary of $400, one-half to be paid 
in wheat, at 50 cents per bushel. That portion 
allotted to the Pigeon Run congregation, to be 
paid in wheat, was to be delivered at Mr. 
Shaw's ; from there Mr. Hanna had it hauled to 
market, and sold it at 40 cents, taking pay in 
such articles as merchants would give in ex- 
change, for in those days wheat would not com- 
mand money at any price, nor did it command 
money until 1820. after the opening of naviga- 
tion on the canal, the market lieing at the new 
city of Massillon. 

Mr. Shaw donated three acres of his land 
for a church and burial place, or, in the lan- 
guage of those days, a "burying ground," on 
which the hewed log edifice was erected, and 
u.sed summer and winter, without a stove. 



"There we sat,' sa^-s Abraham F. Shaw, Esq., in 
a late letter to the writer of these reminiscences, 
'in the winter time, during a long service of 
about two hours, trembling with cold, and the 
preacher trembled too. The word of the Lord 
was precious in those days." After Rev. Mr. 
Hanna, came Rev. James Snodgrass, who is 
supposed to be the last settled minister over 
that congregation. He came from Jefferson 
Count}', and died while discharging the duties 
of the pastorate at that church. Death and 
removals have sent that church out of existence. 
In a further account of the manner in which 
the preaching of the Gospel was delivered to 
the Presbj'terians then, Mr. Shaw says : "After 
some time, the people were able to buy a stove 
and as much pipe as would reach through the 
gallery floor. The smoke all remained in the 
house. It was hard to tell which was the more 
endurable, the smoke or the cold." 

The first school taught in that neighborhood 
was taught by Adam Johnson. He taught in 
a small house with a large fire-place and 
greased paper windows, on Section 10. The 
teacher's knowledge was limited, and the 
branches he taught were few. The shorter cat- 
echism was learned, and had to be recited every 
Saturilay afternoon, by the whole school. 

First, and prominent among the settlers of 
this township, was Andrew Poe, and was elected 
a Justice of the Peace at the second Justice's 
election. Mr. Foe's remote paternal ancestor 
immigrated to this country in 1745, from the 
Palatinate, and settled on Antietam Creek, Md., 
whore his wife died. He was afterward murdered 
by one of his teamsters on the road between his 
home and Baltimore. He left four children ; 

I. (Jeorge Poe, who inherited his father's 
estate, and when the warof the Revolution broke 
out, he remained loyal to the British cause. 

II. Andrew Poe, born in the Palatinate, in 
1739; came to this country with his parents, and, 
.some time after his father's death, went further 
west, to what is now Washington County, Penn. 
He was in the Arin3'of the Revolution, married 
and had a family. Some of his descendants 
aie now living in Ravenna. Portage Co. He 
was engaged in the fight with Big Foot and his 
band of Wyandots, in 1782, at the mouth of 
Tomlinson's Run, on the Ohio River, in Han- 
cock County. W. \a. He was the person who 
had the individual fight with Big Foot and one 
other Indian, and not Adam, as usually stated. 



TL'.SCAUAWAS TOW^'SIIII'. 



r,ir, 



III. Catharine Poe was born in tlie Palat- 
inate, and came to this conntrv with iier parents. 
She subseqnently Joinetl her brother in Wasii- 
intctoii County, Penn. Rut little is known of 
her history. 

IV. Adam I'oe, burn 171.'), at sea, while the 
family was on its way to this country. Some 
time after his Father's death, he also joined his 
brother Andrew, in Washington County, Penn. 
He married Elizabeth Cochran, who was tiorn 
in February, 175U. on the northwest coast of 
Ireland, whose first husband — Cochran — was 
killed by Indians, on the Ohio River, opposite 
East Liverpool. Ohio. Adam was also in the 
fight with Big Foot, and was the penson who 
actually shot that Indian. He died September 
23, 1838, at the age of 93. at the house of his 
SOD Andrew Poe, In this township, and is buried 
at Sixteen Church. His widow died in tin; 
same house. December 27. 1844. aged eighty- 
eight years and ten months, and is buried by his 
side. They had several children, among whom 
was Andrew Poe, born November 12, 1780. in 
\Va.shington County. Penn., who married, Sep- 
tember 8, 1808. Nancy Hoy, born June fi. 1779, 
in Vork County, Penn., the daughter of ("harles 
Hoy. They settled in Columbiana County, 
Ohio, and, in 1812, the familj- moved to Tusca- 
rawas Township, Stark Co., where he died, 
August 12, 1851. aged seventy years and nine 
months, in the same house where his father and 
mother died, and was buried at "Sixteen 
Church," His wife died in the same house, 
March 29, 1865. aged eighty-five years, nine 
months and twenty-three davs. They had 
children : 

I.-II. Sarah and Adam Poe. twins, born 
July 12, 1804, in Columliiana County, Ohio. 
Sarah married John .Montgomery, of the same 
county ; had several children, and is dead. 
Adam married and had three children. He 
was a well-known Methodist preacher and D. D., 
and died some years since, at Cincinnati.'beingat 
the head of the '■ Jlethodist Book Concern" in 
that city, at that time,* 

III. " Elizabeth, born March 20. 180U, in 
Columbiana County, married John Gaver, of 
the same county, and had children. They went 
to the Southwest, and she is now dead. 



* Since Ih** sketch "l 


ibe Pfo rumily w.ia pn-p^rt'd. it tins l><-cn 


atrprttiiifd tliat I'-aac V 


.f, nimii-a ill th- :i 1 V. S. c nbii*. in wliirh 


Tn^cHntwrn is incIii-U"', 


wa-i H hrother <■{ Andrew Poe, :ind uh-i 


i.riow)..<l him lAiidrew 


in trettins into TnocHmwas Township, 


I'Ul did Dot n-mtilii. ina. 


He wtut to Ml-si.uri ji ,d di^d Ihvn. 



IV. Charles, born September 20, 1807, in 
Columbiana County, Ohio ; married in Stark 
(!ounty, Ohio, May 31, 1831, to Susanna War- 
ner, liorn November 5, 1817, at Loudon. Frank- 
lin Co., Penn. H(! died in Coshocton County, 
December 14, 1852, and his widow died March 
21, 1881, in Stark County. Ohio, They had 
five children : 

I, Orlando Metcalf born March 7, 1832, on 
the farm now owned l)y Hon. Thomas W . 
Chapman, in Bethlehem Township, in this 
county ; entered the United States Military 
Academy, at West Point, September, 1852, from 
the distiict then composed of Knox, Coshocton 
and Holmes Counties; graduated June. 1856. and 
was aijpoiuted a Lieutenant in the corps of 
topographical engineers, where he remained 
until March, 1863, when, by the consolidation 
of that corps with the corps of engineers, he 
became a Captain in the resulting organization, 
and a Major March 7, 1867. He was brevetted 
Major July C, 1864, for gallant services at the 
siege of Knoxville, Tenn.; Lieutenant-Colonel, 
September 1, 1864, for gallant services in the 
capture of .\t,lan(a, (i a.; Colonel, Dec, 21, 1864, 
for gallant services in the capture of Savannah ; 
Brigadier General, March 13, 18G5, for gallant 
and meritorious services, terminating with the 
surrender of the insurgent army, under Gen. 
Joseph I'l Johnston. He also hold the following 
appointments in the volnuleer service during the 
war: Colonel Second 51 ichigau Infantry, from 
September 16, 1861, to November 29. 1862, and 
Brigadier (ieneral of volunteers from November 
29. "l 862. to .March 4, 1863. Also, the following 
staff appointments; Chief Topographical Engi- 
neer Department of the; Ohio during the cam- 
paign of Gen. McClelland, its Commander, inW. 
\irginia. May 13. to July 25. 1861. Rich Mount- 
ain cami)aign, (.'hieC Engineer Department of the 
Ohio, commanded by G(>n. Bnrnside September 
27, to December 15, 1863, during which he con- 
ducted the defensive oi)erations at the siege of 
Knoxville, Tenn.; Chief Engineer on the staff of 
(ien. Sherman. Comnuiuding .Military Division of 
the .Mississippi, from April 3, 1864, to June 29, 
1865. covering the Atlanta campaign, the 
march to the sea. and the campaign of the 
Carolinas. and was in the following actions; 
battle of Hich Mounlain. W. Va.. July 11, 1861; 
fight at Lewinsville, ^'a,. September, 1861 ; siege 
at Yorktown. Va., April 5 to May 4, 1 862 ; battle 
of Williamsburg, ^'a.. Mav 5, 1862; battle of 



HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY. 



Fair Oaks, Va., May 31, 1862 ; second battle of 
Bull Run, A^a., August 29-30, 1862 ; battle of 
Fredericksburg. Md., December 13,1862; battle 
of Blue Springs, E. Teun., October 10, 1862 ; 
siege of Knoxville. E. Tenu., November 18, to 
December 4, 1862; siege of Dalton, Ga., May 7, 
to May 14. 1864 ; battle of Resaca. Ga., May 
15, 1864; Adairsville, Ga.. May 17, 1864; 
Kingston, Ga., Mav 19, 1864; battle of New 
Hope Church, Ga", May 20, 1864 ; battles of 
Dallas, Ga., May 25-28, 1864 ; battles of Ken- 
esaw Mountain, Ga., June 20, to July 2, 1864; 
battle of Ruff"s Station, Ga., July 4, 1864; 
battle of Atlanta, Ga., July 22, 1864 ; siege of 
Atlanta Ga., July 22, to August 25. 1864 ; 
battle of Jonesboro, Ga., August 31. 1864 ; 
Sandersville, 6a., November 26, 1864 ; siege of 
Savannah, Ga., December 9-21, 1864 ; battle 
of Averysboro, N. C, March 16. 1865 ; 
battle of Bentonsville, N, C, March 20-21, 
1865 ; capture of Raleigh, N. C, April 13, 
1865; and was present at the surrender of 
Gen. J. E. Johnston, commanding the rebels, to 
Gen. Sherman, at Durham, N. C, April 26, 1865. 
For the five years preceding the war, he was 
engaged upon the survey of the Northern and 
Northwestern lakes. After the war, he was 
Engineer Secretary of the Lighthouse Board ; 
from July 3, 1865, to May 1, 1870 ; then 
Engineer Eleventh Lighthouse District, Lakes 
Huron, Michigan and Superior, aud in ciiarge 
of River and Harbor Improvements from De- 
troit to Lake Superior, from Maj* 1, 1870, to 
May 1, 1873, during which time he designed 
and began the enlargement of the Sault Ste. 
Marie Ship Canal, and built Spectacle Reef, 
L. H., two of the principal engineering works 
of the day. From January 1, 1873, he has 
been aid de camp to the General of the army of 
the United States, with the rank of Colonel of 
Cavalry, and since January 19, 1874, has been, 
in addition, a member of the Lighthouse Board 
of the United States. 

Gen. Poe was married at Detroit, Mich., 
June 17, 1861, to Eleanor Carroll Brent, 
born August 26, 1843, second daughter oC/, 
the late Thomas Lee Brent, of toiHei*H*a, 
Captain United States Army, and they have 
children. 

a. Charles Carroll, born December 14, 1863, 
in Perry Township, Stark County. 

h. Winifred Lee, born December 9, 1866, at 
Washington, D. C. 



c. Elizabeth Comstock, born July 22, at 
Washington, D. C. 

d. Orlando Warner, born December 10, 
1876, at Washington, D. C. 

2. Andrew Warner, son of Charles Poe, 
born November 25, 1834, at Navarre, Stark 
County; died June, 1853. 

3. William Charles, born August 8, 1841, at 
Na\'arre, Stark Count3', Ohio ; married and re- 
sides at Massillon. 

4. Rebecca Anne, born Decemjjer 14, 1843, 
at Rochester, Stark County, Ohio; married to 
Reuben Z. Wise, and now living at Middle 
Branch, Stark County. 

5. Margaret JIaria, born in Coshocton 
County, aud died in infancy. 

V-VI. Daniel and George J. Poe, twins, 
born in Columbiana County October 12, 1809. 
Daniel married, became a Methodist preacher, 
and, previous to the Mexican war, whilst a 
missionarj- in Texas, died with his wife on the 
same day, leaving three children, one boy and 
two girls ; they all grew to adult age. Andrew 
was killed during the war, nearKenesaw Jlount- 
ain, in Georgia. George married Miss Bow- 
man, of this township, aud has several chil- 
dren, and now resides at Bowling Green, Wood 
County, Ohio; all the boys served during the 
war. 

VIL Andrew, born in Columbiana County, 
Ohio ; married Mary Sweeny, of Canton. They 
had children who died in infancy. He died many- 
years since. 

VIII. Eleanor, born September 10, 1813, in 
this township ; married Nathan Lash, of Sugar 
Creek Township, and is now a widow, living 
at Bowling Green. 

IX. John, born in this township June 14, 
1815 ; twice married, and killed on the railroad 
track at Massillon, being run over by a passing 
train. His family resided in this township until 
within two years past, when thej' removed to 
Kansas. He left a widow and three sons. 

X. James McLean, born in this township in 
1818 ; has been dead man}' years. 

XL Catherine, born July 10, 1820, in this 
township ; married John Emerson, and is now 
dead. 

XII. Joseph Robb, born April 11, 1824, 
also in this township ; married, but had no 
children, and is now dead. And this closes the 
record of one of the most remarkable families 
that has ever lived in the township, Andrew 



^^ 



S) \ 




'^^'T^-^^^^^X' ^y^^^o-7>^ 



i^ 



TUSCAKAWAS TOWNSHIP. 



•517 



Poe was a man of strongly niarkotl character, 
a good neighbor and kind friend, with many 
eccentricities that will not be forgotten. His 
excellent wife, Nancy, will be remembered as a 
woman of nolile physique and a face of re- 
markable beauty, that is recognized in her 
grandchildren. 

Tlie 3-ear 1814 was marked by immigration 
into the township from Northern New York, 
away on the borders of A'ermont, among wliom 
were Stephen Thacker and family, William El- 
dredge and family ; his sons' names were Will- 
iam and Nathan, the latter cf whom is well 
remembered as a man of character. His widow, 
Catharine, a daughter of Stephen Thaeker, yet 
lives in the township, a member of the family 
of her nephew. William MotHt. Esq. Henry 
Doxsee and family, Jehiel Fox, a brother in- 
law of Henry Doxsee, and family, Aliel Stafford, 
Thomas Eldridge, Jr., Thomas Eldridge, Sr., 
appeared to have been in the township at its 
organization, as were James and Stephen El- 
dre<lge. All of these families were a noble class 
of people ; a son and daughter, two sons-in-law, 
and a daughter-in-law, wife of Isaac Doxsee, 
now reside in Massillou. Eleanor, wife of 
Henry Doxsee, shortly after the family had got 
settled in their cabin, in the Pigeon Run neigh- 
borhood, went to see some neighbors at the 
little hamlet called sometimes Wintersville, but 
which has settled down into Brookfield, and, as 
usual, rode through the woods on a '• bridle 
path," as the avenues were called, on horseback ; 
wide roads, except the main road from Pitts- 
burgh to the Great West, being unknown, and, 
staying later than she intended, started about 
dark for home. She had just gotten into the 
densest portion of the forest when the howl of 
wolves fell upon her ear. Her horse under- 
standing that " The De'il had business on his 
hand," started at once ; the howl increased. 
The horse knowing the path, was left to his 
own guidance ; Mrs. Doxsee's only care was to 
keep her seat in the saddle. The wolves came 
almost alongside, as the '• clearing" about Mr. 
Doxsee's residence was reached. When the 
wolves seemed to know that they were toiled, 
they stopped, gave one long doleful howl of 
disappointment, and abandoned the chase. The 
horse, however, never stopped until he reached 
the cabin door, and landed his rider in safety. 
Jehiel Fox settled in Brookfield ; was a carpen- 
ter 1)3' trade, and one of the first in the town- 



ship ; was also elected Justice of the Peace, 
and it is supposed, taught the first school in 
that neighborhood. His daughter, Eliza, wife 
of James Bayliss, Esq., resides on '• the section " 
in the township. This couple celebrated their 
golden wedding Jan. 1, 1881.- 

The fust tavern in the township was kept by 
William Byal, who was also a shoemaker by 
trade, an expert with the rifle, never failing to 
bring down a deer or other game that came in his 
wa\-. Next to hiin, closely in point of time, was 
Peter Voris, as a tavern keeper, father of the 
late Hon. I'eter Voris, an Associate Judge, 
many years ago, in Summit County, who was 
father of Gen. A. C. Voris. of Akron. Judge 
\'oris died within a few years past, at Maltoon, 
Illinois. William and Thomas Dean, two 
brothers, were also of the pioneer settlers and 
pioneer Methodists on the banks of Pigeon 
Hun, east of Section 16, which was near the 
(«nter of the township. Each neighborhood 
had its distinctive features. The people from 
the '■ settlement, " where Doxsee, Eldriilge and 
the Essex County, New York, people lived, could 
be identified in a moment, as could those from 
the northern portion of the township, who were 
from Washington County, Pennsylvania. The 
Baptists, south of I'igeon Run, were another 
class, but all had the .same object in view, 'the 
encouragement of schools and the means of in- 
struction." In Doxsee's neighborhood. William 
Lawson taught the first school. The first black- 
smith in the township was Francis Smith ; his 
brother, Ethan Smith, was the first tanner; he 
died in 1825, and was a worthy member of the 
Society of Friends (Quakers.) The first tavern 
in Brookfiekl was kept by Philip Slusser, 
which gave the place the name of Slusst'r's Tav- 
ern, as Brookfield never was laid out, and never 
did as a village. The Pennsylvania Dutch ele- 
ment was not behind in aiding to develop the 
township. In 1812, Frederick, Peter and John 
Oiierlin came in from the Cumberland Valley, 
Cumberland County, Pennsylvania. They were 
good and true men, and left a posterity numer- 
ous and worthy, who have not failed to vindi- 
cate the good name of their ancestry. Their 
immediate lelatives, by marriage, were Fred- 
erick Rodocker, Jacob Fry and George Gilbei't, 
who, with the Oberlins, were heads of families, 
Jacob Fry was the proprietor of Greenville, 
Of this class were the Hitters, Daniel, Jonas 
and David, and were among the early settlers. 



i> \ 



HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY. 



When the township was reduced to its consti- 
tutional limits, Daniel Ritter was found to be 
in Periy Township, where he resided until his 
death. 

One of the remarkable families of this town- 
ship was that of Conrad Neustetter, who was 
one of the 17,000 Hessians that came over in 
the war of the Revolution, and was surrendered 
to (Jen. Washington and the French forces at 
Yorktown, Ya., in 1781. After the surrender 
he remained, under his parole, in Virginia, but 
not relishing human chattelship, he concluded 
to go wliere there was •■ neither slavery nor 
involuntary .servitude, except for crime." and 
find a new home. Where could he have gone 
to carrj- out his ideas of human rights so well 
as to Ohio, the first-born of the Ordinance of 
July 13, 1787? He had three sons — Henry, 
C^onrad and Joseph — and four daughters, all of 
whom had families, and have left a numerous 
posterity. While there were few of what were 
known as the Pennsylvania Dutch in the town- 
ship at its organization, within two years the tide 
of immigration to Tuscarawas Township, from 
Franklin, Lancaster, Lebanon, York, Cumber- 
land, Dauphin, Lehigh, and the central counties 
of Penns3'lvania, rolled onward until that ele- 
ment equalled in numbers an} other in the town- 
ship; and as agriculturists thej- had no superior, 
as the broad acres under cultivation show. That 
tide of immigration continued for many years. 
The first quarter of a century after the organiza- 
tion of the town was especiall}' and favorably 
marked by that class, from the counties of 
Franklin, Lancaster, Lebanon and Cumberland. 
The prophecy of Berkley, Bishop of Cloyne. 
was fulfilled so far as this township was con- 
cerned : 

" Westward the .star of empire takes its way. 
The tirst four acts already past. 
The fifth shall close the drama and the day, 
Time's noblest offspring, is the last." 

After navigation was open on the Ohio Canal 
to Massillon, and business, generally on the 
west side of the county and including Wayne 
County, as well as on the north and south of 
Massillon, began to center at that point. Judge 
Henry, who had for maiiy years prior to 1826, 
been the merchant of Perry Township, finding 
his occupation gone, concluded he could put 
Brookfield into competition with Massillon. and 
about 1830 moved to Brookfield. opened a store 
determined to intercept western trade. Find- 



ing that that plan would not succeed, he deter- 
mined to erect a steam flouring-mill, saw-mill 
and woolen manufactory, and which was the 
first and only establishment of the kind in the 
township. Meanwhile, Massillon had got a 
start as the great shipping point for all kinds 
of produce and woolen manufactures, which 
rendered the Brookfield Steam Flouring-mill 
and Woolen Manufactory, dead capital. In 
order to place the business in the hands of a 
younger and an energetic person, Judge Henry 
put what capital he had invested in the Brook- 
field enterprise into the hands of his .son-in-law, 
C. B. Cummins, but he could not command 
success so near to Massillon. and the result was 
the enterprise was abandoned, and Mr. Cum- 
mins took his stock in trade to that city, where 
he continued until 1854, when he went out of 
business. Judge Henry, being out of business 
at the abandonment of the Brookfield invest- 
ment, moved to Wooster, Wayne Co., and ended 
his days at the age of eighty years, and thus 
ended the competition between Brookfield and 
Massillon, There is not one stone left upon 
another to indicate that business of the charac- 
ter above described was ever carried on there. 
The machinery was taken out and sold, the 
buildings torn down, and at this writing there 
are few living who worked on the premises. 

The first post-office in the township was at 
the village of Greenville, and William Byal 
was the first Postmaster. As it paid but a 
small salary, although the Postmaster was en- 
titled to thirty per centum of the receipts for 
letter postage and fifty per centum on news- 
papers and periodicals, Mr. Byal resigned in 
1828, and there being no one to take the office, 
it was discontinued, and the etieets belonging 
to it were taken to Massillon. It has, however, 
been re-established by the name of East Green- 
ville. 

Prominent among the early settlers who laid 
the foundations of the gi'eat moral structure of 
the township were William and Thomas Dean, 
brothers ; Peter Johnson, Wesley Hatton. Will- 
iam Henry, Seth Hunt, Thomas Eldredge, 
Stephen Thacker, and family. Rev. Josiah Fos- 
ter, Peter Johnson, and all the other Methodists 
in the township. In 1810, a society was formed 
at once on the arrival of the preacher. Rev, 
James Dixon, and amid all the changes it has 
remained. The few Methodists on the East 
side of the river at Kendal, came into this 



■*^ 



TT'SCARAWAS TOWNSHIP. 



-.19 



township for worship, until in 1824. when the 
Pittsburgh Conference was erected, and Canton 
circuit was organized in 1824. In 1816, the 
Huckett brothers, their mother and sister, came 
into the township, but one of whom, Andrew, 
remains. He now, at the age of seventj"-six, 
lives in tiie city of Massillon, having lived in 
this and Perrj- Township sixty-six years. The 
brothers were John, William. Reese?. Andrew, 
Christian, David and Simon. Their father. An- 
drew, came into the township in 1811, from 
Fayette County. Penn.. and brought a wagon- 
load of the household goods of his father-in- 
law. Christian Bates, who moved into the town- 
ship. He then returned to I'ennsylvania and 
came to Ohio again in 1812, and died in 1814. 
Christian Bates died in the township, leaving 
two sons, Adam and Andrew, who maj- be 
classed among the first of the township's set- 
tlers. 

The sturdy Dutch settlers from Pennsylvania 
were generally, in their religious connections, 
German Reformed and Lutheran ; and in neigh- 
borhoods where neither were able to erect a 
church edifice, the two would join hands and 
erect a building, and worship in it on alternate 
Sabbaths, until each congregation was able to 
build for itself In 1819, George Krider came 
into the township, bringing with him a family. 
He, too, was from Pennsvlvania, and with his 
family contributed largely to the development 
of the township as tillers of the soil and 
mechanics. Samuel Krider. a son, has been 
twice a member of the House of Representa- 
tives, in the General Assemblj- of Ohio, and is 
now a Justice of the Peace. 

Tuscarawas was not behind in the elements 
of advancing civilization. It had the first dis- 
tillery west of Canton in which whisky was 
made. Col. Isaac Taylor being the proprietor. 
He was Colonel of one of the regiments in the 
Third Brigade and Sixth Division of Ohio 
Militia, and as such was distinguished, for in 
those days a Colonel " on the peace establish- 
ment ' was regarded as a man of parts. The 
militia S3Stem sank into discredit, and the 
Colonel ran the distillery until it ran him so 
nearly into the ground that he disjioscd of it.- 
It ran through successive ownerships until it 
fell into the hands of Elder Frederick Freeman, 
who distilled whiskv- during the week and 
preached Baptism by immersion, for the re- 
mission of sin's, on Sunday. There are a few 



yet living in the township who have drank of 
his whisky and listened to his preat^hing. The 
distillery finally ran down before the enlightened 
progress of better ideas. 

Among the earnest men. and who were among 
the first to open up the forest on the west side 
of the county, was Stephen Harris. While it 
is a matter of doubt whether it was Steplien 
Harris or the brothers John and Rolierl Worden 
who were the first to make a permanent settle- 
ment on the west side of the river, it is certain 
that on the reducing of the townships of Tus- 
carawas and Lawrence to their proper limits, 
Mr. Harris was in Lawrence and the Wordens 
were in Tuscarawas. It is equally certain that 
they were all within the territorv known as 
the New Purcha.sc, in 1807. which was belV.re 
the organization of the county. 

Mr. Harris was born in FJizabethtown, N.J., 
August 21, 1780. His paternal ancestry was 
English, and his mother a Scotch woman, a 
relation of Gavin Hamilton, of Mauchline. the 
friend and patron of Robert Burns, the Ayr- 
shire plowman, and the same familj- as Alex- 
ander Hamilton, who fell in the duel at Wce- 
hawken, N. J., in 1804. with Aaron Burr, and 
whose father emigrated to the island of Nevis, 
in the West Indies. 

She (his mother) was a woman of line physique 
and appearance, and rare mental gifts, though in 
humble life, and engro.ssed in the care of rearing 
twelve children. Soon after the close of the 
Rovolutionary war. his father, who served as 
a soldier in that struggle for the vindication of 
the rights of man, moved with his young fam- 
ily, Stephen being but six years of age, to 
Washington County, I'enn., where the subject 
of this sketch worked on a farm until he was 
twentv'-one. He then worked for himself in 
various pursuits, sometimes as a farm hand, 
sometimes as a boatman on the Ohio River, and 
for some time was engaged in the ginseng 
trade, at Maysville, Ky.. in which he saved 
money enough to enter a considerable bodj' of 
land in the vicinity of Lawrence station, on the 
Pittsburgh, Fort Wayne and Chicago Railwaj-, 
in the now township of Lawrence, being the 
northwestern township in Stark County, which 
entrv was made at the land ottice. at Steuben- 
ville. When Mr. Harris arrived at the spot, 
where is now the city of Canton, and coiintj' 
seat of this county, on his way to his new home, 
there were but three or four cabins to mark 



030 



HISTORY OF STARK COUA'TY. 



tlie spot. Where now stands the flourishing 
city of Massillon. was an impassable swamp. 

About 1 00 rods northeast of the present vil- 
hige of Lawrence, he commenced a ' clearing.' 
The first winter he had no feed for his cows 
and .young cattle, but subsisted them upon 
browse; he would cut the j'ouug linden, some- 
times called basswood, tree, and soft maples, 
and the cattle would follow him as he went 
with his as on his shoulder on a cold morning, 
on his way to the woods, waiting and watching 
for their provender, rushing for the tree-top as 
soon as it fell. He was civil to the Indians, of 
whom there were many, and, of course, received 
civility in return. In the winter of 1812, this 
region was visited by an earthquake. New- 
man's Creek, so named for Jacob Newman, a 
pioneer government survej'or, was covered with 
thick ice. Mr. Harris was awakened from his 
sleep late one night by a crashing noise rapidly 
approaching from the east ; it was the break- 
ing of the ice, occasioned by a swift, passing 
wave, which flew by Mr. Harris' cabin, which 
stood on the bank of the creek, and was lost in 
tlie distance on its western course in a moment, 
the rocking of the cabin and crashing of the 
ice, producing fear, which vanished with the 
cause of it, and all was quiet. After clearing 
and improving the farm first entered, Mr. 
Harris sold it at an advanced price, and pur- 
chased a half section of land in the northwest- 
ern corner of this township, which he improved 
and owned until near the close of his life. It 
is believed that he built the first brick house in 
the county west of the Tuscarawas River. This 
farm was, and is, famous for the fertility of its 
soil, good crops aild excellent fruit, and in this 
connection it should be said that it was owned 
and worked by one of the most scientific and 
practical farmers of his day. 

The unwritten law of those days was to keep 
open house, or, to use a modern expression, the 
" latch-string hung outside." With Mr. Harris, 
the " latch-string not only hung outside," but 
the front door was open, and, as Massillon and 
Canton grew into notoriety, the residents 
of those villages always found a warm welcome 
at Mr. Harris' delightful home. The visitors 
Were the pioneers of Canton and Perry Town- 
ships, as Mr. Harris was of Lawrence and Tus- 
carawas, and when they met, they delighted to 
discuss the history of the perils and privations 
through which each had passed in the acquisi- 



tion of a new home. Those meetings estab- 
lished a friendsliip that was only severed by 
death. Those hardy pioneers are all gone, but 
not forgotten. 

Mr. Harris died at the age of eighty-two, 
while temporarily residing with his daughter, 
Mrs. William Finley, in Chippewa Township, 
Wayne Co., Ohio. Mrs. Finley was the mother 
of Hon. Ebenezer B. Finley, member of Con- 
gress from the Bucyriis District, Ohio. 

Intellectually, Mr. Harris was far above the 
average of men who aspire to distinction in 
the learned professions. He was a man of fine 
physique and wonderful strength. He wore a 
number eight hat, and had a head that phrenol- 
ogists pronounced a model. 

As were most of the pioneer settlers of this 
township, Mr. Harris was of limited education, 
but by patient study he has stored his mind 
with choice history, English literature, espe- 
cially the English poets, and science, and under 
such mental discipline, notwithstanding his life 
of toil, achieved the distinction of being con- 
sidered a most agreeal)le gentleman in the 
social circle, and one whose colloquial talents 
were of a high order. 

He and his wife, Sibyl Clark, were the par- 
ents of twelve children, ten of whom lived to 
be maiTied. Two of his sons have been mem- 
bers of the Legislature, a third is a successful 
practicing lawyer at Bucyrus, Ohio, where he 
was for some years a partner of the late Hon. 
Josiah Scott, formerly a Judge of the Supreme 
Court of Ohio. Of his grandsons, two are prac- 
ticing law in ths city of Philadelphia ; one in 
Bucyrus, Ohio ; one in Chicago, and at present 
a member of the Legislature of Illinois ; and 
one great-grandson, a member of the bar at 
Cleveland, Ohio. Mr. Harris was uncle and 
guardian of llev. William L. Harris, D. D., 
Bishop of the Methodist Episcopal Church, 
who made his home for some time in his uncle's 
family, and taught school in the McFarland 
District in 1845, near Lawrence. He (Stephen 
Harris) was a brother of Hon. John Harris, of 
whom mention is made in the '■ Sketches of 
the Bench and Bar of Stark County," and who, 
from his long and active life, is necessarily 
mentioned in Canton, Perry, Tuscarawas and 
Lawrence history. 

On one occasion the writer remembers hear- 
ing Mr. Harris say, " I propose to settle my 
estate myself," and it is believed that at his 



SIGAU CREEK TOWNSHIP. 



521 



death he owed no man anything, and had dis- 
posed oChis estate among his heirs, so tliat the 
intervention of an executor or administrator 
was not necessar}'. Of course such a man com- 
manded the respect and esteem of his neigh- 
bors and wliile good and useful men are remem- 
bered, iiis name will fill a place on the historic 
page witii that of tlie I'ioneers, who, amid toil 
and hardship, made 

" The wilderness blossom as the rose.*' 

Tlie pioneer settlers of this township were 
men of the class of Mr. Harris ; they aimed to 
do right in all the relations of life, and the 
truth of historj- would not he vindicated with- 
out according to them due prominence. They 
were downriglit. manl3-. earnest and sincere. 
The result of their labors is eulogy enougli ; 
their story is told in tbese sketches exactly as 
it was. 

Of the thirt3--six sections of land of which 
the township is composed, almost every quarter 
section is of a most excellent quality ; tiie sur- 



face produces cereals of (!very description, 
wliile building stone, limestone and mineral coal 
are found in exhaustless quantities, as the 
Warmingl<>n,(Trove Coal Com])any, Pigeon Run 
and .Massillon City Coal Companies attest, by 
the trains of cars daily loaded at and from their 
mines with tiie far-famed .Massillon coal, tl'c 
ecpial of which, nor the exhaustless quantities 
of which, are found elsewhere in the Tuscarawas 
Valle\'. Seventy-one years have gone by since 
the people of tiie township were organized into 
a political community, and it is safe to say, that 
for steadj- progress since that organization, 
Tuscarawas Township is the peer of any town- 
ship in this great count}-. To attempt to enum- 
erate its representative men now would be an 
effort that could not readily be accomplished. 
PuUlce it then to say that Tuscarawas Town- 
ship has kept pace in the march of improve- 
ment with an}- township in the great county of 
which she is a menil)er. Her motto is : -No 
steps backward.' 



CHAPTER XXV.* 



Slfi.VH ClIKKK TOW.NSIlll' — I'UV.SltWL Ki:.\Ti:i'.ES— L.VNUHOI.DICUS OF 1X2S— tlK.ST .SKTTi.E.MIl.NT 

AND .U>;nMl'ANVlN(J INCIDENTS— IXDU.STlllAL GRO'.VTII— rLATTINC OF VIM,.UiC.S 

— KllfCATlOXAL AND KKLIGIOLS GKOWTH AXU IXFLIEXCK.-^. 



''J "■ HE people of to-day cannot realize the ex- 
1 treme hardships encountered by the early 
settli-r. It is no trouble, while enjoying a 
sumptuous repast, or while occupying at full 
length the sofa in a pal;\c(! [larlor, to bring the 
picture of early trials before the gaze; but the 
mental and physical sutlVrings of the pioneers 
are lieyond conjecture, and can only be realized 
by participation. To be wMth but little food, 
and that of the coarsest and meanest quality ; 
to suffer continually from exposure to the in- 
clement weather ; to be half-clothed ; to be de- 
nied all the ennobling influences of refined 
society ; to be compelled by tiie relentless force 
of necessity to work beyond your strength — 
all these were the common lot of tlie pioneer. 
It is a peculiar paradox in human conduct, to 
note that the old settler loves to recall the trials 
of early years. Should he not rather love to 
lianish from his mind the recollection of events 
which occasioned him so much suffering ? No, 

« Conlril.ut.d bj- W. .\, C.o.I.-i.to.I. 



he loves to dream of the past; loves to li\e 
over again his early experiences. Ask an old 
settler, and, strange as it may seem, he will tell 
you he enjoyed life amid the dangers and pri- 
vations of the backwoods. This can only bo 
accounted for hy saying that the mobile char- 
acteristic of human nature to adapt itself to any 
and all surroundings, rendered the life of tiie 
pioneer contented and happy. 

Sugar Creek Township, whicli takes its name 
from the stream which drains the greater por- 
tion, is one of tlie best in the county. This is 
true not onl}- of the natural features, but of the 
character of the people within its limits. From 
its earliest years, the township has been full of 
push and pluck and precocit}'. During the 
(!arly stages of the last war. it furnished more 
volunteers than any other country portion of 
the county of the same limit. The character 
of the citizens for intelligence, morality, indus- 
try and enterprise, is second to no other part of 
Stark Countv. When the couiitv was first 



HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY. 



organized, in 180t», Sugar Creek was attached 
to Canton Township, and remained thus until 
March -1. 181(5. when the following action was 
taken by the County Commissioners : " Otderal, 
That that part of Range 10 in Stark County 
wiiich lies south of Township 12 in said range, 
be and the same is hereby erected into a sep- 
arate township Ijy the name of Sugar Creek." 
The election of the first otticcrs was announced 
to be held at the residence of Adam Grounds, 
o 1 the first Monday in April, and notices of 
this election were posted up at Adam Grounds , 
Joseph Poj'feer's and Fisher's Mill. The follow- 
ing is a list of the land-holders in 1827, the 
greater number of whom resided in the town- 
ship : 

Christian Ackerman, William Agler, William 
Baker. George Baker, Jedediah Brewster. 
James Benford. John Balterley. Michael 
Rose. Peter Beck, John Byali, Abraham Beals, 
John Bash, Benjamin Carr, Joshua Carr, Eman- 
uel Crosslaud. George Crossland. Jacob Cron- 
inger, Benjamin Croninger, Henry Croninger, 
J. W. Condy. James Clark. George Canfield, 
Isaac Charlton, Thomas Collins, John Charl- 
ton. Abraham Davis. John Doll, Israel Doty. 
Gotleib Dogaley. John Everly, Susanna Everett. 
John Everett. Andrew Fetro, Preserved Fish,' 
Henry Fisher. Jacob Fisher, Adam Fislier, John 
Freese, Abraham Friebley. Jacob Grounds. 
James Gaff. George Gilbert, Michael Hoftaere, 
William Hall, William Hunter, John Hammond, 
John HoUiuger, John Hager, Henry Hess. Wil- 
liam Jones. Jacob Kyle, (Jeorge Klingle. James 
Kilgore. James Kerr. Benjamin Kerr. Jacob 
Kline. Jacob Klinefelter. Johu Mason. Jacob 
Miller. Samuel Miller. William Nichols. Patrick 
Nelson. John Oberlin. George Pfouter, Gabriel 
Putnam, John Putnam. John Poyster, Richard 
Pinkerton. John Parker. Jehiel Rose. Jacob 
Reed. Henry Rilter. Daniel Rilter. Thomas 
Rotch, Charity Rotch, Jacob Rider. Peter Reed. 
George Robinson. Robert Reed, Henry Ragnet, 
Charles Slutz, George Sleigh ter, Christian Smith. 
Christian Shrock. Jacob Shetler. John Shetler, 
Frederick Stump. Adam Spohr. Christopher 
Sees, Jacob Swaley. John Shaefler, William 
Smoyer. Peter Stroyer, Jacob Stover, George 
Shott. Isaac Teeple. Christopher Teeple, Abra- 
ham Troxal. Peter Weimer, Gabriel Weimer, 
John Walter. Arvine Wales, Jonathan Winter, 
David Weimer, Jacob Warshler, (George Welty, 
John Weimer. Peter Weimer. Phillip Welty 



Valentine Wagoner, Jacob Wyant, Henry Wy- 
ant, Lewis Willard, Henr3' Willard and Abra- 
ham Walter. 

In addition to these, there were a number of 
prominent early settlers whose names do not 
appear in the above list. A few of the earliest 
settlers who first came in, became dissatisfied 
with their surroundings, and like a certain class 
of politicians, wanted a '• change." These men 
added their mite to the early improvement of 
Sugar Creek, and were undoubtedl}' the means 
of attracting settlers to their vicinity, accord- 
ing to the rule that " birds of a feather flock 
together." It is said upon authority uot to be 
doubted, that Jacob Grounds, who arrived in 
the township in 1808, was the first permanent 
settler. This well known settler had an un- 
usual education for a back-woodsman, and dur- 
ing his long and eventful life was prominently 
connected with all public improvements. He 
came to the township immediately after it was 
surveyed, and, selecting a fine tract of land 
covered with a magnificent growth of sugar- 
maple trees (the Trubj' farm) cut and prepared 
logs for a rude dwellinir. The next thing was 
to secure assistance to raise the building. 
Families at Kendal, Canton and New Philadel- 
phia were notified, two men responding from 
the former place, five from the next and three 
from the latter, the man from Canton being the 
Count}- Treasurer and the one from New Phila- 
delphia being a lawyer. Here in this rude log 
dwelling, surrounded by the untouched forest 
and a great variety of wild and savage animals, 
the Grounds family lived in solitude for eighteen 
long months. They were dreary ones to the 
family, who were accustomed to better things 
in the Eastern States ; but they bore the trials 
and dangers without complaint, though many 
times they pressed upon them like the sphere 
of Atlas. At that time bears were quite nu- 
merous, occasionally dangerous, and often 
troublesome. They were not troubled with 
conscientious scruples, like a certain ecclesias- 
tical sect, as regards the eating of swine's flesh. 
On the contrary they lost no opportunity of 
filling themselves to the muzzle with flesh of 
the genus Sus. Even as early as 1808, quite a 
number of swine ran wild in the woods, and 
ten years later they had become verj' numerous. 
They required no care from the settlers, as they 
could sustain themselves the year round on the 
enormous quantities of " mast '' that strewed 



l^ 



SUftAK CREEK TOWNSHIP. 



523 



tbe grouud at all seasons. The}' became very 
fat (.iuriiig tbe fall of the year, often attaining 
a weight of 500 pounds. They were ver^' wild 
and were about as difficult to kill as deer. 
Dispute.* about the ownership of swine were of 
frequent occurrence. Litters of pigs were 
raised in the depths of the woods, and were 
very likely not seen by the owners until they 
were half-grown. Extensive systems of ear- 
marking were devised and adopted, though this 
did not wholly avoid angrj- contentions and 
occasional primitive law-suits. Stories told 
about the swine and vouched for by the early- 
settlers are hard to believe. It is related by- 
Mr. Agler, of Beach City, whose father was one 
of the earliest settlers, tiiat William Smoyer. an 
eccentric old bachelor, who owned a large num- 
ber of swine, assisted one day by Henry Wyant, 
another early settler, went into the woods to 
shoot several of his (attest swine. Perhaps 
Mr. Agler's father accompanied them. As they 
approached, quite a large herd of swine, with 
bristles erect and mouths open, made for the 
settlers, who immediately took to their heels. 
After running around until they were tired out, 
and findiug that the swine were more deter- 
mined than ever to tear them in pieces, they 
finally treed to escape the savage animals. 
This had to be done quickly and the guns were 
neeessarilj- dropped. Here the men were com- 
pelled to remain, perched in the trees like owls, 
and no doubt looking owlish and feeling the 

1 same, until the morning, not daring to venture 
down amid the surging animals, that seemed 
possessed of the same spirit that once took 

: refuge in ancestral swine in ancient times. 

; '-The hog is an animal that is all appetite," 
says Josh Billings ; and this fact no doubt 

: prompted them to leave the settlers for their 

! feeding grounds about breakfast time. The 

I guns were found tramped and bitten and con- 
siderably injured. The sequel does not show 

I whether the settlers obtained the desired swine 
on that occasion. Probably not, as soon after- 
ward a large pen was built and a bait of corn 

I placed therein, so that, by means of a trap, the 
pen could be closed at will. In this manner, 

I after a little patient waiting, swine were caged 

] and then shot. It is said that the tusks of 
many swine of the masculine gender were six 

I inches long, and the snouts, when thus armed, 
were frightful looking implements of destruc- 
tion (if the figure mav be allowed). 



So far as known, the second settler in the 
township was Joshua ("arr. w-ho located in 
the northern part in 1810. He built a rough 
cabin, which was erected by settlers in neigh- 
boring townships, and into which his familj- 
immcdiately moved. Until about the year 
1815, the settlers came in very slowly ; but by 
about 1823 almost or quite all the land in the 
township had been entered, largely l)y the 
men whose names appear above. Samuel Hale 
arrived in the township soon after (,'arr. the 
same j-ear, and within the next four or five 
3'ears, there appeared Andrew Petro. David. 
Peter and John Weimer, John and (Jabriel 
Putnam, Joseph Payser. Jedediah and Calvin 
Brewster, John Mason. Jacob Heed, Michael 
Hoffacre, Abraham Beals, John B3-all. Ben- 
jamin and Aquila Carr, Michael Douds. Patrick 
Pelson, and several others, whose names are 
unfortunately forgotten. Calvin Brewster was 
elected Justice of the Peace at the first town- 
ship election, and Joseph Paj-ser, Sr., Constable. 
Soon the township was dotted with log cabins, 
set in small clearings in the woods. Roads 
were mere i)aths through the thickets and 
forests, and during the wet seasons of the year 
were bottomless, or nearly so ; they wound 
around from cabin to cabin on the higher ridges, 
and rude log bridges were built across the 
smaller streams. At last, county roads were 
surveyed and fitted up for public travel, and 
after manj- years the township was crossed 
with a network of highways that served the 
purpose of veins and arteries in commercial 
life. Barbara Poyser, daughter of Jo.seph, died 
during the summer of 1812, and was buried on 
the Poj-ser farm. This was the first death in 
the township. The first marriage was that of 
John Reed, son of Jacob, to Mary Poyser. on 
the 18th of April, 18i:5, William' Henry, Ksq., 
performing the ceremony. The newly wedded 
couple a short time allerward moved to Can- 
tt>n, where their lives were passed. The husband 
died in 1871, aged eighty-three years. The 
first birth was that of Jacob Poyser. in 1813. 
The first military training was that of a com- 
pany of militia, of which John Byall was Cap- 
tain. The parade or muster was at the residence 
of Jacob Reed, and being the first was greatl3- 
cnjoyed bv the settlers. 

.Man\- tales are told of the schemes and con- 
trivances to get along in early j-ears. Henrj' 
Wyant and William Agler each owned an ox. 



^^ 



ii^ 



524 



HISTOKY OF STARK COUNTY. 



A joke was made bj' the two men, and the 
oxen were hitched together, and for a number 
of years this team answered all purposes for 
both families. A large tree was cut down, and 
oat of this were sawed four large solid wheels. 
These were furnished with openings in the 
center, through which the heavy axles passed, 
and tires of strong bark were fastened on the 
outer edge. The front axle was provided with 
a strong tongue : the hind wheels and fore 
wheels were coupled together ; and upon this 
rude structure was placed a rough wagon bed. 
This was the wagon owned in partnership by 
the two men. This is only one of manj- in- 
stances of a similar kind. Often the families 
suffered extremely on account of insufficient 
food or clothing. Sometimes they were com- 
pelled to live on a solitary article of food for 
weeks together. This seems a dreadful hard- 
ship, in view of the fiict that the system re- 
quires a change of diet comparatively often. 
Physiologists teach that three kinds of food are 
necessary to sustain life ; i. <-., albuminoids, 
fats and sugars. If either of these three be 
withheld from the diet, suffering, or even death, 
may follow. There is .seen a gradual wasting 
awaj' of the system, although the appetite con- 
tinues good. This truth can be realized by 
attempting to make one or more meals on one 
article of food. It is why we don't relish bread 
without buttei'. or something answering the 
same purpose in the sj-stem. Potatoes are 
almost impalatable without grease. The latter 
alone would be worse. The sj-stem. through 
the medium of the appetite, demands these 
primarj- food elements in some form or other. 
The settlers would often have no bread of any 
kind for weeks at a time, and. when it did 
come, so great was the hunger of the family for 
it, that the whole grist was devoured within a 
few days, and the semi-starving process was re- 
peated. If jour boy cries and sajs : " Ma, I 
want some butter on my bread," do not repel 
him. and at the same time tell him that the 
bread is all right without the butter. His appe- 
tite and system contradict you in language 
easilj' read, and not easily mistaken. It maj- 
be seen from this that the settlers were con- 
stantly violating phj'siologieal laws, that in 
time would result disastrously to their systems. 
Mr. Agler saj's he has seen his mother time 
and again pound the corn that furnished the 
cake that was baked in the ashes of the fire- 



place, and that was their onlj- article of food 
for the meal. This was often rendered neces- 
sary, especially at certain seasons of the year, 
on account of the inabilitj of reaching some 
mill, where flour or meal could be obtained. 
The streams were different in early j'ears from 
what they are at present. The water was twice 
as slow in running off then, having the effect of 
doublnig the size of all streams. There were 
no bridges, as the floods swept away these frail 
structures of the pioneers. On these occasions 
the roads through the woods apparently drained 
all the land within several rods of them on 
either side. A new track ct)uld not be made 
without cutting down many trees and clearing 
awaj- large quantities of underbrush. Thus it 
was that settlers were obliged to do without 
flour, meal and other supplies until the roads 
became passable, which was often after months 
had elapsed, during which time the families 
subsisted as best thej- could. But little difli- 
cultj' was experienced in getting an abundance 
of meat. Venison could be obtained in abund- 
ance as late as 1820. and. to some extent, ten 
or fifteen years later. But the flesh of the 
deer was too drj' without additional gi-ease. 
This was obtained from the swine. Every 
familj' usuallj- had on hand an ample supplj- of 
bacon and smoked hams. Indeed, it is s.aid 
that the settlers' diet consisted chiefly of pork, 
potatoes and corn-liread. No danger of starv- 
ing on that diet. Judging from the physical 
appearance of the settlers, the conclusion is in- 
evitable that enormous quantities of the above 
articles were consumed by the pioneers of 
Sugar Creek Township. The earliest settlers 
frequently enjojed the privilege of eating a 
delicious piece of bear steak. Although this 
meat is said to have a peculiar flavor, it is also 
said to be excellent. Adventures with bears 
and other wild animals are narrated. Among 
the noted hunters were Henrj- Willard and 
Daniel Truby. These men are said to have 
killed large numbers of bears. It is stated 
that Truby, on one occasion, killed four bears 
in almost as many minutes. He was a •• dead 
shot, " and was able to cock his rifle, raise it to 
his ej'e. take aim, and fire, in one motion. He 
apparently used his mouth for a bullet-pouch, 
as whenever he wanted a bullet it was obtained 
from that locality. It is stated that he was 
hunting one day on Sugar Creek, and, while 
walkiuii along with ear and eve on the alert to 



¥^ 



>LGA1{ CKEEK TOWNSHIP. 



detect the presence of any desircfl jrame. his 
attention was arrested bv an unusual noise in 
a ravine near him. r^omethinsr seemed to be 
rnstlino: the dead leaves, and. as cautiously as 
an Indian, the hunter approached the spot to 
ascertain the cause. He reached the brink of 
the ravine, and peered over, and saw a large 
mother bear and two half-<rrown cubs. The 
mother was pawin«r up the leaves, and appar- 
ently covering some object with them, while 
the cubs rolled idly on the autumn- leaves. 
The hunter coolly took deliberate aim. and. as 
the sharp report rang out on the air. the mother 
fell to the ground, with a bullet through her 
head, in tlie agonies of death. The cubs ran 
to their de.id mother for that protection never 
before denic<l them, but the hunter (piickly 
dispatched them in turn by rapid shots from 
his unerring rifle. Mr. Truby was no novice at 
bear-hunting, and he well knew that Mr. Bear 
could not be far distant. He. therefore, con- 
cealed himself and patiently awaited the ap 
pearance of the bear whose family had been 
ruthlessly murdered. After two or more hours, 
and just before dark, he heard a shuffling in 
the leaves below him in the ravine, and a few 
moments later saw a large bear approaching. 
It came slowly on. and. when within aliout 
fifteen rods of the spot where its family had 
been left, it placed its fore-feet on a fallen tree, 
and. after sniffing the air a few times, uttered a 
peculiar whine. Not receiving the exppcte<l 
answer from its mate, it movetl on rapidly 
toward the scene of the tragedy. It reached 
the spot, and moved around among its kindred 
dead. and. aa Mr. Truby thought it might start 
off suddenly and elude him. he fired, giving it 
a mortal wound, and. walking up. gave it a sec- 
ond shot that stretched it dead on the leaves 
beside its family. 

It is related of Henry Willard that, on one 
occasion, he kille<l a mother bear and two cubs 
under the following circumstances ; He owned 
a fine heifer, which ran in the woods with other 
cattle, and was the pride of its owner. While 
at his mill, on Sugar Creek, one day. he heard 
his heifer liawling as if in the greatest distress. 
He snatche<l up his rifle and ammunition in a 
hurry, and ran out through the wcxhIs toward 
the spot, rightly surmising the cause of the dis- 
turbance. As he approached the spf>t on the 
run. he saw that a large liear had thrown his 
heifer to the ground, and was busv tearing it 



with teeth and claws, despite the continued 
bawlings of the unfortunate animal. Mr. 
Willard did not hesitate long what to do. He 
took quick aim. and sent a bullet through the 
bear's head. The cubs were also immediately 
shot. The poor heifer, to the great sorrow of 
its owner, was so terribh' torn and lacerated 
that it was found necessary to shoot it. It 
was a long time before Mr. Willard recovered 
■from his wrath. 

With the multiplication of settlers, industries 
began to spring up in various parts of the town- 
ship, to supply much-needed articles nearer 
home. As early as 1810. Henry Willard built 
a grist-mill on Sugar Creek. It was a frame 
building, about thirty feet square, and two sto- 
ries in height. A Ijig dam wa.s built across the 
creek, and the mill was supplied with water by 
means of a race, in the usual manner. A large 
breast-wheel coramunicate<l motion to the ma- 
chiuerv. by means of rude wooden shafting. 
Two sets of '• nigger-head " stones wei-e placed 
in the mill, one for wheat and the other for corn. 
A pas'ing patronage was early obtained, which 
steadily increased as time advancetl. This mill 
was of great value to the settlers in the township; 
it saved troublesome journeys to distant places, 
and added to the attractiveness of the township 
as a place in which to reside. After it had 
continued in operation some fifteen or twenty 
years, a .^Ir. Bell assumed ownership and con- 
trol of the mill, which was enlarged and im- 
proved, and a saw-m II. to be run by water from 
the same dam. was erected. Mr. Bell also 
built an extension to the grist-mill, in which 
was placed machinery necessary for carding, 
spinning, weaving and dressing cloth. This 
occupation was followed quite extensively, in 
connection with the running of the grist-mill 
and saw-mill, for some half dozen years, when 
Mr. Bells mysterious death caused it to slop. 
It is said that .Mr. Bell was in the habit of 
di inking to excess : and one day he was found 
dead on the road leading to a neighboring dis- 
tillery. His head was found immersed in a 
small creek, and it was surmise<l that he had 
become drunk, and. having fallen into the creek, 
was drowned. Some whisper of foul play, but 
this view is probably erroneous. The carding 
mill was not abandoned, but Mr. Bell's two 
sons. Phillip and (Je<jrge. continued the three 
mills many years. At last the factory was 
abandoned, and some ten vears ago the saw- 






flse 



HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY. 



mill was also permitted to run down. Some 
twenty-five or tbirty years ago, the entire prop- 
erty' passed to Jonathan Barr, wlio has owned 
it ever sinee. The grist-mill has been greatly 
improved in every way during the long years 
of its continuance. It lias the reputation of 
having no superior in the county. Custom 
work was abandoned some years since, and the 
mill at present has an enormous merchant trade. 
The quality of Hour produced has uo superior 
in the market. Henr^- Oroniuger built a distil- 
ler}- at an early da^', about half a mile north of 
the mill. He owned two copper stills, each 
having a capacit}' of about twent3--five gallons. 
Whisky was distilled on shares, at the rate of 
from one to three barrels per day, and, after 
probably ten or twelve years, the enterprise 
was permitted to die. This was, probably, the 
most extensive distillery ever in the township. 
It was not the on 13- one by several odds. 

A Mr. King built a saw-mill near the center 
of the township, at an early day. It was located 
on a small stream called King's Run. and, for 
a number of j'ears, did good work. John Edgar 
also built and operated one a few years later. 
Tills was located on Sugar Creek, above the 
King's Mill. It was an excellent mill in its 
time, and ran until a few years ago. There 
were a few other saw-mills in the township in 
earlj' 3'ears. A man named Kilgore owned and 
operated a grist-mill in the township many 
years ago. It is said that at one time in early 
years, there were no less than seven distilleries 
in the township, the owners being Henry Croniii- 
ger, Jacob Grounds, Joseph Bechtel, and four 
others whose names are forgotten. Several of 
them did quite a lively business in honor of 
Bacchus. 

Four villages have sprung up in the town- 
ship. Justus Station dates its beginning from the 
time the Tuscarawas Valley & Wheeling Rail- 
road was completed, some nine or ten years 
ago. There are four or five dwellings, a large 
frame United Brethren Church, and one or two 
stores in the village. George Wilhelm has 
quite a respectable store there. In time, the 
village will secure a population of several 
hundred. Plainsburg was first known as Stam- 
baughtown, named for Henrj' Stambaugh, a 
Justice of the Peace and pettifogger, who re 
sided there with several of his grown sons. 
He owned a farm, and in time a tailor named 
Conrad opened a shop there and began work in 



his line, as did also a cabinet-maker named 
Sprankle. The little village, if such it can be 
properly' termed, has been known b^' a variety 
of names, some of which it has refused point- 
edlj' to recognize. In tlie estimation of the 
residents there, some villian of the darkest d^-e 
bestowed upon the unpretentious village the 
peculiarly suggestive cognomen ■ Slabtovvn," 
This met with stern and uncompromising op- 
position on the part of the villagers, who looked 
upon the man as an impostor, and his conduct 
as a delusion and a snare. Latterly, to the joy 
of the villagers, the name Plainsburg has pre- 
vailed. Within the last few ^-ears, Plainsburg 
has attained considerable prominence as a berry 
producing locality. Large quantities of rasp- 
berries, strawberries, blackberries and grapes 
are produceil annually, and shipped from the 
railroad station at Beach City to distant points. 
Beach City had its origin with the erection of 
the Willard grist-mill in 1816. This, together 
with Mr. Willard's residence, and the residence 
and distillery of Henry Croninger, constituted 
what was then known as Willard's Mills, until 
1830, approximately, when Mr. Bell, who then 
assumed ownership of the mill, opened a small 
store, in which was placed a stock of goods 
valued at perhaps $300. After this, largely 
through the influence of the Bell family, several 
families locatetl at what then became known as a 
little village by the name of Bells Mills. P. V. 
Bell became a prominent man largely on account 
of his pecuniar^' influence. As has been said, he 
greall}- improved the old Willard grist-mill, 
and began doing merchant work, hauling the 
flour in a six-horse wagon to the canal, whence 
it was con\'eyed to market. He was respected 
and trusted by the people, who loaned their 
money to him without a dout)t that it would be 
forthcomingaecording to agreement. The store 
was conducted on an extensive scale from a 
fine general assortment of goods valued at 
about $8,000. But, notwithstanding Mr. Bell's 
honest intention, he finally failed in business, 
and his creditors received little or nothing for 
their pains to accommodate. But the farmers 
in the neighborhood did not relish the idea of 
having no store at the mills ; so they formed a 
sort of stock coinpiiny. with a paid-up capital 
of some .><7,<M))I. ;iik1 invested this amount in 
goods, placing in the store two men, who came 
well recommended, to dispose of the goods. 
Things progressed smoothly for a few years. 



■,v 



Vv 



SIGAR CHEEK TOWNSHIP. 



537 



when suddenly, like a clap of tlmnder in a 
clear skj-, the sad news flashed abroad that tlu; 
enterprise had collapsed. Eastern creditors 
caiue forward, and the two clerks, with vvell- 
Hlled purses and eyes no doubt undergoing a 
series of chronic winks, pushed with greater 
haste and secres\' for the West than accorded 
with their usual demure movements. Assign- 
ees were appointed by the court, the stock- 
holders were called on for an additional sum of 
money, and in a short space of time the •• stock- 
store " was a sorrowful remembrance of the 
past. Getty & Converse, with a portion of the 
same goods, about ?;],r)(J(( worth, carried on a 
store for a short lime, and then sold to 
Col. lliraui Heed, who continued a few years, 
securing, in the meantime, a post office at the 
village, lie flnallj' closed his goods out at 
auction. Welty & Weitmer opened a store 
eight or ten years ago, but soon afterward 
failed and made an assignment. About this 
time Eli Ax built a brick building at a cost of 
some $2,500. placing in one apartment about 
$4,(100 worth of goods, consisting of groceries 
and provisions. Drs. A3-ers, Kobiuett and 
David Crise opened a drug-store some six years 
ago. William Hatt' has a $2,000 clothing store. 
Hiram Brown has a $5,000 drug-store. John 
Hoss opened a hardware store tv\o years ago. 
Hay & Felro ha\e a line dry goods store. 
Henry Rose l)uilt a large tavern about nine 
years ago. It has changed owners many times 
since. William Agler is at present keeping 
hotel in another building. Thus the village 
has two hotels, (ieorge Crise owns a plaining 
mill, which was built and started seven years 
ago bv four men. Mr. Linn is a saddler. Fel- 
lows Brothers have a wagon-shop. Kyle 
Brothers built a large gristmill last summer, 
placing therein three sets of stone. They have 
alreaily ({uite a custom trade. The motor is 
steam. J. .M. Shetler built a warehouse about 
eight years ago. He buys and ships consider- 
able grain. Mr. Bell, also, in his time, carried 
on the warehouse business. Beaeh City was 
not properly laid out and recorded until the 
presence of the railroad rendered this necessarj'. 
At this time, J. M. Shetler, who owned the land 
where the business portion of the village now 
sUuids, secured the services of Amos Woodling, 
8tark County Surveyor, and in March, 1872, 
laid out thirty-eight lots of the usual size. 
Two additions have since been made bv Mr. 



Shetler. one of forty -one lots and the other of 
i seventy-three, making a total of 152 lots. The 
] lots were sold for prices ranging from $100 to 
$200. The town was named in honor of an 
I engineer on the Valley Railroad. The name 
j Streatorville, for a railroad otlicial, came very 
j nearly being liestowed upon the village. It is 
I a livel3- little place, and has a population, 
I according to the census of 1880, of 282. 

Wilmot is a much older town than Beach 
City. It was laid out by Jacob and Henry 
Wyant, owners and proprietors, in April, 1830. 
Fifty-seven lots were laid out by John Whit- 
acre, County Surveyor, to which additions 
were afterward made. George Pfouts opened 
the first store there, near the time the village 
was laid out. He started with a few hundred 
dollars' worth of goods, but at the expiration 
of a few years sold out, or at least removed his 
goods, anil was succeeded by George Frease. 
John Frease owned the store soon after this, 
and finally it passed into the control of J. & J, 
Frease, who conducted it until near 1850, when 
the old stock was purchased by Weimer & 
Hurrah, who increased it, and three years later 
sold to VN'elly & Jarvis. Samuel Jarvis owned 
the store about 1850, and then sold to Sager & 
Gilmore. A year later, .Mr. Wyant took Mr. 
Gilmore's place, and the partnership continued 
thus until some time during the last war, when 
Sager abandoned the enterprise and Wyant 
continues it yet. Shunk & Bash owned a store 
in Wilmot, beginning about 1805. Last year 
their stock was closed out at auction. Putnam 
& Wyant own a store in the village at pri!sent. 
A post office was located at the village about 
the time it was first laid out. (ieorge Pfouts 
being the first Postmaster. Wyant & Putnam 
began conducting a foundry and repair-shop 
not far from 1830, manufacturing plows, stoves, 
hollow-ware, and various other useful articles 
and implements. Motion for the machinery 
was secured by means of a large tread-wheel, 
upon which cattle or horses were obliged to 
walk — a sorry life for the dumb brutes. These 
partners continued the business until the death 
of Mr. Wyant, when the ownership passed to 
Putnam, Johnson & Co. These men extended 
the scope of the enterprise, and altered it in 
man^- essential respects. This was about 184(5, 
and at this time the^' began manufacturing 
threshing machines. The machine was not a 
separator, as it sim|)ly beat the grain from the 



^Tv^ 



HISTORY OF .STARK COUNTY. 



straw. Five or six years later they began man- 
ufacturing the well-known " Pitt Separator," 
then looked upon as a model of ingenious in- 
vention and execution. The companj' did a 
lively manufacturing business, and about the 
beginning of the last war, added the '• Excelsior 
Reaper and Mower " to their catalogue of man- 
ufactures. It is said that more than a hundred 
were constructed annually, and sent for sale to 
various parts of the country. Departments of 
the undertaking have been abandoned during 
the years since 1830. About five years ago, 
the construction of reapers, mowers and thresh- 
ers was discontinued, and the enterprise is at 
present limited to the mnnufac^ture of hay rakes, 
hay loaders, a few thresliers, ;i few plows, and 
perhaps a small quantity of hollow ware. Be- 
tween twenty and thirty workman have been 
employed by this conipauy at one time. In 
about the year 1850, James Alleu established 
a cabinet-shop at Wilmot, and began manufact- 
uring considerable furniture, and also a clover- 
huller of his owu patent, which sold in large 
numbers readily at $05 each. Tims the occu- 
pation was continued until about 1852, when 
under a patented improvement, Mr. Allen be- 
gan preparing his "huller and separator." He 
ceased the construction of this machine about 
the beginning of the last war, and after con- 
tinuing an exclusive cabinet br.siness a few- 
years, sold his machinery to the planing-mill 
company. Lentz & Co. established a woolen 
factory in the village about the year 1850. 
The3- erected a large, two-storied frame build- 
ing, and began carding, fulling, siiinning, weav- 
ing, dressing and dyeing cloth. Charges were 
made for so much per yard. A small stock of 
yarns, flannels, satinets. l)lankets, eassimeres, 
etc.. was kept in store for sale. In about 1853. 
.Samuel Toomey began a general blacksmithing 
and carriage-making business in Wilmot. He 
constructed large numbers of light carriages 
and buggies for ten or twelve years, and then 
removed to Dover, since which his business j 
has assumed gigantic i)roportions. When he 
first began the industry, he charged parties to 
whom he sold his buggies, not to permit more 
than two persons to ride in one at a time. It 
is said that these identical buggies, yet in run- 
ning order, are capable of carrying 1,500 pounds, 
Heminger, Bash & Co. owned and conducted 
a large plaining-mill a number of years ago. 
This was disposed of a few years later, and 



finally, some years ago, D. Rust & Co. erected 
a mill of the same kind. This was afterward 
destroyed bj' fire, but immediately rebuilt. 
Hurrah & Co. built a grist-mill in 1873, begin- 
ning a fair custom trade with three sets of stone. 
Since 1870, merchant work has been done. 
Putnam Brothers bought the mill a few j'ears 
ago. and greatly improved it. The motor is 
steam ; and the flour is shipped by wagon to 
Beach City, whence it is conveyed to market 
by rail. Wilmot was laid out and recorded as 
Milton. A change in name was finally effected, 
but the exact date when this was accomplished 
is not given. Much more might be said to the 
credit of the little village of Wilmot. 

The schools of Sugar Creek did not spring 
into life and activity as early as those in otiier 
portions of the county, obviously from the fact 
of the township's later settlement. There is 
much doubt and speculation concerning the 
first school taught, and it is not pretended that 
its location or date of commencement will be 
given with mathematical accuracj'. A log 
schoolhouse, with huge fire-place and chimney, 
rough clapboard seats and desks, and heavy 
puncheon floor, stood in Wilmot in 1825. It 
was probably erected as early as 1820. as sev- 
eral large families were living in that immedi- 
ate vicinity at that date. Some eight or ten 
years later, the old house was replaced by a 
neat frame building. This was used, if recol- 
lection is correct, until about the year 1838 or 
1840. when a small brick schoolhouse usurped 
the rights of the old one. This brick house 
cost about *2,000, and was used continuously 
until some ten or twelve years ago, at which 
time the present house was constructed at a 
cost of about .$7,000. The house is a fine brick 
structure, and three ter.chers are employed to 
teach the youth who assemble there to learn 
the way of the wise. 

The schoolhouse at Beach City is a large, 
.square frame building two stories in height, 
and was constructed at a cost of $2,500. It 
was erected a few years ago. A maximum 
price of $2.50 per day is paid teachers, and 
about 1 10 scholars are enrolled. It is thought 
by several, and this view is probably cor- 
rect, that the first school in the township 
was taught in the Grounds' neighborhood by 
.Jacob (irounds, Mr, Grounds is known to have 
taught school, and it is not probable that he 
would allow his children to grow up about him 



SUCJAH CRKKK TOWNSIIIR 



529 



unlettered. He very likely taught eitiier in his 
own cabin, or in one that had been abandoned 
by some pioneer family. The schoolhouse at 
Paddy Nelson's Corners was built as early as 
1830. or. perhaps, it was only partially built. 
In the process of construction, when the house 
was about two-thirds completed, the settlers in 
that neighborhood who were interested, dis- 
obeyed the behest of Dr. Watts. They (|uar- 
reled. and the house was neglected. What 
troubled them was its location. All could not 
be suited, and disappointed ones were mad as 
March hares inconsequence. It is said the god 
Moraus was so addicted to fault-finding that, 
when the first man, Prometheus, was created, 
the gotl objected to him because there was not 
a window in his breast, through which his 
thoughts might be seen. At last, when Aphro- 
dite was created, .so perfect was she that the 
god Momus vexed himself to death because 
there was nothing with which to lind fault. It 
is said that some of the quarrelsome settlers 
above mentioned were almost equally as 
troubled. The house was completed, but when 
a new one was to be built some six or eight 
years later, the same opinions and desires 
clashed as they had before. At last, Mr. 
Fisher arose in the school-meeting, and, by a 
happy thought, proposed in extended and ap- 
propriate remarks, that a portalile house be 
built, and made a motion, amidst great laugh- 
ter to that effect. This had the eflect of clear- 
ing the clouded minds of the settlers, removing 
their selfish prejudices, and quickening int<j life 
their fund of reason and common sense. The 
result was that a house was speedily built, but 
it was not portable. Another house was built 
a number of years later, but was shortly after- 
ward destroyed by fire. Another was built, 
and it was also burned to the ground. Then 
the present house was erected. Take it all in 
all, the district has had (piile a time with its 
school, has it not ? From 1815 to 1830, the 
various school districts were created and pro- 
1 vided with schoolhouses. It may be truly said, 
in conclusion, that the township is well supplied 
with good schools. 

The church historj- of the township is fully 
as indefinite as the school history. The United 
Brethren and the Methodist Episcopal denomi- 
nations each have a fine brick church at Beach 
City. They were both built in 1875 at a cost, 
each, of about $4,500. The two buildings 



look very much alike. Each has a fair congre- 
gation, and l)otli are doing well. The Weimer 
Church (United Brethren) is said to have been 
built as early as 1S25. It was a log building 
at first, and was used as a combined church, 
schoolhouse. town-hall, etc.; but at last, in 
about 1835. it was burned. The present house 
has been used since. The Bose Church 
(Lutheran) was constructed at an early day of 
logs. It had a strong congregation at first, 
but after a time the raemljership became so 
small that the meetings were irregular, or per- 
haps were totally discontinued for a lime. The 
present frame liouse was built about thirtj- 
three years ago. The Welty Church (IJnited 
Brethren) was built nearly thirty years ago. 
It began with a membership that was in earn- 
est, and soon the society was in fine financial 
condition. It has been one of the best churches 
in the townshij). The Baptist Church, toward 
the northein part, was built at least forty years 
ago, but did not continue longer than .about 
twenty years. On still farther north is the Bun- 
ker Hill Church (Methodist Episcopal), which is 
said to have been built first some fifty years ago. 
It has not been used for the last thirty years. 
The Lutheran (^liurch, at the cross-roads, was 
first built of logs about fifty-five years ago. 
This was afterward replaced by a frame church. 
The Evangelical Church was built some forty 
years ago, and has lieen used until the present. 
It is yet a good church. The Methodists used 
to hold services in this house, but now they 
have one of their own. The United Brethren 
built a churcii in 1870 whic-h cost about $3.0iHI. 
The Albrights also built a church some twenty 
years ago. No country township in the county 
has a greater opportunity for religions privileges 
than Sugar Creek, ('hurciies are found numer- 
ous as people are found moral. They are 
never built until the need of them is felt. 
Before a church was built in the township, 
various religious societies were instituted, and 
meetings were conducted in the settlers' cabins. 
It is said that in early years, a revival was held 
at the cabin of John Weimer for six cousecu- 
tive weeks, the most intense religious enthusi- 
asm prevailing throughout the neighborhood at 
the time. Similar revivals were held in other 
residences. Surrounded with such inlluences, 
and directed by such teachers, it is no wonder 
that the children grew up with love in their 
: hearts for God and mankind. 



.fr 



jdf 



HISTOKY OF STARK COUNTY. 



CHAPTER XXVI.* 

PIKE TOWNSHIP— TOPOGRAPHICAL FEATURES— liOINDARlES AM) OKGAM/ATION— SKTTI.EMKNT 
BY THE WHITES— HARD TIMES — PIONEER INCIDENTS — SCHOOLS 
AND CHURCHES — VILLAGE, ETC, ETC. 



" So centuries passed by, and still tlic woods 

lilossoincd in S|iiinj;', and rrddcncd wlien the veal' 
Ori'W rinll, and ;;'listciird in the frozen rains 
Of Winler, till tlie wliite man swung the a.\ 
Within them — siirnal of a mighty eliange." 

— Brt/ant. 
A SECOND and a third generation are now 
xV. enjoying the fruits that resulted from the 
toils and perils of their industrious and frugal 
ancestors. And what a contrast between cir- 
cumstances and appearances then and now ! 
The tangled forest is gone ; the beasts of prey 
that were wont to prowl through its gloomy 
depths, have disappeared : the war-whoop of 
the savage is no longer heard — his wigwams 
ha\(' wasted away by the rot of time, and his 
council-fires were long since extinguished by 
the light of civilization. The white man came 
and waved his wand over the landscape, and all 
was changed, as if by a touch of Aladdin's 
wonderful lamp. Fertile fields bloomed in the 
glory of bountiful harvests, smiling gardens 
sprang up, commodious dwellings arose, school- 
houses were built, edifices were erected and 
dedicated to the worship of Almighty God. 
Indeed, science and culture have wrought a 
grand transformation. Had these multitudi- 
nous changes been foreshadowed to the simple 
pioneer seventy-five years ago, he would have 
been dumbfounded, and would not have believed, 
"though one had risen from the grave" to 
proclaim them to him. And in no part of Stark 
County has the march of civilization left plainer 
or broader traces than in the section to which 
this chapter is devoted. The pioneer, with his 
rude haliits and surroundings, have given place 
to all the modern inventions and improvements 
that go to make life pleasant and labor a pas- 
time ; and where, three-quarters of a centur3' 
ago, our ancestors found an unbroken forest, 
we find to-day the most productive and fertile 
hills. 

Pike Township lies in the extreme southern 

* Contribulfd bv W. H, Terrin. 



part of the county, and is bounded on the north 
by Canton Township, on the east by Sandy 
Township, on the south by Tuscarawas County, 
on the west by Bethlehem Township, and, by 
the census of 1880, had 1 ,500 inhabitants. The 
surface of the township is very uneven, and much 
of it may even be termed hill}'. Says a writer 
in the Canton Rcposit<iry: " Pike Township is 
sometimes called the Switzerland of Stark 
County, from a fancied resemblance in minia- 
ture to that rough and mountainous country of 
which we read in geography. People who live 
in the more level portions of the country won- 
der, as the}- climb the steep hills of Pike, and 
descend into tlie low valleys, whatever possessed 
the early settlers to select such land, when 
there was so much that was level to be had at 
(Jovernment price. And what is stranger still, 
that the present inhabitants should continue to 
slave themselves and horses plowing up and 
down and around the hills, among the stumps 
and stones, when the rich prairies of the West 
offer such an inducement to migrate ; but 

"There is a divinity tliat shapes oui ends," etc., 

and that is the reason that Hannah continues 
to smoke, and follow in the footsteps of her 
mother and grandmother, and Jacob to plow 
among the hills. The hills of Pike are under- 
laid with wealth, however, such, as their outer 
surface have never yielded. In the language 
of Col. Mulberry Sellers, "there's millions in 
them." Coal mining is already carried to a 
considerable extent, and though there is no 
means of transportation but wagons, yet all 
that is rained finds a ready market in Canton. 
With convenient railroad facilities, the wealth 
of Pike's black diamonds would prove immense. 
The agricultural resources of the township lie 
principall}' in raising corn, wheat and grass, 
although some attention is paid to stock-raising. 
The land is drained by the Nimishillen, Sandy 
and Limestone Creeks, and their numerous 



^ 



riKE TOWNSHIP. 



531 



branches. The Nimishitlen passes through the 
eastern part from north to south: the Limestone 
rises near the center, and tlows soutli into the 
Sandy, which merely touches tlie southwest 
corner of the township. The timber consists 
principally of oali. hickory, sugar maple, beech, 
walnut, elm, etc. The township has no railroad, 
and lint one small village. 

The first permanent settlements made in 
what is known as Pike Township are credited 
to (ieorge Young. .James Eakins. John Sluitt 
and Jacob Kemer\ . Of Eakins. Shult and 
Kemery, but little is remembered. Kakins 
settled on the farm occupied by James Evans, 
about 1808. Sluitt lived to tlie age of ninety- 
two, and Kemery eighty-four years. Young 
was a native of Maryland, and when very young 
went to Somerset Co., Penn., where he married at 
the early age of nineteen years, on the author- 
ity of tlie Bible, perhaps, that '■ it is not well 
for man to be alone." Residing for a few years 
in Pennsylvania, he emigrated to Ohio and 
stopped in Jett'ersou County. He remained 
here several years, and, having accumulated a 
sufHcienc3' of worldly wealth to purchase a 
couple of horses and a few agricultural imple- 
ments and other actual necessities, he, in 180G, 
decided to come to Stark County, He leased a 
piece of land lying in Section 9 of Pike Town- 
siiip. of tlie owner, who lived in Jeffer.son 
County. With provisions to last them on the 
journey, and their clothing packed on one of 
the horses, while his wife, who had a young 
baby, rode the other, he set out for his new 
home. With his trusty rifle as a means of de- 
fense antl of pnxuiring food, he trudged on foot, 
leading the pack horse through the wilderness, 
and along Indian trails. Reaching his land, he 
at once proceeded to construct a shelter of 
poles and lirusli. to serve as a protection from 
storms and wild beasts, and as a lodging-place 
at nights. His nearest neighbors were John 
Nichols, then building a mill on the Xiraishillen, 
four miles to the northwest, and John Farbcr, 
whose land was in Tuscarawas County, adjoin- 
ing the boundary line of Pike, distant five 
miles. 

The incidents in the life of this pioneer 
family- would form a volume of interesting 
reading matter. They worked together for 
weeks, clearing ground and preparing it for a 
crop. At night, until the horses became suf- 
ficiently used to the place not to stray awaj-. 



the^' were tethered, and lived and grew fat on 
the wild pea vines which grew abundantly, and 
wild grxss. After completing his sowing and 
planting, .Mr. Young returned, with his wife, to 
Jetterson County, to harvest a wheat crop in 
whii;h he had an interest. After the wheat was 
taken care of, he sold his share, thus securing 
means with which he purchased a cart, and a 
load of produce, such as corn, salt, whiskey, 
tobai'co. etc, I'pon becoming the owner of all 
this property, a feeling of pride came over him. 
ecpial, perhaps, to a king who acquires a new 
province. While in Jefferson County, looking 
after his wheat crop, his wife found a home for 
herself and child with the settlers, and, liy 
hiring to them to weave, not only supported 
herself and child, but made some money be- 
sides. When read^' to return to Pike, Mr. 
Y^oung put his horses to his cart, loaded in his 
stock of goods, made his way back to his new 
home, cutting his way through the forest after 
crossing the Sandy, He now built a log cabin 
of the usual pioneer style, constructed some 
rude furniture, which served for their wants. 
Persons were ncA choice then about their hou.se- 
hold furnishings, and black walnut furniture 
and Brussels carpets were luxuries not yet in- 
vented. A puncheon served for a table, blocks 
for chairs, and a 'sugar trough" for a cradle 
or a " bread tray," as circumstances required. 
The first winter spent by the Youngs in 
Pike was a long, dreary one, and little 
could be done out-doors, except to cut down 
trees and prepare firewood. They seldom 
saw the face of a white man -indeed. Crusoe 
on his de.scrt island was not more lonely, 
or more exileil from human ;iid or human inter- 
course. Indians were roaming over the country, 
and often called for something to eat. They 
were harmless. Imt would frequently frighten 
the women whc^n alone. .\n incident is told of 
Mrs. Farber, who, going out one evening about 
dusk, with a crock of milk, to put in some cool 
place to keep for their breakfast next morning, 
found herself upon opi'uing the do(jr and step- 
ping out, face to face with a burly Indian. This 
so frightened the good woman that she dropped 
the crock of milk and fled into the cabin, 
screaming at the top of her voice. The savage 
enjoyeil the joke intensely - much more than 
she did — walked into the cabin and made him- 
self quite at home, but harmed no one, 

Mr. Young lived on this leased land until 



533 



HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY. 



1811, when, bj' the closest economy, he had 
accumulated enough to enter the northwest 
quarter of Section 21, and upon which he 
erected a cabin. He improved the place, and 
opened up a farm ujjon which he lived until his 
death, but a few years ago, at the age of nine- 
t3-seven years. During the war of 1812, he 
was drafted three times, eacii time furnishing a 
substitute. While soldiers were encamped at 
Canton and Wooster, he furnished them beef 
cattle. He kept a store at iiis residence for 
many years, from which he furnished the set- 
tlers such articles as were most needed — such 
as salt, iron, nails, glass, leather, etc. Mr. 
Young was of German extraction, and, like 
many of the uneducated of that race, was a 
little disposed to believe in supernatural agen- 
cies. He believed firmly in witches and witch- 
craft, and, to the fact of his being '■ left-handed, " 
he attributed his power over them, and held 
firmly to the opinion that they were unable to 
gain an ascendency over him. He bought a 
book from somebody in Canton which he de- 
clared told how to control witches and other 
evil spirits. He grew out of these views, how- 
ever, as civilization broadened and deepened, 
and he became more enlightened, and lived and 
died respected and regretted by a large circle 
of friends and acquaintances. 

Another of the prominent pioneer families 
of Pike Township was that of Jonathan Cable, 
who settled here in 1811. He was from Somer- 
set Co., Penn., and entered the southeast quar- 
ter of Section 27, which he commenced to im- 
prove. With the help of a hired man, he put 
up a cabin and cleared and plowed five acres 
of ground, which he sowed in wheat. He had 
lived in Jefferson Co. the year previous, and 
had brought provisions enough with him to last 
while building his caliin. and during in- 
clement weather he spent the nights in 
Young's cabin. In the spring of 1812, he 
moved his family to his new possessions, 
but had scarcely become settled when a 
notice was served upon him that he had been 
drafted into the United States service, and that 
he must appear at a certain place on a certain 
day, properly "armed and equipped according 
to law," or furnish a substitute. Here was- a 
"go," and what to do in such a trying scene 
was a rather puzzling question. They were 
comparatively alone in the wilderness ; Mrs. 
Cable had three small children, the eldest less 



than five years of age ; neighbors were " few 
and far between ; " rumors of Indian depreda- 
tions were thick and exciting, and the thoughts 
of being left alone under these trying circum- 
stances were too terrible to contemplate. Mrs. 
Cable, who seems to have been in this family 
not only •' the power behind the throne, " but 
the " power that was greater than the throne 
itself," determined to try what could be done. 
She went to work, and finailj' succeeded in 
hiring a substitute, for which she paid $60 — a 
sum of money she had sa^■ed up while keeping 
tavern in Jefferson Co. The substitute had no 
gun, and she was thus forced to part with their 
trusty rifle, which caused more regret than 
parting with the $00, for she had become an 
adept in the use of it, and could bring down a 
turkey or deer at as long range as most of the 
men. But she kept her husl)and at home, and 
there was consolation in that. She is repre- 
sented as a woman of whom there are few, if 
any, representatives left. A local writer upon 
the early history of Pike, terms her the - last 
of the old guard," a compliment deserved of 
her. It is said that she would, after she had 
put her children to bed at night, go out with 
her husband, assist him in rolling logs, piling 
and burning brush ; that she could split rails, 
build fence, cut cord-wood, etc., and that in the 
harvest field she made a regular hand. We 
are not an advocate of women perlbrming (or 
attempting to perform) men's woi'k, nor in 
favf)r of making field hands of the fair sex ; 
but we do glory in a woman who, when 
emergencies arise requiring it, can become, in 
deed and in truth, a helpmeet to her husband. 
Mr. Yant, of Pike Township, has the following 
of Mrs, Cable in a communication to the coun- 
ty- papers a few years ago : " 31rs. Cable's 
maiden name was Crise. Her mother died 
when she was five da3S old. She was such a 
diminutive little mortal that her father said it 
was useless to expect to raise her. She was, 
however, taken by Mrs. Henlinc, and developed 
into the hardy woman we have described. She 
is in the enjoyment of good health, possesses a 
retentive memory, and is in her eighty-fifth 
year. I am indebted to her for a number of 
facts and incidents in those sketches. " 

Mr. (able died in 1848. Mr. Yant gives the 
following incident of him : " Jonathan Cable 
built a dozen or more cabins for the settlers, 
and generally camped out while at work. Up- 




^^^ytr^XjMcTT^ -^,2) 



PIKE TOWXSIIIP 



533 



on one of these occasions, when Mr. Hippie and 
one his boys were lielping at this work, the 
wolves surrounded them in great numbers after 
night, wliile laying by the fire. The bo\- became 
much alarmed, but .Mr. Cable tooii a fire-brand 
in each hand, ran in among tliem,and dispersed 
the whole pack." One more incident of this 
pioneer couple, is related by the same authority: 
■ Mr. Cable worked a sugar camp on the east 
side of the Nimishillen, and Mrs. Cable would 
cross in a canoe, gather in the sugar water, and 
l>ring it over. Upon one of these occasions, 
the stream being high and the current 
rapid, she used a pole to push the canoe through 
the water, and while making the utmost exer- 
lion.s to head the craft against the stream, the 
end of the pole caught in her dress, and threw 
her out. The water took her up to her neck, 
l>ut she kept hold of the canoe and pushed it 
ashore." Mrs. Cable is described by those who 
know her, as " tall, of tine form. walk.s erect, a 
pleasant, intelligent countenance, hearing unim- 
paired and eyesight good." She is still living, 
and nearly ninety j-ears of age, hale and heart}', 
and bids fair to live many years longer. 

In 1812, the settlement was augmented bj- 
the arrival of Pitnej- Guest and Benjamin Mil- 
ler. Guest was Miller's son-in-law. and both 
families hailed from New Jersey. Miller was 
a Revolutionary soklier, and served mostl}' 
under (Jen. Greene. He was wounded in an 
engagement with Cornwallis in North Carolina, 
Idit remained in the service until the war was 
over. They came to this township as above, 
and •'squatted ' on land in Section lit, sleeping 
in their wagons until they could get up a cabin. 
Miller died in 1828, and the old Revolutionary 
hero lies buried in the little graveyard at Sandy- 
ville. Guest was a shoemaker, and by working 
at his trade, and making and mending shoes for 
his neighbors, he was enabled to thus procure 
many of tlie necessaries of life. He had a 
monopol}- of the business, .as we learn there 
was no other 'cobbler" in the settlement for 
several years. He was drafted in the war of 
1812. in. the last call for troops, but peace was 
declared before he was ordered to the front. 
The first three years he spent in Pike Township, 
ho lived on Section 19. then sold his improve- 
ments for $100, and entered the northeast quar- 
ter of Section 7, the place now owned by his 
son. Washington Guest. The elder Mr. Guest 
was both a Justice of the Peace and a regularl}- 



ordained minister of the Baptist Church, and 
in the two official capacities he, perhaps, united 
more people in the holy bonds of wedlock than 
anj- other man in the county. He could do up 
the job according to the views of either the re- 
ligious believer or the Ingersollian skeptic — the 
one he would unite in his capacity as a minis- 
ter, and the other in that of a Justice of the 
Peace. He held the latter office for more than 
twenty years, and was a just and upright Judge. 
When parties came to him for "justice under 
the law," he invarial)lj' tried to compromise 
matters between them without a lawsuit, and in 
this manner prevented a great deal of bickering 
and hard feelmgs among his neighbors. He is 
descril)ed as a man of line appearance, sound 
judgment and more than ordinary intelligence. 
He was killed in 185(1, by l)eing thrown from a 
wagon during the running away of the team 
attached to it. His widow died in 1874, at the 
age of ninety-two years. During the year of 
Mr. Guest's settlement, Henry Bordner and 
Phillip Seffert came into the neighborhood. 
The\' were men of some enterprise and standing, 
and were both elected officers upon the organi- 
zation of the township. A daughter of Bord- 
uer's married her cousin, John P. Bordner, who 
was a great sport and hunter, and also a suc- 
cessful farmer for that earlj- period. 

From the year 1812 to 1815 the following set- 
tlers came in, the most of whom entered land 
and engaged in opening up farms : Amos Jan- 
ne}', John Russell, Michael Holm and his son 
John. George Fetters, Christian Hippie, John 
Bcchtel, Daniel Failer, Jo.scph Keel, tlie Hen- 
lines, Keysers, Schroyers, Weavers, Peter Hock- 
ersmith and the Howenstines. Of these we 
have not been able to learn much, beyond the 
fact of their early settlement. Janney laid out 
the town of Sparta, which will be again alluded 
to. He built a saw and grist-mill, the first in 
the township. The grist-mill was a rather 
primitive structure, but of great benefit and 
advantage to the settlers. Mr. Janney was an 
honest man — asurvc\'or — and is represented as 
a man who had an eye to business, but was ex- 
ceedingly careless in business details, and con- 
sequently' less prosperous than otherwise he 
might iiave been. Hi' finally removed to Indi- 
ana, where he died some years later. John 
Holm and his father. Michael Holm, came from 
Maryland, and purchased the northwest quarter 
of Section 8 from a man named Andrews. On 



;V" 



534 



IILSTOHY OF STARK COUNTY. 



the place is a fine spring, wliieh. in early times, 
was a great resort of Indians. Many arrow- t 
heads and other Indian trinkets are found in ; 
its vicinity. 

Prier Foster was a •■ wandering son of 
Ethiopia's fated race," and a well-known and 
well-remembered early settler in Pike Township, \ 
and the first of his race in Stark County. His 
face was blacker than a stoi-m-eloud, and his 
mouth reminded one of a coal-pit, set around 
the opening with marble slabs. He was mar- 
ried in the " Oberley Corner." bj- Squire Coulter, | 
in the year 1811, to a comely white girl, who is 
represented as " a girl of good sense and judg- 
ment, but of grossly perverted taste." Foster 
was a hard-working, industrious man, and 
possessed great physical strength. His trade 
was that of a miller, and he was often heard to 
say that he never saw the horse that could 
carry as much at one load as he could. The 
following incident is related of the Fosters : ! 
A stranger was passing Foster's house one day | 
and stopijed to inquire the way to a certain 
place. IMrs. Foster was alone, and in reply to 
the inquiry said. " My dear will soon be in. and 
he can tell you." Presently Foster made his 
appearance. The stranger in utter astonish- 
ment, looked at the husband and then at the 
wife, at a loss how to reconcile the incongruity. 
" Madam " said he, " did I understand yon to 
call that man your (Jem- ?" " Yes, sir, " she re- 
plied. " Well,'' said the stranger. " I'll be 

if he don't look to me more like a hear." 
Foster had a son named George, who was quite 
as black and quite as brawny as his father, who 
also married a white girl. Squire Guest was 
called upon to perform the marriage ceremony 
between them, but declined until he had con- 
sulted an attorney at Canton, after which he 
united them " for better or for worse.'' It is 
said that it takes all sorts of people to make a 
world, and we admit that it is a matter of some 
convenience that all people do not see alike. 

Other pioneer settlers of the township were 
Michael Worley, Jacob Miller. John Richaids. 
Jacob Flora, Michael Apley, John Carnes. Bart- 
ley Williams. John Newhouse, John Bernheim- 
er, Martin McKinney, Jacob Bowman. Daniel 
Pryan, the Princes, Hemmingers. John Stametz. 
the Painters, and others whose names are not 
remembered. After the close of the war of 
1812, emigrants came in so rapidly that it is 
impossible to keep trace of them, or to note 



the date of settlement of each family. It is 
enough to say in this place, that the flow of 
emigration continued to this township, this 
Switzerland of Stark County, until the last 
vacant quarter-section of land was gobbled up. 
The majority of its pioneers came from the old 
Keystone State, and were either Pennsylvania 
Dutch or Quakers. Their descendants form a 
portion of the best class of citizens of the 
county. 

A part of the history of Pike Township that 
should not be omitted, is the fact that it was 
long the home of a man who. as an editor and 
a writer of ability, has few equals and fewer 
superiors in the country. We allude to Hon. 
Joseph Medill. editor of the Chicago Trihimr. 
one of the ablest newspapers published in the 
Northwest. His father moved to Stark County 
in 1831. when he. the embryonic editor, was 
but seven years old. and thus the great journal- 
ist is not an " Ohio man. " as is claimed by 
many of his admirers in this section. Six of 
his brothers and sisters, however, were born in 
Stark County, and one sister and his mother, a 
lady now in her seventy-seventh year, still live 
here. His father died about ten years ago 
and lies buried- in the cemetery of Canton. 
Joseph worked on a farm in Pike Township 
some nine or ten years, when, in 1844-45. he 
began reading law with Hiram ftriswold, as he 
could spare time from his farm labors. Later 
he spent some months in the law office of E. H. 
Folger, of Massillon. finally finishing his studies 
with Judge and Seymour Belden, of New Phil- 
adelphia. In 1850, he laid down Blackstone. 
and took up the pen. and since that time his 
service in the party of his choice has been no 
child's work. From an awkward plowboy. he 
has gone on up the ladder of Fame, until he 
has become the editor-in-chief of one of the 
greatest newspapers in one of the greatest cities 
of the greatest country upon which the sun 
shines. 

It is not an easy matter in this day of plenty 
and of modern improvements and inventions 
to realize the great disadvantages under which 
the early settlers labored. In Pike Town.<hip, 
several neighbors would join together and load 
a canoe or " dugout " with their surplus produce, 
and float down the Nimishillen. Sandy and 
Tuscarawas to a place called the " station " and 
exchange their cargo for whisky, tobacco, iron, 
nails, salt, pepper, coflfee. etc. The return was 



PIKE TOWNSHIP. 



535 



a more serious affair, as rowing against the 
current was laborious work; and when corn 
was scarce they would take boat loads of iron 
from the " bloomery " at Sparla. down to 
Trichsville (Egypt as it was then called), and 
trade the iron for corn, which they would bring 
back to their settlement. Mr. Yant. in his 
sketches of Pike Township gives the following, 
pertaining to its early history' : " In those carl>- 
days bears, wolves, deer and a variety of other 
game was abundant, from which source the 
pioneer settlors supplied themselves : the 
streams also abounded with fish. James Eaken 
shot three bears, which were foraging on chest- 
nut trees, of the fruit of which they were very 
fond. He secured all three before he left the 
ground. Eli Miles lived iu ?andy Township. 
His wife. Mrs. Jlilcs. took her babe and started 
to make a visit to Edward Jackson's, in the 
south part of this township 'When she got a 
short distance south of Fpaita, night overtook 
her, and the wolves were upon her track. ?he 
sought a place of safely. Climbing a large 
tree, upon which u large limb had grown out, 
forming a seat, another just in the right posi- 
tion to rest her feet upon, and still another to 
sujiport her back ; just as comfortable a posi- 
tion as it would have been possible to find un- 
der such circumstances, and seeming almost to 
have been made for the special purpose to 
which it was now devoted. The wolves soon 
appeared, and one of the hungry pack stayed all 
niglit under the tree, and did not leave until 
daylight sent him to his lair. 3Irs. Allies had 
taken her apron and tied herself and child fast 
to the tree. After the wolf left, she came down 
from her retreat, and found herself near the 
neighbor's she was going to visit.' The fore- 
going but faintly portrays the life which the 
people lived in this section sixty to seventy 
years ago. They settled iu the wilderness, 
were poor and without means to provide the 
comforts of life even had they been accessible. 
Says Mr. Yant : ■ The early settlers generall}' 
had barely means sufficient to pay for a heme 
and necessary moving expenses, and destitute 
of means sufllcient to pay for supplies until 
crops could be raised ; many were put lo straits 
for breadstufls. Abundant supplies of wild 
meat could be procured at the proper season, 
by the use of the rifle : but flour and some ad- 
ditional necessaries cculd only be h;:d by going to 
the Ohio Piiver, and corn at the -Moravian set- 



tlements on the Muskingum. Mrs. Oeorge 
Young took a horse and went to Steubenville 
for supplies. During her absence the provisions 
were exhausted. Mr. Young went to James 
Eakins' for a pailful of meal, and gave the 
j)ail for the meal. AVhen the harvest came, his 
first crop of wheat was cut without bread. The 
wheat was beaten off and boiled in milk, as a 
substitute for the staff of life. 8uch shifts 
were then not uncommon." But it is unneces- 
sary to pursue further the life of the early set- 
tlers, and their mode of living. It was uni- 
versal in all sections of the country in the 
pioneer days. 

Originally, Pike and Bethlehem formed one 
townshij), and so remained for about two ye:ns. 
Previous to their organization into a township, 
they formed a part of Canton Township, They 
were separated from Canton on the Gth of 
I^Iarch, 18] 5, and an election ordered to be 
held at the house of Henry Bordner, on the 
1st da\' of April, At this election, Pitney 
Guest was elected Justice of the Peace, aud 
Abraham Sheplar Township Clerk. The next 
election, which was held in April, 18] 6. at 
the house of 'William Byder, resulted in the 
election of Abraham Yant and Amos Janprev, 
Trustees; Basil ThompEon, Treasurer; James 
Chapman and John Shutt.SujK'rvisors; Raman 
"N'anderston and 'U'illiam Eckler, Listers ; 
Henry ^lills and George Allman, Constables ; 
Jacob Anspach and Matthew Brothers, Fence 
Viewers; John 8hermaii and Henry Bordner, 
Overseers of the Poor, In December, 181G, 
Pike and Bethlehem were separated, and each 
became an independent township. Pike remain- 
ing from that time to the present day without 
further geographical changes. 

The first grist-mill in Pike Township was 
built by Amos Janny in ISld. or thereabouts. 
It was on the Nimishillen, a little below Sparta, 
and is described as a very primitive affair. 
The frame was four posts set in the ground, 
forked at the top, in which polos were laid to 
support the roof, which was of clap-boards. 
The sides were never weather-boarded. A 
water-wheel resting on two posts, similar to 
those in the frame of the building, a driving- 
wheel attached to the shaft, and a •■turner- 
head," composed the gearing of the concern, 
A pair of buhrs three feet in diameter, made 
out of quartz bowlders found on Sugar Creek 
plains, did the work of grinding. The bolt 



5m 



HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY. 



was a piece of cloth, which was operated b3' 
the customers themselves. Primitive as was 
this mill, however, it was a great improvement 
to the horse mills of the time, the " horaiuy- 
block " and the cotfee-raill. Other mills fol- 
lowed this pioneer structure, and the settler 
was no longer annoyed in procuring breadstutfs. 
Janny also built the first saw-mill in the town- 
ship, which was quite as rude as his grist-mill, 
but of considerable service to the community. 
Pitney Guest was the first shoemaker, George 
Young the first merchant, and Luther Drur}-, 
probalily, the first blacksmith in Pike. Other 
tradesmen came in, and the wants of the peo- 
ple were supplied at home, which proved of 
great advantage, and was appreciated accord- 

ingl.y- 

The following incident in Pike's early history 
is related through the columns of the Democrat: 
" A bo.y, about fourteen years old, in the family 
of David Evans, an early settler of the town- 
ship, was eating peaches one day, wlien he con- 
cluded to swallow them stones and all, and a 
stone lodged in his throat and would not go up 
or down stream. Dr. Simmons, of Canton, was 
in the neighborhood, and was called in, and, 
after vain attempts to move it, said he would 
go home and read up the case, and return the 
next morning. At the appointed time he came 
back, and said the stone must, according to 
medical authority on the subject, come up and 
not go down. So he went to a blacksmith's 
shop and had a pair of' pinchers made, and 
with the rough instrument returned and tried 
to take it out by putting the pinchers down 
the boy's throat and taking liold, but failed. 
He then declared that the only way was to cut 
it out. To this the family objected until the3' 
could consult the family physician, Dr. Bon- 
field. Accordingly he was sent for, and, in the 
meantime. Dr. Simmons went to see another 
patient. Dr. Bonfield came, and calling for an 
umbrella, took from it a piece of whalebone, 
greased it, and easilj- pushed the stone down 
the boy's throat. Dr. Simmons returned, and 
was much chagrined at his own failure when he 
found how easily the stone liad been removed." 

The religious history of Pike dates back al- 
most to its first setdement. The first preacher 
in the township of whom there is any reliable 
account, was Rev. J. B. Finley, a Methodist 
circuit rider, and who traveled the ■• Zanesville 
Circuit," as it was called, in 1809-10. This 



circuit was said to have covered the following 
territory : •' From Zanesville toward the Ohio 
among the different settlements to New Phila- 
delphia, One-leg Creek, then to Nimishillen. 
This appointment was at the cabin of Abram 
Cozier, thence to Canton, at Wolf Creek, and 
south to Care3''s, on Sugar Creek, thence to 
William Butts, Whiteyes. Tommica and Zanes- 
ville, making a distance of 475 miles, and em- 
bracing thirty-two appointments." Our stall- 
fed pastors of the present daj- would think this 
a rather hard pastorate, at a salaiy of S80 a 
year, and we will not quarrel with them if they 
do. We are glad times have improved, and we 
do not claim to be of tliose who believe the 
pioneer daj's were better than these. The 
preachers of those days, as well as tliose who 
felled the forest, were equal to their labors, 
and the Methodist ministry afforded few •' soft 
places." The following incident is related of 
Mr. Finley's niinistrj- in those pioneer days, bj" 
Mr. Yant : "In those early times there were 
fashionable ladies, as well as now, but the gen- 
eral rule was not to push the folly to extremes 
that more abundant means allow in the present; 
and these plain men who preached the Gospel 
purely for the love of it, did not fail to rebuke 
the follies of the times. One of the fancies of 
Madame Fashion in those days, was to make 
the sleeves of dresses, from the elbow to the 
shoulder of an enormous size, and a hoop of 
ratan or grapevine was inserted in the middle 
of this inflated bubble, reducing the sleeve at 
that point and leaving two puffs. A Miss 

sat directly in front of the preacher, 

and, by one of those pranks that misfortune 
sometimes plays, the ends of the hoop in one 
of her sleeves had become disconnected. This 
so distended the arrangement, as to swell the 
puff even with the top of her head. Mr. Finlej' 
could not endure the sight without a merited 
reproof He liroke the connection of his dis- 
course, and remarked parenthically that ' in 
these days the ladies were wearing sleeves of 
such enormous size, that a man might put his 
head in one of them ;' at the same time making 
a pass with his head toward tiie offending sleeve, 

upon which Miss left one seat vacant, 

and hastily found her way to the door." 

In most parts of the Western country, the 
Methodist itinerants were the pioneer ministers, 
and gathered tiie scattered settlers in their 
rude cabins, even as the shepherd gathers sheep 



PIKE TOWNSHIP. 



into tlie fold. Other Methodist circuit-riders, 
as the preachers of this denomination were 
called, followed Mr. Finle\-, and Mr. Cozier's 
cabin was a regular preaching-place. 

The '• Bible Christians " were the next after 
the Methodist, and also had meetings at 
Cozier's. Most of the earl}- settlers, however, 
were of the Lutheran and German Reformed de- 
nominations. A class was formed about the year 
1830. at the house of Abraham Cheslnulwood, 
and the Revs. Aurora Calendar and Hawkins 
were the ministers. Jacob Miller moved on 
to Section IC, in 1831, and his house then be- 
came a place of worship, and a society was 
formed. Jacob Miller, Samuel Miller, Samuel 
Bard and Jacob Smith, and their wives were 
among the first members. Thomas Worley, 
John Miller, Joseph Keel and others were 
added subsequenth". The preachers of those 
(lays were Revs. Plimpton, Green, Drummond, 
Weirish and others. They are described as 
■ mighty men in the Scriptures." A church 
known as • Asbury Chapel " was built in 1844, 
and is a brick structure. A flourishing society 
and Sunday school has continued here ever 
since the erection of the church. The United 
Brethren have a commodious house of worship 
in the township called " Otterbein Chapel." 
The}- maintain a flourishing church and Sun- 
day school. Zion Church is a substantial struc- 
ture, and belongs to the German Baptists. 

Mr. Yant closes an article on the church 
history of Pike in the following words, which 
speak well for the township. He says: ''Per- 
haps no part of the county of equal population 
is more abundantly supplied with religious 
instruction and moral training than the rural 
population of Pike. And without having access 
to actual records, it may safely be said,tliat the 
population of the township furnishes fev^er 
criniinals and less litigation than any other 
township in the county. The amount of ardent 
siiirits used bj- the population also presents a 
largely diminishedratio to the general average." 
This is a good showing for the township, and 
worthy of imitation. We have been informed, 
since our work commenced of compiling its 
history, that no intoxicating liquors arc sold 
within its limits — another item well worthy of 
imitation. 

The educational facilities of Pike were some- 
what behind many of her sister townships, and 
few schools were taught previous to the in- 



auguration of the Vl■v^^ School system. One 
of these early schools was taught by a (ierman, 
who boasted the ponderous name of Louis 
Augustus Ferdinand Constantine, a combina- 
tion of powerful names, that in their day have 
been highly renowned in Kuropean history. lie 
taught both in the (ierman and lOnglish hui 
guages, and after one term, was succeeded liy 
Thomas McKean, an Irishman, and a fair 
sample of the Irish Schoolmaster described 
by the poet in the following lines : 

" Old Teddy O'Kourke kepi a bit of a school, 
At a place called Clanna, and made it a rule 
If learning wouldn't mark the mind, 'faiih he'd soon 

mark the back, 
.•V" comin«; down nn ihoni with a devilish whack." 

Mr. McKcan is said to huve used the 
birch very freely. At this school many of the 
children of Pike received their start in educa- 
tion. From fifty to sixty-five scholars, we are 
told, was the usual attendance, and "the want 
of shoes and suitable clothing alone prevented 
the attendance of one or two additional scores." 
The following incident is related by Mr. Yant : 
"About forty-four years ago a spelling-match 
took place at the (iiiest Schoolhoiise ; the con- 
test between Bethlehem and I 'ike. The house 
was crowded b}- spectators, and a large number 
of the best spellers of both townships were 
present, eager for the contest. John Billings, 
one of the best teachers of Bethlehem, pro- 
nounced for his township, and George Bitter, 
the teacher of the (iuest School pronounced for 
Pike. The spellers divided off — those from 
Bethlehem on one side of the house, and Pike 
on the other. The contest was spirited and 
exciting as the Ijoys and girls from both sides 
dropped out of ranks at each round, and after 
spending an hour or more in the well-contested 
match, George Holm represented Pike, and 
David Yant was all that was left of Bethlehem. 
The contest thus narrowed down to a speller of 
each party the excitement was greatly intensi- 
fied ; for a considerable time there was no miss 
by either. Mr. Bitter was of German descent, 
and. not so correct in his pronunciation of the 
English, failed to be intelligible in a common 
word, and Yant stepped out leaving George 
Holm the victor." This is one of the first spell- 
ing schools of which we have an account, but 
which in later years have been carried to con- 
siderable excess in many neighborhoods. The 
subjoined statistics from the last report of the 



.t, 



538 



HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY. 



Board of Education show the present school 
facilities of the townsliip. They are as follows : 

Balance on hand SfptiMubcr 1, 1879 $3,455 95 

State tax 753 00 

Irreducible fund 169 70 

Local tax for school and srhoolhouse pur- 
poses 1,783 43 

Total $5, 163 08 

Amount paid tcacliers $1,887 7a 

Sites and buildings 933 56 

Fuel and otlier contingent ex- 



339 30 



penses 

Total expcndituri's $3,040 57 1 

Balance on liand September 1, 1880. . .$3,131 51 

Number of school districts in townsliip 9 

Number of schoolhouses in township 9 

Total value of school property ...$6,000 

Average wages paid teachers per month- 
males 34 

Average wages paid teachers per month — 

females 15 

Number of pupils enrolled— mah's 359 

Number of pupils enrolled— females 309 



Total 469 

Daily average attendance — males 165 

Daily average attendance— females 136 



The war record of Pike Township deserves 
special mention. Although a full chapter in 
this work is devoted to the war history of the 
county at large, it is but justice that some ref- 
erence should be made in this chapter to tiie 
patriotism of Pike. It is one of tlie few town- 
sliips, not only in the county, but in the State, 
that filled every quota without a draft, and kept 
aiiead of every call for troops. Among those 
of Pike's loyal sons who laid down their lives 
in defense of their country, are B. F. Steiner, 
Captain Company D, One Hundred and Seventh 
Infantry ; Jeremiah Holm, Orderly Sergeant 
Company G, same regiment ; William Hickman, 
Sergeant Company D, same regiment ; George 
Rudy and William Holm, at Chancellorsville ; 
David Metzker, Seventy-sixth Infantry, at 
Pilot Knob, Mo. ; J. AV. Smith, same regiment, 
died at home ; Leonard Schroyer, of the Fourth, 
and Jacob Crawford, of the Twenty-Sixth Bat- 
tery ; Jacob Au, Moses Darr, David Yant, 
Henry Clarke, Michael Keeper and Aurora 
Keel — fifteen men in all. 

" The muffled drum's sad roll has lieat, 

The soliliiTs last tattoo ; 
No more on lilr\ ]i:irade shall meet, 

The brave ;in(l fallen few. 



On fame's eternal camping ground 

Tlicii- >ilrnl tents are spread ; 
And irlni \ 'guards with solemn round 

Tie' l.iv..uac (if the dead." 

The village of Sparta was laid out liy Amos 
Janney, and the plat recorded in the Recorder's 
offlee, '-third month, twenty-second, 1815," as 
he put it, in the quaint phraseology of the 
Friends, to which sect he belonged. He called 
it Sparta, after the rival of Athens, in the his- 
tory of ancient Greece, Ijelieving that a great 
name would cause it to flourish, and become as 
great, perhaps, as its ancient namesake. In the 
original plat there were but four streets — two 
each way — crossing at right angles, and desig- 
nated by the names Butt'alo, Elk, Wolf Bear. 
A post office was established in 1854. and called 
Pierce, in honor of Gen. Franklin Pierce, then 
President of the United States ; John Croft was 
appointed the first Postmaster. Abraham Cozier 
opened the first store in Sparta, about the year 
18"20, but did not continue in the business very 
long. His establishment was a rather small one, 
and a larger one was opened through the instru- 
mentality of James Hazlett, of Canton, who 
owned some property in the place, when Cozier 
closed out his store. 

About the j'ear 1810, a man named Luther 
Drury came from Canada, accompanied by his 
wife, two children and a niece. He erected a 
" bloomery " and forge for the purpose of 
making wrought iron from the native ore ob- 
tained in the vicinity. The experiment did not 
prove satisfactory, and, in 1823, Mr. Drury 
sold the establishment to James Hazlett, of 
Canton. The bloomery was discontinued, and, 
under charge of John Laird, the forge made a 
better quality of iron. Mr. Hazlett sold the 
forge to Mr. Janney in 1S2G, and in 1840 
bought it back again, together with Mr. Jan- 
ney's mill and farm. The forge was .soon after 
discontinued, and the first mill built by Janney 
had been burnt and a better one built, which 
is still standing and in operation. The follow- 
ing extract is from the county papers: " Mrs. 
Drury was an accomplished lady, of great per- 
sonal attractions, and did not associate with 
the plain rustic society of the place. Her su- 
perior attractions were no safeguard to virtue, 
' but, as is often the case, rather an incentive to 
vice. A tailor by the name of Robert Lytle 
I made the Drury family a place of frequent re- 
1 sort in carrying on his business, and, after a 



^^ 



t^ 



JACKSON TOWNSHIP. 



530 



more mature acquaintance, the tailor married 
the niece of Mr. Drury. But. not content with 
his success, he proceeded to invade the sanctity 
uf .Mr. iJrury's domicile, succeeding in stealing 
the artectious of the accomplished wife. After 
u full proof of her inhdelity, Mr. Drury ad- 
ministered a severe castigation lo tlie enemy of 
liis peace, and would have inflicted summary 
punishment had he not left instantly, and thus 
escaped his vengeance. 3Irs. Lytle, who was 
much esteemed by Mr. Drury, followed her hus- 
Ijaud. This was in the mouth of March, in a 
verj- inclement state of the weather, with snow 
and slush on the ground, for whicli the lady 
was poorly provided, having nothing Ijut a thin 
pair of slippers to protect her feet, .^lr. Drury s 
?<yrapathies for his niece were deeply- moved. 
He tried to follow the fugitive pair through the 
forests, but his search was fruitless. He could 
lind no trace of the course taken Ijy them. 
Vears passed, and nothing was heard of the 
guiltv man. until the outbreaiv of the oil excite- 



ment in Pennsylvania, when a citizen of Stark 
County came across an old man, in llie oil regions, 
up the Allegheny Hiver, who incjuired of some 
of the old citizens on the Nimishilleu, and gave 
his name as Rol)crt Lytle. ilis wife was dead. 
Mr. Drury took his wife and two children to 
Canada, then returned, sold his property at 
Sparta, and left the neighborhood forever. " 

There are two churches at Sparta. The 
Disciples' Church was organized about 1840, 
and is a strong and healthy society. They 
have quite a comfortable building, and main- 
tain a flourishing church and Sunday school. 
The Methodists have a good church building in 
the village, and, as a society, are in a prosper- 
ous condition, with a fair membership anil a 
good Sunday school. Sparta has never attained 
very large proportions, either in business or in 
population. A store or two, a few shops, a 
post office, the churches mentioned, and a small 
collection of houses, form at present the sum 
total of its earthlv trlorv. 



CHAPTER XXVII.* 



.l.iCKSON TOWNSHIP — L»E.SCRIPT1VE— SETTLEMENT BY THE WHITES — INCIDENTS OF PERSONAL 

NATURE— DEVELOPMENT OF LOCAL INDUSTRIES — GROWTH OF VILLAGES 

— PROGRESS OF EDUCATION AND RELIGION. 



• U. the pleasant clays of old, which sooften people 

praise! 
True, tluy waiiteil all the luxuries that grace our 

modern days; 
Bare tloor.s were strewed with rushes, the walls let 

in the cold; 
O, how they must have shivered in those pleasant 

days of old. " — Frances Brown. 

a'^HERE is something moiu'nfully sad in 
. contemplating the destruction of old 
buildings or other objects, which are green in 
the memory with fond associations. The 
heart goes out in sorrow when they are gone, 
as if some beloved friend had been laid at 
rest in the gi-assy gi-ave. That old house was 
our home in childliood, and memoiy paints 
the scene again as it was of yore. We see 
our mother's kind face, and run to her again 
to be comforted. We listen to her wor<ls, and 
our childish clouds are dispersed by the sun- 

• CuiilribiitPil by W. A Goj<l-|H>e<l. 



light of her loving smile. We hear oiu' 
father's voice in patient and repeated admo- 
nition, iind can now realize a parent's earnest 
solicitation for the welfare of his chikL 
Here are our dear brother anel ilarling sister 
again, and the childish plays are renewed in 
the old house that is now in ruin. It is sweet 
though sad to recall the scene — sweet, because 
we see the precious faces of dear ones; sad, 
because the pictm'e is unreal, and will pass 
away like the mists of moniing. Let us 
dream on, for oiu' happiness is the fairy offer- 
ing of imagination — a gossamer veil that lifts 
anon to let in the sullen tide of soitow and 
adversity. Let us build oiu' castles on the 
highest pinnacle of di'eamland, and build 
them often. 

The old landmarks are passing iiway with 
those who placed them, and miLst be noted be- 
fore they are gone. A few objects, here and 



IK^ 



IIISTOKY OF STARK COUNTY. 



there along the pathway of life, ai'e preserved 
and cherished; but the greater niuiilier are 
allowed to perish, to the sorrow of loving 
descendants. Few people there are who see 
beyond the niirrow circle of their own age, or 
who, seeing, cai'e for the joy of those who fol- 
low them. Items of private interest and 
often of great pnblic utility, ai-e neglected 
and permitted to disappear. It thus occurs 
that to the misfortune of the reader, the his- 
torian has an easy task in gathering the few 
items which fate has assigned him to record. 
There are many important facts connected 
with Jackson Township in early years, which 
have passed beyond the hope of recovery. A 
few i\xe remembered, and these will be men- 
tioned. A\lien the county was organized in 
1S09. Plain Township was one of the lirst live 
created. Jackson was a part of Plain, and 
remained thus until April, 1811, when it 
became a i>art of Green Township. In March, 
IS IT), Jackson and LawTence Townshijis were 
separated from all others under the former 
name, and remained thus luitil Lawrence 
received a separate creation and organization. 
Jackson is a good township, having an excel- 
lent soil. It is drained by streams which 
flow west into the Tuscarawas, and by those 
which flow east into the West Branch of 
Nimishillen Creek. The flrst officers of the 
township were elected at the house of Jacob 
Click, on the first Monday in April, 1815; 
but who they were is a mystery not yet solved. 
The following is a list of the land-holders 
of Jackson Township in 1827 : John Ai'nold, 
Daniel Brougher, Isaac Boughman, James 
Black, J. H. Brinton, John Beatty, Jacob 
Brougher. Riehai'd Breed. Elias Benner. Sam- 
uel Bachtel. Andrew Bachtel, Jacob Bachtel, 
Christian Balmer, Jacob Balmer, Jacob Bower, 
Jacob Click, Jacob Chubb, Samuel Click, Ma- 
thias Clapper, Aai'on Chapman, Isaac Clay, 
John Cable. Hem-y Dissler, William Dickin- 
son, Charles Dinger, David England. George 
Everhart, Jacoli Ettleman, John Fawney, 
James Gregg, Jacol) German, Heury Hufl'man, 
William Humbert, James Huston, Aln-aham 
Hubler, Jacob Hough, Isaac Hammel, James 
Jackson, Philip Keller, Henry Keller, Isaac 
Krytrer, Nicholas Kandel, Jacob Lichtenwal- 
ter, Solomon Liehtenwalter, Samuel Luter, 



John Luter, Mr. Loomis, Freeman Leering, 
Jacob Livingston, Jacob Mishler, Jacob Mil- 
ler, Matthew Macy, George Miller, Thomas 
Marshal, Peter Miller, Peter Moriter, Thomas 
Nowlin, Jacob Piiulus, George Row, Daniel 
Richmond, Thomas Botch, Thomas Reed, 
John Shutt, Samuel Sjyangler, James Speak- 
man, Daniel Slanker, Nathaniel Skinner, 
Henry Shoemaker, John Sprankle, Michael 
Sprankle, Adam Sliriver, George Shutt, Sam- 
uel Spitler, Joseph Saul, Simon Spitler, 
David Seerist, Jacob Swigart, Simon Stall, 
Charles K. Skinner, Christian Tresch, Will- 
iam Tresch, Samuel Trip]), Peter Tresch, 
David Tresch, Hemy Tresch, Hem-y Troup, 
Martin Winger, Arviue Wales, Richard Will- 
iams, Bezaleel Wells, John Wintrode, John 
Writeham and Frederick Young. This list 
does not embrace many of thcfse who first 
settled in the tovmship. Many of those who 
were most prominent in the organization of 
the township, and who did a great deal to 
allure immigration within its limits, left the 
township before 18'2(). Indeed, in Jackson, 
as in all other townships in early days, the 
first settlers, or rather " squatters," were rov- 
ing or wandering himters, who often had large 
families dependent upon them for support. 
These men were often old "Indian slayers," 
who, nothing daunted by the presence of the 
red man, came into the wilderness with their 
fawiilies without misgivings. It is impossi- 
ble to describe how the families of some of 
these hunters subsisted. The husband and 
father was often absent on long hunting or 
trapping excursions for weeks at a time, leav- 
ing his family to shift for themselves. Often 
the wife and mother became an expert hunt- 
ress, by obedience to necessity. It is not 
known that Jackson harbored any of these 
families; but it is to be presumed that it did, 
as hundreds of them swept over Ohio in 
advance of the pioneer settlements, removing 
farther westward as the tide of colonization 
advanced. Although Jackson did not have a 
sepai'ate organization until many years after 
the county was organized, yet a few settlers 
located within its borders quite early. 

The name of the flrst settler is not remem- 
bered. This is imfortunate, as it is always a 
pleasure to know who first visited the land 



«^ (j 



JACKSON TOWNSHIP. 



541 



where we reside. Plain TowTiship, lying 
east of Jackson, contained some of the earliest 
settlers in the county, and very likely, from 
its pri)ximity to Jackson, controlled immip-ra- 
tion into the latter to some extent. Settlers 
were in Plain as early as ISIT). and beyond a 
doubt, within a year or two, some pioneer's 
cabin had intruded its way into the sanctuiiry 
of Jackson's forests. The following list com- 
]irises almost all the iirst settlers in the town- 
ship, and the reader will be politely accorded 
the privileu;e of selectiuf{ the Iirst settler 
from the following names: Jacoli Ettleman, 
Nathaniel Skinner. J. C. Balnie)-. Henry Shoe- 
maker. Isaac Clay. Isaac Bowman, Richard 
Williams. Daniel Kichmoud. (reorge Miller. 
.John Lntz. Samuel Lutz. Henry Friday. 
Simon Stall. Isaac Hammel. James F. Leon- ; 
ard. Michael Sprankle. Jacob Click, John I 
Ganser. Daniel Slanker, Nicholas Kandel, Mr. ] 
Capes, a Kevolntionarv soldier who died at i 
the age of 108 years. Samuel Kandel. Jacob 
Swigert. Elias Benner. John Fanney, Mr. 
StansbeiTV, Daniel Paulus. Mr. (Jleason. Mr. 
Scott. John Sprankle. William Hill. James 
Huston. James Black. Samuel Click. William 
Backster. John Ai-nold. John Beatty and oth- 
ers. Many of these settlers when they ju-rived 
in the townshiji ha<l no money, no ]>roperty. 
and but few implements of lalior. Bnt this 
did not stagger their resolution, apparently, in 
the least, as they cheerfully went to work to 
level the forests, to let in the sunshine and 
beat, and to introduce to the virgin soil the 
|irodncts of civilized man. The process of 
cl(>aring land of its timber is not a child's 
undertaking. After the trees have been cut 
down and removed, the long process has but 
barely been initiated. Ther(> are the stiunps 
and stones to be removed, and time alone can 
accomplish this task. It is extremely tire- 
some and vexing to be obliged to skip around 
a field full of stumps in plowing and cultivat- 
ing. It is not soothing to the temjier. if a 
person is in ill humor. It is an amjile source 
for outbursts of volcanic wTath. which savor 
of brimstone. Add a little whisky to this and 
you have broken the poor camel's back. Why, 
it was about all a man was able to do to cul- 
tivate eight or ten acres, and when he bad a 
familvofsome fifteen children, each one of 



whose consuming powers represented about 
three acres of jiroductions. you have the 
dilemma under which many an early settler 
labored. The only way to ])rovide for this 
swarm of rol)Ust children, was (to use a tigiu'- 
ative illustration), to tm'u them out in the 
woods like cattle. Those who could obtain a 
living (>n their own accoimt did so and lived, 
the others died. But few deaths oceuired, 
and these were nu^stly caused by accident. 
Pioneer children seemed to thi-ivo best on a 
scarcity of food and clothes, and on their 
capability of resisting privations and disease. 
They asked foi- only suflficient clothing to ren- 
der them decent that was the object, to be 
decent, not to l)e comfortable. Their comfort 
consisted in sim])icity. in Dr. Tanner fasts, 
and in hardihood They were taught to look 
upon anything else as effeminate and foolish. 
This is why so many of the old settlers cling 
to the nior<> difficiilt means of accom]jlishing 
the duties of life. They w(>re taught thus, 
and having been guided daring their walk in 
life by the precepts of privation learned in 
infancy, they refuse, when on the verge of 
the grave, to alter their mode of life by acquir- 
ing new knowledge to be ai>|ilied in place of 
the time-tried and time-honored old. 

Settlers. ujHm their arrival in the townshi]), 
usually had a small amount of money, which 
had lieen carefully hoarded by the family 
when it was decided to seek a home in the 
wilderness. After the log cabin had been 
erected by the assistance of neighbors, and 
the family had entered u]ion their new life, 
the money began to flow like water from their 
pockets fortius thing and that— actual neces- 
sities — until within a year or two nothing 
remained. Then began the more seriotis 
trials: for. dear reader, when you part with 
your money you i>art with your most steadfast 
friend, one that alone stands by you in adver- 
sity, and one whoso companionship is a solace 
and a supreme satisfaction. If an entire 
neighborhood was settled within four or five 
vears. during that ])eriod what money had 
been taken there had flowed away, no one 
knew whither. It was gone, and in its place 
had arisen a system of barter and exchange, 
that, in a measiu-e. su])|>lied a representative 
of value. Money is not a value; it represents 



^ 



543 



HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY. 



value, and facilitates exchange by adjusting 
balances, where values cannot be divided. 
Money serves to measure value, just as bush- 
els serve to measure gi-ain or provisions. But 
the settlers had no money, and they were 
forced to adopt some measiu-e to expedite 
and effect commercial transactions. Some 
article in the neighlxirhood with an almost 
permanent value was taken as a standard, by 
which values were quoted. For instance, a 
deer skin was worth $1.50. That is, it passed 
for that value during a series of years at the 
early settlement of the neighborhood. It 
thus came to pass that gi-ain or provisions 
were quoted as worth so many deer skins. 
Other standards of values were adopted. So 
many pounds of sugai" were worth so many 
dozen eggs. So many yards of calico or lin- 
sey-woolsey were worth so many pounds of 
butter or bushels of [lotatoes. This condition 
of things was the outgrowth of a lack of 
money in the ti-ansactions of commerce. It 
thus was brought about that there were two 
measures of vahies — a " cash price " and 
" trade price," the latter being higher than 
the former. Calico was worth, say thirty 
cents per yard in cash, or thirty-tive cents per 
yard in trade. Some few settlers, who hap- 
pened to have considerable money at their 
command, took advantage of this condition of 
the market to make large pm'chases at a low 
cash price, and to sell at a high trade price. 
Perhaps, reader, the fortune you are now en- 
joying, the line fanu you now own, was ac- 
quired thus by your father, when the country 
was yet a wilderness. Settlers soon saw that 
the lands were rapidly rising in value, and 
those who made the money, or who had it, in- 
vested it immediately in large tracts of valu- 
able land, which, within lifteen or twenty 
years, quadrupled in value. Slowly and 
gradually these hardships for the mass of 

I pioneers were overcome, and money found its 
way into the frontier settlements. People 
prosper as commerce prosjjers. Anything 
that cheeks the movements of commercial 
transactions, seriously infringes upon social 
prosperity. Oiu' wants are siipplied by pur- 

! chase, or by trade, if money be lacking. 

! Anything that obstiiicts the satisfaction of 
oiu- wants, violates the laws which render us 



happy. Money is the oil which prevents the 
wheels of commerce from stopping. Trade is 
a f)oor substitute, which largely lacks that 
lubricating quality, which renders smooth and 
easy the movements of commerce. And yet, 
even this poor substitute is better than no oil 
at all. It efiects the desired piu'pose in a 
bungling manner. If values be permanent, 
and the system of striking balances be thor- 
oughly luiderstood, trade is often more expe- 
ditious than purchase and sale. This is 
illustrated in the clearing houses in all the 
large cities. But, even in these cases, money 
is required and used in adjusting final bal- 
ances. It is better to have a union of the 
two, and this was finally secm-ed after money 
began to flow into the settlements. Long 
practice had rendered almost perfect the pio- 
neer system of exchanges; and, when money 
was brought forward, commercial transactions 
became so prosperous, that the West made 
gigantic strides in financial prosperity be- 
tween 1815 and 1835. This was precisely 
the condition of things in Jackson Township. 
Improvements went on slowly at first; but, as 
soon as values could be controlled, the pros- 
perity and consequent happiness of the set- 
tlers were assured. Then .were laid the foun- 
dations of many of the present handsome pri- 
vate fortunes; and then were the rude wil- 
derness homes transformed into those of opu- 
lence and civilizing refinement. 

Old settlers do not like to lose altogether 
the recollection of early years. Then, hun- 
dreds of deer could be seon in the forests at 
almost any hoiu\ Sometimes the settler, upon 
rising in the morning, would see a small herd 
grazing upon his wheat field. A shot fi-om 
the door or window would bring down the 
fattest, and send the others, pell-mell, into 
the forest. It is stated by old settlers that 
deer were less afraid of women than of men, 
and would often approach C]uite near the for- 
mer, especiaily if gaudily colored dresses were 
worn. This fact was sometimes used as an 
artifice to secure deer after they had become 
somewhat scarce. Many of the early settlers 
were skillful hiinters and trappers, devoting 
much of their time, especially during the 
winter months, in securing flesh and fiu's for 
market. During the hunting season, they 



JACKSON TOWXSIIIP. 



sometimes made as high as $500. It is 
iflated that, on one occasion, one of tlie 
Lutzes, who had been huutiri>^ in the woods, 
liad shot a deer, (vhich had fallen upon the 
i^roiind. Mr. Lutz wont forward to cut its 
throat; but, just as ho leaned over the pros- 
trate animal, it leaped to its foet like a flash, 
Icuockin^ the settler to the ground like a bat- 
tering ram, and bounding oft" at full speed 
through the foi-est. It had only been stunned 
by the shot. -Vs soon as the hunter could col- 
lect his scattered senses, he lookinl around to 
tind his deer; but it had disappeai'ed, nor 
was it afteiTvard to be found. It is stated 
that one of the Harters. of Plain Townshi]), 
went hunting deer in Jackson at a very eiu'ly 
date. When night came, he had killed eight 
(if these animals, besides a variety of small 
game. He caught sight of a bear, and fol- 
lowed it several hom's, but was liiially obliged 
to give up the chase. Many other incidents 
of a similar natm'e ai'e related. When the 
fii'st settlers came into the township, bears 
were quite numerous, and a few anecdotes 
regarding them are related. Mr. Friday, who 
had settled very eai-ly in Plain Township, but 
who, about the year 1810, had moved to a 
rude log cabin he had erected in Jackson 
Township, was one day, just at dark, hunting 
in the woods in the southern part of the town- 
ship, when, as he was walking along a high 
ridge toward home, he saw two beare in the 
ravine below him. The animals were sham- 
bling along together, and had not perceived 
the hunter. Mr. Friday was but an indifl'er- 
ent hunter at best, and hesitated a moment 
liefore he decided to risk a shot at the bears, 
which were within about twenty rods of him. 
But he had [denty of resolution and courage, 
and. taking a rest in the fork of a small tree, 
he shot one of the bears through the head. 
Fearing that he might be attacked by its mate, 
he ran in the opposite direction with all his 
might for a short distance, without looking to 
ascertain the result of his shot. At length he 
stopped to load his gun and listen. No unus- 
ual sound was borne to his ears, and gather- 
ing coiu'age from that fact, he started back 
to see what had become of the bears. He 
approached the spot whence he had fired, and, 
looking cautiously down, saw one of the bears 



lying upon the ground apparently dead, but 
its mate was not to be seen. 111-. Friday 
walked down, and saw that the boar was 
indeed dead. This was much more than he 
had expected, as his rifle was none of the 
best, and he was a poor shot to boot. The 
other bear had secured its safety by flight, 
and Mr. Friday was satisfied to let it go. It 
is stated that at one time a party of hunters 
with their dogs, from Plain Township, pur- 
sued a bear into Jackson, and having wounded 
it, fought it with dog;i and clubs for a long 
while, and at last finished the sport by shoot- 
ing it through the head. The dogs at fii-st 
were very bold, under the encoiu'aging words 
of their masters; l)ut, after they had been 
knocked a rod a few times, no coaxing or 
commanding could induce them to approach 
within reach of th(> l)etu-. One of the dogs 
was so badly injured that it wiis afterward 
shot, to the great regret of the owner. It is 
with dogs as it is with men, the bravest are 
the ones that suffer. The wolves were very 
troublesome in early years, killing sheep, 
calves, swine, etc., without leave or license. 
Owing to these midnight marauders, it was 
almost impossible to keep sheej). If sheep 
were neglected for one night, and this occiUTed 
with every settler who tried to keep them, a 
flock of wolves was siu'e to kill half of them 
before morning. When the settler w<>nt out 
to feed them the ue.\t moi'ning, and saw the 
animals, over which he had spent so much 
time, lying dead upon the ground with their 
throats cut, maledictions of the bitterest sort 
came by the dozen from his lips. Aside from 
the liability of being killed by wild animals, 
still it was difficult to keep sheej), owing to 
no.xious and poisonous herlxs gi'owing in the 
woods, upon which the sheej) fed. Some- 
times half the flock were carried off at once 
in this manner. Swine ran wild in large 
numbers in the woods, feeding upon the 
"ma.st" which at all seasons of tho year 
could be foimd in abimdance. They were 
often killed by bears. 

Mills of various kinds were erected in Jack- 
son at an early day. James F. Leonard, who 
at first had located at C'auton, where it is said 
he kept a tavern, built the first saw-mill in 
the township. Mr. Leonard was an iutelli- 






544 



HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY. 



gent man, and had followed surveying to some 
extent. The mill was erected not far from 
1815, and was located in the southwestern 
part, on Mill Brook. A strong dam was built 
across the stream, and the mill was supplied 
with water by means of a race. Motion was 
communicated to the saw and machinery by a 
lai'ge breast-wheel. Mr. Sprankle soon pur- 
chased the mill, and, after operating it suc- 
cessfully until about the ye;u' 1S22. it was per- 
mitted to run down. Elias Benner biiilt a 
eaw-mill on a small stream in the northern 
part, about the time the Leonard mill was 
abandoned. It was a fi-ame mill, and was 
operated by Mr. Benner until aliout the year 

1832, when it was bought by Mr. Singley, and 
after a short period was again sold to Isaac 
and Hemy Bechtel. These men improved the 
mill and enlarged its capacity, and after ope- 
rating it until 1S38, sold out to Hemy Beard. 
This man, and his sou after him, greatly im- 
proved the mill, and continued operating it 
until a few years ago. Dm'iug its career no 
steam has been used to operate the mill. It 
was piu'chased a few years ago by INIi'. Smith, 
upon whose hands it ran down. It was one 
of the best mills of its kind ever in the town- 
ship. In about the year 1 820, Daniel Slanker 
erected a log grist-mill on Mill Brook; it was 
a rude concern, with one run of stone made 
out of " nigger- heads," and was known 
throughout the surrounding country as "the 
])e]i]ier-mill." It richly deserved this name, 
as the flour it ftu'nished was aliout as c<iarse 
as pepjjer usuallj' is. Mr. Slanker cimducted 
this mill with success, until about the year 
1828. when it was abandoned and was soon in 
ruins. The following year (1829), he built 
what is known as the " High Mill." called 
thus from the fact that it was fom- stories in 
height. This mill has been in operation ever 
since, under a change of owners, and. diu'ing 
the time of its continuance, has done a great 
deal for the township. Settlers liked to 
locate near good grist mills, as it saved them 
long, fatiguing journeys, often through 
almost bottomless roads. In about the year 

1833, the mill was sold to Mr. Lenox; but 
not long afterward, Michael Sprankle became 
owner, with whose family it has remained 
since. Daniel Slanker, immediatelv after 



selling the " High Mill," built another at Mill- 
port called the "Stone Mill." It is yet lim- 
ning, and has been the best mill in the town- 
ship, and one of the best in the county; it 
was, at first, operated by water-power, and, at 
that time, had a thriving custom trade; but 
now the motor is steam, and an extensive 
merchant trade is enjoyed. It has been 
owned by different parties, one of them being 
a man named AA^ellman. The jjresent owners 
are McLain Bros., of Massillon. It is related 
that before Mr. Slanker l)uilt these mills and 
while he was yet at Canton, he one day went 
to the place where they are located, to exam- 
ine the creek, as to its fall. He became sat- 
isfied that it was an excellent site for a mil!, 
but he had no money with which to build 
one or to buy the land. He was afi-aid 
that somebody would get the start of him 
and Imv the site. Jacob Braucher owed 
him ?lil(), and Mr. Slanker, after a little 
thought, resolved to offer to take $50 cash 
for the debt. This was done, and the 
offer was accepted, and Mr. Slanker imme- 
diately dispatched a man with the money 
to Steulieuville to enter the land. H& had 
seen othei- parties looking around there, and 
surmised what thej' were' endeavoring to do. 
The messenger reached Steubenville in the 
night, and jsroceeding to the office of the land 
agent, sat do^vn on the steps, and there re- 
mained until the office was opened the next 
morning, when the land was immediately en- 
tered. About two hours later. One of the men 
who had lieen seen looking at the mill sile, 
put in an appearance, and made application 
for the land, but he was informed that he was 
too late. Incidents of this character fi-e- 
(juently occm-red in early years. 

James Black owned a distilleiy which was 
located near the "pepper-mill" in early times. 
It is thought that the Imilding was owned by 
Slanker, and that IVIr. Black was employed as 
distiller, though this is not certain. AMiisky 
of fair quality was manufactm'ed at the rate 
of about a barrel a day. Mi\ Lenox also 
owned one, which was located at "High Mill:" 
he also made about a baiTel of whislfj' jier 
day. Neither of the distilleries was conducted 
longer than about six years. Henry Bechtel 
relates that it was customary, before going 



^w 



JACKSOX TOAVNSHIP. 



into the field in the morning, to drink a de- 
coction of whiskj- and tansy, with bread and 
butter, and after woi'king until about S o'clock, 
a hearty breakfast was eaten by all. Another 
heiU'ty (h'ink was taken jiist before dinner, and 
one also just before supper. It was too often 
tlie case that men would di-ink so much whisky 
in the hay-tield, or hiu-vest-iield, as to inca- 
pacitate them from labor. 'Ms. Bechtel was 
one of tlie fii-st to put a stop to this; he in- 
structed the whisky- carrier to give so much 
and no more to each man, and despite the 
fault that was foimd, persisted in this conduct. 
Some of the men demiu-red on the first day, 
and were on the point of quitting the field, 
but harmony was restored at night, when Mr. 
Bechtel placed a j^ail of whisky and a tin cup 
on a block in the yard, and told the men to 
help themselves. A second invitation was not 
necessary. ]\Ir. Bechtel told them his object 
in doing as he had done, and finisher informed 
them that ho intended to continue thus dm-iug 
t)ie harvest. The men saw that their em- 
])loyer had adopted the wisest coiu-se, and 
wisely followed his advice. An old-fashioned 
harvest-field presented an interesting appear- 
iince. Here were the cradlers one after an- 
other, swinging their heavy implements 
through the tall grain and laying it in long 
even rows for the binders, who followed with 
rakes, to form and bind the sheaves, and to 
rake up the gi-ain that had been scattered by 
themselves and by the cradlers. It took a 
smart man to rake and bind after a good 
cradler; frequently, it was all that two 
wanted to do. It was a common thing to see 
women in the field, raking and binding after 
the cradlers. They often could bind as miieh 
as a man. 

(xoing back still fmiher, though not beyond 
the mi'uiory of many an old settler yet living, 
and we see the giain cut by the sickle. It 
seems unaccountable, and yet with this rude, 
primitive implement, several acres of gi-ain 
could be cut dovm in a single day. "\Miat a 
wonderful change has taken plac-e in hai-vest 
machinery dm'ing the last half century. Now- 
it is so that the fanner can drive his team 
ai-ound the field all day. and at night his 
grain is ready for the shock. Truly, this is 
the age of invention. 



Jackson Township, unlike some others in 
the county, has had but one village proper 
within its limits. Certain localities, where 
several residences were erected, have made 
])retensions to the name and fann> of villages; 
but, aside from these localities, the citizens 
have generally rejected as ridiculoiis all such 
assumptions, and have stigmatized the so- 
called villages by high-sounding and oppro- 
brious ej)ithets. Of com-se, such unfriendly 
condu(^t met with bitter hostilitj- from the 
residents, who claimed to be villagers. Those 
who were disjjosed to be critical, and who ex- 
tended the finger of scorn, were frankly told 
to mind their own business; this did not mend 
matters, though time did. It is stated that 
jVlillport has had as high as twelve families 
living in it at one time. This fact did not 
deter the outsiders from criticism; they be- 
came more Argus-eyed, or lynx-eyed, than ever, 
and circulated strange reports regarding the 
growth of — yes, the villages. Could any con- 
duct be blacker, or savor more of brimstone? 
And yet the villagers refrained from taking 
immediate and siuumary vengesmce upon the 
ofi"endei-s. They believed with Portia that 
" The quality of mercy is not .strained. 
It (Iroppelli as tlie sentle rain frniii heaven 
Ujion the plaee lienealli; it is Iwice ble.s.s'd. 
It blesseth liini thai nives, and him that takes. 
'Tis mightiest in the mightiest; it becomes 
The throned monaieh better than his crown." 
Two coopers have plied their trade in the 
village, tmTiing out quite a niuiiber of usefiil 
articles. Now, say if you dare, it is not a 
village. Lots in size to suit [)m-chasers have 
been sold, and now something else is sold be- 
sides lots. And still the tale is but half tm- 
folded. James Reed (all honor to him) has 
braved the frowning face of criticism, and 
established a store at the village. Theotitsid- 
ershave been so ill-mannered as to "dul)" the 
store " one-horse." Shottld such condtict be 
tolerated in this enlightened age? In the 
language of Gen. Garfield, " Hunt the rascals 
down." 'Mr. Keed keeps a general assort- 
ment of goods. ;iud his advent was hailed with 
delight by the ambitious villagers. Bridgeport 
has shai-ed the same ignominious treatment; 
even worse, for, as it could boast of only some 
seven resident families, it has been made the 
constant butt of jokes, until forbearance has 



IILSTOKY OF STAKK COUNTY. 



ceased to be a virtue. This village was lii'st 
started by Abraham Miller, who built a tavern 
ou its present site, at a veiy early day. This 
was probably about the year 1827, when boats 
first l)egan to ran on the caual. Mr. Miller 
soon seciu-ed a payini,' patronage, and followed 
the occupation for a nuinher of years. Neither 
Bridgeport nor ilillpurt has ever been properly 
platted and recorded. 

McDonaldsville was laid out, platted iind 
recorded, in March, 1829. The owners and 
proprietors were John Clapper and Aln-aham 
Eoutan, and the svTrveyor was Heniy Beard. 
The village is located on Sections U and 10. 
Twenty-foiu- lots were laid out, to which no 
recorded additions have since been made. 
The assignment of the land for village pvu-- 
poses was acknowledged by the owners before 
Henry Bechtel. Justice of the Peace. At the 
time the lots were laid out, there were some 
three or four dwellings in the village. Others 
were immediately erected, and soon the vil- 
lagers called for a store. There is a tradition 
concerning the naming of the village, which 
is not generally known. Hemy Beaixl, the 
surveyor, about this time, had been reading 
Revolutionary war history. He had read of 
Marion in the Carolinas, and the military 
achievements in those colonies had made a 
deep impression on his mind. One of Gen. 
Clarion's subordinate officers was a man named 
McDoriald. This ofificer. one day, when on a 
scout, stopped at the residence of a rich old 
Tory, and asked the latter if he had any good 
horses. The Toiy said he had not, but the 
officer, not believing him, went to the barn, 
and there found a magnificent race -horse. 
The Toiy begged the young officer not to take 
the horse, hut all to no avail, as the animal 
was saddled, and Ijridled. and ridden away. 
The horse had attained a wide reputation for 
speed, and was called "Salem." The young 
officer rode the animal to the quarters of his 
General, to whom it was presented. The 
description given of McDonald so jileased ]Mr. 
Beard, that, when the owner of the village 
asked him what it should be called, he at once 
suggested McDonaldsville, and the name was 
adopted. "William McCormick opened the 
first store in about the year 1830. A small 
building was erected, and, in one ajiartment. 



about $300 worth of goods and 8-50 worth of 
whisky were placed. This store remained 
open for about twelve years, and dtvring that 
time the stock had been increased until it is 
said to have been worth nearly $1,000. The 
other portions of the building were fitted up 
in a suitable manner, and tlu'own open for 
piiblic use as a tavern. Mr. McConnick's tav- 
ern patronage was considerably injmed Ijy 
another tavern, situated on the Friday rowd 
toward Canton, and owned by Michael Aley. 
This man kept a saloon in connection with 
his tavern, and the place soon became a great 
resort for those who loved the ''flowing bowl.'' 
The revelries were carried on far into thi-' 
night, and those who left early the next morn 
ing. said. "We had a fine time." The patron- 
age was largely taken from McCormick. and 
yet he made considerable money. He at last 
sold his store, saloon and tavern to William 
Heldebrand. Since then, many persons have 
kept store, tavern and saloon in the village. 
These three occupations have usually been 
combined. There has been no time when 
whisky could not be had for- the money. The 
village had a hard name for a niimber of 
years, not only on accf)unt of the quantity of 
liquor sold there, but also on account of the 
hard cases who v.ere residents. Of late years 
the inhabitants have greatly improved in this 
respect. 

Many other parties have embarked on the 
mercantile sea at the village. "William Cal- 
beck was in for a short time soon after Helde- 
brand. Other merchants have been C. B. 
Blodgett. Jnhn Palmer. Mi-. Weidler. Ham- 
mer & Braueher. Mi'. Roush, William Schick, 
and the present merchant, William Moose. 
There have been times when there was no store 
in the village, but usually there has been, 
some of them being fiist-class. A general 
assortment of goods has been usually kept, 
and, in some instances, the stock has been 
worth several thousand dollars. There has 
been a tavern in the village since the lots were 
laid out. Shoemakers, carpenters and black- 
smiths, have come and gone, leaving the effects 
of their presence in substantial work. A post 
office was secured at an early day. It has 
been customary for the merchants to deal in 
general country produce, giving goods fi'om 



JACKSON TOWNSHIP. 



their store for butter, eggs, hams, cheese, etc, 
these provisions being shipped by wagon to 
]Massillon or the county seat. A willingness 
tm the part of the projiriotois to give goods 
ill exchange for couotiy ] produce, has brought 
patronage to the stores, that would otherwise 
have been transfeiTed to stores in the larger 
]ilaces. At no time has the population of the 
village exceeded one hundred. It was the 
design of the owners to make the village an 
important point, where large amounts of cap- 
ital should be invested, and where the wealthy 
and educated should assemble for mutual 
profit. They saw no reason why this could 
not be accomjilished. as villages not so favor- 
ably located had passed successfully tlii'ough 
the inci])ient stages of obsctu'ity. disfavor and 
a|>])aivnt standstill in giox^ih. to great ])ros- 
pcrity and unprecedented imju'ovement; the 
lots were advertised for sale, but unfortu- 
nately, as was too often the case in early 
> ears, they were rated so high that mechanics 
and artificers coixld not afford to bay, and the 
result was that the very class of men needed 
to build up the village in valuable industries, 
journeyed on to places where they could locate 
permanently at less expense. After a few 
years the owners saw the mistake into which 
they had fallen, and endeavored to extricate 
th(>mselves by lowering the price of the lots; 
but their time for possible success had been 
permitted to slip liy, and they sorrowfully 
clothed themselves in sackcloth and ashes, 
and moiu'ned over their shortsightedness. 
Nothing save the presence of a railroad or a 
gold mine would raise the village fi'om its 
jiresent obscurity and inaction. 

Schools were taught in the township at an 
early day. The citizens did not wait for liu'ge, 
fine schoolhouses, and highly educated teach- 
ers who required hu'ge salaries. They must 
have schools for the children, who were grow- 
ing up neglected around them. It is too true 
that jieople who have a good thing, do not 
(irize it as highly as those who have it not. 
The latter, not having it, can ap]ireciat<> the 
trials to be met without it: while those who 
liavo it, do not ti'ouble themselves about the 
prospect of losing it. Thus it is with schools; 
people who had passed through life without 
any book education, had been met liv situations 



where, had they possessed proper education, 
they could have triumi)lied over difficulties, 
which resulted in defeat from a lack of educa- 
tion. These resolved that their children should 
be spared the same fate. Accordingly, the lirst 
schools in the towiishii) were taught in dwell- 
ings, by teachers who possessed scai'cely more 
than the rudiments of education. Sometimes 
the dwellings ] possessed two comfortable rooms, 
one of which would bo titted uj) with rough 
desks and benches for the ehikh-en, and a 
stand or table, from which the dec^rees of the 
teacher were to be issued. A broad fire-})lace, 
whose genial blaze cast a raddy glow over the 
healthy fonns of the ]>ioneer children, was, 
perhaps, the most cheerful object in the room. 
Old settlers insist that the early schoolhouses 
were mitch healthier than those at present, as 
the tire-places served to fiu'nish almost per- 
fect ventilation. It is stated that the first 
schoolhouse was a rude, round log affair, 
built at the geographical center of the to\\-u- 
ship, as early as ISlCi. It was through the 
instrimientality of Mr. Slanker that it was 
erected. A Mr. Ujison. an eccentric Yankee, 
was one of the first teachers; it is said that 
he often pimished bad scholars by treading on 
their toes; this coiTection produced the desired 
effect, and was considered as a "Yankee trick." 
'Mr. Upson taught a good school, and, at its 
conclusion, went to the western part of the 
State. This house was used vuitil about the 
yeai- 1S'2(1 when it was abandoned, and Mr, 
Slankers children were sent to Kendal, 
where they boarded with a relative and went 
to school. In 'about the year 1824, a hewed- 
log house was built at the center, and since 
that date, school there has been continuous, 
A schoolhouse was built on Section 6 as early 
as 1825; it was a log structm-e, and two of 
the early teach(>rs were Samuel Bechtel and 
Mr. Sorrick. Some eight years later, a better 
house was built aliout half a mile farther 
east, and a few years ago the present lirick 
was construct«>d. A log schoolhouse ajjpeared 
on Section IC, not far from the year 1S"20. 
Samuel Bechtel taught in this house diu-iug 
the winter of 1821-22. AM.en Clu'istmas 
came, the boys detennined to lifU' the teacher 
out, and thus force him to treat them. The 
teacher rather liked the idea of being barred 




out, as they thus seciu'ed a holiday. Mr. 
Bechtel was one of this sort. He resolved, 
however, to get ahead of the boys ; he, accord- 
ingly, sent his brother Heuiy, then a tall 
strippling of sixteen years, to the schoolhouse 
to teach in his place. Henry reached the 
schoolhouse before the boys, and endeavored 
to kindle a fii'e, but failed. Two young men, 
scholars at the school, appeared upon the 
scene, and not ch-eaming that it was Hemy's 
intention to teach diu'iug the day, assisted him 
to start the fire. Soon all the large scholars ' 
had an'ived, and were anxiously awaiting the 
appearance of the teacher, chuckling with 
satisfaction at the prospect of baixiug that 
functionaiy out. The horn' for opening the 
school came, whereupon Hemy arose and in- 
fonned the scholai's that he had been sent to 
teach the school that day, and directed them 
to take their seats and get their books. All 
did as requested and the day passed without 
noteworthy incident. Just as the school was 
about to close at night, Samixel appeared with 
a "treat" of candy and doughnuts; this 
healed all disappointment. A schoolhouse 
was built in the northeastern part as early as 
1(^25. The first schoolhouse was built at 
McDonaldsville about the time the village 
was laid out; it was a large building, and was 
used for a variety of purposes until 1^87, 
when another house was built to take its 
place, about one hundred rods farther west. 
Owing to a lack of interest on the part of 
those in the district, the house was built by 
Hemy Bechtel at his own expense; and even 
then Mr. Bechtel was required to board the 
teacher. He secured the services of a compe- 
tent teacher, Thomas Clemmous, who taught i 
several terms there The school at the vil- 
lage has occasioned the citizens a great deal { 
of trouble. The present house, a fine brick 
building, which cost some $2,400, was erected 
five years ago. The southwestern part had a 
schoolhouse at a very early day, but almost 
everything regarding it has been "forgotten 
The first church edifice in the township was ' 
erected in 1824 by the Lutherans and G-erman I 
Reformers. It was a imiou structure, built 
of hewed logs, and became known as "Mud 
Brook Church." Among the early members ; 
were the families of Messrs. Slanker, Click, I 



Braucher, Tresch, Hiunbert, Everhart jmd 
Heldenbrand. Mi: Ettleman united with the 
church some time afterward, and, as the build- 
ing about this time needed re-chinking, he 
was emfiloyed for that piu'pose; he had never 
done jmything oi the kind before, and it is 
safe to say he never did anything of the kind 
again after he got through with that job; he 
plastered the entire outer siu-face of the build- 
ing with mortar, until it looked as if mud had 
been rained from the clouds. The Superin- 
tendent pointed out the inappropiiateness of 
the work, but Mr. Ettleman refused to see 
anything out of place. In about the year 
l.sy4, the old log building was replaced by a 
handsome brick structiu'e, which is yet stand- 
ing; it is not so handsome as it was in eai'lier 
year's. The two religious societies that own 
the chiu'ch worshij) on alternate Sundays, and 
have since their church was tii'st built. Revs. 
Anthony ^Veier and Benjamin Foust were two 
of the early ministers connected with these 
societies; they were both good men, and were 
knovm throughout the greater portion of the 
coimty by settlers who yet love to remember 
their kind faces. Rev. J. J. Fast, a Lutheran, 
succeeded Weier, and J. AV. Hamm, a German 
Reformer, succeeded Foust. Rev. Hamm 
preached for the society for almost half a 
centmy, and left behind the record of a life 
full of exami)le well worthy of imitation; his 
moral influence upon the neighborhood will 
be felt for scores of yeai's to come. The same 
two denominations built the "Zion's Chm-ch,"' 
in the northeastern pai't, in an early day. It 
is located on the line between Plain and Jack- 
son Townships, from each of which it has taken 
members. Fm'ther mention of this church 
will be formd in the sketch of Plain Town- 
ship. 

In about the year 1835, an Evangelical 
Church was built at McDonaldsville; it was a 
frame building, poorly constructed, and, after 
being used some ten years, was replaced with 
another, and is now itsed as a barn. The 
present church was built a short time after 
the last war. The society is in a prosperous 
condition, and holds regular services. A few 
years ago, the Dunkards erected a $2,000 
church, near the Zion Church; the building 
is a large fi-ame stiiicture, built without orna- 



^s ^ 



lk£l^ 



BETHLEHEM TOWNSHIP. 



549 



mentation, and the membership is, at present, the county. This is due to the fact that many 
on the increase. The township is not so well of the citizens belong to churches located 
supplied with churches as otlior portions of | without the limits of the township. 



CHAPTER XXVIll.^ 



i;i;riii.F.iiEM TowxsHii'— soil and ur.\inage— pioneer Families— iNUUdTRiES and iMrRovK- 

MENTS— EARLY INCIDENTS AND CUSTOMS— CALCUTTA— NAVARRE AS A WHEAT 
DEPOT — ITS INCORI'ORATKJN— EDUCATION AND RELIGIO.V. 

" There was a time when meadow, grove and stream, 
The earth, and every common sight, 

To me did soiun 
Appareled in celestial light— 
The glory and tin- freshness of a dream. 
It is not now as it hath In in of yore : 
Turn wlieresoe'er I may. 
By night or day. 
The things which I have seen I now can see no 
"lore. " _ Wordmorth. 



THERE is much in a name, notwilhstanding 
the poet's confident assertion that u rose 
by ajiy other name would be as sweet. It is inter- 
estin<i to know that little things, which have no 
seeming importance or value, olten control the 
destiny of individuals or nations. It was but 
a little piece of red-white-and-blue cloth that 
the rebels tired upon at Fort Sumter, yet it 
kindled a flame of fiery wrath throughout the 
nation that swept through the ' iSuuny South '' 
to the (Julf, and that is yet smoldering in all 
the Northern States, ready to burst forth at any 
moment into angry activity at the prospect of 
impending calamity to the country. It was 
but a little cliiki, born at the obscure village of 
Hethlehein, in Judea, among thousands that 
claimed that beautiful country as their native 
land, that has filled the whole earth with 
triumphant joy and bewildering hope. How 
sweet is the name Bethlehem in ever}' Chris- 
tian's heart ! It is like the memory of joys 
that are past. It is a symbol of God's presence 
on earth, and is a comforting lullaby in moments 
of despondency. The name is immortalized on 
earth, and is lovingly bestowed upon dear or 
honored objects by those who profess an adher- 
ence to the faith proclaimed to the world by the 
"Babe of Bethlehem." A large colony of 
Moravians that came to Pennsylvania a centuiy 
and a half ago settled in a beautiful valley and 

* Coiitriljiiled by W. A. Goo Upeed. 



founded a village, which was named Bethle- 
hem. Followers of this sect from this locality' 
came to the Tuscarawas \'alley long before the 
State was settled by the whites, and established 
missions among the Indians. One of these was 
located in what is now Bethlehem Township, 
and is fully described in another chapter of 
this volume. The early settlers were well aware 
of this circumstance, and when the township was 
created, appropriately named it Bethlehem. 

The township is not of the usual size — six 
miles square — but lacks about four sections of 
being up with the standard. This is owing to 
the fact that the southern boundary of the 
township is partly of the Greenville treaty 
line, which takes a dip to the southwest from 
Section 34. Entering the township about a 
mile east of the northwest corner, thence flow- 
ing with many windings in a southeasterly di- 
rection and leaving from Section 34, is the 
famous Tuscarawas River. It is now only 
about two-thirds its size in early years. Boats 
drawing several feet of water were accustomed 
in earl}- j'ears to ascend this river to the north- 
ern part of Stark Co. or farther, to take loads 
of grain down the river to the Ohio, thence to 
New Orleans to market. This would be impos- 
sible at the present depth of the river. The 
township is well and thoroughly drained by 
various small tributaries of the Tuscarawas. 
As a whole, the townslfip is too rolling for ag- 
ricultural purposes. The valle^-s and level 
tracts of lands are exceedingl}' rich, as is shown 
by the heavy crops raised upon them aimually. 
The forest is left standing on the more rolling 
land. In some cases such land has been con- 
verted into meatlows or pastures. Coal and 
stone are found at several places. Out from 
the river the laud is leveler. though even here 
it is far from flat. 



r 



550 



HI^STORY OF STARK COUNTY. 



The question of first settlement is always one 
of great interest, though it cannot alwa3's be 
solved, owing to the non-recording of early 
transactions. It is a curious fact, yet people 
are constantly' doing things of which thej' will be 
sorry. A little thought is sufficient to convince 
thera. though at the time they are as blind as 
Cupid to all results. People deceive themselves, 
because they color their judgments with their 
prejudices. They seem incapable of taking an 
unbiased view of any object or question wliere 
their interest is involved. Jletaphysicians 
prescribe as a fixed rule for the mental mastery 
of any subject, a complete rejection of all prej- 
udice, that tile mind may be as free as air in 
all its movements. But few persons are capa- 
ble of this. With some, the greater the effort, 
the greater the difficulty. Some have formed 
wrong conceptions of their own interest. Tliey 
have studied long and have acquired extensive 
knowledge, but wisdom still lingers. These are 
the persons who are unable to tell what is best 
for tliem. These are the persons who neglect 
to record passing events, and thus refuse to pro- 
vide for ascertaining the probable future, for 
from the past do we judge of the future. Al- 
though people are not in the habit of recording 
passing events, j-et many tilings are stored in 
the memory that are recalled when needed. 
Tradition is a library of fact (sometimes some- 
what doubtful) that the historian is at liberty to 
peruse. It is the deepest spring from which 
the waters of the past are drawn, Old records 
are often valuable, as will be seen below. The 
following is a catalogue of all the land-holders 
of the township for the year 1827 ; Ebeiiezer 
AUman (320 acres), Jacob Anspaugh, Harman 
Buehtel, Jacob Bixler, Samuel Bixler. (Jeorge 
Brantingham (625 acres), Christian Blough, 
John Burkholder, John Baclitel. Joiin Brinton. 
Jacob Burkholder, Jacob Burns, Henry Burk- 
holder. John Cook, James Chapman, Aaron Cul- 
ver, John Kreighbaum, Jonathan W. Condy( wlio 
owned nearly all the lots' in the village of Beth- 
leiiem), William Christmas, John Dinnius, Pe- 
ter Dinnius, Hugh Davidson, Henry Fry, George 
Foulk, Michael Finley, Henry Grendle, Joseph 
Gibbon, Christian Garber, Abraham Gallodaj', 
Horton Howard, John Hutchinson, Samuel 
Hughes, Edmund Hogg. John llousel, James 
Hughes, Henry Hipsh, William Jolly, John 
Kerstetter, George Keen, Baltzer Koontz, Adam 
Kemmel, William Lewis, Charles Linerode, 



Daniel Longenacre. Isaac Lash, Thomas Mc- 
Kean, Alexander Mock, flotlieb Myers, Samuel 
Mufflin, Solin N!il'isiiim'F;> DanierOUer. Peter 
Rider, Abraliain Rowland, John Roan, Abra- 
liam Slirock, Adam Shell. Christian Schwenk, 
John Slialter. John Sherman (not the ex-Sena- 
tor), John Shorl), Jacob Sborb, Henry Shoe- 
maker, Nicholas Stump. Mathias Shipler, Simon 
Snyder, Frederick Stump, Joseph Snively, 
Michael Sterner, Thomas Troul. John Troul, 
Thomas Taylor. Zaccheus Test — (ninety-nine 
lots in the village of Calcutta were owned by 
unknown parties) — Herman Van Dorstan, Hen- 
ry Van Dorstan, Benjamin Whetmore, Henr^- 
Wade, John Wright, George Warner (686 acres), 
Jacob Youngman, Abraham Yant (322 acres), 
John Yoder, Jr., and William Young. 

Among the above are some of the earliest 
settlers in the township. Many came in prior 
to 1827 and left before that date, and their 
names, of course, would not appear on the list. 
The following regarding the early settlement of 
the township, is taken from sketches written a 
few years ago by Rev. David Yant : 

■' The Indian capital of Tuscarawas at •the 
old Indian crossing place above Fort Laurens, 
the Post Mission and Calhoun's trading-house 
were located at and near the mouth of Sandy, 
and were included in the original boundaries of 
Bethlehem Township. Richard Carter, a Quaker, 
and Joshua Coiuly, a brotlier-in-law of Carter's, 
settled at the mouth of Sandy at an early day. 
Elizabeth Himes, whose maiden name was 
Musser. says that the Musser family came to 
Laurensville, opposite Fort Laurens, in 1807, 
and that Richard Carter was then living at the 
mouth of Sandy. Carter was a bachelor, his 
two sisters, Sally and Maria Carter, two pleas- 
ant young ladies, keeping house for him. The}' 
are well remembered by the writer. A trading- 
house had been built upon the ground pre- 
viously occupied liy Mr. I'ost's mission, b}' 
John Fleming, a mulatto from Canada, and a 
man by the name of Armstrong, who had been 
captured wlien he was but fourteen years of 
age by the Indians, and grew up to manhood 
among them, acquiring their tastes, habits and 
modes of life. His father found him and tried 
to persuade him to return to his home in West- 
ern Pennsylvania ; but it was in vain. His 
nature bad been entirely' recast in the Indian 
mold. He said he would not work, and re- 
turned to the Indians, It is much easier to 



~a) \' 



BETHLEHEM TOWNSHIP. 



551 



make an Indian out of a white man in life and 
habit, than to make a white man out of an In- 
dian. Kichard Carter got posses-sion of the 
trading house after Fleming left, and kept up a 
brisk trade with the Indians. The friendly 
treatment of William Penn and bis Quakers 
had so far won the confidenoe of the Indian 
tril)es generally, tliat the former were classed as 
a distinct race. Beaver Ilat said : • When an 
Irishman fills my powder horn, he fills it about 
half full ; an American fills it a little higher ; 
but a Quaker fills it up full.' The same gener- 
ous and Christian treatment would have se- 
cured the same confidence to the Irishman and 
the American. But the country has reaped the 
harvest of a bad seeding with the Indian, 
Richard Carter went to Wheeling for supplies, 
and left Elizalieth Iliraes (then Musser) nged 
fifteen, and her brother, in charge of the trad- 
ing house. The young fellow was fond of the 
hunt, and left his sister two days alone with 
the Indians, She said she was not afraid unless 
they got fire-water, but an Indian came along 
who was on a ' bust,' lie took a butcher 
knife, cut the string of the window shutter and 
proceeded to throw out the furs and skins, and 
completely emptied the post, Mrs, Himes 
knew there was no use to oppose him, but a 
squaw came along and persuaded the Indian 
awa\\ and returned and put things to rights, 
Mrs, Comh', the wife of Joshua Comly, took 
the fever at the mouth of Sandy, and died. She 
left her heart-stricken husband with the care 
of four small children. This was, perhaps, the 
first death among the settlers, Mrs, Comly 
was buried on the Slump farm. Mrs, Eliza- 
beth Ilimes kept house for Mr, Coml}- until he 
was able to make further provisions, 

'•The great flood of 1815 is still remembered. 
It took place in the month of June, Carter's 
house stood by the house of John P, Bordner, 
A canoe had been tied at the bank of the river, 
and tlie water had risen during the night so as 
to leave only the untieil end of the canoe upon 
the surface. My father, Abraham Yant, and 
Philip Yant, my grandfather, managed, by 
swimming and diving, to untie the canoe, and 
run it on the porch of tlie house. The inmates 
iiad retreated to the second story, and were 
carried out, and brought to our house, until the 
liood abated, Hichard Carter owned over 500 
acres of land, of what has since been known as 
the Brantingham tract. He traded the land 



to George Brantingham, another Quaker from 
England, for citj- propcrt\- in Philadelphia. 
Penn,, and removed there about 1818, 

• Many chapters might be filled with inter- 
esting incidents and anecdotes, but a few only 
can be given. Game was abundant ; deer were 
so numerous that they were hardly ever out of 
sight for a tla}". Bears were not so plenty, but 
they were frequently met with. On one occa- 
sion, John Swank, who lived iu sight of our 
farm, went through the woods to George Kuhn's, 
somewhere near where Davidson Brown now 
lives. He treed four cub bears on a dogwood 
sapling, made strings of some tow he had in 
his pocket, climbed the sapling and secured the 
cubs by tying two together. When he came to 
the ground the noise of the cubs attracted the 
mother, who rushed at him with her jaws wiile 
open. He dropped the cubs on the side of a 
large fallen tree and jumped upon it, and the 
bear came up on the opposite side, but did not 
attack him. He broke off a dead limb and 
frightened her off, and after following her a 
short distance, returned, caught the cubs, made 
his escape and brought them home. Swank 
parted with two of the cubs and kept two, 
which grew finely. The bears and a pet pig 
slept in the shelter of a hollow sycamore that 
had been sawed off and placed for the purpose. 
One rainy night after washing day, when a 
grapevine full of clotiies had been left out, the 
bears put their natural instincts to work, and 
taking the clothes proceeded to ihe woods and 
climbed a large red-oak tree, the top of which 
parted into three branches, where the}' made a 
nest of the clothes and lay snugly down, hi 
the morning the clothes were gone, and the 
bears were gone. After many conjectures and 
a protracted search, the white clothes were 
seen and soon the whole mystery was solved. 
Then the (juestion was, how to get the clothes. 
This could onl}- be done by chopping the tree. 
When the bears became sensible of the situa- 
tion, they coolly ran out on a limb, rolled up 
into a ball, dropped to the ground, and scam- 
pered off home. Thev afl'orded abundance of 
amusement, and in our evening visits, would 
waylay us in the dark. In the chase the hind- 
most •' codger ' was sure to be caught bj* the 
foot in the paws of the bear, frights and screams 
availing nothing, but we were never hurt. My 
father had a large, strong, active greyhound, 
named Beaver. Swank's children came on an 



D "V 




HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY. 



evening's visit and one of the bears accom- 
panied them. Beaver was frantic with rage at 
the bear, but never would taiie hold of it. The 
bear ran up a tall sugar tree, sat among its 
branches and growled. When the children left 
it came down and took to the fence, and 
the dog followed, making a fearful noise and 
threatenings of mortal combat. Init would not 
come in reach of the bear's paw. I never saw 
an animal for which T had formed so strong an 
attachment, as Beaver. He lived until old age 
rendered him nearly- helpless. He had been 
mj' constant companion in m3' hunts and ram- 
bles, killing and treeing the wild game ; but at 
last it was determined that he should be killed 
to put him out of his misery. I pleaded for his 
life, caught him round the neck and wept as 
though he were my brother, but without avail. 
" Richard Carter left the mouth of Sand}- in 
1816. George Brantingham, a Quaker, his 
wife Phoebe, and Sarah Bolton, an unmarried 
sister of Mrs. Brantingham, with four children, 
came to the mouth of Sandy in the spring of 
1816. Mr. Brantingham traded city property in 
Philadelphia to Richard Carter for a tract of 
500 acres of land, and settled upon it. The 
Brantingham children were Joseph, Hannah, 
George and Sarah. The children, like their 
father, were full of life, and soon exchanged 
their city ways for the more free and active 
enjoyments of the backwoods. My father's 
familj- and the Brantingham farailj- became 
much attached to each other, and were lifelong 
friends, notwithstanding their different religious 
views. When my father would kneel in family 
praj'er, George Brantingham would sit in sol- 
emn reverence, with his hat on, and worship 
God in the spirit. The want of religious soci- 
ety of their own faith, rendering the further 
stay of the Brantingham family at the mouth 
of Sandy undesirable, and the tract of land 
owned by Mr. Brantingham was subdivided and 
sold. The neighbors tried to reconcile him to 
stay, stating as a reason the fertility of the land, 
to which he replied : "If we live for hog and 
hominy, we need not leave ; but if we live for 
something better we had better go.' This 
striking declaration of the choice of a good 
man contains an important adm(mition. There 
are many, vast numbers indeed, who live onlj- 
for ' hog and hominy.' Esau lived for hog and 
hominj-, or he would not have sold his birth- 
right ; Lot was governed b^' hog and hominy 



or he would not have pitched his tent toward 
Sodora. In 1821, the Brantingham family- 
removed to the vicinity of Salem, Ohio, 
where George Brantingham, Sr., died, in 1845, 
aged seventy-five years. Phiebe Brantingham, 
his wife, died in the spring of 1853, in her 
eightieth year. Among the early settlers, none 
were more conspicuous than Mathias Sheplar, 
Nicholas Stump and Ebenezer Allman. Mr. 
Sheplar was born in Westmoreland County, 
Penn., November 11, 1790. His first wife was 
Elizabeth Retan. He came to Bethlehem 
Township in an early day ; was for many years 
a Justice of the Peace, and several times a 
member of the Legislature, both of the House 
and Senate; served one term in Congress and 
filled various minor otHces, in all of which sta- 
tions he retained the confidence of the people, 
as a moral, upright man, and faithfully dis- 
charged the various duties assigned him. Mr. 
Shepler was nianled three times. His first wife 
died while yet young. He was married to Eliz- 
abeth Bechtel, who died in 1837. His last 
marriage was with Sarah Linerode, the widow 
of Otho Linerode, and daughter of John Sher- 
man. She still lives at the age of seventy-six, 
though much enfeebled. Mr. Shepler died in 
April, 1863, a member of the United Brethren 
Church. His remains are interred in the Sheplar 
burjing ground, on the farm where ho formerly 
resided. 

" Nicholas and Frederick Stump came from 
Chambersburg, Franklin Co., Penn., in 1808. 
Most of the goods belonging to Nicholas were 
lost in crossing the Nimishillen, Frederick 
Stump settled in Perry Township, on the farm 
now "occupied by his son, Levi Stump. Nicho- 
las Stump settled on the northwest quarter of 
Section 10, now owned by Henry Myers. Nich- 
olas Stump was elected several times to the 
office of County Commissioner, when public 
honesty and economy were the rule. Kings, 
jobs and reckless extravagance are the results 
of a superior refinement and the advancement of 
the age. 

" Ebenezer Allman came from Bentleysville, 
Washington Co., Penn., in 1807. HissonsGeorge 
and William were out a year or so previous. 
They settled on the northeast quarter of Sec- 
tion 4, now occupied bj- Mrs. Eve Allman, a 
daughter of Frederick Stump, and the widow 
of Barney Allman. CarroU Allman was killed 
by the falling of a tree, in his seventeenth year, 



BETHLEHEM TOWNSHIP. 



553 



and was the first death in the family. Jane 
was married to George Klingle, referred to as 
the first dry goods merchant in Betiilehem, 
Parali, another (hiughter, was married to Jerr}- 
Sluts. The family consisted of seven sons and 
two daughters. Kbenezer Allman died in 182S, 
aged sixty-four ; Agnes, his wife, died in 1839, 
aged sixty-six. 

" Abraham Yant came from Allegheny Co., 
Penn.. to Bethlehem Township, in the fall of 
1812. He stopped at the house of Nicholas 
Stump, who went with him and showed him the 
northeast and southeast quarters of Section 2 t, 
then vacant. He went to Steubenville, located 
one quarter, returned to his home, seven miles 
from Pittsburgh, near the .Monongahela River, 
worked at the shoe bench until the spring of 
1814, when he came out and located the other 
quarter, built a shanty or camp of butternut 
poles, stayed three months, cleared a field, 
planted it in garden vegetables, corn and pota- 
toes. While at work in the wild woods his 
supplies of bread were procured from the set- 
tlers, the wild turkeys and pheasants suppliiKl 
him with eggs, and his rifle abundantly sup- 
plied him with venison and turke^'. He returned 
in Jul}', and started for his new home about the 
1st of September, and arrived at the cabin on 
the 10th of September, 1814. The family con- 
sisted of my grandfather, Philip Yant, Sr.. my 
inicle. Philip \''ant, Jr., my father and mother, 
.Miraham and Catharine Y'ant, my brother 
.\nthony, and my sister Magdalene, I being 
then sixteen months old, and the youngest. 
The moving party were on the road two weeks, 
with wagon and two horses. The season was 
remarkably wet. My mother says she carried 
me all the way ; that it rained every day, and I 
cried the whole journey. The little hut had a 
fire-place on the projecting corner, and it con- 
tained room for kitchen purposes, a bed, and 
the dear old " trundle-bed " The rest of the 
family slept in the covered wagon, A cabin 
h<juse was soon put up, with a log fire chimne}', 
puncheon floor and clap-board roof The farm 
in its natural state was heavily timbered with 
oak trees of immense size on the hill slopes, 
and the bottoms were covered with sugar 
maple, beech and hickory. It was hard labor 
and a slow process to clear up a farm ; but by 
perseverance, late and early, every year added 
an eight or ten acre field to the opening. I^abor 
was cheap. The best choppers could be hired 



for $8 or $10 per month. The sugar season 
aflbrded the greatest enjoyment and the hardest 
labor of any other part of the year. Camping 
out and running the sugar camp day and night 
was full of fun and excitement, through slush, 
snow and rain. The exposure was not con- 
sidered dangerous. Half a dozen different 
camps, within neighboring distance of each 
other, afforded a vast amount of social enjo}'- 
ment for the young folks. The log-cabin 
pioneers, with all their hardships and simple, 
rough fare, were healthier and enjoyed social 
life to a greater degree than falls to the lot of 
their more refined and weakly descendants. 
Abraham Y'ant became a minister of the Ger- 
man Baptist denomination. Tlie last few yeai-s 
of his life were spent in the tJospel ministrj'. 
He died in January, 1842, aged sixty-one 3-ears, 
His widow, Catharine Yant, survived him, and 
reached the unusual age of ninety-three years 
before her death occurred. 

•' Prior to 181"). Bi'thlehem and Pike were in- 
cluded in Canton Township; V)ut, in 1815 and 
181(i, Pike and Betiilehem held elections jointly. 
Bethlehem Townshi[) was created on the 12th 
of December, ISlti, and an election held in 
.\pril, 1817. Baltzer Koonts was the first 
Justice of tiie Peace. The first couple mar- 
ried in the township were .Vcjuilla ('arr and 
his wife, Nelly ; her maiden name is forgotten. 
The ceremony was performed b^- Squire Koonts. 
.Vdam grounds, the father of Jacob Grounds, 
came to Bethlehem in ISOO or 1807, The first 
three Ijarrelsof salt were brought into the town- 
ship by Mr. t'arr. He conveyed them up tlie 
Cuyahoga River in a canoe, hauled the canoe 
across the Portage, south of Akron, to the Tus- 
carawas, and floated down to Bethlehem. He 
sold one barrel to (iodfrey Huft' at the mouth 
of One-leg Creek ; Mr. (hounds g(5t one barrel, 
and the other was secreted in the woods, to 
keep the Indians from finding it. The salt was 
sohl at $25 per barrel, l)ut Mr. (Jarr said he wouhl 
haul no more at that price. Jacob Grounds 
taught the first school at Bethlehem, and was 
clerk of the first election held at Canton. 
James Gatt' made the ballot box, for which he 
received 50 cents. The first entries of land 
were made by Brinton & Condy. Richard Carter. 
Nicholas Stump, Kbenezer .Vlhnan, Harman 
VanDorston, .^Iathias Sheplcr. Charles Linemde 
and others. 

•■ In 1810, Mr. Brantinuham laid out the towu 



A 



HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY. 



of Cnlcuttii, liad :i sale of lots, and built a 
warehouse on the bank of the rixer. Several 
flat-bottom boats were loaded here for the south- 
ern trade, the caigoes consisting of flour, whiskj', 
bacon and potter_v ware, the latter being man- 
ufactured at Canton. A store was also estab- 
lished and continued for several years bj- Fred- 
erich C. I'hcrsieh, a German. His goods were 
valued at about $500. and comprised axes, hoes, 
salt, tobacco, groceries and a small quantity of 
prints and muslins. Of course he kept wiiisky. 
There was where his greatest profit was real- 
ized. His store became quite a resort on this 
account. Some six or eight dwellings were 
erected in Calcutta, in which as many families 
resided for a few years. A blacksmith ap- 
peared, and, it is said, a printer named White 
came there with the intention either of 
starting the somewhat doubtful venture of 
a newspaper, or of doing a general ad\'ertising 
business, or both. He was probably looking 
up a location, as he stayed there but a few 
mouths. The outlook was decidedly unfavor- 
able for such an enterprise. The warehouse 
did quite a thriving business for a few years, 
until the river v,'as no longer safely navigable 
b^' the flat-boats. Calcutta was considered the 
head of navigation on the Tuscarawas. The 
river, except at a high stage of water, proved 
unsafe, and a number of shipwrecks, with loss 
of cargo, put an end to the New Orleans trade 
upon the Tuscarawas. The last flat-boat that 
passed down the river was about 1822, or a year 
later. As the leading idea of building up a 
town of some commercial importance, was di- 
rectly connected with this trade, the prospects 
of the future city of Calcutta were abandoned 
with it. The town plat was vacated, and is 
now embraced in the farm of John Kaler. 

•' Tiiomas and Charity Roach, from Kendall, 
Stark County, frequently stopped at Brauting- 
ham's, on their way to visit the Zoarites, in whose 
welfare they interested themselves greatly. 
George Brantingham went with Thomas Roach 
to a Yearly Meeting at Mount Pleasant, Jeffer- 
son Co., Ohio, during which Mr. Roach took 
sick and died, and was buried at the Short 
Creek Quaker burj'ing ground. Charity Roach 
and her husband, Thomas Roach, were without 
children. Charity, with the true spirit of 
Christian benevolence and charity, founded 
the ' Roach Charity School.' She requested 
Sylvanus Buckius, a tinner, to make a ' roach ' 



(a fish) to be placed upon the building as a 
vane, so that the name should not be forgotten ; 
it is there to this day. There was but little 
need of this, as the ' name of the righteous 
shall be an everlasting remembrance.' Al- 
though not upon an extensive scale, it is one of 
the noblest charities in the State. Men of 
wealth who do not know what to do with their 
abundance, should pay it a visit, then ' go and 
do likewise.' The remains of Charity Roach 
rest in the old burying ground at Kendal. 
Many a poor orphan has stood by her humble 
grave and called her ■ blessed.' 

" The village of Bethlehem was laid out by 
Jonathan W. Condy. in 1800. Mr. Condy and 
Martin Brinton, a brother-in-law, were lawyers 
from the citj' of Philadelphia. They located 
large tracts of land in Bethlehem 'Township. 
Jfr. Condy was accompanied by the Rev. Rich- 
ard S. Goe. Religiously, the3- had embraced 
the tenets of Emanuel Swedenborg. Their pro- 
ject was to establish a religious societ}-. mold- 
ed after the Moravian Society at Bethlehem, 
Peun., after which the town was named. Mr. 
Condy was a man of enterprise and integrity. 
He built a saw-mill on the stream east of the 
village, and contracted the building of a grist- 
mill ; but the latter was abandoned. He erected 
a storehouse on the northwest corner of Mar- 
ket and Second streets, which was occupied b3' 
James Klingle. This was the first dry goods 
store in the village. It was afterward occupied 
by Mr. (ioe as a store, and was torn down but 
a few years since. For various reasons, Mr. 
Condy s expectations were not realized. He 
returned to Philadelpliia until after the location 
of the Ohio Canal, when he came to see his 
landed interests. On riding across a corduroy 
bridge his horse was attacked by yellow jackets, 
became frantic, tiirew Mr. Condy, broke his 
shoulder, and otherwise very seriouslj* injured 
him. From these injuries he died a short time 
afterward, and was buried in the old grave- 
yard. This was in August, 1827. 

"After the location of the Ohio Canal, Na- 
varre was laid out by James Duncan. The 
year before, Nathan McGrew had laid out on the 
western side a village, which he named Roches- 
ter. Rafl'ensperger and Chapman afterward 
laid out an addition to Rochester. The three 
villages, Navarre, Bethlehem and Rochester, 
became places of immense trade in wheat and 
drj' goods. The principal merchants were D. & 



BETHLEHEM TOWNSHIP. 



H. Allman, Flill & Co., Chapman & Rafl'ensperger, 
I'oe & Co.. Wirt& Biirgent. Tlie leading export 
was wheat. Bet'oiv the opening of the Ohio 
Canal it did not bring thirty cents in cash, but 
now coiniuanded remunerative prices. For 
some years this sudden im|)ul.se in trade went 
on in a torrent, results quit(^ satisl'actory wei-e 
realized, and handsome fortunes made. Its 
influence upon the country was seen and felt in 
tlie enhanced value of real estate, the taste of 
buildings and all kinds of improvements. This 
season of prosperity was followed b\- the strin- 
gency and reverses of 1837 to 1840. Fortunes 
that had been gathered in the years of prosper- 
ity, were more quickly swept away. The fail- 
ures in mercantile circles were as common then 
as at the present. Trade, like the ocean, seems 
to be subject U> ebbs and flows. .Much of the 
money made in wheat raising remained in tlie 
hands of the purchaser. All the original firms 
largel\' engaged in the produce trade failed, but 
the farmers did not. They jogged on, slowly 
and surely, some wiser than before. Ever}- 
generation learns this truth — that dealing in 
large sums begets recklessness and extrava- 
gance. Quickly made is quickly spent. A post 
otiicc was established at Bethlehem, Februar}- 
8, 1828, Thomas Hurford being the first Post- 
master. On the 14th of August, 1843, the 
name of the office was changed to Navarre, 
and George \V. Sweringen became Postmaster. 
Soon after Navarre was laid out, James Duncan 
built a mill, and connected with it a store. 
Tile Ohio Canal supplied the water-power pro- 
cured from the State. The mill did a prosper- 
ous business, and was a great advantage to the 
pla(;e and the surrounding country. It is now 
owned by James Corl. and is doing a good cus- 
tom business. Soon after Rochester was laid 
out, James Sproul built the steam-mill. After 
changing hands several limes, it is now owned 
and successfully operated by the Coup brothers. 
The prospective importance of Navarre, as a 
business point, soon began to decline. The 
superior advantages and enterprise of -Massillon 
drew capitalists to that point. The Fort \Va3'ne 
& Pittsburgh Railroad, the iron works, machme 
shops and car works located at that point and 
successfully carried on, have largely directed 
trade from Navarre. The latter is still a place 
of considerable business. Projected railroad 
facilities, should they be realized, may add to 
its present value." 



The village of Bethlehem was laid out while 
Stark was j'et a part of Columliiana (!ounty. 
The original village plat maj* be seen at the 
county seat of that county. Calcutta was laid 
out as stated above, in 1819. though the plat 
thereof does not appear on the i-ecords at Can- 
ton. One of two things must be true : either 
the record of the plat has been lost or destroyed, 
or the plat was not properly recorded. When 
the Ohio Canal was built through the township 
and opened, Bethlehem was re-enforced by popu- 
lation and prosperity. By 1830, there were some 
twenty dwellings. H. & I). Allman opened a 
store there in about the year 1828, and had a 
stock of goods worth probably $4,000. In 
October, 1833, Nathan JMc(irew laid out thirty- 
six lots on fractional Section 5, about three 
hundred yards west of Bethlehem, along the 
bank of the river, and named the village thus 
begun Rochester. He immediately ottered the 
lots for sale, but Bethlehem proved a formid- 
able rival, and he did not succeed very well. 
In March, 1834, James Duncan laid out nine- 
teen lots on the bank of the canal between 
Rochester and Bethlehem, and named this vil- 
lage Navarre. The reason for the projection of 
new villages so near together and so near Beth- 
lehem is not very clear. The latter village was 
so situated that quite a steep bluff' was between 
it and the canal. This rendered the shipment 
of all kinds of productions a troublesome mat- 
ter, as buildings could not be located on the 
bank, and, even if they could, teams could not 
approach to unload grain. And besides this, 
there was considerable fun thrown at the vil- 
lage on account of its inactivity in the manage- 
ment of the grain trade. People seemed afraid 
to locate there, and men with capital moved on 
to localities which pleased them better. This 
state of things continued until a few years after 
the opening of the canal, or until the other 
villages were laid out. Mr. McGrew laid out 
Rochester on the bank of the canal. I)ut there 
the approaches were unfavorable to the rapid 
handling of grain. These facts led Mr. Duncan 
to lay out Navarre. The Massillon Rolling 
Mill Company was in existence at that time, 
and had considerable capital at its command. 
This was partly invested in land. Mr. Duncan 
was a member of the company, and was author- 
ized to [)urchase the land upon which the vil- 
lage of Navan-e now stands. This he did. He also 
laid out the village with the intention of building 






556 



HISTOBY OF STARK COUNTY. 



his up at the expense of the other two. His 
plan, owing to the imperfect location of the 
other villages as regards the canal, and the 
jealousy that had sprung up between them, was 
in a measure successful. The Allraan Brothers, 
who were then keeping store in Bethlehem and 
doing a general warehouse business, wei'e in- 
duced to transfer their interests to the new 
village of Rochester. This movement met with 
opposition from the Bethlehemites who at first 
endeavored to persuade them to remain, but 
finding this course unavailing they made efforts 
to kill out Rochester. Duncan built a store 
building in Navarre, and J. & W. Chapman, who 
were selling goods in Bethlehem, moved to the 
former place. The withdrawal of the Ciiap- 
mans and the Allmans from Bethlehem was a 
serious blow to the expectations of that village. 
McGrew who had been in business there had 
left and laid out Rochester. Tiiese men saw 
that, in view of the growing trade at that point, 
a better location was not onlj- desiralile but, if 
extensive business on the canal was to be done, 
it was neeessarj-. This, among other things, led 
them to break away from Bethlehem. After 
they left, G-eorge Pfoiitz o|)ened a store where 
they had been, and bought grain at the old ware- 
house they had occupied and deserted. This 
was about the year 1835. Duncan built at 
Navarre a grist-mill and a saw-mill, besides 
other buildings, including several dwellings. In 
short, he did his best to build up the village he 
had founded. The saw-mill was soon afterward 
burned down, but was immediately rebuilt. 
After a few years, it was again burned down, 
and was then permitted to remain down. Stump 
& Fisher opened a store at Bethlehem in about 
the year 1838. The Allman Brothers, when they 
went to Rochester, built a storehouse and also 
a large warehouse. From this time forward 
there was constant rivalry between the three 
villages. In each there were merchants who 
were bujnng large" quantities of grain and pro- 
duce, and as a necessary consequence each was 
envious of the prosperity of tlie others, ('lose 
margins were made in consequence, the mer- 
chants endeavoring to undersell each otiier in 
store goods and over pay each other in the 
trade in grain. The results are easily guessed. 
Their business soon languished under this 
pressure, and when the financial troubles of 
1837 came on, the merchants failed and made 
an assignment of their property. From this 



time onward almost every man who en- 
gaged in buying grain at the villages 
failed in business. As soon as a man opened 
a store in either of the villages he must dabble 
in the speculation in wheat. These men did 
not profit by the experience of those who had 
failed before them. They, forsooth, were 
shrewd enough to foresee the future condition 
of the markets. And another thing : they 
would not permit the other buyers to do a 
more extensive business than themselves ; tliat 
would not do. The facts are curious, yet this 
was about the condition of affairs for a number 
of years. Failure after failure succeetled each 
other, and still a fresh supply of daring capital- 
ists crowded their way to the front. Among 
the men who have been in business in the vil- 
lages are the following : Isaac Hawk, Charles 
Poe (a descendant of the renowned borderer of 
that name), p]nos Raffensperger. who with 
Chapman, in 1845, laid out a large addition to 
Rochester, Hill & Waldron, Martin & Harris, 
Brobts & Rudey, R. & J. Sprankle, Davidson 
& Company, Mr. Wertenbergert, D. Mentzer, 
Bash, Minor & Company, Goodman, Chapman 
& Company, J. & M. Bash, Goshorn & Rose, 
Goshorn & Eckrode, Dennius & Draoenstrod, 
Zerby & Gorgas, H. V. Beeson & Company, 
Hall & Companj', Loutzenheiser & Company, 
Hetzler & Company, Thompson & Baxter, J. 
& J. \V. Raffensberger, G. H. Cross, and others. 
Among the present business enterprises are, 
G. H. Cross, John Weidman, Daniel Metzer, 
Alexander Garver, G. W. Henline, (xrossklaus 
& Ricksecker, Gnau & Moog, A. Schmidt, J. 
Loud, Mrs. Donnovan, milliner, and others. 

In about the year 1850, there was formed 
what was called the '' Farmers' and Mechanics' 
Association." This company of perhaps fifty 
men was not incorporated, but it had a paid- 
up capital of nearly >;2(l.00(l, which was divided 
into shares of $25 each. The business was con- 
trolled by a board of directors. A large ware- 
house and a large dry goods store were built, 
and the Company began buying grain and deal- 
ing in goods. It owned one or more canal- 
boats and a large hardware store. As high as 
3,000 bushels of grain were bought in one day, 
and, during the years of the company's greatest 
activity, nearly 100,000 busiiels of wheat and 
other grains were purchased and shipped to 
Cleveland on the canal. The company had un- 
bounded credit, and soon went beyond its means. 



^ 



i^ 



HETIILEIIEM TOWNSHIP. 



557 



Within about six years after its promising start, 
the company found that almost its entire capital 
was swallowed up in liook accounts and stock 
in store. From the fact that the company was 
conducting a similar business in other villages, 
and had come to about the same strait in those 
places, it was found impossible to continue. 
An assignment of the proi)erty was made, and 
the individual members were required to make 
up what the assets lacked of meeting the lia- 
bilities. 

In about the j'ear 1 84-1. W. Wann erected a suit- 
able building, and l)egan manufacturing plows, 
stoves, steam engines, hollow-ware. etc. He em- 
ployed a few assistants, and, after continuing a 
few years, admitted a partner named Widgeon. 
These men then extended the scope of the en- 
terprise somewhat, and after the lapse of a few 
years, sold to C. & J. Snyder. Finally, 
Yant, App & Company purchased the foundry, 
and, in addition to what had been manufactured 
before, began making wheat drills. After this, 
under other owners, the business was changed 
to that of wagon and carriage making. At 
present, under R, Hug, the building is a plan- 
ing-mill, where doors, windows, blinds, etc are 
manufactured. 

The first public house of entertainment 
was kept l)y John ."^halter, on the southwest 
corner of Third and Market streets. The first 
one in Navarre was opened by J, Yant, oppo- 
site Mr, Sisterhen's shoestore, and was known as 
" Yant's Hotel.' The building is yet standing. 
He was succeeded by a Mr. Horton. The 
" Reed House," known first as the " Navarre 
House." was built by Richard Goe. The pres- 
ent landlord is B. F. Reed, whose good looks 
are proverbial, and whose knowledge of 
horse-flesh is almost infinite, >ren named 
Wingert and Sprankle kept tavern in Bethle- 
hem at an early day. Since the earliest times, 
as might have been expected, ri\'alry and 
jealousy have marked all commercial relations 
between the villages. Nothing serious has 
transpired, the rivalry usually confining itself 
to bitter thoughts. 

On the 2!tth of .Vugust, 1871, a petition, 
signed by over fifty <iualilied voters, residing in 
the combined villages, was presented to the 
Commissioners of Stark County, praying for the 
incorporation of Bethlehem. Navarre andRoch- 
ester, under the name of Navarre. The subject 
was laid upon the table until the September 



session, when all things, pro and con, having 
been duly considered, it was ordered that the 
prayer of the petitioners be granted. The 
boundaries were fixed, but were afterward 
amended. In April, 1872, the first municipal 
election of the incorporated village of Navarre 
was held. As soon as the officers were quali- 
fied, the necessary ordinances were drafted and 
adopted, and a small tax levied for municipal 
purposes. A small, strong, wooden jail was 
built at a cost of about §150, The following 
is a list of the city officers ui> to the present 
time, with the dates of the commencement of 
their terms of office : 

Miivor— 1872, .Iai(>l> E. Mcntzcr: I87«, Mathia.-i 
.Sislcrlu'U. 

Clerk— 187-i, Alfred .1. Rider: \H7>\. Charles Oied- 
l.-r. 

Treasurer— 1872, Henry l{. Heiiiicl; 1870, Ale.v- 
aniler Garver. 

Marshal— 1872, James Linn; 1876, Seraphim 
Shively; 1878, Edward R. Stcrl, 

Slrei't Commissioner— 1872, Jolin .\. Keplinger; 

1874. Michael Unsesliiek; 1875, .Jacoli Wolf; 1875. 
Seraphim Shively: 1876. .John .]. BidUle: 1878. .lohn 
Linn. 

Councilmeii— 1872. Samuel MilliM-. two years; 
Mathias Sisterhen. two years; Peter Tlicohald. two 
years; .Tolin Baltzer. one year; Gotlieh Winter, one 
year; William O. Siffert". one year, 1878. Peter B. 
Welsh. (Jeor^re W. Swarensren. Enos Raftensl)erger, 
Edw;u(i .1. Hu?: 1874. A. S. i:)uley. .John Leow; 

1875. David Riekseeker; 1876, J. M. "Corl, .1, C, Krit- 
zinuer, .1. E. Loud; 1X77, A. W. Go.shorn; 1878, T, 
F. Lereh, A, Henderson; 1879, .1. W. Ream: 1880, 
William Donnovaii; 1881, Ivern Aekermau. 

The first school in the township was taught 
at Bethlehem by Jacob Grounds. When this oc- 
curred is not known. The village was laid out as 
early as ISOG ; but the school was not probably 
taught until eight or ten years later, when a log 
schoolhouse was crec'ted. This house, or log 
building which succeeded it, was yet standing 
in 1835. Soon after this date the old school- 
house was abandoned, and a large, two-story 
structure erected in its place. Navarre and 
Bethlemen could not agree on school privileges, 
and the former and Rochester united means 
and erected a small brick schoolhouse, to 
which a large addition was made some time 
afterward. This building is yet standing, and 
is used as a dwelling. In 1871, the three vil- 
lages, or rather the one village of Navarre, con- 
tracted with M. V. Leeper and A. W. (Joshorn 
for the erection of a large, brick union school' 
building. It was completed during the summer 
of 1872, and cost, including the furniture, etc., 






558 



HISTORY OF STARK COUXTY. 



about $11,000. It is two stories in height, and 
contains four rooms. R. 8. Page was the first 
principal in this building, and received $70 per 
month for his services. His assistants were 
Misses M. E. Adams and R. E. Poe, the one 
receiving $35, and the other $25 per month. 
Tlie present enumeration of scholars in this 
union district is about 325, with an average at- 
tendance of some 70 per cent. The school year 
begins in September and ends the following May. 
The early country schools were slow in start- 
ing. In 1820,. tliere were but two or three 
sciioolhouses in the township outside of Beth- 
lehem. B3' 183(1, there were five or six and in 
1840. nearly as many as there are at present. 
Log schoolhouses were usually first built, 
and afterward, as time passed and settlers be- 
came numerous, better ones took their place. 
The following is the condition of the township's 
school funds : 

Balance on hand Scptcnil)cr 1. lS7i) $l,8-'y 55 

Stat(' tax 6:51) 0(1 

Irredeemable fund 149 42 

Local ta.\. for .school and scboolhousc pur- 
poses 5.078 9a 

Fines, etc 83 44 

Total $7.7-20 84 

EXl'ENDITUHES. 

Amount paid teachers $1,787 00 

Sites iUKl Imililings 525 00 

Amount of inti'rest on redemption bonds 1,545 65 
Fuel and other contingent expense 434 58 

Total $4,242 23 

Balance on lumil September 1, 1880 $8,478 11 

Value of seliool property $9,000 00 

Average paid m;ile lenebers, per month, . $33 00 

Average paid female teachers, per month 20 00 

Number of male pupils enrolled 248 

Number of female pupils enrolled 224 

Total 472 

Average daily attendance, males 171 

Average dail_y attendance, females 156 

Total 827 

Number of school districts 8 

Number of schoolhouses 8 

Population of Township, 1880 2,303 

The following is taken from the sketches of 
Mr. Yant : 

" The first house of worship in the township 
was the German Lutheran log church in the 
northeast part of the village. This was built 
about 1810. Jacob Grounds was employed to 
erect the building, which he did in a creditable 



manner. The next was the Salem Church, 
known as the Sherman Church, built and occu- 
pied jointly by the Lutheran and German Re- 
formed denoiuinations. Rev. Anthony Weyer, 
of Canton, was the Lutheran Pastor of both 
these churches. Rev. Benjamin Foust was 
the Pastor of the German Reformed society. 
Salem Church was built in 1818. Rev. Weyer 
served the congregation for many years. Late- 
Ij' the house, a large two-story log building, 
was sold and torn down. The Lutherans built 
a neat frame church in 1871. Previous to the 
building of Salem Church, Mr. Weyer held re- 
ligious services at the house of John Sherman, 
who donated the ground for the church and 
burying ground. 

"The Catholics have a good church building 
and school. Their first church was a log build- 
ing that had been intended for a wag n shop. 
It was taken and altered, provided with neces- 
sary furniture, and occupied I)}' the congrega- 
tion. After a time they built a brick church, 
which, not many years ago, was enlarged and 
is their present church. The Catholics have 
the strongest church society- in the township. 
They have also a separate school building. 
This is a frame building, and was constructed 
in 1872, at a cost of 81,800. Between 70 and 
80 scholars are in attendance, though but one 
teacher is employed, who usually is a female, 
and receives about $30 per mouth for her serv- 
ices. The (ierman Lutheran, the English Re- 
formed and Lutheran, the Methodist Episcopal 
and the United Brethren in Christ, have each 
good houses of worship, fiourishiug Sabbath 
schools and fair congregations. 

" The first Jlethodist society was organized 
bj- Revs. Walter Athey and Curtiss Goddard, 
at the house of Ebenezer Allman in 1815. 
Mr. Allman was leader of the class. The 
members of the society were Ebenezer Allman, 
Agues Allman, Abraham and Marj' Phillips, 
Mrs. Elizabeth Sheplar. wife of Mathias Shep- 
lar, Elizabeth Sheplar, Abraham Sheplar, Sam- 
uel and Sophia Miller, Capt, John and Ellen 
Brown, John Alexander and Henry Coiler, 
Regular preaching was continued at the house 
of Mr. Allman until 1835, when the church was 
built in Bethlehem. John Brown was not 
satisfied as a member of the Methodist Church, 
and in after years he connected himself with the 
Catholics, and died in that faith. He is buried 
in the Catholic burying ground at Navarre. 



4. 



l.AKE T0WX8HIP 



CHAPTER X.XrX.* 



LAKR TOWNSIIIl'— SURFACE FEATIRES AND CLIMATIC CONDITION'— KIKST SETTLEKS AND EARI,V 

OUfiANlZATION— INDUSTRIAL AND SOCIAL GROWTH —VARIOUS MANUFACTURINU 

ESTABLISIIMEN'TS- VILLAOES. CHURCHES AND SCHOOLS. 



• Yf say llii-y all have passi'd away. 

Tlial iiobli- race and linivc: 
That their li^)it caiiocs have vanished 

From olT the crested wave; 
That 'mid the forest where they roamed 

There rinjrs no lnint<M's shout; 
But their name is on your waters. 

Ye may not wash it out. 



.\frs 



yigiiunieii. 



\/\ ANY of tho more valuable portions of 
XVJ_ the history of Lake Township have 
been carelessly permitted to ])ass into forget- 
fiilni'ss, and the truth of the old saving, 
" Wliat is everybody's business is nobody's 
liiisiness" has thus been verified. This is to 
be de])lored, as not only are the early inci- 
dents interesting and even fascinating, but 
they often fiu'iiish important information, 
without which endless disputes would arise 
and extreme bitterness be engendered among 
quondam friends. The j)reservatiou of old 
records is often of great })ublic moment: yet, 
notwithstanding this fact, it is unfortimately 
too often the case that men, in whose keeping- 
such records are confided, become negligent, 
whereby valuable material is lost or destroyed, 
thus entailing upon their successors and suc- 
ceeding generations an infinite amount of 
trotible and annoyance. It is as if some person 
should eonti"ict some troul)lesonie and disgust- 
ing disease, and afterward transmit it in its most 
malignant type to his descendants through 
several successive generations. Such ])roced- 
iire has a lasting effect, and guileless jiarties 
are made to suffer the consequences, that 
should have fallen like the ciu-se of Jove 
upon the offender. AVhile township records 
are not usually of general jmblic value, they 
oc('a.sionally are so, and should be preserved 
with that prospect in view. 

As will be learned more fully elsewhere in 
this volume, Stiirk County, before its organ- 

*CoiitrilMili.(l hy W. A. Gno<i«|.i'eii. 



ization as such, was for a time attached to 
Columbiana County, and in alwiit the year 
ISOf) was divided into two townships, Canton 
and Lake, which included all th(i present 
comity and more. The boundary between the 
two townships was the line running east and 
west between Canton <md Plain Townships. 
How they came to be called Lake and Canton 
is a mystery more profoiuid than that of 
Eleusis. Dr. Slusser thinks that Lake, 
which included all th<' northern half of the 
county, was thus named because it was nearer 
Lake Erie, or because a portion of it was 
drained by stresmis which flowed to that hike. 
It is the opinion of the wTiter, however, after 
much inipiiry, that th(> towushi]) derived its 
natue from Congress Lake. The presence of 
that lake was undoubtedly known, as it must 
have been discov(>red by hunters, and by those 
who were looking at lands with a view of set- 
tling. The hunters in Cohuubiana County 
can be imagined as saying, " I'm going up in 
the lake country to hunt bears,'" so that the 
region became designated as " the lake coun- 
try." At all events, that jiortion of the coimty 
was known as Liike Township while it re- 
mained attached to Columbiana. When Stark 
was organized, the ]irescnt Lake Township was 
a part of Plain, and remained thus tuitil the 
8th of April, 1^1 1, when all the noi-tli western 
portion of Plain, including the present Lake, 
was organized as Green Township. No other 
changes were made with Lake Townshi]i, as 
it now stands, until the following ju-oceedings 
relative thereto were enacted in June, l<Slt), 
by the County Commissioners: "Ordered, 
That the 1 l^th'Township, in the Nth Range, 
be, and it is herby, erected into a separate 
townshij) by the name of Lake. Ordered 
also. That the qualified electors of said town- 
shij) meet at the house of Joseph Moore in 



HISTORY OF STARK COFXTY. 



said towusliip, on the 4tli of June, 1816, for 
the election of to^sTiship officers. Ordered 
further, That advertisements for said election 
in Lake Township be put up at the house of 
Peter Dickerhoof in the town of Union, and 
at the hoiise of Joseph Jloore. (Signed) 
James Latimer, John Krvder, and James 
Drennen, County Commissioners." 

The name of the fu-st settler in this town- 
ship is not known with certidntv. Among 
the earliest, however. wiTe Joseph Moore. 
Henry Schwaiiz. the Markleys, Jacob Brown. 
jVIr. Camp, John Fryberger. George Machaner, 
John Morehart. Martin Bachtel. Peter Beam. 
Ml". Wise. 'Mi. Meyer. Mr. Pontius and sev- 
eral others. It seems, upon examining the 
count\' records, that while the fii-st election 
of officers was ordered to lie held at the house 
of Joseph Moore, on the 4th of June. ISKi, 
the meeting was not thus held, which fact 
called out this fmther act fi'om the commis- 
sionei-s: Ordered, that an election be held 
June "29, 1816." at the house of Joseph Moore 
to fill the necessary township offices. The 
names of the fij-st officers cannot be recovered. 
The township soon became quite well popu- 
lated, and the material condition of the set- 
tlers became more satisfactory. Land was 
rapidly taken up. and soon Government land 
became a thing of the past. The following 
were land-holders in the township in 18'2(t: 
Chi'istopher Auble, Jacob Bachtel, John Bnsh- 
ong, Jacob Bauer, John A. Bauer, Jacob 
Brown, Conrad Broombaugh. John Creigh- 
baum, George Creighbaum. John Clay. Chris- 
tian Cbrist, Jacob Critshal. Peter Dickerhoof. 
George Everhard, Peter Eby, George Frank. 
Jacob Fouse. Jolui Fouse, George Nodle, 
Simon Harsh. William Holsinger, Anthony 
Housel. William Irwin, Jesse Johns(m. John 
Euder, George Myers. Joseph Moore, Jacob 
Mayer, Christian Balmer, Peter Pontius, Dan- 
iel Mai'kley, George Mai-kley, John Markley. 
John Morehart. John Muny, George Null. 
Benjamin Pontius. Solomon Pontius. Nicholas 
Pontius, John Raber. Thomas Piaber. Abraham 
Reem, Peter Reem, Conrad Raber. Philip 
Roser, Jacob Ruff. John Shorh, William Stripe, 
Jacob Sell, Jacol) Sholt. John Wise. John 
Weller, George Westerberger, Michael Sny- 
der, Henr\- Swartz. Jonas Smith, George Stnt, 



George Snyder, Jacob Schaffer. William Stad- 
don, George Stidger, Daniel Smith, John 
Thompson, Jacob Warstler, William Wise, 
Henry Wise, and John Wise. This list 
is taken from the tax duplicate of that year, 
at the county seat. 

The township was an inviting locality for 
the settlers. The soil had every appearance 
of being very rich, and gave in its silent way 
ample promises to the prospective husband- 
man. An unusttal munber of small swamps 
abounded, but it was seen that the most of 
these could be drained in after years without 
any very great cost. An abundance of lime- 
stone was to be found by removing a few feet of 
earth, and coal. also, was soon found to be 
abundant in the western pai-t. The to\vuship 
is situated on the " Ohio Water Shed," as the 
waters of the southern part reach Nimishil- 
len Creek, a member of the Ohio River basin, 
while the waters of the northern part flow 
into the Little Cuyahoga, a member of the 
Lake Erie basin. In the northeastern part is a 
fine sheet of water called Congress Lake. 
How it came to receive this name is not 
stated. It is likely that for many years the 
lake remained the [)roperty of Congi-ess, and 
finally became so designated. It is about a 
mile imd a half long by halt a mile wide, and 
is perhaps fifty or sixty feet deep. It is well 
supplied with fish. Since the Connotton Val- 
ley Railroad has been projected through the 
township, it is the design to make a pleasure 
resort of the lake. Suitable buildings are to 
be erected on the lake shore, for the comfort 
and accommodation of pleasiu-e-seekers. This 
will add to the attractions of the township as 
a locality in which to live. 

Lake To^^^lship, on account of its swamps 
and bodies of water, was the resort, in early 
years, of large numbers ^ of wild animals, 
which found a safe retreat there when piu-- 
sued. It thus became a favorite hunting 
ground, for, in the winter, when the marshes 
and sti'eams were fi'ozen, hunters could ti'ace 
the quaiTy to its lair, ilany of the settlers 
were skillful hunters and trappers, and on 
account of the bounty ofl'ered for scalps and 
the market vahie of the fiu's, made consider- 
able money. The country was destitute of 
everv kind of monev. When the settlers first 



\ 



LAKE TOWNSHIP. 



5 ^ 



appeared, they often had considerable means, 
but this was soon drained from them like 
blood. After that they were obliged to do 
without money as a medium of exchange, and 
substitute Uieir own wants instead. All com- 
mercial relations were caiTied on by a system 
of exchanges, the base of which wore the 
individual wants of the parties participating. 
This gave rise to what were known as the 
" trade price " and the " ca.sh price." Those 
who were fortunate enough to have consider- 
able means at their command, and who were 
wise enough to invest it judiciously, soon 
amassed large fortunes, and their descendants 
are now reai)ing tie advantages. Men with- 
out money or property, and with large families 
dependant upon them for support, sufl'ered 
incredible hai'dships and privations, and were 
often compelled by the force of circiunstances 
to relinquish their title to their half-improved 
farms, and retiun to the Eastern States. The 
most of those who came to the West, however, 
made up their minds before stai^tingto undergo 
the coming adversities, and to be cheerful 
under the burden of difficulties and dangers. 
The taxes on their farms had to he paid in 
money. This money was often raised by the 
sale of fiu-s. There were the fiu-s of the mink, 
the beaver, the muski'at the otter; and the 
skins of the bear, the wolf, the panther, the 
deer, and various other animals. The pursuit 
of these animals, both for sport and profit, 
led to many an exciting adventure, as thrill- 
ing as any of those nairated on the page of 
fiction. Several of these incidents which 
transpired in Lake Township have never been 
made public. George Xodle, one of the ear- 
liest settlers, owned two cows that were per- 
mitted to roam at will thi'ough the woods in 
quest of iooA. On one occasion about sunset, 
the c<jws not having retiu'ned, ilr. Xodle 
started with his little dog in quest of them. 
He was an experienced and skillful hunter, 
and as usual when leaving home, took his rifle 
with him, although he had but four and a 
half bullets left. Reaching one of the streams 
which had overflowed its banks, Mr. Xodle 
was unable to proceed any farther, but sent 
his little dog across to start the cows, should 
they prove to be on the oi)posite side. Away 
went the dog, and was soon barking vigorously 



oflf in the woods, although after several min- 
utes it did not appear with the cows. Mr. 
Xodle at last succeeded in crossing the creek, 
and hurried forward to ascertain what the 
dog had encoivntered. It was now almost 
dark, but as the settler approached the sjxjt 
where the dog stood at bay, he knew that 
something unusual was about to transpire. 
He cautiously peered through the twilight, 
and saw with astonishment a mother beai- and 
her thi-ee cubs. He instanth' di-ew up and 
shot the lai'ge beai-, and then, loading rapidly, 
shot in turn each of the cubs. He now had 
but half a bullet remaining, and it became a 
question of doubtful propriety in his mind 
whether he had better await the return of 
the sire of the bear family that had been 
slaughtered, or leave the spot immediately. 
He finally adopted the latter course. It is 
probable that the cows remained undisturbed 
in the woods that night On another occa- 
sion, a bear caught and partly consumed a 
member of the genus Sua belonging to Mr. 
Xodle, who, the following night, guarded it 
with his rifle in hopes of killing the marauder. 
During the night the beai' appeared, but was 
shot by the imeiTing himter. Many circum- 
stances simihu- to the last occiuTed. The 
beai's were extremely fond of jwrk, and would 
often come boldly into a door-yard, in broad 
daylight, and in sight of the family, who were 
peering in fa-ight from the windows, seize and 
carry off a hog or calf. A very unusual and 
siuiirising incident occmred on one occasion 
— one that in many respects has no parallel in 
the history of the {>ast The incident is 
related on the authority of several prominent 
citizens of Greentown, and is as follows: An 
early settler, wht>se name could not be remem- 
bered, was one day in the woods without his 
gun, when lie was attacked in some manner 
by a bear, and compelled to ascend a small 
free for safetj*. Tlae bear was terribly en- 
raged, and began making desperate efforts to 
dislodge the terrified settler, perched like a 
hawk ill the branches above. It began to te<ir 
at the tree with teeth and claws so savagely 
as to threaten, if continued, the speedy fall of 
the free. The settler hallooed repeatedly 
and loudly for assistance. The calls finally 
attracted the attention of a bov of about four- 



"5> ^ 



HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY. 



teen years of age (probably the son of the 
distressed settler), who started with gnn in 
hand to discover what was meant Ijy the con- 
tinued calls. As he approached the sjiot, he 
was probably cautioned by the settler in the 
tree, and directed how to jiroceed. At any 
rate the boy caiitioixsly approached the place 
until the bear was seen, when he drew up, 
took deliberate aim, and sent a bullet crash- 
ing thi'ough Ihe bear, at which the animal fell 
over and gave u]) the ghost (if it had one). 
The settler, considerably relieved, descended 
from the tree, which was found to be com- 
pletely girdled, from the effects of which it 
died. The settler would not permit the tree 
to be felled, but kept it standing, in remem 
brance of the occurrence, until it was blown 
down. Did not the boy display remarkable 
intrepidity in approaching and shooting the 
bear? Many other incidents of a similar 
natui-e could lie mentioned, but these will suf- 
fice to show that extreme danger often accom- 
panied the sojourn in the backwoods. 

Industries began to spring into life imme- 
diately after the township was first settled. 
Saw-mills and grist-mills of primitive fash- 
ions began to appear on the various streams, 
to supply for the increasing demand articles 
nearer home. Roads were a])pareutly bottom- 
less, and the sticking qualities of the mud 
were demonstrated to the settlers — often to 
their infinite annoyance and sorrow. The 
continued impassable condition of the roads 
(if they can be properly called such), led to a 
demand for mills, stores, etc., near home, and 
led to their speedy erection. Whisky was an 
article found on the mantel in every house- 
hold, for to be without liquor was thought to 
be without one of the necessities of life. Men 
at work in the field must have it: and, when 
visitors appeared, it was deemed a gruss 
breach of hospitality to restrain from setting 
up the drinks. No house or other building 
could be raised without it. It is asserted 
that there were fewer drunkards then than 
now; but this is undoubtedly a mistake. The 
custom of imbibing was so ctmmou and 
drunken men were so numerous that people 
did not notice the evil effects as they do now. 
Time has wi'ought a wonderful change in 
this, as in manv other things. Saw- mills 



started up as early as any industry, but these, 
like those of the gods, were compelled to move 
slowly. The streams were sluggish, though 
there was double the volume of water th^n 
than now. George Creighbaum erected his 
saw-mill on a branch of the Nimishillen some 
time before 1830, and for many years did 
extensive work, as there was a steady and 
increasing demand for lumber to be used in 
the const niction of dwellings and bams. His 
son William operated it after him imtil but a 
comparatively short time ago. when Elias, son 
of William, and grandson of George, assiimed 
ownership and control. This mill in its time 
has been a good one. Simon Harsh also built 
an early one, not far from the year 1825. 
This was also a good mill in its time. Other 
mills will be mentioned farther along. The 
following men have, at various times, con- 
ducted distilleries in the township, some of 
them beginning in veiy early years: Jacol) 
Harbrook. George Everhart, Lewis Hanshal- 
ter, Mr. Shriver, John Bushong, Andrew Pon- 
tius, George CreighViaum and Henry Swartz. 
More than one of these men owned the same 
distillery. There were certainly enough to 
supply the township with all the licjuor needed, 
which is saying a good deal, as the Gennan 
element of humanity can carry as much liq- 
uor without staggering as any other. They 
are cold and phlegmatic, and not easily per- 
suaded to fall, when King Alcohol beckons. 
There are fom- villages in the township — 
three of th(m wholly, and one partly in Lake 
and partly in Plain. These four are Cairo, 
Hartville. Greensburg and LTniontown. The 
origin of these names is obscxwe or perhaps 
altogether unknown. Cairo is numerically 
the weakest, although it began its career 
many years ago. D. T. Machamer has been 
condiacting a store there for a number of 
years. The village has a post office, and a 
church, built by the Lutherans and Reformers 
perhaps forty years ago. When these few 
things have been said, the past history of 
Cairo has been almost wholly unfolded. The 
records of Hartville are not much more 
voluminous. So far as could be learned, 
neither Hartville nor Cairo was ever properly 
laid oiit and recorded. Hartville has had a 
population of some twelve or fifteen families, 



ihL, 



LAKE TOWXSIIIP. 



563 



while Cairo can scarcely boast of having had 
that number. As nearly as can be remem- 
bered. John Houghton opened the first store 
in Hartville soon after ISHd. His stock of 
goods was small, but included many useful 
articles. Joseph Brown omb;u'ked on the 
mercantile sea some time afterward. Peter 
Shellenberger was another early merchant. 
It is likely that t)thers have sold goods in the 
village, Init their names arc locked forever in 
the casket of forgetfulness, and the key is 
concealed. Some futm'e historian may dis- 
cover it. John Morehart opened a tavern 
about the ye;ir 1888. Daniel Baum is the 
present landlord. George Machamer and 
Hem-y (Trossenbaugher are the present mer- 
chants. They have a fair country ti-ade. and 
iire presumed to be making some money. Dr. 
Hoflfman was located in the village quite 
early. Some other things might be said of 
the village, to its credit. Some thirty years 
ago, Elias Shriver erected, in the northern 
part of the township, a large grist-mill, in 
which were placed five sets of stone. The 
cajiacit}' of the mill, which is operated by 
steam, is said to be 3(30 bushels daily. The 
present owners are Bitter Brothers. The mill 
is in operation both day and night, and not 
only does, it have an extended custom tr;.de, 
but it ships considerable flom- to distant 
{wints from the station at Uniontown. It is 
probably the best mil] of the kind ever in the 
township. 

The town of Union was laid out by Elias 
Brenner and Thomas Albert, owners and pro- 
prietors, in April, 1816, from portions of the 
northeast and the northwest cjuarters of Sec- 
tion 7, Township 12, Range 8. Sixty lots 
were laid out, and immediately offered for 
sale. Albert was an old baclielor, and like 
all members of that class was pussessed of 
ciu-ious or eccentric ti'aits of character. A 
few houses were immediately built, and as 
many families resided therein. As early as 
1825, George Myers and W. H, Whitney 
opened a store, and not long afterward secured 
the location of a post office at the village. It 
is said that George Guisweit was in with a 
small stock of goods before these men, which, 
if true, would make him the first merchant in 
the village. \Mieu he first began selling 



goods is not so well knovra. He peddled 
his goods all over the suiTounding country, 
which fact secured for him the universal and 
homely appellation, " Cheaj) George the ped- 
dler." He did not have altogether more than 
$200 worth of goods, and although a ])ortion 
of these was sold at his house in the village, 
the greater portion was peddled as stated. 
He became known to everybody, who seemed 
to think that he was a proper subject for their 
jokes. All was taken in good humor by him, 
aud he was well liked and well ])atronized; 
so that, although he sold his goods very low, 
he contrived to make considerable money. 
After him came Myers & Whitney, who kept 
a good countr}' store, and had an extensive 
trade. Other merchants in the village have 
been Aultman & Holwick. Samuel Woods, J. 
B. Woods, D. T. Frank, William Steese, 
Feather & Glasser, M. & M. Josejih, Woolf 
& Foust, Stutzman & Price, W. H. Nees, Nees 
& Price. Ml'. Nees is yet in business in the 
village. It is probable that others than those 
named have followed the mercantile i)ursuit 
in Uniontown. Charles Brown is one of the 
present merchants, as is also the firm, Huns- 
man & Schick, Some of the earlier stores 
were inferior and short-lived, while others 
were well filled and had an extensiv(> trade. 
There have been times when Uniont«iwn was 
a lively business village. In early years, 
when there were no railroads on which to 
transport goods and thus vwy the cost of con- 
veyance, one store was aliout as good as 
another. Stores in small villages could sell 
as cheaply as those in large villages, and in 
■ consequence, if they were well filled, it was 
better to patronize them, for they were nearer. 
Some of the early stores had on hand as high 
as §1(XOOO worth of goods, and probably 
Hunsman & Schick have more than that 
quantity at present. John Bolender built a 
cabinet-.shoj) in 1868, which he has since con- 
ducted. He fm-nishes work for some three 
emjiloyes, and manufactures burea\is, tables, 
chairs, 1>ed-steads. secretaries, etc.. and has a 
fair trade. Jose])h T. Halloway ])receded 
^Ir. Bolender at the occujiation, for .he began 
not far from the year 18;?(t, and continued a 
number of years. John A\'oolf was another, 
who made spinning-wheels, etc. Samuel 



^ 



564 



lilSTOHY OF STARK COUNTY. 



Woods opened a tannery many years ago, 
beginning with some ten vats, which were 
afterward increased to more than twenty. 
Large quantities of leather were prepared, 
and whal could not be used at home was 
shipped to distant places. There were no 
such persons in early times as commercial 
travelers. Merchants in the West were in 
the habit of going East twice or more times 
a year to pnrchase their goods, which were 
then hauled by wagon to their destination. 
Then it was that settlers crowded in to have 
their choice of the stock on hand. Weai'ing 
apparel of all kinds was not ready made, but 
made to order. Farmers were obliged to buy 
the cloth with which to clothe their families, 
after which either a tailor was employed to 
do the cutting, or the task was tm-ned over to 
the wife and mother. Some of the latter 
became proficient from long practice, and 
could furnish a neat fit every time. Joui-ney- 
mon tailors ti'aveled tlu'oughout the country 
to secure engagements at cutting, fitting, or 
making. Shoemaker's did the same. Leather 
enough to make shoes for the whole family 
was piu'chased at the tanneries, after which 
the services of a shoemaker were called into 
requisition, and the family provided with 
shoes for the coming year. In this manner, 
Samuel Woods' tannery secm'ed a lai'ge trade. 
His son, J. B., succeeded him. Chai-les Glas- 
ser also conducted an early tannery, as did 
William Motz. There were two of these in 
the village at the same time, but it is thought 
that Mr. Woods' disposed of the most leather. 
George Winters began hatting in the vil- 
lage in about the year 1883; he was an adept 
at the occupation, having followed it in the 
East before coming to Ohio. Except, perhaps, 
by means of a few rude mechanical contriv- 
ances, all his work was done by hand. During 
the month of June, he visited the surrounding 
farms where sheep were kept, and selected the 
finest article of lamb's wool to be found to be 
used in hatting; he owned a small shop in 
which his goods were kept for sale; he con- 
tinned some ten or twelve years, manufactur- 
ing, in the meantime, large ntmibers of excel- 
lent hats; his hats became celebrated for 
their capability of resisting rough usage and 
continued wear; he finally left for other fields. 



In about the year 1855, C. W. Lane erected 
suitable buildings and began manufacturing 
plows, kettles, pots, skillets, etc., an occupa- 
tion that he followed a number of years, when 
he sold the foundry to H. B. Richards and 
John Fritch. These men built a large shop 
and greatly increased the scope and capacity 
of the undertaking. They attempted the 
mauufactm-e of cultivators, but failed to pi-o- 
duce satisfactory imj)lements, and finally the 
whole project was either abandoned or traus- 
feiTed to some other locality. The following 
doctors have practiced in the neighborhood, 
while residing in the village: Devaux, Reed, 
Zollers, Parlimau, Weimei', Buchtel, Ashman, 
Steese, the present physician, Allen, Hatcher, 
McConnell, Waldron and Richards; this may 
not be a complete list. George Bolinder 
opened a tavern in about the year 1825; he 
had for a sign a large blue ball; in 1827, this 
sign was removed, and an ordinary sign- 
boai'd erected in its jilace, bearing the date 
1827. Other tavern-keepers have been Will- 
iam Waguer, Isaac Statden, Samuel Swine- 
hart, Joseph Dreese, J. W. Creighbaum, John 
Bender, Leonard Ral)er, Amos Johnson, James 
Woolf, Urias Weitman, Euos Fasnocht and 
John Leed, the present landlord. Joseph T. 
Halloway is said to have been the first Post- 
master, receiving his appointment about the 
year 1825. The office is now under the con- 
trol of Mrs. Dr. Steese. This concludes the 
brief history of the village of Uniontown. 
Greentown has had a similar histoiy, vary- 
ing only in names and dates. No one can 
realize the truth of the maxim, "History re- 
peats itself," until he has made history a 
study. Hiunan natm-e is the same the world 
over, and as history is but a record of human 
exj)eriences and achievements, it necessarily 
rejieats itself. Greentown was laid out in 
February, 181(5, by Henry Wise jmd Peter 
Dickerhoof, owners and proja'ietors. A total 
of sixty-f(jiu' lots was laid out, thirty-two of 
which were on the land of each proprietor. 
The lots were laid olf from the northeast and 
the southeast quarters of Secticm 30, Town- 
ship 12, Range 8. In accordance with a 
peculiar freak of the owners, the village was 
unusually and peculiarly laid out. Each 
square was divided by two diagonal alleys. 



T^ 



^. 



LAKE TOWNSHIP. 



and at the four corners of the central square 
were four small open parks, or squares, the one 
at the northwest beinc; called Jones' Square, 
the one at the northeast. Burrow's Square, 
the one at the southeast. Blakely's Square, 
and the one at the soutliwest. Allen's Sijuare. 
Mr. AVise owned the northern half of the vil- 
lage, and Mr. Dickerhoof the southern half. 
Both men. in after years, did a p^eat d(»al to 
build up the village. It is said that the 
daughters of Mr. Dickerhoof worked regulai-ly 
in the fields. One day, Betsey, his daughter, 
while busy in the field, suddenly felt some- 
thing touch her shoulder, and. turning quickly 
wound, saw a tall Inchan standing laughing 
at her side. It is also related that there was 
a man at th(> village, in early years, who had 
lost an arm and a leg. both from the same side 
of the body. One day Betsey asked him how 
he came to lose his limbs, but he avoided her 
repeated cpiestiouing for some time, and at 
last said; ""1 will tell you, if you promise not 
to ask another question." This she agreed to 
do, whereupon the man said: "'They were bit- 
ten off." As may be imagined that answer 
made the wli(jle subject more mysterious than 
it was before; but her promise prevented Bet- 
sey from asking any fiu-ther qtiestions. But 
to retiu-n to Greentown. It is said that James 
McNabb built the first house in the village. 
When this building was torn down, a few 
, years ago. the air-dried body of a rat was 
found between the walls, in such a position as 
to show that it must have been inclosed there 
when the building was constructed. It is 
thought that this building was erected imme- 
diately after the village was laid out. Other 
btiildings were soon erected, and erelong, 
several families were found residing in what 
may be called ancient Greento\vn. It is 
probable that a man named Goodwill o])(>ned 
the fu-st store in the village. The date is not 
given, although it was not far from 1820; he 
did not own over S'iOO worth of goods. Hiram 
Myers, who succeeded him. had a very good 
store, and made some money, devoting the 
most of his time to this pm'suit. Other mer- 
chants have been: Ej)hraim Ball, who failed, 
and "became $1,000 worse off than nothing," 
G. & M. Wise, W. J. Lininger, Henry Nuna- 
maker, Wylie, Smith & Co., Henry Clemmer, 



Isaac Hiinsberger, Thomas Gorgas, Pollock 
& Hayes, J. H. Wise & Co., Henry Shanafelt, 
Young & Stine, Feather & Glassor, Willis & 
Baugh, H. Shanafelt & Co., Peters & Shafer, 
Prance & Bair, S. S. Bumberger, who failed, 
( ). P. Shanafelt, Shanafelt & Shafer and Isaac 
Hall. Some of these kept large fine stocks of 
got)ds on their shelves, and received excellent 
j)atronage. Others had small stocks and small 
patronage. It has in all cases been true that 
a good store at the village has done well; it is 
the case in all small villages, and in large ones, 
also, that poor stores, miserably conducted, 
apparently poison tlit* public confidence and 
respect. They vitiate the public taste for 
good ones. This is true everywhere. Too 
many men undertake the mercantile pursuit, 
as a result of uncontented dispositions, who 
were never cut out for John B. Astors or A. 
T. Stewarts; knowing nothing of this inter- 
esting occupation, they blindly peg along for 
a few years, perhaps, after which the signifi- 
cant words, "failed" or "busted" could bo 
appropriately inscribed on their banners. 
This is true in every occui)ation in life. Men 
should search for the ]mrsuit best adapted to 
them; when foimd, it should be followed to 
the exclusion of all others. The system of 
skilled labor has become both a science and an 
art. E.\j)erience teaches that it is better to 
seek excellence in few things than mediocrity 
in many. Various industries have flourished 
from time to time in Greentown. In about 
the year 1S57, Hovick, Morgan & Co. pur- 
chased the old Methodist Church, intending 
to use it as a shop in which to begin the man- 
ufacture of engines, etc. One was really con- 
stmcted, several othera repaired, and then the 
undertaking w;us abandoned, much to the dis- 
appointment of those men at the village who 
may be looked upon as capitalists, and who 
had expected to be financially benefitted by 
the presence of the industry. After the enter- 
prise was abandoned, the owners built the 
grist-mill, which is yet in oi)eration in the 
village. The mill is operated by steam, and 
has two run of stone. A small custom trade 
has been the extent of the mill's operations. 
It has changed owners several times; one of 
the owners, finding that ho could do better 
with the mill elsewhere, threatened to remove 



;sr 



HISTORY OF STAKK COUNTY. 



it to Alliance, in case he could not sell it. 
The citizens did not wish the mill removed, 
and to prevent this disposal of it, finally 
formed themselves into a company with the 
title. Wise, Housley & Co.. and pm'chased the 
mill projierty for $('),()(*(), paying much more 
than it was really worth. These men were 
Leidigh Housley, John H. Wise, Michael 
Wise and Abraham Miller. Several changes 
in the ownership were afterward made, until 
the mill is at present owned by Housley & 
Ball. It is doing a limited custom work. A 
number of years ago. Christian Kryder and 
Henry Shanafelt, Sr., started a furnace on 
Section 36, and began manufacturing stoves. 
plows kettles, pots, skillets, ete. They at fii'st 
bought their pig iron at Hanging Rock, and 
had it shipped by canal to Massillou, wheuce 
it was hauled by wagon to the furnace. The 
enter])rise was begun soon after 1840, and 
was continued by these men some twelve 
years, when the j)ro]>erty went to Levi Kryder, 
son of Christian, who conducted the business 
until ten or twelve years ago, when it was 
purchased by Wise & Acker. The present 
owners are Wise, Acker & Hissner. who manu- 
facture scrapers, cultivators, some hollow- ware, 
plows, making a specialty of plow points, of 
which they manufacture great numbers. Col. 
Ephraim Ball, who resided at the village 
about forty-five years ago. had his attention 
called to a new threshing machine, and, after 
he had examined it, he concluded to engage 
in the manufacture. Himself and brother 
finally formed a jiartnership, and purchased 
the right for Wayne County for |'2()(), giving 
their written obligations for that amount. 
After some maneuvering, they finally built 
ap])ro])riate buildings at Greentown, and Mr. 
Ball made the first machine with his own 
hands, having scai'cely any tools, or other suit- 
able im])lements: he had no money nor credit 
in the undertaking, for all the neighbors 
looked upon the prjject as erratic and vision- 
ary, and liesides Mr. Ball was in debt over 
$1,000. This first machine was sold to John 
Miller, of Greentown, for $102. It was not 
portable, which was considered a serious 
drawback to the value of the thresher; so Mr. 
Ball set his wits to work to devise one that was 
portable. The necessary jtatterns for the cast- 



ings were made and taken to Messrs. Hart & 
Brown, of Massillon, where they were criticised 
imd j)ronoimced satisfactory, if about §2r> worth 
of jiaint and varnish was added. Here it was 
that, from the criticisms on his labors, Mr. 
Ball became a skilled pattern-maker. About 
this time he began wooding cast-iron plows. 
A horse-power for the thresher was made, but 
the machine had to be sent out of the coimty 
to be tested, to escajie an execution in the 
hands of the Sherift". After being te'^ted, the 
machinery was pronoimced imjierfect and un- 
satisfactory, and was finally sold, and the pro- 
ceeds used in paying off" the execution. In 
February. 1840. IVIi-. Ball and his three 
brothers, having obtained a ])romise from their 
father for §400, concluded to build and con- 
duct a fovindry. Their intentions were ridi- 
culed by the citizens, who looked upon the 
undertaking as wild and visionary. Every- 
thing was got in readiness, and, finally, in 
June, 1840, the citizens, to the number of 
several hundi'ed, assembled to see the "big 
fizzle" at the first casting. When the castings 
for three plows, a dog- iron or two, and a few 
skillets, were taken in good shajie from the 
moulds, it is said the citizens would scarcely 
believe their eyes, but handled the various 
articles to see if indeed they were genuine 
pot-metal, and sound. It is said that Mr. 
Ball. Sr., was so pleased with the result that 
he bought a bottle of whisky and treat.ed all 
hands. It was extremely difficult to get ])at- 
terns for the different articles of machinery, 
as the ])rices were very high,' and the Ball 
brothers were without money. Necessity com- 
pelled Mi\ Ball to devise some for himself. 
He finally made one for a plow from a piece 
of tough, knotty majile plank: and. so excel- 
lent were the plows made from this pattern, 
that hundi'eds were sold all over the county, 
and even in distant places. All this business 
was done in the face of executions and judg- 
ments that poured in as soon as it was dis- 
covered that Mr. Ball was handling a little 
money. There were eleven executions held 
against him at one time. The brothers man- 
ufactured cooking stoves, plows, hollow- ware, 
and a few threshing machines. One day sev- 
eral men came to Mr. Ball and offered him 
$000 for his foimdry; but the latter, knowing 



^: 



LAKE TOWNSHIP. 



5G7 



that it was worth much more than that, refused 
to take less than $1,000. Thev threatened 
that if IVIr. Ball did not sell for !?(500 they 
would build a rival estaMif^limcut. This was 
linall}- done, and the first thin^' >Jr. Ball knew, 
his rivals had purchased the rif^ht to manu- 
facture the plow upon which h(^ had been en- 
gaged. This left him almost helpless, but he 
went to work, and finally devised a jiattern of 
his own, which, in the end, jiroved as valuable 
as the one he had lost. After a time Mr. Ball 
began manufacturing the Hussey reajier, six 
being made at one time. Three of these were 
sold in the county, and three were taken to 
Illinois. This was in about the year 1S4S. 
Twelve were constructed in 1S4U, and the 
haiTest was almost over before one was sold. 
One was taken to Louisville, where a public 
exhibition of its workings was given before a 
motley crowd of men. wcmen and children. 
The farmers saw with astonishment how 
uicely the standing grain went down before 
it. The owner of the held immediately pur- 
chased the reaper, but his cradlers were so 
bitterly opposed to it, declaring that it would 
leave them, like Othello, without an occupation, 
that it was finally returned to keep peace in 
the family, as it were. Other public exhibi- 
tions were given amidst much o])positiou and 
numerous discouragements Vnit, in the end, 
ten out of the twelve reapers were sold, at low 
prices, and on time. Mr. Ball constructed a 
few separators about this time. The motor for 
his foundiy was an old horse, nannd '"Brince." 
This now venerated animal ^\as apparently 
subject to fits and starts, sometimes running 
the motion of the machinery up to a frightful 
rapidity, and then suddenly lowering it so 
that no motion, or but little, could be per- 
ceived. At last a ten-horse-j)ower engine was 
]>urchased, at Cuyahoga Falls, for S-IOO; this 
proved to be a great improvement on the old 
horse. In January, 1851, Mr. Ball's partners 
sold their interest in the foundry to C. Ault- 
man and David Fouser, and, in Aj^ril of the 
same year. George Cook and Lewis Miller 
were added to the ])artnership, which then 
became known as E. Ball & Co. Soon after 
this, the whole business was transferred to 
Canton, but just before this occurred. Jacob 
Miller became a partner, and the firm name was 



changed to Ball, Aultman & Co. The subse- 
quent wonderful career of this jtartnership 
will be found in another portion of this vol- 
ume. The eiiterjtrise l)eguu by Mr. Ball 
tmder so many discoiu'aging circumstances, 
and against such o])position, has 8j>road its 
branches over all the earth. More than 11,- 
000 reapers have been mamifactured in a sin- 
gle year, and shipped to ail parts of the woi-ld. 
A valuable lesson, well worthy of perusal, may 
be read in the history of this enterprise. 

But little more remains to be told of Green- 
town. Among the j)hysicians at the village 
have been Stough, Ogden, Parliman, Dolwick, 
Chittenden, Ashman. Jones, Stephens, Bom- 
berger, Belding, and J. E. Dougherty, who 
has been at the village for some thirty years. 
His son, L. E., a graduate of the Cohmilms 
Medical College, is at i)resent associated with 
him. Almost every physician in the township 
has been of the allopathic jiersuasion. Anioug 
the tavern-keepers have been "William Ruj^p, 
Mr. Eoberts, G. H. ^Vise, Henrv Shanafelt, 
Sr., Peter Shanafelt, Israel Schlott. C. F. 
Dunseizen, Samuel Getz, H. B. Herr, Gerhart 
Leed, Benjamin Eby, I'rias Wei(hiian, Samuel 
Miller. Samuel Botz. Samuel Shriuer, Haak 
& Shanafelt, Buck & Haak and Mr. Gre(n- 
walt. H. P. Houek Iniilt a saw-mill in the 
village twenty-five or thirty years ago. It 
has changed owners several timi s, but is yet in 
operation. The Greentown Coal Company 
and the Mogadore Coal Ccmpany rre mining 
black dionionds near the village. The former 
employs seme fifty hands, and mines not 
far from one hundred tons daily, while the 
latter is yet in its infancy. Ferdinand Schu- 
macher, of Akron, has lately completrd a large 
warehouse at the station, where a little \illage 
is in the act ui siiriiiging into life. About 
six years ago, Isaac Strife began burning drain 
tiles, red and fire bricks, near the station. 
Hiram and James Stripe have just began to 
manufacture sewer-])i])es, tire bricks and roof 
tiles. Daniel Myers buys and shi] s quite a 
number of cattle during the winter ni( nths. 

Schools were early instituted in Lake Town- 
ship. It is probable that several terms were 
taught before schoolhouses were erected, the 
sessions being held in dwellings or in de- 
serted buildings. Much of the early school 



i> V 



HISTOKY OF STARK COUNTY. 



'-£. 



history has been forgotten. Too bad. If ac- 
counts are correct, the first schoolhouse in the 
township was a hewed log building, erected 
in Unioutown about the year 1820. This 
house was used miiny years and for all pur- 
poses; it had a broad fire-place, and iiide 
seats that soon became smooth and polished 
by continued Use. When the weather was 
cold, and a blazing fire was roaring on the 
hearth, the room was pleasant to contemplate. 
More than one old settler will remember this 
old house, as the first place where he heard 
the word of Grod preached, or where he re- 
ceived his first instruction of a literaiT char- 
acter. It was a homely room, but within its 
venerated, if not classic, walls, minds that 
have since shaped the records of the township, 
first caught glimpses of the multiplex afl'airs 
of the busy world. In about the year 1S26. 
another schoolhouse was erected, but it was 
not intended to take the place of the former. 
The citizens were not willing that their chil- 
dren should forget, or be deprived of learning 
their native language. One of the schools 
was to be English, and the other German. 
Teachers were employed, and for a niunber of 
yeai's the villagers boasted of having two 
schools in session at the same time. Some 
fifteen or twenty years later, both houses were 
abandoned, and an old church that had been 
built bj- the Methodists was secured and 
devoted to school purposes. However, it miist 
not be understood that before this both the 
English and German schools were kept in 
session continuously. The German school was 
somewhat irregular, and did not continue 
many years after about 1826, when it first 
started. The present school building was 
erected some twelve or fifteen years ago. It 
is not remembered with certainty when the 
first school building was built in Greentown. 
It is likely, however, that it was erected soon 
after 1820; at least, in 1835, a respectable 
log schoolhouse. in which was a ten-plate 
stove, was used by the villagers. Inasmuch 
as another house was built between 1840 and 
1845, it is tij be jiresumed that the building 
referred to was the first erected, and had been 
used since soon after 1820. A man named 
Guss was one of the eai'ly teachers in the old 
house; he was accustomed to adopt un visual 



modes of pimishment, compelling troublesome 
scholars to stand or sit in extremely unpleas- 
ant and excniciating positions. It is said 
that he sometimes put red pepper in the 
mouths of bad childi-en. On one occasion of 
this kind, while he was administering the 
pe])per punishment, the scholar, in a rage, 
bit his fingers severely. The teacher did not 
die of hydi'ophobia, neither did the scholar 
sufier fi-om the bite he had taken, other than 
by means of the ■'licking" that probalily fol- 
lowed for the unscholarly act. N. W. Good- 
hue, an attorney of Aki-on, taught the first 
school in the second building. This house 
was a comfortable frame structure; it was 
used until a few years before the last war, 
when the present building was constructed, at 
a cost of about $1,800; it is a one-storied 
building, and has two rooms. Two teachers 
are employed a portion of the time. The 
country schools sprang into existence between 
1820 and 1830. Some of these were German 
schools, and it was only after the lapse of 
time that their character was altered. The 
to%vnship is well supplied with good schools. 
The Methodist Church, in Gi'eentowu, was 
erected a short time before the last war, and 
cost in the neighborhood of $2,500; it took 
the place of one that had been built in an 
early day. A short time before the second 
house was built, the old house was purchased 
by Houck, Morgan & Co., who converted it 
into a machine shop, mention of which was 
made a few pages above. The present mem- 
bership of this society is large. The Reform- 
ers and Lutherans built a church in the west- 
ern part of Uniontowu some fifty years ago; 
this cluu-ch is yet in use, although a short time 
ago the members remodeled it so that it now 
has the appearance of a new chiu'ch. It is a 
large, fine- looking frame building, with a 
steeple that rises, perhajis, seventy-five feet in 
the air. The membership is quite large. 
The Methodists early built a chiu-ch in Union- 
town. The building was a small concern, 
and, as stated above, was finally converted 
into a schoolhouse. After that the Methodists 
had no organization worthy of notice until 
about twenty years ago, when two societies 
— the English Methodists and German Meth- 
odists (or Albrights) — united means, and built 



~a: 



M AUJ.BOHOrcJH TOWNSHIP. 



5U9 



a comfortable chvtrcli; this is yet used, and 
the two societies are in a thriving condition. 
The English Iteformers built a chm-ch in 
Uniouto^vn nearly forty years ago, which was 
used until during the last war, when their 
present building was consti'u<'ttxl. Some 
thirty years ago, the Methodists built at Hart- 
ville, but after about twenty years, sold to the 
Reformers, who are now in ])08sessiou of the 
chiu^ch, and are (juite strong. About six years 
ago, the Lutherans also built at Hartville; 
this society is in a prosperous condition. The 



Dunkards built a church north of Hartville a 
few years ago. Another society of this 
denomination, about twenty-five years ago, 
built a fine little chiu-ch south of Hartville. 
These societies are said to be |>rosiierous, with 
a good average membership. The Lutherans 
and Keforniors have a church at Cairo, which 
is said to have been built at an eiu'ly day. 
The townshi)) has some ten cluu-ch sociiities, 
and twelve school districts. This speaks well 
for Lake. Can any <jther township equal it in 
this respect? If so. we will pause for an answer. 



CHAPTER XXX.* 

M.\RLliOKOUGII TOWNSHIP— COMING OF THE PlO.NEKIi— ROLLINGS .\NL) K.VISINGS^LIST OK OLD 

SETTLEKS— MILLS .AND FOlNDUlES _ DL'^TILLERIES ASl) DRINKING CUSTOM.S— THE 

QUAKERS AND THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD— VILLAGKS— EARLY 

SCHOOLS AND CHURCHES— AORICULIURAL SOCIETIES 

—SOLDIERS' MEMORIAL SOOIETV. 



"Alas for them I their day is o'er. 
Their fires are out on hill and shore ; 
No more for them the wild dccrlioiinds. 
Tile jilow is on their huntinir-u'ioiinds : 
Tlie pale man's ax rinjrs tliroutrli the woods. 
Tile pale man's sail skims o'er tlieir floods ; 

Their pleasant sprinjrs are dry ; 
Their ehildren — look, liy power opprest. 
Beyond the mountains of the West. 

'their children go to die. " 

—Sprnyut. 

^"^HE common experience of old age is an ear- 
-1 nest wish to live over again the life that is 
swiftly drawing to a close. How many mis- 
takes have been made! how many hours have 
been unprofitably spenti how blind to go(Ml 
advice and influence! The stealthy and inev- 



••Sw(!et are the uses of adversity. 
Which, like a toad, u^ly and venomous. 
Wears yet a precious jewel in its liead." 

Let us learn from the wretched experience 
of others learnfrom the lives that have gone 
down amid the gales of stjrrow that encompass 
the earth, to shun the shoals and (piicksands 
that beset oiu- coiu-se, that the sunset of life 
may be gilded with the gold of eternal joy. 

Then^ is a strange attraction in reviewing 
the occun'ences of ])ast years, and in noting the 
wonderful im])rovement that has resulted from 
the expanding intelligence of man. Within 
the short s))ac(^ of the last half-century, the 
United States has ex])erieuced almost un])ar- 



itable api)roach of death baffles the desire for ! alleled growth in all tliatmakt^s a people gi-eat. 

Inventions in all departments of progress have 
succeeded one anoth(>r with great rapidity, until 
the means of sustaining life are vastly num- 
erous, and within tin- reach of all. No State 
in the Union has seen gi-eater change during 
this period than Ohio. The forests have dis- 
apj)eared; the swamjis have been drained: 
c<xstly residi'uces have gone up where once 
stood the log cabin; riding and gang plows 
have succeeded the old wooden mold-board: 
harvesters have sacceeded the sickle; knowl 
edge has driven ignoranci- from the land; a 



a renewal of youth and fills the heart with 
bitter remorse at the thought of wliat might 
have been. Youth is always bright with hope 
and expectancy; but. as the years glide by, 
the scales fall fromth(> eyes, and the sorrowful 
experiences of earth trace wrinkles of car(> 
upon the lirow and bend the once stalwart 
form toward the grave. No rocking vessel on 
life's great sea can escape th(> angry rain that 
dances upon it, or avoid the bitter winds 
that cheek its course. 

•CoulriLulHl by W. A. Good«|iCi(l. 



HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY. 



broader charity has sprung up in the religious 
world ; intemperance has been greatly reduced ; 
railroads and canals have usurped the duties 
of the old stage; telegraph lines have bound 
distant lands together ; and thousands of other 
changes have taken place. Philosophers con- 
tend that happiness is the real object after 
which all mankind are striving. Some find 
tem])orary happiness in one thing, some in 
another; but, as yet, abstract happiness has 
not bean found. Man, as yet, is not truly 
happy. He imagines himself to be, and, for a 
time, relishes a mock enjoyment; but, after a 
time, his happiness is gone, and he must seek 
farther for the alleged object of life. Philos- 
ophers say we worship God with the selfish 
object of our own happiness in view, and not 
because we delight to glorify God. At least, the 
latter is a secondary consideration. This view 
accords with their theory regarding happiness. 
They say that real happiness consists in doing 
good — that all our enjoyment is imaginary 
until we can appreciate the sublime gratifica- 
tion of a noble act. All have experienced, in 
a slight degree, that tine feeling which results 
from having done an unusually good deed. 
When all mankind shall " cease to do evil and 
learn to do well," unalloyed happiness is at 
hand, and the millennial days have come with 
perfect joys. 

Marlborough was not universally settled as 
early as most of the other townships in the 
county. While some few settlers arrived very 
early, no great rush was experienced until 
after the war of 1812. This was largely due 
to the fact that the township, covered with 
water as it was, and containing many marshes 
and swamps, was not regarded with especial 
favor by those who were seeking homes in the 
West. It could not be expected that, when 
dry and elevated laud could be secured at a 
low figure, settlers would choose that which 
was swampy and covered with water. And it 
must be remembered that lands which at pres- 
ent are low and marshy, were in early years 
covered with water. The removal of the for- 
ests has let in the heat of the sun, and exten- 
sive systems of drainage have let out the sur- 
plus water. Perhaps one-fourth of the town- 
ship could not be cultivated in early years, 
owing to the large amount of land that was 



covered with water. And this obstacle to cul- 
tivation has been only partially removed up to 
the present time. Large portions of land in 
the northwestern and southwestern parts are 
yet to be reclaimed. Some portions probably 
never will be, as they are covered to the depth 
of two feet and over with a heavy peat bed 
that will resist the efforts of the husbandman. 
The township is situated on the Ohio water- 
shed, as a portion of its water reaches Lake 
Erie and another portion the Ohio River. 
Deer Creek, in the northern part, is the only 
stream of any note, although in early years 
several others contained considerable water. 
This creek reaches the Mahoning River. A 
portion of the swamps in the northern part 
is drained by irregular inlets of Congress 
Lake, while the greater portion of the south- 
ern part is drained by the branches of Nimi- 
shillen Creek. Sufficient drainage, either for 
cultivation or for sanitary measures, was not 
secured in the western part until large sluices 
were dug; but now the farms are encroaching 
on the low, mai'shy lands, and in some in- 
stances small swamps have been reclaimed and 
turned up by the plow. The soil is rich, the 
controlling or prevailing element being a tine 
sand, which is found so necessary for the 
proper growth of the smaller grains. Marl- 
borough has considerable land which cannot 
be cultivated. That which can be cultivated 
is very rich and productive. 

Many things concerning the early settlement 
have been forgotten. Lexington Township, 
which at first included Marlborough, was cre- 
ated in 1816, at the March term of the County 
Commissioners. Prior to this, and before the 
county of Stark was organized, this portion of 
the State was within the jurisdiction of Co- 
lumbiana County. In June, 1821, the follow- 
ing action was taken by the Commissioners: 

Ordered. That asrecahle to a numbur of ])etitioner.s 
of Li'xington Township, the same be divided, and the 
twentieth townsliip in the seventh range, be named 
Maiiliorougli, and tlie nineteentli town.ship in the 
sixth range be named lA'xington. Also Ordered, 
That an election be held in the townsliip of Marlbor- 
ough, on the 2.5th day of August. 18'2I, for the pur- 
pose of electing offieers of the same. 

This action was followed by the election of 
township officers, but their names have been 
unfortunately forgotten. In March, 1823, 



'-k^ 



MAHLBOKOIGH TOWNSHIP. 



571 



the following curious proceedings were en- 
actt>d : 

WiiKKEAs, Tlif Board of Coinniissioni-rs of Stark 
County, in the year 1821. at thi'ir.Iunc and Decem- 
ber sessions, struck off, and bj' their order organized 
two new townsliips in said county, called Alarl- 
borough and Washington ; and, as there have been 
some doubts about the legality of said order, it is 
now 

Ordered, That the SOth original surveyed town- 
ship in the Tth Range be stricken off and divided 
from the I9th Township in the Hth Range, named 
Lexington, and that said 20th Township be organized 
and called by the name of Marlborough, and the 
election in said township continue to be held at the 
same place it ha.s during the past year. 

Since this date, so far as known, no further 
change has taken place in the geogi-aj)hical 
limits of the to^^■nship. Those who purchased 
the first land in the township paid $'2. per acre, 
but. after a few years, the price was reduced 
to $1.2o per acre. The following is a com- 
plete list of patentees of Government land in 
the township in the year IbKJ: S. D. Cope, 
Peter Bauni, i). Markley, Mahlon Wileman, 
R. Beeson, John Brown, David Brown, Will- 
iam Copt-land, P. Baum. J. Enlow, J. Snider, 
B. Harna, David Johnson, Martin Houser, J. 
Heiser, William Hoover, Nathan Haycock, 
Phillip Hollingbaugh, Christian Hoover, Abra- 
ham Harmony, Jacob Mclntifer, Christopher 
Miu-kley, John Miller, James McGirr, John 
McGirr, Christian Palmer, Elijah Price, 
Thomas Price. C. Foutz, Abraham Wileman, 
Jacob Wileman and Samuel Winger. In the 
year I820, the following land-holders were 
residents of the township; Jerub Baldwin, 
William Beeson. Com-ad Brombaiigh, William 
Cozens, James Enslow, Elisha Everett, Chris- 
tian Houser, Nancy Harj)ley, Amos Holloway, 
Phillip Hollobaiigh, Exnm Johnson, Joseph 
Brown, Peter Batim, John Bro\vn, David 
Brown, Isaac Elliott, Timothy Gruwell, Dan- 
iel Houser, William Hoover, John Hamlin, 
Nathan Haycock, Martin Houser, and others. 
Among the early residents of the townshij). in 
addition to those named above, were the fol- 
lowing: William Pennock, Israel Scott. Mar- 
tin Brai.tingham. Matthew Vaughan, John 
Hardy. K. B. Wells. Samuel Welch, Jeremiah 
Shaw. Robert Hamilton. Nathan Price. Amos 
Coates, Abraham Troxel, John Lyman, Thomas 
Crockett, Joseph Taylor, Abram Niswonger, 



Henry Niswonger, Samuel Weary, John 
Shellenberger, Peter Shelleaberger, John 
Whitstone. Nimrod Smith, Jacob Replogle, 
Jonathan Nees, Jacob Nees, Mr. Clingamau, 
Michael Young, David Reiser, Jacob Immel, 
Eli Shriver, Mr. Logue, Abraham Shriver, Mr. 
Paulus. Mr. Roudabush, Mr. Seagley, Joel 
Bair, William Allmaii. Christian Beard, Henry 
Shaffer,- David Thomas, Peter Lilly, William 
Hatcher, Jacob Harper, Edward Brooke, and 
several others. 

Mahlon Wileman was the first permanent 
settler in the township. He came with his 
father dm-ing the autumn of 1S05, and erected 
a rough log cabin on Section 1, after which 
the father rettirned to Columbiana County and 
did not retirm until the following spring. 
Mahlon remained alone at the cabin during 
the winter of 1805-06, clearing, in the mean- 
time, some six or eight acres of land around 
the cabin. He did his own cooking largely, 
although, every two or three weeks, he went to 
Cohmibiana Coimty for supplies of bread and 
like articles. The greater portion of the meat 
eaten by him was obtained from the woods by 
means of his rifle. It is said that Alahlon 
Wileman was one of the most powerful men 
ever in the township. This, combined with 
good sense and undaunted courage, rendered 
him one of the most prominent of the early 
settlers. He was a Quaker, iis were also some 
two-fifths of the early settlers. In the spring 
of 1 806, Abraham, the father of Mahlon, came 
to the township with his family, and soon 
afterward Mahlon went south to Section 28, 
where he cleared and improved a fiirm, and 
where he subsetjuently died. Abraham Wile- 
man died in his ninety -ninth yesir. Many in- 
teresting incidents are related concerning 
Mahlon Wileman, which have not, as yet, 
been made public. Of course, the woods at 
this time (1805 to 1810) were filled with a 
great variety of wild animals, such as wolves, 
bears, wild-cats, |)anthers, deer, turkeys, hogs 
and Indians. It is related by Mr. Brooke, 
who hits made the history of the township a 
study, that Mahlon Wileman. when he went 
to Columbiana County for supplies of provis- 
ions, fearing that thieves would carry off his 
utensils, etc., gave them in charge of an In- 
dian chief, whose band was encaraiied on Deer 



;i- 



^§) v> 



IILSTORY OF STARK COUNTY. 



Creek, until he should return, at which time 
every article was given up in good order, ac- 
cording to agreement. Mahlon went out hunt- 
ing one day, and, seeing a lai'go buck, cau- 
tiously aj>|)roached, aud shot it The animal 
fell to the ground, and Mahlon Hpiiroached to 
cut its thi-oat. But the animal had been only 
stunned by the shot, and, leaping to its feet, 
maile foi' the hunter with head down and hair 
erect along its spine. To avoid it, the hunter 
leaped behind a ti'ee. but the angry buck piu-- 
sued him round and round, until at last he 
was compelled to face the situation, which 
he did by seizing its antlers and endeavoring, 
with all his enonu^us strength, to thi-ow the 
animal on the ground, that he might dispatch 
it with his knife. For a time the contest was 
doubtful, as the liuck was large and strong, 
but at last the hunter, by a change of position, 
was enabled io use his knife, and a few mo- 
ments later the buck was dead. At another 
time, when Mr. Wilcman was on his way north 
to Atwater Township, as he was passing along 
the rude bridle-path in the northern part of 
Marlborough Township, he suddenly saw 
a full-grown bear in the branches of a 
large chestnut tree. When sufficiently close, 
Mr. Wileman took deliberate aim and 
shot the bear dead. It came to the gi'ound 
with a crash, and immediately afterward 
the settler saw two others, either in the same 
tree or in others near by. This was the 
sort of sport Mr. Wileman admired; so. as 
quickly as he could load his rifle and fire, he 
brought both of the bears, in turn, to the 
gi-ound. Mr. Wileman's brother-in-law, Jos- 
eph Miu'shall, who resided just across the 
northern line in the other county, one day 
captured three deer that had ventured upon a 
body of very smooth ice, aud, unable to stand, 
had fallen down. The son of William Hatcher 
relates that one day his father, in the short 
space ui about three hours, killed three deer. 
What renders the fact noteworthy is that this 
took place not far from 1830, at which time 
almost the whole county was quite well settled, 
or at least, deer had become quite scarce. An 
occasional herd of six or eight was seen, but 
the animals were shy, and seemed to be chang- 
ing their locality. It is related that Mr. Warst- 
ler was one day returning from Canton on 



horseback, when, as he was passing through 
the deej) woods, he saw a large bear reared 
upon its hind legs by the foot of a large tree, 
as if it anticipated an encounter with the trav- 
eler. Mr. Warstler, being without a gim, con- 
cluded that a retreat was the best policy. 
This was done with greater expedition than 
skill. All the settlers had their experiences 
with wild animals. It is stated that, on one 
occasion, Mr. Gruwell, the second settler in 
the township, while hunting in the woods, came 
very nearly being devoiu-ed by a bem'. The 
circumstances ai'e traditional, and may not be 
altogether true. He was walking along, so 
runneth tradition, with his rifle in his hand 
and his eyes bent on the ground, when, ujion 
suddenly turning around a few large trees 
which stood close together, he came within 
four feet of an enormous bear that had just 
killed some small game aud was eating it. 
The bear instantly gave a ferocious growl, that 
chilled the blood of the settler and caused his 
hair to stand straight up on his head, and, 
rearing up on its hind legs, it extended its 
powerful paws to clasp the settler in deadly 
embrace. But the settler was not anxious for 
an embrace, for, at the first glimpse of the 
bear, he leajied back several viu'ds and cocked 
his rifle. The bear, with angry growls from 
its bloody mouth, began to make movements 
as if about to approach the settler, and tlie 
latter, taking quick aim, sent a bullet crashing 
through its head. Without waiting to ascer 
tain the effect of the shot, the settler ran from 
the spot with all his speed, and, when at a 
considerable distance, paused to load his rifle, 
look back, and listen. He could hear nothing, 
so, after his rifle had been carefully loaded, 
he retm-ned to the sjiot, and, when there, found 
the bear thrashing around ujion the ground 
with a mortal wound. A second shot finished 
the huge creature. 

Timothy Grruwell was the sei'ond settler in 
Marlborough. He reached the township with 
his family during the spring of 1807, and lo- 
cated on Section 24. He erected a small log 
cabin, with the assistance of the Wilemans, 
into which his family was immediately moved. 
Mahlon Wileman was his nearest neighbor. 
In the month of August, 1807, the Gruwell 
family were visited by a little stranger, a 



~ ^ i 



:^i 



L^ 



MAHI.UOHOrCJH TOWNSHIP. 



573 



daughter, which was named Elizabeth. This 
was the first l)irth in the township. Mahlon 
Wilwuan was sent U) Cohmibiana Cwunty for 
a doctor, wlio alone eoiild perform the cere- 
mony of introducing the little stranger, who 
came, without bag or baggage, to the family- 
Mahlon afterward related that, as he was pass- 
ing through the dark forests on his horse, the 
wolves came all around him. <md liegan howl 
iug dismally. He could see their shar|) noses 
and fiery eyes from the clumps of bushes, but 
none were bold enough to attack hiiu. 

Prior to the a])pearance of Mr. Gruwell. 
and immediately afterward, a considerable 
portion of th(> i)est land in the township was 
j>urchased by various jiarties. who did not come 
to the tow^lship until several years later. 
During the war of IN 12, and immediately 
afterward, the settlers came in rapidly, and 
soon all the best land in the t<5wnsb.i]) had been 
enti>red. It was the custom in all the neigh 
borhoods. in early years, when a ni-w settler 
came in to turn out and assist him in erecting 
his cabin. It is stated by old settlers that 
this was done owing to the kindly feelings 
which each settler entei'tained for his fellows: 
yet. while this is partly true, it is not wholly 
true. The truth was. the s«>ttler was unable, 
without an immense amount of hard work, to 
raise the heavy logs to their jiositions on the 
slowly rising building. This led to a demand 
for assistance cm all occasions of the kind, 
luitil at last it became unfashionable to remain 
away when your services were needed. Of 
course, the settlers were social, and all were 
at par as far as soeialiility was concerned. 
Persons with similar inclinations, desires, joys 
or dangers, are drawn together by the laws of 
sym])atliy: or, in other words, " liirds of a 
feath(>r tlock together." On the occasion of a 
house-raising, it was custx>mju'y not only for 
the men to ttu-n out. but the women also, to do 
the crxiking. This was more noticeably the 
case on the occasion of large log-rollings. It 
is stated that, at certain seasons of the year, 
several conset-utive weeks were often spent in 
going from rolling to rolling. Of course, the 
occasion was as dry as Sahara without whisky, 
X rebellion wa.s sure t<j ensue if this " neces- 
sity" was withheld from the workmen. That 
was something not to be tolerated for a mo- 



ment. The man who was so stingy that he 
would not furnish whisky at his rolling did 
not deseiTe the assistance of his neighlnirs. 
Thus the men thought in that day, but that 
day, thank goodness, is gone. It was no im- 
UBUal thing to see the men, some of them, so 
drank that they were imable to work, in which 
case their bodies were deposited in some se- 
cure j)lace, that the spirit might return when 
the alcohol had gone. The logs were rolled 
together in several heajjs, some of which were 
very hu'ge, and these were afterwai'd burned 
by the settler. Fifty or sixty men were often 
present at these rollings. Loud shouts rang 
across the field, and the merry joke or heaity 
oath were jiassed about. The women in the 
cabin, as busy as bees preparing an abund- 
ance of food for the hungiy men, were not less 
jovial. One thing in this connection should 
be noticed: From the fact that about one- 
third of the earliest settlers were Quakers, 
licjuor-drinking and swearing were, to a gi'eat 
extent, avoided. The eastern part was the 
Quaker ueighborhotjd, and here it was that 
this remarkalile and quiet peojile labored for 
their subsistence and W(jrshiped Grod in their 
j)eculiar way. 

At an early day, it was thought that there 
was lead in the township. How this report 
came to be in circulation is not known to the 
writer. SquiiTels became so thick in about 
1825 that numerous hunts were instituted to 
destroy the {)ests. In one of these hunts, 1,700 
were killed, and a man named Thomas Grant, 
of Lexington Townshi]), showe<l the scalps of 
nearly two hundred. He received the prize. 
The firet roail in the township was the Diag- 
onal road. Tliis was sm-veyed and improved 
at a very eai-ly day. Many incidents are re- 
lated concerning the hard times the early set- 
tlers ex]3erienc(Hl. Mills and stores were dis- 
tant, and the paths (not roads) through the 
woods wore in such a j)light, during a portion 
of the year, at least, that driving a team 
through them was out of the <juestion. The 
settlers did not care to visit China by the un 
derground route, notwithstanding the fact that 
it was the shortest. They wanted flom- and 
meal, not pigtails or trinkets. " Washee, 
washee," was then unknown, and even tea was 
not much thouirht of in connection with the 



IIIS'l'OKY (tF S'I'AlfK COUNTY. 



i'iii|ilr(' (if Cliiliu, So, wlinii (Idiii' vviis waiil.oil, 
II \m^ of wln>u(. WMH l.iilu'li nil lini'scliacli tii llio 
iK'urost, ruill, \vliicliHi)iii(>liiiu>s ^rDuiul tlio^raiii 
lis <v)iii-H(' MM |)i'|i|)(ir, iind li(>r(>, al'lci' |ii>rliii|)M 
two or iliroi" (liivs, iiiiil Hoiiiotiiiuw ii w«(>k, Uu< 
^riiuliiiif wiiH (lon(>. In lh(^ iiuMintitiu", ixn'luipn 
tlio rmuily wan vvilhoiit l)n>iul. IiuIihhI, it 
wiiH no iincoiniuoii (liiiijj; I'oi' riuiiilioH to liv(^ 
(111 iii(>al^ iilono for H(<v(>ral wotiks. SoiuotiinoH 
lli«y liiul lirtdid iiiul no nioiilr. It, wan riiro to 
liav(> nil iihmulaiico of luilJi. Often, tlut wifn 
took i\n\ villi' iiiul killoil ii duor, or iliil otlu>r 
tliinj,'H n>i|iiirinj,' luimly Hkill, Htroiij^jtli and 
counif^i>. 

At lust, mills woro onwtod in tho township. 
Tho first was liiiilt in about tho your KSKS, by 
Abrahaiii W'ili'iuaii, and was loi'utod on tho 
old Wiloiiiaii laiiii. A stroiij; dam was built 
lun'iiss tho (trook, which was Ihoii (|iiito liirf;;n, 
and an old fiu.hioiiod iiiidorshol wliool com- 
mimicatod motion to tho miu'hiiu>ry which 
|)ro|)(>lh>d tho saw. The mill was o|)orut(>d 
for u niimbor of yours, uud, althoiii^h it ran 
slowly, still a ^jroiil inuny loijs woro suwod. 
Tlu* ruto lit whi(^h suwinii; was douo is not ro- 
monib(>rod. It is roliilod, howm'in', (hat Mr. 
lloacockolVoivd aliiisliolof wheat for 100 foot 
of oiik liimbor, and a biishol of corn for 100 
foot of poplar liimbor, but Mr. Wilomun ro- 
joctod tho otVor. Tho nt^xt suw-mill was builti 
soon aftorward, by William l\>nni)ck. This 
also was a j^ood mill in its day. iiulood, tlios(> 
two oiu'ly mills woro (.Kulsonds to tho sottlors. 
Bonjamin KUiott oroctod a saw-mill about tho 
your KS'2r>. It wus on ii small strouin thut is 
now dry, wost of tho town of Mnillioronii;h. 
About tho samo tiino, Kxiini .loiinson built 
unothor, which was locatod about a luilo and u 
half northwest of town. Klisha Kutlor built 
on(> oil (ho old Whittakor fariii soon aftorward, 
and alH>ut tho sumo timo (INIU)), Jucob Wirti; 
oroctod iinotlii>r, ono and a hiilf niilos north of 
Miirlboroiifj;h. Of coursi*, all tlu>so mills woro 
oporatod by wator powor, as stoaiu had not 
yot boon " harnossod." yta'onj:; ilams wori> 
built across tho stroiuns, and wator obtained in 
tho ordiuiu'y way by mounsof u ruco. Sovorul 
of tlu>so mills ran for many your.s, and did 
loiif^ and faithful sorvi<H>. Tlu< oth(>rs won* 
abaiidonod after a few years. .liKvib Wood 
owned 11 mill iioitli of (own ut iin earlv dav. 



as did also .losepli Tuyh)!' (lud Churlos Shinn. 
Mr. Keiser owned and opcirnted ono in tho 
western part in ii Inter day. John I'lby iilso 
owned and o|>erut('d ono in tho westi>i'ii part. 
I'orhiips tli(> best saw-mill iwor in tho town- 
ship, aside from tho |)rosoiit oui<s, was built iu 
tho town of Mnrlboi'oUfj;h in about tho your 
IN bi, by Allman & I'lllison. It was ojiorutod 
by st-eiim, mid did a {,'iout deal of work. Sonio 
of tho present mills are owned by Lewis Wiirst- 
lor, at Now Baltimore; reiinock & Musou, i). 
Harmony, und others. Tho towushij) lius, 
from tho ourliost settlomout, boon supplied 
with niuuoroiis and ejood saw-mills. 

There has been liut one fijrist-niill of iiuy 
c.ouseijuence in the township. This wus 
oroi'tod some thirty-livo years iiyo, iu Murl- 
boroufijh, by Pete, IJiU'low & Co. The build- 
iiifj; was two and a half stories in hoij^ht, was 
about forty by si.\(y feet, and for a numbor 
of years tho mill was o[)orated both day uud 
nifi-ht, two sots of hands boinj^ omi)loyod. Tiie 
mill was an o\ci>llont ono, aiul, during the 
period of its contiiuianco, which was somo 
twenty yours, furnished an oxcellout (|uulity 
of tlour. It did both merchant and custom 
work. Another small ^rist null was started 
n[i in Mailborouijh, but it did not amount to 
much. 

Jii about the year KS'JO, -Ijicol. Nees built H 
siiiull distillery in the .south W(>stern part of 
tlii< (ownslii[i. It was a rude alVair, ami was 
built ill u hurry, to supply a siuldon and 
stroiii^ diMiiand for the drink which inebriates. 
Mj'. Noes had one small (Hippor still, but it is 
uncertain whore his grain was ground. Tho 
lii|iior, a rather jioor article, disiippewod about 
as fast as it was made. l'ei>})le iu those days 
wi<re jiulgi's of w hisky. it did not take them 
long to decide upon the merits of ii drink, us 
constant ns(> in (lu>ir faniilii>s mudo thorn 
fumiliar willi the taste, smell, and gonorul 
characteristics. Mr. Noes manufacturiHl 
whisky at the ruto of some twiMity gallons pi-r 
duy while tho ilistillery wus running. At cor 
tiiin sousons of tlio your, it wus discontinued. 
After being conducted for u period of about 
twelve yours, tho onterpriso w'us ubiiudoned. 
Uotwoon thirty and forty yours ago, Jucob 
Hung built a dislillery, which was consU'uctod 
on 11 litde iiioi-(> e\(eiisivt> scale, as ulxnit a 






[^ 



MAIU-HOIfOICir 'I'OVVNSIIII' 



Ikuii'I of wliinlty wiih iiiiulo per (lay. 'I'liin Ih 
Hiiid 1,1) Imvt' l)(inii nil itifi'rior iirt,icli«, iiiiil _>""'• 
it WHH ns(«l c|niti> (vxtotiHivi'ly lit, nilliti^H itiiil 
niiHiii)^H. It was iliHCdiitiimnil ut tint mul of 
Homo t<>ii ynarrt. Sk far an ri'iiii'irilH'riid, tliiwo 
w.To tlin iiiily (liHtillcriiw ever in tlio towrmliip. 
Alxmt tint time tlioy ran iluwn, tMMiiMiraiKti) 
rnvivalH liiul Ikij^idi t,<i Hwoiip ovor the towii- 
Hliip, and, indi'dil, oviT all tiii> coiintry. I'f" 
|iln, Mpun ()|)i'jiin^^ Minir ("yoH and l()(,!;iiiK 
aliDiit, discovered thai, liipior was not one of 
till) " IieceHsitieH of life." 'I'liey saw tlmt it 
drained the ponket, maddened the hrain, and 
sent desolation intoinaiiy a iiappy household. A 
few farmers who we?-e nol I imoruiis at last reso 
liitely expelled all licpior from their raisings and 
rollinj^s. 'J'his, of eoiirse, met with hitter op 
position, as all reforms must at, first, hiit jfrad- 
milly the act hecame universal, and .soon it 
lieeame iuifashioiial)lo toofl'er liipior at pnhlic 
(^alherini^s. 

It is well known that the (Quakers throii^jh- 
out Ohio were prominently connected with the 
I iider^jround Railroad in early years. l''or 
many years hefore the last war, and especially 
after the (enactment of the Uitrii'wtt slave law, 
Ohif) was continually traversed hy runaway 
slaves, who hail found their former life t,oo 
irksome to hear. With hut little l,o eat, and 
the same to wear, with u c/)nHtaiit fear of be 
int; I'aptured hy their owners, and of the 
dreadful punishment sure to follow, hunted 
like wild lieast.s throuj^h the forests and 
swamps, the jioor slaves bravely faced the sit 
nation and turned their eyes t/iward the polar 
Htur. They soon Iwiniiid that the (junkers 
wore not only willinj^ I.0 assist them in i-scap 
inj{, hut often went to considerable trouble and 
expense t'l accomplish tliis result. One day, 
a powerful ne^ro named Tom (perhaps he was 
the veritalilii (Jncle 'J'om of Mrs. H(,owe), who 
was closely [)nrHned,cHme to Mahlon VV'ileman 
and bef^f^ed for food and help. These were 
immediately furnished, and the ne^o sent on 
his way. A few hours later, as .Mr. Wileman 
was biirnint^ brick near his house, a man came 
riding rapidly U|i, on a tired horse, and asked 
liiirriedly if himself and animal could l>e fed, 
at the same time iiKjiiiring if Mr. Wileman 
had seen a lar^je nej^o named 'I'oin. Mr. 
Wileman (jiiietly nnHwernd " Yes " to all tli«Ho 



(jileHtioiiH, tellint,' lhc^ stran^fer, at, the same 
time, among other things, thai, he could have 
the reiiiaindi'i-of the pie Tom had been eating 
a few hours bc^fon^ This made the stranger 
wild with rage, and he sternly demanded 
where Tom was, at the same time making a 
hostile movement t^iward Mr. Wileman. This 
act roused the ijuiet (Quaker, and, taking u|> 
his heavy piker, he threatened that if the man 
did not iuuiiediately leavo the plai'e, he woulil 
III) taken ast.ride the poker an<l thrown iMt,o 
the (ire. The Virginian saw that there was 
no fooling about the matter with the jKiwerful 
(Quaker, so he mounted his tired h')ise and rode 
slowly away, lieiiianiin .Marshall and .liuiies 
Austin were both prominently coiinecle.l with 
this branch of the I ,' nderground Railroad. 
'J'hey helped feed and secrete many a dusky 
slave en route for the dominion of the IJritish 
t^ueen. .lose|>h Ivukens, lOdward IJrooki', Ab 
raham Hrooki', and many others, throughout 
the township, were engageil hh c/jiidiict^jrs, en 
gineers or train dispatrrhers on this road. Jt 
is safe to say that scoi-es of slaves were heljied 
on their way North by the Quakers of Marl- 
borough . 

The village of New IJaltiinore was laid out 
on the 2(;tli day of August, IHiil, by John 
Whitacre, .Stark County Surveyor, and Levi 
Haines, owner and projirietor. Kigliteen lots 
were laid outoii the west half of the northi'ast 
(piarter of Si'ction I, (,0 wliiirh one or more 
ailditions have since been made. Samuel 
Hatcher ojieniMl the (irst store during the year 
\H'.i2. The goods were riH^eived from I'liila- 
dol|)hia, were placed in the half-finished build 
ing, a!id Isaac I'ennock, then a young man of 
about twenty years, assisted in uiipiicking the 
goods, which comjirised a few liuti(h<<| dnllurM' 
wortli. 

William Hatfiher one day trei«i a bear. A 
man named Stevens, froTii Uandolpli, owneil a 
large, savage dog, and, as a matter of course, 
Mr. Stevens declared that his dog could whip 
the biggest bear that ran in the forest. As soon 
as the bear wax treed, Mr. Hat,(;hersaid, " Now's 
the time U) try yrjiir dog." Aciiordingly, the 
dog was got in readiness, and the men began 
cutting tiie tree down. When this wiih about 
half ac»!oinplishe<l, his liearshi|i concluded to 
cxynui down, which he diil backward. As he 



HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY. 



reached the ground, the dog, which had been 
Bet on by its master, seized the bear by the 
hind leg. Mr. Bear turned (jiiickly. and, with 
one blow, knocked the dog about a rod, at the 
same time making off through the woods at 
its best gait. Mr. Stevens' do(r)ghad received 
its quietus, and refused any further introduc- 
tion to the bear. Some half a dozen other dogs 
nipped ai'ound the animal as it ran off, and 
the settlers were so afraid of hitting, them that 
they witliheld their tire until the bear had made 
good its escape. Mr. Stevens' opinion regard- 
ing the ability of his dog to thrash bears was 
hopelessly shaken. But to go back to the vil- 
lage. Ill connection with his store, Mr. 
Hatcher conducted a tavern, the first in the 
village. Other merchants at Baltimore have 
been Taylor & Warner. Asa Rawson, a Jus- 
tice of the Peace, kept store there for a number 
of years also. Among others have been 
Hatcher & Ellison, John Criss, Ellison & Shaw, 
Baird & Capple, Jacob Bair, and the present 
merchants, Abner Taylor & Son. A firm 
known as Prouty & Co. built an ashery at the 
village in about the year 1846. It was located 
where A. R. Damon now resides, and, for a 
jieriod of some fom- years, considerable potash 
was manufactm'ed and shipped away to mar- 
ket. Not far from 1!S4(I, Thomas Burns 
erected a suitable building and began hatting. 
He obtained lamb's wool fioni the smTound- 
ing farms, and this was manufactured into a 
good, serviceable hat. Benjamin Curstetter 
conducted a hai'uess and saddle shop in early 
years. A foundry was built at an eai'ly day, 
but by whom has been forgotten. After a 
number of years, W. T. Cole purchased the 
property, with whose family it has remained 
since. Charles Cole, son of W. T., is conduct- 
ing it at jarcsent. There have been manufact- 
ured at this foundry plow-shares, gi'ates, and 
a variety of other articles. Two tanneries 
were built at Baltimore in early years. The 
one that started first is yet in operation, and 
is owned l)y Mr. Snyder. Several other in- 
dustries have flourished at different times in 
the village. Notices of some of these will be 
found in other portions of this chapter. New 
Baltimore's population is 160. 

Fom" men owned the land upon which the 
villajxe of Marlborijujrh was at first laid out. 



Moses Pennock owned the land on the north- 
west corner: William Pennock that on the 
southwest; Samuel Ellison on the southeast, 
and Denny Johnson on the northeast. In 
November, 1827, these proprietors secured the 
services of a suiweyor, and had laid out at the 
corners twenty-foiu' lots, six of which wei-e on 
the land of each. An open space at the cor- 
ners Wcis left for a public square. Since the 
above date, several additions have been made 
to the village, until the lots now muuber 
neai'ly two hundi'ed and fifty. William Pen- 
nock's residence was the first in Marlborough. 
It was built before the place was thought of 
as a village. William Paxon built the second 
house in town: John Gruwell built the third; 
Israel White probably the fourth; James 
Shinn prt)bably the fifth. Mi'. Paxon opened 
the first store. It is said he began with some 
$1. ")()() worth, and continued, with a paying 
patronage eight or ten years. Dm'ing this 
period, a post olKce was secm'ed, and James 
Shinn received the appointment as Postmaster. 
The terminal points of the route were Warren 
and Canton, and at this time the mail was 
carried on horseback. Caleb Atwater, with 
$2,000 worth of a general assortment of goods, 
opened the second store. This was not far 
from 1884. A few years later, he sold to 
James Shinn, who, in about 1844, failed in 
business, and the goods, which had been in- 
creased until worth some $5,000, were auc- 
tioned ofl' at Canton. Since this time, the 
following men, among others, have spent a 
portion of their time over the counter in ]\Iarl- 
borough: Cook & Hamilton, Jacob Stroud, 
Hamilton it Irish. Jonathan Shaw, Brooke, 
Scott & Leek, Hutton & Coates, Stevens & 
Chappie. Ai:)ram Wileman, William Hatcher, 
Daniel Gaskill and Israel Gaskill, very early; 
T. C. McElroy, Jesse Johnson, Hemy W. 
Pennock, McClun & Son. Werner & Gaskill, 
at present, Henry Pennock, France & Ban- 
croft, Dellenberger & Warstler, at jiresent; J. 
A. Quay. Edward Mendelhall, F. L. Camp- 
l)ell. F. B. Spellman, Andrew Holibaugh, Isaac 
Lyude. and E. J. Morris. In aljout the year 
1850. Amos Walton & Co. built a foundry in 
the village. This kind of an enterjirise seems 
to have been epidemic about that time. There 
was scarcely a township in the coiuity that 



MARLBOUOLGH TOWNSIIII' 



577 



did not have something to do with this husi 
npss. The main portion of tho buikliug re- 
ferred to alx)ve, was a two-story frame, thirty 
by fifty feet, and, beside this, there were ad- 
ditional molding rooms, etc. An average of 
alxHit twelve men were employed. The com- 
pany began manufacturing steam engines, and 
for eight or ten years furnished, perhaps, 
twelve or fifteen a year. These engines were 
designed to be used in saw-mills, grist-mills, 
etc. 

About five years after this company started 
up, another company, known as Mitchner & 
Button, erected the necessaiy buildings, and 
engaged in precisely the same occupation. 
"Why this was done is not known to the WTiter. 
It is possible that the demand for engines was 
sutKciently strong to support both companies: 
on the other hand, it may be that intentions 
of a personal nature may have caused the new 
company to start up. At least, the latter be- 
gim manufacturing engines, but at the expira- 
tion of a year the property was destroyed by 
fire, and was not afterward rebuilt. The 
former comj)any abandoned the pursuit eight 
or ten years after starting. A short time be- 
fore the last war, Doering Bros, erected a 
woodeiiware factory. A portion of the old 
foimdry building was used. The company 
manufactured large quantities of shovel-han- 
dles, fork-handles, hoe-handles, etc.. etc., 
which were shipped away to market. The 
(>nterprise was discontinued at the expiration 
of some three or foiu' years. 

A. C. Shriver started a carriage factory 
about ten yeare ago. He employed about 
eight men, and, it is said, manufactured as 
high as 100 caiTiages a year. A few y(>ars 
after the village was laid out, Moses Penuock 
began a gi>neral wool-carding and cloth-ch'ess- 
ing business in the village. This was contin- 
ued by him, to a greater or less extent, for 
twenty or twenty-five years. He finally sold 
to Peter and George Wise, and they sold to 
Eli Hoover, upon whose hands it ran down. 
A few yeai's ago, George Begs built a distil- 
lery a short distance from town. He manu 
factured grape wine and apple-jack. G. "W. 
Carr made nearly 3,000 baiTels of cider last 
year. The village has no saloon, and no 
liquor is sold excejit for medicinal ]mr[)Oses. 



The town is one of the most enviable in this 
respect of any in tho entire county, and the 
villagers rejoice that it is so. In 1874, Bai- 
ley, Taylor & Crocker began a general fniit 
packing business in Marlborough. They 
manufacture their own cans, and during the 
busy season of the year, employ as high as 
'200 assistants, a gi'eat portion of whom are 
women. At other seasons, their help is re- 
duced to al)out ten persons. Two thousand 
four hunth'ed cans of fruit were packed the 
first year, since which the business has been 
steadily increased, until '2r)(\000 cans were 
packed the last yeai-. AVhen this vast number 
is considered, and also the fact that the tin 
cans are made by the company, the impor- 
tance and extent of the industry can be real- 
ized. The company begin to can maple syrup 
early in the spring, and then, as the season 
advances, string beans, peaches, ti^matoes, 
pumpkins and apples are handled. This is 
one of the most extensive and important in- 
dustries ever in the township. Tho company 
have a branch factory at New Baltimore. 
This was begim last year, and 00,000 cans 
were packed. Tho j)acked fruit is conveyed 
to Limaville, where the company have a 
branch factory iind a wareliouse, and whence 
the goods are finally shipjx'd to market. 
Many other interesting things might be said 
regarding Marlborough. The population of 
the village is about 300. Of course, some 
claim it is greater. 

Much regarding the early schools is lost in 
the resei-voir of the j)ast. From the fact that 
the township was comparatively late in being 
settled, and from the fac^t that, in the older 
settlements in neighboring townships, schools 
wei-e started e.u'lier, and afforded the childi-en 
of Marlborough a seat of learning, terms were 
not ta\ight until after the tt)wnship had be- 
come quite thickly populated. The Quakers 
were not backward in ap])rociating the value 
and advantage of education, and, while they 
did not send their childi'en to in^ijerfect and 
hastily organized schools in tho township, 
still, schooling must be had, and the children, 
when they were large enough to traverse the 
distance, were sent to adjacent townships. 
The fir.st sch(K)lhouse in the township was un- 
doubtedly built in the Quaker neightorhood, 



V 



-4^ 



HISTOHY OF STARK COl'NTY. 



east of Marlborough ; but when this occiuTed 
is a mystery. It could not have been later 
than 1820, and was very probably as eai'ly as 
1815. This is remembered as an old log 
affair, which was yet standing in 1826. If 
the recollection of old settlers is correct, there 
were but two, or perhaps tkree, other school- 
houses standing at that time (1826). One of 
these was known as the Lilly Schoolhouse. 
Another was standing about oue-fomih of a 
mile south of Baltimore; another possible one 
was standing in the southeast comer. The 
early log houses were erected by everj' one 
tiu-ning oiit and assisting, and these buildings 
were also " God's first temples." Or perhaps 
private dwellings preceded them in this par- 
ticular. The first schoolhouses were used 
from five to fifteen yeai's, and then were suc- 
ceeded by better ones, and these have been 
succeeded by one or two others in each dis- 
trict. At first one school district started up, 
and then, as the settlement became larger, it 
was divided, and at last each of these was 
divided, and so the division, or creation, has 
gone on until the limit of the present number 
was reached but a few years ago. The first 
schoolhouse in the village of Marlboroigh 
was erected in about the year 1832. The 
Methodist society assisted, as a body, in the 
construction, with the understanding that 
they were to have the use of the house for 
religious purposes. After some eight or ten 
years, this building was replaced by a fi-ame 
stnicture. which, after many years of use, 
was abandoned, and the present house, a 
large, low, fi'ame affair, was built. This oc- 
curred a few years before 1850. The second 
house is now used as a cooper-shop. Machin- 
ery for grinding grain was j)laced in it for 
a short time. There is some talk of building 
a new house, although the old is yet servicea- 
ble. It has three rooms, three teachers being 
employed during the winter, and two during 
the siunmer. 

About thirty-five years ago, William Mc- 
Clain built the present hotel building, which 
was then located in the northern part of the 
village. He employed two or three assistants, 
opened a select school, or seminaiy, and, for 
a number of years, his institution of learning 
was a credit to the place. A large number of 



scholars was enrolled (perhaps over a hun- 
dred), and the institution was highly success- 
ful in a pecxmiary point of view. But Mr. 
McClain had some other object before him, 
whereupon the seminaiy was pemiitted to 
stop, and the building, after standing vacant 
for a time, was purchased by John Ellison, 
moved to where it now stands, and ojiened for 
the reception of the public. A schoolhouse 
was built in New Baltimore in abcjut the year 
1834. It took the place of the old log, a 
quarter of a mile south. Levi Haines, the 
proprietor of the village, was employed to 
teach the fii'st school, but was taken sick aboiit 
the middle of the term, whereupon Miss Emily 
Eoseter was hired to teach the remainder, the 
compensation being $1.85 ]ier week, she board- 
ing herself. How is that for wages, ye peda- 
gogues of the present day! Give us no more 
grumbling alsout low wages. After a number 
of years, this house became too small to accom- 
modate the scholars, whereupon another house, 
just like it, was erected within a few feet, 
and two schools, for several years, were in ses- 
sion at the same time. Finally, the present 
large frame structure was built. It is related 
that, in early years, the Baltimore School, and 
one north, in Portage County, organized and 
conducted an interesting literary society. 
And it came to pass that a numlier of young 
men belonging to the former, invaded a 
neighboring sugar camp one dark night, and 
swore eternal secresy as to what then and 
there transpired. But the whole affair leaked 
oitt, unknown to the boys, and came upon 
them like a clap of thunder fi'om a clear sky. 
A satirical poem, wTitten li}' Dr. J. C. Woods, 
was read at the next meeting of the literary 
society, and the poem, in graphic language, 
recited the movements of the boys, while on 
their invasion for "stolen sweets." The con- 
fusion, dismay and chagrin which followed 
were complete, and brought uudying fame to 
the fearless writer. 

The Quaker C'hm'ch, east of Marlborough, 
was undoubtedly liuilt before 1820. It was a 
hewed-log building, about twenty-five liy forty 
feet, with rude seats and other fm-niture, and 
a large chimney which communicated with the 
broad fu-e-place, wherein were kindled the 
ruddy lu'es that imjaarted cheerfulness and 



MARLBOUOUGII TOWNSHIP. 



579 



comfort to the otherwise gloomy room. Here 
the Quakers continued to assemble to worship 
m their peculiar way until not far from 
1840. when they concluded to build a new 
church. About this time, owiiig to dissent 
lug views ret^arding church discij)line. and 
some of the fundamental doctrines of the sect 
of which George Fox was the founder, the 
Hicksites and the orthodox decided to separate. 
This was delayed, as was also the erection of 
the new church, for a number of years. 
Finally, the present house was built. Soon 
after the Quaker's first chiu'ch was erected, 
the German Lutherans and GeiTuan Reform- 
ers Viuilt what is known as St. Peter's Chiu'ch. 
The house, which was of logs, was used a 
number of years, and finally, about fifteen 
years ago, the ])resent church was constructed. 
Not far fi'om 1S45. the Methodists erected 
their ehiu'ch in Marlborough: prior to this 
they had used the schoolhouse and jirivate 
dwellings. The Disciples' Church in Marlbor- 
ough was erected at a later day. The United 
Brethren have a small frame cluu'ch in the 
southern part of the township; it is known as 
the ''Chapel.'" There ai'e two chmxhes, one 
Methodist, and the other Disciple, in the vil- 
lage of New Baltimore. There is also a Lu- 
theran Church some two miles north of Marl- 
borough. The townshij) is well supplied with 
good chm-ches, and has been from the earliest 
day. It must not be understood that the 
various religious societies were not organized 
until the cliurches were erected: some of 
these societies had been doing good work for 
years, but, owing to their poverty or lack of 
membership, were compelled to worship in 
Bchoolhouses or dwellings. Among those fam- 
ilies that early l)elonged to the Quaker soci- 
ety, were the following: Wileman's. Gruwell's. 
Pennock's. Logiies. Ellison's. Brantingham's, 
Heacock's. and others. It was common to 
hold meetings in dwellings, and even long 
revivals, of several weeks, were sometimes 
held here. Of ct)urse. many of these things 
do not refer to the Quakers, who would (piiedy 
scat themselves in their place of worshij) 
imd wait for the spirit to move them. 

Marlljorough Township is noted for having 
several agricultural organizations to fm-ther 
the interests of the producer. Alfred Brooke 



is dealing quite extensively in thoroughbred 
cattle and sheep: so, also, are Alpheus Bloom- 
field and otliers. The Marlborough Agi-icult- 
m-al Society owns a fine fair gi'ound within 
half a mile of the viihige, iijjon which are an 
excellent third-of-a-miletxack and a gi'ove that 
has no superior in the county. The stock is 
divided into twenty shares, all being at present 
owned by twenty men. A township fair is 
held ever}- autumn, and last year a small 
amount in premiums was paid. Buildings 
worth about !? 1,200 iu-e standing on the 
grounds. This enterprise, and all others tend- 
ing to bring into j)rominence and repute the 
labors of the fanner or stock-raiser, cannot be 
too highly commended. The movements in 
the township in this direction could be profit- 
ably imitated l)y other townships of the 
county. 

One of the most important organizations 
ever in the township is the Soldiers' Relief 
and Memorial Society. It is hard to die, es- 
pecially in robust health, and relinquish all 
the joys of living in this bright world. It is 
sad in the extreme, and requires a great sac- 
rifice. We owe a debt to the brave boys who 
laid down their lives for their country, which 
we can never repay. This gi-and country, 
instead of being separated into jealous and 
hostile factions to-day, and thereby entailing 
repeated and bloody wars, is, in effect, united, 
and the people are enjoying the fi'uits of lil> 
erty and peace. This is the debt we owe oiu- 
fallen brothers, and the sentiment of gi'atitude 
within us reijuires that we cherish in over- 
lasting remembrance, the names of those who 
established the peace \vhi(-h is now enjoyed. 
The following is the design of the above soci- 
ety; "For the benefit of the L'nion soldiers 
of tliis township and their posterity, this 
society has decided to make a record of the 
milit;u-y sei-vices of all soldiers who enlisted 
fi'om this township: also, those who are now 
or may become residents of the township." 
The society has rules and regulations govern- 
ing its actions, and tlie regular meetings are 
held on the second Monday preceding the 
third of May of each year. The society re- 
ports the nmnber of enlistments from Marl- 
l)orough during the last war as 111. Of 
these, twenty-thi'ee died while in the army, 



:^i 



HISTOIIY OF STARK COUNTY. 



and nine have died since the close of the war. 
The society is officered as follows: I. S. 
France, President; William H. Werner, Vice 
President; Albert Hatcher, Treasurer; Joseph 
W. Gaskill, Secretary and Recorder. Com- 
mittee, Marlborough Precinct: Milton Whet- 
stone, Jonas Warstler and John Zcllers. 



Committee, New Baltimore Precinct: Hamil- 
ton Day, Madison Walker and Alpheus Ham- 
ilton. Committee, West Precinct: Hemy Bix- 
ler, George Werner and C. B. Gibson. Every 
township in the county should have a similar 
organization. 



CHAPTER XXXI.* 

WASHrNGTON TOWNSHIP — NATURAL FFATUKES — CA lALOGUE OF EAKLV SETTI.ERW— LOST CHIL- 
DREN—DISTILLERIES, MILLS AND OTHER INDUSTRIES AND IMl'ROVEMUNTS — 
EARLV .SCHOOL AND RELIGIOUS ADVANTAGES — FAIhMOCNT (HIL- 
D^IEN'S HOME — UNDEliOroUNl) UA ll.l'.OAl). 

" I sat an hour to-day, John, 
Beside the old, old stream. 
Where we were school-boys in the past, 

AVheii manhood was a dream ; 
The lirook is ehoked with fallen leaves. 

Tile pond is dried awaj", 
I .scarce believe that you would know 
The dear old place to-day." 

— Anonymous. 

I^'HIS township, one of the best in the 
county for agricultural purposes, was not 
fully settled until comparatively late years. 
The land-buyers, who came fi-om the East, 
either to jim-chaso with the view of futui-e 
speculation, or to secm-e farms which would 
not become exhausted at the first few crojjs, 
were not such inferior judges as to jjass blindly 
by the rich woodland of Township 18, Range 
6. Accordingly, men of considerable wealth 
and i)romineuce in Pennsylvania selected and 
entered their choice of the land in Washington 
Township, and returned to the Keystone State, 
to see their property in the West multiply in 
value. Then, if they desired, they came out 
West (caught the malignant Ohio fever, a very 
troublesome disorder, vrhich was verj' exacting 
in its requirements), and established them- 
selves on their new farms. It occuired then, 
that, from the fact of the township being pur- 
chased largely by men who did not move West 
until after the county received its first rush of 
settlers, extensive early improvement did not 
take place imtil after other portions of the 
county were quite thickly poj)ulated. The 

"loMt.ibuti-a l.y W A. GuoJsjoeil. 



most of the land was entered as early as any 
in the county, and more than one early settler, 
who came in late, and, having occasion to pass 
through this township, made inquiries regard- 
ing the land, but, finding it already taken, 
pushed on farther West. The forest, dark 
and heavy, covered the entire township, save 
where occasional glades along the streams had 
intruded. Here and there in the bosom of the 
forest was a pathway of tangled, fallen trees, 
telling of the mad visitation of some tcjrnado 
in past years. Large trees had been twisted 
off by the angry cloud, and tossed like straws 
from their former standing-j)laces. Some had 
been torn asunder by the fm-y of the wind, 
and the mangled debris scattered far and near. 
Save these occasional spots and the gludes, 
nothing distm'bed the heavy monotony of the 
deep woods. The land, though lying in the 
main level, was traversed by gullies and crossed 
by irregular ridges that were probably relics 
of the Glacial period. Small streams sprang 
from tiny fountains, and wandered away in 
search of sweeping rivers, or became lost in 
the bosom of some inland pond. From east 
to west across the center of the township, a 
ridge arose, which sejiarated the head-waters 
of Sandy Creek from those of the Mahoning. 
The ridge, though irregular, and severed here 
and there, is distinctly defined. The northern 
portion of the township slopes away toward 
the north, its waters quietly mingling with 
Beach Creek, a principal affluent of the Ma- 



WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP. 



honing, while the southern portion sends its 
waters into Hughes' Creek and Black Creek, 
head branches of Sandy Creek, which is itself 
a leading branch of the Tuscarawas. The 
entire township is di-ained by streams which 
ultimately reach the Ohio River. It is there- 
fore within the Valley of the Ohio. 

The names of the first settlers are unfortu- 
nately unknown. While they can probably be 
given among others, yet they cannot be dis- 
tinguished, with few exceptions, from those 
who came in comparatively late. The follow- 
ing is a complete list of the land-holders of 
the township in 18"27. though this does not, 
of course, embrace the names of those who 
first located in the township and afterwai-d 
removed. It is also quite likely that some of 
the men whose names are given never resided 
in the township. The following is the list: 

Samuel Bosserman. John Boyer, Isaac Bon- 
sell. Jacob Com-ad, Henrj- Davis, Michael 
Dickey, Isaac Tinsman, Joseph Grim, John 
Galbraith, Holland Green, Frederick Harbster, 
Jacob Hai'bster, Charles Hambleton, Jesse 
Hughes, Caleb Johnson, Ellis N. Johnson, 
Simon Johnson, Jacob Kittsmiller, Jacob 
Klingaman. David Klingaman, Timothy 
Kirk, Russell Kees, Ezekiel Marsh, David 
Miller, John Millison, Roswell ]\L Ma- 
son, John McHeury, Jonathan Pierpont, 
Elias Risely, John Ruse, Jr., Samuel Stuckey, 
John Shively, Jacob Shively, John Shel- 
lenberger. Jacob Shidler, Daniel Shidler, 
AVilli.'im Hhaefer. John Spoon, Jacob Secrist, 
Jonathan Sharpless, John Towns, Samuel 
Talbot. John Talbot, John Unkefer, David 
I'nkefer, Thomas Wickersham and William 
Wood. 

The reader is left to distinguish between 
those who Ciime early and those who came late. 
Beyond a doubt, there was one family or more 
living in the township as early as 1806. A 
few years ago. at the usual townshij) election, 
when a luimberof the first settlers had assem- 
bled to poll their votes, Ellis N. Johnson, who 
was present, asked the question. " Who was 
the first settler in Washington Township?" 
No one could give a satisfactory answer. 

The first known settler wa.s Ezekiel Marsh. 
Ellis N. Johnson, a splendid specimen of the 
Quaker fraternity, who is yet living in the 



township, hearty and hale, at the unusual age 
of ninety-three years, says that, in the year 
ISIO, being thea of age, he left Washington 
County, Penn., for Ohio. He passed through 
Salem, following the section lines, which were 
easily distinguished by the blazed trees made 
by the surveyors, and at last entered the north- 
ern part of Washington Township, which was 
then known as Township 1 8, Range (i. When 
Section 14 was reached, Mr. Johnson heard 
the ring of an ax, and, movi g in that direc- 
tion, saw a powerful man chopping. The 
stranger at the same time saw him, and each 
advanced toward the other. This man was 
Ezekiel Mai'sh. It did not tiike the two men 
long to become acquainted, as all fonnalities 
and evasions or concealments were cast aside. 
Marsh had made a small clearing of an acre 
or more, and had built a small log cabin about 
fourteen feet square. He had probably ei'ected 
the building without assistance, as the logs 
were small and the cabin was low. The 
stnictiu'e was fm'uished with a large, rough, 
mud-and-stone chimney, of unique design, and 
a window of one pane of glass graced one 
end. One door served the pui'poses of the 
master. 

After remaining with Marsh a short time, 
Mr. Johnson went back to Pennsylvania, and 
did not return uutil ]8'23, at which time he 
brought out his family and located perma- 
nently in the northern paii of the township. 
During his absence in Pennsylvania, the 
greater portion of the townshij) was ent-i'ed, 
and many improvements had gone on. Each 
of the settlers had clewed from ten to forty 
acres, and fields of tossing grain wore grow- 
ing where once, and but a short time before, 
the monarch of the forest reared his head. 

After Marsh had lived a few yo!U-s upon the 
farm where he fu-st located, he sold out, or 
traded out, to Isaac Tinsman, and purchased 
another fann near there, upon which he lived 
until his death. He was a large man, with 
the strength of Thescuis. One day, as he was 
])assing a neighbor's cabin, ho heard screams 
and oaths issuing therefrom, and, surmising 
that the wife was receiving a beating from her 
ckimken husband, concluded to enter and try 
I to adjust matters. As he entered, he saw the 
I wife prostrate on the floor, while over her was 



^- 



HISTOKY OF STARK COUNTY. 



her half-drunken husband. With his left 
hand he y)inned her to the floor, and with his 
right wielded a heavy cudgel, which fell un- 
sparingly on the unfortunate woman. Marsh 
stepped quickly forward, and. seizing the hus- 
band liy the shoulders, Svvung him away from 
the woman ; but, in the movement, the enraged 
husband caught up a butcher-knife from a 
table, and, with a quick stroke, ]>lunged it 
into Marsh's abdomen. The stroke was effect- 
ive, and Marsh stagger»(d and sank upon the 
floor. He was conveyed home, but, after suf- 
fering great torments for a few days, died. 
The murderer was arrested, tried, convicted, 
and sentenced to pass the remainder of his 
days in the penitentiaiy. The sentence was 
carried into efi"eet. The murder occurred in 
comparatively late years. 

Isaac Tinsman, one of the first few settlers, 
improved the old Marsh farm, ujion which he 
lived many years. 

William Shaefer was one of the earliest in 
the township, as were also Harbster, Dickey 
and Stuckey. The early settlement was grad- 
ual, but the township slowly filled u]i with 
Germans and others, many of whom came from 
some other settlement in Ohio farther east. A 
few Quakers settled in the township enough 
to spice it with industry and good morals. 
This country, in early days, was vastly differ- 
ent from what it is now. There were but few 
small clearings, and these were dotted with 
charred stumps. The soil was much damper 
than at present, and the streams contained 
twice as much water. Bogs, ponds, marshes 
and swamps, large and small, were numerous, 
and served as a retreat and a resort for large 
numbers of wild fowls and wild animals. 
Springs were numerous that have since gone 
dry. and some of tliem were 

" Of a watiT thiit flow.s, 

With a lullaby soimd, 
From a .spring but a vcrj- ff w 

Feet under ground — 
From a cavern not very far 

Down under ground." 

Some, also, were brackish, and were visited by 
deer, that seemed to like such water better than 
that containing lime. These springs were 
guarded during the night by the old settlers, 
and the sweet venison eaten by the family the 



next morning attested the success of the 
watcher. It is said that Mr. Tinsman, on one 
of these occasions, shot a large buck that 
dressed about 225 pounds. It came down to 
one of the ponds to drink, and, although it was 
quite dark. Mr. Tinsman, who was sitting in 
a small copse near by, could see it clearly out- 
lined against the glassy siu-face of the water, 
and with one shot brought it to the ground. 
Mr. Dickey and Mr. Marsh brought sheep 
into the township very early, but these poor 
creatures had a sorry time of it. Some of 
them ate of a poisonous weed growing in the 
woods, and, after swelling up to an enormous 
size, finally died. No remedy could be found. 
Whisky was tried, and for a short time seemed 
to check the j)rogreBs of the poisi n through 
the system. All the larger carnivorous ani- 
mals in the forest had a special " tooth " for 
mutton, and lost no ojiportunity of satisfying 
their greed. As sooi as the shades of night 
fell, the sharp howls began, and did not wholly 
cease imtil a short time before the break of 
day. Woe tinto the sheep that were carelessly 
left in the A-oods or were lost! It was no un- 
common thing for the owner to find half his 
flock torn and mangled. Then was when oiu- 
grandfather violated a certain commandment 
Of coiu'se, we cannot prove that charge on 
the old gentlemen, but there is a strong in- 
ference that our surmises are eoirect. There 
was a stroug demand for wool, from the fact 
that all kinds of wearing apparel called for 
exorbitant jirices, and, as the settlers had but 
little money with which to meet this demand, 
they were compelled, in many cases, to im- 
provise clothing from buckskin, etc. This 
condition of things led many to bring in a few 
sheej), which were carefully housed and fed, 
and the wool therefrom was clipped, carded, 
spun, woven, and finally made into warm, 
heavy suits of clothing. The carding was 
done by hand; the spinning, on the old wheel; 
the wiaving, on a small loom; and the s'.iits 
were made by tailors who traveled from house 
to house to ply their craft. It was customary 
for families to get a considerable quantity of 
cloth on hand, and then to have all the mem- 
bers supplied at once with new suits or gowns. 
Linen suits were commonly worn in the warmer 
months. Almost every family had its small 



fc. 



WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP. 



583 



patch of flax, which was carefully tended, and 
afterward prepared by the flax-beater for the 
spinning-wheel. Almost every family had its 
own weaver; th(jse who did not, found no trouble 
in havinfj their woolen or linen cloth woven 
at some neighbor's. Wool and linen were 
quite often combined, and then the suit was 
called " linsey-woolsey." The cloth was often, 
and usually, highly colored with leaves or bark 
from the woods. The gaudy appearance of 
the suits and dresses at assemblages of the 
settlers l)rings to mind the Dolly Varden col- 
orings of later years. 

Ague and fever were seemingly much more 
common in early days thaa at present Doc- 
tors were few. and were abused then even more 
than now. Poor fellows! they have to bear 
the slings and arrows of uncharitable criticism, 
and are met everj'where with the sarcastic re- 
mark. " He kills more than he cures." The 
early doctors traveled over large sections of 
country. They rejoiced in various cognomens 
and schools not recognized in the systems to- 
day. There were Indian doctors, the tire doc- 
tors, tlie water doctors, the steam doctors, the i 
charm doctors, the " regulars," and various 
others, who dealt out their nostnims with a 
prodigality incompatible with the medical 
maxim of to-day, which directs that the desired 
results be attained with the use of the lepst 
possible quantity of medicine. Notwithstand- 
ing the quantity poured down the sick, the 
ague still shook whole families. In the words 
of a rural bard, 

"And it shiKik liini, shook him .sorely. 
Shook liis lioots off and his lirccches, 
Shook his toiMh oul and liis hair off, 
Shook his coal all into tatlcrs, 
Shook his sliiil all into rihiions. 
Shirtless, hatlrss. coatlcss. toothless. 
Minus hoots and minus lin'fchcs. 
Still it shook him, shook him till it 
Made him yellow. },'aiint and li<inv, 
Shook him till it shuffled for hiin 
Off his mortal eoil. and then it. 
Ilaviiif; laid him cold and quiet 
In the cold and silent churchyard. 
Shook the earth all down upon him. 
And he lies heneath his gravestone. 
Ever shaking;, shakinj;. shaking." 

The reader will observe that the" poet " treats 
of the sick as of the masculine gender, leaving 
conjecture tossed with doubt as to how the op- 
posite sex withstood the sickness. 



The old doctor was an important personage. 
His bottles and bags were regarded as won- 
ders, his judgment was unanswerable and his 
jirescriptions implicitly obeyed. Ho was wel- 
comed and fed at even' household. Time 
p.issed on, and the ]iractioo of medicine im 
proved. 

Stock, when turned into the woods, wer<» 
usually carefully marked, and bells hung about 
their necks, that, when wanted, they could be 
found. Hogs re(]uired no care, as they were 
enabled to sustain themselves the entire year 
on the " mast " that at all times covered the 
ground. Diu-ing the autumn, they became 
very fat, but gradually got thin during the 
winter. They became s(j wild that no one 
could approach near them, and it was neces- 
sary to shoot them when the family were out 
of pork. They were often very savage, and 
would sometimes attack the settlers, whose 
only safety then Liy in flight, or in ascending 
a tree. The tusks on some of them attained 
a length of six inches or more. Trouble often 
arose regarding the o'wnership, and the prac- 
tice of ear-marking was reduced to a sj'stem. 
Bears were very fond of fresh jiork, and were 
not particular whether the swine had been 
properly dressed or not. They would attack 
some unfortunate siis scra/a in the woods, tind, 
despite its struggles and squetils. tear it in 
pieces and devour the tender flesh. It is re- 
lated that, on one occasion, a large bear, evi- 
dently made desjierate by hunger, attacked a 
liog in Williiim Shaefer's stable yard. The 
attention of the faiuily was flrst attracted by 
the srjuealing and commotion outside. Upon 
going out, they discovered that a full-grown 
bear had thrown a liog ujion the ground, and 
was busily engaged tearing it with teeth and 
claws. The meml)ers of the family ran out 
and shouted, whereupon the bear made ofT, 
stoj>[)ing every few ro«ls to rear upon its hind 
feet and show its white teeth, to resist any 
attack that might bo made uj)on it The hog 
Wiis so badly torn that it was shot Incidents 
of this kind were (piite fretjuent More than 
one settler was chased by wolves, or had his 
adventure with some other d.ingerous animal. 
The Commissioners of the County ofi'ero<i a 
bountj' for wolf and jianther scalps, and this 
led those who were fond of hunting, and were 



HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY. 



skillful, to venture out on loug excursions in 
pursuit of these animals. The earliest set- 
tlers often found great difficulty in paying 
their taxes. Every penny was carefully laid 
away for this j)urpose. Animals were trapped 
and caught, and their skins sold, and the 
mon'~y was used to satisfj' the Tax Col- 
lector. 

On account of the miles upon miles of 
trackless forest that covered the country, it 
was a common thing for the settlers, or their 
children, to become lost. It seems strange, 
yet those who have been in that unfortunate 
situation, describe the bewilderment as mad- 
dening. The senses refuse to act in their 
ordinary manner, but take note of things in a 
new and singular way. Familiar objects are 
seen in a new light, and are no longer recog- 
nized. Ellis N. Johnson relates that, on one 
occasion, when out in the woods, he came up- 
on a large fallen tree, that had probably been 
cut down for a beai-, in which he oliserved a 
large quantity of line wild honey. He placed 
as much as he could cany in an improvised 
bag, iind started for home; but he foiuid that 
the cardinal points of direction had deserted 
him, or, in other words, he was lost. He en- 
deavored his utmost to ascertain which way he 
was going, but the effort resulted as it always 
does, in increasing the bewildemient. After 
wandering arovuid a long time, he finally came 
to a stable, in the yard of which was an old 
horse. The animal was poorer than Job's 
turkey, and Mr. Johnson wondered why in the 
name of luunanity the owner did not feed the 
poor creature, and take better care of the yard. 
He moved on a little farther, and saw a log 
house and near it a woman, who, when she 
saw him, asked, "What have you there?" It 
then dawned upon the bewildered Mr. John- 
son, for the first time, that his own wife was 
talking to him, and that the horse and stable- 
yard he had seen were his own. 

About the year 1821, two small chikh-en, a 
brother and sister, the former six, and the lat- 
ter eight years of age, belonging to a family 
in the southern part of Portage County, be- 
came lost while out after the cows. The chil- 
dren tried to drive the cattle toward what 
they thought was home, but which, in reality, 
was a different direction, and as the animals 



refused to go as desired, they were abandoned 
by the children. Had they been wise enough 
to have followed the cows, they would have 
had no trouble in reaching home. The cows 
went home, and the children wandered farther 
off in the tangled wilderness. As night and 
the cows came without the childi'en, the par- 
ents became alarmed, and immediately sur- 
mised that thsy had become lost. The coim- 
try was new and thinly settled, but the parents 
hiu'ried about and roused what few neighbors 
they could. Guns were fired, horns were 
blown, but no tidings came of the wanderers. 
The morning dawned, and by this time quite 
a collection of neighbors, near and far, had 
assembled to begin the search in a systematic 
manner. A few ti-aces of where the children 
had been were discovered, and a long line 
was formed to begin the march southward. 
If slight but sure signs of the children were 
discovered, the horn was to be blown once; if 
good signs, twice; and if the childi-en them- 
selves, three times, when all the searchers 
were to gather together. The search was 
given in charge of an old himter, who had 
attained a wide reputation for his ablility to 
track game from very slight signs. All day 
long the search continued. D\iring the after- 
noon, the old hunter saw a footprint made by 
one of the children. The horn sounded the 
news along the line. The track was near a 
large tree that had been cut for a bear, and 
after a few minutes, the old hunter held up a 
bit of calico that had been torn from the dress 
of the little girl. The horn again earned the 
tidings along the line. The excitement be- 
came intense, but none were permitted to 
leave the line. The parents were excluded 
from the line and left at home, for fear that 
when a few signs were discovered, they would 
rush forward in their eagerness, and obliter- 
ate them. The line was ordered not to break 
until the horn sounded thrice in succession for 
the same reason. The old hunter, and a few 
competent assistants, took the advance, and 
anuoimced their success to the others, who 
were beating the bushes for a mile or more 
on each side. Darkness again came, and the 
search had to be abandoned, save continued 
soundings of the horns and reports of the 
guns. The line of march was taken up at 



;\ 



tk^ 



WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP. 



585 



daylight in the morning, and continued, with 
an occasional sign, until nearly night. The 
searchers jiassed southward, thnnigh Lexing- 
ton Township, and thence into Washington, 
advancing as far as Socticm .14, very nesu- 
where Mr. Tinsman lived. Hero the old 
hunter picked up a piece of spice wood that 
bore the marks of teeth upon it. One siig- 
gestod that the branch had been l)itten by a 
deer: but the old hunter ])roved that to be 
impossible, as on the limb were the marks of 
upper teeth. The horn again rang oat its 
welcome note. The line moved on, and 
shortly came upon a " slashing," of some live 
acres. Here the old hiuiter saw ])laiuly where 
the children had walked in. They had fol- 
lowed an old deer ])ath that led to the center 
of the slashing. This was a splendid retreat 
for the animals when they were attacked by 
Hwarms of flies, as the place was thickly cov- 
ered with weeds and undergrowth. " \Miat 
shall be done," was the questiim. The old 
himter was told to enter, which he did: as be 
passed along the path, he saw an object bound 
off a log and rush toward him. It was the 
little girl: she was utterly wild, paying no 
heed to his questions and seeming to fear him, 
although she had run into his arras. He 
asked her where her br.ither was. but she did 
not understand him, and made an eflbrt to 
leave and run off ia the undergi'owth. The 
search was continued in the slashing, by the 
hunter and his assistants, and in a few min- 
utes the little boy was found, fast asleej), 
under the protecting side of a large log. He 
wius roused up, but was as wild as his sister. 
The horns rang out three times in succession, 
and the overjoyed settlers gathered together 
in a few minutes. The children were taken 
U) Mr. Tinsman's hoiise. but they refused to 
eat. and made coutimial efforts to rush out in 
the woods. A little nom-ishing food was 
forced down their throats, and then they were 
conveyed rapidly toward home. The parents 
heard the horns and shouts, and were over- 
whelmed with joy when their children were 
placed in their anus. The little lK)y and girl 
did not recognize them, nor their liora(>, but 
stared wildly around. They were put to bed 
and were soon asleep. Early the next morn- 
ing, the little boy called out, " Where's my 



little ax?" The little girl awoke, and called 
for her calico di-ess (the one that had been 
torn in pieces in her rambles). The children 
were all right, but, strange to say, could not 
remember anything of li(>ing lost Other in- 
cidents of a similar nature are related. 

Ezekiel Marsh built the first gi-ist-mill in 
the township. It was located on one of the 
small streams, at a point where the natiu-al 
siu^-oundings favored a limited though strong 
and constant water-power ; a dam of stone, 
brush, earth and logs, was built across the 
stream, and fi-om this a race conducted water 
to the strong breast- wheel that communicated 
motion to the machinery of the mill. Two 
sets of stone were i)laced in the mill, one for 
gi-inding wheat, and the other for corn. The 
exact date of its erection is not known, but it 
was probably befoi-e IS'iO. He also built a 
saw-mill on the same dam, and operated it in 
connection with his gi-ist-mill. Both mills 
were well jjatronized, and were a great accom- 
modation to the settlers. Sawing was ordi- 
narily done on shares, the sawyer taking half 
the lumber for his work. Settlers fi-om a 
great distance around came to the mills for 
their lumber and floiu-. Marsh, with the 
assistance of his sous, conducted both mills 
until his tragic death, after which they went 
to his son, Ed, who, after a few years, jier- 
mitted them to run down. Soon after the 
village of Mt Union was laid out. Hale 
Brothers, of Steubenville, erected a large 
woolen factoiy. They had talked the matter 
over with the citizens, and had at first a)n- 
cluded not to build, thinking, doubtless, that 
they might have an elephant on their hands; 
but when the citizens had come forward, and 
had promised to erect the building for them, 
they furnishing the luml)er, etc., the brothers 
concluded to utidertHke the enterprise. No 
sooner was the building erected and ready for 
occupancy, than it took fire and burned to the 
ground, consuming all the apparatus, machin- 
ery, etc. The brothers went to work and 
erected another in its place. This was ojte- 
rated for a time, and then sold to Solomon 
Teegarden, who did (juite an extensive work 
at carding, fulling, etc., for a few years, when 
the establishment was again destroyed by lire 
and was not afterward rebuilt. The enter- 



586 



HISTORY OF STAKK COUNTY. 



prise was scarcely a success at the village. 
No cloth was manufactured. 

Henry Schooley, of Salem, at ijuite au etu'ly 
day, came to the village, looking for a site for 
the establishment of a flouriug mill. The 
citizens desired such an industry at the village, 
and agreed to build the mill for Mr. Schooley, 
and have it ready for operation within thirty 
days. This was agreed to, and accordingly 
doie. Two sets of stone were placed in the 
).^ill. and a small steam engine furnished the 
motion. Good flour was furnished, and the 
mill grew in favor and soon obtained a flat- 
tering patronage. Finally, four good sets of 
stone took the place of the two old ones, and 
the owners began doing a combined merchant 
and custom work, which has continued until 
the present time. TSli: Schooley, at last, sold 
out to Mr. Bard, who yet owns and operates 
the mill. A grist-mill was also built at 
Ht'-asbiu-g suon after the location of the rail- 
road station at that point. It is a large frame 
building, and, under a change of owners, has 
done good work from the start. It is yet in 
operation. 

Distilleries and temperance movements, to 
check their eflect, have played a prominent 
part in the history of the township. George 
(ioodman conducted a distillery, about two 
miles southwest of ML Union, at f(uite an 
early day. While in operation, his distillery 
turned out some twenty gallons of good 
whisky per day. He owned but one still. 
The most of his liquor was sold at the still, 
and the balance probably found its way into 
some of the neighboring tavern bar-rooms. 
Michael Miller also built one, about five miles 
south of Mt. Union. His still was a little 
larger, and he is said to have manufactured 
about a Itarrel of excellent whisky jier day. 
Ezekiel Marsh probably conducted the most 
extensive distillery ever in the township. It 
was built at a spring, near his house, and the 
surroundings and apparatus were such that 
Marsh found no difficulty in distilling over a 
barrel of whisky per day. In order to insure 
the excellence of his liquor, he was in the 
habit of re-distilling it, and for this reason it 
gained repute for excellence and concentration. 
These thi'ee distilleries were erected prior to 
1838. Everybody drank liquor in early years; 



it was a rare thing to find a house where it 
was not used, and that, too, by every member 
of the family. It was kept on the side-board 
or mantel-piece of almost every house, and 
when visitors called it was customary to take 
a horn to kindle friendship and hospitality 
into a flame. Many an old settler has said to 
the writer. "Why, I was raised on the whisky 
bottle." It was given to children to quiet 
them, or to make them noisy, as the case de- 
manded. W^omeu took it to steady their 
nerves, and to give them coiu'age. Everybody 
used it in warm weather to secure cooling 
effects, and in cold weather to secure warm- 
ing efi'eets. It was used by all in sickness 
and in health, and was looked ujjon like the 
Montebank's " Grand, Elliptical, Asiatical, 
Panticiirical, Nervous Cordial," as a jjauacea 
for all diseases incident to humanity. In 
about the year 1828, a movement was inaugu- 
rated in the Eastern States, which asserted 
that whisky was not a " necessity," that its 
use as a beverage was degrading and shame- 
ful, and that it became all lovers of morality 
and sobriety to discourage its use in every 
proper way. Such theories were, at tirst, 
boldly and confidently contradicted; but soon 
thoughtful people saw truth and good advice 
in the theory, and all over the country tem- 
perance societies sprang into life. The wave 
of revolution swept over Ohio, meeting, every- 
where, strong opposition, but slowly and 
surely outriding it all. Ellis N. Johnson was 
a gifted speaker. He had that hap[)y faculty 
of being able to tm-n everything which tran- 
spired while he was on the stage to his own 
advantage. He never hesitated for a word, 
but "talked right on," with the eloquence of 
conviction and the force of reason. He in- 
stantly took the lead in the temperance re- 
form. His first temperance sj>eech in the old 
sclioolhouse, near his farm, attracted wide 
attention, and roused thoughtful, moral peo- 
ple into action. People discussed the subject 
at their firesides and at public places. All 
the better class of citizens spoke boldly in 
favor of the refoi'm; but di'am-drinkers and 
ownei-s of distilleries discom'aged the move- 
ment, and continued their practices. Mr. 
Johnson received abundant encouragement, 
and was invited to speak in all the adjoining 



^i^ 



WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP. 



schoolhouses and townships. People were, at 
first, Burprised at his views rej^arding liquor 
drinking, and flocked forward by the hun- 
dreds to listen to him. A strong temperance 
society was inmiediately organized at Mt. 
Union. The following is the preamble and 
constitution prepared and adopteil: 

Whekk.\s. The use of anli'iit spirits is not onl_v iin 
Mfcessarv aM<l injuriou.s to the social, civil and moral 
interests of men ; Imt tenils to promote pauperism, 
crime and urelcliedne.ss. and to hinder all ellorts for 
the intellectual and moral lienelit of .society; and. as 
one of the liest means to counteract its deleterious 
effects is the inllueiice of united e.xainple; 

Therefiin\ We. the suliscrihers. inhabitants of 
Mount Union and vicinily, rccofjni/ins; the i)rin- 
ciplesof alistineiice from the Use of ardent spirits and 
from il.s traffic, do hereby', a.s the basis of our union, 
■d'ftve to form ourselves into a society, and for this 
purpose adopt tlie following constitution: 

Section 1. This society shall be called the 
" Mount Union Temperance Society," auxiliary to 
the Stark Countv Temperance Society. 

Sec. 0. The ol)ject of the society shall be by ex- 
ample and kind moral intluence to discountenance 
the use of ardi^nl spirits and the traffic in the same, 
except as a medicine or for mechanical purposes. 

Sec. 8. Any person who practically adojjts the 
important principles of this society may become a 
member by signinir the constitution, or by request- 
ing the Secretarv to do so for him. 

Sec. 4. The Officers of the society shall be a Pres- 
ident, two Vice Presidents, a Recording Secretary, 
and a Coi ns|iondin,:r Secretary, each of whimi shall 
1m rli(i-rn annually, shall continue in office until his 
Mirci-v, II i> elected, and shall perform the duties 
customarily assigned to such offii-e. 

Sec. •"). The society shall annuallj' appoint five 
members, who. toLTcther with the officers, shall con- 
stitute an executive committee, three of whom shall 
form a ijuorum, for the adoption of such measures 
as shall be best calculated to render the society 
the most useful. 

Sec. 6. There shall be an annual meeting of the 
society, at which time the officers shall be elected. 

Sec. 7. The society at any time may strike the 
name of any member from its lists, on being satis- 
fied that such member has violated the principh^s of 
the society. 

Sec. 8. This constitution may be amended by a 
majority of the members present at any annual 
meeting of the society, providing that such simend- 
ment does not materially alter the principles (U^clared 
al)ove. 

Sec. 9. The President (or either of the Vice Pres- 
idents in ciuses of the sickness or ab.sence of the 
President) is authorized to call a meeting of the so- 
ciety at any time he may deem proper. 

This constitution was read at every place 
where Mr. Johnson spoke, and at every meet- 
ing scores appended their names to the rap 
idly increasing lists. The Quakers were the 



first to enter the refonn. heart and soul, and 
finally the church societies in the vicinity did 
likewise. The list of names is yet in exist 
euce, but is too long to be ins(>rted here. 
Soon the work of the society began to be felt 
by the liqtior sellers and manufacturers. Job 
Johnson was engag(>d. at the time, in keeping 
otore and tavern in the village of Mt. Union, 
and like till other tavern-keepers kept and 
sold liqtior in his biir-room. His brother, 
Ellis N.. continued to lecture, and he to sell, 
until at last he was converted to the temperance 
faith by a lady living in the neighborhood. 
In conversation with hei. he had s.iid, by way 
of excuse, that he no longer sold to drunkards, 
whereupon she j)roceeded. with cutting lan- 
guage, to tell him that course was the worst 
he could pursue, for he sold to young men 
and boys all the time, and was continually 
creating a new stock of drunkards. The 
thought went to his heart like an arrow, and 
he soon aftei^vard stopped selling, and became 
a standard bearer of temperance. In conse- 
fjuence of his conversion, as above stated, he 
published his change of opinion under the 
caption. "My Last Excuse Gone."' If the 
writer is correctly informed. Robert Hilton 
was. at this time, selling licjuor at Mt Union. 
He attended one of Ellis N. Johnson's strong- 
est meetings, and the vivid colorings of the 
subject by the speaker went home to his 
heart; for the next day. meeting Johnson, he 
said: '' I can't stand everything: what shall I 
do?" He was told to stop selling, and, with 
that sudden resolution which takes possession 
of all true converts, he went to his desk 
drawer, and taking therefrom $400 worth of 
notes that had been given him for liquor, 
advanced to the fire with the intention of 
btirning them. Johnson told him to wait 
Hilton replied: "If it's wrong to sell, it's 
^vrong to collect" Johnson then told him to 
postpone the destruction of th(> notes until the 
morrow, when it could be done publicly to a 
large iv^seniblage. The day was an important 
one, and (jver four hundred people were pres- 
ent Hilton had on hand .'J14 worth of 
whisky: the hat was pa-ssed. and Slli were 
raised and given him. The liijuor was then 
taken and placed on a heaj) of fagots, and the 
whole was set on fire. While it was burning. 



^ 



588 



HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY. 



Hilton went forward, and, in the presence of 
the audience, cast his $400 worth of notes in 
the fire. It was a day of great rejoicing, 
success and enthusiasm. Ellis N. was, at that 
early day, called the "Old Pioneer." Michael 
Miller, who owned the distillery in the south- 
ern part, invited the "Old Pioneer" down to 
his neighlxirhood to hold a temperance meet- 
ing, saying that he " wanted to see the ele- 
phant." The result was that Miller was com- 
pletely convei'ted. A few days before he had 
made a contract with a man from Deerfield, 
named Hartzell, to fui'nish 400 gallons of 
whisky, and part of the consideration had 
jiassed. He made up his mind to annul the 
contract, and not furnish the liquor. The 
malt vvas fed to the hogs, and wheu Hartzell 
apjieared for his liquor, he received no satis- 
faction, nor whisky. He immediately insti- 
tuted suit before Ellis N. Johuson, Justice of 
the Peace, for damages sustained, and ob- 
tained judgment for $27.50, much to the cha- 
grin of the Justice, who, though bound by 
duty to apply the law as he understood it, did 
so reluctantly, saying in conclusion, as he 
decided the case: " The money is yoiu's, legal- 
ly, but morally you have no right to touch it." 
The moral as})ect of the case did not trouble i 
Mr. Hartzell, for he coolly pocketed his dam- 
ages and walked oft". The temperance organ- 
ization saw the sale of liquor in the towuship 
almost or wholly cease; saw everj' distillery 
close its doors, and saw confirmed drunkards 
reform and lead sober lives. 

Mt. Union was the first village properly 
laid out and platted in the township. Four 
men owned the land at the corner where the 
lots were laid out. Richard Fawcett owned 
on the northeast; John Hare on the southeast; 
E. N. Johnson on the southwest, and Job 
Johnson on the northwest. Forty lots were 
laid out, twenty in "Washington Township and 
twenty in Lexington, ten being on the land of 
each of the above men. The lots were located 
on Sections 1 and '2, in Washington, and on 
Sections 35 and 86, in Lexington, and all 
were laid out under the directions of the own- 
ers, in August, 1833. At this time, there was 
but one house standing on the site of the vil- 
lage. This was the residence of Job Johnson, 
and was located on the corner of Main and 



Mt. Union sti-eets. Job Johnson, immediately 
after the village was laid out, erected some 
three or foiu" other residences, on some of the 
lots, which, wiih the buildings, were ofiered 
for sale. In a short time several buyers ap- 
peared, and Boon the town had all the appear- 
ance as such. Job Johnson opened his store 
and tavern; carpenters, blacksmiths and ai'ti- 
ticers of various sorts appeared; industries 
sprang up and business miiltiplied rapidly. 
The old settlers say that Mt. Union was an 
unusTially promising place in early years. A 
more detailed accoimt of the improvement 
will be found in the chapter on Lexington 
Township. 

Freebm-g was laid out on the southeast 
quarter of Section 28, in February, 1842. 
The land was owned by Isidon Can-illon. and 
thirty-two lots were siu'veyed and ofiered for 
sale by the owner. The growth of the village 
was quite slow, and nothing but the presence 
of a railroad or an important industry could 
alter its fate of comparative obsciu-ity. Stores 
have come and gone like spring blossoms, and 
have been about as numerous, though not as 
sweet. There have been times in the history 
of the village, when Goldsmith's lines were 
peculiarly appropriate: 

"Sweet smilinf; villagp, loveliest of the lawu, 
Thy sports are tied and all thy charms withdrawn ; 
Amidst thy bowers the tyrant's hand is .seen. 
And desolation saddens all the green." 

At other times the prospect has seemed as 
bright as a May morning, and the hearts of the 
citizens have throbbed in anticipation of the 
futm-e. WTiy cannot Freeburg have a railroad 
as well as any other town? If it "shells out" 
enough the road will be built. Money will 
buy in this case as it has in others. That fact 
may be relied on. 

Strasburg was laid out in August, 1842, 
by Gregory Gross and Jacob Sardier. owners 
and ]iro]irietors, on the south half of Section 
8, Township 18, Range 6. Thirty lots were 
laid off" by the siuTeyor, and these were imme- 
diately thrown into market by the owners. 
They were sold slowly, as there was no great 
inducement for capitalists to invest money. 
Stores were opened one by one, industi'ies 
flourished in succession, and hopes were kin- 
dled into flame in the breast of the owners 



-7; 



l^ 



WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP. 



589 



that their names might be sung by unborn 
millions, like those of Romulus and Remus. 
But they, like others of earth's chikh-en, wore 
doomed to disa])pointment. 

" Their hopes, like lilies of the morn. 

First blossomed into life, and tlien 

By bitter winds 

And icy rains 

Were scattered to the eartli ajiain." 

They saw other villages around them repeat 
the multiplication table; but they, with all 
their striving, could never reach addition. 
They became familial' with the rules of sub- 
ti'action. mtich to the division of their inter- 
est. The village is subject to fluctuations in 
pojjulatiou and prosperity. It has lost all 
probability of fame and renown, though its 
ambition is mountainous and measureless. 
It received its greatest im]ietus when the rail- 
road station was located there. At that time 
improvements advanced quite rapidly. Some 
grain and stock are shipped on the railroad 
from this point. 

It is a Imown fact that the tirst schools in 
the township were taught in the settlers' cab- 
in, though dates and distinctions cannot be 
given with certainty. It is said that Marsh 
permitted his cabin to be used as a school- 
house, and that a yoimg man just f om the 
East. ]iassing through the townshij), was em- 
ployed to teach a term or more there, which 
he did, receiving his pay by subscription, and 
boarding aroimd. It is also stated that be 
yond a doubt several terms were taught in 
the townshi]! prior to 1820. If jwssible, 
when the settlers living in a neigliborhood 
wished a school, a double log cabin was 
selected, the school being tatight in one room, 
while the owner's family resided in the other. 
Or. it was quite common t(j find a cabin that 
had beet) deserted by th(> owTier. and this 
was taken and supj)li<>d with rude desks and 
seats, and devoted to the cause of education. 
One of the first schoolhouses liuilt, if not the 
first, was the old log l)nilding at Mc^unt Union, 
which was erected in about th(> year 182'). 
It was constructed of hewn logs, and wiis 
quite a large building, having been built with 
the design, as all early schoolhouses were, 
of b<>ing used for a variety of piirjHJses. 
Job Johnson was one of the first teachers in 



this house. The management of schools sixty 
years ago differed essentially from that at 
present. The discii)line was different, and so 
were the modes of imjiarting instruction. 
There was what were known as '• loud schools " 
which may be understood as those where the 
scholars studied at any pitch of voice they 
chose. They ustially chose to be heard, and 
the din iind confusion in the room in stich a 
case can be imagined. It was probably some 
teacher of these schools who wrote the fol- 
lowing lines: 

"Since when the devil templed .Job 
With all the troubles on Die globe, 
And strove to put him in a passion, 
School-keeping was not then in fasliion; 
For, had he tied him to a seliool, 
.Job had not kept his temper eool." 

Before 1830, several schoolhouses were 
erected in the township. It is thought that 
the township was tirst divided into school dis- 
tricts in about the year 1824, and that imme- 
diately afterward, two or more schoolhouses 
were erected. As time passed on and the 
township became more thickly jwpulated, the 
districts were divided and subdivided until 
the present number — ten — were created. It 
was the case in almost everj' district, that log 
buildings were at first erected, and, when 
these had served their day, fi'ames or bricks 
took tlieir places. In some districts three or 
more schoolhouses have been built. 

*The Fairmount Children's Homo for the 
district of Stark and Columbiana Counties of 
Ohio, is located in the eastern portion of 
Washington Township, on Section 13, four 
miles south of Alliance and one mile west of 
the Columbiana County line. The farm con- 
tains 154 acres and is very favorably locat(:>d, 
in a good neighborhood and e.isy of access. 
The object of the institution is to fiu'nish a 
home and ''home-training" for indigent chil- 
dren under sixteen years of age, of the two 
counties, where they can be supported and 
provided with jihysical, mental and moral 
training until suitable homes can be provided 
for them, or until they liecome capable of 
earning and providing for themselves, or their 
parents or guardians for them. 

The General Assemlilv of Ohio bavins 



E,q 



untofthe ChilJr. 



^ 




WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP. 



passed a law authorizing counties to establish 
Children's Homes, prominent citizens of Co- 
lumbiana and Stark Counties commenced agi- 
tiitirg the matter with the view of seciirin<^ 
action fi"om the Ct>mmissionei>> in regard to 
an institution of this character. It was orig- 
inally intended tliat the counties of Columbi- 
ana, Mahoning, Portage and Stark should 
form the " Home disti'ict," and, with this end 
in vii>w, the Commissioners of these counties 
held their first joint meeting at Alliance, on 
September IS, 1874, at which time a Board 
of Trustees was appointed composed of the 
following memboi"s: Hon. J. K. Riikenbrod 
and Joshua Lee, uf Columbiana: Dr. G. W. 
Broke, of Mahoning: William Barber, of 
Statk, and William G-rinnel, of Portage. Mr. 
Rukenbrod being a meml^er of the Ohio Sen- 
ate was ineligible to the office and shortly 
afterwai'd resigned, and James Davis, of Co- 
lumbiana, was chosen to till the vacancy. The 
trustees visited several institutions of like 
character and during the next four months 
arrangements were perfected for a Home, but 
in the meantime the counties of Portage and 
Mahoning withdrew from the district and 
Messrs. Levi Stum)» and C. K. Greiner, of 
St;irk,were aj)] >ointed to the vac.mt trusteeships. 
The Commissionei-s of the two counties on 
May 4, ISTo, signed the deed for the land 
which they |)urch;used from Thomas Rack- 
straw, paying him $18,770 for the farm. H. 
E Myers, an architect of Cleveland, prepared 
the plans and specifications for the building, 
and the contract for erecting it was awarded 
to Messrs. Parkinson & Morrison, of New Lis- 
bon. The entire cost of the IniildingK and 
fm-iiishings was about §()r),(l()0: the real 
estate is now valued at ^1 .").()()( I. making a 
total of $SO,(KII) which have been devoted by 
these two counties for charitable purposes in 
this form. 

Fainnount Home consists of the main build- 
ing, two cottages, the farm house, the bake 
house and a large l)oiler house in which is 
generated steam for heatiug the several apart- 
ments. There is also a bam, wagon house, 
ice house, a slaughter house and the ntHSes 
sarj- outbuildings. The main building is 
three stories high above the basement; the 
greatest width is 82 feet and the greatest 



length is 115 feet. In the basement are large 
fruit, vegetable and dairy rooms, the kitchen, 
laundry and industrial roouLs. On the first 
fiwir are the office, reception rooms, pai'lor, 
dining rooms, pantries and store rooms. The 
Superintendent's family rooms, guest rooms, 
store rooms and thi"ee large school rooms are 
situated on the second floor. On the third 
flot>r are rooms for em])loyes and large tanks 
for hard and soft wat(>r. Centrally located 
on the first three floors are fire plugs con- 
nected with the tanks. Situated in the rear of 
the main building are two cottages each thirty- 
two feet in width and thirty-nine feet long. 
In each cottage on the fii-st floor is a nursery, 
a sitti og room for chikhvn, a bedroom for the 
nurse and cottage matron, a wash room and a 
bath room. On the second floor of each cot- 
tage are two dormitories and a wiu'drobe. 
The cottages are connected to the main build- 
ing by a covered passage. In the " farm- 
house" is a large family of boys, a sitting 
room, a large airy dormitory, a bedroom for 
the matron and family, the necessary rooms 
for the kindergarten — accommodating the 
chikh'en from four to six years of age. 

Fainnount Home ^vas completed and 
erected in 187(5 and dedicated with appro])ri- 
ate exercises in October of that year. The 
Board of Trustees employed Dr. J. F. Buck 
to take charge of the institution. This gen- 
tleman had been for the j)revious seven years 
connected with the Ohio Reform Farm at 
Lancaster: he brought with him to the Home 
much valuable expiirience and has lieen the 
means of making the Home a great .success. 
The building was opi'ned for the reception of 
inmates October 81, i87t), on which day six- 
teen children were received from the Stark 
County Infirmary. From that date until 
October 81, 1880, a ])eriod of four years, 8y2 
children were received into the Home; 108 
the first year, 7 1 the second, 110 the third and 
fill the fourth. Of these chiUlren 140 were 
in the Home October 81, 1880; 1*J4 have been 
])laced in families where they have found 
desirable homes; 17 have died and 41 have 
been retm-iied to fi'iends, discharged or sent 
to other charitable institutions of the State. 
These chi Idren have l)een gathered from the two 
coimties of Stark and Columbiana Thev have 



HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY. 



been supported and educated at an expense 
to these counties of less than $10,000 each 
year. But a money vahie cannot be placed 
on that which will be gained by these chil- 
dren wlien placed under good influences in 
jirivate families, where their chances for be- 
coming good and useful men and women will 
be enhanced, and the probabilities of their be- 
coming burdens upon society will be greatly 
diminished. Fairmount Home, however, is 
to a great extent self-sustaining. The farm 
embraces 154 acres, a considerable portion of 
which is cultivated and yields a bountiful 
harvest: the work of the farm is largely per- 
formed by the older boys, wlio are re<juired to 
assist one-half of each day fi-om May to 
October in the general farm work. The 
smaller children are a gi'eat help in market- 
gardening and cultivating small fruit. These 
duties are part of the practical education 
fiu'nished by the Home, for as the gi-eater 
nnmlier of those who leave the institution are 
indentiu-ed to faiTQers the principal thought 
kept in their minds while at work is not " how 
much" but "how well." The farm also con- 
tains rich ])asture lands for cows which fur- 
nish an abundant supply of milk and liutter. 
The jiractical household education of the girls 
is not neglected, for they are taught to be 
handy with the needle ]>y a lady who has 
charge of the industrial department, and 
many articles of use are manufactured in this 
room by the older girls who work one-half of 
each day and during the year make all the 
clothing needed liy the inmates of the Home. 
The assistance of these older girls is also of 
great value in the kitchen, laundry and dining 
rooms of the Home, and the instruction which 
they have received in these several departs 
meuts will be of great importance to them in 
any sphere in which they luay be placed in 
future years. The money saved in conse- 
quence of the amount of labor performed by 
the older girls in these departments as well 
as in others for so large a household is an 
item of no small importance: but, when com- 
pared with the importance of this training to 
habits of industry and order, the money value 
sinks into insignificance. 

The children while at the Home are not 
only taught to work in order that they may 



be able to support themselves, but their edu- 
cation receives due attention both physical, 
intellectual, moral and religious. Believing 
that sound minds can be best developed in 
sound bodies, everything which has a tendency 
to develop the physical organization receives 
close attention by the Superintendent. 
Wholesome food, pure air, cleanliness of per- 
son, healthful exercise on the play-gi'ounds, 
and moderate labor about the buildings, gar- 
den and fields, are the means relied upon for 
bxiilding a symmetrical temple for the mind. 
Many of the children receive their tu'st les- 
sons from books while at the Home. Those 
of school age are divided into two separate 
grades according to their proficiency. Both 
grades are in session diu-ing the entire school 
day. The older scholars who work half the 
day attend school during the other half, but 
those from six to ten years of age have 
attended school regularly duri og school hoiu-s 
without vacation. All who are of sufficient 
age are required to attend the Sabbath school 
exercises, which consist mainly in reciting por- 
tions of the Scriptures and singing. Minis- 
ters of diflerent denominations and the Young 
Men's Christian Association of Mount Union 
have, dm-ing past years, favored the Home 
with sermons and addresses on Sabbath after- 
noons without any compensation. Fairmount 
is emphatically a home for those who other- 
wise would be homeless, and it is a wise econ- 
omy for the citizens of Stark and Columbiana 
Counties to take these poor, friendless children 
and provide them witli a good home training 
so that at majority they will be able to take 
care of themselves, rather than have them 
homeless and hardened criminals or confirmed 
paupers. Fairmount is doing a work, the 
value of which cannot now be estimated, but 
must be acknowledged in time to come. Were 
it nor for the fostering care of the Home, the 
majority of its inmates would be smTounded 
by baneful influences growing up in igno- 
rance and vice. 

Owing to the fact that several families of 
Quakers resided in the township, a station on 
the Underground Railroad was established 
there. The Johnsons were prominently con- 
nected with this road, and assisted more than 
one fugitive to the Dominion of Canada. 



•f ® »^ 



WASIIINGTUX TOWNSHIP. 



Unknown to those who made it their business 
to apprehend slaves on their way north, there 
were several secret places on the shore of 
Lake Erie, where vessels from the Canada 
side landed on certain days for the fufjitives 
wh<; were concealed in the adjacent heavy 
forests. These places were known to the 
Quakers, who very likely j>a)d the owners of 
the vessels for their trouble. It is stated 
that, on one occasion, a fugitive family, that 
had stopped in the woods in the northeastern | 
part of the county, were surprised by their [ 
owner and conveyed to Virginia before the 
Quakers had become fully aware of the state 
of aSairs. This was the result of not seeking ' 
the assistance of the Quakers. When the ! 
latter were trusted, the slaves invariably 
reached their destination in safety. 

The quantity of timber land, of land imder 
cultivation, of meadow land, and of swamp 
land, has been constantly changing since the 
earliest day. The following table explains 
itself: 
Number of acres of arable and plow land 

in Washington Townsliip, 1880 14,534 

Meadow and pasture land 38 

Uncultivated or woodland 6.351 

Total niiml)er of acres of flat, wet and 

marshy land 1.698 

Total value of land excluding buildings.. . ^734,113 

Total value of houses 82,041 

Total value of mills 2.650 

Total value of other buildings 26,990 

General average price per iktc, including 

buildings 37 

The Baptists and Methodists began holding 
meetings in the township alx)ut the same 
time. This was not far from the year 1817. 
Meetings were at lii-st held in the old log 



dwellings, and at such places where ample 
room could be had by traveling the least dis- 
tance. Our grandparents required a gi-eat 
deal of sjjace when they got down to business 
at these early religious meetings. This can 
be said of the Mettiodists at any rate. The 
few Quakers were (juiet, and waited for the 
spirit to move them. The spirit was pretty 
lively sometimes, judging from the activity at 
the Quaker meetings. The Baptists built a 
small brick church cjiiitt* eai-ly at Moimt 
Union, neai' the graveyai'd, but jjrior to this 
their meetings were held in the old school- 
house. The church was built not fai- fi-om 
1830. It is thought the Methodists held 
meetings before the Baptists, and that their 
small frame church, located just across the 
line in Lexington Township, was built after 
the Baptists built theirs. Job Johnson gave 
the lot upon which the Methodist Cliufch was 
built. Other chinches have succeeded these. 
School was taught in the old brick Baptist 
Chm-ch. The Catholics have a neat chtu-ch 
and cemetery at Sti'asburg. The building 
was erected many years ago. The United 
Brethren have a chiu-ch on Section 11. It 
was erected in comparatively late years. The 
Albrights have a chiu-ch on Section 22. The 
Methodists have one at Freebm-g. Some of 
the church societies have died out: others 
have suffered much from lack of funds and 
membership. Some have l)eeu strong since 
their organization. Many of the citizens 
belong to churches located just without the 
limits of the townshi]). The people are 
generally moral, and many belong to the 
chm'ches. 



r 




^ 



'A 



PART III 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 



CITY OF CANTON. 



LAWRENCE ALEXANDER, city woolen 
mills, Canton : is a native of Dublin, Ireland, 
and was born in the j-ear 1815. When 11 
years old, he engaged in the woolen trade ; and, 
having completed liis apprenticcsliip, he, in 
1833, came to the United States, locating in the 
city of Boston. He worked for about four 
years in the vicinity of that city, and then 
went to Philadelphia, remaining there one year, 
when he came to Massillon. Ohio, and from 
there went to Way nesburgh, where he lived some 
ten years. He then lived in Lexington Tp. 
some eight years, after which he came to Can- 
ton about the year 1855. He rented a mill in 
Waynesburgh, and bought one while living in 
Lexington Tp. After coming to Canton, he 
and John Robbin rented Jacob Spraukles fac- 
tory, near the city, and soon after Mr. Alexander 
bought his present place, which was originally 
built for a tanner}-. He put in the requisite 
machinery, and has conducted the woolen busi- 
ness ever since. During his residence in Stark 
Co. he has served as Commissioner two terms. 
He was married in 183G to Miss Haimah Fitz- 
gerald, a native of Lowell, Mass. They have 
four children, viz.: Elizabeth M., Francis A., 
.\ugustine and Frank. All live at home except 
Augustine, who is the Rev. A. Alexander, of 
Baltimore, of the Catholic Church. Mr. Alex- 
ander is a Democrat in politics. 

JOHN H. ALTEKRT'SE, merchant and Sher- 
iff', Canton ; was born in Massillon M;iy (I, 
1844. His parents, Rudolph and Mary (Uphutf) 
Altekruse. were natives of Germany, who emi- 
grated to America in the fall of 1837, and 
settled in Massillon, Ohio, where they have 
since resided. His father was a shoemaker by 



trade, and conducted the business in Massillon 
until 18G8, when he embarked in the grocery 
trade, and followed the same until the fall of 
1879, when he retired to private life. He is 
now nearly 70 years of age, enjoys excellent 
health and is greatl}' esteemed in the commu- 
nity. Our subject is the oldest and only sur- 
viving son in a family of eight children, one 
sister ouly living, Mrs. Andrew Dangeleisen, of 
Massillon. Young Altekruse, after having re- 
ceived a good education in his native town, 
passed a j-ear with his father in the shop, and 
one year as clerk in the store of Samuel Goudy, 
of Massillon. He then became clerk in the 
hardware store of Kelly & Allen, of Massillon, 
in which capacity he remained five years. 
During the war he served in the Ohio National 
Guard, in Co. A, lt)2d 0. \. I., being stationed 
at Tod Barracks, Columbus, Ohio, In Febru- 
ary, 18ti7, he purchased the grocery store and 
stock of Charles Hose, of Massillon, and con- 
ducted that business over twelve years. Aside 
from bis business associations, he has filled a 
number of local positions ol" responsibility and 
trust in the city and county. In the fall of 
1875, he was elected Coroner of Stark Co., and 
served two years. For three years he filled the 
office of Township Clerk ; he also served on the 
Massillon City Council, and for three years was 
Chief Engineer of the Massillon City Fire De- 
partment. Five years likewise he was on the 
City Board of Equalization, and for two years 
he served on the Massillon Board of Health. 
In the spring of 1879, he wa.s elected a member 
of the Massillon Board of Education, and in 
October of the same year was elected Sheriff of 
Stark Co., which position he now occupies. In 



ir^ 



\ « 



596 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



politics he is a Democrat, as is also his father. 
His religious connection is with the German 
Reformed Church of Massillon. On July 12, 
18G6, he married Flora, daughter of Peter 
Morgeuthaler, of Massillon ; the results of this 
union have been four children, two living. He 
is a man of fine busine.ss ability, quiet, cautious, 
strictlj- honorable and greatly esteemed in the 
community for his genial, social nature and 
agreeable manner. 

ALBERT BALL, Red Jacket Plow Works, 
Canton ; is the second of a family of nine 
children, born to John and Martha J. (Grimes) 
Ball, on the 7th of July, 1830. He was 
raised on the farm near Greentown, in this 
county, and at the age of 15 began learn- 
ing the trade of a molder in his uncle's foun- 
(\vy ; at 17, he went to Wadsworth, in Medina 
Co., and then to Wooster ; at 19, he went to 
Fort Defiance, where he took charge of a shop, 
remaining one year, when he went to North 
Manchester, Ind., where he commenced the 
plow business on his own account. After 
doing a successful business for fourteen years, 
he sold out, and engaged in the lumber trade 
in Kosciusko Co., where he operated two mills, 
with headquarters at Warsaw. He continued 
this business for four years, the last two of 
which he had a partner (a Mr. Penticost) who, 
during ill-health of Mr. Ball, failed to account 
for large collections made in closing up the 
business. Upon his recovery, Mr. Ball came to 
Canton, and traveled one year for John Ball & 
Co., during which period he invented (Aug. 3, 
1871) his Red Jacket plow ; he also patented 
an iron wagon. He then went to Elkhart, Ind., 
where he engaged in manufacturing for a year 
and a half, and, in the meantime, bought a 
farm near Elkhart, upon which he lived two 
j'ears. In the spring of 1874, he returned to 
Canton, and licensed John Ball & Co. to man- 
ufacture the Red Jacket plow, receiving .$1,200 
per year, and 25 cents royalty to oversee the 
work and inspect the plows, and the next year 
was made Superintendent, serving one year at 
$1,800, when the company began closing out 
the business. In 1877, he bought out the busi- 
ness and works, and began the manufacture, 
which he has since continued successfuU}', in- 
creasing it each 3'ear. A large additional brick 
building, 130x35 feet, two stories high, is now 
(1881), in course of construction. In Octo- 
ber, 1849, he was married to Miss Mary A. 



Wyandt, a native of Stark Co, Thej- have had 
six children, four of whom are living, viz. : 
Lorenzo D., Silas W., Amanda C. (now Mrs. 
Hubisou), and Annette J. (now Mrs. Mj'ersl 
All are living in Canton. 

J. C BOCKIUS, deceased. Canton ; was a 
native of Prussia; his father, n ho was a native of 
Frederick, Md., went to Europe, and while there 
was " pressed'' into the British service, which 
he deserted in Denmark, and went to German}-; 
he emigrated to America in 1834, and died 
in Canton. Our subject, when 12 years of age, 
became attached to the armj* of Bonaparte, as 
drummer, remaining with the ai'mj- until 17 
3'ears of age. In 1812, he crossed the Alps 
with the arm}' on foot, and went to Italy. At 
the age of 17 he learned the slioemaker's trade 
in Prussia, and in 1819emigrated to America. In 
1820 he established in Canton the business 
house which is still transacting business there, 
He remained in Canton, engaged in active bus- 
iness life, and taking an interest in all public 
measures until liis death, in 1878. His wife's 
maiden name was Rosanna Keller ; she was a 
native of Baden, and came to Canton with her 
parents wlien 12 j-ears of age ; they were mar- 
ried in Canton May 25, 1825. She died in 
1805. Tliere were sis girls and seven boys 
born to them, only six of whom are now living: 
Lewis v., of Canton ; Henry J. and Charles J., 
residents of Port Huron, Mi<h., engaged in the 
shoe business ; Charles J., of Canton ; Hen- 
rietta, now Mrs. R. Rohrer, of Freeport, III., 
and Amelia D., now Mrs. Huntington, of George- 
town, Colo. 

L. V. BOCKIUS, boots and shoes. Can- 
ton ; was laorn in Canton, in 1826, and was 
connected with his father as an assistant in his 
store until May, 1848, when he entered into 
partnersliip with him, under the firm name of 
J. C. Bockius & Son, and has been managing 
partner up to the present time, with the excep- 
tion of a few months, when he toolc a trip to 
California. In 1870, he took his brother, Ed- 
ward A., in business with him, which partner- 
ship terminated at tlie death of that brother in 
1881, and in May, 1881, Charles J. Bockius 
entered as partner, the firm name now being J. 
C. Bockius' Sons. Mr. Bockius is one of the 
leading representative citizens of Canton ; he 
is, with Mr. D. Tyler, one of the largest stock 
owners of the Diebold Safe & Lock Co., and 
is one of the directors of the Vallej- R. R., 



']±^ 



CITY OF CANTON. 



507 



with whicli he has been assooiated from its in- 
fanc}-. He has served the city as Treasurer ; 
has been a director of the Canton Cemetery, 
and is now President of that association, and 
was President of Biiihling Association No. 2, 
wliich wound up its affairs satisfactoril}-. He 
has been identified with the most prominent 
movements of the citj-, and is one of its most 
lionored citizens. He was married, in Septem- 
ber. 1855, to Miss Caroline P. Graham, a native 
of Stark Co.. whose father, John Graham, was 
one of the earliest settlers of Jackson Tp., and 
was State Senator for several j-ears, Mr. and 
Mrs. Bockius have six children — Charles J., 
Edward (J.. Frederick William. Harry (J., 
Catharine A. and Mary H. 

CHARLES J. BOCKIUS. boots and shoes. 
Canton ; is a native of Stark Co., and was 
an assistant of his father in the store until 17 
years of age. He then commenced learning the 
watch -maker's trade, and after eighteen months 
went to Philadelphia, where he remained for 
two years. In 1855, he went to New York, 
and remained there until 1861, engaged in the 
jewehy business. He then removed to .^liehi- 
gan, and was in the shoe business with his 
brothers until August, 1862, when he enlisted 
in the 22d Mich. V. I., and was in the service 
nearly three years, in the Army of the Cumber- 
land under Gen. Thomas, passing through active 
and severe service, and participating in the en- 
gagements of Danville, Lebanon. Bowling 
Green (K3'.), Nashville (Tenn.), Chickamauga, 
Mission llidge, Lookout Mountain, Atlanta, 
etc. After the close of the war. he went to 
Chicago, and was in the jewelry business there 
one year; thence to New York, in the same bus- 
iness, remaining over four j-ears, and again re- 
turning to Chicago, where he remained in the 
jewelry business three years, and for six j-ears as 
Secretary and Treasurer of the Marietta Barge 
Line Co. In 1881, he returned to Canton, and 
entered into business with his brother, where he 
intends to remain. He was married in 1864. 
to Miss Helen M. Garlick, of :\liehigan. They 
have five children — Mary L., .James II., Helen 
H., Etta L. and Carrie. Mr. Bockius is a mem- 
ber of the Masonic fraternity, of the K. of H. 
and G. A. II. 

JOSEI'H A. BOUR,ofElsass &Bour, furni- 
ture. Canton ; is a native of Canton, and son 
of Nicholas and Catharine (Deville) Bour. His 
father was a native of France ; his mother of 



Belgium ; the former came to Stark Co. in 1835; 
the latter, with her parents, about 1837 ; the3- 
were married in Canton, where thej- have since 
resided. The father has been a business man 
of Canton for many years, but is now living 
retired. He served as Postmaster of Canton 
from 1852 until 1860. Our subject is the fourth 
child of a famil}' of ten children ; he was an 
attendant of the Canton schools until 22 years 
of age, when he went into the office of Judge 
Meyer, in 1870, remaining with him until 1874, 
in practice. He was admitted to the bar in 
1874, but, on account of ill-health, could not 
continue practice. He then engaged at farm- 
ing for one year, and tiien removed to New 
Castle, Penn., where ho engaged in the furniture 
and undertaking business, remaining there 
until Februar3', 1879, when he returned to Can- 
ton, and has since then been associated 
with .1. C. Elsass. He has served one term as 
Deputy County Clerk, and one 3'ear as Deput3' 
County Treasurer; is a member of the Legion 
of Honor and the C. M. B. A. He was married 
in 1874 to Miss Mar3' Kegler, of Massillon ; 
they have one child, Eleanor. 

DAVID S. BEGGES, merchant. Canton ; 
is a son of James and Mar3- (Slusser) 
Begges; the former, an earl3' and prosperous 
merchant of Canton, died while in the prime of 
life, and the latter, the daughter of Philip 
Slusser, one of Stark Co.'s earliest pioneers, 
David S. is now about 50 years of age, and 
owns and conducts one of the largest queens- 
ware establishments of the county, which is 
located at Canton. He was educated princi- 
pally in the Canton schools, finishing, however, 
at Scott's Academ3', of Steubenville, Ohio. He 
began his business career as a salesman, and was 
connected with different mercantile houses of 
Canton, until In; sul)se(|uently engaged in bus- 
iness on his own account, which he has since 
conducted successfull3'. 

J. W. BARNABY, County Recorder, is the 
son of Joseph and Maria (Holies) Barnab3-. 
Joseph Barnaby became a resident of Stark Co, 
about 1836, and subsequently engaged in the 
mercantile business at Mount Ihiion for a 
number of years, and in 18(!] removed to Alli- 
ance, where he held the oflice of Justice of the 
Peace for a number of terms, and was .Mayor 
of the city at the time of his death, which oc- 
curred in April, 1877. J, W, has been a resi- 
dent of the count3' during his life, and most of 



;^ 



598 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCIIE- 



the time has been identified witli tlie mercantile 
and banking business in Mount Union and Alli- 
ance in the capacity of salesman and book- 
keeper, and in 1862 enlisted us a private in Co. 
F, of the 115th 0. V. I., serving with his com- 
pany and regiment one year, when he was de- 
tailed as Clerk at Headquarters. Department of 
the Ohio, where he spent the remaining two 
years of his term of service. Upon being 
mustered out of the service in 1865, he re- 
turned to Alliance. In 1871, he accepted the 
position of Deputy Auditor of Stark Co., 
under Edwin A. Lee. Mr. Lee resigning about 
two months before the expiration of his term 
of office, Mr. Barnaby was ajjpointed to till the 
unexpired term. In 1879. his name being pro- 
posed and brought before the Republican Con- 
vention, he received the nomination as their 
candidate for the ensuing term of Recorder of 
Stark Co., raid at the October election of 
1879, he was elected by a majority of 165 
votes. In January of 1880, he took formal 
possession of the office, and has since been en- 
gaged in the discharge of the duties devolving 
upon iiim. 

0. T. BROWNING, retired; Canton; was 
born in Stoniugton, Conn., March 31, 1806; 
his childhood was spent on the farm, where he 
lived until he was 13 years of age, he then en- 
gaged with a (rroton merchant as clerk, and 
was engaged in clerking for eleven years in 
Groton and Middletown. In 1830, he purchased 
a stock of goods in New York and shipped the 
same to Cleveland, not knowing whereto locate, 
although Cleveland was where he intended to lo- 
cate. He was unable to procure a salesroom 
and he shipped his goods to Canton and opened 
a store, and continued in the business until 
1848. During these few years he had accumu- 
lated considerable money. He started branch 
stores in Mansfield, Ohio ; Lancaster, Ohio ; 
Jackson, III., and Benton, Mo. He purchased the 
mill property known as the Fogle Mill, built by 
Dr. Fogle in 1834. He has been engaged in 
the milling business up to the present time. In 
1834, he united in marriage with Miss Klnora, 
daughter of Dr. Wm. Fogle, who was a native of 
Pennsylvania. She died in 1840, aged 24 years. 
She left one child — Oren F., who has the super- 
vision of his father's mill. In 1849, he married 
for his second wife, Miss Frances McTaggert, 
of Philadelphia, Penn. She died in 1866, aged 
39 years. She was the mother of two daughters. 



one now living, AimaC; she is now the wife of 
Dr. George Foster, of Westerly, R. I. Mr. 
Browning is a consistent member of the Presby- 
terian Church. 

L. BTKCHELE. of the firm of L. Biechele 
& Bro., stoves, tin-ware, cooper work, etc., 
Canton ; is a native of Baden, Germany. 
He was born in the year 1826. At the 
age of 17. he was apprenticed to the tin- 
ner's trade. Upon finishing his trade, he 
was drafted for the army, but, owing to his 
parents residing in America (thej- having 
moved previously), he was released, and, in 
company with his brother Gustavus, came to 
this country and settled in Canton, where his 
brother and some relatives lived. His fatherdied 
in Germany. His mother, step-father, brother 
and sister were on a steamer on the Mississippi, 
and all met their deaths from the blowing up 
of the steamer. Our subject worked for Mr. 
D. H. Harmon, in Canton, about six years. He 
then, in company with his brother Gustavus, 
engaged in the present business, which at first 
was small, and has gradually grown to its 
present proportions. Mr. Biechele has served 
one term in the City Council. In July, 1853, 
he married Jliss Louisa Held, a native of Ger- 
many. Of their six children, four are living — 
George, Laura (now Mrs. Lewis Wernett). Rosie 
and Nettie. 

PHILO PARSONS BUSH, engineer and 
manufacturer. Canton ; was born in East 
Hampton, Conn., March 15, 1836. He belongs 
to a family of mechanics, who trace their line- 
age back to the early settlers of America. 
Through his mother, whose maiden name was 
Lydia Strong, he comes from Puritau stock and 
is connected with one of the most numerous 
families of New England. He was the ninth 
in a family of ten children, five of whom are 
living. At the age of 8, on account of the 
death of his mother and consequent breaking- 
up of tiie family, he went into a brass mold- 
ing shop, in Westerly, Rhode Island, where he 
remained one year. His early education in the 
schools was very limited, but his industrial 
training in the shop was verj- thorough and 
practical. From Westerly he went to New 
London, Conn., where he engaged to work in a 
machine shop, where he continued until he 
was 22 years of age. His next employment 
was in a steel die manufactory at New Haven, 
where he remained until the breaking-out of 






CITY OF CANTON. 



>!I9 



the rebellion. In 1861, he enlisted in the three- 
months service under Col. (afterward Gen.) 
Terry, and was in the first battle of Bull llun. 
In June, 18(12, he re-enlisted for three years as 
principal musician of the 14th Conn. V. F. He 
participated in the battles of South Mountain, 
Antietani and Fredericksburg ; during the en- 
gagement at Anlietam he was permanent!}' 
injured in the back by being struck with a rail 
knocked ofl' a fence by a shell. Bj- an order 
of the War Department, issued in 1863, he was 
released from the service and returned home, 
and began the manufacturing of macliinery 
with his brother. Later, while on a visit to 
( )hio, he decided to locaU; in Canton and estab- 
lish a machine shop, and in 1871 removed his 
machinery and some of his best workmen, and 
the new enterprise called the "Canton Sceam- 
Kngine Works " was started. The business be- 
came involved, but Mr. Bush sustained his 
credit, and began linsiness again with I'educed 
capital. He is now the sole proprietor of the 
Novelty Iron Works. Jan. ."50, 1857, he mar- 
ried >liss Melissa Godfrey, of New London, 
Conn. The}' had five children, of whom three 
are living ; of these Alfred ]j. and Frederick 
W. are employed as workmen in their father's 
manufactory, and the youngest, Philo P., is 
attending Public School. In 18C0, Jlrs. Bush 
died, and before his removal to Ohio in 1871, 
Mr. Bush married, on Feb. (i, of that3ear, Mrs. 
Sarah Adams, daughter of Samuel Jeffer}', an 
old sea captain of New London, Conn., who 
has borne him one child. 

ERNKST BACHERT, firm of Baehert, 
Silk & Co., paper manufacturers, Canton ; is a 
native of Hesse-Darmstadt, (Jermany, and was 
born Dec 21, 18:^4. He lived in his native 
city until about 13 years of age, receiving in 
the meantime his education. His parents dy- 
ing, he was taken to a large paper mill at 
Freiburg, where he learned the trade, serving 
there until he vvas 20 years of age, bujing his 
release from the array. He then came to the 
United SUites, landing in New York, in October, 
1855, and came direct to Cleveland, Ohio. Ho 
at once found employment in a paper-mill, when^ 
he worked about six years and was then put 
in charge of one of the mills and conducted 
the same for about three years. He then formed 
the present company, came to Canton and 
bought the mill they now occupy, and which 
they improved and opened. Mr. Baehert took 



charge of the mill, and in 1871. in company 
with others, bought the paper-mill at Massilloii, 
forming a stock company, known as the '' Mas- 
sillon Paper Co." lender his management the 
business has been successful and has increased 
largely. He was married in December, 1856, 
to Miss Barbara Silk, a native of (Jemiany, 
who eame to Cleveland when young. They 
have had ten children, eight of wiiom are living, 
viz. : John, Kate, Earnest A., William, Fannie, 
Edward, Frank and Allen. He is Kepublic.in 
in politics, and a member of the (ierman Ito- 
formeil Church. 

DR. P. H. BARR. druggist. Canton; was 
born Sept. ."!, 1836, and is the youngest of 
five children born to Joseph and Elizabeth 
(Dottawar) Barr, natives of Pennsylvania, 
where tliey were married. .Vbout the year 1830, 
the}' came to Ohio and .settled near Paris, in 
Stark (!o. He was an undertaker in the East, 
but after removing to Ohio, followed fiirming. 
He died in the year 1840; Mrs. Barr is still 
living on the old hom(^stea<l, and is now past 
87 years of age. Our subject was born after 
the family moved to this county, and hence is 
an "Ohio man ;" he lived at home until he was 
15, then went to La Payette. Tnd.. where he 
remained two years, working at carriage trim- 
ming ; he then returned home, and attended a 
select school at Paris for three \ears. He had 
been reading medicine for some time, and after 
leaving school, came to Canton, and formed a 
partnership with Dr. ('. J. (Jeiger, with whom 
he had been reading. I'nder the firm nanie of 
Geigcr & Barr, they carried on the drug busi- 
ness where Mr. Barr now has his store. In 
1850, Dr. Barr attended a course of lectures at 
Jefferson College, Philadelphia, and in 18()0, 
having abandoned the idea of practice, gradu- 
ated at the College of Pharmacy, in Philadel- 
phia, He returned to Canton, and remained 
until 1863, when he sold his interest to Dr. 
Geiger, and opened a store in Alliance, with his 
brother-in-law, T. G. Hare, as a partner. P. 
H. Barr & Co. conducted this business until the 
death of Dr. Geiger, in 1876, when he (Barr) 
bought the Canton store, and again removed to 
this city, retaining his interest in the Alliance 
store. In 1869, he was a prime mover in the 
organization of the First National Bank of Al- 
liance, and upon the completion of its organi- 
zation, he was made Vice President, and con- 
tinued as such until after his removal to Can- 



iw^ 



^1 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



ton. In 1 879, be became one of the organizers 
of tlie Canton Bank, of which he was made 
President, and in 1880 the charter was changed 
to a National banlc, he retaining the oftice of 
President. He was married, July 14, 1859, to 
Miss Ada P., daughter of Dr. Geiger, his old 
partner ; she is a native of Starli Co. By this 
marriage there have been seven children, of 
whom six are living — Minnie L., Winnie G., Fan- 
nie E., Daisy D., Bessie B. and Fred. 0. 

DR. AUSTIN C. BRANT, physician. Can- 
ton ; was born in Ashland Co., Ohio, July 
12. 1*852, and in addition to the public school 
course of his neighborhood, he received a col- 
legiate course at the Vermillion Institute and 
the Lebanon Normal School. He began read- 
ing medicine in 1872, with Dr. T. S. Hunter, of 
Asliiund. < )Uu), and in 1877 he graduated at the 
Belk'vue Hospital. New York City, after which 
he took a course of private study, including 
surgical and physical diagnosis. He began 
practice in February, 1878, at Canton, where he 
has since remained. He is a member of the 
State Medical Association, of the Union Medical 
Association of Northeastern Ohio, and the Stark 
County Medical Society, of which he has been 
Secretary for the past three years. For two 
years he has served as a member of the Canton 
City Board of Health, and phj'sician to the jail 
for one year. In January, 1881, he was elected 
by the City Council to the office of City Phy- 
sician. 

GUSTAVUS BIECHELE, of the firm of L. 
Biechele & Bro., stoves, tinware, etc.. Can- 
ton ; was born in Baden, Germany, in the 
year 1828 ; he earlj- learned the stone cutter's 
and mason's trades, and in 1847 he came to the 
United States, and served two years at black- 
smithing. In 1850, he went to California, via 
New Orleans and the Nicaragua route, and 
worked some six or eight months at mining in 
Nevada Co., his wages averaging $36 per day ; 
the surface digging played out, and he and 
eleven others, all from Canton, Ohio, each took 
a claim on the quartz lead, and began making 
a tunnel ; they worked for six months, day and 
night, and put the tunnel 300 yards into the 
mountain, striking a lead, but other miners had 
passed a law which enabled them to close the 
tunnel and occupy the lead ; the twelve beat the 
first suit, but, for want of funds, preferred to sell 
out at $800 each. He then went to Alameda 
Co., when another compan}' of twelve men (part 



of the first twelve) made a canal along the hills 
and brought water into the mines, to complete 
which they ran in debt $45,000, they giving 
water privilege for the amount, paying $40,000 
of the debt in six months ; the water then be- 
came scarce, and they cut another canal, four- 
teen miles long, as a feeder to the first one. 
The following summer our subject came to Can- 
ton, and he and his brother L. engaged in their 
present business. In 185C, he married Mary 
Anna Lothamer, a native of France, who came 
to Canton, Ohio, when young ; they had nine 
children, of whom seven are living. 

J. F. BAUHOF, Canton Marble Works, Can- 
ton ; is a native of Switzerland ; he was born 
March 1, 1834 ; his father, a German by birth, 
was a baker in the citj' of Berne. At the age of 
17, J. F. came to Cleveland, Ohio, where he had a 
brother and sister living ; his brother was 
working in the marble business, and J. F. 
worked for the same party for two years ; he 
then went to Toledo, where he remained three 
years, working in the same business ; and then, 
after working two years longer in Cleveland, he 
came to Canton, and he and his brother R. 
opened the Canton Marble Works. In 1875, 
J. F. became the sole proprietor of the business, 
he buying his brother's interest. They started 
with nothing but their own labor, where the 
Opera House now stands, and two years later 
came to the present location, 36 E. Tuscarawas, 
which property they bought. The business is 
successful, and now employs six to I'ight men, 
and do all classes of granite and marble work. 
In 1858, he married Miss Catharine Rist, a 
native of German}'. They have three children, 
viz.: Albert, Edward and Louisa. 

WILLIAM BERtr, manufacturer of car- 
riages, wagons, and repairer. Canton ; is a 
native of Gettysburg, Penn. ; he was born in 
the 3'ear 1832. His early life was spent in the 
neighboring counties ; in 1846 they moved to 
Pittsburgh. William worked at cutting nails, 
and assisted his father, who was a wagon 
manufacturer. He finally apprenticed himself 
to wagon making in Allegheny City, and com- 
pleted his trade at the age of 23, and opened a 
shop in tliat city, where he married Miss Mar- 
garet Stephens, of Washington Co,, Penn. In 
his 24th year he came to Ohio, and bought and 
built a place in Dunganon, Columbiana Co., 
where he conducted business for nine years. 
He then sold out and came to Canton, Ohio 






i, ^ 



^ 



CITY 0¥ CANTON. 



601 



(J 866). and has followed his business here 
since. He]does a flrst-class job of home-made 
work, and makes a specialty of repairing. Of a 
family of eleven children, nine are living. 

JO'f^El'H BIECIIKLK. manufacturer of 
soaps, etc., Canton. Thi.s gentleman is a 
native of Germany, but has been for many 
years a resident of Canton, of which place he 
has grown to be one of the leading citizens, 
lie succeeded his brotiicr. Mr. C. Hicchcle, in 
liusiness, who founded the Inisiness over tiiirty 
years ago. The manufacture was begun in a 
small way, and gradually grew to its present pro- 
portions ; the main building now occupied is a 
two-storj" brick, covering an area of T.'txii'Mi feet, 
and an extensive trade is eslal)lishi'd in all 
their brands of manufacture, to which Mr. 
Biechele gives his personal attention. He is 
also identified with the insurance interests of 
the city, he being President of the Canton 
Mutual. 

LAWRENCE BECHEL, blacksmith. Can- 
ton ; is a native of Stark Co., Ohio, He 
was born in Canton Hec. 17, 1830, and is 
seventh in a family of thirteen born to Phillip 
and Kosanna (Chandel) Bechel. They were 
natives of Alsace, France. They married 
in their native land, and came to Canton 
Nov. 28, 1830. He was a blacksmith, and fol- 
lowed his trade in Canton for many years. 
Latterly, he followed loi'k-smithing. He died 
Oct. 10, 1855. Mrs. Bechel died .March 14, 
186(1. Of their familv, our subject and iiis four 
sisters — Mrs. Melvin, Mrs. Baxter, .Mrs. Heigler 
and Mrs. Becher, all of Canton — are the only 
survivors. Our subject has always lived in his 
native city, residing on his present place since 
he was less than 2 years of age. He early as- 
sisted his father in the shop, and engaged regu- 
larly therein when about 16 years of age, and, 
excepting about two years, has followed the 
business since. He has served in the City 
Council of Canton for two terras, also as Town- 
ship Trustee for three years. Nov. 22, 1855, 
he married Miss Maria I'hillips. a native of 
.\lsace, France. She came to Canton with her 
parents. Of eight children born to this mar- 
riage, seven are living, viz. : (Miarles B., Henry 
J., Mary, Emma, Clara, Francis and Mcna. 

ROBERT A. CASSIKY. editor and pro- 
prietor of the Canton Urjnih/itun : was born at 
Blairsville, Penn., Dec, 2(1, 1839. In July, 
1856, he entered the office of the True American 



to learn the printing trade, in his native town ; 
in February following he removed to Belle- 
fonte, Penn., where he linished his trade in the 
office of the (^eutcr Ihiiiticnit, and pursued his 
calling until August, 1862, when he enlisted in 
Co. H, of the 148th Penn. \ . I., and at the organi- 
zation of the regiment he was appointed Prin- 
cipal Musician, in which position he served 
until the clos(! of the war. In 1860, he was 
married to .Miss Carrie M. Johnson, of Belle- 
foute, Penn. They removed from Penns3lvania 
to Canton, Oliio. in August, 1865, and for a few 
months Mr. Cassidy was emplo3ed on the 
Siiirk ('riiiiitii III iiiililiran. After a brief en- 
gagement in other kinds of business, he entered 
the employ of E. Rail & Co., manufacturers of 
mowers, reai)ers and threshers, and in October, 
1870, was elected actuary of the concern, and 
continued in that position until October. 1880, 
when he established the ('itntmi Jlcptihliccin. 
Jlr. and Mrs. Cassidy have a family of six 
children. Since his residence in Canton he has 
been continuously identified with the manage 
ment of municipal afl^'airs, as a member of the 
City Council, Boards of Education and Board 
of Health. 

HENRY A. CAVNAH, book-keeper, Can- 
ton ; son of Mr. S. Cavnah, who was one 
of Canton's early manufacturers. He became 
a resident of Canton in 1832. where he 
worked at his trade (that of a wheelwright) 
until about 185(1, when he began the manufact- 
ure of furniture, doing his first work with the 
old-style fool lathe. He made rapid progress 
in the business, and in 1861 he had a stock of 
about $10,(I0(», and employed twenty-five men. 
In 1861, he began the wholesale trade, which 
he continued until 18(!5, when he sold out and 
went to Indiana, and is now a resident of Bour- 
bon, of that State. The son, Henr}- A., was 
born in Canton, in 1844, and remained with his 
father most of the time until the breaking-out 
of the rebellion of 1861, when he enlisted in 
Co, 1, ()4th O. V. I., for three years service, 
after serving which he veteranized. He enlisted 
as a private, and was in the ranks for abont 
three years. At the battle of Stone River he 
was promoted to Sergeant. In 1864, he was 
detailed Chief Clerk in Cumberland Hospital, 
and had charge of the death records, furloughs, 
etc. He participated in many of the hard- 
fought battles, among which was the battle of 
Shiloh. April 6. 1862; siege of Corinth, May. 



r 



G02 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



18G2. They then went on Buell's famous 
' march, after this the battle of Perry ville. They 
then followed Kirby Smith to Hall's Gap, K3'. ; 
then up to Nashville, Tcnn., for winter quar- 
ters. Dec, 31, 1862, they fought at Stone River 
until Jan. 3, 1863; then went in camp at 
Mnrfreesboro for six months. Their next bat- 
tle was Tullahonia, then followed Chattanooga, 
Chickamauga, Lookout Mountain, and the fa- 
mouseharge of Mission Uidge; thence to the siege 
of Knoxville. and from there to a )5lace called 
main's Cross Roads, Tenn., where the regiment 
veteranized on Jan. 1, 1804. He came home 
on a furlough, and returned in the following 
March. Shortly after returning to duty, they 
went on the memorable Atlanta campaign. 
After the battle of Nashville, the regiment was 
on its waj' to Richmond, when Lee surrendered. 
They were mustered out in January, 18GC. 
After leaving the army, Mr. Cavnah went to 
Texas for a short time, and then to Bourbon, 
Ind., where he remained about four years. He 
then returned to Canton, and was with H. H. 
Myers for about five and a half years, and ihen 
changed to his present position — chief book- 
keeper for Bucher, Gibbs &Co. He is a mem- 
ber of the (i. A. R., and agent of Canton Post, 
No. 25. He is also a member of K. of H. In 
1867, he married Miss Mary, daughter of John 
Neesz. She died in 1873, leaving him one son 
and one daughter. In 1876, he married Miss 
Sail}-, daughter of Robert Van Horn. One son 
and a daughter are the fruits of his second 
marriage. Mr. Cavnah has been a member 
of the United Brethren Church for the past 
eleven j'ears, and is their local minister. 

C. B. CAMPBELL, carpenter, Canton; Sup- 
erintendent of the large manufacturing estab- 
lishment of John Banner ; has been a resident 
of Canton for about thirteen j'ears, his native 
place being Dane Co., Wis., where his father (see 
sketch of James Campbell) resided for some 
years. In 186;>, he began learning his trade 
with his father, with whom he remained until 
1874. In 1875, he built the first case for Mr. 
Banner. He was married in 18G5, to Miss C. 
L., daughter of Thomas C. Cuningham. Two 
children ha\e been born to them. Mr. Camp- 
bell is a member of the I. 0. U. W., and is, 
though a young man, one who has for a number 
of years filled a responsible position. ' 

DANIEL COBAUGH, manufacturer, Can- , 
ton ; senior member of the firm of Cobaugh & ' 



Kuhns, proprietors of the Steel Spring manu- 
factor\', known as the Canton Spring Company ; 
is a native of Stark County, of which his par- 
ents became settlers as early as 1834. In 1853, 
he began work for Ball, Aultman & Co., and 
subsequently worked for E. Ball. He changed 
again and became identified with the firm of 
Ballard, Fast & Co., and in 1878, began busi- 
ness on his own account in a part of the old 
Ballard, Fast & Co.'s shop. The space occupied 
by the firm at present is about 40x450 feet. 
They give employment to about seventy-five 
men, and have a monthly paj'-roll of $3,000. 
Annually they use about four hundred tons of 
steel, and have a sale of maimfactured goods 
of about $150,000. They are live, energetic 
business men, and have, by their own energy 
and good financiering, placed themselves among 
the leading manufacturers of Canton. 

JAMES CAMPBELL, lumber. Canton, 
whose name is familiar to the citizens of Can- 
ton, is a native of Poitage Co., Ohio, and was 
born in 1818. His earlier life was .spent in a 
new country, with but little opportunity of ob- 
taining an education. At about 18 years of 
age, he began serving an apprenticeship of three 
and one half years, at learning the trade of a 
carpenter. During this time he received $36 
per year, but was obliged to buy his own cloth- 
ing. Having friends in the state of Mississippi, 
after finishing his trade, he went to Vicksburg, 
and engaged in work. He was at "jour " 
work in the South about four years, when he 
returned North, and engaged in work in Canton. 
He has §ince remained a resident of this city, 
except a short time spent in Iowa. It was dur- 
ing his stay in that State that the war of the 
rebellion broke out. He entered the Federal 
army in September, 1861, and continued in 
the service of his country until September, 
1865. He entered the service as a private, in 
Co. L., 3d W. V. C, and was mustered out as 
Captain of Co. D. During the four years of his 
service his command was on duty west of the 
Mississippi River. He is now Quartermaster of 
this post of the Grand Army of the Republic. 
In their business, the firm of Campbell & 
Son, stand second to none in Stark Countj'. 
The firm was formerly Campbell, Eck & Co., 
but on April 1, 1881, changed to the present 
proprietors. Their business is now confined to 
the lumber trade and to the manufacture of 
builders' supplies, though formerlj' they did 



^ 



CITY OF CANTON. 



603 



contracting and building, and as an evi- 
dence of their enterprise, the Starl< County 
Court House, and the First Baptist Church 
of Canton, as well as many other private 
and public buildings, are still standing as 
monuments of their workmanship. A little 
of the genealogy and history of the family 
may be of much interest in connection with 
the above. The grandfather of our subject 
— by tile same name — was a native of Scot- 
land ; his father, John Campbell, was a native 
of Soutli Carolina, and his mother, Rebecca 
Marshall, was a native of Chester Co., Penn. 
James was the eighth child, and fifth son born 
to them of a family of seven .sons and three 
daughters. John Campbell became a resi- 
dent of Marlborough Tp. in 1808, though 
he remained but a few j'ears and then re- 
moved just across the line to Portage County. 
Our subject, married Miss Susan Eck. whose 
people were among the early comers to Stark 
County. Four children have been born to them, 
viz.: Joseph M., now of the firm of J. Campbell 
& Son.; Charles B., for the past four years Su- 
perintendent for J. Danuer. of Canton; Amanda, 
(deceased), and James F., for the past three 
years a resident of Canon City, Colorado, and 
at present, a stockholder and cashier of the Fre- 
mont County Bank, where he began on a salary 
of S40 per month. 

HKXRY CORL, of (Jorl & Rauk, Canton City 
Mills, Canton ; is a native of Lancaster Co., 
Penn., born Feb. 10, 1887. His mother died 
when he was about 7 years of age, and he went 
to live with an uncle who was a miller. Henry 
worked about the mill until he was Iti years of 
age ; he then engaged at another mill, and 
worked until 1855, when he came to Stark 
County and worked in a mill at Navarre, where 
his father had moved some years previous. 
From Navarre he went to a mill north of Mas- 
sillon. after which he worked at various mills, 
and in February, 1880, in company with his 
brother-in-law. Mr. Rauk, bouglit the present 
mill, which they have continued since. In 
]8(J4, he enlisted' in the IC.fith (). N. (i,, and 
served about four months, Feb, 15, 1860, he 
married Miss .Margaret Taylor, a native of Stark 
County, She died in 1872 ; of their four chil- 
dren, two an! living, viz. : Harrison and William. 
.March 4, 1S75, he married .^liss Sarah Rank, a 
native of Pennsylvania, They have three chil- 
dren, viz. : Howard, Kent and Isaac. 



GEORGE COOK (deceased). Mr, Cook was 
born near Clinton, Summit Co,, Ohio, Feb, 2, 
1827, and died at his home in Canton, Stark 
Co,, Ohio, May 3, 1879, In his youth he en- 
joyed the limited facilities offered by the com- 
mon schools of his native place, and gained 
thereby a good practical education. At an 
early age he was thrown upon his own resources 
and made his start in life b^' learning the wagon- 
maker's trade, which he worked at in tireen- 
town, Ohio, until 1849, and earl^- gave token of 
his future advancement. About the year 1849, 
in company with C. Aultman, Jacob and Lewis 
Miller, Col, Ephraim Ball and others, he came 
to (^'anton and established on a small scale a 
mower and reaper manufactory. In 18()5, the 
company- became a stock concern, of which Mr. 
Cook was a heavy sUjckholder and director. 
For man}- years he served as Assistant Super- 
intendent and was universally esteemed and 
respected by the employes. Beginning with 
nothing but the sterling qualities of honesty 
and industry, he gradually amassed a hand- 
some competency'. He also served faithfull}' 
and efficiently in his position as director of 
the Aultman, Miller it Co, manufacturing es- 
tablishment, of Akron Ohio, The Akron Iron 
Co,, the First National Bank of Canton and the 
Valley Railroad, all commendable public enter- 
prises, received his sanction and the impetus of 
his benevolence. He was a pronounced tem- 
perance man and in politics a Republican ; for 
over a scoi-e of years he was interested in the 
welfare of the society connected with the First 
Baptist Church of Canton, and for many years 
served as a member of the Board of Trustees 
of same. About two 3ears before his death, 
he was baptized into this church, and from that 
time became deeply interested in its spiritual 
welfare ; he officiated as Deacon, and honored 
that relation to the church as he had done all 
others in life. For his high spirit of benevo- 
lence he was well known, for besides his smaller 
benefactions, he contributed $30,000 to the 
erection of the beautiful church edifice, thus 
leaving a memorial, the benefits of which can 
be enjoyed by the whole community. His de- 
.sire to benefit humanity and his great .sympa- 
th}- with the unfortunate, were marked traits 
in his character, Mr, Cook married Dec, 5, 
1857, Mary, a daughter of Samuel Wear}', of 
Marlborough, a noble, devoted, generous, Chris- 
tian woman, who still resides in Canton, Three 



l^ 



604 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



sons and three daughters were born, five of 
whom are living. 

DR. S. A. CONKLIN, ph\sician, Canton ; is 
a native of Washington Co., Penn., and was 
born Feb. 10, 1841. He was brought up on the 
farm, receiving his education in the district 
schools and earl}' began teaching during the 
winter months. At the age of 20, he attended 
Millsboro xVormal School, receiving a certificate 
from it in 1862, after which he taught school, 
and in 1863, graduated from Dutl's Commercial 
College, at Pittsliurgh. He commenced read- 
ing medicine in 1864, with Dr. John Kelley, of 
Claysville, Washington Co., Penn., and in the 
spring of 1867, graduated from the Medical 
Department of the Western Reserve College, 
located at Cleveland, Ohio. Previous to his 
graduation, he practiced two years at Belle 
Vernon, Fayette Co., Penn., bis circumstances 
not permitting his continuous attendance at 
college. After graduating, he continued prac- 
tice at Belle Vernon some five or six years, and 
then, in 1873, came to Canton, where he has 
since practiced. He is a member of the Ameri- 
can Medical Association ; of the Union Medi- 
cal Association, of Northeastern Ohio, and of 
the Stark County Medical Society, of which he 
has served as Secretary. He is also a member 
of the Board of Education — elected in 1880, 
and in 1881 was appointed Clerk of Board. In 
1881. he was elected a member of the Board of 
Health by the City Council. He was married 
June 2, 1868, to Miss Laura Bugher, of Faj'- 
ette Co., Penn. They have three children, viz. : 
Harry, Lulu and Robert. 

DR. INI. M. CATLIN, physician. Can- 
ton ; is a native of Herkimer Co., N. Y., and 
was liorn Aug. 15, 1846. He was brought up 
on his father's farm. Soon after his father's 
death, which occurred when he was but 9 years 
old, he hired out, for his board and clothes, going 
to school during the winter months ; and also 
received a course at the West Winfield Acad- 
emy, taking the first prize for declamation. 
He continued on the farm until the age of 17, 
when he enlisted in Co. D, 46th N. Y."V. V. I., 
and served two years, participating in all the 
principal engagements during his term, among 
them, the Wilderness, Cold Harbor, Petersburg, 
the capture of Richmond, and was at the sur- 
render of Lee at Appomattox. After his return 
from the arm}', his health not being good, 
he took up the study of medicine in the fall of 



1865, with Dr. Nathan Spencer, of East Win- 
field, N. Y., and in 1868 he graduated from the 
Cleveland Homa'opathic Hospital College. A 
few months later he commenced practice at 
Brookfleld, N. Y., where he remained about 
three years, and then moved to Massillon, Ohio, 
in 1871 ; he came on a tour of inspection, and 
was so well pleased that he concluded to remain. 
He practiced four yeai-s at Massillon. and then 
moved to Canton, where he has since remained. 
He is a member of the American Institute of 
Homceopathy, and of the Ilomceopathic Medi- 
cal Society of Northeastern Ohio ; of the latter 
he has been Secretary for two years. He was 
married Jan. 27, 1869, to Miss Rozella D. Clark, 
a native of Brookfield, N. Y. ; they have three 
children, viz. : Grace, Homer and Mary. 

PETER CHANCE, lawyer. Canton; is a 
native of Harrison Co., Ohio, and was born in 
1 835. He is a son of Perry and Lavina (Reuble) 
Chance ; his father was a native of Pennsylva- 
nia, and his mother of Virginia; his grandfather, 
Benjamin Chance, settled on the Ohio River, 
and ran the first white man's ferry between 
Wheeling and Wellsville, at a very early day ; 
subseiiuently removing to Harrison Co., where he 
died ; his maternal grandfather, Reuble, was 
one of the pioneers of Harrison Co., Ohio ; his 
parents were married there, and engaged in 
farming their some j'ears ; they came to Stark 
Co. in 1827, settling in Lexington Tp., where 
his father cleared the land upon which Alliance 
now stands; he sold to parties who subsequently 
laid out the city, and removed to Washington 
Tp., farming there for some fifteen years, and 
then moving back to Lexington, where the 
remainder of his days were passed. Of a fam- 
ily of ten children our subject is the sixth child. 
He passed his earlier years upon the farm, and 
at the age of 19 went to learn the blacksmith's 
trade, working at it for four months, when, by 
the premature discharge of a cannon, he lost 
his left hand, which prevented his further work 
at that calling. He soon after came to Canton 
and began attending a select school, and soon 
after began teaching, together with the duties 
of Deputy Sheriff under George M. Webb, 
Sherifl', continuing for four years. In 1852, he 
was elected Recorder of Stark Co.. and in 1855 
was re-elected, serving in all six years ; while 
Recorder he was appointed Mayor of Canton by 
the Council, and the following spring elected by 
the people, serving three terms. After his term of 



!L^ 



CITY OF CANTON. 



605 



office as Recorder had expired, he was connect- 
ed with the Ball .^ranufacturinu; Company, as 
Clerk for two years, and for four sessions was 
Sergeant-at- Arms of the Assembly-, at Columbus. 
Prior to his election as Recorder, he had made 
the stud}- oflaw a specialty, readingwith Dunbar. 
In 18(j2. he was eleeled SlicrinTof llie county, and 
subsequently served a second term, durint; which 
time he was admitted to the bar. After his 
term of office as Sherift" had expired, he was 
engaged at farming in the township for a num- 
ber of years, subsequently beconjing connected 
with the Canton Bridge Couqiany, as Treasurer, 
which association lasted two years. He then 
opened a law office in Canton, to the practice of 
which he has since given his attention. Mr. 
Chance, in all of the numerous offices to which 
lie has been selected, has administered the 
duties with honor and fidelity ; he has also been 
Treasurer of the city, and was one of the organ- 
izers of the Gas Company, and has been Presi- 
dent and Secretary of that organization. He 
was united in marriage in 1858 to Miss Ellen 
Scott, of Philadelphia, Penn. ; they have seven 
children — Walter S., a lawyer, formerly in prac- 
tice in Canton, is now in the Custom House in 
Philadelphia: George W,, with the Russell Co., 
Canton; Norman H., a jeweler in Canton ; 
Jennie May, P. Wade. Perry Robert and Lo- 
renzo Whiting. Mr. Chance had three broth- 
ers, two now living — Henry Chance, known as 
the "Buckeye Broadaxe.' a prominent lecturer 
on temperance, and a resident of Wood Co., 
Ohio ; Jesse Chance, a carpenter and farmer of 
Eaton Co., Mich. ; and Perry Chance, a school 
teacher, who was a graduate of the Medical 
Cellege of Cleveland, and a practicing physi- 
cian ; he was in the service, and while there 
contracted a disease which was the cause of his 
death, several years after, while a resident of 
Minnesota. 

JOHN F. CLARK, Secretarv Canton Mutual 
Fire Insurance Company, Canton ; is a 
native of Washington Co., Penn. He was raised 
on the farm where he lived for twenty-seven 
years; he conducted his father's stock business, 
and on becoming 27 he removed to Iowa, where 
he farmed on his own account, in Lee Co., for 
about six years. In August, 18()4. he came to 
Canton, Ohio, and engaged as local agent in the 
fire and life insurance business. In 1870, he, 
with others, organized the present Canton Mu- 
tual Fire Insurance Company, of which he 



became the Secretary, and after about seven 
months he was elected President ; in June, 
1870, he resigned his position, and became 
Secretar}-, holding that office at the present 
time. In 1856, he married Miss Pamela M. 
Alexander, a native of Washington Co. ; by 
the marriage there have been born four chil- 
dren. Mr. Clark is a Republican, and was a 
member of the first convention that party held 
in his native county. He is also a member of 
and closely associated with the Presbyterian 
Church. 

W. A. CREECH. Treasurer Peerless Reaper 
Company. Canton. This gentleman came 
to Stark Co., Ohio, in 1871, locating at Alliance, 
where he became book-keeper for the Alliance 
Rolling Jlill Company, and in 1875 he came to 
Canton, and served as Deputy Auditor, and 
was appointed Auditor in 1879. .\bout the 
same time he was elected Treasurer of the 
Peerless Reaper Company, and accepted the lat- 
ter position, appointing a deputy to act in his 
place as Auditor; he has continued his position 
as Treasurer since. 

W. B. DEWEES, hats, caps and gents" fur- 
nishing goods, Canton ; is a son of George 
M. Dewces, who was well known all over the 
county as a man of fine education and a 
superior artist and mechanic. He came to Stark 
Co. from Penns^dvania, about 1859, locating in 
Osnaburg Tp., where he continued to reside 
until his death. He took a great interest in 
politics, and was a superior banner painter, in 
which line he was not excelled ; he was also a 
fine engraver, and possessed wonderful mechan- 
ical genius. The subject of this sketch was 
born in Pennsylvania, and since the age of 14 
has been engaged in active mercantile life. 
He came to Stark Co. in 1800 and in 1862 
came to Canton and engaged as clerk for R. C. 
Kimball, in the dry goods line, remaining with 
him for about four years ; he next engaged in 
the grocery business, with a partner ; subse- 
quentl}- returning to the dry goods business, at 
which he continued with dittcrent parties until 
1867, when he purchased the stock of Miller, 
in the hat and cap business in Opera Block ; 
subseciuently removing to the Eagle Block, 
where he remained until 1868, when he removed 
to his present location. His stock has been 
increasing each year, until, at the present time, 
it comprises a magnificent line in all of its de- 
partments, and is as full and complete as can 



^ 



606 



mOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



be found in any house in any of the larger 
cities. Mr. Dewees is a popular business mau. 
an enterprisinj; and valuable citizeu. He was 
united in marriage in 1859 to Miss Elizabeth 
Lape, of Pennsylvania. Thej' have three chil- 
dren living — William W., Sadie and Lizzie. 

GEORGE DEUBLE. jewelry. Canton. The 
pioneer jeweler of Canton is a native of 
Schuylkill Co.. Fenn. His father, George W. 
I>euble, was a native of Baden. German}-, as 
was also his mother. Their first locating in 
the United States was in Phihidelphia. from 
whence they removed to Schuylkill Co. Penu., 
where their two sons were born, our subject and 
an older brother. Martin. In 1832. the family 
became residents of Stark Co. The father en- 
gaged in the jewelry trade in Canton, which he 
conducted until 1851. when he retireil. and the 
business was conducted by the sons until the 
death of Martin, which occurred in 1875. since 
which time it has been in the hands of the pres- 
ent proprietor. So much of his life has been 
spent in Canton in connection with different 
social societies as to have made him well known. 
He and family are members of the German Re- 
form ed Church, his wife being the daughter of 
the Rev. P. Herbruck. Pastor of the German 
Reformed Church of Canton, and one of the old- 
est and best known ministers of the cit}'. Mr. 
Deiible has been organist in this church since 
he was tifteen years old. He is also a meml)er 
of the order of A., F. & A. M.; is a Democrat, 
and. in the spring of 1881. he was made a mem- 
ber of the School Board of Canton. He is in 
every way worthy to be identified with the mer- 
cantile or social interests of a city, and his 
present good reputation is proof of the esteem 
and confidence of the community. 

JOHN BANNER, manufacturer of revolving 
book and goods cases. Canton : was born in 
Canton March 10. 1823, and is a son of Jacob 
and Anne (Slusser) Danner, natives of Penn- 
sylvania, the former of whom came to Ohio 
about the year 1812 with his parents, who were 
also natives of Pennsylvania. He was raised on 
the farm in Pennsylvania, and learned the gun- 
smith's trade, and. upon coming to Ohio, engaged 
in that trade in Canton. He was a great hunter, 
and, it is said, killed the last wolf in Stark (jO. 
He died in 1844 ; his widow, at the age of 79 
j-ears, is still living with her daughters in Can- 
t<3n. John (subject) was raised in Canton, and 
at the age of 13, became a clerk for Martin 



Wikidal, and remained with him four j^ears ; 
then went to Massillon, where he was similarly 
emploj'ed, until at the end of five 3-ears. he en- 
gaged in clothing business on his own account 
for four 3-ears. and then removed to Canton, 
continuing in the same business most of the 
time, until 1876. when he sold out. He is of 
an inventive turn, and has taken out letters 
patent on some twenty or more inventions of his 
owu in the past fifteen years, among which are 
patents on sleeping-cars, now embodied in the 
Woodrutr and Pullman Cars. He patented the 
Revolving Book and Goods Cases in 1874, and 
has since made several improvements. Since 
187t). he has ilevotcd his entire attention to its 
manufacture, largely increasing it. until at the 
present time, he sells goods in every State and 
Territor}- in the Union and in foreign countries, 
employing some twenty-five skilled workmen. 
Mr. D. has served a number of terms on the 
School Board and in the City Council, and has 
been Whig and then Republican in politics ; 
has been a member of the Baptist Church since 
1842. and taken an active interest in its affairs. 
He and his wife are the only two original mem- 
bers of the Baptist Church now left, which was 
organized in 1849. He was married Oct.' 4, 
1847, to Miss Theresa A. Millard, a native of 
Pennsylvania. Her father was first cousin to 
Millard Fillmore, A'ice President of the United 
States, under Zacharv Tayloi'. By this mar- 
riage there were seven children, six of whom 
are liviug — Mary, Alice, Hattie 'now Mrs. 
Campbell, of Caiion City. Col,). Esther. John 
Millard and Almina. 

Z. M. DAVIS, of B. M. Davis & Co., millers. 
Canton ; is a native of Chester Co., Peun., and 
was born Aug. 2, 1817. His father. Zaccheus 
Davis, was a miller, and Z. M. was brought up 
to the same business, living in his native coun- 
ty until 1852. From 1843 to 1852. he was on 
the Philadelphia & Columbia Railroad (now 
Pennsylvania Central) as fireman and engineer. 
In 1852, he came to Canton, Ohio, and run on 
the Ohio and Pennsylvania Railroad (now P., 
Ft. W. & C. Railroad) for five years. In 1857, 
he rented a mill seven miles north of Canton, 
and operated it for four 3ears, after which he 
removed to Canton, and run a mill just south 
of the city for James A. Saxton two 3'ears, 
when, in company with David Lind, he built 
the BJuckeye Mills of Canton. Thej- continued 
in the business about three years, when Mr. D. 






k. 



CITY OF CANTOX. 



607 



sold out and built his present mill, known as 
the '• Snow-flake Mills. " having five run of 
buhrs. and has continued in the business ever 
since, his son Zeb. being his partner. .Mr. 
Davis has served on tiie Canton School Board 
for six years. He was married in January. 
1841. to Miss Sara!) Essick, a native of Chester 
Co.. Penu. They liave five children, viz. : Ann 
E. (now Mrs. B. F. Raff, of Canton), Zebula (a 
miller). Annetta. Lillie G. (a teacher), and Cora, 
also a teacher. Mr. Davis is a Democrat in 
politics. 

A. J. DOUDS, dentist. Canton : was born 
Nov. 17. 1837. in Stark Co.. Ohio, and is 
a son of David B. and .^Iary Ann (f^ssig) 
I>ouds, natives of Franklin Co., Penn.. where 
thev married, and came to Ohio in 1835. set- 
tling in Lake Tp.. where they followed farming. 
He was also a plasterer. He died in 1873, and 
she in 1875. A. J. was brought up on the farm 
until 17. when he went into the shops of C. 
Aultman & Co. at Canton, remaining two years. 
He took an early interest in dentistry, and at 
19 he became a student of Dr. G. S. Beatty, 
now of Akron, continuing with him about one 
and a half years, when Beatty sold out and 
moved away. He then began practice on his 
own account, and three years later took a course 
of lectures in the Pennsylvania Dental College. 
Philadelphia, graduating in 1861. after which 
he resumed his practice in Canton, continuing 
it ever since. He is the oldest practitioner in 
the city. and. with one exception, the oldest 
in the county. After graduating he enlisted in 
Co. A. 19th O. y. I. and. after serving some eight 
mouths, was transferred to Hospital Steward, 
but being in bad health, was discharged in 
1862. May 5. 1863, he was married to Miss 
Almira Fringer. a native of Fayetteville, Penn. 
Thov have had six children, five of whom are 
living, viz. : Frank. Jessie, Herman, (reorgiana, 
Rebecca, Homer (dead). .Mr. Douds is a mem- 
ber of the State Dental .Society, and the North- 
ern Ohio Society, of which he has served as 
Secretarv- 

DIEBOLD BROTHERS, grocers, located 
at No. 47 East Tuscarawas St.. Canton ; com- 
menced business Jan. 1. 1881. and are now 
doing an extensive trade. Their stock is large, 
and embi-aces everything in the grocery and 
provision trade, and is well and conveniently 
displayed in one of the largest salesrooms in 
the citv. C. M. Diebold is a native of Ohio, 



and. previous to his mercantile venture, was as- 
sociated with his father in the Diebold Safe 
Works of Canton. William H. Diebold is als<j 
a native of Ohio; was connected in business 
with his father, and subse<iuently a commercial 
traveler for a Cincinnati house, until he became 
connecte<l with his brother in the grocery 
trade. Messrs. Diebold Bros, have been edu- 
cated for business life, and possessing, as they 
do, enterprising and progressive views, are 
bound to make their business life a success. 

H. C. ELLISON, banker. Canton ; is a de- 
scendant of one of Stark County's early 
pioneers. He is the son of John and Mary 
(Vaughn) Ellison, and the grandson of Samuel 
Ellison. The latter settletl in JIarlboroughTp. 
about the year 1810. the former at that date 
being about 10 years old. and. after arriving at 
man's estate, he continued to reside in Marlbo- 
rough Tp.. and was one of the three gentlemen 
who founded the town of Marlborough of that 
township. H. C. is a native of Marllx)rough. 
where he remained until he was 14 years old. when 
he went to Alliance, where he was afterward for 
a time engaged in business. In 1862. he enlisted • 
as a private in Co. F. 115th O. V. I., for a three- 
years' terms of service — Capt. A. J.* Ware and 
Col. T. C. Boone. He was promoted to the 
rank of Adjutiint. and served as such about 
thirty months of the term of his service. June 
30 1865. he was musteretl out and returned to 
Alliance, where for a time he was engaged in 
the dry goods trade in the capacity of sales- 
man, and was engaged in this business until 
elected by the Republican party to the office : 
of Auditor of Stark County for a two ; 
vears term. At the close of his first term 
of service as Auditor, he was re-elected to the 
same office for a term of three years. Return- 
ing to Alliance, he accepted the position of 
Cashier of the First National Bank of that city, I 
and remained there until in May of 1879. when 
he came to Canton to organize the Canton City 
Bank, which was then a private banking house 
of a $50,000 paid-up capitiU. In August. 1880, 
received a charter, and changed to National 
banking, under the name of the City National 
Bank, and increase<l their capital to $100.0110. 
Mr. Ellison still continuing as Cashier. He is 
a member of the Massillon Commandery, No. 4, 
A., F. & A. M.: also a member of the G. A. R. 
HENRY EVERHARD. retired farmer : P. O. 
Canton : was Iwm in Washington Co., Penn., 



608 



BKJGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



Aug. 6, 1803, and is a son of Henry and Mary 
M. (Hewett) Everhard, natives of Pennsylvania. 
Henry, Sr., learned the potter's trade, and when 
he came liome from his apprenticeship he en- 
listed under Gen. St. Clair to fight the Indians, 
and was one of the few who escaped from St. 
Clair's memorable defeat. He worked at the pot- 
ter's trade at different places until 1809, when he 
removed to Ohio, and settled in Plain Tp., 
Stark Co.. where he built a saw and grist-mill. 
He died there in 1840. his wife having died 
twenty years before, when he married Mrs. 
Dager ; she also died a few }'ears previous to 
his death. Henry, Jr., lived at home until he 
was 25 years of age, and was brought up on the 
farm, enjoying the usual log cabin school facili- 
ties. He was married in June. 1828, to Miss 
Rebecca Slanker, a native of Maryland ; she 
died about 186B. By this marriage there were 
seven children, five of whom are living — Lewis, 
lives in Manchester ; Maria, now Mrs. Wir- 
rich, of Massillon ; Henry, also in Massillon ; 
Martha A., lives in California ; Sarah C, now 
Mrs. Williams, in California. After the death 
of his wife he retired to Massillon. where he 
lived about three years ; he there married Mrs. 
Housley, find then moved to her home in 
Illinois ; after remaining one and a half 3'ears, 
they returned to Canton, where they have since 
resided. Mr. E. was a Whig, and afterward a 
Repul)lican, and a member of the Lutheran 
Church ever since he arrived at maturity. 

(JEORGE EBERSOL, retired farmer ; P. O. 
Canton ; was l)orn in Franklin Co., Penn., May 
31, 1812, and is a .son of Henry and Mary E. 
(Waltraan) Ebersol, natives of Pennsylvania, 
where they were maiTied, and where she died, 
in 1813, leaving two children. He married 
again to Caroline Lineroad, in 1814, and re- 
moved to Ohio in 1818 by wagon, and settled 
in Columbiana Co., where he lived until 1828, 
when he moved into Stark Co., and settled in 
Bethlehem Tp. He was a cabinet-maker by 
trade, and worked at the business, and also 
followed farming. In 1852, he removed to 
Huntington Co., Ind., where he followed the 
same business some years, and then retired to 
Roanoke. He died in 1876, at the advanced 
age of 92 years ; his wife died one j-ear later. 
They had eight children, of whom six are living. 
George (subject) lived at home until 1831, re- 
ceiving a common education, when he left 
Bethlehem Tp., and went to Carroll Co., and 



engaged in farming and stock-raising, and also 
was largely interested in sheep raising. He 
was married in Noveml)er, 1834, to Miss Eliza- 
beth Abrahams, a native of Cumberland Co., 
Penn., who came to Ohio with her parents in 
1819. After their marriage they remained in 
Carroll Co. until 1865, when he moved into 
Stark, buying an interest in a farm two and a 
half miles south of Canton. After several 
changes in farms and residences, he retired to 
Canton in 1876, whore he has since lived. By 
their marriage they had eight children, five of 
whom are living, viz.: John M., Canton ; George 
L., Stark Co.; A. M., at home; Louisa, now Mrs. 
Lineroad ; Mary Elizabeth, now Mrs. Ilenrigh, 
Mahoning Co. Mr. Ebersol was a Whig, but 
is now Republican in politics, and has been a 
member of the Lutheran Church for more than 
forty years, and taken an active interest in its 
[prosperity. 

J. C. ELSASS, of firm of Elsass & Bour, 
furniture, No. 11 Tuscarawas street. Canton ; 
is a native of Stark Co., and a son of Peter and 
Dorothy (Schaffer) Elsass, who were natives of 
Alsace, France. They emigrated to America 
about 1830, locating in Stark Co. His father 
died in 1H76, and his mother is still living in 
Canton. Our subject was born in Waynesburgh, 
and was in the employ of his father in the shoe 
trade there until 21 years of age. He then 
went upon his father's farm, upon which he 
remained for several years. In 1868, he re- 
moved to Canton and engaged in the meat 
business, continuing at that about five years. 
He then embarked in his present business, and 
has since continued at it. In 1870, he associated 
with him as partner Mr. J. A. Bour, under the 
firm name of Elsass & Bour, which partnership 
has continued until the present time. Mr. 
Elsass was married in 1873 to Miss Cora Strain, 
of Millersburg. They have two children — 
Charlie and Harry. This business house was 
established by J. C. Elsass in 1873, and in 
1879 Mr. J. A. Bour became a member of the 
firm. Messrs. Elsass & Bour carr^' an exten- 
sive stock of furniture, complete in every par- 
ticular, and are known as honorable and trust- 
worthy business men. 

LOUIS ENGEL, nurseryman and florist, 
Canton ; is a native of Hanover, Germany, he 
was born January 1, 1821. He was raised in 
his present business, and went to Montreal, 
Canada, in 1847, and followed his business 



tii^ 



CITY OF CANTON. 



609 



there until 1853, when he came to the 
United States, first locating in Cincinnati, 
tlicnce to Middletown, Ohio, and in the 
spring of 1856, he came to Canton, and conduct- 
ed a greenhouse and nur,sery for Mr. H. 
Meyers for five years. He then began in the 
business for himself, and after some four or 
five years lie bought the business of Mr. 
Meyers and has kept a full assortment of choice 
fruit and ornamental trees, plants, roses, etc., 
all of which are true to name, and in varieties 
proven the best for this soil and climate. 
Tiiough having but $75 when he first came to 
Canton, Mr. Eugel has by his energy and per- 
severance, coupled with honorable dealing in 
business, been successful in establishing him- 
self as a reliable business man. and also in se- 
curing an ample competency. He married in 
Montreal, Mary Ann Krebs, and they have had 
eight children, all of whom were daughters, 
seven of whom are living. 

JAMKS FKAUNFELTER, M. D.. Canton; 
is a native of Ashland Co., Ohio, and a son of 
John Fraunfeltor, a native of Pennsylvania, who 
settled in Ashland Co., Ohio, in ]84(), remain- 
ing a resident there until his death. Our sub- 
ject educated himself after the age of eighteen 
years, attending Vermillion Institute, at Ilayes- 
ville, Ohio, and subsequently the academy at 
Savannah, Ohio. Deciding upon the profession 
of medicine for his life work, he entered the 
oflSce of T. S. Hunt, M. D.. of Ashland, receiv- 
ing his advice and assistance in tlie prosecution 
of his studies for three years. He was a grad- 
uate of the Cincinnati Medical College in 1870, 
of the L. I. College Hospital, of New York, and 
of Joflerson College, Piiiladelphia. He imme- 
diately began to practice after the finish of his 
medical education, in Canal Fulton, in 1872, 
where he remained until 1881. His practice 
then was very successful and extensive, and be- 
came so arduous, that in 1881 he removed to 
Canton, believing that a city practice would 
be more pleasant. Although in Canton but a 
few months at the present writing, his suc- 
cess there is Battering and promising. His 
ollice is in the Bockius Block, south of the pub- 
lic scjuare. Dr. Fraunfelter formed a matri- 
monial alliance with Miss Kate Rosel>ur3', of 
.\shland County, in June, 1872. They have 
one child, Clarence E. Dr. Fraunfelter is one 
of the promising physicians of Ohio, commenc- 
ing in earlv life with the determination to make 



the world the better for his being in it. His 
education was obtained by teaching school in 
winter sessions, and attending the academy in 
the summer. His teaching continued for six 
seasons, and in this, as in all other things, he 
made a success. He taught the last two years, 
at Orange, Ohio, where he established a fine 
reputation as a model teacher. During his 
practice in Canal Fulton, he was associated 
with Dr. Campbell from 1870 until 1881, and 
while together were interested in the drug trade 
there. While a resident there, he was the 
surgeon of the Tuscarawas Valley- 11. R., and 
>vas interested and foremost in all works of edu- 
cation and improvement. He also erected a 
brick block there, which he still owns. He 
is a member of the I. O. O. F., and of the K. 
of H. 

G. B. FOLSOM, livery. Canton ; is a native 
of the Empire State. He began business life in 
Cleveland, where for several years he was en- 
gaged in the grocery trade, subsequently chang- 
ing into the liveiy business, at which he con- 
tinued for some ten years. lie next engaged 
in business in Youngstown, Ohio, where for ten 
years he was in the groceiy and livery busi- 
ness, after whicli he came to Canton, where he 
has since resided and engaged in the liverj- 
business. Mr. Folsom conducts his business in 
first-class style ; has a large and commodious 
place of business, and does a thriving and 
profitable trade. He ranks as one of the promi- 
nent citizens of Canton, and is a member of the 
K. of F. order. 

C. N. FRANK, hotel ; Canton ; was born 
in Wurtemlierg, Germany, March 12, 1822. 
He received a good business education in his 
native land, and served an apprenticeship at 
learning the trade of a miller, which business 
he followed until 1847, when he, with his father's 
family, emigrated to the United States. They 
landed in New York City on November 8, of 
1S47, and made their way almost directly to 
Cleveland, where he and his father bought a 
farm near the city limits, in Kuelid Tp. They 
were the fortunate possessors of considerable 
money upon their arrival in thiscountiy, though 
by misfortune, fires and bad management they 
lost nearly the whole of it ; so the nice proper- 
ty owned by the subject of this sketch has 
been accumulated by his own industry and 
economy. His father bj' trade was a baker, 
and tiring of the farm, they engaged in this 



610 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES : 



business in Cleveland until C. N. built a hotel, 
which he opened on July 3, 1854. He was 
married in 1852, to Miss Fredricka Olp, with 
whom he was well acquainted while they both 
were residents of Wurteinberg. During the 
rage of the cholera of 1854, his wife died on 
the 29th of August, and the same disease car- 
ried away their only child. Not long after this 
affliction, Mr. Frank quit the hotel business 
and engaged in milling, he and his father build- 
ing two different mills in Cleveland, l)Oth of 
which were destroyed by fire. In 1864, lie came 
to Canton and rented the Myers Mill, on South 
Cherry street, and operated the same for four 
3'ears and two mcjnths. He then, in company 
with two other gentlemen, rented the steam 
mills at Navarre, and ran the business there 
about two years and seven months, since which 
time he has done nothing in the milling busi- 
ness. Shortly after quitting Navarre, he began 
business at his present stand in Canton, which 
is a neat little property built and improved by 
himself, on the corner of Ninth and Cherry 
streets. July 12, 1850, Mr. Frank was married 
again, his second wife being a native of Hesse- 
Darmstadt, and by whom he has three children 
living — Bertie, Emma and Charlotte. Mr. 
Frank was one of the organizers of the Con- 
cordia Society, of which he is at present one 
of the directors. He is also a member and has 
been one of the directors of the (rcrman 
Pioneer Society of Stark County. 

PETER FAHRNI, grocer, Canton; is a native 
of Canton Berne, Switzerland, where he re- 
mained a i-esident until his 20th year, and then 
emigrated in company with his brother Fred- 
erick to the United States. They stopped first 
in Cleveland for a short time, where Peter was 
employed by a milkman ; he then went to Col- 
umbiana Co., Ohio, where for about two years he 
worked for different farmers. His next change 
was to Wyandot Co., Ohio, where he lived un- 
til ISGl. When the first call was made for 
three-months men, he enlisted in Co. I, loth 0. 
V. T. While serving this term of enlistment 
he was in the battle of Laurel Hill. In the call 
for three years' men, he enlisted in Co. F, B7th 
O. V. I., under Col. Seber. He was in the bat- 
tle of Princeton, in Ma}-, of 1802, and in that 
fight, his company with two others, lost 100 
men in twenty minutes ; he, however, escaped 
unhurt. In December of 1862, his command 
joined the army of the Mississippi, and he sub- 



sequently passed through the battle of Vicks- 
burg. In these he received two wounds, the 
latter being most severe, though he has never 
fully recovered from their effects. He was also 
taken prisoner and held thirty days at Vicks- 
burg. Being paroled, he returned to Canton 
by furlough, and not recovering, he received an 
honorable discharge. Lpon recovering, he 
began work in the Aultmau Shops, and re- 
mained there until 1870, when he engaged in 
business. His brother Frederick was a meml)er 
of the same company and regiment, in l^oth tlie 
three months and three years' service, and while 
on picket duty near Atlanta, (ia,. he was shot, 
and shortly after died. His wife, who was a 
Miss Mary Wagner, a native of Switzerland, 
became the wife of Peter in 1865. 

H. C. FOGLE, Secretary and Treasurer for 
C. Aultmau & Co., Canton, Ohio ; is a native 
of Massillou, Ohio; he was born Dec. 20, 1844, 
and ninth child of Lewis and Francis ( Hem- 
phill ) Fogle. They were natives of Somer- 
set and Huntingdon Counties, Penn. H. C. 
was raised in the \'icinit}' of his birth, his par- 
ents living also at Mansfield and Canton; he 
received tlie union school course of study in 
Canton, and at the age of 1 4, engaged as clerk in 
the dry goods trade with M. Wikidal, and later 
engaged with G. B. Dietrich; also worked in the 
trade at Upper Sandusky. In October, 1801, 
he enlisted in the 4th 0. X. I., Co. F, and 
served with the command until 1862, when, 
owing to disabilities, he was discharged; upon 
his return home to Canton, he secured a posi- 
tion with C. Aultmau & Co., as shipping clerk, 
and the following year became book-keeper. In 
1869, he became cashier of the First National 
Bank of Canton, and continued until 1872, 
when he was elected Treasurer for C. Aultmau 
& Co., and in April, 1874, upon the death of the 
Secretary, he was installed in that office, and 
has since continued to hold l)oth offices. Oct. 
14, 1869, he married Miss Clara L. Underbill, 
daughter of Judge J. W, Underbill; she is a 
native of Massillou. By the marriage there has 
been born four children, viz.: Ruth, Faith, 
James U. and Lewis H. 

JUDGE JOSEPH FREASE, attorney, Can- 
ton ; was born in Somerset Co., Penn,, May 19, 
182'7, and is a son of John an<l Elizabeth (Field) 
Frease, natives of Berkeley Co., Va., and York 
Co., Penn., respectiveh'. He was born in 1786, 
came to Ohio May 9, 1830, and settled in Stark 



CITY OF CANTON. 



Countj-. He was a blacksmith. In 1822, he 
entereil 2S0 acres of hind in Sugar Creek Tp., 
upon which he settled in 18S0, h.iving had it 
untler lease seven 3ears. He improved the 
farm, building a large barn and brick residence. 
He also put up a blacksmith shop and worked 
at his trade in connection with farming. He 
died in April, 1869, aged 82, his wife died the 
year before, aged 7(5. Joseph (subject) lived at 
home until after his majority, attending the 
common schools, and at 2:5 he began teaching 
during the winter months. He then came to 
Canton, and read law with Hon. (Jeo. W. Bel- 
den, and was admitted to the bar in 1851. In 
185:5, he began practice in Canton, where he 
has ever since remained. He formed a partner- 
ship with Mr. Belden in 185(5. and the year 
previous was elected Prosecuting Attorney for 
the county, serving two years. He remained with 
Judge Belden until 18()(>, when he was elected 
Judge of the 9th Judicial District of Common 
Pleas Court, and was re-elected in 1 871 ; in both 
instances he was nominated by the Republican 
party. At the expiration of liis second term 
he began practice again, and formed his pres- 
ent partnership. He was married Sept. 1, 1857, 
to Miss Sarah H., a daughter of Hon. Geo. W. 
Belden. By this marriage there are six chil- 
dren — three sons and three daughters. 

JtJSHUA GIBBS, deceased ; was the pioneer 
plow-maker of Stark (j'ounty, auil for many 
years one of the most prominent and ingenious 
manufacturers in his line in the West. He was 
a native of New Jersey, near Trenton. He 
learned the trade of a plow-maker in that State. 
and subsequently worked at it in Philadelphia, 
Pcnn. He afterward came to Canton, and for 
a time stocked plows for Judge Henry. In 188(5, 
he obtained a patent for what was known as a 
bar share plow. This was the lieginning of his 
work in the patenting and manufacturing plows 
and plow fixtures, that made his name familiar 
through Ohio and many other of the Western 
States. October, 1853, a patent was granted 
him for the process now in use, for grinding 
and polishing plows. This invention was in- 
troduced extensively over the Western prairie 
lands by his son. John Gibbs. He quit active 
work as a manufacturer about 1801. though be- 
fore doing so he patented the dynamometer, an 
instrument now in common use for testing the 
draught of plows, other farm implements and 
machinery. His widow, who was formerlv .Miss 



Barbara Shafer, is still living, and a resident of 
Canton, Her peoph^ were also among the early 
pioneers of Stark ('ountv, 

MARTIN L. (JIBBS'. Gibbs Canton Plow 
Co., Canton; is a native of Canton, Ohio; he 
was born May 1(5, 1837, and is the fifth in a 
famil3- often children born to Joshua and Bar- 
bara (Shafer) Gibbs. Our subject was raised 
in Canton; he assisted on the farm up to his 
IStli year; he then entered his father's plow 
shop and worked for him initil he was 22 years 
of age. In 1859, he, in company with his broth- 
ers, Lewis and William, built the present brick 
building, the tirm being L. (iibbs & Bros., which 
continued al)out six years, making the cylin- 
der plow of Joshua (libbs. .\fter this partner- 
ship, our subject engaged in farming, which he 
continued about three years, during which time 
he studied to improve the plow, which resulted 
in his patenting a combination plow, which he 
began to manufacture in (Canton, and about 
one year later, having added three additional 
patents, including the steel joint, he then formed 
the partnership of .M. L. (iibbs & Co., and after 
two years I'onncd a stock company, known as 
the (_!il)lis Canton Plow Co., of which he is the 
Superintendent. In 1879, he patented a valu- 
able addition to a plow, known as a jointer. The 
company now make the chilled plow. May 2<>, 
18(51), he married .Miss Sarah .\. Trump, a 
daughter of (ieorge J. Trump, an old resident 
of Stark County, Of their six children, four 
are living, viz.: Jennie. Krvin G., Gracie, 
Homer (}. During the war Mr, (Jibbs enlisted 
in the 1151li O. \'. !., but owing to disability he 
was discharm-d a few months later. 

ISAAC HAKTKK, Canton City. It is 
doubtful whether there has ever been a resi- 
dent of Stark more generally known through- 
out the county, i)er.sonally and by reputation, 
than Isaac Ilarter, No one has been longer 
engaged in a business which brought him in 
contact with all c'lasses of people, nor has any 
one been moi-c frc(iucnlly ((noted, in the char- 
acter of boy and man. as an example for others. 
His father, .Micliael Ilarter, came to this coun- 
try from Wurtemberg, (iermany, when 23 years 
of age. He married in Lancaster Co,, Penn,, 
and soon after emigrated to Knox Co.. Ohio, 
and purchased a (|uartersection of (Govern- 
ment land, ujion which he settled, -Vs the 
country developed and travel increased, he was 
induced to enlarge the dimensicms of his log 



jV 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



cabin and open a tavern, which in time became 
a popular stopping-place. He had four chil- 
dren — one daughter and three sons, of whom 
Isaac, the 3'oungest, was born June 14, 1811. 
The father died at the age of 53, leaving the 
family in straitened circumstances. The 
sister, Christina had previously married George 
Dewalt, and became a resident of Canton, and 
it was mainly through her instrumentality that 
Isaac was brought to Canton. At 11, he was 
indentured to Willian] Christmas, a merchant, 
to .serve him until 21. The compensation of an 
apprentice at that day was his board and 
clothes, including a freedom suit, and a certain 
undefined amount of education which was 
rarely complied with. Certain it was, Mr. 
Barter's opportunities in that direction were 
extremely limited. The major part of the edu- 
cation he obtained from professional teachers 
was at night school. Isaac served his master 
and mistress faithfully. There was no menial 
service about the house or store that he was 
not required to do, and he was never known to 
grumble or be insubordinate. So useful did he 
make himself, that it was not long before he 
became an important adjunct of the store. He 
had the qualities that make a young man a 
successful and popular salesman — patience, 
industry and integritj'. At that period a store 
comprised a general assortment of dr}' goods, 
hardware, queensware, groceries, liquors, etc. 
All kinds of country produce was taken in 
exchange for goods, and the salesman was re- 
quired not only to handle lard and beef, hides, 
pile up boards and shingles, but measure tar 
and fish oil, and do other work that many young 
men nowadays are too proud to do. During Mr. 
Harter's apprenticeship, he never received a cent 
in monc}- as compensation for services, and in 
his later years often remarked, when alluding 
to the comparatively easy times enjoyed by the 
young men of to-day : " I was so situated that 
I never had the opportunity to earn a dollar for 
myself until I was 21." After attaining his 
majority, Mr. Christmas made him a partner in 
the store, allowing him for his services an 
interest in the profits. The firm was then, 
Christmas, Harter & Co. The " Co." was Mr. 
Hogg, of Brownsville, Penn., a silent pai'tner. 
Mr. Christmas died in 1836, when it became 
necessary to settle up his estate, and the part- 
nership was dissolved. Mr. Harter then com- 
menced alone, and continued in the mercantile 



business until 1860, when he sold out and 
engaged in banking, in which occupation he 
continued until his death, Feb. 27, 1876. Mr. 
Harter was married Aug. 7, 1838, to Miss 
Amanda Z. Moore, of Beaver Co., Penn. At the 
age of 36, he was confirmed and united with 
the Lutheran Church. There is in the life of 
Mr. Harter much to encourage the young man 
dependent upon his own resources — much that 
is worthy of imitation. He was emphatically 
a self-made man. To his sterling integrity, his 
indomitable business energy, his courteous and 
obliging disposition, his kind and unostenta- 
tious generosity, did he owe his success. In his 
business relations, in liis daily intercourse with 
his fellow-men, his real worth was best known 
and most highly appreciated. He was the 
zealous friend of the laboring and industrious 
classes, and always ready to help those who 
manifested a disposition to help themselves. 
He was of a social disposition and enjoyed 
society, but, above others, that of his family. 
No more kind, affectionate and devoted hus- 
band and father ever occupied that sacred 
relation. As a professed Christian, while not 
demonstrative, he was confiding and hopeful. 
Though strongly attached to his own church 
and always ready to lend her a helping hand 
in time of need, he was tolerant and liberal to 
other denominations. He was always interested 
in movements designed to promote the pros- 
perity of the town, and liberal in his contribu- 
tions to that end. His largest los.ses in busi- 
ness were the result of an effort to assist some 
local enterprise. He had great energj', and to 
the last day was as active as a man twenty 
years his junior. Although frequently urged 
by his family to retire from business and take 
the world easier, as he had accumulated an 
abundance, his invariable answer was : " I 
would not be contented doing nothing." He 
was not envious of others, but rejoiced in their 
prosperit}'. In his manners he was affable, 
courteous, social and dignified. It has been 
frequently remarked that he was never known 
to tell a filthy story, or indulge in obscene talk. 
He was quick in temper, but ready to forgive, 
and never harbored ill-will. He believed in 
training boj-s early to business, and was in the 
habit of imposing responsible duties, involving 
heavy pecuniary trusts upon his own sons, 
when they were yet joung, believing the way 
to train up successful business men was to 






tiL 



CITY OF CANTON. 



trust them when young, that they be inspired 
with confidence in themselves. Nine children 
were horn to Mr. and Mrs. Harter, six of whom 
are still living. The oldest, Joseph S., gradu- 
ated at Kenyon College, was a student of law 
when the rebellion broke out, enlisted as a 
private in the 19th Ohio, during the three 
months' service, and came out a Lieutenant. He 
re-entered the service as Captain in the 115th 
Ohio, was accidentally shot while in barracks, 
in Cincinnati, from which he died in a few 
hours. George D. enlisted as a private in the 
IKjtli, was commissioned Lieutenant and made 
an Aid on Gen. Beatty's staff. He is now 
engaged in banking in Canton. Michael D. is 
a resident of Mansfield, connected with the 
agricultural works of Aultman & Taylor. 
Isaac R. is successor to his father in the control 
of the Savings Deposit Bank. Henry W. grad- 
uated at an Eastern college, was admitted to 
the bar, and is now Prosecuting Attorne}' for 
the county. A daughter and a son died in 
infancy, and two daughters. Christiana A. and 
Eliza L. are vet at home. 

PETER HOUSEL, farmer; P. 0. Canton. 
The Housel family is one among early pioneer 
families of Stark Co. Peter H. Housel, the 
grandfather of our subject, migrated from 
Northumberland Co., Penn., in the year 1812, 
and settled in Plain Tp.; a part of the town of 
Middle Branch is on his original purchase. His 
father, Anthony Housel, was born in that part 
of Northumberland Co. which subsequently 
formed Montour Co. He came to Stark Co. 
with his father, and afterward returned to his 
native place, where he remained three years. 
During this time he was married, and before 
his return to Stark Co., our subject was born to 
them, the date of his birth being Sept. 30, 1815. 
His early life was spent after the manner, and 
with such advantages, as the customs of a new 
country dictated. He remained on the old 
farm until he was about 31 years old, and then 
bought a farm two miles south of Canton, 
where he resided about ten ^ears, and bought 
70 acres in South Canton. This was about 
1857, and his pleasant home on South Market 
street was then the farm residence. This prop- 
erty- subsequently became valuable, and was 
sold out in lots — the city now reaching three- 
fourths of a mile south of his home. In 1840, 
Mr. Housel was married to the daughter of 
Daniel Smith, who was one of the earl3- settlers 



of Plain Tp. Their oldest son, Anthony Hou- 
sel, is now a member of the Stark Co. bar. He 
was educated at the Western Reserve College, 
graduating June 26. 1872. He then attended 
law school for one j^ear, and was admitted to 
practice in April of 1875. 

GEORGK B. HAAS (deceased), was a native 
of Virginia, and came to Canton about 1838. he 
being at that time about IC years old. His 
father was a Lutheran minister, though he 
evinced a natural talent for mechanical work, 
and learned the trade of a cabinet-maker and 
painter. In 1841, he was married to Miss 
Elizabeth Ely. lie was a man well known in 
Stark Co., as he had held the office of Deputy 
Sherif!', and that of Township Trustee. He was 
a member of the Order of I. 0. O. F., and at 
his death was buried with the honors of the 
order. Their son, Marshall E., entered the 
arm^' at the breaking-out of the war of the 
rebellion, enlisting in Co. F, 4th O. V. 1. He 
entered the service as a private, and on Oct. 13, 
1862, he was promoted to Sergeant, and on 
Sept. 1, 1863, to Sergeant Major. He was in 
the battle of Rich Mountain, July 11, 1861 ; 
Romney, W. Va., Oct. 27, 1861 ; Fredericks- 
burg, V^a., Dec. 13, 1862 ; Chancellorsville. 
Va., May 3, 1863; Gettysburg, Penu., July 
2, 3, 1863 ; Bristow Station, Oct. 14, 1863. At 
Morton's Ford, Va., he was wounded, the ball 
striking his arm, and then passing through his 
bod3-. This wound eventually caused his death, 
in July of 1876. He was a resident of Cen- 
tralia. 111., at the time of his death, where he 
had for some years been agent for the American 
Express Company. 

JACOB HANE, retired. Canton ; whose 
portrait appears in this histor}' as a represen- 
tative of the early manufacturing industries of 
Stark Count}', was born in Canton Jan. 16, 
1814, and was the fifth child of a lamily of 
eleven children born to Christian and Mary M. 
(Shook) Hane, both natives of Pennsylvania. 
His parents came to Stark Countj- as early as 
1811, and settled in the immediate vicinity of 
Canton. In 1832, Jacob came to Canton and 
began serving an apprenticeship at learning the 
trade of a tanner. Completing his trade, he 
rose rapidly from "jour " workman, to propri- 
etor, and after one or two partnerships, he, in 
1840, owned a tannery. He continued the 
manufacture of leather until 1859, when he en- 
gaged in the leather trade exclusively, and fol- 



614 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



lowed it for ten years, and then retired from 
active business, having by his industry and 
good financiering accumulated a fine property. 
His political views have been Repul)lican, though 
he has chosen to take a deeper interest in the 
building up of churches and schools than in 
aspiring to political preferment. In 1840. he 
was married to iMiss Hannah Beyrer, a native 
of Pennsylvania. Four children were boi'n to 
them, viz. : Frederick, who enlisted in Co. F, 
4th O. V. I., and was killed at the battle of 
Fredericksburg Dec. 12, 1862. F. B., the 
second son, was a member of the same company 
and regiment, and was wounded in the same 
battle in which his brother was killed. He 
came home on a sixty days" furlough, and on 
the second of the following May, while partici- 
pating in the battle of Chancellorsville. he was 
again wounded. He was then placed in the 
Invalid Corps, and was made Government P. 
M., of the post at Alexandria. Subsequently 
Secretary Stanton ordered him to report at 
Washington City, when he gave him a position 
in the private otKce of Gen. Halleck. He is at 
present connected with the Canton Saw Works 
Company. Charles F., who is now deceased, 
was out in the 1 00-day s service. Emma F., 
his only daughter, though married, is making 
her home for a short time witii her father, her 
husband being connected with the Connotton 
Valley R. R. " 

REV. PETER HERBRUCK, Pastor (jf Jeru- 
salem Reformed Churcii, Canton ; was l)orn in 
Bavaria, Germany, Feb. 8, 1813, and is the sec- 
ond in a famil3' of nine children born to Phillip 
and Barbara (Schlimmer) Herbruck, who were 
also natives of Buvaria. Our subject was 
raised on the farm, his father being both a far- 
mer and a shoemaker, until 14 years of age, 
when he attended school at Nuenschweiier, 
with the intention of becoming a teaciier, that 
being a preparatory institution for that pui-pose. 
He remained there at school four years, when, 
not desiring to become a soldier, he came to 
America, and located in Berks Co., Penn., 
where he taught school one winter. In the 
spring of 1832, he came to Ohio, and located in 
the vicinity of Canton, wliere lie taught school. 
He here became acquainted with Rev. Benjamin 
Faust, who persuaded him to study for the min- 
istry ; he commenced reading under his direc- 
tion, and in about a month wrote a sermon, 
after which he began regularly to preach, and 



lor almost fifty 3'ears has been faithfully pro- 
claiming salvation to sinners. Some statistics 
of the work of this old soldier of the Cross will 
not he inappropriate in his biography : Since 
he entered the ministry he has baptized 4,976 
persons ; preached 2,066 funeral sermons ; 
confirmed 2,446, and married 1.961 couples, up 
to April 28, 1881. For the first two years he 
had no horse, and liad to walk to Carrollton to 
preach, a distance of twenty-four miles ; in all 
he preached to twenty-one congregations out- 
side of Canton, and at one time had in charge 
thirteen congregations in Stark, Carroll, Colum- 
biana and Portage Counties. He was married, 
Nov. 21 , 1833, to Miss Sarah Holwich, a native of 
Stark Co., and a daughter of Jonathan Holwich, 
who came to Stark Co. at an early daj'. from Penn- 
sylvania, and was a prosperous farmer ; by this 
marriage there were thirteen children, seven 
boys and six girls, ten of whom are living, viz.: 
Caroline, now Mrs. Deuble, of Canton ; August, 
a merchant in Canton; Alfred, a jeweler in Can- 
ton ; Ferdinand, a dry goods merchant in Can- 
ton ; Amelia, now Mrs. Glaser, of Cleveland ; 
Edward, formerly Pastor of the English Re- 
formed Church, Canton, now editor of the 
Christian Work/. Dayton, Ohio ; Charles W., 
Canton ; Calvin, a clerk in Canton ; Emil P., 
Pastor of the Reformed Church of Akron ; and 
Josephine B., at home. About the year 1876, 
the Heidelberg College, at Tiffin, Ohio, con- 
ferred the title of D. D, on Rev. Mr. Her- 
bruck. 

GEORGE C. HARVEY, Keystone Mills, 
Canton ; is a native of McKeau Co., Penn ; was 
born Sept. 3, 1832. During his infancy the 
family moved to Center Co., Penn. His parents 
were Isaac and Clarissa (Claflin) Harvey, tlie 
former born in Berks Co., Penn.. and the latter 
in Connecticut ; he (father of subject) was a 
miller, as was his father, Isaac, Sr., before him. 
Our subject lived with his parents until he was 
25 years of age. and learned the milling busi- 
ness with his father. In the fiiU of ISoti, he 
married Martha J. Logan, a native of Hunting- 
don Co.. Penn., and by this marriage there are 
seven children, viz.: Isaac L., Edgar A., Kate 
K., Clara N., Alne}; C, Mary L. and Fannie C. 
After his marriage he took charge of a mill 
near by, and continued in the business in Penn- 
sylvania until the spring of 1877. and in the 
fall of that year came to Canton, Ohio, and 
bought his present mill, and about one year 



CITY OF CANTON. 



later he opened a flour anrl feed store in Canton, 
in connection with the mill ; the mill has four 
run of stone, and a capacity of fifty barrels 
daily. 

ALEXANDER HURFORD, retired, Canton; 
is a native of Canton, Ohio ; he was born Nov. 
25, 1817, and is the fifth child of eight children 
born to Thomas and Mary (Wilcoxen) Ilurford. 
He was born on the eastern shore of Maryland, 
and she in Brooke Co.. Va. Thomas Hurlbrd 
moved to Fayette Co.. I'enn., after the death of 
his father, which occurred when he was about 
7 years of age. In Fayette Co. he lived with 
a brother, and was early apprenticed to the 
milling business. About the year 1804 or 
1805, he came to Ohio, and entered some land 
located about two miles south of Canton, where 
he built a grist-mill and still-house, in the year 
1810. He conducted the mill a number of 
years, and in 1822 came to Canton, and entered 
the mercantile business. In 1825. he moved to 
Bethlehem, where he kept a store until 1828, 
when he took his mill again, and remained 
tiiere until his death, in 1832. He served as 
Judge of the Common Pleas, and was well 
known and esteemed by all, having been one of 
the pioneers in this section, Mrs. Hurford 
died on the old homestead in 1822. In 1825, 
the Judge married Miss Mary Crueson, liy 
whom he had four children ; she continued her 
residence on the old homestead until about the 
year 1852; she then came to Canton, and a 
few years later the family moved to Omaha, 
Neb., where she died about the year 1870. 
Our subject lived at home until the death of 
his father; then, after working on a farm a few 
montlis, he went to Massillon. and worked in a 
storage and commission house for three years. 
He then, with his brother, farmed the home- 
stead farm two years, when he went to Wells- 
ville. Ohio, and conducted a steam flour-mill ; 
liis health failing, he made a trip down the 
river, he and three others buying a flat-boat, 
which they loaded with flour, stoneware, etc. ; 
tiiey went to Vicksburg, thence up the Yazoo 
anil Yellow Bushey to Williams' landing. Sell- 
ing out, they returned to Wellsville. He and 
liis brother bought a farm in connection with 
the mill, and Mr. II. got out 52 acres of wheat 
and 10 acres of rye, with one team, and in 
llie winter took charge of the mill, they having 
sold the farm and l)ouglit tiie mill, and con- 
ducted the same until 1S12, January of that 



year, he married Miss Elizabeth Swearingen, 
and bought part of the old home form, includ- 
ing the mill, which he conducted until 1849. 
He then came to Canton, and assisted in solicit- 
ing stock, settling right of way and grading on 
the 0. & P, R. R., after which he farmed and 
dealt in stock, and, later, became General 
Agent for the above R. R. Co. in contracting 
wood, ties, etc., and continued for twelve or 
fourteen years. About 18G4, he and Mr. P. P. 
Trump bought and improved the St. Cloud 
Hotel, which they now own. lie has a large 
farming and coal interest, and is identified with 
some of the leading manufacturing interests of 
the cit^-. He is a member of the Presbyterian 
Church since 1830, and has taken an active 
interest in its affairs. By the marriage there 
have been nine children, six of wiiom are living. 
An Old-Line Whig, now a Republican; he was 
a strong anti-slavery man, and liberally sup- 
ported all war measures. His grandfather, on 
his mother's side, left seventeen slaves ; these 
]\Ir, H. tried to free, liut they were sold, -and 
the money belonging to Jlr. llurford's mother 
yet laj's at Wellsville. he not being willing to 
use money obtained from such a source ; his 
mother, while living, freed her slaves, and he 
thought she would also have freed those of the 
estate, and when he represented her in Brooke 
Co., Va., out of nine heirs. sevi'U were opposed 
to freedom ; the slaves were sold ; but the next 
day all but a woman and child had escaped, 
and were never found. Mr. H.'s brother. .Mfred, 
also declines to receive the inonev. 

GEORGE HOLM, Canton. Oli'io : is a native 
of J'ike Tp., Stark Co.. Ohio. He was born Oct. 
25, 1820. and is the second of a family of three 
children born to John and Elizabeth (Shutt) 
Holm. They were natives of Washington Co., 
M(l. He came here a young man in 1812, and 
located a piece of land in Pike Tp., after which 
he brought his parents, occupied the place and 
cleared a farm, and (armed in that township, 
where our subject's grandfather, Michael, and 
his second wife, and John and Elizabeth (Shutt) 
Holm, died, Elizabeth Shutt and her parents 
came to Pike Tp. about the year 1812. Her 
mother died in Maryland, and he in 18G2. in 
Pike Tp.. aged 97. John and Elizabeth were 
among the first marriages in Pike Tp. George 
lived at home twenty-live years, received a dis- 
trict school course of study, and also taught a 
number of terms; in 1845, he married Miss 



616 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



Catharine Buchtel, a native of Stark Co. Her 
father, John Buehtel, came hero a young man 
with liis parents prior to 1812. Her grand- 
father on her mother's side, John Sherman, is 
also a pioneer, after whom is named Sherman's 
Church. After marriage, George occupied his 
grandftither's farm, which he hired, his grand- 
father giving up the farm and living with him 
until his death. George farmed until 1866, 
when he came to Canton, renting his farm. He 
has since 1868, acted as the County Agent for 
C. Aultman & Co. He is Republican in politics, 
and Methodist in his religious faith. Of eight 
children born to the marriage, there are six 
living. 

JOSIAH HARTZELL, Manager of Adver- 
tising and Printing Department of C. Aultman 
& Co, Canton, Ohio ; is a native of Portage Co., 
Ohio. He was born in the year 1833, aud 
lived on the farm sixteen years. He received 
a common-school course of study, and then at- 
tended Amherst College, Massachusetts, where 
he graduated in 1854. He then read law in 
Toledo, Ohio, and about one year later he went 
to Davenport, Iowa, where he continued his 
reading, and was admitted to the bar in 1S56, 
and practiced until 1858, when he came to 
Canton and bought the Strn-k Voantij Rcjmh- 
lican, which he conducted until 1868, when he 
consolidated with the Repository, he editing the 
new paper, known as the Canton Repository 
and RcpuMk-nn. In 1874, he sold his interest, 
owing to his health, and engaged in farming. 
In 1878, he represented C. Aultman & Co. at 
the Paris Exposition, his fluency in French and 
German proving most valuable to him on this 
occasion, which continued seven months. 
Upon his return to Canton, he became perma- 
nently connected with the firm, taking his pres- 
ent charge. From 1865 to 1869, he served as 
Postmaster ol' Canton. One of his first acts 
was to drape the otHce for the deatii of our 
martyred President, under wliose administra- 
tion he received the appointment. He married 
Miss Marv K., daughter of Simon Johnson, of 
WasUingt'on Tp., Stark Co., Ohio, in 1856. Of 
eiuht chililrcn, seven are living — Wilbur J., 
Frederick, Charles, Josiah, Jr., Ralph, Dora 
and Grace. Wilbur, though early studying 
medicine, attending the Universitj' of Austria, 
is now Cashier of the Bank of South Arkansas, 
located in Colorado. Frederick is Cashier of 
the Custer County Bank, at Silver Ciitt", Colo., 



Charles is attending Ann Arbor, and the others 
of the family are at home. 

DR. R. P." JOHNSON, physician. Canton ; is 
a native of Stark Co., Ohio, and was born in 
Washington Township, Aug. 12, 1839. He was 
brought up on his father's farm, and in addition 
to the common schools, received a course at 
Mt. Union Academy, now Mt. Union College; 
He began reading medicine in the spring of 
1858, with Dr. L. L. Lamborn, of Alliance ; 
graduated in 1861 from the Cincinnati College 
of Medicine and Surgery, and began practice at 
Mt. Union, where he continued until Septem- 
ber, 1862, then entered the array as Assistant 
Surgeon of the l()4th 0. V. I., and the following 
spring was taken ill and resigned. Most of his 
service was in Hospital No. 2, at Lexington, 
Ky. He practiced at Deerfield, Ohio, some 
eighteen months, and in the fall of 1864, again 
entered the army, and was sent by the Medical 
Director to Springfield, 111., where he had 
charge of Camp Yates, and one j'ear later he 
went to Camp Douglas, at Chicago, where he 
remained until the camp was abandoned b}- the 
Government. He then returned to Alliance, 
Ohio, where he practiced for ten years, when 
he came to Canton, and has been here since. 
He is a member of the American Medical As- 
sociation, the Union Medical Association of 
Northeastern Ohio, and the Stark County Medi- 
cal Society; of the latter he has served as Secre- 
tary and Vice President. While at Alliance 
he was surgeon for the Cleveland & Pittsburgh 
R. R. for seven years ; for the past twelve 
years for the Pittsburgh, Ft. Wayne & Chicago 
R. R., and I'or the past year for the Connotton 
Valley R. R. He was married Dec. 3, 1857, to 
Miss Mariana Hunt, a native of Chester Co., 
Penn., who came when a child with her j)arents 
to Mahoning Co., Ohio. Of four children born 
to them, two are living, viz.: Reason P. and 
Florence E. 

L. M. KUHNS, D. D., minister, Canton; 
Pastor of the Trinity Evangelical Lutheran 
Church, Canton, Ohio, was born March 30, 
1826, in Armstrong Co., Penn. His parent were 
both born in Greensburg, Penn., his mother, 
Esther Steck, being the daughter of Rev. John 
M. Steck, a celebrated pioneer clergyman of the 
Lutheran Church of Western Pennsj-lvania. 
After receiving the rudiments of a common 
school education at the old-fashioned log school- 
house of his native place, Mr. Kuhns, at 19 



^: 



i) \ 



CITY or CANTON. 



617 



years of age, began an academic course at 
Zelienople, Penn., he having already formed 
the intention of preparing liimself for the min- 
istry. After two years of study at tlie academy 
of Zelienople, he entered Wittenburg College, 
SpriTigfiekl. Ohio, where lor live years he prose- 
cuted his classical and theological studies. In 
March, 1852, he received an ad iiilcrim license, 
and in the following June he was regularl}- 
licensed to preach the (lospel by the I'itt.st)urgh 
Synod. Having received and accepted a call 
from the congregation at Freeport, Penn., in 
conjunction with two other small congregations. 
He was ordained at that place in 1854, and re- 
mained there performing pastoral duties four 
years. His next charge was at Leechburg, 
Penn., where he laliored ten years, enjoying 
manj' gratifying evidence ofsuccess. Thus four- 
teen years of successful pastoral work were 
passed within four miles of his native place, 
the two villages of Freeport and Leechburg !)c- 
ing only seven miles apart, and his birtiiplacc 
being about midway between them. He was 
next called to Bellefontainc, Ohio, where he 
served o\cr thri'c years with satisfaction to the 
eommunity and to his people. In July, 1809, 
he came to Canton where he now resides. Al- 
though an occasional contributor to the church 
journals, Dr.Kuhns has given his attention rather 
to personal ministrations among his people, both 
|)iihliely and privately. Six years he served as 
Secretary antl three years as Presitlent of the 
Pittsburgh Synod ; as President of the East 
Ohio Synod two years, and as a member of the 
Board of Directors of Wittenburg College for 
ten years. The latter institution having, with- 
out any solicitation on his part, directly or in- 
directly, conferred on him the degrees of A. M. 
and D. D. In private conversation and by pub- 
lic addresses he has become prominentl}' identi- 
fied with Sabbath schools, temperance work 
and other reforms. On the 8th of June, 1852, 
he married Jliss JIaria Luyties, of Greensburg. 
Penn. Herman L., their eldest son, is one of 
the proprietors of the Canton Spring Works. 
The senior member of the firm being Mr. Daniel 
Cobaugh. Two daughters. Mary and Nettie, 
are graduates of 1/utherville Seminary, near 
Baltimore. Md. Willie, a younger son, is still 
at home, though his parents and older brother 
are looking forward to givinj^himan education 
befitting a member of tlieii' family. 
LEWIS KOONS, retired, Canton ; is a native 



of Alsace, France, and was one of a family of 
nine children : he was born in 1817, and attend- 
ed school from 6 years of age until he was 14. 
In 1832, he came to the United States, and 
spent the first j-ear following in Pittsburgh, try- 
ing to learn the trade of a shoemaker. Having 
no fancy l<)r the business he went to Bulfaio, 
and from there engaged in the selling of clocks, 
in company with an older brother; from Buf- 
falo he went to Crawford Co., Ohio, and resided 
there about five years, most of which time he 
was engaged in the clock trade ; lu; then re- 
moved to Stark Co., and became a resident of 
Paris, and there engaged in the grocer}' busi- 
ness, though he still kept up a clock trade dur- 
ing the earlier years of his residence in that 
place. Being naturally' economical and indus- 
trious, he soon owned a good property in Paris, 
and continued to do business there until 18CG, 
when he sold out, and became a resident of 
Canton, where he now lives a n'tired life, and 
enjoys the fruits of his early industrj- and fru- 
gality. About one year after he began business 
in Paris, he was married to Miss Sarah Rhonas, 
a uative of Lancaster, Penn.; fiAC children have 
been born to them, four of whom are living — 
three boys and one girl. 

F. D. KEPLINGEK, merchant. Canton ; was 
l)orn in Stark Co., where his time was spent, 
principally, until he became of an age to engage 
in business on his own account. He began first 
as clerk for the firm of Deitrich & Kimball, in 
1859, and remained with them until the spring 
of 1861, and then began clerking for Schilling 
& Herbruck, with whom he remained until tiie 
July following. In Auyust of 18(;2. he enlisted 
in Co. B, 115111 O. X. I.. Init served on detail 
duty in the Adjutant Gcmeral's otlice. in Cincin- 
nati, until 1S()3 : in 1 8(54, he was commissioned 
Captain of Co. B, lOlUh l'. S. C. T., and held 
this connnission until 18fi(i ; his command was 
under Gen. Grant at the surrender of Gen. Lee 
at Appomattox ; on the 25th of January-, 18(!5, 
he received a gun-shot wound, while in the Itat- 
tle of Fort Hatcher, init fortunately not so 
severe as to disable him from service for l)Ut a 
short time; after the surrender of Gen. Lee. 
the command of Capt. Keplinger was sent to 
Texas; while there he served as Brigade Quar- 
termaster at ludianola for a time ; l)eing 
relieved of this duty, he was sent to I'ort Lav- 
aca, Tex., and then detailed as Provost Marshal, 
in which capacity he served until the regiment 



HIS 



UIOGRAPJIICAL SKETCHES: 



received orders to go to Louisville, K>'., to be 
mustered out of service. After leaving the 
armj^ he went to Bucj-rus, Ohio, where he spent 
a short time in the capacity- of clerk. In 1868, 
he came to Canton, and engaged in business 
with a Mr. Shane, under the firm name of Kep- 
ingcr & Shane; in tiie summer of 1873 he 
bouglit Mr. Shane's intere.st. and has since been 
conducting tiie business alone. He is a mem- 
ber of Eagle Lodge, No. 431, A., F. & A. M. ; 
ho is a member of the orders of K. of H. and 
H. A., and is also a member of the Presbyte- 
rian Church. Li I860, he was married to Mrs. 
Frankic Miller, daughter of William and Sarah 
Kelly, who were among the old settlers of Stark 
Co., as were also the parents of Mr. Keplinger. 
The present finds him one among the success 
ful, enterprising business men of Canton, and 
to whatever height he may have climbed in 
financial circles, is due only to his own energy, 
economy and good financiering. 

J. G. KEITH, retired, Canton ; was born in 
Loudoun Co., Va.. May 28, 1812, and is the son 
of Price and i\Iary (Carruthers) Keith, both na- 
tives of Virginia. As early as 1810, his father 
came to Ohio, and located three-quarter section 
of land in Columbiana Co., but did not become a 
resident of that county with his family until 
1814. He settled near Hanover and engaged in 
farming, a business that he continued engaged 
in during his active business life. His death 
occurred when he was aged 91 years and 3 days. 
The early life of J. G. was spent on his father's 
farm, and though he has later in life proved 
himself a good business man, and a shrewd 
financier, he certainly in those early days of his 
history had but meager opportimities of get- 
ting even the rudiments of an education. 
Their common schools were of the old sub- 
scription system and sometimes a walk of three 
miles was necessary for him, to attend even 
these. Under such disadvantages in earl}' life, 
he is certainly entitled to much credit for his 
success in later life. Becoming of a proper 
age to learn a trade he was apprenticed to a 
tailor, which trade he completed and followed 
for some time. He subsequent!}* purchased a 
farm in Columbiana Co., and spent twenty-six 
years of his life in that business. In 1866, he 
removed to Alliance, Ohio, but only remained 
there about one and a half years, and then be- 
came a resident of Canton. His good judg- 
ment soon led him to purchase 25 acres of 



land adjoining the city, and to-day there are 
two additions to the city divisions to perpet- 
uate his name. The purchase, subdivision 
and sale of this property proved a successful 
speculation, and now for some years he has 
been enjoying the fruits of his early industry 
and economy. His home is now on West Tuscar- 
awas street. He was married on March 24, 
1836, to Miss Nancy Frost, daughter of Amos 
and Mary (Lawrence) Frost, who were early 
settlers of Columbiana Co. Nine children have 
been born to them, two only of whom are living 
— Mary Ann, born Feb. 15, 1837. died March 4, 
1837 ;"Marv E., born August 15. 1839 ; Amos 
P., born July, 19, 1841." died Nov. 5, 1878; 
Mahala M., boru August 17, 1843, died Oct. 28; 
1854; Thomas 0., born July 15, 1845, died 
Oct. 9, 1836; George F.. born March 25, 1847, 
died October 8,1854; William A., born Nov. 
6, 1849. dird July 31,1850; Emma L., born 
June 22, 1851 ; Nancy J., boru Dec. 26, 1853, 
died Oct. 1, 1857. Mr. Keith has been a mem- 
ber of the M. E. Church since 1836. His wife 
has also been a member for many years. He 
is also a member of 1. 0. 0. F., though his 
greatest interest has been in the support and 
prosperity of the church, to which he has con- 
tributed liberally. 

J. C. LANTZ, manufacturer. Canton. Among 
the list of those men who have been established 
and added to the manufacturing industries of 
Canton, Mr. Lantz is justly entitled to a fair 
recognition. He was born June 10, 1839, in 
Hagerstown, Md., where he was educated, and 
where he learned the trade of a machinist, at 
which he served an apprenticeship of thee years 
for $100. He became a resident of Canton 
about 1863, and began work at his trade in the 
shops of E. Ball, with whom he remained about 
two years, and then engaged in the work of 
carpentering. In 1870, he began the manu- 
facture of packing boxes for Joseph Biechele, 
in which line he has subsequently supplied the 
entire home demand. In time, he added the 
manufacture of cigar boxes to his business, but 
this branch of his business was finallj- given 
up, and the manufacture of the well-known 
Quinby beehive begun. To this hive he has 
added manj' practical points of improvement, 
and is now turning out of them from 800 to 
1,000 per season. These two liues of manu- 
facture occupied the time to advantage during 
the spring and fall and for a couple of the 



~s \ 



CITY OF CANTON. 



619 



summer months. It fiuallj' became a question I 
of importance to raanufiicture some marketal)le ' 
article during the winter. In view of this, 
after much study. Mr. Lantz began the manu- 
facture of an improved faucet, known a.s the 
Standard Faucet, the principle features of 
which is the coating or cauterizing those por- 
tions of the faucet exposed to friction and wear 
or to destruction by the action of strong acids, 
with a solution ol glass, applied l)y a peculiar 
process of friction. He is, in addition to the ' 
Standard, introducing to the trade an improved 
ale faucet, that i.s rapidly- beeomino an article 
of good demand. Now. he is entitled to having 
added to the industries of Canton the nianu- 
facLure of three separate and distinct articles, , 
in the manufacture of which he employs, on an ' 
average, about twelve men, to whom he pays 
yearly an aggregate of over ^-l.OdO. Mr. Lantz ' 
has also become identified with many of the 
local interests and social affairs of Canton. 
From the First Ward he has been a memlier of 
the City ('ouncil one term, and he is now serv- 
ing lii> si-rond term as a member of the Board 
111' lvliu:ili(in of the city. He is a member of 
Uu.' Lutheran Church, and also of the Eagle ' 
Lodge, No. 34L A., F. & A. M. In 1861, ^he 
married Miss Oemima Price, a native of I 
Waynesboro. Fnanklin Co., Penn. Six children 
have been born to them, two sons and four 
daughters ; Ijoth the former are now deceased. 
PROF. JOHN H.LEH.MAN, Superintendent 
of Canton Schools. Canton ; was born in Lan- 
caster, Penn.. May 17. 1846. and is a son of 
Abraham K. and Mary (Hackman) Lehman, 
natives of J'ennsjivania. Our subject's father 
was a miller, to which trade he was apprenticed 
wlien quite young, and followed for man}' 
years. His first wife was a Miss Sheets, who 
died in Pennsylvania, and .some }X'ars later he 
niarried Miss Mary Hackman ; in 1859. they 
came West, stopping in W.a^-ne Co.. Ohio, where 
they remained six months, then moved into the 
vicinity of Canton. He conducted the milling 
business till 1861t. and then moved into (Ian- 
ton, and has lived retired ever since. John H. 
lived at home until 20 years of age, working in 
the mill at odd times, and becoming proficient 
in the trade. He received a common school 
education, and also attended the high school in 
Canton. Being naturally fond of mathematics 
he made considerable progress in studies beyond 
the regular school courses. At the age of 16 



he began teaching, and taught two years, then 
followed milling for two years. He then re- 
turned to the profession of teaching, which he 
has sin(;o followed. He taught in the district 
schools of Canton and Plain Tps. until 1869, 
when he came to (!anton and took charge, as 
Principal of the North School, which had a 
regular attendance of about 300 pupils. He 
continued as Principal until 1876, when he be- 
came Superintendent of the City Schools, 
which position he still holds. He has been a 
member of the State Teachers' Association 
some ten years ; has served as A'ice President, 
and is at present a member of its executive 
committee . he is alsf) a member of the North- 
eastern Ohio Teachers Association, of which 
body he has been Pri^sident. He is a member 
of the County Association ; has served as 
Chairman and Secretary of the Kxeeutive Com- 
mittee, and as President three years. For five 
years he has been a meralier of the Exam- 
ining Board for City Teachers, of which he has 
also been Clerk. In 1865, he married .Miss 
Emma J. Oberlin, a native of Stark Co. They 
hiive three children, viz,: Ella O., Fjva E. and 
Fred H. 

G. W. LAWRENCE, firm of Lawrence & 
Myer, hardware, etc.. Canton ; a native of this 
County ; w.as born Fel). 11, 1826, and is the 
only child of (ieorge P. and Catharine (Rich- 
ard) Lawrence, the former a native of Wash- 
ington Co., Penn. ; came to Stark Co., Ohio, 
with his parents at an early day. George W. 
(subject) was raised in the family of Jacob 
Snyder from the age of 1 year, who came to 
Canton Tp. in 1824. He was brought up on 
the farm, and received his education in the dis- 
trict schools. At the age of 14, he began 
teaching, and taught some fifteen or eighteen 
terms, including three terms in Canton. On 
becoming of age, he took charge of Jlr. Sn}'- 
der's farm until 1848, when he came to Canton 
and went into the mercantile business, remain- 
ing but a short time ; then moved to Louisville 
,and engaged in business at that place In 
1856, he failed, afler which he traveled a short 
time for a Philadelphia house, then returned to 
Ohio and rented a farm near .Middle Branch, 
and farmed two years. He then moved to 
Plain Center, and farmed there for three years. 
In 1861, he was elected County Treasurer on 
the Republican ticket, entering upon his duties 
in September. 1862; served four years, being 



;^ 



C20 



BI0GEA.PH1CAL SKETCHES: 



re-elected in 1863. Upon retiring from the 
office of Treasurer, he was elected County 
Commissioner, and while in this orBee the pres- 
ent court house was built. He was one of the 
organizers of the City Bank of Canton, of 
which he was the first President, and afterward 
Cashier. In 1869, he bought eighty- acres of 
land adjoining Canton, which he divided into 
lots, and which is known as Lawrence's Addi- 
tion to Canton. The undertaking was ver}"^ 
successful. About the year 1871 or 1872 he 
formed his present partnership. He does not 
take an active part in the management of the 
business. Nov. 30, 1845, he was married to 
Miss Margaret J. Neese, of Marlborough Tp. 
She died Jan. 20, 1846. July 4, 1847, he married 
Miss Savilla Shollenberger. She died April 
23, 1866. They had eight children, four of 
whom are living, viz. : Mary C. (now Mrs. W. 
0. Myers), Margaret J. (now Mrs. H. Smith), 
Rachel C. (now Mrs. J. Ruperdj and Cora B., 
at home, June 20, 1867, he married Mrs. 
Sutch, formerly E. M, Rockhill. They had four 
children -three living, viz. : George W., Alma 
B. and an infant. Mr. L. has been a member 
of the School Board for ten years. He was 
once a Democrat, a Free-Soiler, a Know-Noth- 
ing, and is now a Repul)lican. He is a member 
of the Methodist Churcli. 

G. S. LEININGER, of East Canton Empire 
Mills, Canton ; was born in Stark Co., Oliio, 
June 9, 1826, and is a son of Jacob and Eliza 
beth (Slusser) Leininger. They were born in 
Pennsjdvania, and came to Ohio with their 
parents in an earlj' daj', and settled near Can- 
ton. Jacob lived at home until 1831, when he 
went to Osnaburg and engaged in business. 
He sold out in the spring of 1857, and removed 
to Illinois, where he died about 1869. She is 
still living on the old homestead in Illinois 
with her son. G. S., our subject, was brought 
up on the farm, receiving his education at the 
district schools. On arriving at maturity, he 
went to Canal Fulton, where he clerked for his 
brother some eighteen months ; clerked awhile 
at Sandyville, and then taught school. After 
farming several jears and teaching during the 
winter season, he bouglit a farm near Canton, 
on which he has since lived, and in 187G he 
added milling to his fiirming. He was married, 
Nov. 5, 1850, to Miss Catharine Rowland, a 
native of Ohio. Her parents, Jacob and Eliz- 
abeth (Bachtel) Rowland, came to Stark Co. in 



1810. Their marriage resulted in twelve chil- 
dren, ten of whom are living — six girls and 
four bojs. He is Republican in politics, and a 
member of the Church of God. 

AUGUSTUS LEININGER, M. D., Canton ; 
is a native of Ohio : son of Joim and Henrietta 
Leininger, who came to Canton Tp. about 1850, 
where they still reside. His father was a farm- 
er and our subject passed his early years 
upon the farm. He received a good education, 
and in 1875 he commenced the study of medi- 
cine with Dr. Portmann, of Canton, remaining 
under his tutelage three years. He graduated 
in the Medical Department of Wooster Uni- 
versity, Cleveland, Ohio, in 1879, and in 1880, 
attended Bellevue Medical College, New York. 
Since 1879, he has been practicing in Canton, 
and is establishing a successful business. lu 
1881, he located his office in the new P, 0. 
Block, where he is now conveniently located, 

WILLIAM A. LYNCH, attorney. Canton; 
is a native of Canton, Ohio ; he was born Aug. 
4, 1844. He received a course of study in the 
Canton Schools, and at the age of 1 7 he began 
reading law with Mr. Louis Schaffer, with 
whom he remained until he became of age, 
being admitted to the bar Aug. 7, 1865. He 
has served two terms as Prosecuting Attornej' 
for the county, and is actively engaged in 
general practice in federal courts of this and 
adjoining counties, and during recent years has 
done much corporation practice. His parents, 
Arnold and Frances (Horan) Lynch, were eaily 
residents of Stark Co. Arnold Lynch has 
served as County Surveyor and Recorder many 
j'cars, and was prominently identified with 
man}' public enterprises, he being one of the 
projectors of the Ft, Wayne II, R,, and took an 
active part in building the Cleveland & Mahon- 
ing Valley R. R., and in developing the coal 
interests of Stark Co. He was also largely 
interested in the coal and iron interests of Ohio 
and West Penns3lvania. 

CAPT. G. F. LAIRD, cashier C. Aultman & 
Co., Canton, Ohio ; is a native of Canton, Ohio. 
He was born Aug. 16, 1838, and is the eldest 
of nine children born to John and Susan (Faber) 
Laird ; they were natives of Pennsylvania, he 
of Northumberland and she of Franklin Co. 
He came to Canton, Ohio, in the j-ear 1818, 
with his mother, one brother and four sisters. 
He early became identified with the iron inter- 
ests of the count}', first entering a forge at 



<<^ i 



CITY OF CANTON. 



021 



Sparta when about 18, and superintended mak- 
ing bar iron ; later he built a furnace at Zoar, 
and alioul 1.S40 or 1841, lie opened a foundry 
at Canton, witli wliicii lie was connocloil until 
1871. Both Mr. and Mrs. Laird are living in 
Canton. Our subject was raised in his native 
citv, and assisted his father in the foundry until 
April, ISOl. when he enlistcci in the 4th"(). V. 
1.. and was commissioned 2d Meutenant at 
Columbus, on the 21st day of April, and con- 
tinued in the service until July, 1864. He was 
twice promoted, reaching the rank of Captain. 
lie was in the battles of Fredericksburg. Cluin- 
eellorsville. Gettysburg, the Wilderness and the 
other engagements of the regiment. I'pon his 
return home, he engaged with his father in the 
foundry and remaine<l in same until 1871, since 
which time he has been coiniccted with C. 
Aultnian & Co. In 18(50, he married Miss 
Fannie Ashman, of Akron. By the marriage 
there has been four children, three of whom are 
living. The Captain was a stockholder in the 
Canton Telephonic E.xchaiige from its estab- 
lishment in April. 188(1, until July, 1881. when 
the exchange was sold. He has also be(>n the 
manager since its establishment in the citv. 

C. T. MEYKR. lawyer. Canton, a native of 
Stark Co., and .son of Judge S. >Feyer. of Can- 
ton. He received fine educational advantages 
attending St. Joseph's (^ollege, of Somerset, 
Ohio, and Xotre Dame at South Bend, Ind. 
He was admitted to the practice of his chosen 
profession in 1861. but soon after enlisted in Co. 
A. 14th O. V. 1.. and after serving three months, 
re-enlisted in the (J4th 0. V. I., and served with 
rank of Captain for three years. After the 
close of the rebellion he wont to Texas, where 
he remained until 187:5. assisting in railroad 
construction, and also engaged in farming 
operations. Upon his return to his native 
county he engaged in the practice of his pro- 
fession with his lather. In 1878. he became 
associated with William J. I'icro in practice, 
and now is devotuig his attention to pro- 
fessional affairs. Mr. Meyer is regarded as an 
able and efHcient member of the bar. and 
although young in years ranks high upon the 
professional ladder 

J. H. McCRKA, furniture, Canton, the lead- 
ing furniture dealer of (Janton, No. 45 Hast 
Tuscarawas street, was born in Westmoreland 
County, I'enn. in 1826. He learned the trade 
of a cabinet-maker in Pittsburgh, and subse- 



quently worked at it for two years in Cincin- 
nati. In 1868, he removed to Canton and 
established his present house, and by industry, 
application to business, thorough knowledge of 
the trade in all its details and requirements, as 
well as a uniform system of fair and honoraltle 
dealing, he has built up one of the finest 
establishments of the kind in the West, and 
one, too, of which she is, as she maj' well be, 
proud of In addition to the furniture trade, 
Mr. McCrea. does a large business in uphol- 
stering. He is also well known as the most 
careful and courteous undertaker in the city. 
He is probably oix'upying more space in the 
transaction of his business than many of the 
citizens of (!anton are aware of With addi- 
tions recently made, he now has an establishment 
of twenty-two feet frontage by 17(( feet deep, 
three floors and basement, besides one room, 
35xlOI{ feet in the adjoining building. His 
annual sales are about §45.000. He has never 
taken an active part in [lolitical afiairs, choos- 
ing rather to devote his time and energies to 
the building up of a good reliable business, 
and how well he has succeeded is be3-ond the 
question of an experiment. He is a member of 
St, John's Catholic Church, a friend and 
liberal donator to any cause pertaining to the 
improvement of Canton, or the welfare of her 
citizens. 

W. N. MOFFETT, superintendent of V,. V. 
R. R., was born in Wellsburg, W. Va.. March 
22, 1847. He is one of a family of four chil- 
dren born to John and Susan (Miller) Moffett. 
The family removed from West A'irginia to 
Carroll Co., Ohio, thence to Stark Co., about 
1859. The subject of these notes received his 
education in the public schools, and Mt. I'nion 
College which he entered when about 16 years 
of age, and graduated from that institution, 
having taking a general busness course. He 
then began to run on the P., Ft. W. C. R. II., 
and after serving as conductor several years, 
he was transferred to the dispatcher's office, in 
which position he remained ten years, having 
been in the employ of said railroad company 
about seventeen years. In April, 1880, he was 
engaged as Superintendent of the C. V. R. R., 
and removed from Alliance to Canton, January, 
1881. He married Minerva Shaffer, October, 
1871. She is a daughter of Jacob Shaffer of 
Alliance. Mr. Moffett is a member of the 
I. O. O. F. and the Masonic fraternitv. 



\r 



632 



BIOGRAPHICAL ^KP:TCHES: 



ANDREW MYERS, deceased ; was among 
the most prominent eail3' pioneers of Stark Co.; 
he was a native of Alsace, France, and came to 
tlie United .States in 180-1, and the same year 
became a resident of Baltimore, and married 
Miss Cordelia Gross, who was also a native of 
Fnince. Mr. Myers was by trade a gilder and 
draughtsman, and for a number of years after 
becoming a resident of Baltimore he worked at 
the finishing of shipping. He subsequently 
came to Stark Vo. to live, though he made trips 
prior to his settlement, for the purpose of buy- 
ing and enterino' lands, of which he owned at 
one time about 2,200 acres; he did a large farm- 
ing business, and bought and sold real estate. 
He was a soldier in the war of 1812, and partici- 
pated in the battle of Bladensburg ; was a man 
of fine education, and being wealthy, he. without 
apparent effort. \vielde<l much influence in the 
community. He died at the advanced age of 87 
years. His daughter, Mrs. (lassilly, is the only 
survivor of his family' of three sons and two 
daughters ; she still resides in Canton, and is a 
lady whose courteous manner and good breed- 
ing bespeaks the nationality of her parents. 

LEVI L. MILLER, banker. Canton ; is a 
native of Lake Tp.. Stark Co. He was educat- 
ed at Oberlin College, Ohio. In 18li4, shortly 
after finishing his course at college, he a(!cepted 
a position of shipping clerk in the manufactur- 
ing establishment of C. Aultnian & Co., and 
subsequently was given a position in the First 
National Bank of Akron, of which he is now 
Cashier ; severing his first connection with the 
bank, he became the partner of Mr. John Hob- 
ins, Sr., in the Eagle Woolen Mills ; for two 
years he retained his interest in the mills, when 
he sold out and removed to Westfield, N. Y., 
where for three years he was Secretary of the 
Townsend Manufacturing Company, manufact- 
urers of locks and house hardware ; returning 
to Canton he was for a time in the office of C. 
Aultman & Co.. which position he left in 1872, 
when elected Cashier of the First National 
Bank. Politically, he is a Republican. For 
many ^-ears he has been a member of the M. 
E. Church and Sabbath School, and of the lat- 
ter he is now Superintendent. 

ARCHIBALD McGREGOR, journalist. Can- 
ton ; was born in Hamilton, Lanarkshire, Scot- 
land, Dec. 14, ISIll. His grandfather, on his 
father's side, participated in the rebellion of 
1 745 ; but, as after tke battle of Culloden it 



was dangerous to return to the highlands of 
Scotland, he returned to Hamilton. His father, 
John McGregor, educated at Glasgow Uni- 
versity, was a teacher of the classics in Scot- 
laud. In 1828, having emigrated to the United 
States, he located at New Haven, Addison Co., 
Vermont, and in 1833, he removed to Medina 
Co., Ohio, and took charge of Wadsworth 
Academy. He remained in position fifteen 
years. Our suljject was educated with parental 
solicitude, and a fine literary taste, unusual 
acquaintance with ancient and modern science, 
and especially with the literature of England 
and Scotland, were the results. In 1842, he 
engaged at Canton in the occupation of teach- 
ing, at which he continued for six years. In 
1848, the leading Democrats of the town solicit- 
ed him and his father to take charge of the 
St(irk County DciiKivrat. Their proposition 
they accepted, antl he at once entered upon a 
calling which has since become the business of 
his life, and in which he was assisted by his 
two sons, one of whom has since died. In 
1844, he married Miss Martha McCurdy, of 
Canton. Her famil}' moved there from Penn- 
sylvania, and were of Scotch-Irish parentage. 
Four children were born from this union — 
John, at present associated with his father in 
the publication of the <SV(n7»- (/uunti/ Democrat ; 
William, deceased ; Mary E., now wife of 
Edward Schilling, of JiOuisville, Stark Co., and 
Emily, now wife of J. V. Lawler, editor of the 
Carroll Cmatty ChnmicJe. Having taken, in 
the conduct of his paper during the war of the 
rebellion, the liberty of criticising the course 
and doings of the administration, in a tair, 
though independent manner, he incurred the 
hostilitj'of those who took opposite views; as a 
consequence of this feeling at this period of 
high excitement, a few Ireshly enlisted young 
men, sons of prominent citizens of Canton, 
burglariously entered his printing office about 
midnight on Aug. 22, 18(31, and destroyod the 
contents. Notwithstanding this, he continued 
to issue his paper regularly each v.eek, though, 
for a short time, in a small size. Continuing 
his freedom of speech and criticism, though 
always carefully and prudently expressed, Mr. 
McGregor was, by military authority, on Sun- 
day, before the October election in 1862, ar- 
rested and kept in confinement at Camp 
jMansfield for nearly four weeks. Though de- 
manding trial, he was never given a hearing. 



^ IS' r~ 



liU 



(ITV OK CANTON. 



623 



and was discharged, on the order of (tov. Tod, 
oil talking the oath of loyalty to the Constitu- 
tion, wliitli he did without hesitation. decrlaring 
he luul ever entertained sueh sentiments. In 
1852. Mr. MeGregor was elected County 
Auditor, and served one term. For seven 
yeai-s he was a member of the Canton Hoard of 
Kdueation. and has served (or years as Couiilv 
School Kxaniiner for the Canton Union Schools, 
In 1878, iMr. Mc(iregor was appointed by 
Gov. Bishop one of the Trustees of the Cleve- 
land Asylum for the Insane. The Si<n-h- ( 'ounly 
Diinocrat is the only Democratic paper in the 
county, and, as such, ranks among the leading 
organs of the State. 

t. C. McDowell, cashier of Farmers' 
Bank. Canton ; was born in I'lain Tp., in this 
county on the 3(lth of May. l.*^47, and is the 
liflli of eight children, born to James and 
Klizal)eth (Hildenbrand) McDowell, Subject 
remained on the farm of his father until he was 
21 years of age, receiving his education at the 
district schools of the neighborhood, and sev- 
eral terms at Mt. Cnion College; also a com- 
mercial course. At the age of 22 years he came 
to Canton, and engaged with Mr, Heibruck, in 
the dr3- goods business for about eighteen 
inoiilhs ; then with .Messrs. Keplinger & Shane, 
remaining with theni about nine months, when 
he became teller and book-keeper in the City 
Bank, continuing about two years. He then 
conceived the idea of establishing a Farmers" 
Bank, and, in company with John II, Brenner. 
Hiram W. Firestone, James .McDowell and 
Henry McDowell, obtained a charter authoriz- 
ing the organization of the Farmers' Bank, 
Canton, Ohio, the charter bearing date Felj. 
21. 1874. They opened business on the 2d of 
May. following, with J. H. Brenner. President ; 
B. Dannemiller, Vice President, and T. C. Mc- 
Dowell. Cashier, the officers continuing to the 
present time. 

JOHN' R. MILLER, dry goods. Canton ; is 
a native of Berks Co.. Penn. He was born in 
the year 1829, and is the youngest of six chil- 
dren born to Michael and Mary (Roth) Miller, 
they were natives of Schuylkill Co.. Penn.. where 
he was principall}' engaged in fiirming. They 
came to Stark Co.. Ohio, in 1841. and occupied 
a farm near Paris, and. after farming in several 
locations in the county, in 1851 they settled in 
Canton, and engaged in the grocery and pro- 
vision business, and eighteen months later he 



sold out, and became interested in the same 
business with his son, John R., they continuing 
until his death in 18()3. Mrs. ."Miller died two 
years previous. John R. .Miller began business 
in the grocery and provision line with a capital 
of $75, and, after his father sold out, they 
formed a partnership which was quite success- 
ful ; they in two years owning their business 
hou.se, .\fter his father's death, he sold out 
and engaged in the dry goods business in his 
present store. For the first five years, Mr, J. W, 
Gibbs was associated in partnership with him, 
since which time he has done business alone. 
From about 1 858 to 1 8Gt), he served as Town- 
ship Trustee of Canton Tp. In 1877, he was 
the Republican nominee for Sheriff, but, 
though running ahead of the ticket, was de- 
feat<Kl. In addition to his business interests in 
Canton, he is al.so managing his farm, which 
contains KJO acres, and is located between 
Canton and .Massillon. In October, 1879, he 
married Mrs. Ordeaii, a native of Pennsylvania. 
W. K. MILLER SuiHTiiitcndentof the Peer- 
less Reaper Co., Canton, Ohio; is a native of 
Sandyville, Tuscarawas Co., Ohio. He was 
born March 19, 1829. He received a common 
school education, and early in life manifested a 
desire for mechanical pursuits. .At the age of 
15. he went to Massillon and apprenticed to the 
machinist trade with the firm of C. M. Russell 
& Co.. and continued with them for eightyears. 
the latter five years as a journeyman, after 
which he came to Canton, and moved the ma- 
chinery of Ball, .Vultmaii & Co. from Green- 
town to Canton, and assisted in setting up the 
same, when, owing to tailing health, he retired 
from active work at his trade, and devoted 
himself to the study of machanics and its 
branches, and brought out a mowing machine, 
the first one being built by Russell & Co. in 
1856, which was the first perfect two-wheel 
reaper on which the flexible reel was seen. Mr. 
Miller assisted in the introduction of his ma- 
chine until 18l)l, when he was appointed Post- 
master of Canton under Lincoln, which office 
he resigned in 1804 and became a partner with 
Russell & Co., of .Massillon, of which business 
he became the Superintendent, and continued 
until 1870, when he became the A'ice President 
and Superintendent of the business conducted 
l)y C. Russell & Co.. who built the present 
works at Canton under Mr. Miller's supervision. 
In January, 1877. the company discontinued 



^V* 



^t 



624 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



business, and was re-organized and Itnown as the 
Peerless Reaper Co., of which Mr. Miller is the 
Superintendent. By improvements, from time 
to time, Mr. Miller has the satisfaction of 
seeing his machine at the head of the list, and 
in that fact, a worthy result to the long j'ears 
of patient study and labor which he has de- 
voted to that end. Sept. 12, 1850. he married 
Miss Sarah, daughter of Samuel Burwell, of 
Navarre, Stark Co., Ohio. Of their four chil- 
dren, two are living — Charles R. and Burt A. 
Mr. Miller is Republican in his political belief 
and was raised in the Methodist faith. 

JACOB MILLER, of C. Aultman & Co.. 
manufacturers of mowers, reapers, etc., Canton; 
was born in Lake Tp., Stark Co., Ohio, Sept 
2G, 1827; his parents were .John Miller and Mary 
York; his father was a native of Maryland, and 
by occupation, a farmer, cabinet-maker and 
housebuilder. He also carried on the manufact- 
uring of fanning-mills. He moved early to 
Pennsylvania, and in 1812. settled in Stark 
Co., Ohio, where he died, in March, 1875. Our 
subject assisted his father on the farm and in 
the shop, receiving only meager advantages in 
the common schools of his day ; possessed of 
fine mechanical and executive talent, in the fall 
of 1851, he became a partner in the tirm of 
Ball, Aultman & Company-, of Canton. In 
1858, the firm became C. Aultman & Company, 
and in 18G5, was incorporated; from 185G to 
186-1. Mr. Miller was engaged as superintendent 
of the wood department, and, since that time, 
excepting one year, he has been the general 
manager and superintendent of the entire 
establishment, which now has a capital of 
$1,500,000, and turns out an annual product of 
500 engines, 1,000 threshers, 0,000 reapers and 
mowers, 2,000 harvesters and binders, 500 horse 
powers and about 1,400 wagons for the horse- 
powers and threshers, besides a vast amount of 
repairs, the whole requiring the steady work of 
over 700 men. In addition to the duties of his 
ver}- responsible position, he is interested in a 
number of the business interests of Canton. 

I. J. NUMAN, grocer, St. Cloud Building, 
Canton ; is a native of Pennsylvania. His 
father, John Numan, came to Ohio in 1828, 
settling in Osnaburg Township, where he re- 
•mained until his death ; his mother's maiden 
name was Elizabeth Betts. Our subject was 
raised upon a farm and was engaged in agri- 
cultural pursuits until 25 years of age; he then 



went to Osnaburg and erected a steam saw 
mill, which he operated for four j'ears. His 
next venture was in the hotel business in Paris, 
remaining there two years. After dealing in 
stock for about four 3'ears, he came to Canton 
in 1865, and embarked in the coal business, 
being engaged in that business for two j'ears — 
subsequently being elected Street Commission- 
er of Canton, he administered the duties of that 
oflfice for two years. In 1874, in connection 
with his son, William F,, he started a grocery 
store in the St. Cloud Building ; this partner- 
ship lasted for four years, at the expiration of 
which the son retired, aud Mr. Numan has since 
conducted the business alone. His stock is 
complete and his trade takes the lead of that 
branch in town. He is a member of the K. of 
P. and Royal Arcanum. He was married in 
1847, to Miss Barbara Slusser, who died in 
1871, leaving four children — Walter H., in 
Iowa ; Sallie Breneman, a widow, living in 
Canton ; Matilda, deceased, and William F., a 
resident of Canton, and commercial traveler. 
In 1874, he married a second wife — Mrs. VAla. 
Wigant, a widow. 

J. 0. PALMER, merchant. Canton ; is a 
native of Columbia Co.. N. Y. He was educat- 
ed at Auburn, aud after completing his literary 
course, he began the study of medicine, in which 
he graduated in 1867, and for the following four 
jears he practiced in East Cleveland, Ohio. 
In 1872. he became a resident of Canton, and 
shortly thereafter he became identified with 
Oliver Baker, the founder of the house of which 
Mr. Palmer is now proprietor. In about one 
year the firm changed to Palmer & Stall, under 
which management the business was conducted 
for about two years, when Mr. Palmer pur- 
chased Mr. Stall's interest, and has since been 
sole proprietor. His house is No. 30 South 
Market street, and is a three story brick struc- 
ture, 30x60 feet. The three floors are di\'ided 
into apartments, the better to display his ex- 
tensive stock of goods, which comprises every- 
thing pertaining to the carpet trade. 

J. J. PARKER, lawyer. Canton ; is one of the 
leading members of the Stark County bar. He 
is a native of Columbiana County, and a son of 
William J. Parker, who was a physician and in 
practice in New Lisbon for a number of years. 
()ur subject received good advantages for edu- 
cation ; attending the Salem High Schools. He 
commenced the study of law in New Lisbon 



^^ 



CITY OF CANTON. 



625 



with Judge Potter, and in 1867 was admitted 
to the bar. In 1868, he commenced the prac- 
tice of his profession in Alliance, where he re- 
mained for nine years, achieving a large and 
successful practice and serving in manj' oflices 
of public trust. He was Register in Bank- 
ruptcj- from 1869 until 1875, when he resigned; 
he served as Prosecuting Attornev for Stark 
County in 1874-75, and also as Mayor and City 
Solicitor of the cit}' of Alliance. He removed 
to Canton in 1877, where we still find him oc- 
cupying an advanced position among the legal 
fraternity. He was united in marriage in 
1869. to Miss Emma J. Brooks, of Warren, 
Ohio. They have three children — Joseph J., 
Mary B. and Helen A. 

W. B. PERKINS & CO., books, stationery 
and wall paper, No. 4, Opera Building, Canton. 
The above is the leading house, in their line, in 
Canton. This business was established in 
1869, under the firm name of Perkins & Wes- 
ton.- which association continued until 1874, 
when Mr. Weston retired, and C. F. Perkins 
became a member of the firm. Their stock is 
very complete and extensive, embracing a large 
line of wall paper, frames, moldings, etc., and 
all of the current literature of the daj- with the 
leading periodicals and newspapers. The gen- 
tlemen comprising the firm are courteous and 
agreeable, and are extending their trade and 
sales each j'ear. W. B. Perkins, senior partner, 
is a native of New Bedford, Mass., and prior to 
coming to Ohio, was engaged in the hardware 
trade in Boston, Mass. In 1867, he removed 
to the West, locating in Mansfield, Ohio, and 
engaged in the hardware trade there, remaining 
two years. In 1869, he came to Canton, since 
which time he has been one of the leading 
business men there. He was married in 1870, 
to Miss Mary A. Louden, of Zanesville, Ohio. 
They have two children, Ed. L. and Helen. 
He is a member of the Masonic Fraternity and 
of the K. of H. C. F. Perkins is also a native 
of Massachusetts, and was educated for the 
law. He is a graduate of the Law Depart- 
ment of Harx'ard College, and was admitted 
for practice in Massachusetts. In 1871, he 
came to Canton and joined the bar there, con- 
tinuing in practice until he entered mercantile 
life with his brother. 

WILLIAM J. PIERO, lawyer, Canton, and 
present Mayor, is a native of Canton, and son 
of Francis I. and Julia A. (Krantz) Piero. His 



father is a native of Alsace, France ; his mother 
of Germany. Tliey both came to Stark Co. 
with their parents at an early day, were married 
in 1842, and are still residents of the county. 
His father has l)een a business man of Canton 
for many years. William is the sixth child of 
a family of nine children, eight of whom are 
now living and residents of Canton. He re- 
ceived a good education in the schools of Can- 
ton, and at the age of 17 entered the law office 
of Judge Meyer, remaining with him for two 
years, at the expiration of which time, not be- 
ing of sufficient age to be admitted to the bar, 
he engaged as clerk in a clothing store, and 
had the benefit of one and one half years of 
mercantile life. Again entering the law office, 
and reviewing his studies, was admitted to the 
bar upon attaining his majoritj', Sept. 17, 1874. 
He immediatt^ly began the practice of his pro- 
fession, and the following spring was elected 
Justice of the Peace, serving for three years. 
In 1878, he formed a partnership with C. T. 
Meyer, and since that time has been occupied 
with the duties of his profession. In the 
spring of 1881, he was elected Mayor of Can- 
ton upon the Democratic ticket. Mr. Piero 
has, with his partner, Mr. Meyer, a fine and 
growing law practice, and is one of the rising 
young lawyers and politicians of Northern Ohio. 
In the administration of the atfairs of the re- 
sponsible position to which he has been elected, 
his judgments meet with universal approval, 
and his aim is to establish some needed reforms 
in the city's government. Socially, Mr. Piero 
stands without a peer in the county, and his 
genial and hospital)le manners secure him hosts 
of friends and increase the popularity which 
he has so justly gained. 

JOHN R. POi'SER, contractor and builder, 
Canton ; is a native of Stark Co., Ohio ; he was 
born in Sugar Creek Tp. Dec. 9, 1825, and is 
third in a family of thirteen children born to 
Joseph and Martha (Reed) Poyser. They were 
natives of Pennsylvania. He came to Stark 
Co. in the year 1811, with his father, Joseph 
Povser, who settled northwest of Canton, and 
soon after moved into Sugar Creek. Martha 
Reed also settled in Sugar Creek with her 
parents at an early day. Joseph Poyser fol- 
lowed farming in the county until his death, in 
1877 ; Mrs. Poyser died in"l878. Our subject 
lived at home twenty j-ears ; he then went to 
the carpenter's trade with J. B. Hoover, of 



l"^ 



626 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



Canton, with whom lie remained four years ; he 
then worked two years with Mr. Peter Myers, 
after which he began contracting and building 
on his own account, and has followed the busi- 
ness since, during which time he has built over 
250 houses, including many of the leading 
business blocks and residence property of the 
city. He has served, and is now, a member of 
the City Council. He married Miss Mary 
Mellen Oct. 28, 1852. She is a native of New 
Jersey, and came to Stark Co.. Ohio, with her 
parents, when young. (3f their four children, 
two are living, viz.: William J. and Ella J. 

JOHN BOBBINS & SONS, Eagle Woolen 
Mills, Canton. The Eagle Woolen Mills, now 
owned and operated by James and John Bobbins, 
Jr., is the outgrowth of one of Canton's oldest 
manufacturing institutions. John Bobbins, Sr., 
(retired) was born in Gloucestershire. England, 
in 1807. His father was a maiiufactuier of 
woolen goods, in which business ho soon liecame 
thoroughly skilled, and, after which, he, in 1830, 
emigrated to the United States. Eor about ten 
years he spent his time principally in the fac- 
tories of the Eastern States. In 1842, he 
returned to England, and married Miss Martha 
Marshall, of Yorkshire. Beturningto America, 
they became residents of Ohio, in 1842, and in 
1843, they removed to Canton, when Mr. 
Bobbins leased a woolen factory of Mr. F. A. 
Snyder, for five years. He then leased a 
building of Jacob Sprankle, in which he did 
business for about thirteen years, when his 
business was suddenly stopjuMl by llie building 
and all its contents bcinu di'stioNrd by fire. 
By this misfortune, Mr. IJobhins lost $30,000, 
which was the accumulated earnings of years. 
Applying to the citizens of Canton. Mr. Bobbins 
quickly found friends to advance him 820,000. 
With this sum he built the Eagle Woolen 
Mills, and business was again resumed in his 
name, but was afterward changed to Bobbins & 
Miller, who organized the Eagle Woolen Mills 
Company. They in turn were superseded by 
John, Jr., and James Bobbins, under the firm 
name of Bolibins Bros. The mill is now fitted 
up with two sets of forty-eight inch cards. 
One self operating English mule of 408 spindles, 
and one hand mule of 360 spindles. They 
have a capacity of using 350 pounds of wool per 
day, and employ about twenty operatives. 
They are now making a specialty of the manu- 
facture of stockmg j-arns. John, the elder of 



the two brothers, was educated in the Canton 
schools, and learned his trade with his father. 
In 1876, he went to Denver, Colorado, expect- 
ing to engage in the manufacturing business in 
that State. Becoming satisfied that the invest- 
ment would not be a judicious one, he went to 
Georgetown, of that State, where, upon the 
opening of the Merchants' Bank of that town, 
he took the position of cashier. Six months 
later, when their charter was changed to the 
Merchants' National Bank, he still retained 
his position. In the winter of 1878. his health 
became so poor as to oblige him to resign, 
after which he returned to Canton. He has 
made two trips to Europe : first, in 1872, and 
again in 1874. He is a member of Canton 
Commandery No. 4, and — a bachelor. James 
Bobbins, the younger brother, has spent most 
of his life in Canton, After enjoying the ad- 
vantage of the schools of Canton, he attended 
and graduated from the Iron City Business 
College of Pittsburgh. John, Jr., also grad- 
uated from the same college. James is a quiet, 
unassuming kind of man. yet endowed with 
muiii cncigy, and something of his ancestors' 
dotcruiinati(}n to succeed. All the detads of 
the business are familiar to him, and everyday 
finds him busy at his post. He is a member 
of Eagle Lodge, No. 431, A., F. & A. M. 

JOHN P. BEX, merchant. Canton, who, so 
far as can be learned, has now been connected 
with the mercantile interests of Canton for a 
greater number of years than any of the mer- 
chants now engaged in active business, is a 
native of Canton, and was born on Feb. 3, 1816. 
The name of Bex is of English origin, and so 
far back as the genealogy of the family may be 
traced, Mr. Bex is a descendant of one of four 
brotlicrs wiio emigrated from England, one of 
whom stlUi^l in the South, and the other three 
in I'ciHisyh unia. A tracement of the line of 
descent shows Mr. Bex to lie a descendant of 
the one of these brothers who settled in North- 
tunpton, Penn. The father of John P., Mr. 
Jacob Bex, became a resident of Canton as 
earlj- as 1815, Heat once engaged in the busi- 
ness of tailoring, which he conducted for many 
years. He was a man who became an active 
member of the community. Always temper- 
ate, he early became identified with and be- 
came an active, earnest worker in church affairs. 
He was one of the organizers of the German 
Lutheran Church, though he subsequently be- 



~^ a) ''>• 



4v 



( ITV OF CANTON. 



t>27 



caiiii^ a im-mbL'i- of tiie ^Methodist Episcopal 
Cliurcli. with wliicli he was conni-'eted at his 
death, wliicli occurred in the spring of 187G, 
aged 83 years. John P. received most of iiis 
education through tiie old subscription system, 
and early learned the trade of a tailor with his 
father, and. in l.'^40. hecanie interested with 
hiin in liusiuess at the old stand, which is still 
occupied as a merchant tailoring establishment, 
and conducted by John K. Rex it Company. 
Tlie members of the firm being none others 
than John P. and his .son. John K.. the latter 
l)eing the active member of the linn and his 
father's successor, after the manner of the chan ne 
in the firm of one generation preceding him. 
John P. has never been an active politician, 
though he has repeatedly been urged to become 
a candidate for diflerenl oHices in the county. 
He has taken a deep interest in all affairs per- 
taining to the growth of Canton and the pros- 
perity of her citizens. He has been successful 
without becoming conspicuous, and the result 
of his industry and frugality has been a com- 
petency. He is recognized as one of Canton's 
oldest merchants, and is held in high esteem 
liy the community, as one of its successful and 
honored citizens, 

J(JHN N. R.V.MSEY, County Auditor, Can- 
ton ; successor to William .\. Creech, for a three 
years' term of Auditor of Stark County ; is a 
native of Lawrence Co., Fenn. His early life 
was spent on a farm, but after having acquired 
a fair education he engaged in teaching school, 
which was his first venture in business on his 
ow;n account. In 1855. he came to Stark 
County and settled in Alliance. He had learned 
the trade of a carpenter, and for about two 
years following his locating in that place he 
was engaged in cai'penter's work. He then be- 
gan merchandising, in which he was engaged 
for about two years, when he again resumed 
car|ientcring. His next step was to engage in 
the Imsincsss of merchant tailoring. Again he 
changed to carpentering and contracting, and 
also in the business of undertaking. Since be- 
coming a resident of the county he has taken 
more or less of an active part in political affairs. 
His friendship sought, and his true worth 
learned bv leading and prominent men of the 
county, he was led to consent to becoming the 
Republican candidate for the office of honor 
and trust that he now occupies, to which he 
was elected by a majority of 250 votes, and 



entered upon the discharge of his duties on 
Nov. 0. 1880. In 1859. he was mairied to Miss 
Mar}' A., daughter of Samuel A. Rockhill. an 
old and prominent pioneer of Stark (bounty. In 
1858, he joined Alliance Lodge, No. 2(12. of the 
L (). 0. F., with which order he is still identi- 
fied. He is also a member of the (Iraud I,(i<lgi' 
of the State. 

DR. W. K. RIIKENBROD. physician, Can- 
ton : was born in Carrollton. Carroll Co.. Ohio, 
Dec. 8, 185(1. where he lived twelve years, when 
his parents moved to Salem. He remaiueil at 
that place receiving his education in the I'nion 
Schools, and came to Canton in 1875. He was 
apprenticed to the machinist's trade at the age 
of 17, at the Buckeye Kngine Works at Salem, 
completing his apprenticeshi)) in three years, 
when he commenced reading medicine ( in 1870) 
with Dr. R. B. Rush of Salem, and graduated 
in 1875 from the Pulte Medical College of Cin- 
cinnati, and while at Cincinnati he also took the 
Clinical Course at the Cincinnati Hospital. For 
two years previous to his graduation, lu; prac- 
ticed under Dr. Rush, and for a few months 
after graduating, he had charge of Dr. Rush's : 
practice during his absence in Europe. After ; 
the return of Dr. Rush he came to Canton ( in 
the fall of 1875) and has practiced here 
since. He is a member of the American Insti- I 
tute of Homtt'opathy : Homieopathic Medical 
Society of Ohio, and Honifeopathic Medical So- j 
ciety of Northeastern Ohio ; of the latter he ; 
has served as Secretary, and is now its Presi- 
dent. July 11.1878, he married .Miss Kate i 
Jackson, a daughter of Mr. C. H. Jackson, of 
Canton. Ohio. They have one child — Cor- ' 
nelius. i 

WILLIAM W. RKED, farmer: PC, Canton; ' 
was born in Canton Nov. 6, 1828; son of John j 
and Jlary ( Poyser) Reed, natives of Maryland j 
and Pennsylvania. The former came to this I 
county in ISl.S. with his parents, who settled ! 
in Sugar Creek Township, iiis fatlicr being the 
third permanent settler — he lived there until 
his death at the advanced age of 84 years, i 
John Reed, the father of our subject, was a | 
harness-maker, and alter remaining at home 
some years after his majority, came to Canton 
and engaged in the first shop of that kind in j 
the place. After the death of his father his j 
mother came to Canton and made her home 
with him until her death. He died in Canton j 
at the age of 83, a respected citizen. His wife I 



■VK- 



638 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



died a few j'ears previous at tiie age of 75 years. 
William W. lived at home until he was 22, re- 
ceiving a limited education in the schools of 
the time. At the age of 14 he went into his 
father's shop and soon became master of the 
trade. He was married in July, 1850, to Miss 
Elizabeth A. Wise, a native of Stark County. 
Her father, Adam Wise, came from Pennsylvania 
and settled in Plain Township at an early daj-, 
being one of the pioneers of that localitj'. Our 
subject farmed three years near Canton after 
his marriage, when he moved to Plain Town- 
ship and engaged in farming, remaining there 
five years and then returning to Canton, and 
engaging again at his trade, continuing the 
same until 1880, when he retired, and has since 
devoted his time to his farming interests. Witli 
the exception of six jears in the School Board, 
he has held no office. He was a Whig, and 
Republican after the organization of the party; 
was anti-slavery in his views, and a member of 
the Baptist Church for many jears. He iiad a 
family of seven children, five of whom are liv- 
ing, viz.: Joseph. Edward, Alice, William and 
Harry. 

DAVID RAUK, miller, Buckeye Mills, Can- 
ton ; was born in Franklin Co., Penn., Oct, 23, 
1835. His father was a miller, and when our 
subject was 12 ^ears old, they moved to Fulton 
Co., Penn., where his father ran a mill, he 
working in it also. In 1851, they moved to 
Summit Co., Ohio, conducting the milling busi- 
ness, and also farming in the south part of the 
county. After working in mills in different places 
in Summit and Stark Cos., includingseveral years 
in Massillon, he came to Canton, and, in com- 
pany with his brother Henrj-, bought the pres- 
ent Buckeye Mills, which contain six run of 
buhrs In 1878, suljject bought out his brother, 
and conducted it alone until Jan. 1, 1881, when 
he sold a half interest to his brother Elliott 
and his brother-in-law, Z. S. Mahon. He was 
married May 30, 18G6, to Miss Margaret J. 
Mahon. They have five children, viz.: Ira M., 
Otis M., Levett M.. Oran W. and Irma. all of 
whom are at home. 

UPTON W. RAUK, firm of Corl & Rank, 
Canton City Mills, Canton; is a native of Penn- 
sylvania : he was born in Franklin Co. Nov. 
20, 1849, and came to Stark Co., Ohio, with his 
parents in 1851. Our subject was principal]}' 
raised on a farm; his father was a miller, and 
also carried on a farm. In 1870, U. W. went 



into his brother's mill at Massillon, to learn the 
trade, after whicli, in company with John Davis, 
he took charge of the Union Mills of Massillon, 
which they continued two years. He then 
came to Canton, and engaged in the fiour and 
feed business, in company with his father. After 
one year, he went to Cleveland and conducted 
the tlour and feed business for three years; the 
two latter years on his own account. He then 
came to Canton, and, in company with his 
brother-in-law. Mr. Corl, bought the Canton 
Cit}' Mills, whicli have five run of stone, and a 
capacity of sixty barrels daily. 

WILLIAM RAUK. foreman paint depart- 
ment C. Aultmau & Co., Canton ; is a native of 
Canton, Ohio, and was born Sept. 20, 1832; is the 
second of eleven children born to (reorge and 
Henrietta (Emich) Rank. Subject lived at 
home and was brought up to the carpenter's 
trade, receiving, in the meantime, a common 
school education. At 19, he began working at 
painting, which liusine.ss he has ever since fol- 
lowed. In 1858, he engaged with C. Aultmau 
& Company, working at painting in their shops, 
and soon after he was made foreman, a position 
he still holds, and fills acceptably. Of late 
years, there are from fifty to sixty men in his 
department. In 1864, he enlisted in the 162d 
0. N. G., and served 100 days, and was 1st Ser- 
geant of Co. B. Jan. 19, 1860, he was married 
to Miss Mar}- M. Chilson, a native of Astabula 
Co. By this marriage there was one child — 
Warren A. He is Republican in politics, and 
an attendant at the Presbyterian Church, but 
not a member. 

JOHN F. RAYNOLDS, proprietor and 
manager of Canton Gaslight Co., was born 
Nov. 26, 1817, in Canton, and is the third in 
the family of six children, born to William and 
Betsey S. (Fisk) Raynolds, who were natives of 
Virginia and Rhode Island respectively. His 
father was born in 1789. and was the son of 
Maj. William Raynolds, a native of Virginia, 
and came to Ohio in 1802, settling in Zanes- 
ville. He served in Gen. Cass' Brigade, and 
was at the surrender of Hull at Detroit, where 
he contracted a disease from which he died in 
1814. He was living at Zanesville when he 
volunteered under Cass, and w^as Captain of a 
companj' of volunteer infontry which he raised. 
His .son, William, came to Stark Co. when a 
young man, about 1808, and in 1811 was mar- 
ried to Elizabeth Fisk, a daughter of John 



t^ 



CITY OF CANTON. 



6-^9 



Fisk, a sea captain from Baltimore, who came 
to Stark Co. in 1810 to invest in lands. After 
a few years he started again for the sea, but 
died in Baltimore about tlie year 1810. His 
remains were afterward brought to Canton. 
Afti'r marriage >Ir. Raynolds dealt in lands, and 
built the large Hour and woolen mill, two miles 
south of Canton. He served as Deputy Clerk 
and Recorder for James Harris, his brother-in- 
law, who upon coming of age was appointed 
Clerk and Recorder. M. R. had six children — 
George died in Akron ; Rebecca married Dr. 
Wallace, of Canton, and both are dead ; J. F. ; 
Win. v., Colonel of Engineer Corps ; Harris ; 
and Cora, deceased. John F. lived at home until 
he was 12 years of age, when his father died. Ho 
then went to live with his uncle, two miles south 
of Canton, remaining there until 18 years of age, 
cleiking in tiie store and attending school a few 
terms, and one three montirs term at an acad- 
emy, that being the whole amount of his 
schooling. When 18. he went to New York 
City, and clerked in a wholesale store one year, 
when he returned to Canton, and engaged in 
the dry goods business on his own account. He 
afterward spent five years in business at Canal 
Fulton, then returned to Canton, resuming his 
old business, dr}- goods, and afterward em- 
barked in hardware, continuing until 1869. In 
iSSfi, he organized and built the Canton Gas- 
light & Coke Co., of which he was President, 
withdrawing some years later. In 1869, he 
bought the remaining stock of the Gasliglit 
Company, and has since had the entire control 
of the business. He was a Whig, and then a 
Republican, in politics, and decidedh" anti-sla- 
ver}-. He has been a member of the Presby- 
Church for thirty years. He was married April 
23. 1839, to Miss" Margaret Faber, a native of 
Franklin Co., Penn. They have had seven 
children, four of whom are living. 

MADISON RAYNOLDS, retired. Canton; 
was born in /anesville, Ohio, March 20, 1808, 
and is a son of William and Elizabeth (.Miller) 
Raynolds, who were natives of Virginia, where 
they were married in the year 1S02. With a 
family of four children, they started for the 
Scioto Valle\', Ohio, wiiere a brother and sister 
of Mrs. Raynolds lived. But owing to the in- 
clemency of the season they stopped at Zancs- 
ville, where they lived until the death of .Mr. 
Raynolds in 1814. During the war of 1812, 
he raised a company of infantry, of which he 



was made Captain. He served under Gen. 
Cass, rose to the rank of Major anti was at 
Hull's surrender at Detroit. His son George 
was also in the arm}', serving in a compan\' of 
calvary. After Major Raynolds death, his 
widow came to Canton, where she lived until 
her death. May 20, 1843, aged upward of 70 
years. Madison, our subject, was raised in 
Zanesville until he was 8 years old, when he 
came to Canton with his mother, as above. He 
lived here until he was 15, when he went to 
Judge Henrj's and clerked in his store aliout 
six months, then he went to Steubenville, re- 
maining there about six months in a store. He 
next went with his brother-in-law, John Laird, 
to Dover, now Dalton, where thej- were en- 
gaged for two years in mercantile business, 
when he returned to Canton. Here, in com- 
pany with John Harris, he openeti a store on 
tlie west half of the present court house lot. 
He was identified with the mercantile business 
of Canton for some thirty years, retiring from 
the business about the year 1853, and entering 
into the grain trade ; he and Mr. Kaufman 
building the " one hundred mile warehouse." 
Mr. Raynolds remained in the grain trade some 
eight or ten years, when he became actuary of 
the Eagle Woolen .Mills, and after two years 
retired from active; business life. Sept. 29, 
1833, he was married to Miss Sarah Slusser. a 
native of Canton. By this marriage there 
were seven children, four of whom are living, 
viz.: Jefferson lives at Las Vega, New Mexico ; 
Joshua S., Georgetown, Colo. ; Frederick .\., 
Caiion City, Colo., and Albert II. All are mar- 
ried except the latter, and all are bankers. Mr. 
Ra^'nolds has always been a Whig and Republi- 
can in politics. His wife is a Presbyterian, and 
he attends the same church though not a mem 
ber. 

JOHN P. RAUCH, of J. P. Ranch & Co.. 
millers. Canton ; is a native of Columbiana 
Co., Ohio. He was born Aug. 31, 1840, and 
came to Paris, Stark Co., with his parents in 
tlie spring of 1847. He is the second in a 
family of nine children born to John Peter and 
Sarah (Smith) Ranch. They were natives of 
Lehigh Co., Penn., and Columbiana Co., Ohio. 
He was a farmer, and moved to Columbiana 
Co., Ohio, in tlie year 1812. and to Stark Co. in 
1847. He was injured in a horse-power wliile 
threshing, and died from the etlects in 1865. 
Mrs. Eauch is now living in Canton. Our sub- 



:^ 



630 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



ject remained at home on the farm twenty-eight 
years. He received a course of study in the 
district schools ; also at the unii^n schools of 
Lisbon, Ohio. He also taught in all some eight 
terms. September 17, 1868, he married Miss 
(iraj', a native of Columbiana Co.. Ohio. 
He then assisted on his father-in-law's farm, 
and bought and shipped fruit East. In Janu- 
ary, 1876, he came to Canton and entered the 
duties of the office of County SheritI'. he being 
elected on the Democratic ticket,and was re-elect- 
ed in 1877. Since the expiration of his term of 
office, he has been interested as a partner in the 
milling business, the firm of J. 1'. Ranch & Co. 
conducting the Stark Mills. At the Democrat- 
ic County Convention of 1881, he was nomi- 
nated for County Treasurer. By the marriage 
there are five children — Bertha (t.. Anna M., 
William W.. Ruth A. and Helen. 

GEORGE REX, Assistant Superintendent 
at C. Aultman & Co., Canton ; is a native of 
Canton, Ohio. He was born April 26, 1842, 
and received his schooling in his native city. 
At the age of 18, he apprenticed with C. Ault- 
man & Co. as a machinist, and in August, 
1862. he enlisted in the llfjth 0. V. L, continu- 
ing in service until June 25, 1865, when he was 
mustered out. and returned to Canton, resum- 
ing his place with C. Aultman & Co., and has 
continued with the company since, having held 
the positions of inspector, foreman of finishing 
department, and, for the past five or six years,' 
his present position. 

WASHINGTON R. REEVES, retired. Can- 
ton ; is a native of Greene Co., Penn.; he was 
born May H, 1817. His parents, William and 
Elizabeth (Ihnstead) Reeves, moved to Holmes 
Co., Ohio, in 1821, where William Reeves died 
the following year ; Mrs. Reeves afterward 
married Mr. John Brown; they finally settled 
at Old Rochester, where the^' died. Some three 
or four years after his father's death, our sub- 
ject was bound out to John Garver. at Rogers- 
ville, and lived there seven years, when, after 
living one year with his step-father, he went to 
Massillon, where he apprenticed to the carpen- 
ter's trade ; his health failing some two years 
later, he went to his brother's, in Pennsylvania, 
and learned the stone cutting trade. In 1837, 
he came to Navarre, Ohio ; in 1838. he cut stone 
for the aqueduct on the canal at Dresden. 
April 7, 1839, he married Miss .\nn Baxter, a 
native of Canton, Ohio ; he then lived in Can- 



ton one year, thence moved to- Salem, thence to 
Navarre, working in the foundry for William 
L. Wann some ten years, being Superintendent 
some seven or eight years of that time ; he then 
carried on the saw-mill business in Tuscarawas 
and Franklin Counties some six years, when he 
came to' Canton, and began work as a hand in 
the foundry of John Laird, and after one year 
he became foreman, which office he held six 
years; he then, in company with Mr. David 
Hammond, began building iron bridges, work- 
ing in Laird's foundry, and later built a shop 
of their own, still later forming a stock com- 
pany, in which our subject continued his inter- 
est until about 1870 ; duiing his connection 
with the business he served as Superintendent ; 
the business is now known as the Canton Iron 
Bridge Company. In May, 1881, Mr. Reeves 
passed his 50th year since he first came to 
Stark Co. He is a Rei)ublican in politics. 

SAMUEL H. ROCKHILL, Prmcipal S. W. 
Grammar School, Canton ; is a native of Stark 
Co., Ohio ; he was born Nov. 10, 1835, and is the 
tenth child born to Samuel A. and Nancy (Bryan) 
Rockhill, who had twelve children ; they were 
natives of Burlington Co., N. J., and were early 
settlers in Stark Co., Ohio. Our subject lived 
at home with his parents until he was about 17 
years of age ; he received a course of study in 
the district schools, and at the age of 1 7 began 
teaching school, from that time on taking care 
of himself teaching winters, and attending 
school summers, for some ten years, during 
which time he took an extended course of study 
in the Mt. Union Seminary. At about the age 
of 27. he began farming and dealing in stock. 
In August, 1865, he married Miss Maggie King, 
a native of Chester Co., Penn.; she came to 
Mahoning Co., Ohio, with her parents, and was 
engaged in teaching in Stark Co. at the time of 
her marriage. Our subject continued his busi- 
ness about seven years after his marriage, when 
he came to Canton and engaged in the grocer^' 
business with George W. Lawrence ; the}' con- 
tinued three years ; he then went to New Jer- 
sey, and farmed for three years in Camden Co., 
where he yet owns a farm which he conducts, 
hiring the labor, and raising sweet potatoes, 
furnishing about 100 barrels per annum to the 
Canton market. From New Jersey he returned 
to Canton, and took charge of his school, which 
he has taught since. In Januar\', 1881, he 
became a partner in the firm of Erwin & Co., 



CITY OF CAXTOX. 



G:n 



doing a furniture business in Canton. Mr. 
Hoekliill lias a family of three children, viz. : 
Charles S., Harry K. and Mary F. 

HARRIS RAYNOLDS (deceased), was a son 
of AVilliam and Betsy S. (Fisk) Ravnolds, men- 
tioned elsewhere in this work. Our subject 
was liorn in Canton. Ohio, and reared in his 
native city, where he became identified with its 
mercantile interests for many years, and, linallj-, 
owing to failint: health, he engaged in farming, 
after which he returned to Canton, where he 
lived mainly retired from active business until 
his death, in May. 1878. Mrs. Isabella Raynolds, 
his wife, was a daughter of Thomas and Isabella 
(McConnel) Commins ; she was born in Pennsyl- 
vania, near Shippensburg. in 1831, and came to 
Massillon, Stark Co., Ohio, in 1 832. Her father 
conducted the mercantile business in that city, 
and was also identified with the milling interests 
of that vicinity : he was a soldier in the war of 
1812. and in later years moved to Iowa, where 
he died. Mrs. Raynolds and her two children 
are living in the old home at Canton. 

HORACE SOMKRS. druggist, Canton. 
.Vmong the young and enterprising business 
men of Canton we find none more worthy of 
mention than the subject of this sketch. He is 
a native vt' the Buckeye Slate ; has had the 
advantages in education of a classical course in 
the I'niversity of Wooster, and of an advanced 
course in chemistry. In business life, he began 
as a clerk in a drug store in Burbank. Wayne 
Co.. going from there to Delavan, Ohio, where 
he was engaged in the same capacity and busi- 
ness for three years ; and then in Philadelphia, 
where for a short period he was engaged in the 
iitail drug trade. In 1880, his business con- 
nection with Canton commenced, and is proving 
successful and increasing. His place of busi- 
ness is at 59 Fast Tuscarawas street.where he has 
a pleasant room, and an extensive and complete 
stock of drugs, medicines and sundries. Mr. 
Somers is a j)leasant and agreeable gentleman, 
possessing good business attributes, and en- 
dowed with enter|)rising ideas, which will, in 
time, place him in the front rank among the 
successful self-made business men of Canton. 

HON. THOMAS C. SNYDER, manufact- 
urer of iron roofing. Canton, and the present 
member of Legislature from Stark Co.; is a 
native of Trumbull Co., born in 1843. He is a 
son of John aud Anna Snyder, who were farmers 
in that county, and upon the farm our subject 



passed the years prior to manhood. He re- 
ceived an academic education, and was an early 
volunteer in the late service. His first enlist- 
ment was in Co. A, 41st O. X. I., but after 
being in service a few months, was taken sick, 
and after lying in the hospital for a few months, 
was discharged, one year from time of enlist- 
ment. Returning home, he engaged in teaching 
school, and in the winter buying arnij' horses, 
at which he continued until 1864. when he 
again enlisted in the service, becoming a mem- 
ber of the 171st Regulars, in the 100-day serv- 
ice, serving 120 days, during which time he 
was taken prisoner, but was soon after released. 
I'pon receiving his discharge, in August, 18G4, 
he rc-enlisti-d immediately in Co. G, of ihe 
177th O. \'. I., and remained in service until 
the close of the war, participating in the en- 
gagxments at Shelliyville Pike, siege of Nash- 
ville. Fort Anderson, Town Creek, Wilmington 
and many other minor skirmishes. He was at 
the time of his discharge First Sergeant, re- 
ceiving his papers in June. 18((5. at Wilmington. 
Ijion returning to his home in Ohio, he em- 
barked in oil speculation, which j)roved dis- 
astrous. His health at this time was quite 
precarious, and for many years it afflicted him 
so as to unfit him for active business life. 
After teaching school fbra number of years he, 
in 1869, in connection with other parties, 
leased some coal land in Trumbull Co., Ohio, 
and Mercer Co.. Penn.. which were operated 
until 1872, when became to Stark Co., locating 
at Waynesburgh, where he acted as agent for a 
companj' of gentlemen operating coal lands 
there, until the spring of 1873, when he bought 
the mines and operated them for three years, 
selling out in 1876. which closed his coal opera- 
tions, lie then engaged in the manufacture of 
iron roofing, in Waynesburgh, under the firm 
name of T. C. Snyder & Co., continuing there 
until January, 1880, when he removed this 
busine^^s to Canton, which presented a. larger 
field and better facilities, since which time he 
has been a resident of Canton, superintending 
his business, which has increa.sed until his 
goods are shipped to nearly all the States. 
While a resident of Waynesburgh, Mr. Snyder 
served as Justice of the I'eace four years, re- 
signing upon being elected to the Legislature. 
In 1879, he was nominated and elected to 
represent Stark Co. in the State Legislature, 
and is now (1881) a candidate for re-election. 



6:« 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



During his term in the Legislature he has 
served the people with fidelity and zeal. He 
has championed the cause of the miners of the 
State, securing a revision of the mining laws ; 
also was an active Mgent in securing for the 
State the St. Clair papers, consisting of letters 
from Washington, La Fayette, Gen. Greene and 
others, which furnished some missing linlis in 
history. He also secured the passage of the 
vitriol bill, making the throwing of vitriol a 
felony ; and at all times has, by his honorable 
course and habits, commanded the respect and 
esteem of his fellow-members in the House. 
He is a member of Eagle Masonic Lodge and 
Nimissilla Lodge I. O. O. F. As a citizen and 
business man he ranks as one of the most pro- 
gressive and enterprising, and has, by his 
genial and courteous manner, won hosts of 
friends all f)ver the State. 

JOHN SClt( X ;( ;S (deceased), who was among 
the earliest of the Tuscarawas street business 
men of Canton, was born in the city of Balti- 
more, Maryland, June 9, 1794. But little of 
the surroundings of his early life are known. 
During the war of 1812, he enlisted in the de- 
fense of his native country, and was engaged 
in the bombardment of Ft. McHenry and North 
Point. After the close of his militar}' service, 
he came to Ohio and settled at New Lisbon, 
where on May 8, 1822, he was married to Miss 
Anna Shawke. The jear following this event 
they moved to Canton, where Mr. Scroggs en- 
gaged in the mercantile business, conducting 
the same successfully until 1839, when he 
removed to Bucyrus. where he resided until his 
death, which occurred in 1861. Of the four 
sons and two daughters born to them, but two 
of the former and one of the latter are now 
living ; Jacob, an attorney and for mauj- years 
connected with the Crawford County bar ; Jack, 
also an attorney, and now a resident of Wyan- 
dotte. Kansas. The daughter, Mrs, Mary Giles, 
with whom her mother, now in her 84th year, 
resides, is a resident of Freeport, 111, 

JOHN SLUSSER. whose portrait appears 
in this work, was born in Cumberland County, 
Penn., Sept. 9, 1790. His fatlier, Philip Schlos- 
ser, came to Stark County in 1805, with a fam- 
ily of ten children, five .sons and five daughters, 
all deceased save one, Mrs. Jacob Danner, now 
in her 79th year. All are buried in Stark 
Count}', excepting the eldest sou Philip, who 
removed with his family to Illinois, over forty 



years ago. It is doubtful whether any other 
family have as many of the connection interred 
in the county. Thej- were among the first set- 
tlers ; in fact, were here several years before 
the county was organized. It was then the 
Western frontier ; Indians were numerous, and 
dwellings of the whites few and fivr between. 
The now flourishing city of Canton consisted 
of less than half a dozen log cabins, only two 
of which were occupied. Phillip Schlosser, 
the father, built the first grist-mill in the county. 
It was on the site now occupied by the East 
Canton Mill, where Ninth street crosses Nimi- 
shillen Creek. He erected a saw-mill the year 
before, and it was as manager of this that the 
subject of our memoir dates the commence- 
ment of his career with the outside world. But 
16 years of age, with ver}- limited education 
and no experience, he was yet required to take 
all the responsibility involved in dealing with 
new settlers, all clamorous for accommodation. 
He often referred to it as an experience that 
proved of practical utility in after j'ears. In 
keeping the saw-mill in repair, and occasionally 
assisting the millwright while working on the 
grist-mill, he acquired considerable skill in the 
use of wood tools, and as emigrants arrived in 
the neighborhood, and wanted certain articles 
for domestic use, such as a dough-traj', table or 
cupboard, there being no cabinet-maker within 
reach, he was solicited to make them. In this 
way, without having served an apprenticeship 
at the trade, he became a cabinet-maker. Dur- 
ing the last war with England, when there was 
a call for troops from this section, Mr. Slusser, 
then 22 years of age, enlisted. While near 
Sandusky he was taken with a fever, which 
seriously impaired his constitution. Soon after 
his muster-out, he married Nancy Dewalt, 
daughter of Phillip Dewalt, who came from 
Dauphin Count}', Penn., and settled in Canton 
in 1807. His father gave him a portion of 
Sec. 4 (now in the city limits) which he had 
previously purchased of Government, and upon 
this he erected a frame dwelling house, and a 
work-shop. Here he remained, following the 
trade of cabinet-maker for a number of years. 
The bureaus and clock-cases of his make that 
have been handed down through several gene- 
rations, yet in good state of preservation, attest 
the workmanlike manner of their construction. 
In 1825, he exchanged his property for a two- 
story brick house, and lot, corner of Tuscarawas 



CITY OF CANTON. 



6;!S 



aiid Piedmont, belonging to and occupied bj' 
John Wobb. Soon after removing to town, he 
engaged in merchandising, and in company witii 
several other merchants, rode on horseliack to 
Philadelphia and New York, and with their 
assistance, purchased a stock of miscellaneous 
goods, such as were kept in stock by merchants 
at that day. Ho continued in this business 
until 1850, accumulating considerable means, 
most of which he invested in western lands. 
In 18S3. lie sank a tan-yard on the lot now oc- 
cupied by the Connotton depot. Mr. Slusser 
was twice married. Ilis first wife died in 1S42. 
They had seven children —Sarah, the eldest, is 
the wife of Madison Raynolds ; Samuel I), and 
Lewis are living in Canton ; Mary and Alfred 
died of scarlet fever in \KVi : John died in 
South Carolina in 1800, and Rebecca, the young- 
est, is the wife of David Zoltars. ilr. Slusser 
married a second wife, Mrs. Catharine Whitman, 
in 1843, but by her he had no issue ; she died 
in 1879. Mr. Slusser died in 1859, lespected 
by all who knew him, as an iionest, upright 
man. 

LOUIS SCH.VKFKR, attorney. Canton ; was 
born in the department of tiic Moselle, France, 
Dec. 25, 1815, and is the son of Philip and 
Catharine (Loehr) Schaefer. lie was educated 
chiefly at the schools of liis native place, and 
also received much valuable instruction from 
his father, who was a teacher l)y profession. He 
came with his parents to this country in 18150, 
and located in Stark Co. He stu(lie<l law in 
the ottice of (iriswokl & (Jrant, in Canton, and 
was admitted to practice in 1842. In the fall 
of 1848, he was tendered, by the friends of the 
administration of John Tyler, the Secretary- 
ship of the Legation to France, which, for 
validj-easons, he respectfully declined. Although 
closely devoted to his legal pursuits, he lias 
ever taken a [irosninent and active part in ad- 
vancing the interests of his adopted city. He 
was for many years connected with the City 
Council of Canton, and also for a considerable 
period with the Board of Kducation. and 
devoted much of his time to the welfare of the 
public sciiools. In the establishment of tiie 
Canton (^ity Water- Works. Mr. Schaefer was the 
leading spirit. J. L. Pillshury, civil engineer 
of tliat enterprise, thus speaks of Mr. Schaefer 
in his official report : '• In concluding this final 
report of the condition of the water-works, I 
wish U> render a just tribute to the originator 



of the scheme, Louis Schaefer, Esq,, who sug- 
gested it, and worked it up to completion, in 
the face of all discouragements, personal and 
financial, and who, without compensation, devot- 
ed his entire time to the work, and who, with mo- 
tives impugned, and factional influence to com- 
bat, kept the project running steadily onward, 
until now he has the satisfaction of seeing the i 
work he labored so long for, completed, and in 
successful operation. We only state what ever}' 
citizen knows to Ijc true, in saying, that to his 
general knowledge of the subject, and unre- 
mitting labors in the Council, in financial circles 
antl in the field, the Canton City Water- Works 
unquestionally owes their existence." Mr. 
Shatter was also prominenth' active in securing 
the passage of tlie bill .'lutliorizing the C<iunty 
Commissioners to build court houses, and the 
present Stark County Court House was the 
first one erected under that law, and he was 
ver^' efficient in pushing the enterprise to com- 
pletion. In 1807, Mr. Schaefer erected his fine 
business block, which includes the Shaffer 
Opera House. Owing mainly to his eftbrts, sev- 
eral large manufacturing establishments have 
been added to the industries of Canton. In 
1866, he was a candidate on the Democratic 
ticket for Congress, although, as a rule, he has 
not sought political preferment. He repre- 
sented the Seventeenth Ohio District on the 
Commission sent to Washington City to demand 
the release of ^^allandigham. In May. 1849, 
he married Catharine .\nna. daughter of Rev. 
Stephen A. Mealy, of Savannah, (ia. She 
was an estimable lady of more than ordinary 
intelligence and accomplishments. She died 
Aug. 17. 1879. having been the mother of 
three children. Louis M. wa.s educated in 
Kenyon ('ollege, Oambier. Ohio, studied law 
with his father, and was admitted to the bar in 
Septeml)er, 1877. Mary E. is the wife of 
William H. Day, of the law firm of Lynch, 
Day i.«t Lynch, of Canton, Ohio. .Mice L.. the 
second daughter, died in 1874. aged 21 years. 

CKN. (JEORGK STI DOER (deceased), who 
was among the most prominent of Stark 
County s pioneers, was l)orn in Raltimore. Md., 
Oct. 9. 1781. His father was a native of (ier- 
many, and his mother of Holland, though they 
became residents of Baltimore during the early 
part of their lives. As was customary in those 
days, Oen, Stidger, when a boy, learned a trade 
—that of a hatt«r. But little of the surround- 



V* 



6:ii 



lIOGlJArHICAL SKETCHES: 



ings of his earl}' life are known. In 1806, he 
beeanie a resident of Canton, where he em- 
barked in the mercantile business. He was 
married in New Lisbon, Columbiana Co., Ohio, 
to Miss Mary lleiley. Ten children were born 
to them, of whom are Mrs. M. A. Lester and 
Mrs. Julius Whiting, both ladies of the highest 
circle of societj' of Canton. (Jen. Stidger con- 
tinued the mercantile business until his death, 
which occurred on Sept. 29, 1826, during a trip 
t) Eastern markets to bu}- a supply- of goods. 
In his death. Canton lost one of her most 
enterprising spirits. In the war of 1812, he 
entered the service of his country as a Captain. 
His braver}' and gallant soldierly conduct soon 
made him a fit subject for promotion, and he 
rose rapidly to the rank of (xeneral, by Avhich 
title his name is familiar to the citizens of 
Stark Co. 

JOHN SAXTON (deceased), who was editor 
and founder of the Ohio Riposi/orij, Canton, 
Ohio, was born in Huntingdon Co., Penn., Sept. 
28, 1792. and died in Canton. Ohio, April 16, 
1871. He was the oldest of a large family, 
and learned the printer's trade when he was a 
boy. Early in 1815, he came to Ohio, and. 
li)cating in Canton, started the O/iio I'lpositoi-i/. 
in .March of that year, on which he laliored 
without interruption for tifty-six consecutive 
years. His newspaper longevity is strikingly 
illustrated by the fact that he recorded the 
final battles of both Napoleons. In 1815. he 
wrote and published the account of the battle 
of Waterloo, and the arrest of the first Napo- 
leon. In 1870, he wrote and published the ac- 
count of the battles of Sedan, and the arrest 
of Napoleon III. It is believed that not 
another man in the United States has labored 
so long and on one newspaper. He was a 
soldier in the war of 1812, and while on garri- 
son duty at Black Rock, near Bufi'alo, partially 
lost his hearing. In the discharge from duty, 
he was under a large cannon, when a soldier 
fired it oft', and the concussion occasioned this 
loss. During the whole time he was connected 
with the Repository, he was unremitting in his 
application to duty, and was constantl}' active 
in the otHce up to within a short time before his 
death. The causes that sustained and pro- 
longed his life and activit}' were a good con- 
stitution, regular and temperate habits and a 
quiet conscience. He belonged to the Anti- 
Federalists, which was, in his earl}' manhood. 



the Republican party. Subsequently he was a 
Whig, and, after the dissolution of that party, 
he espoused the principles of the present Re- 
publican party soon after its organization. He 
voted for the following Presidential candidates : 
Madison. Monroe, Adams, Clay in 1832, Harri- 
son in 1836 and in 1840. Clay again in 1844, 
Taylor, Scott, Fremont, Lincoln in 1860-64, 
and Grant in 1868. For several years in each 
he served as Auditor and Treasurer of Stark 
Co., and also Postmaster at Canton. Not less 
noted for regularity and well-sustained con- 
sistency were his church relations. He was 
one of the oldest members of the Presbyterian 
Church at Canton ; was elected Ruling Elder in 
1837, and retained that position until his death, 
and had not been absent from Church dut}' for 
forty years, unless detained by sickness. He 
arranged his business and the day of publica- 
tion of his paper with a view of alwavs being 
present at the prayer-meeting. He possessed 
a remarkable evenness of temper, and was 
especiall}' fond of children ; he was greatly be- 
loved by them. He preached religion in his 
daily life, and was a Christian in everything. 
His was a cheerful, happy, conscientious, lov- 
ing performance of religious duty. He was, of 
all men, the kindest and most careful not to 
wound the feelings of others. All, without 
distinction of party, respected and revered him. 
His wife, Margaret Laird, he married in 1815. 
She died in 1858, having been the mother of 
nine children. Since his death, the publication 
of the Rcfjository has been eou<lucted b}' his 
j'oungest child, Thomas Wilson Saxon, who 
was born in Canton, Ohio, Oct. 9, 1831, and 
was educated in the public schools of his native 
city. At the age of 13, he entered the printing 
office of his father, passing through the various 
departments until 1851, when he became a 

j partner with his father in the paper, and has 

I been connected with it until the present time. 
In 1860, he was elected Auditor of Stark Co., 
and filled that office until August, 1862, when 
he enlisted in the army as Quartermaster of 
the 115th O. V. I., and served as such until 
Ma\', 1865, when he resigned and returned 
home. In 1867, he purchased the father's 
interest in the paper, and in 1868 the Ohio Re- 

1 positury was consolidated with the Stark Coun- 
ty Republican, under the name of the Canton 
Repository ami Republican. In Maj", 1874, tlie 

i name of the paper was changed to the Canton 



1^ 



CITY OF (AXTOX. 



6:J5 



Repositari/. its present title. It is an abl^'-con- 
ducteil d.iil^' and weeltiy journal, tiie daily 
issue having first appeared in February, 
1878. Mr. Saxton was one of tlie leaders in 
the Know-Nothing campaign of 1854. He 
espoused the cause of Republicanism upon the 
birth of that part\-, and has since been (|uite 
an active Republican |»litician. He has made 
the Reposilorij one of tlie best Republican 
journals in the State. His personal character- 
istics are those of a plain, unassuming, agreea- 
ble gentleman. On March 31, 1857, he mar- 
ried Maria S.. daughter of Samuel Slanker, 
now a retired business man of Canton, and she 
has borne him two sons — Herbert and Samuel. 

T. SI! LIJ VAN, County Treasurer, Canton ; 
became a resident of Stark Co. in 1859, and 
located at Canal Fulton, where he engaged in 
the mercantile business ; he was very success- 
ful in business, and, though beginning on a 
somewhat limited scale, by close application 
and good financiering he soon established a 
business that stood second to none in that 
lively little town. Becoming almost involun- 
tarily interested in political affairs, the position 
of a leailer in the Democratic part\' was quickly 
accorded him by his friends ; in the October 
election of 1 877, he was elected to the oflice of 
County Treasurer, and eleven months there- 
after he took formal possession of the office, 
in 188(1, he was re-elected to the same office, 
and is now actively engaged in the discharge 
of his duties. While a resident in Canal Ful- 
ton he not only became a leading merchant of 
the place, but he also took an active part in 
social and diureh affairs, and at the liuilding 
of the Catholic Church of that place he was 
one of the largest individual contributors ; 
since becoming a resident of Canton he has 
transferred his membership to St. John's Kn- 
glisli Catholic Church. 

DAVID SHKRRICK, retired farmer, Can- 
ton ; was born at Hagerstown. Md., in the year 
1807. son of John and Nancy (Wyant) Sher- 
riek, who were natives of Lancaster Co.. I'enn., 
and wore married in Washington Co., Md. ; 
they lived in Maryland a number of years, and 
removed to Pennsylvania, remaining two years, 
and then came to Ohio ; they had six children 
at the time, and came on by team. Mrs. Sherrick 
riding the entire way on horseback ; they 
settled two and a half miles southeast of Can- 
ton in ISK). where thev lived until his death, at 



the age of 75 years — she died some three 
years later ; David lived at home until he was 
about 26 years old, his education being 
limited to the schools of the time ; at 26 he 
and his brother Jacob made a raft of pine 
logs at State Line, between New York and 
Pennsylvania, which they took to Cincinnati, 
remaining there some time in the lumber busi- 
ness ; after which he located near ('anton on a 
piece of laud belonging to his father, when lie 
began manufacturing earthenware which he 
continued but a short time ; he removed to St. 
Louis soon after but did not remain long, 
returning by wagon to Dayton, Ohio, where for 
four years he followed canal boating ; in 1840, 
he returned to Canton and was engaged in 
farming and in manufacturing stoneware, and 
lived in several different neighborhoods ; iu 
1868, he moved into Canton where he has ever 
since resided. In 183(), he married Miss 
Rebecca Longstarf — she died in 1861 ; they 
had six children two of whom are living — 
Emma, now Mrs. Kitzmiller, living north of 
Canton, and John, living in Canton. 

HON. JOHNSON SHERRICK. merchant, 
Canton ; was born Aug. 28,1841, near Canton, 
Stark Co., Ohio; his father. Christian Sherrick, 
is spoken of elsewhere in this work ; our subject 
grew up and attended school in his native 
county, working on the farm in the summer 
and teaching during winters; in 1863. he went 
to St. Louis and engaged in business, but in a 
short time enlisted in the marine service, and 
was detailed for duty as a clerk on a Govern- 
ment transport ; he was taken sick and after his 
discharge taught school at Richville, Stark Co.; 
in 1870, he engaged in the hardware business, 
firm of Sherrick & Miller, which firm is yet 
doing business in Canton ; in 1873, as the first 
Democrat elected from Stark Co. for many 
}-ears, he went to the State Legislature, was 
re-elected in 1875 and in 1877, was elected to 
the State Senate for the district composed of 
Stark and Carroll Cos.. tiy a large majority , he 
was a good worker and popular with his fellow 
members. As Chairman of the Democratic 
County Central Committee and Delegate to the 
State Conventions he is highly esteemed by his 
constituents as a most useful and effective 
assistant in all campaign work. Oct. 14, 1875, 
he married Miss Charlotte, only daughter of I). 
D. Miller, of Wooster, Ohio, a highly accom- 
plished and respected lady. 



636 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



CHRISTIAN SHERRICK, retired farmer, 
P. 0. Canton; was born in Washington Co., 
Md., Nov. 8, 1812, and is a son of Jolin and 
Nancy (Wyant) Sherrick. Our subject lived at 
home until 1830, being brought up to farming, 
and receiving but a limited education in the 
common schools. In 1839, he came to Ohio, 
stopping at Da^'ton, where he engaged for two 
years in canal boating between that place and 
Cincinnati, visiting, in the meantime, New Or- 
leans, remaining one winter in the South, and 
on returning in the spring to Dayton, resumed 
boating. In the fall of 1840, he was married to 
Miss Mary Danforth, of Hamilton, Ohio, after 
which he returned to Stark Co., and located on 
a farm belonging to his father, where he lived 
two years, and then removed to the old home- 
stead farm, residing here until 1873, when he 
retired, and moved into Canton, and has lived 
here since. His wife died Dec. 8, 18G6 ; they 
had seven children, of whom six are still living, 
viz.: Johnson, Elvina, Louisa, Joseph (de- 
ceased), Jacob D. (physician), Newton, Kan. ; 
Ida M., now Mrs. William J. Hartzell, of Fort 
Wayne, Ind.. and Alvin B. Mr. Sherrick has 
always been a Democrat. 

JACOB SPIDEL, dealer in leather, hides, 
wool, etc.. Canton ; was liorn in Cumberland 
Co., Penn., Oct. 19, 1830, and is a son of Chris- 
tian and Eliza (Smith) Spidel, natives of Penn- 
sj'lvania. In 1836, they came to Ohio, and 
settled in Green Tp., then a part of Stark, 
but now in Summit Co., on a farm that was 
improved to the extent of a log house and a few 
acres of cleared land. In a short time after 
locating on this place, the father died, the 
mother remaining there until June 19, 18G1, 
when she died. They had six children, five of 
whom are still living — Eliza, now Mrs. Boden, 
of Wyandot Co.; Mary A., lives with her ; Ma- 
linda. now Mrs. Breckenridge, lives in Summit 
Co. ; Jacob (suliject), in Canton ; and Christian 
F.. in Summit Co. Jacob was raised on the 
farm until 17, receiving his education at the 
district schools ; he then apprenticed himself 
to the tanner's trade ; after serving two years 
he worked as a journeyman until 1858, when he 
went into business for himself, buying a tan- 
nery- in Wayne Co.. Ohio, where he remained in 
business until 1864 ; he then sold out, and locat- 
ed three miles north of Canton, and in 1865, 
bought a location in Canton, and moved into 
the city the following year, where he has been 



engaged in his present business ever since. 
He was married, in February, 1858, to Miss 
Elizabeth Hoover, a native of Stark Co. ; she 
died July 20, 1873, and June 8, 1875, he mar- 
ried Miss Elizabeth Bulger, a native of Penn- 
sylvania ; they had two children, one of whom 
is living — Herbert Spencer Spidel. Mr. Spidel 
is a Republican in politics. 

ANDY SCHWERTNER, boots and shoes, 
Canton. This gentleman is a native of Bohe- 
mia. Austria ; he was born Oct. 1, 1840. At 
the age of 13, he apprenticed to the shoemak- 
er's trade in the city of Vienna, where he 
worked for five years ; he then traveled in Ger- 
many, Austria and Switzerland, for one year, 
after which he remained for one j'ear at 
home. 

In 1860, he came to the United States, and 
worked four years at his trade in Pittsburgh. 
He then engaged in the produce business, ship- 
ping to that city. In 1865, he came to Canton, 
making his enUy on a farm wagon, and soon 
after Isegan work at his trade, in a small store, 
which he rented. The outlook at this time was 
certainly not favorable — a young man, far away 
from his native land, and without friends or 
money, are circumstances before which many 
would despair, but lij' his indomitable energy 
and perseverance, he made his business success- 
ful ; and instead of the little 8x10 of a few 
years ago, he now owns and occupies the com- 
modious brick store. No. 43 East Tuscarawas 
street, 21x80 feet, and carries one of the largest 
stocks in the city. He is also completing a 
brick block containing two large storerooms, 
on East Tuscarawas street, the upper two stories 
serving as an addition to the American Hotel. 
May 14, 1867, he married Miss Christina Rich- 
ard, a native of Carroll Co., Ohio. Of their 
eight children seven are living, viz.; Frank, 
August, Irwin, Flora, May, Walter and Ida. 
Though but a few years have elapsed since Mr. 
Schwertner came to Canton a strange boy, and 
without money or friends, he has, by his own 
exertions and foresight, been successful in build- 
ing up a prosperous trade, and establishing a 
reputation for industry, integritv and business 
ability, of which he may well feel proud, and 
the commodious brick buildings which he has 
erected, stand alike a beauty to the city, and a 
monument to his success. Verilj' it may be 
said, that to these self-made men are our beau- 
tiful Western cities indebted for their rapid 



^l 



fk^. 



CITY OF CANTON. 



637 



ij;n)wtli ;uk1 prospi'i-ity. wliicli luivu made them 
the wonder and eiivv of the world. 

LEONARD U. TRKS?EL, Agent for llie 
(,'onnottoii Valley U. K.. Canton ; was born in 
Carroll Co., Ohio, Sept. 3, 1889. He is the 
youngest of ten children born to Mathias and 
Catharine ( Harsh ) Tressel ; he received a good 
common school education, and spent some time 
at a select school in .Malvern. October. 1S61, 
he enlisted in Co. A. 80th O. V. I., and served 
three years. Ainong the many engagements in 
which he participated, we may mention that of 
hika. .Mis>.. the five days' tiglit at Corinth, and 
many s<'rimniages until they got in the rear of the 
army at Vicksburg ; Ft. Gibson, Raymond and 
Jackson. In the last-named place sixteen of 
his company were wounded in the feet and legs, 
and there he too received a serious wound, a ball 
passing through his left foot. He was there 
tivken prison and kept about two weeks at 
Jackson, then senttoLibby Prison, where he was 
kept for a time and paroled because of the 
serious condition of his wound. He was sent 
to the h<)S[)ital at Annapolis, .Md.. where he re- 
mained about si.\ weeks and was then sent to 
Indianopolis, Ind., on detached duty, and was 
discharged Octolier, 18ti-J. Returning to .Mal- 
vern he engaged in mercantile an(l railroad 
business, the former he discontinued, and re- 
mained in the employ of the Cleveland, I'itts- 
burgh & Wheeling Railroad Company, and re- 
mained with them until the Connotton Valley 
Railroad began to he operated, when he en- 
gaged with that company and was appointed 
Freight and Ticket Agent at Canton, coming 
here in May. 1880. He married Agnes Fishel 
.March 24, 1868. They have four children, viz.: 
Lottie, Jane. Maggie and Bertie. 

EDWIN T. THOMPSON, Agent for the 1'.. 
Ft. W. & C. R. R. Co., Canton ; was born in 
CarroUton Aug. 20, 1843. His father, John 
Thompson, was born in Pennsylvania, and re- 
moved to Ohio with his parents when (piite 
young. He settled in Centerville, now Carroll- 
ton, in 183C. He married Margaret E. Geiger, 
who was born in Eppinga. Baden, G erraany. Her 
parents emigrattnl to the I'nited States in 1810, 
When within a short distance of Baltimore 
they were caught by adverse winds and carried 
back near to the cojist of .Vfrica. After a voy- 
age of about six months they landed safely at 
Baltimore, Md. A party of emigrants. Mr. 
Conrad C. Geiger with others, hired teams from 



Raitimore to Pittsburgh, I'enn.; there the 
women and children of the party were left in a 
cabin while the men set out on foot and came 
to Stark County, Ohio, entered land, returned 
on foot to Pittsburgh and brought their families 
to their various selections in Stark County, and 
proceeded to improve their farms. .Mr. and 
.Mrs. Thompson have had four children, viz.: 
Samantha. Oscar (deceased). Edwin T. and 
Conradine. The subject of these notes, Edwin 
T., is the third cliild and only surviving son of 
their family. He received the ordinary public 
school education and in early manhood worked 
at the carpenter's trade with his father. He 
entered the employ of the 1*., Ft. W. & C. R. 
R. Co. in the spring of 18()1, at Mansfield, 
where he learned liie art of telegraphy with 
O. H. Booth. Mr. Thompson has been 
continuously in the employ of the Railroad 
Co. ever since at various points along 
the line from Plymouth. Ind.. on the west, to 
Salem, Ohio, when- he worked for the railroad 
nine years, and in .May. 1877. he was appoint- 
ed agent for the company at Canton, and has 
had control of that station ever since. At Ft. 
Wayne, Ind., he married Esther A. Barr, No- 
vember, 1867 — she was a daughter of John 
Barr, formerly of .VUeghony ("ity, Petin. They 
have two children : John B and Alice E. Mr. 
Thompson is a member of the Masonic fratern- 
ity. Perry Lodge at Salem, Ohio. 

■ PETER P. TRU.MP, retired, Canton; whose 
portrait appears in this history, as a represent- 
ative pioneer, is a native of Adams Co., Peun,, 
and was born March 2, 1803, the third in a 
family of seven children born to John and 
Elizabeth (Jacobs) Trump, the former was a 
native of Germany, and came to the United 
States with his parents when he was but (! 
months old. He was raised on a farm, and 
earl}- moved to Adams Co., where he conducted 
a farm and saw-mill, and also kept a hotel. 
.\bout the year 1810, he visited Ohio, making 
the trip on horseback, and again in the ne.vt 
year he made a similar trip. During these 
visits he entered 160 acres of land and lioughl 
320 acres, paying for the latter $10 per acre. 
In 1812, he moved with his family to this 
county, and settled on his 320 acre farm, which 
was located two miles east of Canton, and was 
partially improved. In 1816, he bought a 
place, two miles north of Canton, on which was 
a saw-mill. Later he built a grist mill, which 



^! 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



he conducted until 1824, when he retired to 
(Canton. Some years later his wife died and he 
lived with his son, on tlie farm near town, until 
death two years after. Both he and his wife 
died at the age of 70 years. Our subject lived 
at home until he became of age, working on the 
farm and tending in the mill. His education 
was limited to the schools of the period, which 
were poor. He received the mill farm after be- 
coming of age. and was married, .March 12. 
1824, to Miss Mary Ream, a native of Colum- 
biana Co., and came to Stark, with her parents, 
about the year 1806. .\fter his marriage he 
took charge of the farm and mill, and al)ont 
the year 1845 or 1840, built a grist-mill of 
three run of stone, which is 3'et in operation. 
After having engaged in ditferent kinds of bus- 
iness, he and Alexander Hurford bought and 
improved the St. Cloud Hotel, which they now 
own. He bought the lot and erected the build- 
ing on the corner opposite St. Cloud Hotel. 
Mr. Trump has al.so been identitied with the 
l)anking interest of Canton, and in eomijanj- 
with Messrs. Whiting, Harter and Wikidal, 
formed the Canton Savings Deposit Bank, with 
which he was coimected for a number of years. 
He has taken an active part in securing to the 
city several of the manufucturing establisli- 
ments now in operation. His tirst wife died in 
1865 ; there were nine children, of whom only 
four are living — Jacob and Henry, in Canton ; 
Eli, in Hardin Co., and Harriet, now Mrs. 
Kirkpatrick. of Denver, Colo. In April, 18(56, 
he married Mrs. (leorge Williams, formerly 
Miss Mary A. Smith, a native of Hagerstown, 
Md. She came to Ohio, in 1880. on a visit to 
her brother, and some years later married Mr. 
Williams. 

A. C. TONNER, Revenue Collector, CanUm : 
was born in Center Co., Penn., April 7, 1836. 
He is the onl}- son of a family of nine children 
born to John and Lydia (Kreamer) Tonner. 
His father was born in Pennsylvania, February, 
1812, ;ind was for many years a resident of 
Center Co., where he was almost continuously 
identified with the management of countv 
affairs ; was also engaged in mercantile busi- 
ness, and in 1863 he came to Canton and ac- 
cepted the position of Secretary for the manu- 
facturing concern of C. Aultman & Co., which 
position he held until the time of his death, 
which occurred April 7, 1873. The subject of 
these notes, entered Dickinson College in youth. 



and at the age of 17, when he left college, was 
a member el" the senior class. Several years 
were spent in the mercantile business at Belle- 
fonte, where he entered upon the study of law, 
in the office of Adam Hoy, and in 1860 was 
admitted to the bar. He removed to Wash- 
ington, D. ('.. in the latter year, to enter upon 
his duties as Assisstant Examiner in the 
Patent Office, to whicli he had been appointed. 
Sept lit, 1862, he received his commission as 
Consul Ceneral to Central America, and made 
e\'ery preparation for going, but through fear 
of the ungenial character of the climate, to 
which he was about to proceed, he re- 
signed his commission and remained in the 
Patent Office until 1865., He came to Canton, 
in 1866, and purchased the Union Mills, which 
he operated for two years, when ho sold out 
and became President of the Canton Mal- 
leable Iron Company, which position he held 
until they sold out in 1872. Since then he has 
been engaged in the real estate business, was 
appointed Revenue Collector of the Eighth and 
Fifth Divisions of the Eighteentli District, 
which position he now holds. Sept. 6, 1866, he 
married ^liss Millie Glenn. They have two 
children — John A. and Ida (I. 

DANIEL TOXNEK, Canton, is a native of 
Center Co., I'enn., and was born in December, 
1818 ; he was raised on a farm, and also taught 
school. In 184(), he went to Illinois, and en- 
gaged in teaching, and the mercantile business, 
in Plaintield. Will Co. In 1850, he came to 
Canton, Ohio, and did the corresponding for 
C. .\ultman & Co.. and has continued with the 
company since, of which he has become a 
stockholder, and. in 1881, elected one of the 
Directors. June 27. 1850. he married Miss 
Margaret P. Pennington, a native of Center Co., 
Penn.. her great-grandparents being among the 
pioneers of I'ennsylvania Valley, of that State. 
Mr. Tonner is Republican in politics, an advo- 
cate of temperance, and a Methodist in his 
religious views. 

H. H. TRUMP, abstracter of titles, Canton ; 
is a native of Stark Co., Ohio : he was born in 
Plain Tp., in the year 1840. In the spring of 
1848, he came to Canton with his parents, and 
has resided iiere since. In 1858, he engaged as 
a clerk in a jewelry store in Canton. In 1861, 
he entered a grocery house; and in 1863. he 
became book-keeper and teller in the Savings 
Deposit Bank, and next as Cashier of the Ex- 



Ll^ 



CITV Ol" CAXTOX. 



(539 



•.'liange Bank, from wbt-re he eiiteiv<l tlic City 
Bank, all of Canton. In 1872. ho becanic 
Sccrelary of iLi' Canton Wrought Iron Bridgt' 
Co., and held the position one year. He then 
for two 3"eai's revised and corrected the general 
indexes of the County Records Otlice. In 
1S75. he opened the abstract office, and has 
followed the luisiiiess since. In lS(i(;. he mar- 
ried -Mi.ss .^!ary .VUinder, a native of Pittsburgh, 
Henn. They have four children, viz.: Hany 
A., Percy 1\. (ruyan I. and Richard li. Mr. 
Trump's father. I'. I'. Trump, is spoken of else- 
uhere. 

JA.^!HS S. TU.NNKR, druggist, Canton : is 
a native of Center Co., Penn.; he was born on a 
farm, and lived on same until 1855. He re- 
ceived a district school course of study, and 
taught a number ol' terms during the winters. 
His brotlier. Thomas Tonner. was a partner in 
the firm of Ball. Aultman & Co., of Canton, 
(^hio, and through him Jaine.s, S. arranged for 
a situation with the lirra. and came to Canton 
in 1855. The next day or two the lirm s build- 
ings burned ilcjwn. and James S. went West, 
but in August following he was sent for, and 
returned to Canton, and entered his duties as 
book-keeper for the firm, ("pon the formation 
of a Slock Company, C. Aultman iVo Co., Mr. 
Tonner became Treasurer, and continued in 
that position until January, 1870. when he 
withdrew, and during the summer he engaged 
as 8ei lel.uy and Treasurer with C. Russell & 
Co. which position he held about seven years. 
In is.'^o, he engaged in his present business. 
In 1858. he married Miss Kate Kuhn. a 
daughter of Dr. Henry Kuhn. a pioneer of 
Tirtin. Ohio, of their five children : two are 
livin-i Ilarrv and Bessie. 

jri)(!K J. W. CNDERHILL, lawyer. Can- 
ton : was born in (Jreeno Co.. N. Y., Oct. tJ, 
1818. and is the second in a family of three chil 
dren born to Nathaniel and Anna (Weliber) 
Cntlerhill. who were natives of Westchester and 
Greene Cos., X. Y. He was a Quaker, and mar- 
ried ■' out of meeting " — that is, she to whom 
he was wedtled was not of the Quaker faith. 
The family came to Ohio in 1827. and settled 
in Kend:il. now a part of .Massillon. They 
lived in that vicinity until death ; he dying in 
September, 188;5, and she about the year 187H, 
at the advanced age of 82 years. Our subject 
lived at home until the death of his father, 
after which he went east to New Y'ork State, 



where he lived with his uncle and attended 
school, and assisted on the farm. .Vfter three 
years he returned to .Massillon, where he at- 
tended school further, and al.so taught .school, 
his circumstances not allowing him to continue 
his education. In 1840, he began reading law 
with Samuel Pease, <^f Massillon, and was ad- 
mitted to the bar in October, 1842 ; he began 
practice in Massillon, in compau}- with H. B. 
Hurlbut, now of Cleveland, and after about 
one year the firm of Folger & I'ntlerhill was 
formed which continued several j-cars. when he 
formed a partnership with V. M. Keith, and, 
after a few years it also was dissolved, and he 
remained alone until he came to Canton, in 
1861, having been elected Probate Judge the 
previous year, to which office he was three 
times re-elected, holding the position twelve 
years in succession. After this, he formed a 
partnership with John Long(l'nderhill & Long) 
which continued in (.'anton until 1877. He 
then practiced alone until 1879, when he 
sulistantiallj' left the law, and. as a Direct- 
or and Member of the Executive Com- 
mittee, gave his attention (receiving and dis- 
bursing the Canton Subscription Fund) to the 
Cleveland, Canton, Coshocton & Straightsville 
R. R. Company, but. in 1881, when a change of 
control of the road took place, he resigned. 
Judge I'nderhill was elected in 1855 to repre- 
sent Stark ("o. in the State Legislature. He has 
been a Republican in politics ever since the or- 
ganization of the party, and was always of strong 
anti-slavery proclivities. He was married Nov. 
2, 1842, to Miss Henrietta Widgeon, a nativeof 
Ohio. They had three children, viz.: Arthur 
J., who married .Miss Henrietta Tonner; Eliza 
R., now Mrs. W. .\. Lynch, and Clara, now .Mrs. 
H. C. Eogle. They all live in Canton. During 
the war. Judge Underwood was Chairman of the 
Military Committee of the county, and actively 
supported all war measures. 

A. VKiNOS. I'dsI master. Canton; is a native 
of Louisville, Stark Co., and was born in 18S8. 
His parents were Joseph and Theresa (Frantz) 
Vignos, both natives of France, near Belford, 
and settlers in Louisvilloabout 1830, where .Mr. 
\'ignos engaged in the i)usiness of hotel-keep- 
ing. But little of incident occurred in the 
early life of our subject, but in 18(il, when the 
war of the rebellion broke out. he enlisted in 
Co. I. of the 19th 0. V. I., as company musi- 
cian, for a three years' term of service. Capt. 



"* \ ' 



^± 



040 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



Rakestraw and Col. S. Beatty. He remained 
with his regiment until Sept. 16. 1862. during 
which time they participated in the battle of 
Shiloh, When they were before Corinth, he 
was taken with typhoid fever, and he, with 
others, was laid in one corner to die. He did 
not realize where he was until lie found the man 
lying beside him to be a corpse. Recovering 
somewhat, he obtained a furlough and returned 
home. Securing the commission of recruiting 
officer, he raised a squad of men and joined tlie 
107th 0. V. I., three years' service. At the or- 
ganization of the regiment, he was made Cap- 
tain of Company H. Tliey were ordered from 
Cleveland to Kentucky, and from there to Vir- 
ginia, where, at Fairfax Court House, they joined 
Sigel's Corps. July 1. He lost his right arm 
in the battle of Gettysburg, and, not until three 
days after he was shot, did lie have an oppor- 
tunity of having the arm amputated and the 
wound dressed. Sept. 1. he again joined his 
regiment, which lay at Folly Island. He was 
promoted to the rank of Major, and, on the 22d 
of February. 1864. he took command of the 
regiment, and held it until Sept. 30. 1864. when 
he resigned, and left the service. His resigna- 
tion was the result of his at last realizing the 
dangers about him. An accident, by which he 
barely escaped losing his left and only remain 
ing arm. caused him to resign while he might yet 
have the physical ability to support himself, but 
no braver man. nor more honorable soldier ever 
enlisted from Stark Co. to aid in the suppression 
of the rebellion. Feb. 25, 1866, Mr. Vignos 
was married to Miss Pha'be L. Devinney. a 
native of Stark Co. Eight cliildren have licon 
born to them, named as follows: Henry J.. 
Charles A.. Loretta R. (died Jan. 12, 1881). 
Blanche L., Alicu M.. Alfred A.. Helen and 
Paul a. Shortly after his marriage, Mr. Vignos 
removed to Iowa Co., Iowa, but, in 1869, he re- 
turned to Canton, where for the next nine years 
he had a pretty hard time in the support of him- 
self and family. A partial reward was at last 
given him, when the citizens, in 1878, interested 
themselves in obtaining for him the position of 
Postmaster of the Canton Post Office, tlie duties 
of which office he entered upon on May 16, 1868. 
G. W. VAN VLECK, M. D.. eclectic physi- 
cian, Canton ; was born at Syracuse. X. Y., Oct. 
18, 1823, the son of Henry Van Vleck, who 
was a relative of Martin Van Buren. Our 
subject obtained his early education in Onon- 



daga County, N. Y., and when about 14 years 
of age he entered Cortland College, but before 
he graduated, his health gave wa}", and to re- 
cruit his health he went to sea with liis uncle, 
James Van Vleck, who was captain of a mer- 
chantman sailing from New York City. After 
six months' sea-faring life, his iiealth was suffi- 
ciently restored to allow him to resume his 
studies, which he did in the Columbia College, 
of New York City. Erelong his health failed 
him again, and again he returned to sea, 
this time in the United States Navj-, liis uncle 
having secured for him the position of messen- 
ger boy, but was finally promoted, and there he 
remained tliree years.' During his service in 
navy, he devoted his leisure time to the study 
of medicine, and treated himself for consump- 
tion, with which he was seriously aflected. 
Through the advice of his father, he resigned 
his position in the navy to pursue the study of 
medicine uu;ler Dr. Bigelow. He attended 
lectures at the Seneca Medical College, in 
Geneva, also in the Eclectic Medical College, 

I iu Syracuse, where he graduated in 1848. He 

I then opened an office in his native town, where 

' he practiced a short time, and in 1846 he re- 
moved to Kalamazoo County, Mich., where he 
practiced until the spring of 1848, when he re- 
moved to California and practiced there until 
1850, when he came to Ohio. Several succeed- 
ing jears he spent in traveling and lecturing, 
and then located at Pittsburgh, Penn. ; thence to 
Cincinnati, where he received another diploma 
from the American Eclectic Medical College, 
and in which institution he held the Professor- 
sliip of Theory and Practice, and of Materia 
Mrdira for three years. He came to Alliance 
in June, 1879, and opened adiugstore in 1880, 
which he conducts in connection with his prac- 

'• tice. His practice is steadily increasing, and 
he is frequently called in consultation with 
physicians of other schools of medicine. 

BEN D. WILSON. County Clerk, Canton ; 
was born in 1837, in Osnaburg Tp., Stark Co., 
and is the son of Robert and Charity (Elson) 

I Wils(>n. Her father was John Elson, a Captain 
in the war of 181 2, from Western Virginia. He, 

1 with his wife sulwequently came to Stark Coun- 
ty, and botii now lie buried in Osnaburg Town- 

' ship, as does also the grandparents of our sub- 
ject, who became residents of Osnaburg Town- 
ship as earl}- as 1811. The country was so new 
at that date, they were obliged to clear and cut 



w^ fi 



^ 



CITY OF CANTOX. 



641 



a road through the timber to the property upon 
which thc}' first settled. Tiie early life of Ben 
D. was spent on tlie farm of his father (now a 
resident of Mapleton), though later he had the 
advantages of the public schools, and subse- 
quently' finished his education at the Mt. Union 
College. Returning from college h(( spent one 
year in a store in Osnaburg. In 18(!1. lie ac- 
cepted the position of teacher in the schools of 
Canton, in which he continued until August of 
18G2, when he enlisted in the 115th 0. V. I. 
He was with the 115th for about one and one 
half 3 cars, when he was coinraissioned in the 
5th r. S. ('. T. In October, 1864, after the 
Petersburg campaign, he resigned on account 
of ill health. Returning to Stark County, he 
remained somewhat inactive until .January, 
ISUfJ, when he received an appointment in the 
Department of the Interior, and for the follow- 
ing six j'ears made his home in Washington, 
D. C. Again ill health obliged him to resign, 
when he returned to hi.s native county and en- 
gaged in teaching. In 1875. he was appointed 
School Examiner of Stark County. In 1880, 
he became the Republican nominee for the office 
of Clerk of Stark County, to which office he 
was elected by a majority of 183 votes, and in 
Fehruarj', 1881, he assumed the discharge of 
the duties of the office. In 1873, Mr. Wilson 
was married to Miss Victoria M. Cole, who is 
a native of .Michigan. 

JOHN WILLIS, manufacturer, senior mem- 
ber of the firm of Willis, IJcnskin & Co., Can- 
ton ; was born March 17, 1830, in Belfast, Ire- 
land. He was one of a family of sixteen chil- 
dren. When he was 10 years old, his fathei 
died, soon after which, or when he arrived at a 
proper age, he was apprenticed to learn his 
trade, which he did. by serving five years, and 
paying an apprentice's fee of £35. In 1852, 
he left his native land, and came to America, 
bringing with him a younger brother, whose 
passage he paid. They made the voy.-vge in the 
vessel Zion's Hope — Capl. Conner — and were 
seven weeks and three days on the water. He 
first became a resident of New I'hiladelphia, 
Ohio, where for one year he worked at the car- 
penter's trade. He then removed to .Massillon, 
where he was engaged with dift'erent firms, 
among which were the firms of Mong & Snyder, 
when he first learned to make sash and doors 
by machinery, and the Russell Reaper Com- 
pany ; with the latter he remained for nine 



years, and then came to Canton, and for the 
next three years he was employed in the A u It- 
man shops. Then he engaged in business on 
his own account, and how well he has succeed- 
ed is evidenced by the extensive business they 
are now doing. His success has been the result 
of his own personal efforts, industry and econ- 
omy, as, when he first arrived in New Philadel- 
phia, he had but $25 left on which to begin 
business in a strange land and among a strange 
people. He is now a member of Canton Lodge, 
No. 60, A., F. & A. M., of which he has held the 
office of J. W. ; he, however, joined the order 
in his native country. In September of 1854, 
he was married to Miss Mary A. Benskin, a 
native of Margate, England ; eight children 
have been born to them — six daughters and 
two sons. 

MARTIN WIKIDAL, retired, Canton : was 
born in Moravia, Empire of Austria, Oct. 8, 
1800. Of his parents, Ignatius Wikidal and 
Magdalena Palasheck, he is the youngest son 
and the only surviving child of a family of 
twelve children ; having received a good 
education in his own language in Vienna, 
Austria, he repaired to France, where he was 
employed for some six ^-ears as clerk in the 
store of his brother-in-law, John Dryfuss ; he 
then became a manager in the concern and took 
charge of the whole business for about eight 
years ; at the expiration of this time he sailed 
for America, and, having arrived at New York, 
he passed on to Canton, Stark Co., Ohio, in 
June, 1833 ; here he met friends from his native 
place, who persuaded him to remain and 
engage in business ; he complied with their 
request, and for the first six months he con- 
nected himself with a mercantile firm of Can- 
ton, during which time he learned the method 
of transacting business in this country; he then 
visited New Y'ork City, purchased a stock of 
g(K)ds and began business in earnest in the 
little town. In August, 1834, he embarked in 
trade in Canton, and until October, 1868, he 
remained one of the prominent, influential and 
leading merchants of the city ; at the latter 
date he retired to private life, having by his 
industry and frugality accumulated a hand- 
some competency. In 1847, he erected a fine 
business house on the spot now occupied by 
the Stark County Court House ; it was a three 
story brick with a front of sixty -six feet ; he 
sold it in 1868, and it was removed to make 



642 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



place for the present building. Among the 
local positions occupied by him raa3' be men- 
tioned : a Member of the Canton City Council, 
a stockholder in the P., P. W. & C. R. R., a 
Director in the Cnnton City Bank, being its 
President for a number of years ; he is also at 
present a stockholder in the Valley Railroad, 
I between Cleveland and Canton. On Aug. 23, 
1834, he married Fredricka Schaefer, daughter 
of Philip Schaefer, an early settler of Stark Co.; 
this union resulted in the birth of ten children, 
six living ; Louis Wikidal is engaged in farm- I 
ing near Topeka, Kan.; William Wikidal in the i 
late war served in the lOth O. V. I. in the j 
Quartermaster's Department, anrl is at present | 
a member of the firm of Bucher, Gibbs & Co., \ 
plow manufacturers. Canton, Ohio ; Edward ■ 
Wikidal is a rubber goods merchant of Cleve- ! 
land, Ohio ; Emma is Mrs. Joiin B. Bucher, of 
Canton ; Clara married Robert S. Shields, a 
member of the Stark County Bar, and Julia is 
Mrs. Fred Hurxtlial, of Cleveland. Dur- 
ing his long mercantile career, Mr. Wikidal has ' 
ever been noted for his industrious habits, j 
close attention to liusiness and sterling integ- i 
rity. The great principle of his life has been i 
to do right, and such was his disapproval of 
dishonesty that whenever he found any one 
crooked in business transactions he would 
rather lose a small amount than engage in 
litigation ; notwithstanding the long period in 
which he was a leading merchant of Canton he 
never brought suit against any one ; neither 
was he 'ever sued ; his business life has been a 
model example in all those essential elements 
of success which are so frequently lacking 
among selfish and unprincipled business men. 
The old gentleman is now in his 81st j'ear, and 
as a result of having been temperate and moral 
in his habits, he is enjoying good health ; he 
has been a citizen of Canton for almost half a 
century, and is held in high esteem by the com- 
munity as one of its most successful and hon- 
orable business men. Formerly a Whig, he 
has been a Republican since the organization 
of that party. 

WILLIAM S. WILLIAMS ; Canton, soldier 
and civil engineer ; was born near Canton, 
Ohio, April 23, 1835. His parents were 
George Williams and Marj^ Smith. His father 
was a native of Pennsylvania, and became a 
resident of Stark Co. as early as 1816. But 
few industries were open to the early settlers of 



that date, and his vocation was principally 
farming and the manufacture of brick. In- 
dustrious, honest and enterprising, he was soon 
looked upon as a valuable acquisition to the 
band of pioneers. William S. spent the first 
twenty years of his life (jn a farm, receiving his 
education at the public schools of Canton. 
When yet a young man, he served as a Lieu- 
tenant in a militia C(mipany called the Canton 
Light Guards, and was afterward made Cap- 
tain of the Canton Battery. Possessing a su- 
perior mathematical mind, his inclinations 
early turned to the department of civil en- 
gineering and its kindred branches, and. while 
in high school, he paid special attention to his 
favorite science. With this preliminary prepa- 
ration, he fitted himself for his profession by 
his own personal efforts ; by pri\ate study, and 
by practice in the field. His first engagement 
was as Assistant Civil Engineer of the South- 
west Branch of the Pacific Railroad, running 
from St. Louis into the Indian Territory. In 
1858. he was admitted to the bar in Ohio, and 
in Missouri in 1859, having previously' read law 
under the late Judge G. W. Belden, of Canton. 
In the spring of 18(il. he entered the service of 
the Government as Lieutenant in an independ- 
ent battery of artillery, and was engaged, 
among others, in the battles of Scarry' Creek 
and Hawk's Nest, in Western Virginia, being 
Chief of Artiller}- on the staff of Gen. Frank , 
P. Blair. In November, 18(31. he was commis- 
sioned by Gov. Dennison to raise another bat- 
ter}', which was known as the 3d Ohio Inde- 
pendent Battery, with which Mr. Williams 
served as Captain, making for himself a highly 
creditable military record. He participated, 
among others, in the battles of Shiloh, Corinth, 
Raymond, Champion Hills, siege of Vickslurg, 
Clinton, Siege of Atlanta, Ezra Church, Jones- 
boro and Lovejo}' Station. He was, for a part 
of the time, Cliief of Artillery of Gen. Logan's 
stati", 2d Division, 17th Array Corps, and sub- 
sequently he occupied the same position on the 
staff of 'Gen. M. D. Legget. After the fall of 
Atlanta, the artillery of the 17th Corps was 
formed into a brigade, and Capt. Williams was 
assigned to the command of it as Chief of Ar- 
tillery, and served as such until mustered out 
of the service in December of 18(14. During 
his whole military career, Capt. Williams dis 
tinguished himself as a brave soldier and an 
excellent and intrepid officer. His superior 



.^JV ' 



>^, 



CITV OF CANTON. 



64:{ 



qualifications for liis position, togetlier witli liis 
gentlemanly bearing and courteous manners, 
rendered liiin one of tlie most popular officers 
in liie corps. He is a member of the Society 
of the Army of the Tennessee, of which he 
has been lionored by tlie oflice of \'ice Presi- 
dent. In politics, he is a Republican. Slioitly 
after his return from tiie army, he was ap- 
pointed County Surveyor for Stark Co., anil 
served one term, and was subseciuently for 
several years City Engineer of Canton. In 
1872. he was appointed resident Civil Kngincer 
of Public Works of the State of Oliio, which 
position he still occupies. In the years 1872-73 
and 187(i-77, he was Inspector of Railroads 
for the Slate of Ohio, respectively, under the 
Commissioners — Walcot and L. G. Dcdano. On 
Jan. 17, 1872. he married Anna, daughter of 
the late Dr. Frederick Hurxthal, of iMassillon, 
and has one son — Frederick Williams. Capt. 
Williams is a gentleman of tine scholarly at- 
tainments, and occupies a prominent rank 
among the leading civil engineers of the State. 
He is thoroughly devoted to his department of 
industry, and his military and professional rec- 
ord alike entitle him to high regard as a patriot 
and a citizen. 

H. W. WERTS. of H. W. Werts & Co.. 
manufacturers of carriages. Canton ; is a native 
of Lehigh Co., Penn., and was horn .Marcli 2il. 
1832; his parents were Jacob and .^Inry 
(Wagoner) Werts. natives also of Pennsylvania. 
H. W. was brought up to farming, receiving his 
education at the district schfX)ls, and at the age 
of IG years he was apprenticed to the trade of 
carriage-making, at Wadsworth, Medina Co., 
Ohio, the family having moved to that place in 
1846. His father died there, and his mother 
moved to Michigan, where she died, in 1878. 
After serving a three and a iialf jears' appren- 
ticeship. Mr. Werts worked as a journcvman 
with C. A. Collins, of Middlebury. Ohio, for 
eight years, and in 1859, came to Canton, and 
established his present business. He started 
in partnership with David Stebbins in a small 
way, continuing some live years, when Mr. W. 
became the sole proprietor. Later, he admitted 
D. J. King as a partner, which firm continued 
seven years, when Mr. Werts again became sole 
proprietor, and has so continued to the present 
time. He makes a specialty of carriages, and 
ships goods to all parts of the country, even 
West to California. Dec. 6, 1859, he was mar- 



ried to Miss Frances Mason, a native of Mid- 
dlelnirv. Ohio. He is a Republii^an in politics. 

JOSEPH WEAVER, lumber and manufact- 
urer. Canton ; was born in Plain Tp.. this county, 
Dee. 27, 1833 ; and is a son of Joseph .-iMd 
.Margaret (Sweigart) Weaver. Joseph. Sr.. was 
a native of Plain Tp., and was born in 1S(I8 ; 
his wife came from Pennsylvania with her 
parents when quite young. His father, Valen- 
tine Weaver, was a native of \'irginia, and re- 
moved to Ohio in ISDIJ. lie entered 300 acres 
of land in Plain Tp, and as his sons grew uj) he 
gave them each a piece of land. He was a 
farmer, and confined himself to that liusiness, 
and died upon the place of his settlement. 
Joseph. Sr.. was al.so a farmer, and resided on 
a part of the old homestead, and a part of the 
time kept a hotel, and was also a Justice of the 
Peace. He was thrown fnjm his horse, receiv- 
ing injuries from which he died, in October, 
1833; ills wife died some eight years later. 
Joseph. Jr.. was young when his mother died, 
and lived with an uncle until he was IG, when 
he was apprenticed to Henry Bemenderfer, of 
Canton, to learn the carpenter's trade, continu- 
ing with him until he lu'came of age. when he 
took a trip to Iowa, and bought some land in 
that State. After some eight months' absence, 
he returned to Canton, and workt'd at his trade 
until 1808. when he became a nunnlier of the 
firm of Willis. Renskin. Wi^aver it Kaily. manu- 
facturers of sash, doors, blinds, etc.. in which 
business he continued three years, when he 
sold his interest, and went into the lumber 
business, which he has followed ever since. In 
the fall of 1879 he added inanufacauring, 
making a full line of building material. Mr. 
Weaver is a Republican in politics, was Council- 
man for 1875 70. and has been a member of 
the Presbyterian Church for twenty years. 
Dec. 14. 1858, he w'as married to Miss Susan 
Lawrence, a native of Lancaster Co., Penn.. 
who came to Canton with her parents, William 
and ."Mary (Stuck) Lawaence. in 1837. They 
were natives of Philadelphia. Si.x children 
have been born to Mr. Weaver, four of them 
are living, viz.: .\llen. Edward. Ralph and 
Frank. 

JACOB T. WELTY. retired farmer ; Canton; 
was born in Maryland, November. 1815. 
His father. Christian Wclty. came with wife and 
four children to Stark County in 1835. Jacob 
was the oldest of the children, and had re- 



Ml 



644 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



ceived a thorougL academic education in his 
native State. After coming to Ohio he de- 
voted much of his time to teaching school 
and civil enginering for several j'ears. In 
February, 1842, he married Phianna Klinker. 
She was a daughter of Jacob Kliiiker, of 
Pennsylvania, who had removed to New York 
thence to Tuscarawas Co., Ohio, in 1880. Mr. 
Welty turned his attention to farming after 
he was married, and has since conducted that 
business extensively, owning about 600 acres 
in Stark Count3'. In 1877, he removed to 
Canton and superintends his farms from here. 
Mr. and Mrs. Welty reared three children, viz.: 
Almon C, Ella N., now Mrs. David Nailor 
of Sturgis, Mich., and John C. 

JOHN C. WELTY, attorney, Canton ; was 
born Sept. 10, 1852 ; he is the youngest of 
three children of Jacob T. and Phianna Welt^', 
whose sketch appears above. The subject of 
these notes got a good public school educa- 
tion and entered Bethany College, Virginia, 
in 18{;9; the following year he entered Mt. 
Union College and took a classical course. In 
1873, he began the study of law with Judge 
S. Myers, of Canton, and at the fall term of 
the District Court at Canton in 1875, he was 
admitted to the bar. He opened an office in 
Canton and entered upon the practice of his 
profession, and was admitted to practice in 
the Federal Courts in 1878. He was elected 
City Solicitor in 1877, and re-elected in 1879, 
and re-elected in 1881, which office he now 
holds. Oct. 11, 1877, he married Miss Gra- 
ham, daughter of Charles H. Graham, of Phila- 
delphia, and grandaughter of the Hon. Mr. 
Graham, who was the first State Senator from 
this district. 

W. H. WYANT, Canton; who has for a 
number of years been in the emploj' of the 
Government in various capacities ; is a native 
of Washington Co., Penn. In 1836, his parents 
moved from his native county to Jefferson 
Co., Ohio, he at that date being about 1 j'ear 
of age. In 1845, they removed to Stark County 
and settled in Paris Township. Then his father, 
John Wyant, became a useful and respected 
member of the community. He was by trade 
a blacksmith, in which business he became en- 
gaged and which he conducted fur manj- 3-ears. 
He had been honored by such local offices as 
were within the gift of his friends, and for many 
years previous to his death, which occurred in 



1872, he was a warm supporter of the cause of 
religion, and had identified himself with the 
M. E. Church. W. H. was one of a family of 
eight children. His earl3' life was spent in the 
home of his parents. Subsequently he became 
interested in and learned the art of photog- 
raphy, in which he engaged as a business and 
which he continued until 1864. In 1865, he 
entered the Government as Assistant Revenue 
Collector, the duties of which office he continued 
to discharge under this appointment for five 
years. Since the close of his duties as revenue 
collector, he has contined in the employ' of the 
Government, filling the various offices of Inspect- 
or, Ganger and Storekeeper, and is at present, 
engaged in the discharge of the combined 
duties of the two latter. In politics, he 
is a Republican, and during the war of 
the rebellion he enlisted in the 100 da}' serv- 
ice. He is a member of Nimisilla Lodge. No. 
39, 1. O. O. F., and has passed all the chairs in the 
subordinate lodge in this order. For the past 
seven years he has been Secretary of Canton 
Lodge, No. 60, A., F. & A. M. He is also a 
member of the M. E. Church. Jul}' 3, 1857, he 
was married to Jliss Anna E. Withrow, whose 
parents were among the old and prominent 
pioneers of Jefferson County, ()hio, of which 
she is a native. Their familj' comprises four 
children, the oldest of which, Frank M., who is 
now about 22 years of age, has been connected 
with the First National Bank of Canton since 
his ] 1th year. 

DANIEL WORLEY, clergyman, educator 
and Legislator, Canton ; was born Feb. 28, 
1829, in Harrisburg, Penn. His father, Thomas 
Worley (now deceased), was a descendant of 
the early Moravian settlers of Y'ork, Penn. Of 
a family of seven children, three are living — 
one son. Prof F. M. Worley, is now teaching 
as Principal of one of the public schools of 
Harrisburg, Penn. ; and Richard Worle}', 
another son (now deceased), was occupying 
the position of Principal of the High School in 
the same city. Our subject was the oldest in 
the family, and, after receiving the advantages 
of the common schools and Academ}' at Har- 
risburg, he entered Pennsylvania College at 
Gettysburg, and completed a thorough clas- 
sical course, graduating therefrom in Septem- 
ber, 1850. Having the ministry in view, he re- 
paired to Capital Universit}', Columbus, Ohio, 
with the intention of studying theology. While 



CITY OF CANTON. 



645 



doing so, he accepted and tilled the position of 
tutor two years, witii such satisfaction that he 
was prevailed upon to take a permanent posi- 
tion as Professor of Mathematics and Natural 
Science, wiiicli chair he occupied for eleven 
years. The institution hecame one of the lead- 
ing universities ot the State. Prof Worley 
will long be remembered by many of the lead- 
ing business and professional men, who were 
formerly his pupils, as one of the most success- 
ful and best educated teachers in the State. In 
1852. having completed his theological studies 
under the instruction of Prof Lehman, now 
President of Capital University, he was 
licensed, and, in 1855, ordained a minister of 
the Lutheran denomination. In 18fi3, he re- 
signed his professorship, and took charge of 
an academy in Greensburg, Penn., for one year. 
In the following year, he was called upon to 
take charge as Superintendent of the Public 
Schools of Canton, Ohio. He held the position 
for a period of eleven years. He took this po- 
sition when the schools were in an unsatisfactor}- 
condition, but, by intelligent classification and 
judicious management, he brought them up to 
a high state of efficiency and usefulness. At 
the close of his labors in the public schools, he 
retired from public work, about a year after 
which he started a private school with good 
success. In the fall of 1877, he was nomi- 
nated and elected by the Democratic party as 
Representative from Stark Co. to the Legisla- 
ture by a majority of about one thousand. 
After serving out his term, during which he 
was elected Chairman of the Committee on 
Public Schools and on (jodification of School 
Laws, he returned to Canton, and resumed 
teaching. While in the Legislature, he was j 
recognized as a strong advocate of all measures I 



for the education of the masses ; for the devel- 
opment of the resources of the State, and the 
protection of the liberties of the people. 
While at Capital University, he received the 
nomination of the Whig party for Representa- 
tive to the Legislature, and in the following 
year the nomination for Congress. This was 
iu the waning days of the Whig party, and he, 
of course, suflered defeat. In Canton he has, 
at difierent times, served as member of the City 
Council and Board of Water- Works. In his 
political career as a candidate and officer, he 
has, both publicly and privately, wielded a 
strong influence over the people ; and, although 
firm in his convictions and fearless in his de- 
nunciations, he has never descended to the arts 
and devices of the political trickster. From 
the time he was ordained, in 1855, he has not 
been derelict to his ministerial vows, but has 
always officiated as I'astor of some ttock, and 
has devoted himself to the profession, building 
up weak congjegations ; restoring shattered 
and disbanded organizations ; everywhere 
preaching the Gospel, and performing the duties 
of a missionary. During the time he lived in 
Columbus, he edited the Luthf.ran Standnrd 
for nine years. This was the organ of the 
Joint Synod of the Lutheran Church, and, 
amid all the changes of the times incident to 
the war, he preserved its circulation, and proved 
himself an able editor and writer. He served 
also during one year as Principal of the High 
School at Columbus. On the 2d of November, 
1852, he married Henriettc, daughter of Prof 
William Smith, President of Capital Univer- 
sitv, and a clergyman of the Lutheran Church. 
Of two children born to Prof Worley. but one 
— a boy, Willie R. — is living. 



M± 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



CANTON TOWNSHIP. 



MARTIN BACHTEL, retired ; F. 0. Cant»n. 
David Baclitel, the fatlier of our subject, and 
the first white settler in Stark Co.. was born in 
or near Hagerstown, Md. His early life was 
spent on the farm, where he lived until 1801, 
when he left his native place to seek a home in 
the West. After a long and wearisome tramp, 
he arrived in Columbiana Co., this State, where 
he remained until the fall of the same year, 
when he pushed on to Stark Co.; he was obliged 
to clear a road or passage for fifteen miles, and 
the hardships he underwent cannot be told with 
any degree of certainty'. He settleil on 100 
acres of land, then covered with heavy and 
dense forest ; he put up a small shanty, and 
cleared 4 acres of ground. He then returned 
to Columbiana Co., and was there married to 
Elizabeth Sheel}', who was a native of Adams 
Co., Penn. Soon after their marriage, he re- 
turned to Canton Tp.. and there he toiled until 
he cleared his farm. He and his wife were 
members of the (ierman Reformed Church. 
He died at the age of 55 years ; his widow 
reached the ripe age of 93 years. Martin, the 
subject of these few lines, was born on the farm 
where he now resides March 13, 1809. His 
childhood days were spent on the farm ; he at- 
tended the schools of his neighborhood, and 
acquired an education such as the schools in 
that earl3' day afforded. He lived at home with 
his parents until he became of age ; he tlien 
purchased the old homestead, and has remained 
on the same ever since, with the exception of 
four years he lived in Canton engageil in hotel 
keeping. In 1836, he married Miss Margaret, 
daughter of Jolui and Elizabeth Wiuterrode, 
who was a native of this State. From that 
marriage there have been eleven children, eight 
of whom are living, viz.: Jacob, David, John. 
Daniel, Margaret, Ellen, Martin and Elizabeth. 
Mr. and Mrs. Bachtel are members of the (rer- 
man Reformed Church. 

JACOB BOWMAN, tanner; P. 0. North In- 
dustr}' ; is the eighth in a family of nine chil- 
dren born to Jacob and Hannah (Klinger) Bow- 
man, who were natives of Northumberland Co., 
Penn., where Jacob was engaged in farming. 
In 1812, he came to Ohio, settling in Pike Tp., 



Stark Co.. on a farm of IGO acres, which was 
covered with a dense forest ; he cleared the 
farm, and lived on the same up to the time of 
his death. He was a man universally esteemed 
for his sterling integrity and honesty. He and 
his wife were both members of the Lutheran 
Church. He died in 1863, aged 84 years ; his 
widow died in 1872, aged 88 years. Jacob, the 
subject of this sketch, was born in Stark Co., 
Jan. 28, 1823 ; his childhood was spent <m 
the farm, interrupted but slightly by educa- 
tional pursuits, as facilities of that kind were 
scanty and of an inferior order in the region of 
his home. He worked on the farm until he was 
21 years of age ; then he purchased a farm of 
80 acres in this county ; he, one \ear later re- 
moved to Crawford Co., this State, and settled 
on a farm of 240 acres, and there lived sixteen 
years ; he returned to Stark Co.. and purchased 
a farm of 274 acres in Canton Tp., where he 
now resides. In 1844. he married Louisa, a 
daughter of Lewis Runyon, of Jefferson Co., 
Ohio ; from that marriage there have been six 
children, three of whom are living, viz. : Be- 
linda, Marj- J. and J. R. Mr. Bowman is a 
stalwart Republican, and during the war was 
the only Republican in Chatfield Tp.. Crawford 
Co., who dared to cast his vote. 

JOHN H. BRENNER, farmer; P. O. Canton ; 
the subject of these few lines was born in Lan- 
caster Co., Penn., his birth occurring Aug. 5, 
1821. His parents, Michael and Susannah 
Brenner, were natives of the above-named i 
county, where the^' passed their life on the 
farm. The early years of joung Brenner's life 
were passed on the farm ; he received a com- 
mon school education, and after leaving school 
worked at home on the farm until he was 18 
years of age ; his father then dying, the responsi- 
bility of a farmer rested on John, who at thaf 
time was well versed in the management of the 
same ; he continued to live on the homestead 
until 1856, when lie came to Stark Co., settling 
in Canton Tp., where he purchased 450 acres of 
valuable land ; he now lives on the farm where 
he settled in 1874. When the Farmers' Bank 
of Canton was organized he was elected its 
President, holding the position up to the pres- 



CANTON TOWNSHIP. 



047 



ent time, and is one of the five stoclctiolders. 
In 1867, ho made extensive purchases in west- 
ern lands located in Anderson Co.. Kan.; he 
improved the same and sold at an advanced 
price ; he has also been engaged in the milling 
and grain business. In 1843, he was united in 
marriage to Miss Fannie, daughter of Jacob 
[jintimulh. who was a native of Lancaster Co., 
I'enn.; from that marriage there has been nine 
children, four of whom are living — Susannah, 
Fannie, Ada L.. and Amos L. Mrs. Brenner 
is a member of the Oerman Baptist Church. 
.Mr. Brenner is a Republican in politics and is 
a strict adherer to his partv. 

J. CAHNES, farmer; 1'". (). Canton; is the 
seventh in a family of eleven children, born to 
John and Hannah Keiser Carnes. John was a 
native of Lancaster Co.. Penn.. and came to 
Stark Co.. in 1808 ; he settled in Pike Tp. on 
a farm ; he was engaged in teaming and hauled 
the first dry goods ever sold in Canton ; as he 
accumulated means, he engaged in the distilling 
business, and for several years he did a suc- 
cessful business. John Carnes, the subject of 
this, was born in Pike Tp., Stark Co., Ohio. 
Jan. 1. 1829 ; his childhood was pas.sed on the 
farm : he attended the common schools of his 
neighborliood and acquired a good education ; 
at the age of 21 he engaged in farming and 
stock dealing and raising, and continued in the 
same until 18G(). when he disposed of his farm 
and purchased 455 acres in Canton Tp., where 
lie now resides ; he has one of the finest farms 
in the county, and is considered one of Stark 
County's best and most ])rosperous farmers. 
In 1S5;{. he married Miss Hsther, ilaughter of 
Jacob Miller, of Tuscarawas Co.; from that 
marriage there has been five children, four of 
whom are living, viz.: Allen A., Upton M., 
Curtis J., and Junius B. Mr. and Mrs. Carnes 
are members of the Lutheran Church. 

OTTO (tIKSSHN. brewer; P. O, Canton; 
was born in Rhine-Bavaria, July 14. 1848; 
the \oungest son of a family of seven children, 
born to Henry and Elizabeth (Jiessen. His 
father is an attorney by profession, and was 
appointed State Attorney for Rhine-Bavaria; 
therefore, occupying position and influence, 
young fJiessen's early manhood was spent prin- 
cipally in attending school. In 18(15, although 
a mere youth, he emigrated to the United 
States, landed at New York, and came direct tf) 
Cleveland, where he secured a life scholarship 



in the Brj-ant & Stratton Commercial College, 
and took a course in book-keeping. In the lat- 
ter part of the same year he began to learn the 
brewing business with Schmidt & Hotlinan, 
where he remained until the latter partof IStiil, 
having been their foreman for some time before 
leaving. He accepted a position as foreman of 
the Gessler Brewery, at Akron, and sul)se- 
quently took an interest in the establishment 
which lasted until 1872. In the meantime he 
visited Europe, and returned after a four 
months' .sojourn. In 1872, he purchased the 
Ciraber Brewery, located two and a half miles 
from Canton, in connection with which are 
7 acres of land. February, 1872, he married 
Julia Angne, daughter of George and Kate 
Angne of Akron, Ohio. They have four chil- 
dren — Frederick, Otto, Charles and Homer. Mr. 
(Jiessen is a member of the Knights of Pythias, 

DAVID E. GERBER. farmer; P. O. (Canton, 
was born where he now resides July 6, 
1884. His grandfather. Christian Gerber, 
came from Pennsylvania to Stark Co., about 
the 3'ear 1810. He had a family of several 
children when he came, and entered considerable 
land in the southern part of the township, and 
had his sons located around him as s(X)n as they 
began for themselves. When his son Elias ar- 
rived at manhood, he married .Alaria Richard, 
She was born in Switzerland, in 1810, and in 
company with her brother emigrated to the 
United States in 1827. Elias Gerber retained 
the old homestead, which is now the propert3- 
of his sons. He had a fiunily of si.\ children, 
five living, and of whom Da\id E. is the oldest. 
Oct. 1-1, 1S5S, David E. married Emeline King, 
daughter of Abraham and Plid'be King. The^' 
have had eleven children, nine of whom are liv- 
ing, viz. : Clara E., Melissa, Katie, (Jeorge, 
Mary, Elva, John, Edward and Jennie. Mr. 
(Jerber owns Kil acres of good land, which has 
been retained in the family name since his 
grandfather entered it. Mr. and Mrs. (Jerber 
are members of the Dunkard Church. A 
brother, (Jeorge, enlisted in the late war and 
died in Tennessee, from a wound received while 
participating in the battle of Murfreesboro. 
,\nother brother. Christian IT., also enlisted in 
October, 18(52, and served until the close of the 
war, si.\ months of the time being spent in 
rebel prisons in the South. 

PETER KREIBUILL, farmer: P. O Canton; 
is the second of a family of seven children born 



~e "V^ 



M± 



(i48 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



to Jacob and Fannj- (Miller) Kreibuill, who 
were natives of France. Jacob was engaged in 
farming from his childhood ; he was a soldier 
under the French government. Tn 1839, he 
came to America, and at once started for Stark 
Co., Ohio. He took up his residence in Wash- 
ington Tp.; he settled on a farm of 80 acres. 
After living on the 80-acre farm a few }'ears, he 
purchased another farm in the same township, 
and ihere lived until his wife died ; after that, 
he went to live with his son, (Christian, where 
he now resides. He is a faithful member of 
the Mennonite Church. Peter, the subject of this 
sketch, was born in France April "JO, lS3(i,and 
when but 3 years old, came to Ohio with his 
parents. The earlj- years of his life were passed 
on the farm of his father; he attended the com- 
mon schools of his neighborhood, and acquired 
a liberal education. He lived at home until he 
was 25 years of age, he then began farming the 
homestead, where he remained two yeans. He 
subsequently removed to Canton Tp., and rented 
the farm where he now lives; for four years he 
rented, and, in 18U9, he purchased 40 acres, 
and has been making additions until now he 
owns 101 acres of valuable and well improved 
land. In 18G1, he united in marriage with 
Miss Mary, daughter of Peter Graber, who was 
a native of France, and came to Ohio about 
1856. From that marriage there has been ten 
children, seven of whom are now living, viz.: 
Lucinda A., Susanna M., Catharine L., P]mma 
N., Lizzie C. Harvey L. and Mary A. Mr. 
Kreibuill has l>v his industrious habits acquired 
consideralile means. 

ADAM KNOBLOCH, brewer. Canton ; was 
born in Prussia in the year 1843. His parents, 
Henry and Elizabeth Knobloch, were natives 
of the same province. Henry was for several 
years engaged in hotel-keeping. In 184(3, he 
came to America, settling iu Stark Co. He 
was engaged in farming in Plain Tp. for two 
years, he then removed to Richville, this county, 
and there remained eigiit years. In 1856, he 
came to Massillon and engaged in the grocery 
business, which business he conducted until 
1875 ; during this time he was engaged in the 
malting and grain business. He is now living 
a retired life in Canton. Adam, the subject of 
this sketch, was but three years old when he 
came to Stark Co.; his childhood was spent on 
the farm ; he received a common education ; at 
the age of 14, he commenced to clerk for his 



father, and with him remained until 1872; he en- 
gaged with C. N. Oberlin. of Massillon, as clerk, 
and with liim remained three years. In 1875, he 
came to Canton and purchased a half-interest 
in tlie Union Brewery, and, in 1880, he became 
sole proprietor. He lias since his connection 
with the same, added a malt house ; now, he is 
doing business to the amount of 4,000 bar- 
rels per annum. He is a member of the Ma- 
sonic Lodge No. 47. 

MRS. G. A. LOWMAN, retired, Canton; 
whose maiden- name was Sarah A. McCormick, 
was born in Pittsburgh, Penn. ; her parents, 
John and Sarah (Hays) McCormick, were na- 
tives of Scotland, and for several years were 
residents of the North of Ireland. Mr. Mc- 
Cormick came to America at an early date, and 
settled in Pittsburgh, Penn., where he engaged 
in the wholesale mercantile business ; he was a 
gentleman of considerable wealth, and did a 
successful business for several years. They 
were the parents of three daughters, Mrs. Low- 
man being the eldest. At the age of 20 she 
married Dr. Thomas Bontield, who was a native 
of Baltimore, Md.; he attended the schools of 
his native city and served with gallantry in the 
war of 181 2. At the close of the war, he studied 
medicine, attended and graduated from a med- 
ical college in Baltimore ; he then came to 
Canton on a visit, and was persuaded to locate 
there ; he did so, and for thirty years had a 
successful practice. He died in 1855, at the 
age of 59 years. From that marriage there 
were three children, one of whom is living, 
viz.: Lida, wife of F. A. Snyder, of Omaha, 
Neb. In 1877, after being a widow for twenty- 
two and a half j-ears, she married the Rev. 
G. A. Lowraan, who was a native of Morgan- 
town, W. Va. He died six months after their 
marriage, at the age of 59 vears. 

JACOB S. LEHR, farmer; P. O. Canton. 
The subject of these few lines was born in 
Berks Co., Penn.. May 18, 1826, and is the 
ninth in a family of sixteen children born to 
Samuel L. and Elizabeth (Hallabaugh) Lehr, 
who were natives of the Keystone State, where 
Samuel was engaged in the milling, millwright 
and carpenter business. In 1828, he came to 
Stark Co., settling on a farm in Osnaburg Tp., 
where he lived until he died ; he was engaged 
iu contracting and building, and built many of 
the industries of Stark Co. He died in 1858. 
aged 75 years ; his faithful companion lived to 



CANTON TOWNSHIP. 



Ol'.i 



reach tlie ripe age of 85 j-ears. .Jacob, the 
subject of this short sketch, came to Oliio with 
his parents in 1828, he being at that time but 
7 years of age. He remained at home on tiie 
farm until he was 18 years of age ; he received 
a common school education, and at the age of 
18 he went to Canton, and apprenticed himself 
to the blacksmith trade ; he served an appren- 
ticcsiiip of three years ; he then began business 
for himself in .Mapleton. this county, where he 
remained eight years. Having a desire to be- 
come a land-owner, he made a purchase of 80 
acres of land in Osnaburg Tp., where he lived 
nine years, working the farm and at his trade 
during this time. In 18C7, he removed to Can- 
ton Tp., and settled on a farm of 11(1 acres, 
where he now resides. In 1852. he was united 
in marriage to Miss Mary M , daughter of Peter 
Schwartz, of Osnaburg Tp. She died in IStiS. 
at the age of 37 years; she bore him four 
children, viz.: William, of Marshall Co., Ind.; 
Charles, on the homestead ; Lamaan. wife of 
George Zellers, of Osnaburg, and Malinda, wife 
of Isaac Zellers, of Osnaburg. Mr. Lehr is a 
consistent member of the T^utlieran Church, and 
a Democrat in politics. 

JOSKPH ('. MILLER, farmer; P. O. Canton; 
was born in Wayne Co., Ohio, Oct. 23, 1842. 
His parents were Jacob and Lena (Kindlespar- 
ker) Miller, and were aniOTig the early settlers 
of Wayne Co. They were natives of the State 
of Pennsylvania, and came from Somerset Co. 
to Wayne Co., Ohio, about the year 1 820. They 
reared to maturity a family of ten children, of 
whom Joseph C. is the fourth. He was reared 
to the various pursuits of farm life, and re- 
mained at home until of age. At the outbreak 
of the late war. he responded to tlu; call of the 
country for men ; but six weeks after his 
enlistment, he was taken seriously ill, and was 
discharged from further service. June 5, 18G4, 
he married Sally Kurtz ; she is a daughter of 
Stephen Kurtz, who was one of the pioneer sel- 
lers of liawrence Tp., Stark Co. .Mr. and Mrs. 
Miller have two children — Franklin and Ira. 
In IStJti. they rented 1\h'. farm where they now 
live, and four years later they pnrcha.sed 118 
acres, at .$8,750. They began for themselves 
without much means, but have secured and 
made a beautiful and pleasant home by con- 
stant application ami hard work on the farm ; 
it is now in an excellent state of cultivation, 
liesides being underlaid with a valuable vein of 



coal, of good (piality. which he has been mining 
for the last eight years. Within the last three 
^•ears he has put on improvements in the way 
of residence and bai'n, at a considerable expense, 
which are as commodious as any in the town- 
ship. 

J. K. MIS H LEI!, farmer ; P. O. Canton ; is 
the sixth in a fiimily of thirteen children born 
to Henry and Nancy (Eberly) .Mishler, who 
were natives of Center Co.. Penn.. where Henry 
was engaged in the milling business. In 1839. 
he came to Ohio, settling in Sutheld Tp., Por- 
tage Co., on a farm, where he lived until 1854, 
when he removed to Canton 'I'p.. where he 
engaged in farming ; he remained a resident of 
Canton Tp. up to the time of his death. Both 
he and his wife were devout memliers of the 
Church of Christ. J. E. Mishler, the subject 
of these few lines, was born in Lancaster Co.. 
Penn.. March 20. 18:J5. When but lour years 
old, he came to this State with his parents ; the 
early years of his life were passed on the farm ; 
he attended the common district schools, and 
acquired a good education, and when but 17 
years of age he began teaching, and for several 
years he taught in Summit and Stark Counties. 
At the age of 22, he engaged in farming, and in 
1807 he purchased a farm of 185 acres, and lias 
lived on the same ever since. In 1870, he was 
called to the ministry, to take charge of the 
('anton branch of the River Brethren Church, 
and has for the past eleven years been a faith- 
ful and diligent worker. In 1858, he married 
.Miss Mary A., daughter of Christian Briiliart. 
who lived l)Ut a sluH-t time after their marriaiic; 
in 18G0, he married for his second wife, Miss Nan- 
cy A., daughter of Jonathan Fockler, of Stark Co. 
From the last marriag*- there have been six 
chihlreu. five of whom an; living, viz. : Ellen. 
Harvey, Finina, Willie and Laura. 

JAt.'OB .MYERS, retired. Canton; was born 
near Carlisle, I'enn., Sept. 11, 1820, His 
parents, John and Jane Smith Myers, were 
natives of Pennsylvania, where John worked 
at the lilacksniilii s trade up to the time of his 
death, which occurred while our subject was 
(piite young ; soon after his death, Mrs. Myers 
came to Ohio and settled in Columbiana Co.; 
she was obliged to work in order to maintain 
her fatherless children ; she married for her 
second husl)and Henry Freed, ol' Columbiana 
Co.; shortly after this they came to Stark Co., 
where she lived a short time, then she removed 



CO') 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



to Iowa, where she died in 1880, aged 80 years. 
Jacob was left fatherless when bni 3 years 
old and without means ; he lived with his 
mother nntil he was able to earn his own liveli- 
hood ; then he was placed among strangers ; at 
the age of 17, he was apprenticed to the shoe- 
maker's trade ; after ho finished his trade, he 
commenced working and for three years he 
carried on a shop in Canton ; he then removed 
to Iowa and took up a farm and tliere remained 
tr.i years ; he subsequently returned to Stark 
Co.. and settled on a farm where he resided 
until 1868, when he bought 100 acres tliree 
miles south of Canton, where he now resides. 
In 1841, he married Miss Catharine, daughter 
of Alpheus Brovvn ; she died in 1868, leaving 
four children, viz.; Sarah, Lucinda, Alfred J. 
and Mary P.; in 1870, he married Polly, the 
widow of Jacob Rowland, of Canton. Mr. and 
Mrs. Myers are members of the Disciples' 
Church. 

WILLIAM XIESZ. former ; \>. O. Canton ; 
was born in Canton Tp., Stark Co., Ohio, May 
28, 1822. He is the oldest son of Ilev. John 
and Mary (Young) Niesz ; George Niesz, his 
grandfather, with his family, came to Stark Co. 
in 1805; they settled south of Canton and 
there the father of our subject was reared lo 
manhood, having been about 6 years old 
when they arrived here ; he, John Niesz, mar- 
ried Mary Young, and to them were born nine 
children, \iz.: Elizabeth E., wife of W. S. 
Titus, of Michigan ; William ; Mary, wife of 
S. S. Bard, of Logansport, lud. ; Jacob J.; 
George W.; Barbara, who resides in Logans- 
port, Ind.; John K. ; Benjamin F., of Den- 
ver, Col., and Sarah, wife of Elam 0. 
Smith, of Newtown, Ind. ; the mother of 
these has been deceased many 3-ears, but 
their father was again married and died in 
1872, leaving a widow, who resides with John 
K. John Niesz united himself early with the 
church and was engaged in the work of the 
ministry for a long time, and was one of the 
earl}' and active |)reachers in this vicinity dur- 
ing the early growth and settlement of the 
county. The subject of these lines was the 
oldest son, and was principally engaged, in 
early manhood, in the care of the farm. In 
December, 1844, he married Delilah Roush, and 
settled on the farm where lie now resides ; they 
had six children, viz. ; Mar^-, deceased wife of 
Henry A. Cavnah ; John F., Jacob N., LTriah, 



Artie and Delilah ; Mrs. Niesz died in January, 
1854 ; he then married Annie E. Niesz, who 
died in Januar}', 1864, leaving four children, 
viz.: Frank B., Henrietta, wife of Cornelius 
Foust ; William S., and Sarah B. Mr. Niesz 
has a well improved farm of 160 acres, where 
he enjoys the comforts incident to an indus- 
trious and temperate career. lie is a member 
of the United Brethren Ciiurch, and of which 
he is leader and trustee of the congregation ; 
he has also been a member of the society of 
Patrons of Husbandry, and the Stark County 
Horticultural Society for several years. 

CHRISTIAN NIESZ, farmer; P. 0. Canton ; 
was born in this township Jan. 27, 1812. His 
father, George, and motlier, Mary (Weaver) 
Niesz, were natives of Penns3ivania, and with 
their six oldest children came to Stark Co,, 
Ohio, about the year ISO.j, They settled about 
four miles south of Canton, which was then an 
unbroken forest. Through the day Mr. Niesz 
would work at clearing his farm, and in the 
evenings and night time, for years, did the 
blacksmith work of the neighborhood, striving 
to support his large family, which was increased 
b}' three children, who were Ijorn after coming 
here, whereby he broke down his health and 
died when Christian was about 10 years old. 
The widowed mother kept her large family to- 
gether three years, when the messenger of 
death summoned her away from her earthly 
charge. This left a large family of children, 
who were scattered about the country 
with strangers. When about 17 years of 
age. Christian began to learn the tanner's trade, 
with James Hazelett, of Canton, where he re- 
mained about four years. The business did 
not result in a pecuniary success for young 
Niesz, so he abandoned it for the chair-making 
business, and under agreement with his em- 
ployer was to get 50 cents per set for framing 
common chairs, the usual amount being one set 
of six chairs per day, but in two weeks practice 
Mr, Niesz was able to make double that number, 
oroue dozen chairs per day, which resulted in 
jealousy of his employer at his ability to earn 
$1 per da3', when 50 cents was considered a 
fair day's wages. He worked at the chair busi- 
ness about seven months, then, on his own ac- 
count, embarked in the manufacture of saddle- 
trees, which was in ever}' respect a success. He 
purchased property in Ashland with tlie inten- 
tion of establishing a chair factory there ; but 



-^ 



CANTON TOWNSHIP. 



651 



being advised by liis young wife to turn his at- 
tention to farming, and for which he had a 
natural adaptibility, abandoned his idea of 
chair nianufacluring. He was married to Julia, 
daughter of Jacob Smith, of Canton, in March, 
1835. They have two children — Elizabeth, now 
wife of Isaac Doll ; and Flarriet, now wife of 
Jo.seph Maxwell. .Mr. and Mrs. Niesz are now 
well advanced in years, and are enjoying the 
luxuries of a well spent life; having begun 
with little they have now a competency of this 
world's goods. They came to their present 
farm in 1844, whic'h was at that time in timber 
and brushwood, untouched, but is now one of 
the neatest farms of this township, 

( ; K() 1 1< 1 K N K H \]\\, stockholder and Manager 
of Starii Mills, Canton ; was born in Wurtem- 
berg, Germany, in the year 1836, His father, 
George Neher, was a native of the latter named 
place, where he was engaged in contracting and 
building, which business he carried on success- 
fully for several years. .\s be advanced in 
years, he engaged in the milling Ijusiness, and 
in this was engaged up to the time of his death. 
George, the subject of this sketch, received the 
advantages of a good education, and when but 
10 years old he had advanced sufficiently in 
his studies to enable him to enter the language 
school of his native city ; here he remained 
until his was 14 years old. His father had in- 
tended he should become an architect, and it 
was for this purpose he was pursuing his 
studies. But. at the age of 14. he was his 
father's assistant, and one year later he appren- 
ticed himself to the milha-'s trade, serving an 
apprenticeship of three years; he then, in order 
to perfect himself in his trade, traveled exten- 
sively through many of the European countries. 
In 1857, he came to America, and came to 
Columbiana Co., Ohio, where he worked by the 
month on a farm for eight montlis. He then 
obtained employment at his trade, and remained 
in the mill for four and a half j'ears. He sub- 
sequentl}- purchased a mill propertj- in Will- 
iamsport and there remained four years ; he 
then removed to .Mlcgheny City, I'enn.. and en- 
gaged in the manufacture of glue ; this busi- 
ness he conducted but a short time, as he was 
glued out (using his own words), March, 1880, 
incom|iany with J P. Rouch, Harvey Ellison and 
John Webb, they purchased the Stark Flouring 
Mills, situated two miles south of Canton, .\t 
the time the company was organized, he was 



put in as Manager and Superintendent, He 
was united in marriage to Miss Susan Faulk, of 
Columbiana Co. From that marriage there have 
been seven children, 

MICHAEL SAUVEl? (decea.sed). Canton; 
was born in Westmoreland Co., Penn., Jan, 14, 
1835. His parents were John and Margaret 
(Kepple) Sarver, both natives of Pennsylvania. 
After a thorough public school education, 
young Sarver entered the Mount Pleasant Col- 
lege, where he took a course of study for 
several years. He began the stud}' of the law 
under the direction of Hon, Edgar Corwin. of 
Greensburg, Penn.. and in 1860 was admitted 
to the bar. He thereupon opened an office in 
Greensburg, and practiced his profession until 
1865, when, in consequence of failing health, 
he was unfitted for the close office duties 
necessary to his profession ; and. with a view of 
recruiting his health, he came to Stark Co.. Ohio, 
and purchased a farm of 125 acres, adjoining 
the Corporation of Canton, He married Eliza 
J, Anderson, Sept, 27, 1859, daughter of Cun- 
ningham M, .\nderson. of Pennsylvania, To 
Mr, and Mrs. Sarver were born six children, 
five of wh(jm arc li\ insi, viz.: .Mar\ .M., Harry 
D,, John M,, William' E. and Kditli C, In 
1872, Mr. and Mrs. Sarver, witji their family, 
removed to Santa Barbara. Cal,, where they 
resided three and a half years. In the mean- 
time, Mr, Sarver became much interested in the 
mammoth grapevine, which has been described 
in story, and has been one of the chief attrac- 
tions of its native place. Space forbids any- 
thing like full details of Mr, Sarver's course 
with this great natural curiosity, of which he 
became the owner, while in Santa Barbara, 
For several j-ears the vine showed signs of 
decay beyond recovery, whereupon Mr, Sarver 
set about sectionizing it. and preparing it for 
exhibition during the centennial year at Phila- 
delphia. The work of sectionizing and taking 
the vine up was begun Aug. 17, 1875 ; it was 
cut in sections, so that it could be sot up again 
in its natural position. The main branches 
near the trunk an^ marked alphalictically ; 
many of the large branches were so interlocked 
that it was impossible to separate them ; these 
were bolted together where they crossed each 
other, and cut in sections of eight feet and a 
half in length. The sections are connected by 
means of dowels and irons, so that they can be 
connected on a trellis averagina eight, sixteen. 



652 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



twenty-four or thirty-two feet, as required, in 
their original or natural position. The trunk 
is left whole, and is atiout ten feet long ; its 
diameter, three feet from the ground, is four- 
teen inches, and nearer the ground its diameter 
is eighteen inches, or fifty-six inches in eireiim- 
ference. Its foliage covered a space equal to 
10.000 square feet, its product was often esti- 
inated at 7,500 clusters, averaging about one 
and a half pounds each, or nearly 12,000 pounds 
of grapes annually, which were maturing and 
ready for use from August to January. On 
the day of shipiuent from Santa Barbara to 
Philadelphia. Mr. Sarver was offered for this 
curiosity the sum of |1 0.000. wliich he refused. 
Although Mr. Sarver was in delicate health, 
his ambition was equal to the occasion, and by 
his indomitable courage and will-power, his 
exhibition of the vine was really a grand suc- 
cess, having netted S5.000. At the close of the 
Centennial Exposition he returned to his home 
in Canton to recuperate from the toil and ex- 
citement which had almost exhausted him 
physically, with a purpose in view of putting 
his curiosity on a general round of exhibitions, 
but his exhausted and weak physique failed to 
rally, and his life of activity closed in death 
March IS. 1877. The great natural curiosity, 
in which Mr. Sarver was so much interested, 
is still the property of the family, and in a 
good state of preservation, and may be said to 
be the most singular natural curiosity in Can- 
ton. 

JOHN SHOCK, retired : Canton : is the 
eldest in a family of seven children born to 
Lucas and Susan (Beck) Shock. Lucas was 
born in Bavaria, where he passed the early 
years of his life. He came to America, 
landing at Baltimore. 3Id. He soon after 
went to Washington Co.. Md.. and worked in a 
distillery for one year. He then married, in 
1800. .Miss Susan Beck, who was a native of 
Germany, but came to Washington Co.. Md.. 
in an early day. In 1814. he came lo Ohio, 
and settled in Canton Tp.. Stark Co.. on a farm 
of 130 acres. This farm he increased, until 
he had IGO for each of six children. He was 
a man much respected and esteemed in the 
community in which he lived. He died in 
1851. at the age of 70 years. His wife died in 
185G, at the age of 78. He was a member of 
the German Reformed Church, and she was a 
member <if the Lutheran Church. John 



Shock, the subject of this sketch, was born in 
Washington Co., .Md., June 23. 1807, and in 
1814, he came to Stark Co. with his parents. 
The early years of his life were passed on the 
farm, assisting in ridding the land of its mas- 

I sive oaks. He obtained a common-school edu- 
cation in the schools of his neighborhood. At 
the age of 21, he took charge of the homestead 
farm, and in 1837 he inherited 154 acres of the 
homestead, where he now lives. In 1835, he 
was united in marriage to Susan Ehresemann, 
who was a native of Germany. From that 
union there has been four children, as follows : 
Jacob, Elizabeth, Lucinda and (-aroline. Mr. 
and Mrs. Shock are members of the German 
Reformed Church. He is a Republican in pol- 
itics. 

I JACOB SHERRICK. farmer ; P. (J. Canton ; 

I whose portrait appears in this history as a 
pioneer of Canton Tp.. was born Nov. 28, 1802, 
in Washington Co., near Hagerstown. Md. He 

] was one of a family of eight children born to 
John and Nancy (Wyant) Sherrick, both of 
whom were natives of Lancaster Co., Penn., 

' but subsequently became residents of Wash 
ington Co., JId.. where John Slierrick owned a 
farm, a flouring-mill and a distillery. In 1816, 

I they removed to Stark Co., and settled in the 
east half of Section 14, of Canton Tp., which 
My. Sherrick purchased, and the old homestead 
of which is still owned by Jacob. Mr. Sher- 

', rick was a Democrat, though not a politician. 
During the latter years of his life he was a 
member of the Church, as was also Mrs. Sher- 
rick. They both remained residents of Canton 
Tp. until their death, which occurred about 
1840, in his 74th year, and his mother's four 
j-ears later, when she had arrived at about the 
same age. Theirs was truly the life of the 

I pioneer. Hardships, privations and the disad- 
vantages of a new countr\' being theirs 

I while they lived in Stark Co. The incidents 
and surroundings of the early life of Jacob 
were substantially the same as those of the 
other young people of Stark Co. at that date. 
In 1827. on account of poor health, he went 
to New Orleans, La., and did not again make 
Stark Co. his home until about six years and 
seven months afterward. He then returned 
and settled down to farming and stock-raising, 
and has given this business his attention the 
greater portion of the time since. By his 
careful management and industry, he has ac- 



k^ 



• ANTON TOWNSHIP 



053 



cuinulatud a line piopiTty. Politically, lie is a 
Democrat, arul in 1889 he was elected one of 
the board of three <ientlenien to appraise the 
real estate of Stark Co. Tn 184!l. lie was the 
Appraiser for Canton Tp.. and in IS')!! he was 
again elected to the same position. He has re- 
peatedly filled the oHicc of Trustee of Canton 
Tp.. and in ISolJ he was the Deraoeratie nomi- 
nee for Representative from Stark Co. To the 
churches and schools, however, he has siven 
the most attention, and in their prosperity he 
has taken the most <leliiiht. never refusing t<i 
donate lilierally toward advancing the cause of 
religion. He is still a vigorous old gentleman, 
though nearly "il years of age. His lime is 
spent princii)ally on his farms, where he still 
enjoys keeping things ship-shape. His name 
and reputation are above reproach, and all that 
any man in private life could desire, 

LEVI I. .-i.Mrni, fanner; P. 0. Canton; 
was born in Canton Township Jan. 10. 1837, 
He is the oldest of three children born to Sam- 
uel and Catharine (Stump) Smith, His grand- 
father came from PiMinsylvania to this county 
with his family at an early date ; at that time 
Samuel was ijuite young. He had been reared 
to faiin life and continued at that business all 
his life time. In 184(j. Samuel Smith and fam- 
ily settled on the farm now owned by their 
son. Levi 1.. on which there was no previous 
improyements ; but. by industry and hard work. 
the forest has yielded to the woodman's ax. 
and instead of the brake and bramble, are the 
broad, well-tilled fields. The life of Samuel 
Smith closed on the old homestead Aug. 12, 
18(i9. in his "iSth year. His widow survives 
and resides with Levi I. The other two, Will- 
iam F. and Lewis S., are well-to-do farmers in 
this county. The subject of these notes got a 
good education in the public schools and re- 
mained with his parents until he was married, 
which event occurred Nov, SO, 186:5. to Mary 
A. Foltz. daughter of Samuel and Catharine 
Foltz. of Kichville, but now residents of Michi- 
gan, To Mr. and Mrs. Smith have been born 
eight children, viz. : Frances K., .^Iargaret Iv. 
Trillieu, Jesse J.. Samuel ('.. Ephraim. David 
and ll<jsella. For a period of several years 
alter their marriage they lived on rented farms 
ill this vicinity, but in 1872 he bought the old 
homestead of 15S acres, which is well improved. 
Mr. Smith is a man who has never sought 
political position, rather ignoring the offers of 



position, but atten<ls quietly to the improve- 
ment and care of his well earned home. He 
and Mrs. Smith are members of the Evangel- 
ical Lutheran Cluirch. of Canton. 

C. SHKKER. faruuT : P. O. North Industry ; 
is the fourth in a family of eight children, born 
to Peter and Catharine (Smith) Sherer, who 
were natives of Alsaee, Germany, where Peter 
was engaged in farming, and in 1847 he came 
to Ohio, settling in Stark County. He settled 
on 80 acres of land and there lived up U> the 
time of his death. He died in 1855, at the 
age of 50 years ; his widow survived him sev- 
eral years, dying at the age of 72 years. Our 
subject was born in Alsaee, (Jerrnany, April 1, 
18;-)(i. He attended the schools of his native 
place, and when but 10 years old came to Ohio 
with his parents ; being unable to speak the 
English language, his education was checked 
to a certain degree in this country. However, 
he obtained a good education and lived at 
home with his parents until he was 21 years of 
age ; he then purchased 80 acres of land in 
Carroll County, upon which he settled, and 
lived there three years ; he then removed to 
Hardin County, this State, and was there en- 
gaged in farming until 1809, when he returned 
to Stark County, and purchased 100 acres of 
land in the southern part of the township where 
he now resides. In 1857, he married Susan 
Beckert, who was a native of Switzerland ; she 
died in 18G5, leaving three children, viz, : Sarah 
A, E., Rebecca J,, Jlarion O, Shortly after, he 
married .Miss Mary, daughter of Casper Bgjck- 
ert and sister of his first wife. Mr. and'Mrs. 
Sherer are devout members of the (icrman l{(!- 
forracd Church. 

A. SPONSELLKI!. farmer: P. 0. Canton; 
is the third in a family of eight children born 
to John and Catharine (Ilerpsti'r) Sponseller. 
John was a native of Adams Co., Penn.. and 
came to Columbiana Co.. Ohio, with his jjareiits, 
in 1804 or 1805, He lived with his parents 
until he became of age ; he then returned to 
his native place, and worked for his uncle two 
years. In 1810, he came to Stark Co., settling 
on a farm in Canton Tp. He married the 
above-named laily, who was a native of Mary- 
land, but at the time of their marriage lived in 
Washington Tp.. this county. Ho was engaged 
in fanning up to the time of his death, which 
occurred in 1874, at the age of 84 years. He 
was interested in the mercantile business for 



rz 



654 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



some years. His widow still survives liim, and 
is living with her son David. Abraham, the 
subject of this sltetch, was boru in Stark Co., 
Ohio, Oct. 8. 1820 ; the early years of his life 
were passed on the farm ; he attended the com- 
mon schools of his neighborhood, and obtained 
a liberal education ; he was for some time en- 
gaged in sciiool-teaching. In 1847, he pur- 
chased 50 acres of land in Canton Tp.. and 
there lived until 18G4. when he purchased 200 
acres ; he settled on the 100-acre farm, and 
has lived there since. He was for several years 
engaged in threshing. In 1848, he was united 
in marriage to Elizabeth, daughter of Rudolph 
Stoner. From that marriage there have been 
eight children, all of whom are living. Mr. 
Spouseller has always been identified with the 
Democratic partv. 

HENRY SPONSELLER, farmer ; P. 0. Can- 
ton ; is a sou of John and Catharine Spousel- 
ler, whose sketih appears in that of Abraham 
Sponseller. Henry was born in Canton Tp., 
Stark f'o., July 2, 1835 ; the earl3- 3'ears of 
his life were passed on the old homestead ; he 
attended the common schools of his neighbor- 
hood, and received a liberal education. He 
worked at home until he was 24 years old ; he 
then purchased 70 acres of the old homestead 
farm, upon which he settled, and has lived 
there ever since ; some jears afterward he made 
another purchase, and now owns 162 acres of 
vahnible land. He engaged in stock-raising, 
buying and selling, and has been very success- 
ful hi the undertaking. In 1858, he married 
Miss Rebecca, daughter of Emanuel and Elvina 
Hackman, who were natives of Pennsylvania. 
From that marriage there have been seven chil- 
dren, viz.: Horace, Mumice, John, Charles, 
Harrj, Frank and Mary L. Mr, and Mrs. Spou- 
seller are members of the German Reformed 
Church. He has always been identified with 
the Re()ublican partj'. 

D. E. STAUFFER, farmer; P. 0. Canton ; is 
fourth in a family of thirteen children born to 
Christian and Christinia Staufier, who were 
natives of Lebanon Co., Penn., where Christian 
was engaged in farming. He had learned the 
trade of a hatter and worked at the same for 
fifteen j-ears. In 1 833, he came to Stark Co.. 
settling in Lawrence Tp.. on a farm of 150 
acres, which he cleared, and upon which he 
lived until 1856. when he removed to Nimi- 
shillen Tp.; he remained a resident of that 



township up to the time of his death ; he died 
in 1862, at the age of 64 years ; his wife died 
in 1875, at the age of 75 years. D. E., the 
subject of this sketch, was boru in Lebanon 
Co.. Penn., Feb. 16, 1820, and came to Stark 
Co. with his parents in 1833, he being then but 
4 j'cars old. His childhood was passed on his 
father's farm in Lawrence Tp.; at the age of 
21, he rented a farm in Lake Tp., where he re- 
mained five and a half years ; he then re- 
moved to Nimishillen Tp., where he pur- 
chased a farm, and there lived fifteen and 
one-half years ; he sold his farm and re- 
moved to Clark ('o., 111., where he bought 
a farm anti there lived oue year, when he re- 
turned to Canton Tp.. and purchased a farm of 
115 a<;res, known as the Henry Shock Farm, 
and has lived there since. In 1850, he mar- 
ried Miss Elizabeth, daughter of John and 
Annie Ensminger. of Lebanon Co.. Penn. From 
that marriage there have been ten children — 
Lvdia A., Daniel H., Mary C, Sarah E., David 
F". J. J., Isaac W.. Harvey A., Isa M. and 
Charles B. Mr. and Mrs. Stauffer are members 
of the River Brethren Church. 

SAMUEL TAYLOR, stock-raiser and farmer; 
P. 0. Canton ; was born in Jefierson Co., Ohio, 
Jan. 9, 1815. The early years of his life were 
passed on the faim. He attended the common 
schools of his neighborhood, and acquired a 
good education ; he lived with his parents until 
he was 25 years old, he then married, in March, 
1840, Miss Elizabeth J. McCuUough, who was 
a native of Jefferson Co. Soon after his mar- 
riage, he removed to Carroll Co.. Ohio, and 
settled on a farm of 240 acres, which he in- 
herited from his father's estate. He lived on 
the farm ten j-ears ; he then moved to Stark 
Co.. settling in Canton Tp. on a farm of 255 
acres, where he now lives. He now owns up- 
ward of 500 acres of well improved laud. In 
1874, he was one of the few men who organized 
the Farmers' Bank, of Canton ; he is a stock- 
holder and director. Mi-s. Taylor died in 1867, 
and in 1868, he marrietl. for his second wife, 
3Iary C, the widow of Christian ( )3-er, of Canton. 
From that marriage there has been one child. 
Mr. Taylor is a member of the Methodist Epis- 
copal Church, and IMrs. Taylor of the Baptist. 
William and v^oplua Taylor, the parents of our 
subject were n;itives of Washington Co., Penn.; 
and came to ( )hio in 1812. They settled in Jeff- 
erson Co.. on a farm where they lived 37 years, 



.^ 



( AXro.N TOWXSIlll' 



655 



tluMi rciiiovetl U) Stark Co., settling in Osna- 
Imrg Tp.. and lliore livi\l seven years ; tiie re- 
niainder of their well-spent lite was passed with 
their son (our subject); the father of our sul)- 
jecl died in 1 8(51. aged 72 years; his mother 
lived to reach the ripe age of !)1 : she died in 
lS7(i. 

LKWIS J. WISlv farmer and dairyman : 
I* (). Canton ; was born in Plain Tp.. Stark Co.. 
Ohio. March 2U, 1827. His father and mother, 
Adam and I'liiebe (Stockton) Wise, were both 
natives of Pennsylvania, and about the year 
LS18 they removed from Wasliington Co., 
I'enn.. to Stark Co., Ohio, and located at Mid- 
dle Branch, in Plain Tp.. where they engaged in 
farming. .Mr. Adam Wise was a man of con- 
siderable enterprise, he linally built, in earlj' 
time, a grist mill and ran it. and was also en- 
gaged in mercantile business at that point for 
a time, besides establishing another industry, 
that of a factory for caiding wool, which was 
then much desii-ed in the country for convert- 
ing the rough wool into spinning '■ rolls." Tiie 
subject of this article is the tifth child of a 
familj- of nine children : he was brought up to 
the various duties of the fiirm, and received a 
go(xl common school education, and began on 
his own account by teaching school for two 
winters. In 181!l, he married Susan Cans, she 
died in June. 185;i, leaving two children, 
Oliver and Susan, now Mrs. John Shoemaker ; 
he was married to Susan Fisher in 1856 : she 
is the daughter of Jacob Fisher, of Perry Tp.; 
by this union were born to Mr. Wise seven chil- 
dren, viz. : Kllen. now wife of Mahlon Snivel^' ; 
Williaui, Newton. Kdwin, Kmma, Hertiia, and 
Homer, lie has l)een fretpiently School Direct- 
or. :ind is a memljer of Canton (irange. No. 
305, of which he has been treasurer for about 
five years. Mr. and Mrs. Wise are both mem- 
bers of the Baptist Church. In 1854. he 
removed to the farm where he now resides, 
which contains lliO acres of well improved land 
with good buildings, located about one mile ' 
west of the city of Canton, on a beautifid emi- 
nence overlooking the city, and merits the 
name ■ Citv \'icw Farm." 

SA.MIKI VODKH, farmer; P. O. North 
Industiy. KM Voder, the father of our subject. 
was a native of Pennsylvania, and came to 
Stark County with his parents in an early day. 



The early part of his life was passed on the 
farm. He attended the common schools and 
acquired a liberal education, although his ad- 
vantages were poor and limited in the region 
of his home. He married .Miss Nancy Kopp, 
who was a native of Lancaster County, Penn., 
and she was raised on a farm owikhI by Presi- 
dent IJuchanan. .\fler his marriage he .settled 
in Wayne County, Ohio, and engaged in farm- 
ing ; he subsequently removed to (."anton 
Township, Stark Co., settling on a farm and 
has been a resident of the county ever since. 
He is a man widely known throughout the 
county for his energetic habits and business 
qualitications. Samuel Yoder, the subject of 
these few lines, was born on his fathers farm 
in Wayne County, Ohio, Sept. 17. 1848. The 
early years of his life were passed on the farm ; 
he received the advantages of a common school 
education, and allhougii oi)portunities were not 
favorable he ac(iuired a good eilucation. He 
lived at home with iiis parents until he was 30 
years old ; he tiien purchasi-il 125 acres of land 
in the southern part of Canton Township. He 
has by hard work and economical habits pros- 
pered and is one of the substantial men of the 
township. In 1873. he married Miss Jlary, 
daughter of Adam and Mary Shatter, a lady to 
whom he owes part of his success. From that 
marriage there have been two children — Harve3' 
and Ida. Mr. and Mr.s. Yoder are members of 
the Lutheran (^hurch. 

CKOKtiK YOlNt; f.irmer; P. O. Canton; 
was born in (lermany. April 29, 1829; his 
early life was passed on the farm; he received 
a common school education in his native coun- 
try. In 1849, he came to America, and his tirst 
place of residence was in Allegheny Co., Penn., 
where he worked at the machinist's trade for 
seven years, he then removed to Canton, Stark 
Co., Ohio, and settled on a farm of 40 acres, 
two miles south of Canton; he has lived there 
ever since ; he has increased his farm to 105 
acres. Few men have been more successful than 
Mr. Young. In 1853, he married Phillipene 
Close, of Pittsburgh, Penn. From that marriage 
there have been three children, namely, Ceorge, 
Lizzie and Caroline. Mrs. Young died in 1862, 
and in 1863 he married Christina Neithaberger, 
of Canton. Mr. and Mrs. Young are members 
of the (Jernian Reformed Church. 



J^ 



'.^ 



BIOGRAPHIC A I. SKETCHf:8: 



CITY OF MASSILLON. 



FREDERICK ALBRECHT. retired. Mas- 
Billon; he was boru in Rhine-Bavaj-ia. Sept. 
1*J, 1S]S; son of Nicholas Albrecht and 
Elizal)etL Engle. to whom were liorn seven 
children - Adam, George. Michael, Charles, 
Frederick, John and Cath;u-ine: all lived to 
mature age. Oiu- subject learned the shoe 
maker's trade while in Bavaria: lf~i40. he em- 
igrated to America, lauding in New Orleans 
in December the same yeai': in the sjiring of 
1841 Ciune to this city, and, working as jour- 
neyman two years, then engaged in liusiness 
for himself, in 1843, caiTving on the gi-ocer}' 
bnsine.ss in connection with his shoe shop, 
his brother Michael being a j)artnor for six 
years iu the gi-ocery store: afterward pur- 
chased his brother's interest, and continued 
the business until 1875, when his son, Louis, 
succeeded him, and has since continued the 
business. His wife was Elizabeth Daiun, born 
in Hesse- Darmstadt in 1822; daughter of 
John Daum, who came to this country in 1S41. 
Mr. Albrecht has seven children- (i. Louis, 
Mary, Aloiiua, Frederick. Emma. Edward and 
Edith. Louis succeeded his father in 1875, 
and has since carried on the business. Mary 
married Henry Deilhenu: the others are at 
home. Mr. Albrecht came to this country a 
poor man, and has accumulated considerable 
property, all by his own exertions, Mr. Al- 
brecht has two brothers and one sister in the 
county — Frederick and John — in Perry Tp. : 
Catharine. Mrs. Peter Charles, is in Tusca- 
rawas. G. Louis was born in this city in 1848; 
married Amelia Deilhenn. daughter of Peter 
Deilhenn. and since 1875 has succeeded his 
father in the gi-ocer\- trade. 

P. a. ALBRIGHT, banker, Massillon: was 
born in Massillon. Ohio. Nov. 28. 1838; his 
parents were Michael All)right and Elizabeth 
Root, both natives of Germany; his father 
emigrated to America aliout the year- 1830, 
and settled in Kendal, now Massillon. Stark 
Co., Ohio, where tor some ten years he was 
engaged in selling checks. A clock which sold 



at that time for S50 can now be bought for 
•$3.50. He afterward embarked in the grocery 
business, being one of the first wholesale gro- 
cers of the place, and conducted the business 
for a number of yeai-s. He died in 1850, at 
the eai'ly age of 37 : he was one of the most 
substantial citizens of his day: was noted for 
his open-hearted liberalit.y. and it is not known 
that he had an enemy. He had Ave childa-en, 
of whom oui' subject is the oldest son. Being 
left fatherless at the age of 12, he was com- 
pelled from that time, to a great extent, to 
make his own way in the world. His mother 
continued to conduct the store after the death 
of her husbiind, and young Albright became 
a clerk at the age of 14, and for four yeiU's 
had chief management of the business. His 
opportunities for education were therefore 
very much restricted. At the age of lU, he 
embarked in business for himself, in the gro- 
cery trade, and thus continued for sixteen 
years. In January, 1872. he engaged in pri- 
vate banking, in company with William Mc- 
Chniionds, the bank taking the name of the 
German Deposit Bank of Massillon. For a 
considerable time past, he has been quite ex- 
tensively engaged in dealing in real estate. 
With the exception of a term in the City 
Council of Massillon, he has never sought or 
held office. In April, 1865, he mamed Eliz- 
abeth, daughter of Audi-ew Stalil, of Navan-e, 
Stark Co.. Ohio. He is a Freemason, and is 
a member of Sippo Lodge. No. 47. of Massil- 
lon. Mr. Albright began life a poor boy, but 
I by industry and a sti'ict attention to business, 
i has worked his way to a ))rominent position 
among the self-made men of his community; 
he has ever been characterized for an enter- 
]>rising s[)irit, having always taken an interest 
in all projects for the advancement of the 
welfare of the community. 

C. B. ALLM.\N, merchant, Massillon; is 
the senior membon- of the Massillon Bee-hive 
Cash Store, its name being emblematical of 
the bus^• life and industiT going on within its 



!,>£ 



CITY OF MASSILLON. 



6f)7 



walls. C. B. Allman is a gi-andson of Ebenezer 
Allman. The latter gentleman was bom Nov. 
11, l~l)4, in Maryland; bis wife was Aguos 
CaiTell, born July 20, 177"2. To this couple 
were born (leorjre, who was a great hunter; 
William, James, Mary, John, Daniel, Carrell 
Haymon, James and Barney (twins), Sarah, 
Elizabeth and Margaret. Carrell, from wht)ni 
our subject was named, was kilK'd hy a ti'ee 
falling upon him. Daniel, the father of Car- 
rell B., was born Sept 10, 17'J7, in Washing- 
ton Co., Penn. ; he married Elizabeth Baines. 
who was Ixjrn March 11, 1S2I, in Yorkshire, 
England; she was the daughter of John 
Baines, who man'ied a Chapman. Daniel 
Allman had four children bom him. Melissa, 
died young; Carrell B. ; Agnes, became the 
wife of David M. Anderson, and Haymon. 
The Allman family came to Ohio, locating in 
Bethlehem Tp., in 1808. Ebenezer Allman 
was one of tho pioneer Methodists, ;is well as 
one of the first settlers: his mother's name, 
prior to her marriage, was Neblick. For sev- 
eral years, Daniel Allman & Bro. ciUTied on 
the mercantile business in this county, at 
Navan-e, and at Rochester. Daniel Allman 
died in 1S67; his wife yet sm'N'ives him. 
Ciirrell B. was bom in Navan'e, Bethlehem 
Tp., in 1842, the second child of his parents, 
and was raised on a farm until IS years of 
age. He served one year as a soldier in the 
l()7th O. V. I., when he was discharged on 
account of disaljility. He lirst engaged in 
business in 1804, with his father, at BoliviU", 
remaining one year; he came to this city in 
1808, and has since c<_mtinued in business, tLi-st 
beginning with J. (x. Waiwick & Co., which 
association lasted imtil 1S71 ; the name of the 
firm then changed to Allman, Groce & Wetter, 
which continued until 1S70, when it assumed 
its present name, Allman & Wetter, the busi- 
ness, since 1871, having increased 100 per 
cent. They employ over a score of clerks and 
salesmen, and ai'e doing an extensive business. 
Mr. Allman maiTied Alice Putnam, and has 
two children; he was rocked in the cradle of 
Methodism, is one of the stanch members of 
that denomination, and is an enthusiastic 
worker in the Sunday school, of which he is 
Superintendent; he is also a member of the 
various Masonic bodies of this city. 



WILLIAM BROWN, deceased. Mr. Brown 
was born in St. Clairsville, Ohio, Oct. SjlSlO; 
came to Stark County in 1832; was a saddler 
hy trade, which vocation he followed for some 
time after he came to Massillon; he subse- 
quently engaged in Iwating on the Ohio Canal, 
dealing mostly in <;oal. March 20, 1834, he 
was maiTii'd to Mary Austin, who died in 
1840, leaving him three children, but one now 
living, James O., who resides in Mansfield. 
Dec. 8, 1840, he was united in marriage to 
Arietta Beacox, who was born Dec. 24, 1N24, in 
Hamiltt)n, Canada, daughter of (leorge Beacox 
and Laura Seaton. He was born in England 
and came U) Canada when 18 years of ago, 
where he lived until 1S33, when he moved to 
Michigan, where he lived several years; final 
ly settled in this coimty, where he died in 
1S47. Laura Seaton, the mother of Mrs. 
Brown, was a tlaughter of Willard Seaton. 
Mrs. Brown's parents had six children, one 
son and five daughtei-s — Leonard, Am-elia, 
Amelia, Amanda, Arietta and Amanda So- 
phrona, who married as follows; Am'elia 
married Robert MiU'phy; So[)hroua, wife of 
Hemy Briukman; Ajuanda remains single; 
Amelia is the wife of Mi-. lyle. To Mr. 
Brown were born nine children; but four ai'e 
living— Williiuu Frank, who is his father's 
successor in business, and r(»sides with hi9 
mother, Amelia (Mellie), Maude and Jesse. 

H. C. BROWN, Massillon: he is Teller 
of the First National Bank of this city; was 
lx)m Oct. 22, 1847; son of Isaac H. Brown, 
one of the old residents of the city. With the 
exception of three years spent in Tennessee, 
he has been a a^nstaut resident of the city. 
March, 1873, he entered the First National 
Bank at this place, where he has since re- 
mained. Nov. S, 1877, he was married to 
Ella R. Coleman, only daughter of John C. 
and Ellen (Etteridge) Coleman. Mr. Coleman 
was a brother of Joseph Coleman, oi' this city. 
Both the pju'ents of Mi's. Brown are deceased. 

MRS. REBECCA BAHNEY, Massillon; 
relict of the late Joseph Bahney; was bom 
in this city Oct. 28, 1832; daughter of Syl- 
vanus Buckius and Sarah Adam.s. Feb. 15, 
1852, she married Joseph Bahney, who waa 
born in Perry Tj). Sept. 28, 1.S2U, son of 
Jacob J. Bahney, one of the early settlers and 



658 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



business men of this city, with wliom Joseph, 
the hus,band of Mrs. Bahney. was associated, 
being en<jaged in the fm'uitiu'e trade, which 
bnsine'^s he carried on after tlie retirement of 
his father. Mrs. Bahney was bereft of her 
husband. Dec. 29. 1872. since which time she 
has borne his name. Mr. Bahney was an ex- 
cellent business man and worthy citizen: was 
a member of the I. O. O. F.. and a true Re- 
publican. To him were born live children — 
LoTiisa M.. now wife of Harry A. French, sta 
tion agent atOrville: Charles W.. Edward F.. 
Harry S. and Man' Josephine, at home. 
Charles W. and Edward P. have clerkships 
and reside with their mother. 

J. G. BUCHER. stoves and foundry. Massil- 
lon; is a native of Stark Coimty; born June 
14, 1823, in Canton: son of Jacob Bncher and 
Christina Rex. The Bncher family are among 
the early settlers of Stark County. The gi-and- 
sire of our subject was a tailor by trade; his 
son. Jacob, was a wheelwi'ight. and was born 
in Hagerstown, Md.. and came 'West prior to 
the war of 1812, into which he was di'afted. 
He was of a family of eight childi-en; the sons 
were Jacob. George. Jose] )h. David and John; 
the daughters were Mi's. Loutzenheizer, 
Mrs. George Miller and Dickerhoft'. The 
brothers and sisters of J. G. are William, now 
residing in New York, a manufacturer of me- 
tallic paint; Harriet. Mrs. I. N. Doxsee, of 
this city; Mary Ann. wife of B. B. Snyder, 
and resides in Toledo, Ohio; Cornelius, a 
merchant; John R., in Canton: Amelia mar- 
ried Reuben Hafleigh. and resides in Phila- 
delphia: Catharine, a maid; Theodore, in 
Cleveland, engaged in the manufactm-e of 
sewing machines J. G. was raised to farm- I 
ing oTU'suits. At the age of 17, our subject 
left home to learn the tinner's trade of I. N. 
Doxsee, of Massillon: afterward taiight school 
one term: soon after, he, in com])auy with 
Impertus Martin, engaged in the mercantile 
business at New Franklin, under the firm 
name of Martin & Co. : was foreman two 
years in a tin-shop for Ezi'a Leoland: associ- 
ated in business with D. H. Harmon, of Can- 
ton, for four or five years: then with his 
brother J. R.. aboiat the same lengtli of time: 
in 1860, he moved to Massillon and engaged i 
in the stove and foundry business, which has 



since occupied his attention; in 1868, he was 
one of five who associated together and built 
the opera house, which was completed in 
1870, costing nearly .$10(),0()0: since, he has 
purchased the entire interest of the opera 
house proper. March 6, 1845, he married 
Lucinda J. Kitzmiller, daughter of Jacob; and 
of four children liorn him, two are living — 
Clara, wife of Killinger, and Anna L. Flora 
died at 28; and was the wife of Dr. John. 
The parents of Mr. Buelier were Lutherans. 
Mr. Bncher is a member of the Episcopal 
ChLirch. and a Republican. 

M. A. BROWN, lumber d.-alor. Massillon; 
was born May 2U, 1824, in Non\ay, Oxford 
Co., Me.: son of Ephraim and Rosa (Heald) 
Brown; he was born in Middlesex Co.. Mass., 
but being of English descent. The farm 
upon which Mr. Brown was raised was in the 
family about 200 years. ET>hi"iim. who was 
a miller, had seven children, who gi-ew to 
maturity. M. A. remained on the farm mitil 
he was 14 years old. and then' went to learn 
the cabinet-maker's trade, which he followed 
until 21 yeai's of age: then engaged in the 
manufacture of fimiitm'e. at Reading, Mass., 
going to that State in 1N31. when 7 years 
of age; remained at Reading three or four 
years, and then went to Bostcm. where he 
stayed until 1852; then went to Cleveland 
and engaged in the manufactiu-e of furniture, 
where he remained until 1865; then came to 
this city and ran an agricultm-al house for J. 
M. Brown & Seiberling. which lasted until 
the death of Mr. J. M. Brown: then engaged 
in the lumber business, in 1868. and has since 
continued. In 1848, he man-ied Ellen M. 
Davis, born in Reading, Mass., in Nov<anber, 
1S3(\ daughter of James Davis. They have 
the following issue: Frank A.. Arthur W., in 
Cleveland: Kittie, Mrs. Theodore Foeke; 
Carrie, wife of James R. Dunn, of this city, 
member of the Episcopal Church, and a Re- 
publican. 

Z. T. BALTZLY. druggist. Massillon. 
Among the young and enterprising dmggists 
is the subject of this sketch, who was born in 
Tuscarawas County, in Sejitembfr, 1^48; son 
of John and Lydia (Miller) Baltzly. both 
natives of the same countv, hf being born in 
1821. she about 1831. To them were born 



^1 
*1 



-5>^, 



( ITV OF MASSILLOX. 



uine children, Z. T. being the oldest of the 
niuuber. The fiiiuily came "West sliortly after 
the war of 1812. locating in Tuscarawas 
(\)\inty. The family has desccudnd from the 
Hufj^uenots. Z. T. was raised to ii<:^-icultural 
jiursiiits until the ajje of l(i. when he entered 
school at Tiffin; in 180U. he came to this place 
<ind engaged in husint'ss with ilr. Demuth. 
under the firm name of l)(>nmth & Co.. which 
lasted two veal's, when the tirm changed to 
Baltzly iV- (rood, which lusted until the spring 
of 1S74: since, he has conrlucted the business 
alone. He was manned in 1872 to Mary E. 
Iforganthaler. born in this plac>^. daughter of 
Henry Morganthaler. native of Germany, who 
emigrated to America in \S'.]H. He has had 
two children — Edwin B. and Stanley M. Mr. 
and Mrs. Baltzly are members of the Presby- 
terian Church: he is a member of Clinton 
Lodge A.. F. & A. M. : also a Knight of Pyth- 
ias. Lodge No. 87. 

H. BEATTY. coal business. Massillon; was 
born in Franklin Co., Penn., Dec. 1(5, ISlfi. 
the fifth of a family of eight ciiildren, bom to 
James and Miiry (Kate) Beatty. James was 
born in the north of Ireland, and settled in 
Baltimore, having fom' sons — James, John, 
Robert and Hugh. The Beatty family came 
West in 1818, located in Kendal, but after- 
ward moved across the river on to Judge Hen- 
ry's fami, where they lived thirteen years, 
and then moved to Lawrence Tp., where he 
had purchased land, and lived there until his 
death, which occurred in 1848: liis wife died 
when onr subject was small. They had a 
family of ten cliiliken, eight of whom grew 
to matm-ity Ge<5rge, John, Hannah. James. 
Henry. Sarah. Jonathan and Mary. Our sub- 
ject had but jioor school advantages, and re- 
mained at liome until he was 21 yejirs of age; 
he then learned the cooper's trade in Jackson 
Tp.. at which he worked until 1S.">(). running 
a shoj) of his own. when he went to California 
and worked at mining: returning in 1852, he 
engaged in the gi'ocerj' and provision business, 
at which he continued twenty-seven years, re- 
tiring from the same in 1880. For si'veral 
years jiast, Mr. Beatty h<is been engaged in 
the coal business. He w,as married, in 1853. 
to Agnes Tinkler, born in England, and died 
in 1871, leaving three children — Harry T., 



Orrin C. and Mary E. He maiTied, as his 
siKJond wife, Jane Koberts. born in Indiana 
Co.. Penn.. whose parents were from England. 
He is a member of all th(> Miusonic organiza- 
tions, and has been interested in the political 
issues of the dav. being a true Kepul)lican. 

ISAA(; H. BiU)\VN, insurance and Notary 
Public. Massillon: first saw the liglit of day, 
April i. 1S13. in the tf)wn of Portsmouth, 
Kocluugham ('o.. N. H.: son of Daniel Brown 
and liebecca W. C'hadwick: he was born about 
the year 1780, in Ham])ton Falls; sou of John 
Brown, who entered the Revolutionary war at 
the age of thirty, and ch-ew a pension for sev- 
enty-three years, lieing 108 yeai'sof age at the 
time of his death. The Brovv-n family, of 
which otu' subject is a descendant, are of 
English ancestry. Rebecca was a daughter of 
Ebenezer Chadwick. whose wife was a Web 
ster, distant relatives of Daniel W(>bster; 
they came from Bradford, near Boston, ilr. 
Chadwick had three children, two daughtei-s, 
and one son whose name was Christopher C. 
To John Brown, the graudsire of Isaac H., 
were born Sanborn. Daniel, Jonathan, Hor- 
atio, John and Hannah. To Daniel and Re- 
becca Brown were born six children, who grew 
to matm'ity, viz. ; .Vlniira W., who married 
Samuel Lahm. of Canton, who was a member 
of Congress from that district: Ann R , wife 
of H. Wheeler. Jr., who w;us Su])erintendent 
of the rolling mills: Isaac H., of Massillon; 
Daniel; Mary H, wife of John H Wheeler; 
Helen E.. Mrs. Isaac Hazlett, of Canton. 
Mrs. Brown died November, 1868, wliile on a 
visit to Knoxville, Tenn. The father of our 
subject was a merchant, earning on a whoh^- 
sale and retail trade. Oiu- subject was raised 
to mercantile pursuits. He crlerked six years 
in a dry goods store in Portsmouth; also one 
year each in Boston and New York City: he 
came West to Stark County, in September, 
183-I-, and since that time has been a constant 
resident of the city and identified with its in- 
terests. Upon his arrival at this jjlace. hi> lirst 
clerked in the ^lassillon rolling mills until 
the fall of 18;i8: in January. INH'.t, he and 
Hardin Brown ])urchased the furnace part and 
ran the same until IS'jS, it being th<- first 
itistitution of the kind w(>st of Pittslnu'gh. 
He has always been identified with the Re- 



~?7=~ 



^1 



6G0 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



publican party; he was Canal Collector for 
three years; was one of the Trustees of the 
city during its early formation; served sev- 
eral years as Justice of the Peace, and was 
Postmaster from 1861) to 1874, and Notary 
Public tor fifteen years; is not a member of 
any chiu'ch organization, but a member of the 
I. O. O. F. for thii-ty-fom- yeai's. Mr. Brown 
is engaged in the insm'ance business and at- 
tending to the duties of the office of Notary. 
June 2, 1840, he man-ied Elizabeth J. 
Wheeler, who was born in 1815, in Ports- 
mouth, N. H., daughter of Huakeu Wheeler; 
has hve childi-en — Charles H., now a banker 
in Knoxville, Tenn.; Otis A., same place; 
Horace resides in Massillon, clerk in the Fu'st 
National Bank; Hallie W. is now Deputy 
Clerk in the United States Com't at Toledo, 
being the tirst lady ever lilliiig the office; 
Clarence is the youngest child. 

JACOB L. BACHTEL, deceased. The 
Bachtel family trace their family to Samuel 
Bachtel, who was born in Eastern Pennsyl- 
vania, Oct. 4, 1782, O. S. His father emi- 
gi-ated to the United States and settled near 
Schuylkill in Montgomery Co., June 12, 1853. 
Samuel Bachtel married Anna Simon, who 
was born Dec. 18, 1735. Her father, Isaac 
Simon, emigi'ated from France, and her 
mother from Switzerland. Simon was com- 
pelled to flee from France on account of his 
religious sentiments, he being of the Men- 
nouite persuasion. Jacob L. is of the foiu-th 
generation from Samuel, and was born in 
Jackson Tp., Aug. ID, 1821, son of Samuel 
and Elizabeth (Leckron) Bachtel. Samuel 
was a son of Jacob and Catherine (Kershner) 
Bachtel, who was a sou of Samuel and Anna 
(Simon) Bachtel, whose father was the first of 
the family to settle in America. Samuel 
Bachtel, the father of the above, came West 
to this county and settled in Jackson Tji. 
when the country was new; he died 1850. 
The childi-en born him were Rosamia, Jacob 
L., Catharine, Henry C, Isaac S., Elizabeth 
and Margaret. Jacob L. was raised upon a 
fann upon which he remained until after the 
death of his father, when he moved to this 
city and engaged in the wool trade, which 
business he carried on up to the time of his 
death. He was also an administrator upon 



estates, many of which he had in charge. 
May 15, 1855, he maiTied Eliza A. Atwater, 
who was born in June, 1833, in this city, and 
by her had one son, Edward H. Mr. Bachtel 
died in 1879 — was an excellent business man 
and highly esteemed in the community for 
his goodness of heart and manly virtues. 
Eliza A. was a daughter of Joshua D. At- 
water and Dorcas Bronson. He was born Jan. 
29, 1807, in Hamdeu, Conn., son of Jared 
and Eunice ( Dickerman ) Atwater. Jared 
was a son of David and (Rachel) Hubbard. 
He was a son of Joshua and Betsey Good- 
year. David Atwater is the original member 
or head of the family. He was one of the first 
planters of New Haven. He and Joshua came 
over from Kent Co., England, to New Haven, 
as e;u'ly as 16*55. The descendants of Joshua 
;u'e extinct. David Atwater died in 1692, 
antl fi'om him has descended quite a numerous 
progeny. Joshua Atwater came to Ohio and set- 
tled in Massillon and established a business in 
1832, which is being conducted to this day by 
his son David. The religion of the family 
has been Congregational. Mrs. Atwater is a 
Methodist; Mrs. Bachtel a member of the 
Episcopal ChiU'ch. 

D. O. BROWN, coal dealer, Massillon; was 
born Oct. 21, 1804, in Belmont Co., Ohio, 
son of William and Mary (Booker) Brown, 
both natives of Virginia. William was a car- 
penter by trade, and raised a family of six 
children — Hiram D., Jacob B., William, Jesse, 
D. O., and Lauretta. D. O. was the third in 
order, and at the age of 18 learned the cab- 
inet makers' trade, leaving home at 26. In 
1834, he married Harriet Alter, a native of 
Ohio; she died, leaving two children. He 
came West in 1854, to this place, and engaged 
with his brother William in the coal business, 
which has continued up to the present time. 
"While at his trade he worked in various local- 
ities including a residence in Cincinnati of 
22 years. Having begun life poor and not 
having any school advantages, our subject 
has gradually worked himself into a position 
that is worthy of commendation. His pres- 
ent wife was Maiy A. Bailey, born in 1816, in 
Cuyahoga Co., Ohio, daughter of Amasa Bai- 
ley, who came to Cleveland from Massachu- 
setts, about 1832. The Browns are of En- 



'-^ 



CITY OF MASvSILLON. 



601 



f^lish and the Bookere of German descent. 
He lias one brother livintr. Is R('pul)lican in 
|K)lities. Jcssf. the Imrtbcr livin<^, resides in 
Mound City, Kan. By his hist marriage has 
one chikl, Cynis O. 

J. M. BAHNEY, furnitiue, Massillon; was 
boni iu this town Oct. 31, 1!S39; son of Jacob 
J. and Mary Miller, he being a son of Jacob, 
who had eight children. Mr. Bahney's t'ather, 
Jacob, came West in ISl'i, and located in 
this township. He had ten children — Will- 
iam, in California; Maria and Joseph, dead; 
Maj. A. J. Bahney, lOlth, served three years, 
now in Kansas; Hiram; Eliza, died in Cali- 
fornia; J. M. ; Isaac, in Kansas; Laura A.: 
Mrs. Lewis ^Valcott Jacob was a carpenter 
and bridge builder and millwright After 
coming West, Mr. Baliney engaged in the fur- 
niture business in IS'24, continuing until LS5-, 
when he was succ(>eded by Joseph, who ran 
the same until \H1'S, when J. M. took hold of 
it and has run it since. The father died in 
bS75, mother still living; both members of 
the Gennan Lutheran Church. He was a 
stanch Democrat John M., our subject, 
left home before he was of age, and went to 
Californiii, staying there seven and a half 
years. Was engaged there in mining. After 
his return from California he went to Mis- 
souri, where he remained some time; out on 
the Pacific llailroad for one and a half years: 
then to this ])lace, and again went to Califor- 
nia, staying three and a half years. In 1S73, 
he engaged in business here, where he has 
continued since. 

F. L. B.ALDWIN, attorney at law, Massil- 
lon; was born in this city and has since been 
identified with its interests, smd is now of the 
firm of Pease & Baldwin. The Baldwins and 
Millers, of whom he is a descendant have been 
quite j)rominently identified with the interests 
of the county, as early settlers and as business 
men. Ponieroy, tin' father of the aljove, was 
Itorn in this county; he first saw the light of day 
in Hudson, Summit Co., March 0, ISIS; son 
of Pomeroy Baldwin who was a native of 
Litchfield Co., Conn., and located in Siunmit 
Co. in IS 12, where he died five years after- 
ward. His wife was Ann Foote, a native of 
Connecticut; she afterward marred Ai-vine 
Wales, Sr., and by him had one child, the 



Hon. A. C. Wales, of this county. She died in 
1S2N. Pomeroy Baldwin (the father of F. L.) 
was her son b_\' Uer first marriage. He ciime to 
this county alwut the year 1S3(), and engaged iu 
several lines of business. He died March 25, 
1849. His widow married Dr. Barrick, who 
was a native of Virginia, and who came West 
to Columbiana Co. when a lad. He moved 
to Cleveland in 1S4(), where he lived until 
his death, which occurred March 22, LSTIJ. 
Mrs. Biirrick was bom July 12, 1.S20, in 
the city of Massillon, daughter of Jacob and 
Elizabeth Miller. Jacob was a son of (Jeorge 
who came h'om Frederick Co., Md., to Read- 
ing, Penn., from which place they emigrated 
to this county, locating iu what is now Jack- 
son Tp., in ISOfi. George had a lai'ge family, 
among whom was Jacob, the father of Mrs. 
Clara N. Barrick, who is the mother of F. L. 
Baldwin. Jacob, one of tlie sons, was for 
many years Associate Judge of the county. 

S. C. BOWMAN, hardware, Massillon; 
was bom Sept 5, 1S22, in Franklin Co., 
Penn., son of Abram and Christina Kreider 
Bowman, to whom were born ten children, S. 
C. being the fourth in order of birth. The 
family came from Pennsylvania to Tuscara- 
was Tp., in lS2y, and where Abram re 
mained until his death in 1S52; his wife 
died in 1S68. S. C. was raised to farming, 
and stayed at home until he was of age. He 
had good school advantages, and taught 
school himself for ten years during the win- 
ters. He came to Massillon about 1(S52 and 
engaged in the " fanners' store," owning 
stock of and being interested in the same for 
about five yeai-s, after which he became asso- 
ciated with I. X. Dovs(>e in tin basins for 
two years; then put in mill machin(>ry, etc., 
bought the building in company with Will- 
iam Taylor, and ran the same five or six years, 
sold out, and in com[)any with Williani Tay- 
lor put in mill machinerj- now rim by L N. 
Doxsee. then bought the building and ran the 
same about six years; then sold out; then 
bought the Atwater grocery, in which he con- 
tinued two years; then in hardware in lSt)S, 
under firm niune of Bowman & Meyer. In 
December, ISSO, he bought out Mi-. Meyer, 
and has since i-uu the business alone. Since 
1S72, was engaged in prospecting for coal. 



:^.=£l^ 



662 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



Was a member of the Legislatiu-e in 1859 
and 1800: also, from 1870 to 1874 Is at 
present serving as a member of the State 
Board of Equalization. Jan. 4. 1849. was 
-maiTied to Elizabeth Sowers, born in Frank- 
lin Tp.. Summit Co.. January, 1827. daughter 
of Jacob Sowers, who married a Harter. Has 
one child, Ida, now Mrs. Otto Uhlendorfl'. Is 
a member of the Methodist Episcopal Chm'ch, 
and a Freemason, including Blue Lodge, 
Chapter, Council, and Commandery, as well 
as oF the order of Royal Arcanum. 

D. C. BUNNELL, livery, Massillon; was 
born Sept. 12, 1839. in Cleveland; son of Isaac 
M. and Mary E. (Reed) Bunnell. De Witt 
remained with his jiarents in Cleveland, iintil 
August, 1862, when he enlisted as a private, 
in Co. A, 13th O. V. I., and remained in 
service until November, 1805, serving three 
years and throe months. Diu^ing the last half 
of his service he was employed at Gen. 
Thomas' headquarters, as telegraph mes- 
senger. Upon his return to peacei'ul pur- 
suits, he came to this city and for- two 
years was engaged in butchering with J. F. 
Sutterling, under the fii-m name of Sutterling 
& Bunnell. Since the spring of 1808, he has 
been engaged in the livery business, having 
a good class of horses and vehicles, which 
command a liberal share of the public patron- 
age. For several years past he has been 
engaged in boating on the canal, having a 
boat of his own which he runs whenever busi- 
ness demands. Isaac M., his father, was born 
June 7, 1810, in St. Lawi-ence Co.. N. Y., son 
of Jesse H., who was born in Massachusetts. 
April 30, 1785; his wife was Susanna Pratt, 
who was bom May 31. 17Ny. and by whom 
he had eleven children — Isaac M.. Rachel. 
Daniel. Mary A.. Agnes B., Charles H.. Hem-y 
A., Levi P., Maria G., Hannah K. and Will- 
iam S. Jesse H., the grandfather of De Witt, 
was a son of Jonathan and Mehitable (Morse) 
Bunnell. They were married in Kingsltmy, 
New York. The fruits of the maiTiage were 
twelve childi-en, viz. ; Rebecca, Sarah. Nathan- 
iel, Anna, Isaac, Solomon, Jonathan, Jesse H., 
Levi, Mary, Mehitable and Abigail. Isaac 
Morse, the father of De Witt, came to Cleve- 
land in 1833. He was a ship carj)enter and 
boat builder, at which he worked until his 



death. May 24. 1874. His wife died in 1865. 
I They had five children — Francis W., De Witt 
! C, Edwin R.. Jesse H.. and Henry H — but 
: two living. D. C. and J. H.. who is now in 
I New York, a manufacturer of telegi'aph 

instruments. 
' C. S. BROWN, merchant, Massillon; bom 
May 29. 185S, in Sugar Creek Tp., son of 
Robert and Elizabeth (Sprankle) Browu. John 
Brown, the gi-andfather of C. S., was a native 
! of Westmoreland Co., Penn., and came West 
; to Ohio, about the time of the war of 1812, 
locating in Tuscarawas Co., where Robert, 
the father of C. S., was born (in 1832) and at 
the age of 5 years was left fatherless. His 
i mother married Gabriel Weimer, with whom 
I he went to Sugar Creek Tp., in 1839, where 
he lived until 1858, then moved to Noble Co., 
Ind., where he yet resides. Eight children 
have been born him, C. S. being the third ; he 
left home at the age of eight years, hiring 
out to work for .13 per month; after ten years' 
labor on a farm came to Massillon in 1870, 
and entered the " Bee-hive " store, where he 
■ clerked several years. Sejit. 5, 1880, he 
began in l)usiness tor himself on the corner 
of Erie and Trenjont streets, where he opened 
n\) a Chinaware room, called the " Eureka 
; Dish Store." In the spring of 1881, he asso- 
ciated with D. R. Rosche in the business, 
\ which is conducted by these gentlemen who 
, are doing an excellent trade. In August, 
I 1880, ho married Ida E. Ruff, who was born 
in this city, daughter of Louis Ruff, who was 
killed in the battle of Shiloh, Vieing a mem- 
ber of Co. A, 13th O. V. I. His wife's 
maiden name was Mary E. Klotze. Elizaljeth 
Sprankle, the mother of C'. S., was a daugh- 
ter of Daniel Sprankle, whose wife was Nancy 
All man. daughter of Etienezer Allman, one of 
the jtioneers of the township of Bethlehem. 
E. B. BAYLISS, hotel, Massillon: was bom 
in December, 1S40, in Kendal (now Foiu'th 
Ward), second son of James and Eliza (Fox) 
Bayliss, and was raised in the city of Massil- 
lon. Oct. 19, 1805, he married Carrie Zielley, 
who was born in 1847, in Canton, Ohio, 
I daughter of Peter Zielley. Mr. Bayliss has 
three childi-en — Lidey. George and Walter. 
I Since June 1, 1879, Mr. Bayliss has been 
engaged in the hotel business with George 



^l 



CITY OF MASSILLON. 



C63 



Zeilley, running the Tremont, which they car- 
ried on thirteen months. Since July 13, 
ISS(I, they have been pro])riet(jrs of the Park 
Hotel, fonuerjy known as the American. The 
Park Hotel is the best house in the city, being 
cunihieted by thoroughly jiractical men, who 
study the comfort and convenience of their 
guests, which efl'ort on their part is duly 
appreciated by the traveling public who pat- 
mnize the house to the extent of its capacity. 
J. P. BUKTON. coal and iron. Miussillou; 
was born in Penn's Manor, Penn., Sept. 30, 
1821. Mr. Biuion's ancestors were members 
of the Society of Friends, emigrating with 
AVilliam Penn. ;md settled in Delawai-e Co., 
Penn. The parents of J. P. were ^Villiam 
and Kosanna (Galln-aithi Biu'ton, the former 
a native of Pennsylvania, the latter of Ireland. 
The father was a civil engineer, and was 
prominently engaged in some of the leading 
enterprises in that State in the erection of 
canals and railroads. Mr. Burton received a 
common school education. At the age of 1 9 he 
was engaged in the mercantile business, in the 
dry goods house of Lee k Taylor, and subse- 
quently, with Brown & Burton. In 1S43, 
he went to Philadel]ihia, Penn., and embarked 
in the wholesale dry goods trade with Burton 
& Greis, continuing with them four years, 
and after that with Davis. Burton k Co., for 
nine years, in the French and India import- 
ing trade. Duriui; this time he was for the 
most jiart stationed in Eurojie jmrchasing and 
Khi])piug goods to this country. In l^^)7, he 
withdrew from that business and associated 
with Jacob E. Eidgeway and others, contract- 
ing upon jmblic works, taking the first ct ntract 
upon the Northern Pacific Railroad, from Still- 
water to St. Paul. He also had the contract for 
building the Citizens' Passenger City Kailway, 
of Pittsburgh, being the first enterprise of the 
kind in the city. In ISS'.t, he removed to 
Massillon. Stark Co., where, in connection with 
llidgeway. he])m-chased the Massillon Furnace 
property and for aliout seventeen years was en- 
gaged in the manufacture of jiigiron. InlSTG, 
was formed the corporation known as the Bur- 
ton Fmnace Co.. of which Mr. Burton has since 
b(cn President. In July, IST'.t, the liidge- 
way-Bm-toD Co. was organized and incoq^o- 
rated for the purpose of operating in coal, 



iron find iron ores, Mr. Burton being Pres- 
ident of the same. He is a Royal Arch Mason. 
having been connected with the organization 
for over thirty years, and is a Republican 
since the organization of the party. He has 
been twice married; his first wife was Eliza- 
beth, daughter of Isaac Jenkinson, of Mary- 
land, whom he married in PhihKl<'l])hia in 
1845. She died in 1807. In Februaiy, 187 l,l>e 
man-ied Mary E., daughter of Jonathan Zerlje, 
of Massillon. The fruits of the union are 
Alice, Clara and Jonathan Prescott Burton. 

C. T. BICKNELL, jiaper manufactiuer, 
Massillon, Ohio. The Bicknell family, now 
scattered over the I'nited States, descended 
from Zachary Bickn(>ll, an English naval 
( flficer. born ly'Jd, in Weymouth, England, of 
Scandinavian origin. He emigrated to Amer- 
ica in the sjuing of 1035, landed in Massa- 
chusetts, and fciunded the town of "Weymouth, 
and died the following year. His descend- 
ants have all imbibed nnich of the Puritan- 
ical honesty and u].rightuess, which is m( re 
clearly demonstrated from the fact that, fcr 
the last 250 years, not one of the blood of 
Zachary Bicknell has ever stood convicte<l in 
any court, of any crime, misdemeanor, or 
fraud. Prior to the year 1820, they were 
Federalists, and though they have been tHi;:m- 
bitious in the line of ]mblic life <uid honi I's, 
yet the family has had its full share in the 
imjiortant trusts of civil society. Charli s T., 
whose name heads this sketch, is of the si>V( nth 
generation fn:m Zachary. He was born Sej)t. 
15, 1830, in Madison Co.,N. Y.,son of Moses, 
who was a ton of Bennett, son of Moses, son 
of James, son of John, who was a son of 
Zachary; Moses, the father of C. T., mairied 
Laura Thompson, and by her hi'd four chil 
dreu, who are Arbella C., now Mrs. James 
Richards on the homestead; J. Bennett, now 
in Cleveland in the grocery trade; Charles 
T., in Ma.ssillon, and Laura M., n.jw Mi's. 
C harles H. C(<man, of Fremont, Nel). Charles 
T. was raised to mi^rcantile piusuits under 
his father's care. In 1859, he engaged in 
farming, which he continued until 1807, when 
he engaged in merchandising. In 1809, was 
elected County Treasurer and re elected in 
1871, which position he filled until January, 
1S70. In November, 187(>, he came West 



J^l 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



and purchased an interest in the Massillon 
Paper Mill, then returned to New York, where 
he remained until 1S75, when he moved his 
family to this city where he has since resided. 
He is Secretary and Treasurer as weli as 
agent for the Massillon Paper Manufactiu'- 
ing Company. In 1858, he was maiTied to 
Susan Payne, who was born in 1889 in Nel- 
son, Madison Co., N. Y., daughter of Lyman 
and Anna ( Chappell ) Payne, his father, 
Ruggles Payne, being one of the early pio- 
neers in that locality. Mrs. Bickuell died in 
1871, leaving four children — Anna L., Alice, 
Warren and Charles. He man-ied Mary 
Gostling, in 1875. She was a native of 
England, daughter of William Gostling. 
Mr. Bicknell is a member of the A., F. & A. 
M., Morrisville Lodge, No. t)58; also of the A. 

o. u. w. 

JOSEPH COLEMAN, jeweler, Massillon; 
one of the oldest jewelers in the coimty; was 
born July 4, 1828, in Lakenheath, Suffolk, 
England, the youngest of a family of eight 
children born to William and Baily (Crow) 
Coleman. The family emigi-ated to Canada 
in 1834, where they stayed abo\it one year, 
from thence going to Bufl'alo, where they 
stayed three years. The father was a brick 
mason and builder by trade. Of the family 
the following grew up: William B., died in 
Buffalo in 181)9; John C, died in Massillon, 
1879; Mary Ann, on the homestead; Maria, 
now Mi's. Betteridge, in Genesee Co., N. Y., 
and Phebe, died in 1874 in Canada. From 
Biiffalo the family moved to Detroit, where 
they remained imtil 1837, when they came to 
this coimtv and spent nearly one year in 
Bethlehem* Tp. The following year (1838), 
our subject was apprenticed for four years to 
Marlin A. Withington. From there he went 
to Canada, and then stayed a short time in 
Buffalo, from whence he returned home and 
began business in April, 1845, in the room, 
since located, kept by N. Sibila on Main 
street. He stayed there two years and then 
moved to a small fi-ame building where the 
Park Hotel now stands, where he stayed Tintil 
1851, when he was bvu-ned out. He then 
purchased the groimd and began building 
where the old building stood, but before it 
was completed, the parties who afterward 



built the hotel bought him out. Then he 
bought the proiserty which the Skinner Bros. 
now run, occupying the place sixteen years 
and living in the same building; in fact all 
his children were born there. After that he 
became joint owner of the Park Hotel, and 
occupied the room which Hanson now occu- 
pies; here he stayed eight years, after which 
he disposed of his hotel interests, and came 
to his present place in 1870, purchasing the 
building No. 5 South Erie street. He was 
married in 1852 to Mary Bender, who was 
bom in this town, daughter of John Bender. 
They have three chikhen — Herbert B., Anna 
P. and .\lbert H. Politically, Mi'. Coleman 
is a Republican. He was a member of the 
Town Council before it became a city; was 
foiu'teen years Treasurer of the Massillon 
Cemetery Association; was Secretary of the 
Massillon Coal & Iron Co., for five or six 
years; was also a member of the Board of 
Directors of the Union Bank, and, since the 
present organization, a Director of the same. 
L. C. COLE, lawyer, Massillon; was born 
in Island Creek Tp., Jefferson Co., Sept. 14, 
1849; son of Thomas and Mar}' J. (Jackman) 
Cole, both natives of Jefferson Co. The Cole 
family originally formed three branches — 
Joshua, Thomas and Ezekiel. who came over 
fi'om England with Lord Baltimore and set- 
tled in Maryland. L. C. was raised a farmer, 
but attended school for several years, and 
afterward took a four years' course in college. 
In 1871, he began the stxad}' of law, under 
Judge Martin, of Steubenville, and was 
admitted to and began the practice of his 
profession in Januaiy, 1874, at Tiffin; in 
June of same year, he came to this place and 
associated himself with Isaac Ulman, which 
continued until 1879; then practiced alone 
iiutil March, 1881, since which time with R. 
W. McCaughey. In 1880. he was elected 
Mayor, having previously served for five 
yeai-s as City Solicitor. He was mairied, in 
October, 1873, to Maiiha J., daughter of 
Thomas and Maiy Daugherty. They have 
one child, Thomas. Mr. Cole is a member of 
the L O. O. F., and K. of P. orders. His 
father had nine children, all of whom gi-ew 
to matiu'ity, but five of whom ai-e now living 
— Caroline, Mi's. I. B. Jackman, Daviess Co., 



CITY OF MASSII.LON. 



Ind. ; Hannah, Mrs. J. G. Gulp; Margaret, 
Mrs. Joseph Jaekman, both of Jeflferson Co., 
Ohio; ElizalH'th, now Airs. W. P. Cooper, 
Cohimbiana Co., this State. Father died 
Dec. IN, ISuU. Mother yet liviiii^ and resid- 
ing in Cohimbiana ('onntv with Mrs. C<H>per. 

JOSEPH CAKNS, rolling-mill, Massil- 
lon; was born Nov. 9. 1829, in Tredegar, 
Monmouthshire, England, son of James and 
.Mary (Richards) Cams. The family in 1S8(1. 
emigrated to America and settled in Balti- 
more where they stayed but a short time, then 
removed to Chester County, and from there 
to Cumberland ('a, N. J., where the father 
was engaged in the rolling-mill business, 
.loseph began the trade when but U years of 
age, and in 1S47 engaged in business for him- 
self, building what is now known as Buft'alo 
Iron and Nail ^\'orks. Remained in New 
Jersey until ISHH, then moved to Philadel- 
[)hia, then to I'ittsbm'gh and to N(>w York, ^\'as 
Superintendent from l!Sr>8 to ISdU. and moved 
to Akron, where he engiiged in same business, 
and was M;maging Director of the Akron Iron 
Company. In 1878, he dissolved his coimec- 
tion with this company and joined a tirm at 
Girard, undi'r the name of the Cams Ii-on 
Company, which continued until the spring 
of 1880, when he sold out his interest and 
came to Massillon in .'Vugust of same year, 
and leiised the Massillon Rt)lling Mills. 
They employ over one hundred men. manu- 
faetm'ing all grades of iron known to the 
trade. He married, in 1 8,") 1 , Sarah Ann Pe;u'- 
son. born in Rufl'alo, N. Y.. daughter of Chris- 
topher and Martha Pearson, Mr. C. has been 
identfied with the Methodist Episcopal Church 
since 1842, and j)rior to his coming to 
Massillon has l)een an active and enthusiastic 
worker in the Sunday school, being many 
years in charge of th(> same as Su])eriutend- 
ent Has always been a stanch Re|)ublican. 

WILLIAM CASTLEMAN, lumber, Mas- 
sillon: was bom Fell. 22, 1827, in Perry Tp., 
Stark Co., Ohio. His ])arents were John and 
M;uT (Meek) Castleiiian, the f(inner a native 
of I'ennsylvania, the latter of Marjland. His 
father emigrated from Pennsylvania to Ohio 
in 1811, and wiis a pioneer of what was then 
known as Kendal, but now Fourth Wfird in 
Massillon. That part of the county was at the 



time little better than a wilderness, Massilli)n 
having only tw(j houses. He was a cai-penter 
and builder, and a tine type of the genuine 
pioneer. He was an indusb'ious, energetic 
and hiird-working man. nuich respected by all 
who knew him. He had a family of ten chil- 
dren, of whom om- subject is the second son. 
When the latter was only 9 years of age, 
his fatlK>r met with an accident which cri])- 
pled him for life, and from that time onward 
young Castleman was thrown entirely ujK)n 
his own resources and compelled to support 
himself. His o])portunitie8 for acquiring an 
education were therefore extremely limiteil. 
When about IS years of agc^ he was employed 
for a short time as laborer on the canal, after 
which he ])urchased a ('anal boat on credit, 
and engaged in boating ft-om Cleveland to 
Massillon. with an occasional tri[) to the Ohio 
River. In this business he continued for 
twenty-three yeai-s with ])roiitable residts. 
On account of tlu^ hard work and exposure 
incident to this occupation, he sold out bis 
interest on the canal and embarked in the 
lumber trade in Massillon, in 18(')(). at which 
business he has since been engaged. For a 
short time he was engaged in the mercantile 
business. He is now the oldest lumber mer- 
chant in Massillon. His mother died in 
1 87r), at the age of 84. For many years pre- 
vious to her death, she found a home with 
her son William, who was devoted to her and 
administered to her wants to the end of her 
life. Fonuerly he was a Democrat, but now 
a Republican. He is unmarried. 

PETER DIELHENN, merchant, Massil- 
lon; is among the successful business men of 
this city, who, coming h(>re ])oor and unaided, 
has arisen t<^) his ])resent ])roportions mainly 
through his own individual exertions. He 
was born February 17, in Rhine- Prussia, the 
eldest son born to his parents, Nicholas Diel- 
henn and Catharine Baml)ach, to whom wei-e 
born a family of thirteen children, ten of 
w'hom gi'ew to maturity. Mr. Dielhenn was 
brought up to farming pursuits. W'as mar- 
ried to Sophia Poss, born May 19, 1814, and 
emigrated to Ohio, leaving his native shore 
March If), 1840, and reached New York in 
April, remaining one year in Phliadelphia, 
and came to Massillon in 1841. First l)egau 



BTOGRAPIIICAL SKETCHES: 



selling goods in a small way, going from 
place to place. J84'ji, he went to Uniontown 
where he ran a grocery store for one year and 
a half, then returned to Massillon and engaged 
in the grocery trade; during this time kept 
tavern in West Massillon alsoiit twelve years, 
after which he gave his attention exclusively 
to the groceiy trade and has continued up to 
the present time, having secured a goodly 
amount of this world's goods, which have been 
the result of his labor and attention to his 
biisiness and the exercise of frugality. Has 
foiu' childi'eu, two sons and two daughters. 
The S(ms ai'e in business with him and repre- 
sent two branches of the leading mercantile 
interests of the ])lace. One daughter married 
to G. L. Albrecht, a rising young merchant. 
Anna at home. Is a member of the German 
Reformed Church, and a Democrat. 

H. DIELHENN, clothing merchant, Mas- 
sillon. Am(_)ng the prominent business inter- 
ests of this city is the clothing firm of P. & 
H. Dielhenn, which is being conducted by 
Henry Dielhenn, who was born in this city in 
1847, being the second son of Peter Dielhenn, 
one of the self-made business men of Massil- 
lon. Our subject was raised to mercantile 
pursuits, and at the age of 18 entered the 
store of his father, for whom he clerked until 
1870. In March, 1871, he became associated 
with his father, under the firm name of P. & 
H. Dielhenn, which connection has existed 
since. In IS"."), he was married to !Mary 
Albright, born in this city, daughter of Fred- 
erick and Elizabeth Daum Albright. Has 
two children — Hari-y Frederick and Mabel 
Hophia. IVIi-. Dielhenn is a member of St. 
John's Evangelical Church, of Clinton Lodge, 
No. 47, A., F. & A. M., and Lodge 70, A. O. 
U. W. 

JOHN E. DANGLER, boots r.nd shoes, 
Massillon; was born April 17, 1834, of a 
family of nine children born to Samuel and 
Sarah (Bowen) Dangler, he a native of Berks 
Co., Penn., born in 179fi. Our subject left 
home at 1(5 years and went to Canal Ful- 
ton, where he engaged as clerk in a drug 
store, remaining there tliree years, when he 
came to this [)lace, and for five years was em- 
ployed as clerk for Sausser & Dangler. In 
185(), he associated himself in the hai'dware 



business with his brother Samuel J., under 
the name of Dangler Bros., which lasted four 
years, John R. at that time withdi'awing and 
going to Pike's Peak, where he stayed eight 
mouths, returning in the spring of 18f)l, and 
engaging in the oil business at Mecca, Trum- 
bull Co. After a few months, he went to 
Minerva, Stark Co., and clerked three and a 
half years for H. A. Foster & Co., and in 1865 
came to this city, and engaged in the dry 
goods business as one of the tirm of McLain, 
Dangler & Co., which lasted nine years; he 
then sold out and went into the boot and shoe 
business. In 1 857, he married Jane E. Knapp, 
born in this city, daughter of William and 
Harriet (Austin) Knapp. The Knapps were 
from Massachusetts and the Austins were 
early settlers. He is a member of the ancient 
and honoraMe fraternity of A., F. & A. M. ; 
also a Royal Ai-ch and a Knight Templar. 
Mr. Dangler is the present nominee for the 
office of County Treasurer, having received 
1,'2S8 out of 1,7(14 votes cast. Has seven 
children, Jennie K., Hattie M., Mamie F., 
Grace, Ruth, Raljih and Florence H. 

I. N. DOXSEE, milling, Massillon; was 
born April U, ISll, in Essex Co., N. Y., son 
of Henry and Eleanor Eldridge. To them 
were born Isaac N., Anne, Lovina and Jane. 
The father of our subject was a native of 
Holland; his mother was born in Connecticut. 
After marrying in New York, they came West 
to Ohio in 1814, locating in Tuscarawas Tj)., 
where he piu'chased land, remaining on the 
same until his death. Om- subject was reared 
amid the stirring scenes that occurred during 
the early settlement of that township. Re- 
maining at home until jiast his majority, he 
entered a store where he clerked some time. 
He then learned the tinner's trade, which he 
followed for twenty years. Having an oppor- 
tunity to engage in the milling business, he 
piu'chased the mills he now operates, and has 
since conducted the same. The business was 
not very flattering at first, having then but 
four run of Inihrs, and Ijut little to do. He 
has since increased the munber to seven, 
which are now run night and day to supply 
his .shipping demand, his tlour being sold 
in New York, Pittsbm-gh and Philadelphia. 
In 1888, he married Han'iet Bucher, who was 



l^ 



CITY OF MASSILLOX. 



667 



born in Ciinton, Ohio, in 1818, daughter of 
Jacob Bucher ; they have no issne. Mr. 
Doxsee has raised several children and has 
adopted James N., who now bears the name 
of Doxsee. Mr. D. and wife are Ixjth mem- 
bers of the Christian Chmrli. In politics, he 
is a Republican : dui'ing the time when the 
Free-Soil ticket was teiujLj voted, Mi\ Doxsee 
was one of two who exercised his riifht of 
suffrage in the voting precinct for that party. 

J. 11. DUNN, real estate, Massillon; was 
born in Chemung Co., N. Y., in ISaC); son of 
John D. and Julia M. (Randall) Dunn, the 
former a son of Judge James Dunn: the lat- 
ter, a daughter of Judge Fhineas Randall and 
sister to Postmaster General Alexander W. 
Randall, who was also a " War Ciovernor of 
Wisconsin." To John D. and Julia M. were 
boni foiu' chiklren, John 11., being the second 
in order of l)irth. He came West in 186B 
with his mother and stejtfather, his own father 
having died in Washington, D. C, while in 
the em[)loy of the Government. In 1875, he 
went into the oftice of Kent Jan'is and 
remained with him until his death in 1S77, 
when our subject was appointed adminis- 
trator of the Jarvis estate, remaining in the 
office as clerk and administrator. He was 
married in 1871) to Carrie, daughter of M. A. 
Brown, and liy her has one son, John R. 
They are memboi-s of the Episcopal Church. 
He is a member of the A., F. & A. M., Cleve- 
land Lodge, No. 47, Hiram Chapter, No. 18, 
and Massillon Commandery, No. 4. He is 
doing an excellent business in real estate 
and as administrator on estates. 

CAPT. H. H. EVERHARD. stone quarry, 
Massillon; was Ijorn March 15, 1837, in Jack- 
son Tp., Stark Co., the third of a family of 
seven children, five of whom lived to matur- 
ity, all bom to Henrj- and Rebecca Ever- 
hard; he was a son of Henry, who was a 
native of Pennsylvania, who removed to this 
county previous to the war of 18 Pi, in which 
he was a participant, settling in Plain Tp., 
and being one of the first settlers there. His 
grandfather was an early settler and promi- 
nently connected with the business interests 
of that time. The father of our subject set- 
tled in Jackson Tp., where his children were 
bom — Louis is living in Manchester, Summit 



Co.; Mai-ia S., Mi-s. Isaac Wairick; H. H, 
Martha A., Sarah C, Mrs. H. L. Williams. 
Oiu' subject remained at home until he en 
tered the high school, after wliich he was 
ready for college. In 18(i2, at the ago of 20 
years, he enlisted as private, and organized 
the gi'eater part of Company E, 104th O. V. 

I ; was afterward promoted to Lieutenant, 
and the latter part of 18(')4, to Captain; served 
until the war closed, being in all the engage- 
ments in which his command took jjart. 
Upon retiu'ning home, he engaged in the 
manufacture of grindstones, having as part- 
ners Messrs. Warthorst and Suter, which con- 
nection continued until April 1, 1881, when 
he removed to his present place of business, 
the firm now being Suter & Everhard. He 
was married, in November, ISfi"), to Caroline 
J. McCullough, born in 1843, in this j)lace, 
only daughter of Thomas McCullough. 
Thi'ee children have been born to them Ethel 
R., Melville and Marian. 

ROBERT H. FOLGER, Massillon, whose 
portrait appears in this work, is a native 
of Chester Co., Penn., one of the comities of 
the Keystone State, as it was called by Heze- 
kiah Niles, of Niles' Register, that was estab- 
lished by the royal proclamation of Charles 

II under the charter of Pennsylvania, 
gi'anted to William Penn. When it is re- 
membered that Chester Co., Penn., was the 
birthplace of Benjamin West, the painter. 
Gen. Anthony Wayne, Bayard Taylor, and 
other celebrities, whos(> names appear on the 
historic stage, Mr. Folger nt^ed not hesitate 
to acknowledge the classic groimd of Eastern 
Pennsylvania as his birth[)lace. He was lioni 
Jan. 11, 1812; was the son of Mayhew and 
Mary Folger, whose maiden name was Mary 
Joy, daughter of Francis Joy, merchant, of 
the Island of Nantucket, of which island his 
parents were natives. His father was a sailor, 
in all that the term implies, having served in 
eveiy position that a sailor fulfills, from cabin- 
b<jy to master of a vessel. Capt. Mayhew Fol- 
ger, as master, circmunavigated the globe three 
times, his last voyag(> being made in the 
Topaz, of Boston, which cniise was com- 
pleted in IMO, when he determined to quit 
the ocean and seek in the West a home, away 
from the perils of the "'moimtain deep." He 



!l£ 



068 



BLOGKAPHICAL SKETCH E.S: 



removed to Chester Co., Penn.. remaining there 
ivntil August, 1813, when he removed to Ken- 
dal, arriving there in August, with his family, 
consisting of a wife. Francis J., a son who died 
in 1829. Sarah, a daughter, () years old, who 
was married, in 1832, to Jefferson Reynolds, 
of Canton, and is now deceased; William M., 
now a resident of Portage County, and the 
subject of this sketch. After the arrival of 
Capt. Folger at Kendal, there was born in his 
family. Thomas C. who died at the age of 1 
year; Mary, now Mrs. Rawson, of Akron, wid- 
ow of the late Levi Rawson, Esq., and Eliza- 
beth, who died at Ottumwa, Iowa, the wife of 
James D. Ladd. While Capt. Folger was 
making his last cruise in the south Pacific 
Ocean, in latitude 25 degrees south and 1 25 
degrees west longitude, he discovered the 
surviving mutineer of the ship Bounty and his 
colony, on Pitcairn Island, the history of 
which has been so long before the reading 
world that it only needs mention here. In 
this connection, however, it is proper to state 
that Mr. Folger. of Massillon. has in his pos- 
session the log-book of the ship Topaz, with 
the original entry of his father, (Japt. Folger, 
giving a detailed account of the visit of the 
Topaz to the island, and which is a record of 
uncommon interest. Capt. Folger died in 
MassilLm on the 1st of iSepteml)er. 1828; his 
widow d'u'd in Ravenna, in June, 1 858, at the 
house of her son, W. M. Folger. They were 
of the faith of the people called Quakers, and 
as Quakers adhered to that faith during their 
lives. Ml'. Folger says that the death of his 
father changed the whole maj) of his life. 
What his life would have been, he, of course, 
does not know, but he says that his father's 
death, occurring, as it did, changed eveiy 
plan that his youthful fancy had conjured up 
as a rule of action for the then future. Ha]i- 
j)ening as it did, at about midway of his 17th 
year, he having no definite plans that he was 
able to carry out, he remained out of any per- 
manent employment until December, 1834. 
when he went into the wholesale and retail 
grocery and provision business, in which he 
remained until July, 1839, when he sold out 
his entire stock. In 1831, he determined to 
make the study and practice of the law his 
vocation, and went into the office of Gen. 



Dwight Jarvis for that j)urpose. Changing 
his notions on that siibjecf, he abandoned all 
thought of the profession, and in 1834, was 
maiTied to Miss Amelia Heydon, at Massillon. 
On disposing of his stock in trade and real 
estate, in 1839, he detei-mined tt) resume the 
study of law, and went into the office of the 
late Hon. Samuel Pease, with whom and with 
Gen. Dwight JcU'vis, he completed his studies, 
and was admitted to practice at New Lisbon 
in 1842. He and Hon. Louis Shaefi'er, of 
Canton, Judge Mon-is, of Fort Wayne, and 
Hon. Louis Liiten. of San Francisco. Cal., 
were admitted at the same time, since which 
he has resided in Massillon. following his 
profession, in which he is now actively en- 
gaged, lieing the senior member of the firm of 
Folger & Gan-ett. In 1833. Mi-. Folger 
warmly es])oused the anti-slavery notions of 
the late William Lloyd Garrison, as then 
published in the Lihfratur, and as here- 
tofore published in the "Genius of Universal 
Emancipation," by Benjamin Lundy. which 
views he adhere.l to, acting with any organ- 
ization that advocated the immediate and un- 
conditional abolition of human chattelship, 
voting with Whigs or Democrats, as circum- 
stances seemed to justify. . On the organiza- 
tion of the old Liberty party, in 1844. Mr. 
Folger took an active part, laboring with 
accustomed energy for Birney. and in 
1848, for Van Buren, and continued un- 
til the formation of the Republican party, 
in 1850, since which he has been iden- 
tified with that jiarty in all its nominations 
and movements. Mr. Folger is never idle; 
his researches into general and local history 
have enabled him, especially the history of the 
United States, from the commencement of the 
Revolution, and of the Northwestern Territory, 
to furnish information on almost all subjects 
connected with the organization of the Terri- 
tories and States. His library in law and 
miscellany is equal to any in the county, and 
contains many choice and rare works, old 
folios of two and three centuries being prom- 
inent on his well-filled shelves. Mr. Folger'a 
family consists of a wife and five children, 
one son and four daughters, two daughters 
and the son married. His son is Lieut. Com 
mander W. M. Folger, U. S. N., now execu- 



CITY OF MASSILLON. 



669 



tivG officer on the Swatara. in the Asiatic 
s<)nadron. Of his mairii'd daughters, one is 
the wife of James M. Brown. Esij.. attorney at 
law. Toledo. Ohio, and the other is the wife of 
Dr. ■}. M. l^orter. Denver, Colo. 

HE.VKY FOLTZ. coal dealer. Massillon: 
was hom in Lanca.ster Co.. Penn.. Deo. IS. 
ISdU; he is the second of a family of seven 
children of Henry and !Mary (HoUacher) Foltz, 
both natives of Lancaster Co., Penn; his 
brother. S;uuuel Foltz, is a prominent coal 
dealer in New Philadelphia. Ohio. Our sub- 
ject was raised a farmer imtil the ao^e of 17, 
receiving a common school e(hicatioii both in 
English and German: he learned the milling 
business with his lirother-in-law. On Dec. 
15, lS2(t. he miu-ried Mary, tlie daughter of 
Henry Kindig. of Little York. Penn.. and in 
1834, came to Ohio and settled in Wayne 
County, to which liis parents had emigrated 
a few years previous. Here he clerked six 
years for Nathaniel Eldridge. in Dalton. In 
1840, he embarked in the mercantile business 
on his own account, contimiing the same for 
ten years, and dm-ing this time was connected 
with other interests — mining and contracting. 
In lSr)0. he sold his mercantile liusiness and 
began o])erating in coal, tirst at Fairview. and 
afterward near Ma.ssillon. Ohio. He disposed 
of his coal interests in Wayne County in 
1854. and removed to Stark Coimty and settled 
on a farm outside the limits of the city of 
Massillon: he has since located in the city, 
but continues his coal operations, being asso- 
ciated with Messrs. Rhodes & Card, of Cleve- 
land, he having the general management since 
187"i. Since that time he has had an interest 
in the mines. Mr. .1. F. Pocock. his son-in-law. 
being associated with him as manager. Their 
business amounts to some fom- hunch-ed thou- 
sand tons annually, ("apt. Foltz was Presi- 
dent of the Fulton and Buckeye Coal Com- 
pany diu'ing their existence, and is now Presi- 
di'nt of the Massillon City (Joal Company. 
When he cam<' to Ohio, he had but i?15 in his 
pockf't, but has accumulated a handsome com- 
petency. Of three children born him. but one 
survives. Minnie, wife of J. F. Pocock. 

PETER GRIBBLE. livery stable. Massil- 
lon: was Ijorn in this city May 4. 184(1. the 
eldest child Ixjrn to Henrv Gribble and Matil- 



da Kessell. To them were bom three chil- 
dren — Peter. Henry and ('hristina. but one of 
the number now living. The mother of our 
subject died when he was 4 veal's of age; 
for several years he lived at NaviUTe. in Betli- 
lehem Tp.. but since has been a constant resi- 
dent of the city; he began clerking for his 
father in the store, an<l in 1N(')2 went into 
pju'tnership with him, in the livery Inisiness, 
under the ikm name of Gribble & Son, which 
association lasted until ISBS, when he jnu*- 
chase<l his father's interest, and since has bei>n 
alone interested. He has one of the best 
eqni])pi'd establishments in the city, being 
supplii'd with excellent horses and vehicles 
of all kinds and styles, consisting of open 
and top buggies. l)oth single and double, car 
riages. coaches, clarences, hmdaus and couj)es, 
his long association in the business and. his 
good accommodation, rendered in a gentle- 
manly manner, have secured him a large pat- 
ronage. May 3. ISTO. he married Lam"a, 
daughter of Sylvester Buckius, whose wife was 
Sarah Adams. Mr. Gribble has two daugh- 
ters. Lola Mav and Nellie Josephine. 

SAMUEL HOOVER. M:issillon; was born 
in 1S"J|. August 'ii). in Cumberland Co., 
Penn. : son of Martin Hoover, of Frederick 
Co., Md.. about the year 1778. of Swiss ances- 
try. The mother of our subject was !Marv 
Graybill. of York Co.. Penn.. daughter of 
Joseph Grayliill. whose ancestors were also 
from Switzerland. Our subject was raised on 
the fjuTn of his father, where he remained 
until the age of Ki. when he struck out of for 
himself, learning the trade of hatt«'r at Ship- 
pensbiu'g. Penn.. which business he followed 
for f-leveii vears. continuing in the business 
until l.S4<J. ■ Feb. T,. 1S45. he man-ied Eliz- 
abeth .Ajin Philli|is. born in Shippensburg in 
1821, May 10, daughter of Louis Phillips 
and Ann McElroy. From 1845 to 184i), he 
was engaged in the manufacture of hats, 
making this a sjiecialty. ri'ally, from IS^S to 
1N49: from this tim(? to 1S53, he was Post- 
master at \\ illiamsburg; subsequently to this 
was engaged in teaching until 1857; was then 
elected County Treasurer of Blair County, 
which ])osition he tilled until 185'.); in 18(10, 
he resimied the hat trade, doing a retail 
business until 1870, when he removed to 



Al 



670 



I5IO(iRAPIII('A]. SKETCHES: 



Ohio, locating in Massillon, and purchased 
the interests of McCnrdy & Geesaman in the 
Massillon Atiurlcaii^ James J. having one-half 
interest; since that time has been engaged in 
cdiuluc'ting the same, in conjunction, under 
the lirm name of S. & J. J. Hoover, which is 
being conducted up to the present time. He 
has six children living — Publius W., Leonidas 
Q., John R.. James J. (tvyius). Martin and 
Frank. 

DANIEL HEMPERLY, hardware. Massil- 
lon; was born in Lebanon Co., Penu.. in 1830, 
June 1; son of David and Mary (Houck) 
Hemperly, David being a son of Anthony, of 
German extraction. To David and Mary were 
bora seven children, all of whom grew to 
maturity; he was a farmer. Daniel, in the 
s}iring of 184('), came to Tuscarawas Tp. when 
a lad, his father dying when he was bnt 13; 
at 10, he began learning the blacksmith's 
trade, after the completion of which, at the 
age of 20 years, in March, 1850, he went to 
the Pacific Coast, where he engaged in min- 
ing for two and a half years; then returned 
to this coiuity, in September, 1853, and re- 
sumed his trade on his own account, which he 
continued until 1875, when he engaged in the 
hardware business under the firm name of 
Brown & Heniperly, which has continued since. 
Jan. '25, 1855, he married Louisa M. Hamil- 
ton, bom in Pennsylvania, daughter of Rev. 
J. Hamilton, who came here in 1843. He had 
nine children, seven of whom are living Mary, 
E., Mrs. Franklin Heirman, Austin, Texas; 
Emma K., Franklin L., Flora A., William E., 
Jennie and Nellie. Mi-s. Hemperly i.s a 
member of the Lutheran Cluu'ch, and her hus- 
band is a Mason; also a Repulilican. Mr. 
Hemperly does business in the city of Massil- 
lon, and resides in Brookfall, Tuscarawas Tp. 

JAjVIES a. HACKETT, furniture and up- 
holsterer, Massillon; was born July 23, 1839, 
in Tuscarawas Tp., this county, the foiu-th 
child and second son bom to Andrew and 
Hannah J. (Brown) Hackett; he was a native 
of Pennsylvania, born Jan. 22, 1800, and 
c;ime West about the time of the war of 1812, 
and to whom were born a family of eleven 
children. Our subject was raised to farming, 
but at 15 years of age, disliking his occuj)a- 
tion, and desiring to get an education, left 



home and worked out for his board, while at- 
tending school. In 1801, he enlisted in Com- 
pany I, 70th O. V. I., the first man in the 
towTiship to enter the service from Tuscarawas 
Tp., for three yeai's; after serving eighteen 
months, he was discharged, in December, 1862, 
on account of disability. Upon his return 
home, he went to work at the boat-yard, and 
there became familiar with the use of ti:)ols; 
then went to work for Russell & Co., and re- 
mained with them five years. Having accumu- 
lated .'ti2,500, he started in 18()U, with about 
$1,500 worth of stuck, and now (1881) nms a 
stock of over i^lO.(KK), In 1871, he maiTied 
Harriet Rethrough, who died in 1872, giving 
birth to twins, Chu-ence and Charles. She 
was an adopted daughter of I. N. Doxsee. In 
1877, he miUTied Josie Priest, born in Rich- 
land County, daughter of John Priest, a prom- 
inent citizen of that county. He has one 
child by her, Carrie J. ; is a member of the A., 
F. & A. M., and jjassed through all the de- 
grees to Knight Templar; is also member of 
the I. O. O. F., and of the Encampment; al- 
ways been a Rejiulilican. 

ANTHONY HO WELLS, coal and fiu-nace 
operator, Massillon; was born in Wales April 
6, 1832; son of Howell and Rachel (Evans) 
Howells, to whom were born a family of six, 
all of whom grew to maturity. Anthony emi- 
grated to Ohio in 1850, and settled at Youngs- 
town, Mahoning County, where he lived for 
twenty years, engaged in the mercantile and 
coal business; came to Massillon in 1870, and 
has since been engaged in the coal and iron 
business, being at jaresent one of the proprie- 
tors of the Pigeon Rim coal mine and Volcano 
fiunace. In 1854, he man-ied Elizabeth 
James, a native of Wales, daughter of Will- 
iam James, who had a family of six childi'en. 
jNIr. Howells has four childi-en — Melvina, Mrs. 
J. C. Albright, of this city; William E., law- 
yer, Youngstown; Byron and Edwin S. Mr. 
Howells is a Democrat, and was elected Secre- 
tary of State, serving two ye<u's; he is an I. 
O. b. F. and a Knight of Pythias. 

F. HOOK WAY, clothier iuiA merchant tailor, 
Massillon. One of the oldest clothing merchants 
in this city is F. Hookway, who came to this 
town in 184(), and has since been engaged in 
business here. He was born in 1822, in Bid- 



( riV (»F MASSILLON". 



671 



dleford, Devonshire, Englaiul. son of William 
and Ann (Builoy) Hook way, with wliom he 
emif^ratod in IS^^fi. to Now York, locating; in 
Onondaga County. Soon after his jurival, he 
left the paternal home, and ajiprenticed him- 
self to leani the tailors ti'ale with William 
Dale, at Janesville. After his trade was com- 
pleted, h.j stfu'ted out on his own resoiu'ces, 
and worked as a journeyman tailor at various 
j)laces in ditl'erent States, and seeinii; in the 
time much of the world, remaining Ijut a short 
time comparatively in any one place, until 
IS-tfi, when he came to this city, where he 
worked, for a tim(>, on ])iece-work, soon after 
opening a shoj) of his own, lirst iloing only 
custom and merchant work, l)ut adtling, l)y 
degrees, a stock of goods, which were in- 
creased with his means, and as business would 
justify, until he had one of the best fur- 
nished stores of the kind in the city. Being 
a tirst-class cutter, and having had over forty 
years experience, he has succeeded in estab- 
lishing a good trade in the merchant tailor 
line, at the same time keeping his store amply 
st*)cked with ready-made clothing and gents' 
furnishing goods. He was married, in 1!S4S, 
to Henrietta \'>\U\ a native of Stark County, 
her ])arents lieing natives of Pennsylvania. 
She died in 1878, leaving three children. 
His daitghter, Alice, residi>s in Wooster, 
Wayne Co., the wife of Abram Saybrook. 
He is a meml)er of the various Masonic bodies 
in the city, and is a man of indastry and of a 
<]uiet and retiring dis])osition. 

ALFRED HOPPEK, Superintendent of 
gas works, Mitssillon; was born in Jersey City 
in 18.")", the only child living born to his 
]iarents, Thomas Hopper and Aim (Freeman) 
Ho])|)er. Thomas Hopper was Ijorn in 1829, 
in Kent, England, son of John Hopper. 
Thomas Hopper came to New York in INoO; 
he was a builder and conti'actor, which busi- 
ness he followed for several ye.u's. The fam- 
ily came West in 1877, locating in Massillon, 
where they now reside. Since 1.S7U, Alfred 
Hop|)erhas had ch;u"ge of the gasworks: hav- 
ing had much ex jierience in the Inisiness hereto- 
fore, is well ([ualifi(«l for the i)osition he holds. 
In August. l87'J, he man-ied Jennie C. Keilly, 
who was born in Cleveland, daughter of 
Robert C. Keilly. He has one child, Thomas 



R, John, his only brother, died when 18 
years of age. 

WILLIAM li. HU^HBERGER, merchant, 
Massillon; was born in this city Sept K5, 
1847; his father, Adam J. Humberger, came 
from Pennsylvania to Ohio in IN3'J, and set- 
tled in Stark County, and after clerking for a 
year each in lirooktield and Bolivar, removed 
to Massilhni, and embark(>d in the ih-y goods 
trade, being thi' oldest man at present thus 
engaged at that place. He was one of the 
tirst members of the Methodist Church of 
Massillon, the organizer of the Sunday school, 
and was the tirst Sujierintendent: formerly an 
Abolitionist, now a Republican. He has always 
sustained an excellent credit as a business 
man. In Se])teml)er, iS-i'.i, he mai'ried Har- 
riet E. Chestnutwwjd, whose father. Al)raliam 
Chestnutwood, came from Pennsylvania to 
Stiirk Coimty in 1S2S. He was one of the 
original membei-s oi the Methodist Cliurch, in 
Massillon, and assisted largely in the erection 
of the first house of worship, and was a lead- 
ing and intiuential member of the denomina- 
tion. In 1870, Mr. Adam J. Humberger was 
afflicted with a sti'oke of paralysis, and has 
since been laid aside fi'om active business, but 
still retains an interest in it, the business be- 
ing conducted by his oldest son, William, the 
subject of this sketch. After receiving an edu- 
cation in the jmblic schools of his native place, 
young Huml)erger graduated from the Iron 
City Commercial College, in Pittsburgh, Penn., 
in the spring of ISH."). He then became con- 
nected with the dry goods store of his father, 
as clerk and geni'ral manager. In 18f)7, he 
became, and since continued, a partner with 
his father. His house is the oldest dry goods 
establislunent in Massillon, and has always 
sustained an excellent credit. Mr. Hiuuber- 
ger has been a member of the Massillon B(jard 
of Education for several yeai^s, and for a number 
of years School Examiner for the JIassillon 
district. In jxjlitics, he is Republican. Nov. 
8, 1872, he married Lam-a Willson, daughter 
of (Jeorge Willson, by whom he has had one 
sou, (Jeorge H., now deceased. 

SALMON HUNT. President of the First 
National Bank of Massillcju; was bom Feb. 18, 
IS 18, in North Norwich, Chenango Co.,N. Y.; 
his pai-ents were Timothy and Nancy (Long) 



073 



15I0GRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



Hunt, both natives of Vermont: his father 
was a carpenter, miller, farmer and mannfact- 
nrer. and also a contractor on the public 
works in New York and New Jersey, among 
which was one on the Erie Canal, and also 
one in New Jersey: his last work was the 
construction of a dam in the Niagara River, 
from the shore to an island, thereby uniting 
the Erie Canal with the Black Rock Harbor: 
he died during the prosecution of the work. 
Salmon is the only son in a family of seven 
children, of whom one sister imly survives. 
She is the wife of John Calkins, a lumber 
dealer of Grand Rapids, Mich. Mr. Hunt 
received his education in the common schools, 
and in Hamilton Academy, Madison County, 
his native State, his school privileges ceasing 
at the age of Ki: he then liegan his busine.ss 
career as a store clerk, in Norwich, and was 
employed in that capacity, in difterent locali- 
ties in New York, Illinois and Ohio for about 
eight years, a small portion of which time 
having a personal interest in tlie business. 
In February, 1S37. he married Helen, a 
daughter of Abraham Per Lee. of North Nor- 
wich, Chenango Co.. N. Y'. In the following 
spring, he made a reconnoitering trip to the 
West, passing tlu-ough portions of Michigan 
and Ohio, finally settling in Massillon, and 
embju'ked in the dry goods trade with his 
wife's uncle, T. R. Butler, but continued in 
this but a short time: in the spring of 1S3S. 
he became a salesman in the store of Robert 
H. Folger, of Massillon. where he remained 
until 1S39, when he entered the bank of Mas- 
sillon as book-keeper and teller: was subse- 
quently made Assistant Cashier, and afterward 
Cashier. l)eing connected with the institution 
twelve years. In 1864. the bank was merged 
into the First National Bank of Massillon. 
Mr. Hunt retaining the position as Cashier, 
and upon the death of the President. Dr. Isaac 
Steese. in 1874. he was elected President, 
which position he yet holds. He has been a 
resident of Massillon over forty-three years. 
and connected longer with its banking in- 
terests than any other citizen of the place. 
Mr. Hunfs family has consisted of foiu- chil- 
dren: Vmt two are living. James H.. Cashier 
of Union National Bank, and Helen M.. with 
her parents. In politics, he is a Republican : 



his religious views are not such as some might 
term orthodox — that the soul has a distinct 
existence apart fr(_)m thr» body, and that it has 
a past, as well as a future immorlality. 

J. F. HESS, manufacturer, Massillim; was 
born in Baden, in August, 1834, the third 
child and second son of a family of five chil- 
ch'en. born to Jacob and Catharine (Bomerlin) 
Hess. Our subject emigrated to this State, 
with his parents, in 18r)3, locating in Massil- 
lon. From the age of 12 years until he was 17, 
he worked with his father in the coal mines. 
At the age of 17, he began learning the tin- 
ners trade, machinery being his delight; his 
preference was to enter a machine shop, and 
there familiarize himself with the business, 
but there being no opening, he abandoned 
his cherished desires, and learned the tinner's 
trade instead; about the year 1851, he caught 
the gold fever, and went to California, where 
he worked at his trade, for a time, in San 
Francisco, and afterward went to Oregon, 
where he engaged in mining; returning to 
this coiiL-ty in 1 8()1. he engaged in business 
with 5Ir. Smith, under the firm name of Hess 
& Smith, which partnirship lasted until 1804, 
Mr. Smith retiring. Mr. Hess continuing the 
liusiness alone two years, then taking in his 
brother, Leonard, the firm has since been 
known as J. F. Hess & Bro, and is doing a 
good business, both brothers being practical 
mechanics and energetic business men. They 
carry on a foundiy and machine shop, whore 
they manufacture the latest improved cooking 
and heating stoves, grates, farm boilers, etc., 
and all castings to order. They make a 
specialty of lift and foi'ce ])umps, and are the 
sole patentees and manufacturers of the cele- 
brated " Novelty." which is a combined lift 
and force pump: also patented and manufact- 
ure rain-water cut-ofi's and eave-trough hang- 
ers. Their salesroom is at Nos. 9 & 1 1 North 
Erie street. Mr. Hess is one of the self-made 
men of the town. In 1801, he married Cath- 
arine Stahl. who was born in Bethlehem Tp. 
Thev have seven childi-en. 

GEORGE HARSH, retired, Massillon; 
was born March lo, 1810, in Washington 
Co.. Penn., being the youngest son and 
only surviving child of a family of six chil- 
dren, bom to George and Catharine ( Strieker) 



CITY OF MASSILLOX. 



673 



Harsh, who were natives of Pennsylvania; his 
father emi^ated to Ohio in ISl:}. and settled 
in Stark County in the vieiuity of Massillon; 
he was a substantial type of the genuine pio- 
neer, and passed his life in agricultural pur- 
suits, and was a worthy and intluential mem- 
ber of the community; his death occm-red at 
the age of 78 years. Our subject passed the 
greater paii. of his minority at ht)me, having 
only the advantages of a common school edu- 
cation. In 1830, at the age of 20, he became 
a clerk in the store of his brother, Jacob 
Hiirsh, of this city, and afterwiird engaged in 
the same business as partner, which continued 
until 1.S84, when his brother died: fi'om that 
time forward, he conducted the business upon 
his own account, for about twenty-live years; 
he was subsequently associated in the mercan- 
tile business with Messi-s. Humberger and 
Oberlin, of this city; since INHH, he has been 
retired from active business, but has not been 
idle, having been engaged in dealing in real 
estate, and performing a considerable amount 
of work as executor and administrator in the 
settlement of astates, having done probably as 
much business in this line as any man in 
Stark County. At an early day, he served as 
a member of the Town Council for eighteen 
years in succession, and served as a member 
of the Board of Education, and as Clerk and 
Treasurer. He was formerly a Whig, but 
since the dissoluticm of that party, has been 
a Kepublican. From 1S4H to 1S47, he repre- 
sented Stark County in the Lower House of 
the Ohio Legislature; in IiSliO, he was elected 
to the Ohio Senate, and re-elected in 1S()2, 
thus serving four yeai's. From 1867 to 1878 
inclusive, he sers'ed on the Board of Directors 
of the Ohio Penitentiary. Aside fi"om his 
other business affairs, he has been extensively 
engaged in fai'ming interests, owning a con- 
siderable amount of real estate; he was one 
of three receivers apjioiuted hy the Com-t, to 
close up the affairs of the old Bank of ila.ssil- 
lon: he is now Vice President of the First 
National of this city. He has been thrice 
married; his lii-st wife was Snsau Stoekly, of 
Stsirk County; second wife was Jane E. Smith, 
of Cannonsburg, Penn.; his present wife is 
Sarah E. McCarty, of Wayne County, this 
State. By the first marriage he had thi'ee 



children; by his present wife seven, all de- 
ceased; he is not a member of any orthodox 
church, l)ut contrilsutes to the supj)ort of the 
mini.sb'v and religious institutions. 

WILLLA3I H. JUSTUS, milling, Massil- 
lon; was born Oct. 11, 18j!8, in Bedford Co., 
Penn., the fifth of a family of nine children, 
born to William and Hannah (Hause) Justus, 
he a son of David, of Welsh ancestry, the 
Hause family coming from Germany. David 
Justus had five children — James, Wilson, 
Hann.di, HaiTiel and William. The latter, 
the father of our subject, was a miller by oc- 
cupation, and left Pennsylvania in 1 884, com- 
ing to this county, where he lived two yeai's, 
then moved to Canton and eugagf^d in fann- 
ing and milling. In 1840, he moved to 
Miami County, where he followed farming, 
and died, in 1849, his wife following him in 
1856. William, our subject, went to learn his 
trade, in Febniiuy, 1851, and worked for his 
brother, James, in the Sippo Mills two years, 
and then went to Millport, where he remained 
t until 1853, then to Tippecanoe till July of 
1854, when he went to Allen Co., Ind., and 
built a saw-mill, which he ran till August, 
1856, then sold out and went to Huntington 
County, where he took a contract to furnish 
plank for fovuieen miles of road. In May, 
1858, he retiuTied to Massillon and pm'chased 
an interest in the Eiu^l Mill, the firm being J. 
H. k. W. H. Justus, which lasted until l^•■,3: 
j then, on account of failing health, he moved 
•■ to this town and engaged in the gi-ocery busi- 
ness two years, then moved to Lima, Allen 
i Co., remaining eighteen months, and then 
' retiu-ned to this city and bought an int(»rest 
I with J. H. Justus & Co., in Sippo Mills, and 
ran the same until 1S74, John G. Waniick 
being a member of the firm, when James 
j withdrew, and he l)ecame associatetl with J. 
I G. Wamick, under the firm njjTne of Warniek 
' & Justus, which has since continued. He wius 
married, in 1M'>8, to Frances M. ShatVer, i)orn 
in this county in 1841, daughter of William 
and Gracie Can'. They have one child, Me- 
linda Maude. He is a Democrat, and his wife 
a member of the ^Methodist E])iscopal Church. 
E. A. JONES, educator, Massillon; was 
I born Feb. 11, 1842, in Rockville, Mass.; his 
I parents were Elisha Adams and Khoda (Ellis) 



674 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



Jones. Elisha Jones was a farmer, and dur- 
ing a pai't of his life taught school in the 
East. Oiu' subject, diu-ing his boyhood, had 
the advantages of the disti'ict school, diu-ing 
the winter months, working the rest of the 
year on the farm; his preparatory course was 
obtained at Mi. Mollis Academy, Holliston, 
Mass.. where he attended for live terms, teach- 
ing school dming the winter months, a course 
which he continued thi'oughout his whole col- 
legiate life, thus helping to defray the ex- 
penses of his education. In 1860, he entered 
the Amherst College, Mass., in the regular 
classical department. Dui'ing his Sophomore 
year, while applying himself zealously to the 
prosecution of his studies, the Government 
was shaken by the war of the rebellion ; in the 
hour of his counby's peril, inspired by that 
spirit of patriotism which animated the breasts 
of so many loyal men of his native State, he 
abandoned, for a time, his chosen course, and 
hastened to the defense. He enlisted in Com- 
pany B, 42d Mass. V. I., in the nine months' 
service. In the battle of Bayou la Foiu'che, 
La., he was wounded in the shoulder, and 
during his convalescence his term of enlist- 
ment expired. Thus, after the sei-vice of 
about a year, in which he received compli- 
mentary military mention, he retimied to 
civil life, resumed immediately his coiu-se in 
college, and received the degree of BacheloV 
of Aiis in 1NG5, and that of IMaster of 
Arts in ISfiS. After gi'aduation, he was 
engaged at the Lake Forest Academy, at Lake 
Forest, 111., as Professor of Latin and Gym- 
nastics, and aftei-ward was elected as Princi- 
pal. After spending four years in the insti- 
tution, he came to Massillon, Ohio, and ac- 
cejited the position of Superintendent of Pub- 
lic Schools. Near the close of his foui-th year 
in this capacity, he resigned his position, and 
accepted, soon afterward, the Superintendence 
of the Public Schools at Marietta. Ohio. 
After a term of two years' service, he retiu-ued 
to Massillon, in 1875, and resumed his orig- 
inal position, where he has since been miin- 
terruptedly employed. "While not an active 
politician, Mr. Jones has always been an ad- 
herent of the Kepublican ])ai'ty: in religious 
belief, he is a Congi-egationalist, though at 
present is connected with the Presbyterian 



Church, at Massillon, and is an active worker 
in the clnu'ch, and for a number of yeai's was 
Superintendent of the Sunday school; he is 
a pronounced temperance man, is identified 
with the Massillon Christian Temperance 
Union, being at one time President of the 
association; he has been one of the jirominent 
workers in the County Institute, served as 
Examiner on the Coimty Board, and was con- 
nected with the educational interests both in 
the city and country. Dec. 23, 1873, he mar- 
ried Flora, daughter of WaiTen C. Richai-ds, 
of Massillon. 

WILLIAM KITCHEN, miller, Massillon; 
was born in ISU). in Jackson T}i., Stark Co., 
Ohio; son of Wheeler and Agnes (Shoemaker) 
Kitchen, both born in Pennsylvania. They 
came to this, Stai-k, County, alwut the year- 
1813, fii-st locating in Perry T]).. and after- 
ward moved to Jackson T])., where they lived 
several years, finally locating permanently in 
Lawrence, where they lived until about the 
year 1850. when they moved to Putn;uu 
Counly, and resided until their death. They 
have a family of six children who came to 
maturity — Jacob. Samuel. William. Joseph, 
Sarah and Wheeler G.. all living. Oiu' suli- 
ject left home at 11). and went to live with his 
uncle, for whom he worked at low wages until 
he was about 30 year's of age, when he bought 
5 acres, afterward adding 4 more, which he 
finally sold, and bought 4U acres, which he 
improved and lived on until about the yeaj' 
18()8; he built the mill he now owns in 1875; 
it has four nin of buhrs, and does merchant 
as well as exchange work. Previous to build- 
ing this mill, Mi\ Kitchen had run (he Earl 
Mill for four yesu's. He was married, in 
1840. to Elizabeth Cla])jior. born in Lawrence 
Tp., about the year IS'i'J, daughter of David 
Clapper, who was an early settler, and was in 
the war of 1812. Mr. Kitchen has three 
children — David, Jeremiah, and Sarah (Mis. 
John Swihart). He is a Kepublicau. 

DAVID KEKSTETTEK, retired. Massil- 
lon: was boni May 7, ISIO, in Center Co.. 
Penn., the thii-d of a family of seven children, 
six of whom grew to maturity, lieing the issue 
from the union of Johu and Elizabeth (Young) 
Kerstetter: he was born in 17U1, in Montgom 
ery, in the Mackinaw Yalley: sou of Leonard, 



( ITV (»F .\I.\S8:LI.(>N. 



075 



who was of German ancestry, and who had 
been a soldier in the Revohiti'ni. Elizabeth 
was bom m-ar Plni;id('l|)liia, in 17111, daughter 
of Christian Youuf^, a native of (rfrmany. and 
who had four chiklren. Leonard came West 
in 1814, settled in Lawrence and bought a 
crfist-mill, which he ran for several years: he 
also bought two sections of land, some of it 
being underlain with coal: he died in 1822 ; 
to him were born iSeliastian, Leonard, George, 
Adam, John. Peter, Jacob and Christian, all 
of whom grew to maturity and settled in Tus- 
Ciu-awas Tp. John, the father of our subject, 
wiis raised in LawTenoe Tp., and was killed 
by being run over by his team and farm 
wagon; he had sc'ven children, two only liv- 
ing. Our subject was raised on the farm of 
his father, where he was bom, until 1853, after 
which he made various changes, Vniying sev- 
eral farms: located in town in bSOo: in 1842, 
he married Sarah Weygaut. born in Lawrence 
Tp., daughter of Henry Weygant, one of the 
early settlers of that township: she died in 
1858, leaving four chiklren — David, Melissa, 
John and Benjamin: he marrieil tlie second 
time, in 1^15'.'. Sarah Bitler, born in Canton 
Tp., daughter of John Bitler; by this wife he 
has four children Marietta. Viola, Sadie M. 
and Marcellus. David served in the army six 
years, four in the rebellion and two after its 
close at Fort Kearney, being Sergeant Major 
at the fort: received two honorable discharges 
during service, and was a brave and loyal 
soldier. 

EDWARD KACHLEK, retired, Massillon. 
Among the retired business men of this city 
is Mr. Kachler. who was bom March 30, 1824, 
in Wurtemljerg, the second son l)om to Fred- 
erick Kachler, who was an officer in the King's 
domain. His wife was Louisa Beudel. daugh- 
ter of a merchant. Mi-. Kachler, when a lad 
of 14, entered a drug store and studied chem- 
istry and pharmacy, and remained continu- 
ously in the business imtil his coming to this 
country. He came to Cant(m in October, 
1844, and to Massillon in the spring of 1845; 
first clerked for Bigger ic Baldwin, and after- 
ward went into business with Mr. Bigger, 
which continued until 1853, when he pur- 
chased his piutner's interest, and conducted 
the business himself until 1877. when he sold 



his drug store to P. Morganthaler, .his foi-mer 
clerk. Mr. Kachler is now living a retired 
lif<'. having secured t/j himself a handsome 
competence, and a nice home for his enjoy- 
ment in his declining years. In May, 1N44, 
he marrietl Susan Deitrick. a lady of culture 
and refinement: she was Iwm in the kingdom 
of Bavaria, daughter of Joseph Valentine 
Deitrick. To them have been bom fom- chil- 
dren, all of whom are now decease^!. Charles 
attained to man"s estate, and (li(^d in the serv- 
ice of his country: he enlisted in Miiy, 18<)3, 
in Company A. I(j2d O. V. L, and died in 
August of the same year. Mr. Kachler has 
never taken an active part in the political 
issues of the day, but has always been time 
to the princi])les embraced by the Republican 
party: he is a memlser of Clinton Lodge, No. 
47, A... F. & A. :M 

S. M. KNAPP, jjlumber and gas-fitter, Ma.s- 
sillon: was bom March 23, 1835. in the city 
of Massillon; son of William and Haniet 
(Au.stin) Knapp. William Knap)i was a 
native of Ciunmingfem, Hampshire Co.. Mass., 
and was bom in 1804: son of William, whose 
wife's maiden name was ^\"hitmarsh. To this 
eou])le was bora William, the father of S. M. 
The Knapi) family trace their origin i» En- 
glish stock, for, according to the tradition, 
three brothers came from England to this 
country shortly after the arrivjil of the Pil- 
grim fathers, and settled, and from them have 
sprung the Kna])])s of Massillon. Harriet, 
mother of our sul)ject was born in 1814. in 
Vermont, and was a daughter of Isaac and 
Theodore (Chandler) Austin. William Knapp, 
the father of our subject, was a car[>enter by 
trade. Coming West, in 1830. to this county, 
he pursued his vocation for several years, but 
afterward tiu-ned his attention to the manu- 
facture of threshing machines, of which he 
was probably the first builder in the county. 
In 1843. he went to Michigan, where he re- 
mained until the fall of 1848: in tlie sjiring 
of 18411. he. in C(jmpany with others, started 
for California, but he died on his way out, at 
Fort Independence, in Missouri, the same 
year. Five children were left his widow, 
whose names are: Helen, now Mrs. David 
Atwat*»r: Shepherd M. : Jane E.. now .Mrs. 
John R. Dangler, of this citj-: William A., 



4~ 



676 



BIOGHAPIIICAI. SKETCHES: 



who was. for several years Adjutant General, 
and now is in Washington, D. C, Chief Clerk 
in the Post Office Department; the youngest 
child, Francis P., remains at home. Our sub- 
ject, Shepherd M., learned the machinist's 
trade, commencing in Norwich, Mass., and 
com]ileting the same in the Cuyahoga works 
at Cleveland. After he had completed his 
ti'ade, he worked one year in Wooster, then 
engaged with Russell & Co., of this city, with 
whom he remained till Aug. 9, 18()"2, when he 
enlisted as private in Company E, l()4th O. 
V. I. : before leaving camp, was elected lid 
Lieutenant by the company, serving in that 
capacity about two years, when he was pro- 
moted to 1st Lieutenant; six months after- 
ward he was promoted to a Captaincy, which 
position he filled until the close of the war, 
participating in all the battles in which his 
regiment was engaged. Upon his return 
home after the war, he worked in the Excel- 
sior s'orks three years, and then went with 
Russell & Co., where he remained until Feb- 
ruary, 1881. On Feb. U, he associated with 
Thomas J. Dillon, under the lu-m name of 
Knapp & Dillon, making a specialty of 
plumbing and gas-fitting. In August, 18(32, 
he married Barbara S. Anderson, a native of 
Scotland, daughter of John and Helen Ander- 
son, llr. Knapp has two daughters, Hattie 
McL. and Annie B. 

JONAS LUTZ, grocer, Massillon ; was bom 
in Lancaster Co., Penn., Jan. 31, 1840; his 
parents were Al)raham and Elizabeth (Kil- 
tinger) Lutz, both of German ancestry. Jonas 
came West, with his parents, in 1852; they 
located in Greenville, this county, and the 
father being a caii:)enter, and of limited 
means, oiu* subject was early in life thrown 
upon his own resources. At the age of 15, he 
found employment for a time upon the canal; 
afterward, worked with his father at the car- 
penter's trade, and subsequently engaged as 
clerk for Henry Beatty, where he remained 
through the fall and winter of IStU-Gy. In 
March, 18()5, he enlisted for one yeai- in Com- 
pany B, 191st O. V. I., remaining in the serv- 
ice until the close of the war, when h-^ re- 
ceived an honorable discharge. Returning 
home, he entered the shops of Russell & Co., 
where he remained tlu'ee years, learning the 



molder's trade, after which he went to Port- 
age County, and worked three years in the 
shops of the Atlantic & Great Western Rail- 
road. June 1, 1873, he went to Canal Ful- 
ton, where he embarked in the grocery and 
provision trade, remaining there six years; in 
the fall of 1879, he came to this city, and pur- 
chased the interest of F. Loeffler in the gro- 
cery business, in which he engaged, under the 
firm name of Lutz & Preyer, his partner dy- 
ing thi'ee months afterward. The business 
was caiTied on as before until Jan. 3, 1881, 
since which time Mr. Lutz has controlled the 
entire interest and is doing an excellent busi- 
ness, his store being constantly stocked with 
a full line of staple and fancy groceries ; his 
long acquaintance with the people, knowledge 
of the business and his fidelity to his custom- 
ers have merited him the success he has at- 
tained. In May, 1871, he married Flora 
Loeffler, daughter of Frederick LoefHer. 
This union has been crowned by the birth of 
five childi-en, viz.: Clai'ence, AJthur, Lillie, 
Hattie and Stella: Arthur died in 187*). 
Politically, he has always been a Republican. 
While at Canal Fulton, he was elected City 
Treasurer, serving two years, and was hon- 
ored by a re-election to the same office; is a 
member of the City Council. 

GEORGE W. MERWIN, cabinet-maker, 
Massillon; is the third son of John and Maiy 
(Freese) Merwin. Oiu' subject was born in 
New Lisbon, Columbiana Co., the same year 
his parents came to Stark County; he learned 
the cabinet-maker's trade in this city, which 
he followed for some time; in the fall of 
IStJl, he volunteered his services to defend his 
Nation's honor, enlisting in Company I, 7(Jth 
O. V. I., where he remained until after the 
battle of Arkansas Post, where he received 
wounds of such a nature as to render him 
unserviceable, and he was discharged, having 
particijjated in the battles of Forts Donelson 
and Hemy, Shiloh, Corinth, Vicksbm-g and 
Jackson, Miss. Since his retiu'n home, he 
has been engaged in the wood-work depart- 
ment at Russell & Co. 's shops; since 1879, has 
had charge of that department, ^^'as married 
to Miss Ellen Willison, of this city, and by her 
has two children — Edward and Bertha. He 
is a member of the Methodist Episcopal 



3<n 



;r^ 



'.±^ 



CITY OF lilASSILLON. 



677 



Church, and of the Masonic fraternity, and a 
good Republican. 

JOHN P. MEKWIN, retired mechanic, 
Massillon; son of Nicholas and Maiy Merwin; 
was born in ChosttT Co., Penn., March 25, 
1808: at tho proper age, he was ap[)renticod 
t<) the wagon-making business. He was mar- 
ried, in August, 1880, to Maiy A. Freese, who 
was born in Chester Co., Penn., Oct. 28, 
18011. and w^as the daught(>r of I'eter and 
Elizabeth Freese. They have had eight chil 
drfn, of whom William M. was bom in 
Schuylkill Co., Penn., and Joseph K., Hannah 
F. and M?.iy E. in ^Montgomery Co., Penn; 
George W., in New Lisbon, Ohio; David P., 
Cynthia A. and Chai'les O., in Massillon, Ohio. 
Of these ohildi'en, Hannah F. and !Mary E. 
died in e.u'ly childhood; William M. removed 
to Indiana in 1852; he there tilled many 
positions of trust, and after occupying subor- 
dinate clerkships, during several sessions of 
the Legislature, he was elected Chief Clerk 
of the House of Kepresentatives, in 18()8. He 
was accidentally killed Jan. 5, 1878. The 
remaining children reside in the city of Mas- 
sillon. ^Ir. John P. Merwin removed with 
his family to New Lisbon, Ohio, in April, 
] 8-!U, and in the following spring took U{) 
his residence in Miissillon, where he has since 
resided. He was foreman, for over thirty years, 
in the wood dej)artment of the foundry and 
machine-shops of I'iulridge & Kessler, and 
Messrs. Killinger & Co. He was a man of 
stioug moral convictions, and in early man- 
hood united with the Methodist Episcopal 
Church, of which church his wife and living 
children are also members. He became iden- 
tified with the anti-slavery cause in the 
early years of that agitation. When the war 
of the rebellion broke out, in 18(51, his sons, 
William M., Joseph K., George W. and 
David P. enlisted in the ai'my of the Union. 
They constituted the entire " tighting force " 
of the fimiily, as Father Merwin was too old, 
and Charles O. too voung, for military sei-vice. 

J. WALTER McCLYMONDS, manufactur- 
er, Massillon; born September, 1M12, in New 
Lisbon, Ohio; son of John McClymonds, of 
Scotch-Irish extraction; a resident of Pennsyl- 
vania, and was a soldier in the war of 1812, and 
for several years was Postmaster at Darling- 



ton, Beaver Co., Perm.; he came to New Lis- 
bon, where he married Elizabeth Kincaid, 
and engaged for several years in mercantile 
business and banking; he came to Massillon 
in 18()0, and engaged in banking for nine 
years; in 18(59, he moved to Cleveland, 
where he was one of the principal organizers 
of the Ohio National Rank, and since has 
been President of the same; also, of the 
Cleveland Rubber Company, of which he 
was jirominent in its formation. J. Walter 
graduated at the New Lisbon High School, 
April, 18(51, and entered the service of the 
Government, enlisting as a private in Com- 
pany E, I'Jth O. V. I., in tlu-ee months' serv- 
ice; afterward re-enlisted in same regiment. 
Company A, and was promoted to Sergeant 
Major, where he served until the spring of 18(58, 
when he was transferred to the 104th O. V. I., 
serving as Adjutant until the close of the war; 
he served also as Assistant Adjutant General 
of the brigade and division, and was tendered 
a commission for the same, but declined. 
During this time, he participated in all the 
general engagements in which his command 
took pai't; at the close of the war, received an 
appointment in the 14th Regular Infanby as 
1st Lieutenant, which position he rt^signed, 
after several months, and returned to civil life. 
During the latter part of 18(55, was employed 
in the office of Gen. Poe, Chief Engineer on 
Gen. Sherman's staff, in Washington, D. C. 
In December, 18(55, ho came to Massillon, 
where, for three years, he was engaged as 
clerk, with Russell & Co., and as Teller in 
the Union National Rank. In the sjiring of 
ISG'J, he moved to Cleveland, where he was 
Assistant Cashier in the Ohio National Rank 
for three yeai's; siting of 1873, came to Mas- 
sillon, and became book-keeper for Russell & 
Co.: in January, 1876, became a partner and 
placed in charge of the financial department 
of the business; in January, 1878, the firm 
was incoqiorated as Russell & Co., with Mr. 
McClymonds as Secretary and Treasin-er, 
which jwsition he still holds. Nov. 'J, 1870, 
he married Flora A., daughter of N. S. Rus- 
sell; has one child living. 

DAVID P. MERWIN, printer and Dejnity 
Postmaster, Miissillon; bom Dec. 11, 1N42, 
in this city; is the fourth son of John P. 



-^z 



^ 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES 



Merwin aud Mary Freese; at the age of 16 
entered the office of The Journal of the Times 
to learn the printer's art, remaining here 
until October, 1801, when he enlisted in 
Company I, IBth O. V. I., and served in the 
same diu'ing the war, receiving his dis- 
charge, July 26, 1<S()5. During this time, he 
was engaged in the following liattles: Forts 
Donelson and Henry, Shiloh, Corinth, Vicks- 
burg, Jackson, Miss., Arkansas Post, Lookout 
Moiintain, Ringgold, Mission Ridge, and 
in all the liattles of the Atlanta campaign; 
diu'iug this time was in twelve of the South- 
ern States; never missed but two engagements 
in the whole time of service, returning home 
without a wound or scratch: upon his return 
home, resinned his trade, working in the Indc- 
pentJeiit office one year; afterward assisted in 
establishing the Massillon American, and con- 
tinued in that office three years; since 1872, 
has served as Dei)uty Postmaster, under C. F. 
Ricks. He is unman-ied and resides with his 
parents, who are aged aud infirm; much 
credit is due him for the filial care he mani- 
fests toward them. He is a member of the 
Methodist Episcopal Chiu'ch, and of the A. 

o. u. w. 

PHILIP MORGANTHALER. druggist, 
Massillon; was born Jan. 29, 1S45, in the 
town of Massillon, the eldest of a family of 
foiu- children, born to Peter and Christina 
(Biunmerlin) Morganthaler. both natives of 
(lermauy; was raised in the town, aud at the 
age of ly, entered the drug store of Bucher 
& Kachler, and remained with them six 
months, but continued with Mr. Kachler, who 
conducted the business alone after the with- 
drawal of his partner, for thirteen years. 
Sejit. 13, 1877, Mr. Morganthaler purchased 
the intei'est of his employer, and has since 
run the business; keeps a full line of drugs, 
books, stationery and fancy goods. He was 
married, in Februaiy, 1881, to Frances E. 
Young, born in Lawrence Township, the third 
child of Cyrus and Margaret Young, who were 
among the prominent and wealthy families of 
this county. 

T. CLARKE IVnLLER, physician, Mas- 
sillon; was born in Butler Co., Penu., July 
17, 1842; son of James and Margaret G. 
Miller; he was born in the North of Ireland, 



in 1796, and was the oldest of a family of 
twelve who came to maturity. James came 
to Maryland in 1798; settled afterward in 
Franklin and then in Westmoreland Co., 
Peun., but after mairiage settled in Butler 
County, and engaged in farming; his wife 
died in September, 1847. The Doctor was 
the last of the children born; the Doctor was 
raised to farming, and remained on the farm 
until 15 yeai's of age; received eommon- 
.school education, and took part of an academic 
course: in the spring of 1861. he enlisted in 
Company F. 9tli Penn. V. I., and served three 
years: was in the seven days' fighting at 
Meehauicsville. Gaines' Mill, C'harles City 
Cross Roads, White Oak Swamji, Malvern 
Hill. Second Bull Run, South Mountain, 
Antietam, Fredericksburg. Gettysbm'g and 
Williamsport, serving as private and non- 
commissioned officer; was discharged in June, 
1864; after retm'n from service, resumed his 
studies and taught school until spring of 1865; 
graduated at Charity Hospital, at Cleveland 
University in 1867; entered Charity Hospital 
as Sm'geon for one year; he began general 
practice of his profession at Newburg, where 
he stayed two years, and then moved to 
Cleveland, imtil he came here to Massillon, 
in thi» spring of 1876, where he has since 
continued. In May, 1869, he married Mary 
A. Culbertson, bom in Blairsville, Penn., 
daughter of Isaac and Maiy (McChesney) 
Culbertson. They have foiu- children, Clai'ke 
C, Rush, Thomas and Clara. He is a mem- 
ber of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and 
an active worker in the Sunday school, hav- 
ing been Superintendent of the Sunday school 
at this place 

P. MORGANTHALER, warehouse and 
grain merchant, Massillon; was born in Feb- 
ruary, 1808, in Bavaria; son of Nicholas aud 
Elizabeth (Miller) Morganthaler. Nicholas 
was a farmer, and died when our subject was 
but 3 years old, who was afterward reared to 
farming. He came to Ohio in 1838, and 
located in this city; coming here poor, he 
worked at tending in the warehouse of Mr. 
Wellman, and returned to the old country in 
1837, but came back in 1841. and was em- 
ployed for about fifteen years by L. & S. 
Rawson, in the grain business. In 1857, he 



CITY OF MASSILLOX. 



■d^ 



engaged for himself in the grain, plaster, 
lime, comeut and salt trade, and has aintinued 
since. In March, 1S43, ho mai'ried Christina 
Bummerliu. Ixirn in Baden, Germany, daugh- 
ter of Charles Bummerlin. He has fom- chil- 
dren — Philip, in drug business; Flora, Sher- 
iff's wife. Canton; Augusta and Albert L. 
He and his wife are members of the Refonued 
Church. 

JOHN :\rEINHART. contractor, MassiUon; 
was boi-n Aug. 15, 1S48, in Hesse-Darmstadt; 
son of John and Maggie (Shuman) Meinhart: 
he was a son of John Meinhart, she a daugh- 
ter of John Shimian. The fath.T, John, died 
in 1851. Our subject left home when he was 
17 years of age, having begun the trade of 
stone-cutter when 14; he emigrated to this 
country in 1805, coming to New York, where 
he worked several months, and then came to 
Warren. Ohio, and worked at his trade imtil 
the spring of IS'iC): then went to AVooster and 
several other ])laces, finally coming here to 
stay, in 1S74; began contracting in ISTH; 
put up the Union Schoolhouse; furnished the 
stone for and jmt up the court house, at 
Wooster; was of the finu of Powell & Mein- 
hart. which lasted some time; since 1877, he 
has conducted the business alone. In 1871, 
he married Amelia Baughart; they have five 
children — So])hia, Chiuies, Henn,-, John and 
Frank. He is a member of the Catholic 
Church. 

NICHOLAS MINICH, hatter, fiirrier and 
millinery, Massillon; was bom in Khine-Prus- 
sia, Dec. H, IN'il. the youngest of a family of 
four children, two sons and two daughters, bom 
to Adam and Margaret (Ault) Minich, both of 
whom died wheTi our subject was young, 2i 
vears when his mother died, when his fa- 
ther died. May 12, KS4(J; left Europe May 
27, setting sail fi-om Ha'NTe, and aiTiving in 
Now York July 3 ; stayed there two years ; his 
brother came several years previous; he wa.s 
two years in Texas fighting Indians: after- 
ward joined the regular army: was eleven 
years a United States soldiei", and was killed 
at the storming of Vera Cruz. Our subject 
lejirned the fmTier's trade before leaving the 
old country: when he arrived in the United 
States he only had ?3; first worked at the cap 
business, smd then at the furriers trade. In 



the fall of 1848, he came to Massillon; was 
fh'st with Hiram Wellraan, in the cap busi- 
ness, and aft«'r six months bouglit him out, ;ind 
started in the mauufactm-e of hats, caj>s, furs 
and gloves, on Erie street, which lasted two 
years, when he removed to Main str(*ot, l)ut 
his place w;vs bm-ned out the fall aft(>r ho 
started, when he moved to No. 45 Main street, 
about 1851, where he has coiitinued ever since. 
In 18()8, lie erected the building he now owns, 
30x05 feet, which cost about !? 15,01)0. July 
4. 184'.*, he was married to Elizabeth Cham- 
bers, bora in Carroll Co., Ohio, in 1824, daugh- 
ter of James and Sarah (Berk) Chambers, he 
of Maryland, she of Pennsylvania. Had six 
childi-en: Flora, Mis. David Hopkins, Grand 
Rapids; Mary, Mrs. William Perong, Cleve- 
land; William James, Frank H., Charles O. 
and Charles, 2d. who died respectively at 5 
years and 7 months and 1 1 months. Mr. 
Minich is a member of the English Christ's 
CluuTh; wife of the Di.scijiles' Ch\irch. 

THOMAS McCULLOUGH, l)anker, Mas- 
sillon; was born near Steuben ville, Jefferson 
Co., Ohio, March 0, 1810; he is descended 
from Scotch-Ii-ish Protestant ancestry on both 
sides; his grandfather, Jolni McCullough, 
emigrated fi'om Ireland to America in the 
year 17U0, and after stojiping for a few 
months in Lancaster Co., Penn., located in 
Fayette County, same State, and, in 1 7111), be- 
C!une a jjioneer to Ohio, settling near Steu- 
benvillo, Jefferson Co. Here, in the wilds of 
the Western wilderness, this sturdy jiioneer 
erected a rude cabin of uuhew<>d logs, chinked 
with mud, the chimney being made of sticks 
and cemented with the same material; the 
windows were made of pa]>er, smeared with 
grease, while a qnilt served the j>in'])oso of a 
door; the floor was made of split logs, and 
through the openings between their badly- 
fitted edges, rattlesnakes would crawl into the 
cabin at night. Mr. McCullough died in 
December, 1827, on the f;mn which he had 
cleari'd, aged 75 years. The parents of om- 
subject were John McCullough and Jane, 
daughter of Thomas Ritchie, an Irish emi- 
grant to America, and a pit)neer to Jefferson 
County, about the yejir 17*J8. They were 
miuried near Steubenville, Ohio, and there 
resided for several years. In 1821, his father 



680 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



moved to Springfield, Ohio, where, for several 
years, he kept a hotel. He died, in 1852, at 
the age of 78. One of his brothers, David, 
was a soldier of the v^ar of ISl'J. Oiu- sub- 
ject is the third son of ten children; had a 
farmer's boyhood, and only a couimou- school 
education. At the age of 22, he went to Vir- 
ginia, where he was employed for foiu: years 
superintending a plantation, near Wheeling; 
in February, 183(), he removed to Massillon, 
and engaged by the Massillon Rolling Mill 
Company to superintend the clearing and cul- 
tivation of their extensive farms ; in 1S40, this 
company failed, and in 1M48 Mr. McGullongh 
pui'chasod a portion of the land, amounting 
to between 8,0(10 and 4,000 acres, of which he 
still retains three or four hundred; in 1851, 
he became connected as stockholder with the 
Massillon Branch of the State Bank of Ohio, 
and was subsequently made its President; in 
1864, this company was merged into the 
Union National Bank of Massillon, of which 
Mr. McCullough was President till 1873. He 
is a stockholder in the Cleveland & Massil- 
lon Railroad, and was, for several years, con- 
nected with the City Coxincil. In politics, he 
was formerly a Henry Clay AMiig, and now a 
Republican; in religious faith, he is an Epis- 
copalian, as was his father, and has been for 
several years one of the Wardens of St. Tim- 
othy's Church, of Massillon. He has been 
thrice married; his first wife was Caroline 
Apj)legate, of Wheeling, W. Va., whom he 
man-ied March 16, 1837; she died Feb. 3, 
1838; on May 12, 1840, he married Nancy, 
daughter of John Melondy, of Vermont; she 
died May 8, 1877, having been the mother of 
two childi'eu, one son and one daughter, the 
former deceased; the daughter, Caroline, is 
the wife of H. H. Everhard, of this city; on 
Dec. 30, 1879, he married Mi-s. Maiy C. 
Hm-xthal, of Canal Dover. 

J. H. McLAIN, milling, Massillon; was 
born in this city; eldest son of J. E. McLain. 
Oiu- subject started the News Dejaot in this 
city; he first commenced clerking in his fa- 
ther's store, at the age of 19 years, and stayed 
there one year, when he went in business, tiist, 
with Ricks & McLain, which lasted five years, 
and afterward, with McLain, Dangler & Co., 
which lasted six years. J. H. then withdrew 



and went into the Exchange Bank, where he 
stayed three years. While there, he became 
interested in the White Sandstone Quarry, 
which he continued one year, afterward, in 
1876, buying a half interest in the Ciystal 
Spring Mill, which was run under the firm 
name of Justus & McLain; he, however, in 
1878, pm'chased the interest of Justus, and 
continued by himself; in 1S79, he bought the 
Loeffler warehouse, and afterward bought the 
warehouse adjoining of the Kelly estate, and 
the same year, a third warehouse of the Jarvis 
estate, which he turned into an engine-house, 
the second being fitted uj) as a mill, contain- 
ing six run of buhi's, at which he does an ex- 
change business. The Crystal Spring Mill 
has also sis run of buhi's, and one pair of 
rolls; this mill is four miles north of town; 
does merchant work only, the other one being 
on Exchange street. He has, also, a half in- 
terest in the planing-mill of McLain & 
Brown, and deals in real estate. In 1865, 
he married Ellen Towner, who was born in 
Bellefonte, Penu., daughter of Rev. John 
Towner. They have four children- Frank, 
John, Percy and Helen. Mr. McLain is a 
member of the A., F. & A. M., Knight Temp- 
lar, of A. O. U. W. and Royal Arcanum, and 
a member of the Council from the First Ward. 

C. M. McLAIN, merchant, Massillon; was 
born March 31, 1849, in Massillon, the young- 
est of a family of three sous, burn to J. E. Mc- 
Lain. He was raised to the mercantile busi- 
ness; engaged, at the age of 16, clerking for 
McLain & Dangler, and remained with them 
five years; then, in the spring of 1871, asso- 
ciated himself with the firm, under the name 
of McLain, Dangler & Co., which lasted imtil 
1876, when he and his brother, Charles L., 
bought out Dangler and continued until the 
spriug of 1878, when C. M. bought his brother's 
interest. In December, 1871, he married Mary 
T. Parsons, daughter of Samuel and Elizabetli 
Parsons; has had two childi-en — Walter H., 
living, and Mabel, dead; is a member of the 
various Masonic societies in the city — A., F. 
& A. M., R. A. M., and Knights Templar. 

J. E. McLAIN, banker, Massillon; was born 
in Greene Co., Penn., July 15, 1814. His an- 
cestors emigi-ated from Scotland about the 
time of the American Revolution, and became 



liL^ 



CITY OF MASSILLON. 



08 1 



settlers of the Keystone State. His parents 
were Jamoa and Eleanor (Evans) McLain; 
they came from Gi'eene Co., Penn., and settled 
near New Lisbon, Columbiana Co.. Ohio, about 
the year 1S20; his father was a miller by oc- 
cupation, and had a f.-uuily of ei<^ht children, 
of whom om- subject wius the third son. Ho 
suflfered the loss of his father when he was 
about 7 years of a<^e, and from the age of 10 
made his own way in the world, eiu'uing his 
own livelihood and picking up, at inten'als, 
such meager erumb.s of education <us the com- 
mon schools of that day afforded; in this early 
disciplinary school, he learned the virtues of 
industry, self-denial and fnigality, which 
hav(< had much to do in shaping his subse- 
(juent career, and in creating that success with 
which his business life has b(>en so signally 
chai'acterized. When al)out the age of 18, he 
came to Massillon. and in April. 1S.S2, began 
leiiriiing the blacksmith's trade under Jacob 
.lacoby, and followed the s;une for about eight 
years; in 188r), he bought the interest of Mr. 
Everhart. of thc> firm of Knapp & Everhart. 
who wer(> the first manufactiu'(>rs of threshing 
machines in Stark County, and engaged in 
this manufacture, under the firm name of 
Kna])]) A: McLain. and thus continued until 
IS 1(1. when the whole business was sold out 
to another Ih-m, who, a few years subsequently, 
moved the Ijusiness to Mansfield; !Mr. McLain 
then purchased three boats on the Ohio Canal, 
and for some three years was engaged in run- 
ning a line from Cleveland to Portsmouth: for 
a few years subsequent, he was engaged, first 
in the lively business, then in the drug, and 
afterward in the dry goods tr;ide; he was then 
employed to superintend the building of the 
car-shop at Massillon, of the film of Daven- 
port, Russell & Co.. and still later by the Mas- 
sillon Iron Company, to suiierinteiid the build- 
ing of their furnaces and to purchas(> iron ore 
for the same, and to sell the goods manufact- 
ured. Finally, upon the failure of the com- 
pany, he conducted the busine.-is on his own 
account, for the piirposeof realizing out of its 
profits certain sums of money for which he 
had previously liecome seciu-ity. In the fall 
of ISol. he finished the building of two sec- 
tions east of Massillon of the Ohio & Penn- 
sylvania, now the Pittsburgh. Ft. Wavne & 



Chicago Railroad. From 184'J to 1852, he 
was engaged in the carriage manufacture in 
Massillon. In 1802, in connection with Mr. 
Hemy L. Yesler, he erected a very extensive 
sawmill in Seattle, Washington Territory. 
Al)out the yeiu- 185(1, he bought out a private 
banking institution in Massillon, in which he 
had become jiecuniwily interested, conducted 
it for a few years, and finally wound it uj), 
thereby securing certain obligations due him 
by the firm. From the spring of 18(52 to the 
fall of \H(w, he was also engaged in the dry 
gixDds trade. From 1862 to 18(')4, he sei'S'ed 
as Provost Marshal for Stai'k Count}^ In the 
fall of 18f)7. he visited California and other 
jiortions of tiie Pacific coast, looking after the 
interests of his saw mill in Washington Terri- 
tory, and has since made annual trips to that 
portion of the West. In April, bSfiU, he en 
gaged in private banking, under the lum name 
of McLain & Hunt, the latter being a son of 
Ml-. Salmon Hunt; this arrangement continued 
for six years. Mr. McLain's sons, James H. 
and Charles L. McLain, being partners. In 
Januar}', 1875, Mr. McLain was made Presi- 
dent of the I'nion National Bank of Massillon, 
which position he still occu])i(>s. At various 
times he has served in the Massillon City 
Council. In politics, he is a stanch Rejjub- 
lican. On Jan. 1(1, 183U, he msuTied Eliza, 
daughter of Isaac Austin, of Massillon, though 
originally from VeiTuont; six children resulted 
from this union, foiu- of whom are living, and 
residents of Massillon. James H. and Charles 
McLain are now engaged in the milling busi- 
ness, andCliU'ence M. is a dry goods merchant; 
the daughter, 5I;uy, is the wife of Charles M. 
Russell, of the tii-m of Russell & Co., of Mas- 
sillon. Mr. McLain has been very successful 
in all his business ventiu'es. 

JAMES NEALL, coal-dealer, Massillon; 
was born Nov. 15, bSJl, in Talbot Co., Md., 
son of James and Rachel ( Cox I Neall. James, 
the father of our subject, was born in 1775, 
in same county, son of Solomon, whose father 
came over from England with AVilliam Penn. 
To Solomon Neall were iKirn Frankie, James, 
Mary and Ruth. Rachel Cox was likewise 
born, in 1782, in Talbot Co., Md., daughter of 
Isaac, whose wife's maiden name was Price. 
The Nealls are of Scotch extraction, and were 



members of the Society of Friends. To James 
and Rachel Neallwei'e born twelve children — 
nine daughters and thi-ee sons. At the age of 
17, the subject of those lines went to Phila- 
delphia, Penn., and entered as clerk in a hard- 
ware store, where he remained until 1836; he 
then went into a foundry and machine-shop, 
engaging in the business, in 1S4(), on his own 
aceonut until 1S()4, when he came to Mas- 
silion, where he has since lived, and is engaged 
bi the coal business. Nov. 3, 1841, was the 
date of his marriage with Rachel Ann Keeler, 
who was born Feb. 15, 1813, in Jacobstown, 
N. J., daughter of Samuel and Fannie (Kemp- 
ton) Keeler, both of New Jersey: Samuel and 
Fannie had four children born to them. 
To ]\Ii\ and Mi-s.-Ne;dl have been born three 
children, viz., Fannie K., Helen B. and Jose- 
phine. Mrs. Neall's parents were members 
of the Societj of Friends, luider which influ- 
ence she was brought up. Both Mr. Neall 
and wife are membtn's of the Presbyterian 
Church, of which Mr. Neall is one of the 
Elders. 

J. V. NEWSTETTER, salesman, Massillon; 
',vas born in Tuscarawas Township, of a family 
of eight children, viz., Andrew, Sarah, Cathar- 
ine, Samuel, Joseph V., Jacob, David and 
Henry, all of whom were the olTspring of 
Henry and Susanna Voris, whose father was 
Peter Voris, Henry Newsletter, the father of 
the above, was born in the " Old Dominion," 
on the James Ri ver, about the year 1 7U2 ; his 
father was Conrad Newstetter, a native of 
Bremen, who emigrated to Pennsylvania prior 
to the Continental war, afterward removing to 
Virginia, where were born to him a family of 
nine chikh'en, viz., Hem-y, Conrad, Joseph, 
Mary, Nancy. Barbara, Elizabeth, Catharine 
and Sarah. Coni-ad emigi-ated West to Ohio, 
locating in Tuscarawas Township as early as 
1812, where he entered 160 acres of land, 
upon which he lived until his death, which 
occurred about 182tj. Henry, his son, who 
was the father of J. V., was a soldier in the 
war of 1812, afterward locating on a piece of 
land about half a mile from the homestead, 
which he cleared, Brooktield being now a part 
of the f.irm he located ; he remained a constant 
resident upon this farm imtil his death, in 
May, 1871, his wife dying the March preced- 



ing. Our subject was raised to farming, but 
in ISoO he left home and entered the store of 
Folk & Bro., where he remained some time; 
then went to Chillicothe, remaining two years 
and a half, when ho moved to Waterloo, N. 
Y., where he married Nancy Ann Alleman in 
1858; she died in 1861, leaving one child, 
Arthur A., who died in the same year as his 
mother. Retm-uing then to Massillon, he sold 
goods ten years for William Humberger. 
Since 1877, he has been salesman in the store 
of Allman & Wetter. He is a Republican, 
and a member of the Episcopal Church. 

C. N. OBERLIN, grocer, Massillon; was 
born in Tuscarawas Township Jan. 28, 1820; 
son of John and Catharine (Newstetter) Obor- 
lin, he being born in Lancaster Co., Penn., in 
1788, she near Yorktown, Va., in 1790; they 
(John and wife) came from Cumberland Co., 
Penn., where they were married, and located 
in Tuscarawas Township, where he entered 
land in 1812; he raised a family of twelve 
} children — seven sons and live daughters — sis 
I of whom are now living; he died in 1849, his 
[ wife in 1858. Oiu* subject was raised to 
I farming until 12 years of age, when he came 
to town and clerked for fom- years, then ten 
years for Atwater & Dickey. In 1853, he 
began business with a partner, imder the firm 
name of Oberlin & Beatty, which lasted until 
1857, when Mi'. Oberlin sold out to his part- 
ner, and then started on his own account, and 
has thvis continued since. In 1847, he mar- 
ried Nancy McDowell, a relative of Gen. Mc- 
Dowell, of the late civil war; she was born in 
Tuscarawas Township in 1827, daughter of 
John and Nancy (Hoaglaud) McDowell, who 
were from Washington Co., Penn. ; had three 
children, two living — Ellen F., Mrs. Adam 
Knoblock, in Canton; and Edith, at home. 
Mi's. Oberlin is a member of the Presbyterian 
Church. Ml-. Oberlin is one of the oldest 
grocers in the city, and is among the self- 
made men of the community. He is a Demo- 
crat. 

S. OBERLIN, dry goods, Massillon. Among 
the prominent and self-made business men of 
Massillon is Mi-. Oberlin, who was born Feb. 
y, 1818, in Tuscarawas Township, son of Peter 
and Susanna (Cramer) Oberlin. Peter came 
West with his parents, Adam and Eve Oberlin, 



:i\ 



CITV OF MASSILLON. 



who were natives of Lancaster Co., Penu., who 
moved to Ciimberlaud, and then to this county, 
whore he entered the land in this township 
upon which he lived imtil his death, in 1855; 
to him were Iwrn ten chikh'eu, all of whom 
grew to maturity. Samuel left home at 18, 
and came to this town and clerked in a store 
until he enyaj^ed in business with Hiimberirer 
in 184t), which lasted foiu- or five years: he 
then clerked for Cummins & Humberger thi'ee 
years, when he foi-med a p;u'tuership with 
Humberu;er, the thin name being Humberger, 
Olirrlin A; Co., which lasted about live years; 
Jimies Harsh was the "Co." In 1857, he sold 
out his interest and crossed the sti'eet, and 
rented a store building, and in 1859 he bought 
the property, ;ind has since continued there. 
In 18-48, lie mcurit'd Mary E. Hofl'man, born in 
Hagerstown, Md., in 18"_'(), daughter of John 
A. Hoffman; has raised fom- childi'en — Mai'y 
F., I\Irs. William Yost; Willie J., Chai-les E., 
Samuel H. His family are members of the 
M. E. Church. He is not a member of any 
chmch organization; is a member of the I. 
O. O. F., and a stanch Kepublicau, and a 
public -spirited gentleman. 

H. F. OEHLEll, stoves and tinware, Mas- 
eillon; was bom April 20, 1839, in Gennany, 
the youngest of a family of eight children, 
who were Louie, Kate, Julius, Chai-les, Cai'o- 
line, Charlotte, Jeannette and H. F., all of 
whom wei'e born to Henry and Elizabeth 
Oehler. The father of H. F. died when oiu- 
subject was a mere lad, who remained with 
his mother until 1850, at which time he came 
to i\jnerica, and, selecting Ohio as his future 
home, he came direct to Massillon; having no 
worldly jiossessions to begin with, he resolved 
to become a business man, and entered the 
Massillon manufactiu"ing works, which were 
conducted by Mr. William Buckius, who in- 
structed him in the tinner's art; he remained 
with him until April, 18(51, when he enlisted 
in Co. A, 18th O. \. I., for three mouths, and 
afterward re-enlisted for three years, and 
served until the expiration of his term, nsceiv- 
ing an honorable discharge Jan. '24, 18(54; dur- 
ing his term of service, he ])articii)ated in the 
battles in which his regiment was engaged. 
Upon his return home, he worked for Mr. 
BuckiuB until the fall of 1868. In February 



of the following year, he engaged in business 
with David Stevens, buying out Mr. Huth and 
conducting business for eighteen mouths under 
the lu-m name of Stevens At Oehler, at which 
time Mr. Oehler sold out to his partner, and, 
in 1870, went to Worth Co., Mo., where he 
remained neiu'ly two years, and then retm'ued 
to Massillon; he worked a short time for Mr. 
Stevens, then associated in business for one 
year with F. W. Geis. when Geis purchased 
his interest. In 1874, Mi\ Oehler bought out 
jVIi-. Stevens, his former jjartner, and has since 
conducted the business on hisortu account; in 
1878, he piu'chased the building he now occu- 
pies, where he keeps a lai'ge assortment of 
stoves, and manufactures his own ware, and 
is doing a lucrative business. In June, 18(j(j, 
ho miuried Anna Kreisher, a native of this city ; 
they have three children — Henrietta, Edith 
and Alfi-ed H. 

JOHN F. PETER, dyeing and renovating, 
Massillon. 'Mr. Peter began his present pros- 
perous business in this city in 1877, at No. 13 
South Mill street; he had fonnerly been en- 
gaged in the same business at Bellaire, Ohio, 
afterward in Canton, subsequently coming to 
Massillon, as above mentioned. In this city 
he has built up a thriving trade, which is be- 
ing extended throughout the county and into 
other localities; the character of his work be- 
ing of such a natiu^e, whether it be cleaning, 
dyeing, or anything pertaining to his line, 
gives entire satisfaction, which in every in- 
stance is guai'anteed, no matter what the class 
or style of goods, silks, tine shawls, gloves — in 
fact, everything, as it passes from his hands, 
appears as new. He was l)orn in Canton in 
1852, son of Com-ad Peter, who was born in 
1809, in Hesse-DaiTustadt; July 25, 1877, he 
married Frances Piero, of Canton; has one 
child — Leo P. : is a Catholic. 

WILLLUI A. I'D^TZCKER, groc^-, Mas- 
sillon; son of August Pietzcker, who was bom 
in Moscow, Russia, in 1809, son of Charles 
Frederick Pietzcker, who was a native of 
Prussia, who was a Minister of the Interior; 
his father was President of the Police Court. 
August Pietzcker married ^lary Bitterman, 
l)orn in Lancaster Co., Peim., daughter of 
Joseph and Christina Bittenuan. He served 
eight years as a soldier under Napoleon. 



BIOGRxiPHICAL SKETCHES: 



ihL^ 



August emigrated to this State in 1840, locat- 
ing in Stark County; he has had eight chil- 
dren born to him, seven of whom grew up — 
Augusta, Charles, William A., Daniel, Ezra, 
George, Ida and Henrietta (now deceased). 
August, the father of our subject, enlisted, in 
1801, as a private soldier; after one year's 
service, was promoted to Hospital Steward and 
Assistant Medical Director; saw five years of 
army life in all; since his return from service, 
has been engaged as a machinist in this city. 
William A. was born in Bethlehem Township 
in 1852; at the age of 14, he began as clerk; 
was eight years in the employ of P. G. Al- 
bright. Nov. 1, 1880, he engaged in business 
with E. A. Heckert, under the lu'm name of 
Heckert & Pietzcker, which association lasted 
until April 27, 1881, at which time he pur- 
chased his partner's interest, and has since 
continued in business, keeping a full line of 
staple and fancy groceries; also, dealer in 
countiy produce. He is a member of the 
Knights of Pythias. In 1862, the family re- 
moved fi'om Bethlehem Tp. to Massillon, where 
they have since resided. 

J. F. POCOCK, coal business, Massillon; 
was born in Baltimore Co., Md., Jan. 25, 1839, 
soa of Israel and Ruth (Gorsuch) Pocock, 
both natives of that county; they have five 
children who came to maturity. Israel was a 
son of Jesse. Mr. Pocock came to Butler Co., 
Ohio, in 1857; remained two years, then to 
Putnam County, where he stayed seven years, 
and then came to this town and engaged in 
the coal business, remaining here since. He 
was married, in 1866, to Amelia E. Foltz, 
daughter of Henry and Mary (Kindig) Foltz: 
she (Mrs. Pocock) was born in this town, and 
has three children- -Gertrude, Hem-y F. and 
Ralph A. Mr. Pocock is Secretary and Treas- 
urer of the Massillon City Coal Company, or- 
ganized in 1874. Mrs. Pocock's father had 
the following family: David B., in Navarre; 
Eliza, Mrs. Elisha Bond; Rebecca, Mrs. Dan 
Pocock, near Clyde, Sandusky Co. ; George 
W. died in Wooster; J. F., the youngest now 
living. He is a Republican. 

JAMES PEACOCK, book-keeper and ac- 
countant, Massillon; head book-keeper of 
Russell & Co.'s office; was born Feb. 4, 1836, 
in Kingston, Canada, son of Thomas Peacock 



and Elizabeth Knight; the former was born 
in 1807, a native of Edinburgh, Scotland; she 
was born on the Emerald Isle, town of Mag- 
herafelt. County Derry. Our subject early in 
life learned the ])rinter's trade in Bufialo, N. 
Y., which he followed for several years in 
Buffalo and in Cambridge City, Ind. At the 
outbreak of the war, he was among the very 
first to respond to the call, enlisting in Co. A, 
8th Ind. V. I. as private, and was mustered into 
the service for thi-ee months three days from 
the time the call was made; after serving his 
term, being mustered out as Sergeant, Sept. 5 
of the same year he enlisted for three years in 
the same regiment and same company, the 
letter of the company being changed to G; 
was soon promoted to 1st Sergeant, afterward 
to Sergeant Major, and liually to Adjutant of 
his regiment, serving in this capacity luitil the 
close of the war; was mustered out in August, 
1865, serving nearly foiu- years and a half; 
diu'ing all this time, he participated in all 
the battles in which his regiment was engaged; 
some of the engagements were Rich Mountain, 
Pea Ridge, Champion Hills, Siege of Vicks- 
burg. Magnolia Hill, Big Black Bridge, Mus- 
tang Island and Fort Espanza. In August, 
1864, he was transferred to the Shenandoah 
Valley and served under Sheridan, and was 
engaged at the battles of Winchester and 
Cedar Creek; thence to Georgia, and finally 
joined Sherman at Savannah. Upon his re- 
turn to peaceful piu-snits after laying aside 
the blue, he went back to Indiana and resumed 
his chosen vocation in the printing oflice, 
where he remained until March, 1866, when 
he took charge of the books in the ofSce of L. 
Q. Sherwood, who was the general agent for 
Russell & Co. ; remained in his employ until 
1873, when he engaged with the Journal Com- 
pany, continuing in their employ as book- 
keeper uutil 1877, when he came to Massillon 
and took charge of the books in the office of 
Riissell & Co., continuing in their employ up 
to the present. In May, 1864, he was united 
by marriage to Miss Annie Kavanagh, who 
was a native of England, daughter of Law- 
rence Kavanagh, of Irish birth and parentage; 
has threeehildren- Edward A, James K. and 
Nicholas L. He is a membor of the Episco- 
pal Church, a true Republican, and a zealous 



CITY OF MASSILLON. 



member of the Masonic fraternity, being ad- 
vanced from the lodge proper to the Scottish 
Rite. 

ANSON PEASE, lawj'er, Massillou; is a 
descendant of Robert Pease, who sailed in 
April. U);i4. from Ipswich. England, liuiding 
at Boston, and'settlcd at Salem, Mass. To this 
ane(>st<>r .^^uson Pease traces his de.scent. His 
grandfather, Abner Pease, was actively en- 
gaged in the Revolutionary war, and received 
a Captain's pension: he was one of the jiio- 
neers of th(> Western Reserve, having moved 
to Aiu-ora. Portage Co.. in iSf'S. James Pease, 
the father of our subject, served in the war of 
ISl'i: .•Vmtmda Parish, his mother, wiis born 
in Worcester. Mass. : in his boyhood, he passed 
through the usual experiences of pioneer life, 
to the age of 1 5, working on a farm and at- 
tending the district school, and subsequently 
spending a year at an academy at Aurora 
Center; he then engaged to learn the harness- 
maker's trade, which business he had after- 
ward to resign on account of hmg affection; 
for several months he received instruction 
from the Rev. John Sewiird, a ])ioneer Presby- 
terian minister, who acted as his- tutor: when 
10 years of age, he entered a store as a clerk, 
remaining one year and a half, and then en- 
tered the Western Reserve College. Here he 
took the English and scientific course of in- 
struction, which occu]iied two years; then, re- 
tmTiing to Massillou, he read law in the office 
of his nuele, Samuel Pease, and afterward 
with Robert H. Folger; during this time, he 
acted as Deputy Sheriff, and. by this occupa- 
tion secured means to enable him to su]>port 
himself. In 1^44. he was admitted ti^ the liar, 
and since that time has been in the active 
practice of his j)rofession. He served as a 
member of the Constitutional Convention of 
187'J and 1878, being a Republican in jjolities. 
On the <>th of A]>ril. 1844. he married Miss 
Eliza Per Lw, a native of Noi-th Norwich, 
Chenango Co.. N. Y.: three children liave 
crowmnl this union, the eldest, a daughter, 
the wife jf Charles McLain; Dr. Per Lee, 
now a medical ])ractitioner in Massillou: and 
Edward N.. who served several years in the 
regular army, but is now in the clerical de- 
partment in the office of Russell & Co. While 
in college. Mi-. Pease became much inter- 



ested in natural science, especially chemistry, 
mineralogy and geology, and since that time, 
as an amateiu-. has ])ursued those branches 
with much pleasure, as well as that of micro- 
scopy. He was born Nov. 28, 1819, in Aurora, 
Portage Co., this State: he has a hu'ge and 
lucrative practice. 

R. A. PINN, lawyer, Massillou: was born 
in 1843 in Perry Tp., son of William and 
Zil[)ha (Broxon) Pimi. The grandsire of our 
subject was born in the bonds of slavery in 
the "Old Dominion." AMiile in servitude 
his name was Briggs, which family resided in 
Fauquier Co., \h. His children were free 
born, among whom was William, the father 
of Rol)ert A., who came to Ohio when a young 
man, living somi- time at Steubenville, where 
he worked at the blacksmith's trade several 
years. He came to Stark County, residing 
some time in Canton where he was married, 
afterward locating in Ptmy Tp. about the year 
1888, and raised a family of seven children 
— Amanda. Martha, Robert A, Elizabeth, 
Susan, Levi and Harriet. After his coming 
to this tdwnshi]) he was engaged in farming, 
remaining heri'imtil his death, which occurred 
in the fall of 1874. He was a good citizen, 
honored and esteemed by all who knew him. 
His wife yet survives him; she was born in 
Mercer Co., Penn., and came West with her 
parents. Oiu" subject was raised on the farm 
of his father until IN years of ii^^e. In 1S62, 
he left home and went into the army, remain- 
ing in the sutler's depaiiment until Sept. 5, 
1808, when he was musteredrinto United States 
Sei-vice, Co. "I" r)th U. S. C. I., as private, 
afterward j>romoted to 1st Sergeant, and act(>d 
Sergeant Major on the non-commissioned 
staff. He was in (ronmiand of his comjiany 
at New Market Heights, where he received 
three bullet wounds afterward received two 
medals from the Government for his braveiy. 
After two years' of active service received an 
lionorable discharge and retm-ned home. 
After attending school at Oberlin College he 
went to South C!arolina and began reading 
law under W. H. Thomas in 1875. Upon his 
return to this city, he entered the office of R. 
H. Folger. He was admitted to the l)ar in 
this county April 8, 1879, and is successfuj 
in his profession. He married Emily J. 



"^ 



686 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



Mauzilla, daughter of Miles Manzilla, of 
Mahoning County; has no children. 

ALFRED PEIRCE, Justice of the Peace, 
and conveyancer, Massillon. The Peirce 
family are descended from three brothers, 
who came over with William Penn; one 
brother settled in New England, one iu Penn- 
sylvania, the other in Maryland. About the 
year 1800, Judge Eli Peirce suggested that 
the name of the Pennsylvania, or Quakei', 
branch of the familj' should be spelled with 
the " e" before the " i," which was ado]ited by 
all their descendants. The New England 
branch spell the name Pierce, while the 
Maryland branch spell it Pearee. Alfred 
Peirce was born in Philadelphia Sept. 12, 
1812; liv.^d iu New York City from 1828 to 
1839; next removed to Baltimore, where he 
was engaged in mercantile business until 
184:0, then moved to Philadelphia: in 1845, 
he came to Ohio and engaged in teaching 
and lecturing; in 1846, he came to Stark 
County, and in the same year he was married, 
in Salem, Columbiana Co., to Miss Elizabeth 
Boi'den, a native of Steuben Co., N. Y., who 
came to Ohio the same year: foiu- children 
living — Charles L., Frank B., Velma and 
Minnie Alfaretta. For over twenty years Mr. 
Peirce was engaged as a commercial traveler, 
and since that period until the present time, 
has been a newspaper correspondent. In the 
spring of 1880 he was elected Justice of the 
Peace. His father, Isaac Peirce, was born in 
Chester Co., Penn., Aug. 22, 1788: removed 
to Ohio about 1885, and became well known 
throughout the State as an imfiincliing fi'iend 
of the slave, and an active member of the 
Free-Soil and Republican parties, being also 
identified with the Temperance and other 
reformatoiy movements. His death occuiTed 
March 1 1 , 185N. His wife, Elizabeth Painter, 
was born Dec. 25, 1790, and died Dec. 15, 
IMS. The ancestors of Mr. Peirce were 
Quakers of the Liberal or Hicksite branch, 
but he himself since his connection with this 
society ceased, at the age of 22, has not been 
united with anv church. 

FERDINAND RIICHTI, traveling agent, 
Massillon; was born June 1, 18H4, iu AYur- 
temberg, C-rermany, eldest son of Joseph 
Ruchti and Margai-et Heintzelman. His 



grandfather was Paul Ruchti, who served as 
soldier under Napoleon, being with him in 
all the wars of that period, and died at the 
age of 103. Josejjh Ruchti was a merchant, 
to which business his son Ferdinand was 
raised until he became of age, when he came 
to Ohio — to Canton, in 1853, a«id to Massil- 
lon the spring of the following year, and en- 
gaged in the employ of the Massillon Fm-nace 
Company, continuing m\til the year 1859. 
Since has been engaged with J. P. Burton, 
of this city, as traveling agent. Nov. 6, 1856, 
married Caroline Held, bom in this city 1836, 
daughter of Philip Held and Philopena Sha- 
fer. Has but one child, Emma, now the 
wife of Dr. Simpson Harmount. Mr. Ruchti 
is a Republican, and since his residence in the 
city served six years as a member of the Town 
Council. 

CHARLES M. RUSSELL, deceased. 
It may not inaptly be said that a man 
who for so many years assumed so prom- 
inent a position in the community in which 
he lived as the subject of this notice, becomes, 
as it were, a public chai-acter, and henci.s 
every member of society feels a sort of prop- 
erty, or rather interest, in the facts pertain- 
ing to his life and death,, and which, in this 
instance, becomes more appropriate, from the 
fact that the fai'-reaching enterprise and 
energy, with which the deceased extended his 
own reputation conveyed the name of his 
home along with it. Mr. Chai'les M. Russell, 
whose portrait ajipears in this work, was bom 
Oct. 1, 180(), in Middlesex Co., Mass. He was 
the eldest son of Cyrus and Louisa (Stratton) 
Russell, and removed with them to the State 
of New Hampshire, and aftei'ward to Vermont 
State, where they died. jVIr. Russell came to 
Massillon in the sjiring of 1S38, and in the 
occupation of master builder, gave little 
promise of the extended usefulness of his 
futiu-e; but soon after, in connection with his 
brothers Clement and Nahmn, xmder the style 
of C. M. Russell & Co., in the mauufactiu'e 
of agricultm-al implements, more particularly 
threshing machines. The genius of Mr. Rus- 
sell would never jieiTuit him to pursue the 
beaten track of others, but whenever there 
were imperfections in his way, improvement 
mai'ked his course, and this characteristic 



f 



^*T 



CITY OF MASSILLON. 



687 



added to his great energy and enlarged enter- 
prises never permitted him to rest nntil the 
manufactiu'ed artielesof the timi hail deserved 
and acquired a reputation sm-passing that of 
iiny other in the country. This was particu- 
larly the case with their threshing machines, 
which are now in use from the State of Oliio 
east and west to the ocean line and pro))()r- 
tionately in other directions, a fact which 
also shows the unerring judgment of 'the pub- 
lic as to its p(>rfection. Uut the untiring 
energy of the lu'm did not rest with this suc- 
cess, for in addition to their large manufact- 
m-ing establishments which already formed 
an important feature of tlie business of llas- 
eillon, they established an extensive manu- 
factory of cabinet ware, and soon after the 
completion of the railroad Mr. Kiissell, in con 
nection with Me.ssrs. ^Vellmau and Davon])ort, 
erected large works for the manufncture of 
railroad csu's, which latter hiially became the 
property of (J. M. Russell & Co. At the elec- 
tion of isr)() for Directors of the Pennsylvania 
& Ohio Railroad. Mr. Russell was elected a 
Director of that c;im])any, which position he 
held dm'ing its s(^{)arate existence and after 
its consolidation under the style of Pitts- 
burg, Fort Wayne & Chicago Railroad, mitil 
the time of his death. His position in the 
board was a prominent one, and his opinions 
had much wt>ight in th(> cotmcils of that com- 
pany, in fact few men could sustain them- 
selves with more credit in the m;uiy trials and 
embaiTassments thnjugh which the road was 
compelliKl to pass; his loss was deeply felt by 
those who were interested in the road. Diu'- 
ing the last year of his life in eomiection with 
Mr. Davenport, invented and obtained a ))atent 
for aa Iron Railroad Car. Mr. Russell wii-s, 
perha[).s, in the most exttmded s(^nse of the 
term, a " rejiresentative man " of the^Vmerican 
people: for he possessed an individuality of 
the strongest character: and lost no i)j>])or 
timity of tm'ning the course of events to liis 
own advantage; but while taking advimtage 
of every oj)portunity to augment his own fort- 
unes, instead of hoarding up the proceeds of 
his ingenuity and lalwrs for the ])urpose of 
ama.ssing riches, he was ever engaged in (jui- 
etly distributing the sm-plus goods with which 
Providence had blessed him, to relieve the 



wants of his less fortunate brothers of the 
human race. His benevolence, though exerted 
without ostentation, was constantly put in 
])ractice, and the unfortunate nev(>r applied 
to him for relief and went away empty 
handed. There was no class of people who 
held a hu'ger place in his regard than the 
mechanics; never forgetting that he, too, 
sj)rang from this gi-eat class, the corner-stone 
of om* social fabric; ho was their wai'm bosom 
fi'iend, ever ready to aid and assist them in every 
])ossible manner. Among those who had the 
good fortune to sustain relations oi favored 
intiuKicy with the deceased, language would 
fail in the i>roduction of terms to describe his 
tnie genial natiu-e; and far from being dem- 
onstrative in his friendship, the pure Damas- 
cus is not more perfect and true in its nature 
than was his unswerving lidelity. To the 
town of Massillon. he has ijeen the chief 
among her (citizens, and unlike many others 
who went out from her in her hour of advers- 
ity, brought about by a change in the moans 
of intercommunication, he was always fore- 
most in her defense, and using his best ener- 
gies in her welfare. Her citizens had always 
the benefit of his wise counsels and wise 
experiences. He was e<jually prompt to dis- 
tribute his money to forward the best inter- 
ests of the town, either in a religious, social 
(jr public point of view. His death occmTod 
Feb. li), ISOO. Thus passed away a deai- 
brother, a kind friend and worthy citizen. 
His m;uTiage with Nancy Davis was unfruit- 
ful — no children were born to them. 

RUSSELL BROTHERS, manufacturers, 
Massillon. Their great-gi-audfather was a 
native of Scotland and emigrated to Middle- 
sex Co., Mass., early in the eighteenth cen- 
tury. The old family Bible, yet in the pos- 
session of the family, reveals the following 
story, viz. : Joseph Russell, son of the great- 
grandfather, was Iwrn in Weston, MidtUesex 
Co., Mass., July T), 17-1."). May 20, 177:], he 
miUTied Susanna Upham, who was boni Aug. 
20, 1751, their children were as follows: 
Joseph, liom Jan. 30, 1778; Sukey, born 
March 20. 17S1; Sarah, born Dae. 21, 17S2; 
Cvrus, l)oni Dec. 17, 17N4; Abigail, born Feb. 
10, nsU; Sylvauius, bom Oct. 22, 1793; 
Clement, bom June 25, 1795. Cjtus Russell 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



^. 



(the father of the Russell brothers), married 
Loixisa Stratton, who was born Nov. 8, ITSO. 
To theiQ were bom the following children, 
whose names, according to the order of birth, 
are: Charles M, born Oct. 1, ISOfi; Martha 
Upham, born Jan. 12, ISOS; Harriet, born 
April 12, ISOO: Nahum S., born Feb. 17, 
1813; Sylvanius, born Aug. 22, 1815; Clem- 
ent, born Dec. 29, 1817; Joseph K., born 
June 26, 1823: Sarah Susana, born Nov. 25, 
1825; Thomas H., tornMav 15. 1828; George 
L., born Oct. 27, 1830; Alba Allen, born May 
7, 1833. Nathnm S. married Esther K. Mil 
lard: to them were born three children — 
Flora, Mary L. and Anna. Charles M. mar- 
ried Nancy Davis; no children. Martha U. 
married Eev. A. Rawson: by him had three 
daughters and (me sou- Alanson R. Mary 
A., Juliette and Harriet. Harriet married 
Milan Harris: one daughter born them. Har- 
riet L. Clement was twice married, fii'st to 
Laura M. Waterman, who bore him one son 
and one daughter — Charles and Louisa. 
Second man-iage to Mrs. Augusta Miller: no 
issue. Jose]ili K. was twice man-ied, first to 
Lucretia J. Harris, who died Feb. 28. 1875; 
five children— Z. Ninet S., Charles M., Mary 
E., Louisa J. and Jesse L. Second mai'iiage, 
was July 27, 187(), to Mrs. Lydia H. Harris, 
born in Nelson, N. H., February. 1828. daugh- 
ter of Oliver Heald; no children l)y last wife. 
Thomas H. Russell married Ellen Dunn; had 
five children, three living WaiTen R., Laiira 
and Hattie. Sarah S. married Alfi-ed Q. 
Evans; they had one daughter, Susan S. 
George L. maiTied Sarah Galagher; by her 
had one son — Willie C. Second wife, MJrs. 
Martha Kennard. Allen A. married Lorinda 
Chase. Second time to Olive Cook; she bore 
him two children Hardy A. and Carrie B. 
Deaths of the Russell brothers and sisters — 
Svlvanius died Aug. 18, 1844; Sarah S.,Mav 
20. 1851: Charles M., Feb. 19, 18B0; Harriet, 
December. 1880. 

NAHITM S. RUSSELL, manufacturer, 
Massillon. President of the corporation of 
Russell & Co,, manufacturers of threshers, 
horse-powers, portable traction engines and 
saw-mills: was born at Weston, Middlesex 
Co.. Mass.. Feb. 17. 1813. the fourth child of 
Cvms Russell, who served with credit as an 



oflSeer in the war of 1812. For a more 
extended accoimt of the Russell family, the 
reader is referred to the genealogical state- 
ment of the Russell Bros. Few men have had 
more humble beginnings than they, or have 
achieved for themselves a brighter and 
clearer record as biTsiness men; by their zeal 
and imflagging industry, have pioneered their 
way through an eventful past, many times 
dark and portentious. surviving panics and 
hard seasons, which at times seemed ready to 
engulf them into business disaster and ruin, 
yet by their adherence to the principles of 
right and justice, coupled with their noted 
energy and praiseworthy fidelity to their busi- 
ness and its consequent obligations they sur- 
mounted the difficulties that have environed 
their ])athway and distinguished themselves 
as mamifactiu-ers and stalwart business men, 
and are now sending their products all over 
the world, the mauufactiu-e of which gives 
direct emplojinent at their shops to hundreds 
of men, and indirectly to thousands of others. 
Nahum, the eldest of the six brothers living, 
was raised on the home farm. His advan- 
tages for schooling were ])oor, attending school 
a short time during the winter months, and 
working at home during the remaining j)art 
of the year. In the winter of 1831, he went 
to Walpole, New Ham};shire, to learn the trade 
of carpenter and joiner, serving for three 
years as an apprentice. Daring his apj)ren- 
ticeship, he strove to improve himself in every 
way; realizing the advantages of an education, 
attended the Academy at Walpole what time 
he could spare from his labor. In the spring 
of 1835 he moved to Keene, N. H.. where he 
remained one year working at his trade. 
Afterward went to Yirgennes and Buffalo and 
New York. Afterward went to Cleveland and 
assisted in building the American Hotel on 
Superior street. He remained in Cleveland 
until 1838, when with his brothers, Charles 
M. and Clement, he came to Massillon, and 
in connection with them engaged in the build- 
ing and contracting business. April 27, 
1841. he married Esther K. Millard, born 
Feb. 29, 1819, in New York, daughter of 
William J. Millard, born Feb. 28, 1790, whose 
wife was Elizabeth J. Ball, born Oct. 12, 1800. 
Jan. 1. 1842. in connection with his brothers. 



V" 



CITY OF MASSILLON. 



68U 



Charles and Clement, formed a copartner- 
ship under the style of C. M. Kussell & Co,, 
for the manufacture of tlu'eshers and horse- 
powers, in conjunction with their business as 
carpenters and buildere. Their capital stock 
was but §1,500; thus stai-ting with a small 
capital they built and by hard work and tire- 
less enerj^y and perseverance, one of the lai'g 
est an<l most prosperous manufacturing estab- 
lishments in the country, giving employment 
to hundreds of men. For a more general 
account of the business, etc., the reader is 
referretl to the history of the business inter- 
ests of Massillon, of whi('h this is the most 
prominent. Mi'. Kussell had three chikh'en 
born to him, but two living— Flora, wife of 
J. "W. McClymonds, of this city, and Anna, 
wife of Louie McClymonds, who are residents 
of Cleveland. Mary Louisa died March 10, 
1801, aged ni vears. 

CHARLES 'r. RICKS, Postmaster, Mas- 
sillon; was born July 23, 1809, in Piiissia, 
the second of a family of three sons. His 
parents were William Ricks and Caroline 
Duve. William Ricks, the father of our sub- 
ject, served thi-ee yeiU's as a soldier imder 
Blucher, and was at the batth> of Waterloo. 
His occupation was that of a commission and 
fonvarding merchant; his property was finally 
confiscated by the French. His death occuiTed 
in 1 856. His eldest son served forty- four years 
in the Prussian army, his rank lieing that of 
General in Commissary Dep;u-tmeut; he is 
now on the retired list. Next to him in order 
of birth was our subject The third son died 
at the age (jf 14. Our subject left the 
parental home at the age of 15 and went to 
live with his uncle, Georg(> Duve, who was a 
paper manufacturer, which vocation Mr. 
Ricks learned, and after leaving his luicle he 
Wiis engaged at the same business imtil his 
departure f(jr this countrj". He left his native 
land in July, 18H3, landed in Baltimore Sep- 
tember 8, the same year, l)eing forty-two 
days on the ocean. He with four others who 
were com])anions on the voyagi?, walked on 
foot to Pittsburgh, luriving October 1, when 
he found em[iloynient in a book and [laper 
manufactory, run by Johnson & Stockton, in 
whose emj)loy he remained eight years. April, 
1842, came to Ohio and engaged in the mer- 



cantile business at West Brookiield in this 
county, whore he continued eleven years; 
dm'ing this time he served six years as Post- 
master und(>r J. K. Polk's administraton, 
being the first office that was established at 
that place, and was brought about mainly 
through Mr. Rick's influence. While in 
Pitltsburgh, Jan. 1, I8H5, he was married to 
Regiua M. Corter, torn in Osuabiu-g, in Ger- 
many, 1808, daughter of Perie Corter. After 
Mr. Ricks had continued in business eleven 
yeai-8 at ^\'est Brookfield, he sold out his 
store imd rotiu'ned to Pittsburgh, where his 
wife died in 1858. The fruits of this mar- 
riage were William F., Augustus J., Helena, 
Chai'les, Robert C. anil Tht^odore O. Remain- 
ing two years in Pittsbm-gh, he returned to 
Stark County and clerked one year in the 
J'armers' & Jleehanics' Store. After this he 
engaged in business with his brother-in-law, 
John J. Huflman, under Urm name of Huff- 
man & Ricks, which association lasted until 
when he engaged in business upon his own 
account which he carried on. Has filled sev- 
eral positions of trust, served for ten years as 
Trustee of the Charity Roach School. In 1874, 
was appointed Postmaster at this place under 
Grant's administration; was re-appointcxi by 
R. B. Hayes, and still holds that position. 
He was raised in the Reformed Chm-ch, but 
since he came to Massillon, aiiiliated with the 
Presljyterian Church, serving as Elder since 
1 8t)"J, and Treasxu-or for nineteen yeai's. Has 
three childi-en living - William F., who suc- 
ceeded his father in the merctmtilo business; 
Augustus J., now U. S. Circuit Com-t Clerk j 
at Cleveland, and served as Captain of Co. 

, in the late war. Helena A., now the 

wife of Dr. Lewis Sliisst^r, of Canton. Mi-. 
Ricks was miin-ied second time to Rebecca 
Funk, a native of Hagerstown, Md. : she died 
1!S75, leaving no issue. 

G. LIT. RYDER, insm-ance, Massillon. 
One of the leading insurance agencies of this 
county is rej)resented by Mr. Ryder, who has 
■thirteen of the most responsible comjianies on 
his list. This gentleman is a native of 
Holmes County, this State, where he took his 
first observations in the yocU" 1845. He is 
the only surviving member of a fiunily of five 
children. His parents were Absalom and 



'k 



090 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



Jane Livingston. Absalom was born in the 
Empire State, of a family of six children, 
born to his father, Eleazur Ryder. Absalom 
Ryder came to Ohio about the year 1839, and 
engaged quite extensively in the mercantile 
business. His death occurred in 18(57. G. Liv. 
came to Massillou in 1852; received the 
advantages afforded by the best schools in the 
city ; in 1867, he was engaged in the News Depot 
at this place; in 1868, was married to Anna 
Kitzmiller, born in Newark, Ohio, daughter 
of Dr. Henry Kitzmiller and INIary Cramp. 
Mr. Ryder has four children- Helen, Grace, 
Gilbert and Heniy. He is a Republican. 
His brother Henry died in the defense of his 
coimtry in ISfiS: was a member of the Co. 
E, 104th O. V. I. Ml-. Ryder is a member 
of the A., F. &■ A. M., Chapter and Command- 
ery, of this city. For several years past has 
given his entire attention to the insurance 
business. 

G. P. REED, merchant, Massillon. Among 
the long established merchants of this city is 
Mr. Reed, who was born in Kendal, Sejit. 3, 
1828, son of Thomas and Adaline E. Reed. 
Thomas Reed was a native of Lynn, Mass., of 
Quaker parentage; he emigi'ated to this Sta+e 
with his father, Thomas Reed, who located in 
Jackson Tovpnship, and entered land fi'om the 
Government in 1817. The father of om- suli- 
ject engaged in the mercantile business and 
dealt in wool. G. P. was early in life initi- 
ated into the details of the mercantile busi- 
ness, beginning at the age of 14 as a clerk 
for the firm of J. & Z. S. Ely; continued in 
their employ two years; during this time 
attended school six months at Gambler, Ohio; 
aftei-ward clerked for Jarvis & Hine for a 
time, then with Reed & Searl, the former 
being Thomas Reed, his father; continued 
with them until May 0, 1856. His father 
was imfortunate in his business relations; in 
the goodness of his heart in order to accom- 
modate his friends became surety for them 
and in consequence was broken up. He died 
in 1875, aged 72. His wife yet survives him 
and resides with her son, yet a bachelor, who 
is her staff and comfort in her declining years. 
Since the retirement of his father, Mr. Reed 
has succeeded him in the same business, con- 
tinuing steadily without any intermission 



since that time, and in the same building, 
and notwithstanding the difficulties attending 
his early youth, and the subsequent discour- 
aging circumstances, he has overcome them 
all, and stands to-day one of the prominent 
and successful merchants in Massillou City, a 
self-made man. 

JOSEPH K. RUSSELL, agricultural 
works, Massillon: was l)orn June 26, 1823, in 
Cheshire Co., N. H., the fifth son and seventh 
child of a family of eleven children, born to 
Cyrus and Louisa (Stratton) Russell; he, 
born in Weston, Mass., son of Joseph, whose 
ancestors came fi'om England. Joseph had 
four sons and three daughters- Cyrus, Syl- 
vanus, Clement and Joseph; Abigail, Susan, 
and Louisa. His wife was a daughter of 
Isaac Stratton. The Strattons came from 
Lincoln, Mass. Isaac Stratton had Nahum, 
Henrj-, Lewis, Louisa, Mary, Priscilla and 
Miu'cha. Cyrus received certificate of bounty 
land for services in the war of 1812. He 
died in 1872, in Connecticut, having gone 
there foiu- or five years previously. The boys 
remained on the fann, but J. K. came West in 
1842. and worked at a tirade, but returned to 
Ntnv England in 1845, and stayed until 1863, 
then returned here. He was married Jan. 1, 
1841), to Lucretia J. Harris, who was born in 
Cheshire Co., N. H., in 1828, daughter of 
Milan and Lois Wright. He has five chil- 
dren-Burnett, Charles M., Mary E., Louisa 
J. and Jessie L. Burnett is in Council Bluffs; 
Charles, in business with firm, as Assistant 
Secretary and Treasurer. Wife died in 1875; 
married in 1876 to Mrs. Lydia H. Harris, 
born in Nelson, N. H., daughter of Oliver 
Heald. She has one son - Edgar C. Mem- 
ber of the Second Presbyterian Church. Is 
a strong Temperance man, and a Repiiblican. 

THOMAS H. RUSSELL, mauufacturer, 
Massillou; was born in Alstead, N. H., May 
15, 1828, the sixth son liorn to Cjrus and 
Louisa (Stratton) Russell; came West in 1847 
to Massillon, and learned the machinist's trade 
at this place with the firm of Russell Bros., 
and afterward worked in their office as book 
keeper, subsequently becoming a partner: since 
1868, has been Superintendent of the works. 
Sept. 13, 1853, he married Eleanor Dunn, who 
was born in Trenton, Tuscarawas Co., Ohio, 



^ 



^- 



( ITY OF MASSILLON. 



Jtine 3, 1833. daughter of Edward and Julia 
(Fox) Dnnu. lie beinc^ born in Irebinil. the Fox 
family coming from Now York. To Thomas 
Kussell and wife have beonborn live children, 
three living AVarren E., Laura M, and Hatie 
M. Mrs. Russell is a member of the Presby- 
terian Cluu-ch. 

MICHAEL UrCH: was born in Alsace 
April 7, 18(1(5: son of Micliael Ruch, to whom 
were born foin- childi'en George, Mary, Mi- 
chael and Catharine: Michael, the elder, was a 
mason by trade. Our subject was raised to 
the trade of stone-cutting, having begun at 
the age of in, and. after working six years at 
it at home, came to America in 182S, and to 
Canton, where he remained two weeks, Inxt, 
there being nothing for him to do there, he 
returned East to Petersburg, where he worked 
for one and a half years ; then came to Canton, 
stayed one year, and then to Massillon for 
three years, working at his trade all the time: 
in 1834, he went to Canal Fulton, where he 
bought land, som<' of which now lies in the 
corporation. In 1873, ho moved to Massillon 
and has remained there since. Aug. 1. 1829, 
he married Mary Long, born in 1808, in Alsace, 
daughter of ilichael Long, who came to this 
eoTinty in 1828: had seven children — Mary, 
married Sam Smith, who raised a family and 
died in ISdU, in Fulton: John, in Sheboygan, 
Wis.; William, died in the service of his 
country in 18('>3: Lewis, in Fulton; Christo- 
pher, in Fulton: Caroline. Mi's. L. Bommerlin, 
Massillon: Frederick, shot by Indians in In- 
dian Territory. His wife died in 18(')8: is a 
member of the Lutheran Church: is a Re- 
publican. 

CLE:\rENT RUSSELL, coal dealer, Mas- 
sillon; was born Dec. 2U, 1817, in Middlesex 
Co.. Mass: his parents were ('vrus and Louisa 
(Stratton ) Russell. In 1838, Mr. Russell came 
to Ohio, a young man, and worked as an ap- 
prentice at the carpenter's trade, and subse- 
quently associated in business with 0. M. Rus- 
sell & Co.. the members of the firm being 
Charles M., Nahum S. and Clement IJussell. 
The company was formed Jan. 1, 1842. with 
a capital of S^],5()0, under the firm name of 
Russell & Co., manufacturers of threshing 
machines, hor.se-powers, portable, fraction and 
farm engines. The firm, though small in its 



beginning, steadily increased its business until 
it amounted to over |1,()0().(I()0 annually. Mr. 
Russell, since JanuM'y. 1878, has been engaged 
in the coal business, being largely interested 
in the Sipjio coal mines: having sold his in- 
terest in the agricultural works, in consecpience 
of failing health, t<j his brother. Dec. U, 1843, 
he married Laura M. Waterman, who was born 
July 2"). 182"), in (ieauga County, her parents 
being natives of Connecticut. Mrs. Russell 
died June 2. 1872, leaving two childrmi - 
Charles W. anil Louisa M. Jan. (i, 187;"), ho 
married Mrs. Augusta M. Miller, who was 
born in Janesville. Wis., daughter of Ebenezer 
and Clara (Bishop) Bostwick. ThoBostwicks 
trace their ancestry to John Bostwick, who wiis 
born in England in KkSC), and came to Now 
Milford, Conn., in 1707. Mr. Russell has 
always taken an active part in all enterprises 
calculated to advance the material interests of 
the locality in which he has for so long been 
a valued member; on all (piestions of finance, 
and those requiring mature thought and delib- 
eration, Mr. Russell's opinions are recognized 
as being of value. 

GEORGE L. RUSSELL, machinist, Mas- 
sillon: was born Oct. 28, 1830. in the town of 
Sutton. Caledonia Co.. Vt.. the seventh son 
and tenth child born to bis parents, Cyrus and 
Louisa (Stratton) Russell. He came West in 
June, 1850, and engaged to work at the ma- 
chinist's trade for C. M. Russell & Co., con- 
tinuing with them until 18('>4. at which lime 
he became a member of the firm. He was 
maiTied in 18r)3, and has one son, William C. 
Since 1878. the firm has been known as Rus- 
sell & Co., four of the Russell brothers being 
members of the firm, each having his own de- 
partment to sujierintend. George L, having 
charge of the machine-shop. 

H. :\I. RICHARDS, blacksmith, Massillon: 
was born in this city July 29. 1849, the sec- 
one child and only sou bom to his parents, 
Warren C. and Helen (Ford) Richards; the 
former was born October 2, 1814. near Yellow 
Springs, Ohio, son of Aml)rose Richards, a 
native of Virginia: Warren C. was his young- 
est son, and came West with his sister Jemima 
to this county, wlu'n he was years of age. 
J(>minia marricnl John Sj)rague, who raised 
Mr. Richards and tautrbthim the blacksmith's 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



trade at Kendal, where he attended the 
Charity School. May 22, 1844, he married 
Helen Ford, who was horn Aug. 17, 1820, in 
Cummington, Hampshire Co., Mass.; her j^ar- 
ents were Darius and Eunice (Orcutt) Ford; 
the former was born May 16, 1790, near Bos- 
ton, Mass., son of Hezekiah, who was born 
Dec. 29, 1760, son of Hezekiah, who was of 
English ancestry. Eunice was born in 1 795, 
daughter of Nathan Orcutt, whose mother was 
Hukia Cobb, born in Abingdon in 1764. To 
Darius Ford were born three childi-en- Helen, 
now Mrs. Richards; Hulda, now Mi-s. Dr. 
Matthews, of Painesville, Ohio; and Marshall, 
deceased, who settled in East Cleveland. The 
Ford family came West, locating in Licking 
County, this State, in 1830; three years later, 
they came to this township, remaining a short 
time, when they moved to Cleveland, where 
they died, he in 1857, she in 1845; both were 
members of the Presbyterian Chiu'ch. Mr. 
Richards, jifter locating in this townhip, re- 
mained continuously until his death, which 
occurred Feb. 14, 1877; his wife yet siu'vives 
him. H. M. learned his trade with his father, 
who was an excellent smith, and associated 
with him in business in 1860, two years later, 
he engaged in business with Adam Volkmer, 
which partnership lasted seven years, since 
which time he has been conducting the busi- 
ness on his own account, making a specialty 
of horseshoeing, and doing first-class work. In 
March, 1874, he married Emma Paul, who was 
born in this city, daughter of John and Sophia 
(Link) Paul, who were natives of GeiTuany. 
The fruits of Mi". Richards' marriage are thi-ee 
childi-en. 

D. R. ROSCHE, merchant, Massillon; is a 
native of Stark County, and was liorn in Aug- 
ust, 1858, in Bethlehem Towushi}), the second 
son of his parents, who were Peter and Cath- 
erine (Urschel) Rosche; the former was born 
in 1823, in Alsace; the latter in Bavaria and 
emigrated to America in 1842; coming West, 
they located in Bethlehem, on unimproved land, 
upon which he yet remains. Three children 
were born him; the eldest is George, who is 
now Professor of Music in Elmhurst Univer- 
sity, at Chicago, being a graduate of the Royal 
Conservatory of Music in Stuttgardt; D. R., 
our subject, and Arpha, at home. D. R. left 



home at 15, went to Fostoria, where he at- 
tended college some time; afterward went to 
Chicago, where he engaged in the jewelry 
business. In March, 1881, he came to Mas- 
sillon and engaged in business with C. S. 
Brown, under the firm name of Rosche & 
Brown; their stock consists of queensware and 
house- furnishing goods, of which they keep 
an ample stock, and are building up a flour- 
ishing trade. 

H. C. ROYER, homceoijathic physician, 
Massillon, whose portrait ajjpears in this work, 
was born July 14, 1846, in Bath, Steuben Co., 
N. Y. He is the oldest son of a family of ten 
chilih-en, born t > George H. and Julia Ann 
(Hemenway) Royer; he passed the first fifteen 
years of his life on a farm, but, tiring of the 
occupation, he left home to " paddle his own 
canoe." Eai'ly in life he had a desire to 
study medicine, laut was without means to 
jirosecute his studies; with the object in view 
of attaining his desires, he went to Rochester, 
N. Y., and there learned the manufacture of 
electrical and sui'gical insi ruments, this occu- 
pation being indirectly of advantage to him in 
his ]ireparation for his chosen profession; in 
the meantime, he made diligent use of his leis- 
lu'e horn's in private reading and study, which 
he often pursued far into the hours of mid- 
night; by such indefatigable application, and 
possessing a remarkably receptive mind, he 
made very rapid progress in acquiring both 
professional and general knowledge; he was 
scrupulously careful, however, not to encroach 
upon the hoiu's of the Sabbath, for physiolog- 
ical, as well as for moral reasons. He subse- 
quently removed to Cleveland, where he re- 
ceived special and very valuable instruction 
fi'om Prof. W. M. Davis, who spent consider- 
able time in devising electric clocks; in this 
way, young Royer spent some eight years, 
working and studying as his circumstances 
required or permitted. With this admirable 
jireparation for a regular course of professional 
study, he began the same under the direction 
of Dr. H. H. Baxter, Professor of Materia 
Medica in the Cleveland Homreopathic Med- 
ical College, and attended his fii'st course 
in the Cleveland Homoeop::thic Hospital. 
Being then compelled to do something 
to replenish his depleted purse, he, in the 



CITY OF MASSILLON. 



693 



spring of 1874, settled in Seville, Ohio, and 
at once entered upon a remarkably successful 
practi<!e. In the folhiwiiiLr autumn, he re- 
turned to the Cleveland Colloife, and graduated 
therefrom with honor in the spring of 1875, 
being Salutatoriau of the Hahnemann Society 
in the commencement exorcises of the same. 
After graduating, he retm-ned to Seville, Me- 
dina Co., but remained thereonly a short time, 
and in Decembi^r, 187(5, removed to the city of 
Massillon, where he has since been engaged in 
active ])ractice. The length of time oc<-ui)ied 
in the preparation of his profession, and the 
assiduity with which he prosecuted his studies 
therein, render him oneof the most thoroughly 
read physicians in the State, and fi'om the veiy 
beginning of his practice an unusual success 
has crowned his efforts. Although compara- 
tively young in years, he ranks among the 
leading meml)ers of the homoeopathic fi'ater- 
nity in Ohio, and is President of the Homoeo- 
pathic Medical Society in Northeastern Ohio, 
and also a member of the Homceopathic Med- 
ical Association of this State. In addition to 
his general practice of medicine, he makes a 
specialty of general surgeiy, but more p;u'ticu- 
larly of diseases of the eye and eai', in the 
treatment of which he has been remarkably 
successful in removing tumors and cataracts, 
thus j)erforming cures which have given him 
an enviable reputation, and has liofore him a 
futur(> that i)romis(>s much for the honor of 
himself and his profession. His practice 
has now attained lucrative proportions. Be- 
sides his residence, he has an excellent 
farm in Kansas. He is Past Grand Master 
in the I. O. O. F. of Ohio, and Grand Miuster 
Workman in the Ancient Order of United 
Workmen. In politics, he is a Republican. 
In Januiu-y, ISOO, he mairied Lucv E., daugh- 
ter of Jotliam T. Williams, of Danville. N. Y., 
and has two childien -Herbie J. and Effie L. 
JAMES SITER. stone -luarry. Massillon. 
One of the prominent business men in this city 
is Mr. Suter. who was born April 27, 18'25. in 
Zurich, Switzerland, son of James and Esther 
(Lascher) Suter, who was a son of Jacob. 
James, our subject, came to this State from 
Switzerland in July, 184S. While in his 
native country, he attended school, obtaining 
a good education, after which he served a four- 



yeai's' apprenticeship at book-keeping. After 
coming to this country, he engaged as clerk 
for some time. In 1850, he engaged in the 
(juarry business at the north end of Summit 
street, with his uncle, Mr. Warthorst, 
and, in 1867, formed the partnership of 
Wiu'thorst & Co., the Knn being com])osed of 
Wai'thorst, Everhard and Suter, which lasted 
live yeiU's, and then changed to \Varthorst 
Company, in honor of the uncle, being com- 
posed of Suter and Everhai'd, which ran eight 
years. In 1880, the lejise expired. They then 
came to the place where they now are, and 
where he had (piarried stone twenty-five years 
before. They manufacture gi-indstones of all 
sizes, and ship their productions not only to 
all sections of theL'nion. but to Canada as well. 
They also make a specialty of grinding sand, 
such as is used in steel works; employ about 
tifty-six men. Mr. Suter was married, in An 
gust, ISOl, to Miss Augusta Pietzckor, born in 
Berlin, Prussia, in November, 1825; she died 
in 1877, leaving one daughter, Anna. He was 
man-ied a second tim(>, to Mina, sister of first 
wife, in 1878. Jlr. Suter is a member of the 
Protestant Reformed Chiu-ch, and is a stanch 
Republican. 

CHARLES K. SKINNER, deceased; was 
bom in Januai'y, 1792, in the city of Haiiford, 
Conn., on the old homestead, situated on 
Cooper Lane, now La Fayette sti'eet, the place 
having been inherited by his father fi'om his 
grandfather, whose father w;is a blacksmith, the 
blacksmith's father having come fi'om England 
in the early settlement of Connecticut. During 
the years of his earlier youth, while yet resid- 
ing in his native State, he w'orked in a woolen- 
factory, and b(>came familiarized with its 
operations. In the year 1812, he decided to 
follow the coiu'se of his elder brother, Alex- 
ander, and come to Ohio. Bidding good-by 
to his aged parents and younger brothers, he 
mounted his horse and faced for the West, not 
daring, as heaftm-ward told us, to h;ok Ijehind, 
where stood the dear ones watching his reced- 
ing form. He passed through New York, then 
a small city (City Hall Pcark then being on its 
extrem(> outskirts), across New Jersey, through 
Pennsylvania and over the mountains, being 
guided to the best stopping-jilaces for night 
l)y the most worn and beaten tavern yards, 



69* 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



and where the straw lay thickest, there he 
found the best fare: he crossed the Ohio at 
Steubenville, and took the road for Ktmdal. 
By this time, the adv.-ince guard, so to speak, 
of the pioneers, had driven back and thinned 
oft" the Indians, so that but few scattering ones 
remained, and the autumn fires of Indian 
times had ceased to burn the tall, dry grass of 
the plains and hills: scrub oaks had sprung 
up. and at this time (1812) were well started, 
being knee high to a horse, of which such as 
now remain, .ire trees fifty to eighty feet in 
height: grass then grew on the Kendal green 
and its surroiuiding jilains breast high to a 
man. Such was Kendal seventy years ago. 
Arriving there, he went to work for his brother 
Alexander, who at this time was a partner 
with Thomas Roach in a woolen-factory 
already built, in which stood near the foot of 
Rodman street, in Kendal. It was Alexander 
Skinner who, at that early day. built the brick 
house which stands at the corner of Front and 
Rodman streets, the latter then leading down 
t(( the factory, and to the old road to Canton; 
this was the first house of the kind built in the 
township): the work was done by two brick- 
layers from Boston, and the old house as it 
stands to day attests the skill and honesty of 
their workmanshiji. Alexander finally dis- 
solved the ])artuership with Thomas Roach, 
and moved to Loudonville, where he built a 
grist-mill on the site now oceu})ied by A. A. 
Taylor's gi'eat fioiu'ing-mill; doing some re- 
l)airs to his new and unsettled mill-dam, work- 
ing in the water, contracted the bilious fever 
of the country at that time, and died in the 
year 1820. at the eai'ly age of •'58. Thus were 
nipped in early manhood his building enter- 
prises, and for over sixty years the green grass 
has been growing over his jieaceful and un- 
marked grave — unmarked at his own request. 
Charles remained with Thomas Roach, carry- 
ing on the business of the Kendal woolen- 
factory for him: (juitting his employ finally, 
he set u]) some carding machines in James 
Duncan's grist-mill, in the new town of Mas- 
sillon; a prosperous business at once com- 
menced: an addition to the mill was built for 
a complete woolen- factory, which continued 
to prosper, and eventually was the means of 
drying up the one in Kendall. Among the old 



records that may be found in the office of the 
Probate Judge of Stark County is the follow- 
ing: 
Stark County S. S. 



Sfiil 



I lu-rcliy ciTlify tliat on llic -i'M day of Novcnihcr 
last, I joined tosji'ilicr in tlic holy lianil of matrimony 
Charles Skinner and Eli/.a Heed. Iiy lieense aicreeablc 
to law. Given under my hand anil seal this 'Jl^d day 
of November. Anno Domini. 1821. 

GlLEERTH.^RP E.MU.. .1. P 

" Sijuire Earl 1 " Peace and l(jve to his 
memory! A kindly gentleman of the old 
school, whose friendly and ivnassuming ways 
and genial hospitality at his home in the 
woods did nuich to brighten and to cheer the 
circu inscribed circle of social intercourse. 
Long may " Earl's Bridge" and " Earl's Mill 
Road " remain a name, and a land- mark to 
perpetuate the memory of the earliest pioneer 
of that locality, and a good man's name! It 
might be remai'ked, parenthetically, that up 
to this time, and for a number of years after, 
there was no chm-ch btit the Quaker Meeting- 
house, nor established preacher, nor regular 
preaching; but, while the (piiet community 
were denied the smiles and benedictions of 
the preacher, they could not do without a 
library, and at that early day a circtilating 
library of useful and entertaining books was 
formed. Thus we may see, in the establish- 
ment oi this library, an exponent of those 
germs of thought which eventually blossomed 
into the early adoption by the town of Mas- 
sillon of the present school system. Surely 
those ([uiet men, many oi whom were cut down 
in their prime, have not lived in vain! Charles 
and Eliza Skinner became the parents of four 
children — Alexander, who died in infancy; 
Augustus Thomas, born in 1824, married Ce- 
celia A. Van Rensselaer, of Canton, Oct. 15, 
1849, and resides in Massillon; Charles Phil- 
lips, bom m 1 827, married Emily Piatt, of 
Owego, N. Y., in 1858, where they reside: Sarah 
Elizabeth, born in 1831, married James P. Zay, 
of Milan, Ohio, in August, 1849, and resides 
in Cincimiati. Eliza Reed Skinner was born 
in Lynn, Mass., in the year 1797; her father, 
Thomas Reed, in his day, was extensively en- 
gaged in the leather and tanning business in 



' '{<' S r- 



'k 



CITY OF MASSILLON. 



005 



his native town of Lynn— a pioneer in the 
business, which has since become a leading 
branch among the industries of New England : 
himself a Quaker, as were his ancestors, who 
were settlers in Lynn nearly two hundred 
years before him, and ai'o mentioned in the 
annals of Lynn. His wife, Elizabeth Phillips, 
came from an ancestry whose records date 
back 2r)0 years, were also Quakers, originally 
from Wales, England, and of that branch of 
the Phillips family of whom an eminent Btis- 
tonian recently said : " They have owned land, 
for 2r)0 years, for miles along the beach fiMm 
Swampscott to Lynn, that is now worth $1, (•(•() 
an acre — very good sort of jieople, but they 
won't sell any of their land." Eev(>)-ses in 
business which followed the war of 1812, in- 
dorsements for fi-iends and the results which 
flowed therefi'om, induced him to close his 
affairs and to trj- the virgin soil of Ohio. In 
Octob(>r. 1S17. Thomas and Elizabeth Keed, 
with their children- Eliza, Phillips and Walter 
— left 1 heir pleasant homeby the sea - so near 
that when the Atlantic was driven by Eastern 
storms, their fi'out windows would be covered 
with salt spray: packed in their wagons, be- 
held with tearful eyes the dear, familiar scenes 
of their childhood fade, as they slowly moved 
along the beach from Lynn to Boston, Egg 
Rock, Nahant, High Bock, and finally the blue 
waters of the ocean disaj>peared — forever, fiom 
those j)arents' eyes. For two long months ihey 
held their weary way. stop])ing only for Sun- 
days and rainy days. Reaching Cant»)n. 
Thomas Roach sent AiTiue AVah's, then a 
young man — father of the Hon. A. C. "Wales 
— there to meet them, and to escort them to 
Sj)ring Hill, where they were most hospitably 
entertained by Thomas and Charity Roach for 
a week, when they took a temporary residence 
in Kendal for the winter, and the following 
spring moved onto their farm in Jackson 
Township, opposite the fann of C. K. Skinner, 
where, by this time, resided his parents, and 
younger brother. William T. Skinner, now and 
for many years j)ast residing on'his farm in 
Coshocton County. After unaccustomed toil 
incident to clearing and opening a farm in 
the woods, Thomas Reed took the bilious fever, 
and, begging for water, which was denied him 
by the medical practice of those times, breathed 



his last July 7, 1824. For his amiable quali- 
ties he was much loved, and his death re- 
gretted by all who knew him. Elizabeth, his 
gentle wife, followed him in the s[iriiig of 
1832. Thomas Phillijis Keed. in early life, 
entered the woolen -factory of his brother-in- 
law, C. K. Skinner, and was associated with 
him for many years, when, in 1840, he entered 
the merchandise business in M.ussillon; in this 
he continued for a number of years: was suc- 
ceeded by his sou, Gustavus P., under whom 
it continues to prosper. Thomas Phillips Reed 
died June 21, 1875. Walter Augustus Reed 
chose the occupation of his fath(>r, and !)ecame 
a tanner; built the first tannery in Massillon; 
built four or five brick houses in the town, as 
well as some frame ones, and was early identi- 
fied with the j)rosperity of Massillon; he C(m- 
tinued in the tanning business until 1849, 
when he went to California; after an absence 
of nearly two years, he returned to his home, 
where he remained until IST)."), when, meeiiug 
reverses, he moved to Des Moines, Iowa, where 
he has again acquired a handsome competency 
for himself and his children; has amved at 
serene old age. surrounded by all the com torts 
that loving children and grandchildren, and 
all that prosperity can buy. Eliza Reed 
Skinner died Jan. 17, 18G('). Charles K. 
Skinner died Nov. 4. 1875. 

HARMON SHRIVER, farmer and coal 
speculator, Massillon; is among the success- 
ful financiers of this city: born Oct 10, 181>), 
in Hanover, the eldest of u family of four ehil- 
di'en; after his majority, he came to this 
countiy: was a shoemaker by trade: came to 
Ohio a poor man, but worked hiU'd, and by 
the most rigid economy, was enabled to make 
a commencement. Buying a tesmi, he en- 
gaged, for a time, at first, in farming; after 
ward worked on the public works, taking jobs 
and contracts on the railroad; also acted in 
the capacity of superintendent over laborers; 
afterwai'd, he purchased a fann of 171 .acres, 
in Jackson Township, which he improved, dis- 
posing of the wood to the railroad company; 
subsequently, he, in company with AVilliam 
Brown, were instnimental in starting a coal 
bank, which was among the earliest that was 
established in the township; since 1807, he 
has been a resident of the city of Massillon, 



3?i; 



096 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



and interested in real estate and the coal in- 
terests. In January, 1840, he married Barbara 
Eickhnimer, a native of Saxony; she died in 
1879; of the children born him are Chris- 
tina, wife of L. Hess; Harmon; Catharine, 
wife of John Dielhenn ; Maiy , IMi-s. Fred Sny- 
der; unmarried: Frances, Otto; Martha and 
Louisa. JL-. Shriver is a member of the Luth- 
eran Chiu'ch, and one of the efficient memliors 
of the same. 

CHARLES STEESE, banker, Massillon; 
Cashier of the First National Bank of Massil- 
lon; was boiTi, 1842, in Canal Dover, Tusca- 
rawas Co., ■^he eldest son born to Dr. Isaac 
Steese and Ann Johnson; he came to this city 
when about fom- years of age; he received the 
advantages of the common school and com- 
pleted his education at Kenyon College; his 
first business experience was in the banking 
business; was employed about thi-ee years in 
the Merchants' Bank, at this place, as Teller; 
at the organization of the First National 
Bank, he was emjiloyed as Assistant Cashier; 
since 1874, has been Cashier; September, 
1875, formed a matrimonial alliance with 
Miss A. Giles; no issue. 

FRANK P. SLADDEN, railroad agent, 
Massillon. The gentlemanly and efficient 
agent on the C, T. V. & W. R. R. Co., of this 
city, is the above gentleman, who was born in 
Kent, England, May 17, 1827; his parents 
were George Sladden and Emma Tomsett, to 
whom were born a family of thirteen chil- 
dren, eleven of whom grew to years of matur- 
ity. Mr. Sladden has, for one of his years, 
seen much of the world, and had the benefit 
of extended travel. Leaving England at the 
age of 14, he went to the East Indies, going 
as a sea-fai'ing lad; subsequently to the coast 
of Afi'ica, as a citizen, remaining at Sierra 
Leone some time, where he was engaged in 
trading with the natives; afterward retm-ned 
to England, where he spent some length of 
time, after which he went to Demerara; re 
ijiained five years; during the time was en- 
gaged in sugar planting; from here, went to 
New York and other points, being engaged 
at different places as salesman and book- 
keeper; since 1872, has had charge of the 
freight and ticket office of the C, T. V. & W. 
R. R. Co.; 1801, was married to Hannah L. 



Miller, a native of Bulialo, N. Y., daughter of 
James and Ann Drew, the former a native of 
England, the latter of Wales; his wife died 
in 1864, leaving two chikb-en; in 1868, mar- 
ried Mary F. Miller, sister of former wife; by 
her has six ehildi-en; is a member of the 
Episcopal ChTU'ch; also Clinton Lodge, A., 
F. & A. M., No. 47, and a stanch and wide- 
awake Republican. 

NELSON J. SMITH, farmer; P. O. Massil- 
lon; born in June, 183", in Luzerne Co., Penn., 
the third of the family born to his parents, who 
were Benjamin Smith and Mary Coder; he 
was born in Pennsylvania in 1800; son of 
Phineas Smith, a native of Mai-yland. To 
Benjamin Smith and wife were born nine 
children. Mai'y was a daughter of Henry 
Coder, who served in the war of 1812. Ben- 
jamin Smith came to Stark County, locating 
in Perry Township, in 1830, purchasing 160 
acres of unimproved land, upon which he re- 
mained until his death, which occurred in 
November, 1873; he was for fifty years a 
member of the Methodist Church; his father 
was a local preacher. IVIrs. Smith also was a 
faithful member of her husband's church ; she 
died April, 1844. Nelson J. remained on the 
home fai-m until April, 1854, when he married 
Matilda Wesener, who was born in the city of 
Philadelphia Sept. 11, 1833, daughter of 
Christian Wesener, who was born in Westpha- 
lia, Gennany, in 1776, the youngest of a family 
of twelve children. The father of Mrs. Smith 
was educated for a priest; his father was a 
prominent man of that time; he had a son 
who served in King William's army, and was 
said to be seven feet in height. Christopher 
Wesener, not liking the idea of being raised 
in priesthood, left, and came to the Isle of 
Demerara, where he had one child born, Vin- 
cent, the eldest child of his family. The 
mother of Mrs. Smith was Charlotte Bnekius 
Smith, being the youngest child. His second 
wife was Margaret Buckius. Christopher 
Wesener was an excellent chemist; after leav- 
ing the Isle of Demerara, he located in Rose- 
ville, in the subiu'bs of Philadelphia, where 
he followed his profession. Mr. Buckius, the 
paternal grandfather of Mrs. Smith, was a 
native of Germany, and a Mason; while on 
his voyage to this eountiy. the vessel was 



CITY OF MASSILLON. 



fiOT 



tiikon by pirates, and ho about t<i he killed, 
but making the mystic sign of his order, his 
life was spiired and wiis put off on an island. 
Mrs. Smith came to (,'anton in 184(1; one 
yeai" lat(>r, came to this township, and has 
since remained. Mr. and Mrs. Smith have 
two children, Anna W. and Emma C. All of 
the family im^ members of the Methodist 
Episcojial Cluu'ch. Mr. Smith has been a 
constant resident of the township since his 
birth, and lived adjoining to the homestead 
farm. 

JOHN SHEPLEY, retired. Massi 1km: was 
born Jan. 1, 1810, in Funkstown, Wiushington 
Co., Md. : son of Peter Shepley and Catharine 
Shilling. Peter Shepley's father was named 
Peter, who married Barbara Oberlin, and by 
her had three sons and one daughter, viz. : 
Frederick, Peter, Samuel and Martha. Peter, 
the father of our subject, entered the war of 
1812, and sened as Drum Major, and died ere 
the close of the war: lie had but two ehildi-en 
— John and Frederick. WHien a lad of U, our 
subject walked out to this county: came in 
company with his uncle, Adam Shilling, who 
moved his ficmily by wagon, and settled in 
TusciU'awas Tp., where our subject remained 
until 1827, living, in the meantime, with 
different parties : one year with his aimt ; 
two years with John Saylor and over three 
yeai-s with Samuel Mock. In 1827, he came 
to Kendall, and remained ten years in the 
emjjloy of Skinner & Dimcan; since that time, 
he has been a constant resident of this city; 
afterward engaged in business for himself, 
running a dray, and doing general ti-ansporta- 
tion work; he worked in a mill one yeiir; 
clerked one year for Hiunberger & Cummings; 
for some time was employed on the railroad. 
During the ])almy days of boating on the Ohio 
Canal. ln> ownied and ran two boats, the Her- 
cule.s and Giraffe, which he ran in the interest 
of the coal trade; he has been a life- long 
Democrat; voted, however, for Lincoln — his 
last election: ho has filled various offices of 
trust and responsibility, such as Towniship 
Clerk. Treasurer and Constable, and from 
1 Sal) to lSfi2. as De|)uty Sheriff; al.so, as 
De])uty Unit(Kl States Marshal, for two years; 
as I'ostmaster, under Pierce's administi'ation; 
was elected, and seiwed two years as Coroner; 



once as City Marshal, during the esu'ly his- 
tor}' of the city, and had charge of the poor: 
for several years was engage<l in the hat trade 
with George A. Killeng(>r, under the firm 
name of Killonger & Co., which began in 1S47 
and terminated in 1851. He has been thrice 
married; first, July I<>, 1834, to Elizabeth 
Sprague, daughter of John Sprague, a native 
of Vermont; she died in 1843, leaving no 
issue: was married, the second time, to Susan 
Kellenberger, Iwrn Feb. 1, 1817, in Lancaster 
Co., Penn., daughtm- of Peter, whose wife was 
a Kiidy: she died Aug. 11, 184"), leaving one 
(ihild. George A. 

FKEDERICK H. SNYDEll, machinist, 
Massi lion: was born Nov. 1 7, 1 839, in the town 
of JIassillon. and is the eldest of a fiunily of 
eight (children, who gi-ew t« matiu'ity, born to 
Frederick and Anna Snyder. Our subject re- 
mained with his parents and attended school 
until his 17th yoai', when he went to loiu-n 
the machinist's trade, tinst in Rochester, and 
afterward in ^\'ooster. He; worked as jour- 
neyman until July. 1874. mostly in JIassillon. 
conducting business, under the firm name of 
F. H. Snyder & Bros., Jacob F. and Charles 
F. being his partners; since, has been en- 
gaged in the niauufactm-o of iron and brass 
castings, etc. Jacob F. is a i)ractical work- 
man, and Charl(>s has charge of the foundry. 
They are the founders of this business here, 
and by diligence and ai)i)lication, have in- 
creased their productions steadily and veiy 
materially; they emjiloy, usually, about fif- 
teen men. Frederick was married, in 1S(*)3, 
to Barbara Jlom-e, a native of Germany, 
whose ])areuts died when she was quite young. 
They have four children — Frank. Albert, Ed 
ward and Hattie. Mi-, and Mrs. Snyder are 
members oF the German Lutheran Chiu-ch; 
he is a RejMiblican. 

F. C. STEVENS, ])hysician, Massi Hon; is 
one of the youngest practitioners of materia 
medica in Stark Coimty; he is a native of 
Mai-lborough Tp., where ho was lx)rn, in 
September, 1859: has spent the greater jior- 
tion of his life in scIkhiI; at an early age. 
he entered the Baldwin I'niversity, at Berea. 
whore he gi-aduated with honors: prior to his 
graduatit)n, he began reading medicine with 
Dr. Clark, his uncle, at that place; aft«i-ward. 



4. 



698 



BIOGHAPIIICAL SKETCHES: 



with Dr. Procter Thayer, of Cleveland, 
where he attended two courses of lectiu'es, and 
finally pi'aduated, in Columbns, Ohio, at the 
Starling Medical College, in February, INSl; 
came to Massillon in May, same year, to prac- 
tice his profession. His parents are H. K. 
Stevens and Theresa Clark. H. R. Stevuus 
was born in Rensselaer Co.. N. Y., in LS'iO; 
sou of Ebeuezer Steveus, who came to Ohio, 
with his family, in 1M43, locating in Akron, 
II. R. being at this time but 17 years of age; 
he worked on the Ohio Canal; afterward in 
merchandising and fai'ming. He married 
Theresa Clark, who was boru in Pennsylvania, 
daughter of John Clark, who was born in Ire- 
land, sou of William Clark. The head of the 
family for four generations were physicians. 
The children of Ebenezor Stevens were John, 
Ebenezer, Edwin. H. R., Angeliue, Mary, 
Elizabeth and Emily. H. R. Steveus has two 
children- AVilliam H. and F. C. William H. 
is now engaged in farming, at Garuett, Kan. 
The parents of om' subject are residents of 
Berea. 

GEORGE SNYDER, boots and shoes, 
Massillon: was born in the town of Massil- 
lon in 1S43, the third son of a family of eight 
children born to Frederick H. and Anna C. 
(Schriver) Snyder, lx)th natives of Germany. 
The former was from the kingdom of Bavaria, 
his father's name being George M. Snyder. 
his mother's maiden name also being Snyder. 
Frederick H. was a CEU'jjenter and contractor, 
having learned his trade in Massillon, which 
he followed for twenty-four years; he died' 
Nov. 25, 1M58; his wife is still living. The 
following menjl)ers of the family grew to 
maturity: Fred H., Maria, George M., Jacob, 
Henry, Charles F., John B. and Benjamin F.; 
Anna died, aged 2 years. George served an 
apprenticeship to a shoe-maker, three years 
with Sausser & Wert, with Loxiis Schworm 
as foreman, then worked at journeyman work 
one year, and at the age of lU, began Imsiness 
for himself, on Erie street. He liought out 
the man he worked for; he 2)aid $176 for 
stock, and borrowed $175 of his uncle to start 
with, continuing there one year, where the 
opera house now stands, working six months 
alone, afterward hiring one man. April 1, 
lSfi4, he moved on Main street, where John 



Dangler now keeps, in the Welker building, 
buying oiit George Young, for $350 cash. 
Here he employed four men, and after being 
here one year, moved back on Erie street, 
where Joseph Colman now does business, 
when he bought a stock worth $400, of East- 
ern goods; he then had seven men, and the 
second year had nine, remaining there three 
years; the second year he was there he piu'- 
chased the lot where his building now stands, 
to which he moved April 1, 1868, and to 
which he built an addition of thirty-five feet, 
in 1875, and has since continued in business 
there; when he left the Colman place, his 
stock iuvoiced $3,500; he worked seven men 
until 1N75, and since has had four. He en- 
listed, in 1864, in Company A, 162d O. N. 
G., and served full time, although only 20 
years of age. He married. May, 1865, Ma- 
linda Waggoner, born in Massillon in 1846, 
daughter of Christian W., who was from 
Pennsylvania. They have six children, viz. : 
Anna C., Nellie I., Harmon H., Otto P., Dan- 
iel W. and Eva V.; two died in infancy — 
George C. and Thomas H. Mr. Snyder is a 
member of the German Lutherac Church, and 
is a Republican in politics. 

J. M. SCHUCKERS, drug store, Massil- 
lon; was born in Wooster, Wayne Co., July 
2. 1846; son of Jacob W. and Elizabeth 
(Kirkpatrick) Schuckers, he born in Lancaster 
Co., Pfun., and she in England: they had 
three children, those living being J. M. and a 
brother; he, J. W., the father of our subject, 
engaged in business in Wooster, and there 
died; he wfis, for several years, editor of the 
Wai/nc CoHiitii Rcpiililican; also ran the 
queens and stone ware business. Ovu' subject 
came to this town when 2i years old; he 
received the advantages afforded by the com- 
mon schools; first engaged with the Massillon 
Coal Company, but now keeps the books and 
has charge of the Warmington mine; also 
k(^eps the books of three other mines; he also 
runs a drug store, keeping a practical di-ug- 
gist for that purpose. 

JOHN SILK, jwper-mill, Massillon; was 
born May 2, 183U, in Germany; son of John 
and Maria (Schussler) Silk, who had three 
chikb-en, our subject being the seccmd of the 
number; he came, with his parents, to Cleve- 



L^ 



CITY or MASSILLON. 



land, in 1851, being 12 years of age, and 
leiirnod the manufaoture of paper, continuing 
thiTc until 1st)]; llicn went to Canton, and 
commenced the pa])er mainifacturing business 
with Ernest Bachert and L. Hundredmark, 
under the tlrni name of Bachert, Silk & Co., 
N. W. Taylor, of Cleveland, afterward taking 
the place" of "Co."' In US70, Mr. Silk came 
to this city, and engaged in the same business 
under the corporate name of Massillon Paper 
Com])any, an account of which will be found 
in the history of Massillon. Mr. Silk still 
retains his interest in the manufactory at Can- 
ton. He was married, in lSr)U, to Adaline 
Richards, l)orn in Stark CJoimty, Canton T])., 
about 1!S4'.I, daughter of Benjamin and Mar- 
garet (Simmons) Richards, both of whom 
were natives of this county. Three children 
have blessed the union of Mi". Silk and wife — 
Frank B., Charles B. and Jennie R. He is a 
memlier of the United Brethren Church: also 
of the A. O. U. W. : is a Republican. Two 
brothers of our subject, Henry and Com-ad, 
served terms in the late war and came otit 
safely. The father died when Mr. Silk was 
but 3 years of age, and his mother mar- 
ried Henry Slack, by whom she had thrive 
children — Conrad, .^lugnsta and Valentine; 
one brother and sister — Barbara and Henry. 
ADAM SIBIL.4, deceased. Mr. Sibila was 
bom INtlH, in Hessa-Homburg, (iermany; his 
parents were .\dam and Eve (Chrone) Sibila, 
to whom were born (leorge, Adam, Catharine, 
Frank, Jaeoi) and Nicholas. Adam, our sub- 
ject, was married al)out iho year 1832, to 
Elizabeth Burffhard, who was born in 1813, 
daughter of Michael and Eliz.abeth Burghard, 
whose childi-en were John, Cathaiine, Eliza- 
beth, Mary, Michael, John and AVilliain. iVL". 
Sibila emigi-ated to this coiuitry in |S3(), locat- 
ing in Massillon, having at the time of his 
arrival S40(). which he exi)ended in land. 
For about eight yeai-s ho engaged in the shoe 
business, then embarked in the hotel and gro- 
cery business, at which he continued until 
1873, when he retiretl from active business, 
having secureil to himself a good pro])erty as 
the fruits of his lal)or and ocononmical man- 
agement. His death occmred Aug. 10, 1873. 
His children ware as follows: Catharine, John, 
Jacob, William, Frank, Elizabeth, Henry and 



Adam; those deceased are Cathai'ine, John 
and William. Adam, Jr., was bom in ISrjC), 
be.ng the youngest of the fmiiily, and was 
raised in the gi'oc^ery business with his father. 
In 1875, he began business foi' himself, and 
has since continued, doing a good and in- 
creasing business. In JanuiUT, 1N78, he 
m.irried Louisa Vogt, daughter of John Vogt, 
of this citv. 

FRANK SIBILA, hotel and grocer, Mas- 
sillon; was born Nov. 14, 1847, in the city of 
Massillon, the second son living and the 
eighth child bom to Adam and Elizabeth 
(Bm'ghiu-d) Sibila. Frank i)egan Inisiness for 
himself in May, IS73, on Erie street, koe|)ing 
a grocery and provision stori', and is now pro- 
prietor of the Eagle House. In January, 
1873, he married Sarah Miller, who was born 
in 184!) iu this county, daughter of Jos(>])h 
and CiU'oline (Lehman) Miller, who came to 
this county about the year 183(1. Mi'. Miller 
died in 18()3; his wife in 1878. Frank has 
four children — Edward, Elizabeth, Caroline 
and Victor. 

M. SCHAFER, agent sewing machines, 
Massillon; is the resident agent for the 
Domestic Sewing Machine, and a native of 
Massillon; his father, Martin Schafer, was 
born iu 1793, in Rhine, Bavaria, and luaiTied 
Wilhelma Held, who was born in 1810, a 
daughter of Philip Held, who was a son of 
Ludwig. The Schafer family emigrated to 
Ohio in 1833. The fath(>r of our subject was 
a tailor by trade, which vocation he followed 
in this city for twenty years, and subsequently 
engaged in the grocery business, which he 
caiTied on for ten years. His death occurred 
in April, 1857; his wife survived him until 
December, 1871. To them were born eight 
children, who grew up, viz. : Louis, now in 
Mansfield, Richland Co., this State; Martin 
and William, of tnis city; Jacob, in Cincin- 
nati; Christina, the wife of Louis Zeller, of 
this city; Caroline, now Mrs. Joseph Bergold; 
Louisa, now Mi's. S. C. Cheney, of this city, 
and Margaret, now deceased, was the wife of 
William McClintock. The family moved to 
Loudonville in 184i(, where they live<l until 
1858. After the death of liis father, the care 
of the family largely devolved upon oui- sub- 
ject; he learned tlie belt-maker's trade. 



i) "^ 



BIOGHAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



working at the same for Russell & Co. nine 
years. Since 1868. be has been engaged in 
the sewing machine business, first handling 
the Howe, then the Singer, bui later, the 
Domestic, for which he has had a lai-ge sale, 
having handled them nine years. Mr. 
Schafer's father was one of the number who 
assisted in the organization of the German 
Reformed Chm'ch, of this city. William 
Schafer. the brother of oiu- subject, served 
through the late war: was a member of Com- 
pany K. 45th O. Y. I.: Margin, not being of 
strong constitution, remained at home to care 
for the family: he has served as Justice of the 
Peace, and since 1875, has held the office of 
Township Treasm-er. 

CH.AJILES E. TAYLOR, editor, Massil- 
lon: editor and proprietor of the Massillon 
Iii</(jnii(J(iit: was born in Hinsdale, Berkshire 
Co., Mass., April 19, 1847: he is the son of 
John Taylor and Eliza Culverhouse, to whom 
were bom three chikh'eu, our subject being 
the siuwiving child. The parents of the above 
emigrated from England to this country when 
quite young: his father was a wi^)olen manu- 
facturer, which Imsiness he followed for many 
yeai-s in the State of Massachusetts. Charles 
E. passed the years of his early -boyhood as a 
workman in the woolen mills, and at tlie age 
of 14. he entered the printing office of the 
Valli 1/ Glcaiirr. in Lee, Mass., where he re- 
mained two years, leai-ning the printer's trade; 
while here, learned many things of a practical 
character, and gained, by reading and study, 
much valuable information. After learning 
his trade, he s]ient some five years as journey- 
man in various localities, in New York, Con- 
necticut, Illinois and Indiana, and in October, 
1867, came to Massillon and engaged in the 
same capacity, on the Massillon Independent, 
a jom-nal founded by John Frost, in July, 
1863, in connection with Peter Welker. At 
the expiration of four years, Mr. Taylor pur- 
chased, in March, 1873, Mi-. Frost's interest, 
in that juiper. and in company with Mr. 
\Yelker. conducted it, for about three years, 
when in October. 1876, he pm'chased his pai't- 
ner's interest, since which time he has been 
the sole owner and proprietor. Being a prac- 
tical printer, he has the advantage over other 
newspaper men, who are only acquainted 



with the duties of the editorial room. The 
Independent is a stanch Republican jomnal, 
and has a fair measiu-e of support. Mr. Tay- 
lor is a Past Grand of the I. O. O. F. ; also a 
Past Chief Patri;u-ch in the Encampment: he 
is also a member of the Knights of Pythias, 
and a member of the Masonic fraternity. On 
Sept. 28. 1874, he maiTied Laiu-a, daughter of 
CjTus and Frances Bowen. of this county; 
has no children. 

HIRAM rMBENHOLTR. retii-ed f aimer; 
P. O. Massillon: is the eldest son of Jacob 
Umbenhom' ;md ^lai'y Ritter; he was born on 
the homestead f.mn, in Tuscai'awas Township, 
March 10, 1842, where he was brought up to 
agi'icultural pursuits, remaining with his 
parents until his marriage. March 17, 1864, 
was wedded to Nancy Fickes, who was born 
inl845, in Tuscarawas Township, daughter of 
David Fickes and Ellen McDowell, who were 
natives of Ohio. After his maiTiage, \w. 
located on his farm, in Tuscarawas Township, 
where" he was engaged in farming, where he 
lived until the summer of 1875: his health 
becoming inqiaired, he removed to Massillon, 
where he has since resided. He has KSO acres 
of land, underlaid with coal: besides his resi- 
dence, has an interest in the Pai'k Hotel, of 
this city; has two sons, Willard and David J. 

JOHN YOGT, stone quarry and contractor, 
Massillon: born Jan. 11, 183(1, in Wurt.em- 
berg, the eldest of a family of nine children, 
viz.; John, Amelia, Augusta, Henry, Eliza- 
beth, Frank, Maria L., Mary F. and Catharine, 
— the latter was bm'ued to death in Chicago, 
— born to Franc Anton Yogt and Mary Frances 
Huth. He was born 18(»2, in the Fader- 
land, and served six years in the King's 
Guard, He was a son of Francis Anton, a 
native of Germany, who emigrated to this 
country in 1832: went "West, to Missouri, and 
founded the town of New Hfuraony, where he 
remained until his death, 1853, at which time 
he was buried with militaiy honors. Franc 
Anton, Jr.. the father of our subject, came to 
this country also in 1832: stojsped in Buffalo 
until 1834, when he came to Massillon, and 
engaged at his trade, being a stone-cutter: he 
assisted in cutting stone which are now within 
the walls of several of the prominent build- 
ings in this city: he afterward engaged in 



CITY OF MASSILLON. 



701 



building and contracting, be is yet living in the 
city. Oiir subject came West with his father, 
in l'S::{4; was raised in the (jnarries: his 
school advantages were of the most limited 
character; in 1852, he began business for him- 
self, under the firm name of John Vogt & Co., 
which association lasted four yesu^: then 
went into the employ of L. S. Rawson as ship- 
ping-clerk, who was engaged in the milling 
business: he continued with him seven yeare: 
during this time, he learned the practical 
part of milling in its many details: subse- 
quently engaged in the contracting business for 
the Pittsburgh. Fort Wayne & Chicago Kail- 
road, furnishing stone for bridi;es and depots, 
and building the same, in which l)usinesshe is 
now engaged: he is now sole proj)rietor of the 
Bridgejjort Stone Quarry, which was worked 
by his father many years ago. Mr. Vogt was 
married. April 2"). ]K)2. to Regina Haungs. 
bom in Baden May 31. 1S33: by her has 
ses'en children —John J., William H., Francis 
T.. Marj- L., Laura C, Olivia, John H. and 
Victor Hugo. Joseph is now foreman for his 
father on the road; William H., foreman in 
the quarry: Mary L., wife of Adam Sibila, of 
this citv. 

JACOB D. WETTER, merchant. Massil- 
lon; is one of the self-made men of this city; 
was born in Switzerland, in August, 1S40, 
son of Andrew and Annii (Howenstinei Wet- 
ter. The family emigrated to America in 
1853. locating, first, in Wayne County, where 
he engaged in farming. There was a family 
of six children, all of whom came to maturity 
— Jc>hu; ilarj'. Mrs. K. Gross, near Hunting- 
ton, Ind. : John, in Dnnde<'. Tuscarawas 
County: Henn', in this city: Frederick, in 
Wayne County. Our subject was raised on a 
farm, remaining under the parental roof until 
13 years of age, when ho engaged to work by 
the month for six years, when he was inca- 
pacitatetl for labor by having his leg broken: 
then went to Dalton, AVa\-ne C(j.. where he 
clerked two years; came to Massillon in 1^02, 
beg.m clerking for John Warnick, and re- 
mained with him until 1871 ; then engaged in 
business for him.self. becoming associated with 
C. B. -Vllman and (i. E. Gross, imder the firm 
name of Allman. Gross & Wetter, which con- 
nection lasted until 1870. when Mr. Gross 



withdrew, and the firm has since been Allman 
& Wetter. He was married, in 187(1, to 
Sophia J. Allbright. bom in Massillon, daugh- 
ter of Michael and Elizabeth Allbright. They 
have (me child, Albert M. Is a member of 
St. John's Evangelical Church; both of the 
parents of Mrs. Wetter are living, and reside 
in Wavne Couiitv. 

M. W. WILSON. Massillon: was bom 
Nov. 1(1. 1838. in Cheshire Co., N. H.; only 
child bom to Mainard and Liu-a Bumap, 
both natives of New Hamjjshire; he died in 
1854. Our subject Ciune West in 1858, set- 
tled in ^Ia?sillon, and learned the trade of 
machinist with Russell Bros.; after serving 
sis years and a half in the shops, he, for sev- 
eral ye.'u-s. performed the duties of shipping- 
clerk, and then book-keej)er for the firm, be- 
ing in their emy)loy alwut twenty years. In 
November. 1878. he associated himself with 
Clement Russell, in the coal business, Mr. 
Russell being President, and Mr. Wilson Sec- 
retary and Treasurer of the company, which 
was incorjxjrated in Jannarj', 1879, under the 
title of the Sippo Coal Company. Nov. 27, 
1872, Mr. Wilson married Slary M. Gage, 
bom in December, 185(', in Merrimack Co., N. 
H., daughter of Isaac K. and Susan (Johnson) 
Gage. Two children are the fruit of this 
union — Florence Lee and Susie G. Mr. Wil- 
son is also Cashier in Allbright & McCly- 
mond's bank: he is a Republican. 

FRANK WILLENBORG, stone quarry, 
Massillon; was bom Dec. 25, 1825, in the 
village of Lohne, Grand Duchy of Oldenburg, 
neai' Bremen, Prussia; son of Frederick and 
MaiT (.^.shbrate) Willenborg, who emigrated 
to America in 1839. and in the spring of 1840 
came to Massillon. Oiu* subject learned the 
trade of molding, which he followed nine 
years, being apprenticed five years; then had 
charge of the shojis of Piu-tridge & Kessler 
for four yesirs, after which he went into the 
grocery business with his brother Henry, for 
five years; sold out and moved West, to 
Decatur, where they engaged in the s.ome 
business: continued in that four years more, 
and finally came back here, in 1850, and took 
charge of a stone quarr}'. also engaging in the 
butchering business, for nineteen years. 
Since 1878, however, he has been engaged 



^ 



702 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



exclusively in the quarry. He was married, 
in 1859, to Christina Kift'er, who was born in 
this town, daughter of Nicholas Kift'er, who 
came here in 1!S4(\ They have four children 
living — Mary, JVIi-s. CharlesW;u-thorst; Louisa, 
Josephine and George ; those dead are Ernest, 
Anna and Charles. Are members of the 
Catholic Church. Mr. Willenborg's father 
was lost on the sea, while acting as mate of 
a fishing smack. He had four childi-en, hut 
Frank, our subject, is the only surviver. 

THOMAS S. WEBB, retired, Massillon. 
Col. Webb was born in Salem, Ohio, May (3, 
1808; his paternal ancestors emigrated from 
England and settled in Chester Co., Penn., 
at a very early day; they were Fi lends in re- 
ligious belief. John Welib, the grandfather 
of our subject, emigrated from Harford Co., 
Md., to Salem, Cohunbiana County, in 1805, on 
land that is now embraced within the north- 
east part of the city of Salem. The maternal 
grandfather of our subject, Thomas Smith, 
settled in Georgetown, ]3eaver Co., Penn., in 
1792, and established Smith's FeiTy. John 
Webb, the father of Thomas S., was a hatter 
by trade; came to Georgetown, Penn., in 
1805, and there man-ied Phebe Smith, daugh- 
ter of the Thomas Smith just mentioned. He 
had six childi'en, of whom our subject is the 
eldest, who, at the age of 14, went to New 
Lisbon, Ohio, and there learned the saddler's 
trade with John Alexander, and remained 
engaged in the same seven years; Sept. 8, 
lH'i'2,, he married Margaret, daughter of Yost 
Harbaugh, oi-igiually from Frederick Co., Md 
Five children were the fruits of tiiis union. 
In the sjiring of 1833, he embarked in the 
hotel Imsiness, at Massillon, and for thirteen 
years kept the Franklin House, and did a 
large business; in 183('), he was made a 
Colonel in the State militia; in 1846, he went 
to New Philadelphia, this State, and became 
jiroprietor of the Eagle House for live years; 
he then erected the Union Hotel, which he 
conducted for four years, and in 1855, re- 
tiu'ned to Massillon and jjurchased a farm in 
the vicinity of the ciiy, which he has since 
carried on. In 1857 and 1858, he had the 
management of the United States Hotel, in 
Atlantic City, N. J.; in 1863, he repaired to 
New Philadeljihia and re-piu'chased the Union 



Hotel, and started his sons, Jesse and Frank 
Webb, in the business, which then continued 
successfxiUy for thi'ee years, when, on account 
of the ill-health of Jesse, they sold out and 
returned to this city, Frank engaging in the 
grocery business. During the late war, Mr. 
Webb was commissioned as Colonel of the 
115th Regiment, but, on account of advanced 
age, he did not accept; he was also tendered 
the position as Paymaster in the army, which 
he also declined; he took a leading part in 
the erection of the Massillon gas works, and 
may be called the father of the enterprise; he 
was raised a Friend, his parents being of that 
persuasion; he has, however, for many years, 
been connected with the Episcopal Church 
in this city, having filled several positions in 
the same. 

M. E. \^TLCOX, agent, Massillon ; general 
traveling agent for Russell & Co. ; was born 
June 27, 1833, near Preble, in Cortland Co., 
N. Y., the eldest child born to his parents, who 
were Isaac C. Wilcox and Adaline Segm-, both 
natives of New York; Isaac was born in 1811, 
son of Ansel Wilcox, a native of Massachu- 
setts; Adaline was born in April, 1814, daugh- 
ter of James Segiu\ whose father, it is said, 
was stolen when young, and for several years 
was confined on shipboard. Our subject re- 
moved with his parents to Ashland County, 
this State, in 1837; his father was a wagon- 
maker by trade. At the age of 17, he went to 
Canal Fulton to learn the saddle and harness 
maker's trade, which vocation he followed for 
about twenty years, being a resident of this 
place the greater portion of the time: diu'ing 
this time, he became identified with the in- 
terests of the place, and closely affiliated with 
its varied interests, serving as Township Clerk 
ten or twelve years, Village Recorder, Justice 
of the Peace, and six years as County Record- 
er; since 1877, has been engaged with Russell 
& Co. as their general traveliiig agent. In 
November, 1N55, he was married to Letitia 
Mobley, born April 2, 1837, daughter of John 
Mobley; she died Oct. 26, 1.S77; by her he 
had seven children, five living — Frank A., 
Etta A., Collins C, Harter C. and Albeitus 
A.; W'illie J. and Jesse E., deceased. His 
present wife was Cora A. Prince, born Dec. 2, 
1846, in Canton, daughter of William Prince 



t^ 



CITY OF MASSILLON. 



703 



and Christiiiii Rex; he was a native of Page 
Co., Ya., she of Smnmit County, this State. 
Mr. Wilcox is a Kejiublican, and a member of 
the A., F. A: A. M. 

FKANK li. AVEBB, wholesale grocer, Mas- 
sillon: is a native of Massillon, born Aug. "'", 
18;{b. youngest son of Col. Thomas S. \Vebb. 
Our subjeet was raised in the hot(>l business, 
which his fjither conducted successfully for 
several y»<u"s. For three yeiU's. he and his 
bi'other Jesse can'ied on the I'Uion Hotel at 
Philadelphia, when, on account of tailing 
health, he sold out and traveled for some time, 
when, his health being I'estoi'ed. he engaged, 
in bSnC). with H. K. Dickey in the wholesale 
grocery business, conducting an extensive 
wholesale trade in groceries, teas and tobacco, 
doing a business of 815(1.0(10 auniuvlly: this 
partnership continued until Ajn-il, 1<S!S1, when 
he bought out Mr. Dick(>y, and has since run 
the business on his own account. Nov. 3, 
1SG3, he married Kate A. Dickey, daughter of 
Hiram K. Dickey and Maria C. Whijiple. ih: 
Webb has two children — Frank R. and M. 
Arline: is a m<>mber of the several Mast)nic 
bodies in this eitv. 

J. li. WHITE.' Bank Teller, Massillon: is 
a native ot the Keystone State, Iwrn Dec. 14, 
Ih-tO, in New Castle, La-wrenee Co., the fifth 
child of a family of six children: his pju'ents 
were Samuel H. White and Mary A. Keyuolds: 
the grandfather of our subject was Daniel 
White, who was a Tiativeof Hager-stown. Md., 
and removed to New Castle. Penu., before the 
place was founded: he was one of the tii'st 
settlers in that locality, and the land he cleared 
and imjn'oved is yet in possession of his de- 
scendants. Our subject remainc'd at home until 
he gi'ew to man's estate: he gra<luat(Hl at tlui 
higii school at his native [)lace. When y(>t in 
his teens, he volunteered his services to the 
Government and went forth with the " boys in 
blue." enlisting in lS(j'J. in Co. F, •'JathO.Y. I., 
for three months, serving his time, and retmniod 
home; iuM;u'ch, 1S(U, heenlisted forfouryears 
in Co. K, 100th Pennsylvania " Komid Head " 
regiment, serving until disabled, when he was 
dischiu'ged and returned home. In Februiiry, 
liS(K). he went to Baltimore and accepted a po- 
sition in the Auditors office of the Northern 
Centi'al Railroad, having chiu-ge of the con- 



ductors' and agents' accounts; he remained in 
this iH)sition until Se])tember. 1871. when he 
r(>signed and caiue to Mas-Dillon and accept<>d 
a situation in the Union National Bank as 
Teller, which )x)sition be has since filled. Oct. 
'ZC). ISTI. he formed a mati'ionial alliance with 
Miu-y J. McClymonds. born Jan. 4. 1S4N. in N(!w 
Castle. Penu.. daughter of William McCly- 
monds and Jane Dunlap, who were born in 
Darlington, Penn. In 187"), he was elected 
as Clerk of the City Council, being honcjred 
with a re-election each succeeding year. He 
has fom- children, viz.. Mary D., Edward Mc- 
Clvmouds. Florcnc' E. and Charles A. 

FRANK WAKTHORST. deceased. Massil- 
lon; was the founder and original projirietor of 
the Warthoi-st stone ((uarry, oni- mile west of 
ti)wn. at th(> junction of the P., Ft.W. & C, and 
C. T. V. & W. Railroads. H(> waslxjrnin 1801, 
in Bremen, (iermany. son of P'rank Warthorst 
and iMary Willenborg. Mr. \\';u'thorst came to 
Ohio about the year 18:54: he was a practical 
stone-cutter, and was an exjx'rienced quarry- 
man. Soon after his coming to Massillon, he 
began developing the stone (|uarry, which he 
continued to work u])to 1871. His death oc- 
cunx'd Feb. 2, 1 872. while on a visit to Eiirope. 
His wife died in Switzerland Aug. 14, 1N80. 
No chihb-en were born to them; they have one 
adopted son, E. F. Warthorst. The success- 
ors of oiu" subject ai'e Frank Wi llenborg, Frank 
W. and Carl' L. Warthorst (Mr. ^Villenborg 
being President of the (]umTy, Cai'l L. Super- 
intendent, and Frank W. Secretary). Carl 
L. Wiuihorst was born Jan. 1, 185'i, in Rhine- 
Prussia, he being the youngest of a family of 
three children born to Frederick Wiu-thorst 
and Amelia Martinstein; his father was a civil 
engineer, and died in 18r)"2; his wifi^ smvives 
him. To them were born l"'rank \\'., Annie 
and Cjirl L. ; Annie remained in the old 
country; Cai'l L. and Frank W. Ciune to Massil- 
lon in 1868. Carl L. engaged to work in the 
quaiTv with his uncle, and from him learned 
the business. In A])ril, 1S80. he became a 
pai'tner in the business, they ;us-'uming the fum 
name of Warthorst & Co., and iu-e manufact- 
urers and dealers in grindstones for wet and 
dry grinding: also block and dimension stones, 
which ai'e fui-nished to order. Feb. '22, 1881, 
Carl L. was married to Mary Willenborg, who 



^rr 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



l^ 



was bom in 1 862, in Perry Township, daugh- 
ter of Frank Willenborg. The Warthorsts 
are Kepublicans. 

GEORCiE YOUNG, retired, Massillon; bom 
May 22, 1817, in Alsace, town of Hoffen, 
county of Sultz, being the eldest sou of Barn- 
hart Young and Dorothea Olier : Barnhart was 
a son of John and Sarah (Weimer) Y'oung, 
Dorothea being a daughter of Jacob Olier: to 
Barnhart Young were born George, INIichael, 
Barliara and Barnhart. George, our sul)ject, 
was the eldest of the family. Jane 11. 1836, 
he emigrated to America, landing in New 
York, where he remained about foiu-teea 
months. .He learned the shoemaker's trade 
before leaving the Fatherland, which vocation 
he followed while in New York. In Septem- 
ber, 1837. he came to Uniontown, this State, 
remaining there biit a short time, and finally 
locating in Massillon, where he engaged at his 
trade. He came here with nothing Irat his 
trade, which he pursued industriously, and 
what he has acquired has been through his 
own instrumentality alone. In May, 1844, 
he married Magdalena Stroeble, who was bom 
in Wurtemberg in 1824, May 27, daughter of 
Godfi-eid Stroeble and Magdalena Emhoflf, 
which couple came to Stark County, locating 
in Bethlehem Township, in 1S33: he had six 
children — Frederick, John, Magdalena, Wil- 
helmenia, Wilhelm and Mary. To Mr. Young 
has been born six children, five living — George, 
John, Louis, Charles and Edward: Louis and 
Edward, in Hancock County, this State; John, 
in St. Jo Co., Mo.; the others are residing in 
this county. John served as a soldier four 
years in Co. I, 76th O. V. I., and was wounded 
at the battle of Resaca: Charles is engaged in 
the livery business in this city. For several 
years, Mr. Young was engaged in the grocery 
business. Politics. Dcnioeratie. 

WILLIAM YOST, harness-maker. Mas- 
sillon: was born in Jackson Tovraship June 6, 
1841, the youngest child of his parents. Our 
subject was reared under the paivntal roof, 
attending the schools of his district and com- 
pleting his education in Massillon. At the 
age of 19, he came to this city and entered 
the grocery store of Fred Loeffler, where he 
remained imtil 186(1, then engaged as clerk 
for S. A. Com-ad. with whom he remained until 



Aug. 4, 1862, when he enlisted in Co. E, 104th 
O. V. I., and served until the close of the war, 
participating in all the battles of the Atlanta 
campaign, Resaca being his first battle; he 
went tlu'ough the war without a scratch. Upon 
his retiu'n home, he went to Ala'on for a short 
time, but in 1868 he entered into business 
with his brother Geoi'ge, in the harness, saddle 
and leather findings business; also inrimning 
a tannery: in 1.S74, his brother took the tan- 
nery, and they continued in the harness, sad- 
dle and findings business until March, 1877, 
where our subject has since continued, having 
added to his former business wagons and car- 
riages. He was married, Oct. 5, 1869, to 
Mary Frances Oberlin, daughter of Samuel 
Oberlin, of this city, born in this township; 
they have had four children, three of whom 
are" living -Ella M., Charles O. and William 
K. Mr. Yost is a member of the Clinton 
Lodge. A., F. & A. M., and is a Republican. 
GEORGE YOST, harness and tannery, 
Massillon; was born June 29, 182S, in Alsace; 
son of John G. and Barbara (Rehl) Yost, who 
were born May 7, 1793, and May 28, 1794, 
respectively. The grandfather of our subject 
was named George, whose birth occui-red in 
1760: his wife was Elizabeth Loewenguth, 
by whom he had four children who grew to 
manhood and womanhood. His death occurred 
March 3, 1823. . July 2, 1839, John Yost and 
family sailed for America, arriving in Buffalo 
Sept. 25, and came to Ohio Nov. 17 of the 
same year, locating in Jackson To^\^lship, 
where he jnu'chased NO acres, only a portion 
of which was improved; upon this farm he re- 
mained until his death, which ocoiu'red Feb. 
22, 1866; his wife "passed over" the same 
month and day six years [in^vious. Their 
family was composed of ten children, nine of 
whom grew up. viz., Philip, Margaret, Jacob, 
Barbara. George, Catherine. Elizabeth, Magda- 
lena and William: JohnG. died aged 4 years. 
Our subject left home at the age of 18, when 
he was apprenticed to learn the saddle and 
harness trade with Hahn & Cook, of Akron. 
After his trade was completed, he worked at 
journey work in the city of Massillon. In the 
spring of 1852, he associated five years with 
Mr. Judd. under the firm name of Judd & Yost; 
then formed a copartnership with C. C. ' \ 



t) ^ 



!>: 



PERKY TOWNSHIP. 



705 



der for two years, which was known as Yost 
& Snyder, when his partner dropped out, Sir. 
Yost continuinLj the business alone until after 
the wiU', when he took in jNIi-. Gai'ver as part- 
ner for three years; after this dissolution, he 
took in his brother William, they addinj^ the 
tanning business, who continued with him 
until 1S77, when another change was made, 
to George Y'ost & Co.; in ISSO, he piu'chased 
the " Co." interest; since that time, the busi- 
ness has been carried on by the sons of our sub- 
ject, under the linn name of Y'ost Bros. Mr. 
Yost has since been engaged with Mr. Jones 
in the tanneiy. March 11, 1N55, Mr. Y'ost 
was united by marriage to Elizabeth F. Ben- 
nett, who was born May H, 1S44, in Kent, 
England; she was a daughter of Thomas and 
Fannie ( Jndd) Bennett. Mi-s. Yost came to 
this countiy with her mother in lS4fi. SIi'. 
Y'ost has had ten chikb-en born him, viz., H. B., 
G. W., Maiy F., E. Ai-letta, Everett, Sarah 
E., Ervin, Edward, Chai'les and Hemy, nine 
living; Sai'ah E., deceased. In business. Mr. 
Y'ost has always been conscientious and up- 



right in all his dealings with his fellow-men, 
and an honest workman. Hi^ and wife are 
members of the M. E. Chm'ch; ho is also a 
member of the I. O. O. F., having passed 
thi-ough the subordinate degrees to the en- 
campment, and in politics is a Republican. 

OTTO E. YOUNG, attorney at law, Mas- 
sillon; Prosecuting Attorney of the city of 
Massillon for 1880 and 1881; was born in 
this city Nov. 29, 1857, son of Michael and 
Rosa (Minich) Y'oung. Slichael Y'oung was 
born in Alsace in 1821; came toOhioin 1830, 
and located in Massillon in 1840. Mrs. Young, 
the mother of om- subject, is a native of Prus- 
sia. The fi'uits of the union are five childien, 
viz., William, Flora, Charles, Otto E. and Ida. 
Otto was educated in this city, and, after his 
graduation in 1876, he began reading law 
with Anson Pease; was admitted to the bar 
May 10, 1880, and elected City Solicitor thi-ee 
days after his admission (in the spring of 
1880), and has fulhlled the duties of the ofiBce 
with credit to himself and with evident satis- 
faction to the people. 



PERRY TOWNSHIP. 



IRA M. ALLEN, Superintendent of Roach 
School, Massillon; was born May 11, 1821, in 
Rensselaer Co., N. Y'. He is the third son in 
a family of six children of Caleb and Huldah 
(Dawley) Allen, natives, the former of Rhode 
Island, and the latter of New Y'ork. Up to 
fifteen years of age he lived on a farm and 
attended a common school. He then spent 
two yeai-s in Skaneateles Academy, New Y'ork, 
and at 18 began his career as a teacher in 
Ontario, County, in the same State, for four 
years. In 1842, he came to Stark Co., Ohio, 
and for thi'ee years was cngiiged in teaching 
the public schools at Kciulal and vicinity. 
There he gathered together the nucleus, which 
was aftenvard to prove the cmde though 
potent beginning of the system of township 
central high schools in Ohio. He remained 
in this connection for some seven yeai's, with 
the exception of a part of a year sjient in a 
select school in Canal Dover, Ohio. He was 



empliyed in 184U as a teacher in the old 
Canton Academy, previously under the charge 
of the late John McGregor and his son Arch- 
ibald, the latter now editor of the Stark 
County Democrat. Upon the organization of 
the Canton Union School, INIi'. Allen was made 
Superintendent and served as such thi-ee years. 
In 1854, he Ijecame Superintendent of the Char- 
ity Roach School, in which connection h(! re- 
mained for ten years ; for live ye.u's subse- 
quently he was engaged in farming. In the 
fall of 1869, he was elected Treasurer of Stark 
County, and filled the office for two yeiU's. 
From lN74to 1878, he was variously employed, 
part of the time as Superintendent of the 
Press Works of Canton. In April, 1878, he 
was again chosen Superintendent of the 
Charity Roach School, which position he yet 
holds. For twelve years or more he has 
served on th(> County Board of School Exam- 
iners, and while residing in Canton, from 



706 



BIOGKAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



1869 to 1878, was one of the examiners of 
that city. In May, 1844, he married Ella 
Olivia, daughter ot Senator John Graham of 
this county. Of live childi-en liy this union, 
four are living. His only son, John C. Allen, 
is a commercial agent and was for several 
years connected respectively with the Center 
Bridge Works, and with Russell & Co. Em- 
ma S. is the wife of Luit])old Solhnau. a busi- 
ness man of New York City. The two other 
daughters reside at home, the elder of them 
being assistant in the Charity Roach School. 
For nearly forty years Prof. Allen has been 
prominently identified with the educational 
interests of the county, having been intimately 
associated with men of 'eminent rank in the 
profession. Deprived in his youth of anything 
more than an academic course, he is entirely 
self-educated. In politics, he is Rejmblican: 
in religious belief, a Presbyterian. 

JOHN G-. BECK, farm'er, Na\arre; was 
born Aug. 11, 1 807, in Wui-temberg, Germany, 
son of John George Beck and Anna M. Dill- 
man, to whom were born three children — two 
sons and one daughter. Our subject emi- 
grated to America with his ])arents when he 
was a mere lad. His father John George, 
was a soldier under Napoleon, and was with 
his army at the biuming of Moscow, and 
crossed the Alps: his brother was in the same 
command, but was frozen to death while cross- 
ing the Alps on that memorable retreat. The 
parents of our subject died when he was vei-y 
young ; he was then early in life throwna upon 
his own resom'ces. He learned the tin and 
coppersmith's trade which he followed in 
Lancaster Co.,Penn., for several years. Was 
married in May, 1849, to Lydia Cross, who 
was born in Essex Co., Eng., and emigrated 
with her parents to Lancaster Co., Penn.. in 
1843. Her parents were Joseph and Hannah 
(Miller) Cross, who had ten children; seven 
of the niimber came to years of maturity. 
Father was a cabinet-maker and upholsterer, 
and was a member of the Society of Friends 
or Quakers. He died honored and respected 
in 18G8. aged 82; his wife died in August, 
1874, in her 87th year. The faiuily was 
patriotic, as foiir — the sons of Joseph Cross 
— were soldiers in the late Avar, and whose 
names were, Joseph A., William, John and 



James. John was wounded the first day of 
the battle at Nashville, and afterward died of 
his wounds: William died in service of 
di'opsy; James raised a company in Lan- 
caster Co., Penn., and was chosen Captain of 
the same, and served his full tenu. He is 
now a clerk in the Waj- Department in Wash- 
ington, D. C. Joseph is now in Lancaster 
City, Penn. Maria resides in Navarre, Beth- 
lehem, wife of William Johnson. Mr. and 
Mrs. Cross were Methodists. Mr. Beck came 
to Ohio in 1850, locating in NavaiTe, Bethle- 
hem Tp., where he worked at his trade, and 
dealt in tin and copper for several years. 
Moved to his present place of residence in 
1S6S, having a farm of 101^ acres in the 
southeast quarter of Sec. 32. Has a large 
stone residence situated on an eminence, 
overlooking the plain below, making it one 
among the most desirable locations of the 
township. Since his location here has given 
his attention to farming, haviug acquiivd 
what he has by patient industry and econ- 
omy. Has four chikh'en — George H., John 
E.,"Emma L. and Adelaide M. All of the 
familv are members of the Lutheran Chiu'ch. 
SOLOMON BPvOWX, farmer, fJautou; was 
bom Feb. 2, ISOI, in Schuylkill Co., Penn. 
His ])arents were John Balsar Brown and 
Christina Scholl, both natives of same county. 
Nine children were bom them, viz. : Joseph, 
Solomon, Cathai'ine, Moses, Rebecca, Diana, 
Elias and James. The gi-andfalher of Solo- 
mon was George Brown, a native of Germany, 
who sensed as groom for WashiugtoQ, in the 
war of the Revolution. He located in 
Schuylkill CJonnty when the country was 
S2:)arsely pojiulated. He had three children 
born him — John Balsar, Maria and Elizabeth. 
Christina was the daughter of Peter Scholl, 
to whom six children were born — Jacob, 
Leonard, Peter, Henry. Adam and Christina. 
Jacob and Leonard served in the war of 1S12. 
Solomon emigrated to Ohio in 1819. locating 
with his parents four miles south of Canton, 
u|5on 233 acres of land, part of which his 
father had traded for land in Pennsylvania. 
He died in 1828 and was among the highly 
esteemed citizens of his time, and a member 
of the Lutheran Church. Solomon remained 
on the homestead nntil aftej- the death of liis 



£k. 



PERRY TOWNSHIP. 



707 



father, after which he took care of his mother. ] 
April 6, 1S2S. he niiin-ied Elizabeth Hine.s 
who was bom in York Co., Pi>nn., in ISda, 
daiifjhter of Jesse Hines, whose wife's maiden 
Dame was Fry. In LS:-58, he located on the 
farm he now owns; he purchased 16t) acres 
at a cost of SG per acre: but about twenty 
acres of which Wiis cleared. Of ei<jht children 
IxjiTi five we livinj^ — Sarah, married Daniel 
Ydnkiium, and re.sides in Kansas: Maria, wife 
of Absoloui Spunhour. of Orville, Wayne Co., 
Ohio; Cecelia, married Daniel Deckard; Re- 
becca. Hiuriet. George and Jesse, in this 
township. Mr. Brown is a member of the 
Lutheran Chm'ch. 

JOHN DECKAIi. farmer; P. O. Canton; j 
was born in Canton Township Jan. 21, 1828, i 
and is a son of Daniel Deekar, one of the pio- 
neers of Stark County, born Nov. 15, 17U0, 
in Center Co.. Penn. He ma!Tie<l CathiU'ine 
Brown, daughter of Balsar Brown, who was 
likewise an eai'ly settler in the county. The 
Deckai' family ai'e noted tor their longevity, i 
the father of the above, now about eighty five 
years of age. retains very much of the vigor of 
his eai'ly years, and thinks nothing of walking 
six miles to visit his son, or to go to Canton. 
He has Ijeen a resident of the county nearly 
sixty-five yeai's. To him have been bom 
John, liebecca, Mrs. Michael Frederick, of i 
Canton: Auias. in Canton: Hannah, ili's. 
Michael Yohe. who resides in Indiana; Jane, 
Mrs. Ejihram Richards, in Canton; and Reuben 
on the homestead. John remained at home 
until 28 years of age. Feb. 2. ISut), he mar- 
ried Caroline Miller, born Fel). 18, 1832, in 
this township, daughter of Geoi-ge Miller, who 
was one of the early settlers in this township. 
Subsecpient to his mairiage, he purchased a 
small fann in Canton To\vnship, ujion which 
he lived until 1867, wheu he moved to this 
township, purchasing DS acres w'hich he has 
improved very much, erecting new buildings 
througlmut. Has four chikh-en — Cyrus. Marv 
M, Bradl(>y C. and Charles. Was formerly 
Democratic, but since the Know-Nothing 
pju'ty ceased to exist he has been a Repub- 
lican. 

JOHN FREEMAN, farmer; P.O. Massi lion. 
Is a native of Essex Co., N. J., born Jan. 10, 
1810, the eldest of a familv of six children who 



came to years of maturity. His parents were 
David and Susanna (Little) Freeman. The 
former a nativ(> of Massachusetts, having a 
family of seven sous, David lieing the young- 
est of the number. Th(» Freemans are of 
English and the Littles of French descent. 
The father of Susan beiug a Frenchman. At 
the age of 14, our subject had the misfortune 
to lose his mother, his father marrying again. 
This union was not a satisfactory one to John, 
who never lived at home afterward, but worked 
out, and made his home among strangers, his 
father reaping the fruits of his labor. At 
the age of 10. he bought his time ;md from 
then was his own man. He came West to 
Ohio in 1820, with a mjin by the name of 
Wells, with whom he lived several years, 
being industrious and watchful, he was soon 
after made foreman for his employer, remain- 
ing in Jefferson Co., Steuben vi lie, until lit 
years of age. when he came to Stark County, 
and mai'ried about the year 1889. His wife 
was Mary Scott, born in 1812, in Scotland, 
daughter of John and Elizabeth Scott, who 
came to this township when the ct)uutry was 
comparatively new. Mr. Freeman subse- 
quently jnu-chased l;md of his father-in-law, 
and has since been a resident of the townshi]). 
The following iire th(> children: Elizabeth, 
wife of Ambrose Wliipjile; M;iry, Mi's. G-(>orge 
Ingold, in Plain Township; Jennett, wife of 
James AVlii[)])le: Susan resides in Rice Co., 
Kan., wife of John Baily: Agues, in this 
townshi]), wife of Jacob Deweese: Anne, 
married Gabriel Swihart, of this township; 
Delia, Mrs. Swiuehart, in Wayne Co., Ohio; 
Ai'letta, married Lester Nave; John and Orrin, 
in this township. Mr. Freemsm has about 
30(J acrt^s of lantl and is a ])rosperous farmer. 
He and wife are members of the Ba]itist 
Church. His mother was a Presbyterian; 
his fathcT was not a member of any church; 
was a soldier in the war of 1M2. 

JOHN P. FLOOM, farmer: P.O. Canton; 
was born June 2S, 1820, on the .\lleghany 
Mountains, in Cambria Co., Penn., the fifth 
child of a family of ten children, born to 
Francis X. Floom and Annie Ake. He was 
bom in Baden December, I TIM, and eniigi'ated 
U) Bucks Co., I'enn., when a young man. He 
was a cooi>er and brewer by occupation. 



_i: 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



5) i>» 



June 20, 1819, he married Annie Ake, who 
was born in Berks Co, Penn., Feb. 21, 1802, 
daughter of Peter Ake and Magdaleua Case. 
Mr. Floom came West to Stark County in 
1833, and settled in Perry Township, piu'- 
chasiug a small piece of land on the south- 
east quarter of See. 11. His means were lim- 
ited, but being industrious and frugal he 
added to his tu'st purchase at difierout times, 
as his means would allow, until he acquii'ed 
yO acres. For several years kept public 
house, at the same time carried on his farm- 
ing. His death occurred Oct. 22, ISj'J. The 
children born him who came to maturity were 
Joseph, John P. and Mary L. Jo8ei)h was 
a physician and practiced his profession at 
Louisville, Nimishillen Tp., for several years, 
now deceased. Mary L., wife of John Whip- 
ple, and resides in Jersey Co., 111.; John P. 
was raised on the homestead to farming pur- 
suits. At an early age he left home and for 
five years was engaged in Russell's Shop on 
wood work; the business being too confining 
and impairing his health, he abandoned his 
mechanical pursuits, locating on the home- 
stead farm in 1852, where he has since re- 
mained. In 1868, married Mary Sjiirnagle, a 
native of this county. Her parents dying 
young she knows but little of them. Three 
childi-en — Edwin B., Otto B. and Ama E., are 
the names of the children born him. Mi: 
Floom might be termed a genius, of the 
mechanical order, having jjlanned several 
inventions. Has a fine ear for music, which 
he executes nicely on his favorite instrument, 
the violin. The family are members of the 
Catholic Church. 

WILLIAM HOLLINGER, farmer: P. O. 
Massillon; born in Franklin Co., Penn., May 
9, 1824, being the fourth of a family of seven 
chikh'en. His parents, John and Catharine 
Hollinger, were natives of the Keystone 
State. Abraham Hollinger was the grandsire 
of William; he was a native of Germany, and 
emigrated to Pennsylvania. He had fom- 
sons and two daughters — Abraham, Jacob, 
William, Isaac, John, Barbara, and one name 
not known. Jacob was 9 years of age when 
his parents came to this State, locating in 
PeiTy Township, and pm-chased 4(') acres of 
hmd. He died shortly after his arrival in 



this county, leaving the family of children in 
charge of his wife. Of the number who grew 
up were Polly, Mrs. M. W. Bab}>, now of 
Defiance County; Samuel has settled in 
Nebraska, and engaged in farming; Josiah, 
in Perry Township; Peter, Hiram, Joseph, and 
Lucinda, deceased. His mother died in 
August, 1874, aged 72. William remained 
at home uutil April 15, 1855, when he became 
the husband of Martha, daughter of John 
Armstrong. She was Ijorn in Tuscarawas 
Township on the southwest quarter of Sec. 25, 
in 1834. For two years after his marriage 
he lived on land of Jacob Umbenhower. In 
April, 1859, he moved on the farm he now 
owns, having saved $1,200, which he invested 
in land, buying at first ()0 acres, which 
belonged to Dwight. He now has 82 acres, 
of land which is favorably located, with ele- 
gant house and bai'n thereon, all recently 
erected, the house being one of the finest 
farmhouses in the township. Has seven chil- 
di-eu, who ai-e William H., Ada F., Harry, 
Lizzie N., Minnie M., Emmet H. and Eveline. 
Ada is now teacher in the Union School ac 
Massillon, and is a lady of artistic taste. 
Chikh'en unmarried and at home. 

DAVID KOONTZ, farmer, Massillon: was 
born June 13, 1813, in Huntingdon Co., 
Penn., the fourth of a family of thirteen chil- 
di-en. His parents were Jacob and Mary 
(Obeuhour) Koontz. He was a native of 
Virginia, son of Peuer Koontz, whose birth- 
place was England, and had two childi-eu, 
Jacob and Polly. Maiy was a daughter of 
Harmon Obeuhour, a native of Germany. 
Jacob Koontz, the father of David, emigrated 
to Ohio by wagon, in the year 1815, and set- 
tled in Nimishillen Township, where he rented 
land for several years, remaining here until 
after the death of his wife, then moved to 
Plain Township, where he lived two years, 
th«n came to Perry; this continued to be his 
residence until his death, which occurred 
while on a visit to Indiana, during war times. 
The children born him were John, Susie, 
Jacob, Daniel, William, Lydia, Mary, Betsy, 
Barbara, Frederick, Christina. Sallie and Har- 
rison, all of whom lived to manhood and wo- 
manhood, except HaiTisou. Of the number 
now living, are John, in Canton Township; 






PERRY TOWNSHIP. 



William, in Schuyler Co., 111.'; Frederick, in 
Minnesota; Sallie, who married Peter Niiniie- 
maker; Christina, the wife of B. Smith, now 
of Michigan, and David. David was raised 
to ai,'riciiitural pursuits and remained with 
his father until 23 years of age, after which 
time ho engaged in diffei-ent occupations for 
several years. February, 1!S3'.), married Annie 
Essig, born in Stark County, 1S19, daughter 
of Jactib and Elizabeth (Weaver) Essig. After- 
wanl liveil spven yeiu's in Pike Township, then 
resided seven years in Bethlehem, when he 
disposed of his land and located in this town- 
shij), near Richville, where he lived until 1S72, 
then located on 50 acres near the city limits, 
where he has settled for life. Wife died in 
1S74; she bore him six children — Alpheus, 
Newton, Louisa, Jacob, Franklin and Calvin. 
Alpheus and Calvin reside in Albia, Monroe 
Co., Iowa. Newton and Jacob, in Norton Tp., 
Medina Co. Louisa, maiTied Mr. Hoberstock. 
He has been a member of the Disciples' 
Chiu'ch about forty ypai's. In former years 
he was Democratic, Init since Buchanan's 
time has been in the Rejmblican ranks. 

DR. J. L. LEEPER, physician and farm- 
er, Navarre; was born Aug. 27, ISIS, in Nor- 
folk, Ya., son of William and Eleanor 
(Louthers) Leeper, he (William) being a son 
of James, who was a native of Ireland, whose 
ancestors were natives of France, who left that 
country in conserjuence of religious persecu- 
tion. Eleanor was a daughter of Alexander 
Louthere, who were natives of Ireland. Will- 
iam Leeper, the father of om- subject, moved 
with his family from Norfolk to Brooke Co., 
Ya., about ISOl, and came to Ohio in 1818, 
locating, first in Ciu^'oll County, and clearing 
up a fann, but was a machinist by trailc: he 
was in the war of 1812, and at the battle of 
Fort Meigs assisted in burying the dead at 
River Raisin; he died in Carroll County in 
185,"), having raised three children — James L., 
William A. and ^Martha J.; William .V. lives 
on the old homestead, in Carroll County; 
Martha J., WMfe of Hon. William Adair, of 
Carroll County, who was the framer of the 
Adair Liquor Law; and our subject, who was 
raised a farmer, and married, July 4, 1837, 
Sophia N. Dickey, born in Marietta, in 1820, 
daughter of Solomon Dickey. Dr. Leeper 



came to this county in May, 1840, and settled, 
first, in Navarre, where he lived until 1870, 
engaged in the practice of medicine; while 
here at Navarre, he carried on a diiig store for 
fifteen years; located in Perry Township in 
1878, and has remained, where he owns 200 
acres of land; one child has been Iwm to him, 
George C. ; all the family, on both his mother's 
and father's side, were Presltyterians, whilst 
he is a Methodist; was an old lin<> Whig, but 
never sought office; is at pi-escnt a Prohibi- 
tiimist; also a member of the Patrons of Hus- 
bandrv. 

SAAIUEL F. LONAS, farmer; P.. O. Massil- 
lon: is a native of Bctlilchfiii Township; is the 
third son and fifth child liorn to his parents, 
who were John W. and Leah Louas, who 
were early settlers in that townshiji. For a 
more extended notice of the family, the read- 
er is referred to the sketches of some of the 
older members of the family. Our subject 
was reared to agricultural ])nrsuits, remaining 
at home until his marriage, with Miss Stimer, 
which oeciu-red April 9, 18(j8; she (Fianna) 
was born in Tuscarawas Township, in 1847, 
daughter of Jonathan Stoner, one of the 
stanch farmers of that township; after his 
mairiage, he farmed, renting land of his fa- 
ther three years, then purchased land, and 
remained on the same two years; then piu'- 
chased 105 acres (m Sec. 30, situated in the 
west part of Perry Township, where he has 
since resided, having it well improved and 
choice buildings thereon, and is a successful 
farmer; he has five ehildi'en — Sarah W., Ollie 
R., Ira J., Charles M. and Frederick. Mr. 
Lonas is a member of the German Reformed 
Chiuch. 

T. W. LERCH, blacksmith, Canton; was 
V)orn Oct. 11, 1841, in Nortumberland Co., 
Penn., the eldest of a family of twelve chil- 
dren, born to George W. and Eve (Kluse) 
Lerch, both natives of Northmuberland 
County; they emigrated to this tmMisbip in 
the spring of 1851. Our subject was raised 
at home, and learned the blacksmith's trade 
of his father. Aug. 9, 1 802, donned the blue, 
and went forth to battle for his coimtry, sei-v- 
ing until -Tune 5, 1805, when he received an 
honorable discharge; he participated in twen- 
ty-one different engagements: Fort Mitchell, 



BIOGKAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



Knoxville, Cumberland trap, Resaca, Dallas, 
Eutaw Creek, Atlanta, Colimibia, Nashville, 
Franklin, Old Town Creek and Wilmington 
were among the more prominent engagements; 
with the exception of a slight wound in the 
hand, and a few bullet-holes in his clothing, 
he returned home safely; his regiment was 
the l(l4tli O. V. I., Company E; upon return- 
ing home, he resumed his trade. In 18()U, he 
married Sarah Koeher, born in Pennsylvania, 
daughter of Edward and Levina ( Beck ) Koeh- 
er; since his maiTiage, he has been engaged 
at his trade, caiTving on business on his own 
account, at Lerchville, this township, and is 
doing a good business; his parents are yet 
living; his father was bom Aixg. 18, 1818, 
son of Jacob Lerch, who had six children 
born him, foiu- sons and two daughters: Eve 
(Koeher) Lerch was born in 1811), and l)ore 
her husband twelve children, Thomas W. be- 
ing the eldest; eleven children are living, 
Jacob is a minister of the Reformed Church, 
of which his parents and T. W. are members; 
has five childi-en — George E., John W., Charles 
H., Elby F., Ellis S. and a babe unnamed; 
the family is Republican. 

MRS. SAB AH A. MILLER, fanning: P. 
O. Canton: was born Sept. 15, 1829, in West- 
moreland Co., Penn; her pai'ents were Boyd 
and Nancy (Long) Ward, both natives of 
Northiunl )erland County : they were members 
of the Associate Reformed Church. ]Mr. 
Ward died 1851): his wife in bS40; ten children 
were born them, viz. : John, Maiy, Nancy, 
Thomas, Rebecca, W^illiwn, Henry, Edward, 
Sarah and Amos. Nancy was a daughter of 
William Long, whose childi'en were Henry, 
Jane, Elnora and Nancy. Boyd was a sou of 
Boyd Ward, who had two sons, Boyd and 
William. Dec. 28, 1853, Mrs. Miller was 
united by maiTiage to Daniel B. Ralston, 
born Dec. 5, 1820, in Lancaster Co., Penn., 
son of Paul and Eliza Ralston; removed 
West, to Stark Coirnty, locating in Canton 
Townshii), in January, 1854, where they lived 
three years. Mr. Ralston, in 1802, Aug. 20, 
went forth to defend the stars and stripes, 
enlisting in Company E, 115th O. V. I.; he 
died at Cincinnati, in the hospital, Jan. 21, 
1803. Six children were born him — Boyd, 
Henry, Caroline, Catharine, Elizabeth and 



Greorge, the two latter are deceased: Caroline 
married Aaron Race: Catharine. Henry 
Reese, both of this townshijx Jan. 5. 1805, 
she married George Miller, who was born 
Jan. 1, 1800, in Cmuberland Co., Penn.; of a 
family of six childi'en born to George Miller, 
who served in the Revolutionary- war, ;i,nd 
was Gen. Washington's hostler; he was a 
Methodist of the John Wesley type, his house 
being ever open for the reception of ministers, 
or to hold meetings; in early life he was a 
Democrat, but later in life, became affiliated 
with the opposite party: he died Nov. 10, 
1870, aged 70 years 5 months and 15 days, 
leaving one son, George, Jr., who resides with 
his mother. Mrs. Miller has 80 acres of laud, 
and still holds to the religious tenets of the 
old Scotch Church of her parents, known as 
the Associate Refonned. 

WILLIAM RITTER. farmer; P. O. New- 
ton, J usper Co. ; was born in Stark Coiuity ; son 
of Daniel Ritter, one of the pioneers of the 
county. William was raised in Perry Tt)vm- 
ship, and to fanning pm-suits: was married to 
Martha Shoemaker, and afterward settled 
near Richville, in Perry Township, removing 
to Iowa about the year 1850, and has since 
been a resident of that State, being located 
near Newton, Jasper Co., where he is engaged 
in fanning. Several childi-en have been born 
to him — Melvin, Luther, William, Ann, 
Charles, George and HaiTv; Melvi?i is a rail- 
road man, being employed on the Pittsburgh 
& Fort Wayne Railroad, where he has run an 
engine several yeai-s; the remainder of the 
children are in Iowa. 

LEVI STUMP, farmer. Perry Township. 
Levi Stump, Esq., whose portrait accompanies 
this sketch, is one of the representative agri- 
culturists of the populous old township of 
Perry; he was bom on the farm on which he 
now lives, and where he has lived fi'om his 
birth, the f ann being known as the southwest 
quarter of Sec. 27. Mr. Stump was born on 
the 29th of April, 1825, consequently is in 
the 57th year' of his age; he is one of the 
sm'viving childi'en of Frederick and Margaret 
Stump, whose maiden name was Margaret 
Smith, his parents being among the first set- 
tlers of the now township of Peny, then Lake 
Township, in Columbiana County. On the 



'-^ 



PERRY TOWNSHIP, 



711 



organization of Stark County, in 1809, the 
territory on which Mr. Stump theu r(>sided. 
was included in C'anton Township, where it 
n^iuaincd until IS 14, when Mr. Stunij), Sr., 
aided in organizinij the now township of 
Perry. The subject of this sketch, liki> Ham- 
let, may well claim that he is a native and to 
the manner born, a distinction of which he 
may well be proud: he is one of a family of 
eleven children, all of whom are natives of the 
same township, except the eldest, Daniel 
Stump. Escj., who now resides at Columbus, 
in Franklin County, and who. dm-inj^ his res- 
idence in Stark (bounty, was a merchant, and 
.lustice of the Peace in Bethlehem Townishi]). 
The family of Frederick Stump, in addition 
to Daniel, were Catharine, married to Samuel 
Smith, of Canton Township, now a widow; 
John, louf^ since deceased : Eve, niiuried to 
Barnabas .Vllman, of the adjoininn; townshi}) 
of Bethlehem, now also a widow; Frederick, 
a minister of the liefonued Chm-ch. now 
deceased; Adam, also a minister of the same 
church, and also deceased; Elizabeth, man-ied 
to Adam H. Baiighman. Esq., now a widow 
residinj;^ in Iowa; Louis, also <leceased; Will- 
iam, also a minister of the Reformed Church, 
and deceased: Levi; and one other son, who 
died in infancy. .V brief sketch of the older 
Mr. Stumi> will not be deemed out of place 
here, as he was one of the sturdy pioneers, the 
recollections <if whom furnish the strayglini; 
beams of history, that serve " to point the 
moral. and adorn the tale" of Perry Town- 
ship's early organization. When Frederick 
Stump arrived at what ho regarded a proper 
stopjiing- place in the unbn)ken forest, on the 
borders of civilization, tlieri" being a land 
oflice at Steubenville. in Jefferson County, lie 
entered at that office the southeast cpiarter of 
Sec. 28, in the i)th Rang.-, in ISOfi. three 
years before the county was organized, and 
eight years ])revious to the organization of the 
townshi)), on which quartar section. Dr. James 
L. Leep(!r now resides; the southeast (]uart(>r 
of Sec. 27, in the same range, he purcha.sed 
of James F. Leonard, who had obtained it by 
entry at thi> land office. At that time there 
was V)ut one cabin where is now the po])ulous 
and growing city of Canton, and that was 
known as Cmson's Tavern. On the 28th of 



April, 1808, he brought his family into the 
townshiji; then there were Imt few houses in 
CJanton. and but three white families resident 
upon the territory now embraced within the 
township lines; Indians were abundant, but 
))eaceable. He ])aid SI 8 for the lirst barrel 
of tloiu-, and S22 for the tirst ban-el of salt he 
used in his family. Iwtii of which were 
brought \i]> the Muskingum and Tuscarawas 
in canoes. Pittsburgh and Steubenville were 
the nearest market places for trade and mill- 
ing, and Mr. Stumj> thought it a privilege 
when, fifteen years later, a market was opened 
at Cleveland, he could, with a four-horse 
load of wheat obtain a side of sole leather and 
a barrel of salt, " even up.'" For weeks, he 
and his family lived on jtotatoes, relying on 
the " shadowy future " as an earnest of better 
times. Politically. Fr(>d(>rick Stump was a 
Democrat. He was born on the 7th of June, 
17S1. in Bethel Tp.. Berks Co., Penn.. in the 
stonny period of the JVnleri(^•ln Revolution, 
and, with his parents, when quite young, re- 
moved West, to LetterkiMiney Townshi]), in 
Franklin County, and maiTied th(>re. in IS'T). 
By a compai'ison of dates, it will 1><> seen that 
his ])olitical character was formed during the 
bitter contest that at last resulted in the 
election of Jefferson over Buit, by the United 
States House of Representatives, in 1801, and 
became a voter in the second ye;u- of 5Ii-. Jef- 
ferson's athninisti'ation. The ])olitical |>rin- 
ciples ho then espoused he clung to during 
his entire life. It miiy well be said of him: 
"H(> was a Democrat of Democrats brought 
U]) at the feet of the ])olitical (iamaliel of 
that era, who proclaimed that all men were 
created ecjual. endowed by their Creator with 
certain inalienabl(> rights, among which are 
life, lib<>rty and the ])ursuit of happiness." 
His religious ideas were in unity with the 
Reformed Church, of which he became a 
member in early life, and continued luitil his 
death; he was life-long prominent in the 
affairs of the township, and it may well be 
said of him, he aided essentially in causing 
"the wilderness to blossom as the rose." 
Levi, the son, subjtvt of this sketch, was mar- 
ried to Miss Margaret Roush. also a native of 
Perry Townshi]>. on the I'Jth of March. 1817: 
she was a daughter of Frederick and Anna 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



Maria Roush, whose maiden name was Haf- 
legh, natives of Dauphin Co., Penn., who 
emigrated to Peiry Township in 1828. They 
were of the sturdy Pennsylvania Dutch ele- 
ment, to which the whole county of Stark is 
so much indebted for its prosperity. Mr. 
and Mrs. Levi Stiunp are the parents of thir- 
teen children — Victoria O.; Gassendi, married 
to Hannah Gerber; Frederick W., a minister 
of the Reformed Church; Anna M., married 
to Charles Kocher; Ada A.; Levi B., mai-ried 
to Melissa Hikh-eth: Mai'garet I., James O., 
Ira E., Samuel O. (deceased), Rosa C, Mar- 
gie V. and Benjamin F. Squire Stump, in 
his political tendencies, is a Democrat, "but 
not an ultra-Democrats" In religion, he is a 
member of the Reformed Church. "These 
things hath he kept from his youth up." Has 
served the township one term as a Justice of 
the Peace, for twenty years has held the office 
of Notary Public; as a draftsman of deeds, 
moi-tgages, etc., he serves his neighbors on all 
occasions when called on. He is, however, 
at the head of liis profession as a farmer, 
horticulturist and pomologist, being the first 
in the township — Perry — to make small fruits 
a specialty, and in which he has been emi- 
nently successful. He has served as Presi- 
dent, Vice President and Director of Stark 
County Agricultui'al Society for sixteen 
years, and is now President of the County 
Horticultural Society. His life of industry 
and careful study of his profession, together 
with prudent economy, have brought him a 
competence which enables him to live in ele- 
gant style, and as a gentleman farmer takes 
rank among Stark Coimty's best. 

JOSEPH SMITH, farmer; P. O. Canton; 
was born in Cumberland '^'-c, Penn., Oct. 13, 
1815, being the tifth child born to his parents, 
Jacob and Elizabeth (Rhodes) Smith, who 
were early pioneers in Stark County, pur- 
chasing luiimproved land at $4 i)er acre; he 
was one of the stanch representatives of the 
Keystone State, and, in common with others 
of his class, turned his back upon his native 
State, and cast his lot in the then wilds of 
Ohio, that he might secure to himself and 
family cheap lands which he might convert 
into a home; he died as he lived- an honest 
and worthy citizen; he was a member of the 



Lutheran Chivrch and a Jackson Democrat; 
his death occurred about the year 1864 Of 
the family of the children born him, now liv- 
ing, are John and Joseph, who reside in this 
township; Anna, married Christian Niesz, in 
Canton; Sarah, Mrs. Thomas Van Horn, of 
Canton; and David, who resides on the home- 
stead farm, in Canton Township. For several 
years. Jacob Smith, the father of the above, 
ran an oil-mill where the Canton water- works 
are; his wife died about 1856. Joseph re- 
mained with his parents until 1836; he then 
farmed, renting land several years. Oct. 12, 
1831), he maiTied Nancy Biu'ger, who was born 
in Cohunbiana Co., Ohio, Jan. 4, 1816, being 
the youngest child born to Peter Burger and 
Elizabeth Wert, to whom were born nine chil- 
dren. In the winter of 1840, Mr. Smith 
located on the fann he now owns; had 400 
acres, which he has sold off until he now has 
150. The children born him are Alonzo, 
Darwin, Cyrus, Jacob L., Emma J., Senora C. 
and Mary A. Emma married Jolm Sponsler; 
Senora, !\Irs. John Freeman. Mr. Smith is a 
member of the Reformed Church. 

CAPT. A. H. SMITH, fanner; P. O. Mas- 
sillon; is a native of Lake Tp., Stark Co.; 
born May 19, 1837, and is the fourth of a 
family of eight children born to George E. 
Smith and Sarah Christ; he was born April 
18, 17yy, in Adams Co., Penn., son of George 
Sniith, who was a native of Cumberland 
County; his wife was a native of the Emerald 
Isle. To George Smith, the grandsire of our 
subject, were born Samuel, Benjamin, George, 
Rachel and two others, whose names cannot 
be recalled. Sarah was a daughter of Chris- 
tian Christ, a native of Delaware; he married 
Susan Slusser, and by her had three daugh- 
ters — Polly, Sarah and Susan. George Smith, 
Sr., came West, with his family, in 1812, and 
settled in Plain Tp., Stark Co., where he en- 
tered lands and remained on the same until 
his death. George E., his son, settled in 
Lake Township, ujion imimproved land, which 
he cleared up. To him were born Christian, 
Andrew H., Benjamin, Joel, Alonzo and Philo; 
Christian went West several years ago, and 
has not been heard from; A. H., in Perry 
Tovraship; Benjamin, Canton Township; Joel 
and Alonzo, in Summit County; Philo, a stu- 



^. 



PERRY TOWNSHIP. 



:>. 



dent Father Smith remained on the home 
farm, in Plain, until 185'J, when he moved to 
Canton Township, remaining until his death, 
1878. Andrew H. remained at home, on the 
farm, and raised to agricultural pursuit.s: in 
October, 1861, enlisted in Company L, ('>th 
Ohio Cavalr}-, as private, and was ))romoted 
throufjh all the successive i^ades, with the 
exception of 2d Lieutenant, until he was com- 
missioned Captain; served until Aui^ust, 1865, 
when he was mustered out. Benjamin, also, 
served in the late war. U}x»n his retiu'n home, 
he resumed fiirming; Dec. 27, 1866, he mar- 
ried Eliza Gans, born in Lake Township, 
1842, dauijhter of Benjamin and Susannah 
(\Villiaius) Gans. who had eleven children. 
After !Mr. Smith's marriage, he located in 
Perry Township, having 190 acres of choice 
farming laud, tipon which he has erected 
choice farm buildings: has live chikh'eu, 
whose names are Logan H., Clai-k G., ilary 
and Blanche (twins) and Gracie. 

JAMES M. SNYDER, farmer: P. O. Can- 
ton: bom in Bethlehem Tp., Stark Co., Sept, 
3, 1843, the eldest of a family of eight chil- 
dren, born to his parents, who were Hugh and 
Miury (Kemer}') Snyder. Hugh was born in 
1820, in Pennsylvania, sou of Daniel Snyder, 
who emigrated to Ohio, this county, and set- 
tled in Bethlehem Township, about the year 
183(1: here he settled and remained until his 
death: his sou, Hugh, located on a farm about 
one mile west of his father's: to him were 
born James, Jacob, Anna, George, Newton, 
Henry, ^A'illiam, Franklin and Jacxjb. Hugh 
Snyder died in 1878, a man highly respected 
in the community — an honest man and a 
Christian: was a member of the Reformed 
Church, and a good Democrat. Mary, his 
wife, was a daughter of Jacob Kemery, a 
native of Pennsylvania: coming West, he 
located in Pike Township: his chiklren were 
Adam, Jacob, John, Betsey, Mary and Anna. 
James M. remained at home and reared to 
agricultiu-al pm-suits: Dec. 12, 1870, married 
Margaret Harjier, bom, 1842, in Noble Co., 
Ind., daughter of Solomon Harper and Mary 
Shobe. After Mr. Snyder was married, he 
resideil five years in Bethlehem Township: he 
located on the farm, in Perry Township, in 
1875, having 115 acres. He has seven chil- 



dren — Mary L, Charles H., Willijun A., Homer 
E., Albert E., Jacob H. and Howard R.: ho 

and his wife are members of the Lutheran 
Church, and ptu'taking of his father's {xjlitic- 
al tenets, is also Democratic in politics. 

JACOB SMITH, deceased; V>om in Decem- 
ber, 17U,"), in Guilford Tp., Franklin Co., 
Penn. ; his piu^ents were Daniel and Eve (Heck) 
Smith, who were blessed with a family of 
eleven children; those who grew up were Eliz- 
abeth, Susan, JIargaret, Eve, Mary, Cathai'iu(», 
Jacob. John, Daniel and Adam. Jac<)b Smith 
was man'ied, in 1829, to Lydia Biukley. who 
was born in 1805, in Lancaster Co., Penn., 
being the second of a family of live children 
bom to Peter Biukley and Margaret Lee, who 
were natives of Peimsylvania: the Binkley 
family ai'e descended from Germany. Jacob 
Smith and family came West to Ohio in 1833, 
pm'chasiuga fanu in Perry Township in 1834, 
said fann containing 126 acres, in the south- 
east quarter of Sec. 33, which was settled by 
Mr. Allmau. Mi-. Smith died Sept. 4. 1865; 
was a member of the Gei-raan Reformed 
Church, and a good citizen. Eleven children 
were bom him; five are living, viz., Margaret, 
Daniel, Angeline, Jacob nnd Lewis, all 
living in this township except Jacob, who 
resides in Bethlehem Township; Daniel re- 
mains on the homestead, having purchased 
the farm. 

G. STUMP, farmer; P. O. Richville; 
he was bom Feb. 10, 1850, on the home- 
stead farm, being the second child bora to 
Levi and Margaret (Roush) Stump; he was 
raised to f;irming and fruit growing. In Oc- 
tober, 1873, he maiTied Hannah M. Gerber, 
who was born in this township in 1852, the 
only daughter of Christian and Catharine 
(Keehn) Gerber. Chi'istian Gerber was born 
in Canton Township Jan. 8, 1820, and lived 
in that township until 1852, when he moved 
to Perry Township, where he has since lived. 
His parents' names were JacoVj and Magdalene 
(Buchtel) Gerber. He was born in Berks Co., 
I'enn., in 1791, and came to Stark County, 
where he was married, in 1819, to Magdalene 
Buchtel, who was born in Franklin Co., Penn., 
in 1799; they settled in Canttm Township and 
had four chiklren Christian, David, Jacob 
and Hannah. He died in Canton Township 



June 20, 1827; his wife is yet living. Chris- 
tian Gerber was married to Catherine Keehn 
on Sept. 21, 1851, and she died July 25, 1S73; 
she was a daughter of Jonathan and Anne M. 
Keehn. In 1878, Mr. Stump located on the 
Gerber farm, consisting of 83 acres; he has 
three children living — Franklin E., Eva and 
Mabel; his wife is a member of the Reformed 
Chm'ch. Ml'. Stump is a promising young 
farmer, and a Patron of Husbandi-y. 

JOHN SMITH, farmer; P. O. Canton; 
born in Lancaster C!o., Perm., son of Jacob 
and Elizabeth (Rhodes) Smith. Jacob Smith 
was boni in Cumberland Co., Penn., son of 
Balsar Smith, a native of Germany, and emi- 
grated to Ciunberland County shortly after 
the war of the Revolution. He raised live 
sons and several daughters; the sons were 
Balsar, William, Samuel, Joseph and Jacob. 
Elizabeth was;: daugtherof Frederick Rhodes; 
the ehildi'en boni him were Elizabeth, John, 
George, Samuel, Frederick, and two daugh- 
ters, one of whom maiTied Mr. Duck, the other 
a Mr. Trit. Oiu* subject came West with his 
parents about the year 1817, they locating in 
Canton Township, where he pm'chased about 
2( )( ) acres of land, which he cleared up. The 
following are the children bom to him, all of 
whom came to matiu'ity: Polly, Anna, Sarah, 
John, Samiiel, Joseph and David. John Smith 
is a bachelor, and owns over 3(tO acres of land, 
and is a successful business man. 

J. B. SiVnTH, farmer; P. O. Massillon; was 
born on the farm he now lives upon Feb. 15. 
1835, second son of Benjamin and Maiy 
(Coder) Smith; was raised on the farm, and 
to farming pursuits. May 3. 1856, he was 
united in marriage to Julia Rempis, who was 
bom Fel). 1(3, 1834, in Coshocton Co., Ohio, 
daughter of Lewis and Louisa (Biu'ke) Rempis, 
who were natives of Germany, and were early 
settlers in this county. Subsequent to his 
marriage, he moved to Fayette Co., 111., where 
he was engaged in farming pm-suits for six 
years, returning to this township in 1865, and 
has since been residing on the homestead. 
Of five childi'en born to him, four are living 
— Lucy O., William J., Harvey B. and Frankie 
J. He and wif(> are members of the M. E. 
Church. The Smith family are loyal Repub- 
licans. 



AMBROSE A\TEIIPPLE, farmer; P. O. Can- 
ton. In the year 1812, there came a dis- 
charged soldier from the war' to Canton Town- 
ship, with a knapsack strapped upon his back, 
which, with 75 cents in his pocket, were his 
entire possessions. This soldier was John 
Whipj>le, the father of Ambrose. He was 
born March (>, 1790, near Hartford, Conn., 
son of Zebulon Whipple, a Revolutionary 
soldier. To him were bom Chaimcey, Zeb- 
ulon, William, Lydia, Sophia and John, the 
latter being drafted into the service at the 
outbreak of the war of IS 12. Receiving his 
discharge at Cleveland, he tiu'ned his steps 
toward this locality, and an'ived as above de- 
scribed; he was a brick-maker by trade, which 
vocation ho followed for several years; he as- 
sisted in making and biu-ning the brick for 
the old com't house. After several years' resi- 
dence in Canton (theD a mere village), he 
moved north of that point half a mile. About 
the year 1836, came to this township, purchas- 
ing land in the extreme northeast corner, 
which he lai'gely improved, and remained on 
the same until his death, which occuiTed June 
5, 185y, the year of the "big frost." His 
worthy companion yet sui'vives him, being now 
in her 83d year; her name was Catharine Car- 
roll, born Sept. 30, 1798, in Kilkenny, Ire- 
land, daughter of John CaiToll, whose property 
was confiscated at the time of the persecution, 
and he soiight a home for himself and family 
on America's free soil. Thirteen childi'en 
were born John Whipple, as follows: Maria, 
now deceased, was the wife of H. K. Dickey; 
Lydia, Mrs. Allen Clai-k, of Peny Co., Ohio; 
John, died young; next comes Ambrose; Nich- 
olas, went to CalifoiToia in 1849, where he 
died; Julia, married James Moflit, in Nimi- 
.shilleu Township; John P., in Jersey Co., 111.; 
William, was killed in the ai'my; was a mem- 
ber of the 11th Penn. C; Matthew C, in 
Richfield, Montgomery Co., 111. ; James C, in 
Colorado, engaged in mining; Eleanor, wife 
of J. C. Richards, of Kansas City; John W., 
in Jackson Towushij); Thomas J. being the 
youngest; he resides on the homestead. At 
the time of the death of Mr. Whii)ple, he 
owned about 4S() acres of laud, l)eing the 
fruits of his toil and fnigality; he was a man 
who stood hig-h in the commuuitv as an hon- 



J^l 



PERKY TOWNSHIP. 



71.- 



orable gentleman, and was f<steemed by all 
who know biui; he was an Old-Line ^Vliif;, and 
true to its principles. He was not a niemlter 
of any chiu'ch organization, but was a zealous 
Mason, iind j>asse<l tlirough the various de- 
grees, and had the honors of Knighthood con- 
ferred ii])on him. Ambrose was V)om in Can- 
ton Township July 2, 1S2(); was raised on the 
homestead, and. March 31. 1852, mirrlod Eliz- 
abeth Freeman, born in 1S;]1. in this town- 
shi|i. daughter of John Freeman and Mary 
Sp. )tt. Ml-. Whipple has three children — 
Maria. Mary E. and Nicholas; has 120 acres 
III the northeast corner of the township, where 
lie n.sid.'S. 

TM( )M.\!S J. WHIPPLE, farmer: P. O. Can- 
ton; was the youngest child born to his ])ar- 
ents, wlio were John and Catharine (Carroll) 
Whipple. Our subject was born on the farm 
he now owns Nov. 2H, 1S40, which was the 
land his father located upon when he came to 
this township. Thomas J. was reared to agri- 
cultiu'al pursuits, and remained on the home- 
stead up Uj the time of his union with Flora 
A. Rogers, which occurred He]>t 20, 1869; 
she was bom in 1S45, in this township, daugh- 
ter of David Rogers and ^largaret Knecht, 
who were natives of Germany. Since the 
marriage of Mi\ "Whipple, he has remained on 
the homestead, having 160 acres of land, 
which descended to him from his father. He 
has five children- -Katie, Maggie. Harvey J., 
Lee ;md Belle; is a member of the Rep\iblican 
pailv, but not a partisan, voting for men 
rather than as a party slave. 

J. G. WERTZBAFGHER, fiu-mer; P. O. 
Massillon: was born in 1888, on Sec. 10, Perrj' 
Township: his parents were John and Mary 
(Cormanyl Wertzl)ailgher. John, the father 
of oiu- subject, was born in Pennsylvania in 
17'J8, sfm of Pbilij), who died in November, 
1816. Mary Cormany was born in Mai-yland 
March V.K ISKt, daughter of Joseph Cormany. 
The fathiT of the aljove came West with his 
brother Phili]) in 1828, ])nrchci.sing 100 acres 
of nnimjiroved land on Sec K', upon which 
they settled, each having NO acres, John re- 
maining on his until his death, which occurred 
March 31, 1S47. his wife surviving him until 
April 25. 1873: Ixjth were members of the M. 
E. Church. Mr. Wertzbaugher being an active 



worker in the Bame. In politics, he was first 
a Whig, but later in life worked with the ,\l)- 
olition element, an<l was awann friend to the 
bondmen. Of seven chikbvu l)orn them, 
were Joseph, now in California: Frances, wife 
of Benjamin Allen, of Massillon: Emeline, 
now Mrs. Isaiah Ickes: Mary A., unmarried; 
John G. : Eliza, now Mrs. Richard Crawfonl; 
and James B.. all of Perry Tnwuship. John 
G. was raised cm the farm he now resides ui)on, 
and to farming pursuits. On Aug. 13, 1862, 
he enlisted in Co. A, 13th O. V. I. ; was 
wounded at the battle of Stone River, and dis- 
charged in Ajiril, 1863, on account of injiu'ies 
received in that engagement. Returning 
home, and not being able to ])erfonn manual 
labor, he went to Massillon, where he engaged 
in the photograph business for three years, at 
the end of which time he regained his lu^aith 
and returned to th(^ farm, wIkmv he has since 
remained. He has always been a true Rejiub- 
lican. In the sja-ing of 1881, he was elected 
Township Trustee: he has served the township 
as Assessor, and for fifteen velars ])ast been a 
member f the School Board. On May 16, 
1S61, he maiTied Isabella Cole, who was bi.rn 
June 1, 1839, in Lincolnshire. England, daugli- 
ter of Benjamin and Elizab(<th A. (Oldryde) 
Cole. The family emigrated to Ohio in 1844, 
locating in this township. Benjamin Cole 
was born Oct. 13, 1798; his wife, Oct. 9, 1801; 
their deaths occuiTod Nov. 4, 1S70. and Jan. 
26, 1878. respectively; he was a mi^mber of 
the Episcojial Church, she of the Methodist 
Ejiiscopal; to them were born a family of 
fourteen children, twelve of whom came to 
maturity. To Mr. and Mrs. Wertzbaugher 
have been born two daughtei-s, Clara ^lay 
and Bertha Evaliue. 

OLIVER YOST, farmer; P. O. Ma.ssillon; 
was born March 23, 1837, in Perry Co., Ohio, 
the second child and eldest son born to Isiiac 
Yost and Elizabeth Phearson; Isaac was a son 
of John Yost, who was a native of Lancaster 
Co., Penn., and emigrated to Perry County at 
an early day. John Yost's wife's maiden name 
was McCormick. and she tore him four sons 
and two daughters: the sons were Isaac, .\b 
ram, John and William: Polly and Patty were 
the daughters, all born in Perry County. Eliz- 
abeth was a daughter of Robert Phearson, 



J^ 



l^ 



716 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



who was born in County Cork, on the Emerald 
Isle. He was one of the early pioneers in 
Perry County, being one of the three who came 
to that locality when it was all woods. He 
raised the following offspring: Robert, John, 
William, George, Mary J., Margaret, Elizabeth 
and Ada, who was born blind. Mr. Phearson 
was t'ne founder of Unity Chiu-ch, in Clayton 
Tp., Perry Co. He said the name was sym- 
bolical of the unity of feeling that ought to 
pervade and influence the minds of the early 
settlers. Isaac Yost, the father of the above, 
spent his days in Perry Township; after he 
became a man, he purchased land adjoining 
the homestead, upon which he lived until May 
9, 18JS1, when he was removed by death. 
Eight children were born him; five are living; 
Amour is a hardware merchant; Owen, an 
attorney at law, both residing in Somerset; 
Albert resides near by, and is engaged in 
farming; Clara is the wife of Albert Hull, 
all of Perry County. Feb. 3, 1S63, Oliver 



Yost married Clara Chapman, born June 26, 
1841, in Bethlehem Township, daughter of 
Thomas Chapman, who married Rebecca War- 
ner June 30, 183H; the former came from 
Virginia, the latter fi'om Pennsylvania: they 
had six children — Warren, William M., Clara, 
Anna M., Elizabeth and Eva A. They came 
to Stark County about 1N38. In 18ni, Mr. 
Yost came to Perry Tp., Stark Co., locating 
on Sec. 30, on the Oswalt farm; in 1875, he 
purchased 143 acres on the northwest (jviarter 
of Sec. 22, where he has since lived. He has 
four children — Mary R., Harriet E., Clara and 
Thomas O. ; the parents were members of the 
Reformed Church. Mrs. Yost's brothers and 
sisters were Maria, now Mrs. Levi Smith, of 
Bethlehem Township; Elizabeth is the wife 
of Prof. O. S. Hiu'sk, of Heidelberg College; 
Eva A. married Rev. James Steele, of Mohi- 
gan: Warner remains on the homestead. Her 
parents were also members of the Reformed 
Church. 




thL. 



CITY OF ALLIANCE. 



CITY OF ALLIANCE. 



JAMES AMERMAN, attorn ey-at-law; 
Alliance ; was born in Gfnesee, Mich., 
.\iig. 20, 1848. His parents were John and 
Mary A (Duns) Laidler; the former was 
born in ISVi in the Highlands of Scotland, 
and th(! hitter in 1814. They were marrie<I 
in Wollan Parish, Northumberland, and em- 
igrated to the United States in 1842; after 
a short '■esidence in New York they removed 
to Michigan. They had six children; and 
upon the death of his mothe. in 18.')0, our 
subject was adopted by Daniel and Mary 
Amerman, of Thornville, Lapeer Co , Mich 
and enjoyed the privileges of a good English 
education in his boyhood. He came to Alii 
aiice with his adopted father in 1858, and in 
April, 18(i2 enlisted in Co. B., 82d O. V. I. 
and followed the fortunes of his -egiment, 
partici])ating in the many serious battles of 
the thre(^ v'-srs service. In the second Bull 
Run tight, he was slightly wounded in the 
side, and at Gettysburg he was taken prisoner 
and confined on Belle Island three months, 
when he was paroled and returned to his reg- 
iment when exchanged. He was mustered 
out of service in June 186.5. Part of the time 
of his service, he was on detailed duty in the 
office of the Adjutant-General, Army of the 
Potomac. Returning to Alliance, he studied 
law with A. L. Jones, Esq., and was admitted 
to practice in April, 1807; was a short time 
associated with his ])receptor, but in 1869 the 
partnership was dissolved and he has remained 
alone ever since. He has been associated in 
the trial of several noted cases, with some of 
the most eminent legal talent in the state ; 
among these may be mentioned the Boyle 
murder trial in 18?7, in which he assisted 
the state in prosecution, the verdict being 
eighteen years in the penitentiary. Another 
was the case of Teeters vs. Brainard, involv- 
ing the ownership of Alliance College. Mr. 
Amerman was attorney for plaintifl"; the case 
was tried in the Common Pleas and District 
Courts, with verdict for plaintiil' in both trials. 
In these cases were retained • Ex-Chief .lus- 
tices Ranney and Day, Judges Ambler, Un- 
derhill and Raflf. Also the celebrated libel 



case of Fowler vs. Hester, in which (he diinui- 
ges were laid at *25,000, associated with 
Judge Ambler. He was attorney for defend- 
ant, against McSweeny and others for the 
prosecvition, with verdict for defendant. An- 
other was the case of Ohio vs. Ohr, charged 
with murder in the first degree; and the case 
of the State vs. Sarnet with a like charge. 
In both cases he appeared for defendant. 
He has become distinguished for the zeal and 
enerfry with which he j)ushes his cases, and 
has met with signal success in his profession. 
For two years he was attorney for the Lake 
Erie and Alliance R. R. Co., and has also 
served as City Solicitor. In his 32d year, he 
was candidate for Mayor of Alliance but was 
defeated by 27 votes, the only reason 
urged against him, being that he was too 
young. His law library is one of the finest 
in the county. Nov. 7, 1870, he married 
Rachel, daugiiter of Elisha Teeters. Three chil- 
dren have been borji to them, two livnig, viz' 
—Maud M. and Allen E. On May 7, 1879, 
they lost by death a daughter, Rosa Vivian, 
of 2J years of age, and out of compliment to 
her and her parents, was nami>d the '' Vivian 
Lodge," of the new secret order of Royal Ar- 
canum, of which some of the leading citizens 
of Alliance are members. In August, 1874, 
his father died at Thornville, Mich., aged 
about 66 vears. 

WILLIAM II. ALLERTON, manufac- 
turer of brick; P. O Alliance; was born in 
Mahoning Co., O., Feb. iO. i841. He is the 
son of John and Martha (Hoffman; Allerton, 
who came to Ohio (rom I'cinisylvania, and 
engaged in farming in Mahoning Co. When 
William H., was about 18 years of age, he 
began to work at brick-making in Mahoning 
Co. In 1861 he enlisted in the late war, (^o. 
B., 65th O. V. 1 and served three years; on 
Dec. 31, 1862, he was taken prisoner by the 
rebels, at Murfreesboro, and sent to Libby 
Prison, where he remained until the 3d of the 
following February, when hi' was exchanged 
and brought to Aniia])olis, M<1. While in 
prison he was taken very sick, and when 
first paroled, Jan. 23, he was unable to leave; 



^f 



feeling that his life would soon be ended if 
compelled to remain there much longer, he 
resolved to leave the first opportunity that 
offered ; on the 2nd of February, when a 
few other prisoners were being exchanged, 
h' made every effort and with some assistance 
reached the wagon in which they were carried 
to the boat, and thereby got to Annapolis, Md., 
where he remained in hospital for a short 
time, and on account of disability was trans- 
ferred to the Veteran Reserve Corps, at Co- 
luml)us, O., and thence to Indianapolis, Ind., 
for there he received his discharge Nov. 2, 
1864, and returned home. Duritig his ser- 
vice he participated in many of the severe 
battles of the war. He came to Mt. Union in 
1867, and engaged in his business there, and 
has continued to manufacture brick ever since, 
making about 400,001) brick annually, which 
are largely used in Alliance, Mt. Union and 
surrounding country. In October, 1868, he 
married Amelia Scranton; they have three 
children, viz. — Nellie O., Laura B. and I^ouie. 
In 1873 he built his very commodious two- 
story brick residence on Mt. Union street 
near the fo ithern limits of Alliance. 

J. K. ALLEN, postmaster; Alliance; was 
born in St. Clairsville, Belmont Co., Ohio; he 
came to Alliance in 1861, and has been a resi- 
dent of this place ever since. Here he got 
a liberal education in the public schools, and 
was engaged in the jewelry business about 
six years. He accepted a position as clerk 
in the post office under Henry Shreve for four 
years; and from 1875 he was employed in the 
train dispatcher's office of the P., Ft. W & C. 
R. R, at this station, until he received the 
nomination for Postmaster of Alliance, which 
was contirmed in January, 1881. 

ELIAS BURNETT, passenger conductor 
on P. Ft. & C. R R.; Alliance; was born in 
Lancaster, Penn., May 27, 1837, the third of 
a family of seven children born to Elias and 
Mary ;^Thomas Burnett, both natives of 
Pennsylvania. The family removed to the 
western part of Mahoning Co., Ohio, in 1839, 
and for several years his father pursued his 
trade, that of a tailor, when the remorseless 
hand of death removed the devoted husband 
and father. The widow and a large family 
of helpless children were left in poor financial 
circumstances, consequently each was obliged 
to do for him or herself early in life. When 



about 16 years of age, the subject of these 
lines began to work at the carpenter's trade, 
and followed that for several years; During 
the construction of the Pittsburg, Ft. Wayne 
& Chicago R. R., he began as a teamster and 
continued until the road was in running or- 
der, when he was engaged as brakeman and 
has steadily grown in favor as his habits of 
industry well attest. He had charge of a 
freight train for over ten years, and in 1871 
he was appointed to the position of passenger 
train conductor, where has faithfully performed 
his dutv and occupies that position to this 
day. For upwards of twenty years of rail- 
road life his career has been successful and 
continuous on the same road; he began driv- 
ing team at its construction, and has been so 
far free from the many mishaps which are so 
frequently occurring on railroads. His "run" 
lies between Crestline, Ohio, and Pittsburg, 
Penn., although his residence has been at 
Alliance since 1856. He married Clara J., 
daughter of James A. Penney, of Louisville, 
Ohio, late of Canton, Deo. lo, 1871. He has 
now erected a fine two-story brick residence 
which will be one of the best arrange! homes 
in the town. 

LUTHER W. BALLARD, surgeon-dent- 
ist, Alliance; was born in Pittsburg, Penn., 
Apiil 26, 1854; the son of A. W. and Margaret 
(Irwin) Ballard, his father being a native of 
New Hampshire, and his mother of Pennsyl- 
vania, of Scotch parentage. The family re- 
moved from Pittsburgh to Canton, Ohio, in 
1858. When Mr. Ballard had completed an 
academic course of study he entered the 
dental office of Dr. Douds, of Canton, and 
remained under his instruction until 1872, 
when he began his course in the Philadelphia 
Dental College, of Philadelphia, Penn., and 
graduated from that institution in 1873. He 
returned to Canton, and began the prac- 
tice of his profession for a short time with 
his brother. In April 1879, he removed to 
Alliance, where he opened the finest dental 
i-ooms in this place. He married Grace 
Greenwood, May 30, 1878. She is daughter 
of G. G. B. Greenwood, of Minerva. They 
have one child — Whitcomb G. Mr. Ballard is 
a member of the Independent Order of Odd 
Fellows. 

SAMUEL BROOKE, civil engineer and 
deputy revenue collector ; Alliance; was 



'k 



CITY OF ALLIANCE. 



born in Brookeville, Montgomery Co., Md., 
June 19, ISOS. The grandfather of our sub- 
ject — Rodoer Brooke — was an early settler of 
Brookeville, Md., in hoixir of whom the place 
derived its name. Col. Richard Brooke, who 
was one of Wasliingtoii's aide-de-camp during 
the Revolution, was a brother of Mr. Rodger 
Brooke. Chief .1 ustice Rodger Brooke Taney, 
who was appointed by Gen. Jackson, was 
also a relative. Every branch of the family 
were radically anti-slavery, and emanci})ated 
all their slaves when that course was a most 
unpoj)ular one. And although Chief .Justice 
Taney emancipated his slaves, some of his 
rulings were scarcely in accord with that 
principle, which brought on him many ana- 
themas from his anti-slavery friends. Yet he 
was acting in accordance with the law and 
constitution, which he was sworn to adminis- 
ter and maintain, and could not have done 
otherwise. Our subject bears his father's 
name, and was the sixth of nine children born 
to Samuel and Sarah (Garrigues) Brooke, 
three of whom are living. His mother was a 
descendant of the Huguenots. When Mr. 
Brooke had taken the regidar course of study 
in the common schools he attended the Stras- 
burg Academy, in Pennsylvania. In 1831 he 
entered upon the profession of civil engineer, 
with the Baltimore & Ohio R. R. Co., and 
subsetpiently surveyed and located a portion 
of the .lames Hiver and Kanawha Canal, the 
part which was destroyed by Sheridan during 
the late war. In IH'.iS he was employed by 
the Illinois State government to survey the 
Kaskaskia River, with a view to removing flat- 
boat obstructions, and also on railroads 
throughout the State. He was in charge of 
the levee constructions at Cairo, Ills., and 
while there studied the character of the 
Mississippi River, and was the first to suggest 
the advantage of constructing jetties for the 
protection of St. Louis, which was finally 
accomplished by Gen. Prentice. On account 
of failing health Mr. Brooke came to Ohio, in 
184"^, antl spent about a year in recruiting his 
health. He then entered into the anti-slavery 
cause with heart and soul; first, as general 
agent for the Anti-Slavery Society of Ohio, 
and subsequently as general agent of the 
American Anti-Slavery Society of the West. 
In this humane cause his labors were unceas- 
ing, and traveling extensive. Aside from his 



philanthropic views, he was also deeply inter- 
ested in the general development of the re- 
sources of the country. Through his business 
acquaintance of the West he was early familiar 
with the wonderful resources of the prairie 
beyond, if railroads were onl}- pushed through 
to intersect the Mississippi, and to that end 
drafted resolutions, which were presented in 
Congress, setting forth the necessities and 
advantages to be derived by the extension of 
the Pennsylvania R. R. The citizens of 
Salem, O., at a meeting called by Mr. Brooke 
in reference to railroad matters, raised funds 
to pay his way to Pittsburg, Pa., and to there 
present this scheme to the interested cai)ital- 
ists and stockholders of the Pennsylvania 
road. He proceeded to Pittsburg on foot and 
explored the course of the railroad, which he 
made full re])ort of at the time, which course 
was finally adopted with one unimportant ex- 
ception. His thorough knowledge of the 
country gained for him the reputation of be- 
ing the best route-explorer of the west at 
that time. In 1855 he married Hannah N., 
daughter of Mahlon Willman, a pioneer of 
Marlborough Tp. They have two adopted chil- 
dren. Mr. Brooke was appointed Assistant 
Assessor by Salmon P. Chase, in 18G3, and 
also Deputy Revenue Collector of the 18th 
Dist., in which capacity he has served ever 
since his appointment. Mrs. Brooke had 
one sister and a brother, the latter was Dr. A. 
J. Willman, of Knoxville, Ky., who at the 
out-break of the late war, enlisted in the 
Union service, with rank of Major, in the 
18th Ky. V. I. While in command of the 
regiment at Chickamauga he was wounded, 
and after recovering sufficiently, he returned 
to his home in Kentucky to recuperate. 
While resting there he was dragged from 
the bosom of his familj' by a band of armed 
and disguised guerrillas on the pretext that he 
was a " prisoner of war ;" they proceeded 
but a short distance when the Major was 
shot, denuded of everything of value, and 
the body concealed in the brush. Mr. Brooke 
is one who has grown old in the battle for 
human rights and the cause of liberty, and 
like his venerable ancestors, accounted but 
as trifling any sacrifice, however great, that 
would attain the much to be desired freedom 
of all mankind. His father, in partnership 
with Frank Key (the hitter's name being 



^1 



720 



BIO(4RAPHICAL SKETCHES : 



rpiidered immortal by the proiluction of the 
" Star Spangled Banner "), were the proprie- 
tors of the first nail-mill in the United 
States, which cut and headed the nail at the 
same motion. 

REV. SAMUEL W. BROWN, minister 
of the Disciples' Church ; Alliance; was born 
in Lickinn- Co., O., Aujr. 19, 1846 ; he is the 
son of Russell P. and Clarissa (Emerson) 
Brown, who were natives of Connecticut, and 
with their seven oldest children moved to 
Ohio a short time prior to the date of our sub- 
ject's birth. They settled on a farm in Lick- 
ing Co., and when he was about three years 
old his parents were called away by death. 
The older ones of the family were then able 
to do for themselves, but the younger ones 
were taken and reared by strangers. In his 
boyhood he had few advantages for procuring 
an education, and in this direction he felt 
keenly the want of parental care. When he 
reached his majority he apprenticed himself 
to the trade of a blacksmith, and as he be- 
came more familiar with the outer world the 
more he found himself deficient in knowl- 
edge. The thought of having been deprived 
of education in youth weighed upon his mind 
until he resolved to exert himself in every 
laudable way until the deficiency was fully 
compensated for. He went to the district 
school, and was classed with pupils of which 
he was very much the senior. Eagerly and 
earnestly his studies were pursued under try- 
ing circumstances, as he was without means 
other than that which he could procure by his 
own labor during vacations. He took a course 
of study at the Reynoldsburg High School. 
Having united with the Disciples' Church, 
June 5, 1867, he chose the ministry as a pro- 
fession and a duty, and accordingly entered 
the Bethany College, Bethany, Pa., in the 
spring of 1873, where he took a classical and 
theological course at the same time, and grad- 
uated from that institution in June, 1877. 
During his collegiate course he preached oc- 
casionally at Fairview and Holiday's Cove, 
W. Va. In the same month in which he grad- 
uated he was ordained, and accej)ted a call to 
the church at Bedford, O., where he remained 
about eighteen months, when he accepted a 
call for a short time to Canton. In May, 1880, 
he came to the Alliance congregation, which, 
under his zealous care, is awaking to a reali- 



zation of its duty and shaking off its manacles 
of lethargy. On June 22, 1873, he married 
Eveline M., daughter of Austin Fuller, of 
Millfield, Athens Co., O. They have one 
child — Wiley S. Mr. Brown is one of those 
who have climbed life's rugged paths un- 
daunted by the many uninviting conditions 
with which he was surrounded ; and, for a 
young man, has already reached an eminence 
worthy of his determination and zeal ; much 
cheer and encouragement to persevere in his 
prescribed course has been afforded him by 
his ever devoted wife. 

AMOS WALLACE COATES, inventor 
and manufacturer; Alliance; whose portrait 
appears in this history as one of Stark Co.'s 
successful manufacturers; was born near Marl- 
borough in this county, April 34, 1834. His 
paternal grandfather was a jnoneer to Coates- 
ville, Chester Co., Pa., and laid out that 
town. His parents were Amos and Jane B. 
(Norris) Coates, both natives of Pennsylva- 
nia. They removed to Ohio in an old-fash- 
ioned moving wagon in 1823, and settled in 
Marlborough Tp., Stark Co. His father was a 
man of scholarly attainments; had charge of 
an academy in Chester Co., Penn., and subse- 
quently a merchant of Phila<lelphia. After 
coming to Ohio he engaged in farming, and 
part of the time in teaching. He had a fam- 
ily of twelve children, of whom our subject 
is the seventh son. He was educated in 
Marlborough Academy, completing his course 
at the age of seventeen. He then spent two 
years learning stove-plat(; and machine 
casting, and subsequently formed a partner- 
ship with his brother-in-law, .f. D.Arnold, un- 
der the firm name of Arnold & Coates, and 
began the manufacture of plows and castings 
in Paris, this county. This enterprise prov- 
ing a pecuniary success, they added to their 
works the manufacture of hay-rakes on the 
old " Sander's "patent in 1855, and in the lat- 
ter part of the same year introduced what was 
said to be the first sulky spring-tooth horse- 
rake ever used in Stark Co. At the end of 
the first season they disposed of their interest 
in the rake business, and for several years de- 
voted themselves to the manufacture of plows 
and other castings. During this time Mr. 
Coates occupied the little leisure afforded him 
in reading law, under the instruction of Alex- 
ander Bierce, Esq., of Canton. In 1860 he 



r 



CITY OF ALLIANCE. 



721 



purohasoiJ the factory and foundry, but in the 
fall of 18G1, sold the same and enlisted in the 
Froniont Body CJuaid, going to St. Louis 
with part of a company. In consequence of 
Gen. Fremont's removal and the disbandment 
of the Guard; he was discharged, returned 
home and resumed his law studies under his 
former preceptor, and was admitted to the bar 
in the Supreme Court at Columbus, in the 
Sffsion of December, 1863. He did not en- 
ter upon the practice of law, but early in 
LSG3 lie re-purchased the Paris foundry and 
plow works, and conducted them about one 
year. In September, 1804, he removed to Al- 
liance, and began the erection of the build- 
ings now occupied by his works, and contin- 
ued the manufacture of plows. In the spring 
of 18il.5, lie abandoned this business and em- 
barkctl in the manufacture of what was known 
as the White Hay Rake. In the fall of 1865 
he invented his Lock Lever Rake, which was 
patented in ISOT, and has since continued to 
manufacture the same, frequently imjjroving 
it to keep pace with the ever advancing prog- 
ress of farm implements. Several additions 
have been put to his buildings since he began 
tile manufacture of rakes, to secure facilities 
for sup])lving the increasing demand. In the 
fail of L'stiH was formed the partnership known 
as Coatcs, Gray & Co., which was dissolved in 
1874, by Mr. Coates purchasing the entire in- 
terests of his partners. He has taken out 
eight patents, viz.: three on his lock-lever 
hay-rakc; on ■ on the spring-seat for the same, 
two on guarded scissors, one on a child's 
pocket-knife, and one on a water-elevator for 
wells and cisterns. In the fall of 1875 he 
was a candidate on the Republican ticket, for 
the Ohio Senate for the 21st Senatorial Dis- 
trict, compiising the counties of Stark and 
Carroll, and came within forty-eight votes of 
carrying his district, the Democracy carrying 
the district in the previous and subsequent 
elections by over a thousand majoritj'. In 
1877 he erected the Coates' Block at a cost of 
120,000. It is one of the finest business 
structures in Alliance, the upper story of 
which is elegantly fitted up expressly for the 
meetings of the I. (). O. F. He was for a time 
proprietor of the Independent Af/e, a journal 
devoted to literature, news and religion. He 
has been a member of the City Council, and is 
an active member of the following secret socie- 



ties; I. O. O. F., Freemasons, Knights Tem- 
plar, Knights of Phythias, Knights of Honor, 
Roval Arcanum, and American Legion ol Hon- 
or. March 23, 185U, he married Ada F., daugh- 
ter of A. B. and Catharine Freer, of Paris, this 
county. They have had nine children, six 
of whom are living — Hallam F., now attend- 
ing Mt. Union College, with promise of fine 
success, and whom his father intends aiding 
in the j)ursuit of any profession he may 
choose ; Ida M., Nellie L., liartwell W., 
Hayes K., and Fffie F. N.; Horatio H., (next 
younger th.in Hallam) was one of the three 
youths who lost their lives by breaking through 
the ice while skating on the Alliance Reser- 
voir, on New Year's day, 1880. Their oldest 
child, Horace L., died when four years of age, 
at Paris, and Harlan since their removal to 
Alliance. 

MAJOR WM. W. CANTINE, hardware 
merchant; Alliance; was born in Onondaga 
Co., N. Y., August 13, 1833, the only son of 
Henry and Carolina .M. (Titus) {'antine. The 
family emigrated from New York to Michigan, 
and located at BattU^ Creek, in 1837. They 
were farmers, and consequently the boyhood, 
and early manhood of our subject was spent in 
attending school, and engaged on his father's 
farm. In 1849 he engaged as clerk in the gen- 
eral merchandise business in Battle Creek, and 
remained there until 1851; thence to Grand 
Rapids, Mich., where he remained until the 
breaking out of the late civil war, when he 
was commissioned Quarter-Master of the third 
Michigan Cavair}-, in August, 1861, and 
served until the close of the war. Being 
stationed in the meantime at St. Louis, Little 
Rock, New Orleans and Mobile. In .July, 
1862, he was promoted to Chief Commissary 
of Subsistence of the 7th Army Corps, and of 
the Division of the Mississippi, with the rank 
of captain, and had charge of the principal 
supply depot at .Mobile. In October, 1865, he 
received his discharge with th • rank of Brevet- 
Major. His war record was highly creditable 
to himself, and evidences efficiency in the 
performance of his duty. He remained in 
Alabama si.x years subsequent to the close of 
the war, during which time he turned his 
attention to the production of cotton on a 
plantation of 1100 acres, which he purchased 
about 150 miles from Mobile, where he resided 
about two vears, and then removed into 



Mobile, where he remained four years. His 
experience on the plantation did not result in 
pecuniary success, in consequence of the high 
rates of labor and provisions followed by a 
series of unfavorabh? seasons and poor cotton 
crops. Having sustained considerable loss of 
capital he removed iiom the South and came 
to Alliance in 1871, where he purchased an 
interest in the gas works, and remained in 
that business until October, 1880, when, in 
companv with Ciias. Y. Kay, and S. M. High- 
land, the h.irdware firm of W. W. Cantiue & 
Co. was established. May 13, 1858, he mar- 
ried Emily W. Dickenson, of Grand Rapids, 
Mich., and to them was born one child, Ger- 
trude; now Mrs. Charles Y. Kay. 

P. J. CALLAHAN, M. D., eclectic practi- 
tioner, Alliance; was born in Mahoning Co., 
Ohio, in October, 1835, the fourth child of a 
family of nine children, born to Thomas and 
Mary Callahan. His boyhood and early man- 
hood was spent in the multifarious duties of the 
farm and attending school. When about 19 
years of ago he entered the office of Dr. 
James M. Hole, of Greenford, as a student of 
medicine. His preceptor was of the eclectic 
school and in the winter of 1857 and 1858 
he attended lectures at the Philadelphia Medi- 
cal University, after which he entered upon 
the practice of his profession in his native 
county, where, with several chang-es of loca- 
tion, he practiced for nianj' years. He at- 
tended a second course of lectures, at the 
Eclectical Medical College of Pennsylvania, 
and graduated from this institution in 18G!). 
He located at Canfiehl, where lie practiced a 
short time; disposing of his interest in the 
drug business there to his partner. Dr. Ethan 
Hole, he removed to Berlin Center, Mahoning 
Co., where he practiced his profession ten 
years; thence to Alliance, in 187U, where he 
has established a good practice. New-year's 
day, 1862, he married Ada B. Margerum, 
who came to Ohio from Springfield, ilass., 
but was forinorly of Connecticut. They 
have two children, viz. — Sarah A., and Ada 
M. In the late war. Dr. Callahan went to the 
southern hospitals, and remained at his own 
expense, and loss of time, assisting as a nurse, 
without either appointment or remuneration 
for his pains,other than the experience which 
he gained from being brought in contact with 
sickness and suffering. 



STEPHEN CASE, general manager; Al- 
liance; in the firm of Case, Shaffer & Ellison, 
of the Alliance Bag-ging Manufactory; was 
born in Sussex Co., New Jersey, July 14, 1814, 
son of Stephen and Sarah (Sausman) Case, 
who were also borii in New Jersey. The 
youthful days of Mr. Case were spent on his 
father's farm, and in early manhood he learn- 
ed the carriage making business. Having fin- 
ished his tra<.le, he set out for the AVest, and 
proceeded to Michigan in 1838; he remained 
there but a short time when he retraced his 
steps as far as Newton, Trumbull Co., Ohio, and 
there began to work at his trade and continu- 
ed it about ten years. He then purchased a 
farm and turned his attention to stock-rais- 
ing, and dealing for many years, in which he 
was very successful. For six years of his 
residence in Mahoning he was a member of 
the Board of County Commissioners. In 
1809 he came to Alliance, and in company 
with two others organized the bagging works; 
his original partners however have withdrawn, 
but Mr. Case and his interests have remained 
unchanged. The estalilishment has been, and 
is, well managed by the enterprising proprie- 
tors. They have been heavy losers by fire, 
being twice swept out totally, and once sus- 
tained serious damage, but in every case 
promptly set about rebuilding and repairing. 
1'he annual cajiacity of their works is about 
400,000 yards of manufacture 1 matei al. It 
is made from flax, and is used exclusively for 
covering cotton bales, and put up in rolls of 
fift}' yards each. Mr. Case married Amelia 
Durell, Jan. 16, 1840. They reared six clid- 
dren, viz. — Thc^rn, his only son, enlisted in 
the 21st O. V. I. in 1801, from Mahoning Co., 
and served until May 28, 1864; when at 
Resaca he was mortally wounded, was brought 
to Chattanooga, where he died July 23; Anna 
B., now wife of R. E. Collar; Charlotte L., 
deceased, was wife of S. R. Patterson; Cor- 
nelia H., is widow of W. C. Meeker; Lovina 
P. and Blanche A. The two last named and 
their widowed sister reside with Mr. Case. 
Mrs. Case passed away July 4, 1873.' 

GEORGE B. N. COATES, general superin- 
tendent. Alliance; of the " Coates" Hay Rake 
establishment. He is the sixth child and 
fifth son born to Amos and Jane B. (Norris) 
Coates. His boyhood was spent on his fath- 
er's farm, at the same time he obtained a good 



ihL^ 



CITY OF ALLIANCE. 



723 



common school education. He beiran to learn 
the joiner and carpenter's trade when about 
18 years of age, in Marlboroujrh, serving 
about three years, and then conducted the 
business on his own account, contracting and 
building many of the fine farm residences in 
this county, and also the Disciples' Church, 
building at New Baltimore. At the out- 
break of the late war, he enlisted in the 7(ith 
O. V. I., and while the regiment was at Camp 
M;insfield, Ohio, was takini sick, and there 
received his discharge before they had gone 
to the front. He engaged in the sash and 
window blind establishment of Wilson — sub- 
se(|uentiv Do\'lc & Co., where he remained 
about four j'ears; and severed his connection 
with the last named firm in 1808, to take the 
position of general manager of the horse hay- 
rake establishment of his brother (A. W. 
Coates), wliere he has remained ever since. 
On New Year's day, 1851, he married Mary 
Uhuk, daughter of David Black, of Randolph, 
Portage Co., Ohio, formerly of Pennsylvania. 
-Mr. and Mrs. Coates are parents of four chil- 
dren, viz. — Jane E., deceased; Harriet M.; 
Eva M., and Jessie K. Mr. Coates has been 
electC'l and is serving the ihird term in the 
Alliance City Council. He is a member of 
the I. O. O. F. He began business in limited 
financial circumstances, but by unceasing in- 
dustry he has accumulated a nice property in 
Alliance, owning five good residences besides 
his own pleasantly lo(;ated home. 

JAMES C. CRAVEN, contractor and 
builder; Alliance; was born in Ijawrence Co., 
Pa., in Dec, 1840; he was the fourth child of 
a family of seven children born to Richard 
and Hannah (GotF) Craven. His father was 
a heavy contractor and builder, which busi- 
ness our sul)ject also early in life adopted. 
In 1860 he went from Pennsylvania to Ten- 
nessee, and was contracting and building in 
Nashville at the outbreak of the late war. On 
account of the war and demoralized state of 
business in the South, he came to Ohio, and 
while stopping at Salem, Columbiana Co., he 
enlisted in Co. B. Oolh O. V. 1., in October, 
1861. Shortly afterward his sight became 
seriously affected, which unfitted him for the 
service; he was promjjtly discharged, but was 
confined to hospital in Philadelphia for some 
time in conse(pience. Having recovered his 
usual health he returned to Ohio, and assisted 



his father who had taken the contract for 
building the Mt. Union College in 1863. The 
following j-car the subject of these notes took 
the contract, on his own account, for building 
the round house for the P., Ft. W. & Chicago 
R. R. Co., at Alliance. July 3, ISOM, he mar- 
ried Emma Werner, daughter of George 
Werner, of this county. He has since re- 
sided in Alliance, except one year in Penn- 
sylvania, and has made contracting and build- 
ing his life work; some of the best business 
rooms of Alliance were erected under his di- 
rection. In 1876, he erected his own hand- 
some two-story brick residence on FJnden 
Ave. Mr. and Mrs. Craven have foin- chil- 
dren living, viz. — Nellie M., George R., Min- 
nie S. and .lames F. Mr. Craven is an active 
member of the I. O. O. F. 

JAMES W. COULTER, attorn(>y at law; 
Alliance : was born in Butler Co.. Pa., Aug. 
27, 18.54, the only son of James W. and Mar- 
tha A. (Thompson) Coidter. In early life his 
father learned and worked at the blacksmith's 
trade, but later in life turned his attention to 
farming ; he died when James W. was only a 
few weeks old, leaving a wiihnv and two help- 
less children. When our subject was about 
10 years old his mother dispose<l of their farm, 
and removed with the two children to Iowa, 
and about sev(Mi years after their removal to 
that State she died. Mr. Coulter was left to 
his own resources early in life, and made eve- 
ry possible effort to obtain a thorough educa- 
tion. After the district school course, he ap- 
plied himself to teaching one term, an<l after- 
wards had the advantages of an academic 
course ia Iowa City, and one year in the pre- 
paratory department of Iowa State Univt^r- 
sity. In 187.3 he returned to Ohio and ap- 
plied himself to teaching school and the study 
of law with M. M. King, of Alliance. In 
1877 he was admitted to the bar in the Dis- 
trict Court of New Philadelphia, and in the 
spring of 1879 he opened an office in Alli- 
ance, and the same year was (dected Justice 
of th(! Peace. In July, 187'.', he married 
Phoebe V. Peet ; they have one child. 

L. J. DALES, M. D., physician; Alliance ; 
was born in Brownsville, Pa., Aug. 26, 1827. 
He is of English descent ; his grandfather, 
Henry Dales, (Muigratcd from Bath, England, 
to the United States, with his family of seve- 
ral children, and located at Brownsville, Fay- 



'i' s- 



r^ 



Jill: 



7J4 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



ette Co., Pa. He was a practical tanner, and 
established an industry of that kind in 
Brownsville shortly alter his arrival. One of 
the family, John, removed to the West, and 
located at iSt. Louis, Mo., and was engaged as 
Cashier of the iirst Bank ever estaL)lished in 
that city. Wiiliam was about 10 years of 
age when they came to this country ; he mar- 
ried Mary Stewart in Brownsville ; they were 
parents of fourteen children, of whom our 
subject is the fifth son ; eleven lived to years 
of maturity. William Dales, with his family, 
removed to Ohio in 183S, and settled in Co- 
lumbiana Co., where he engaged in farming ; 
and amid the various iluties of the farm and 
pioneer life, and with all diligence as to their 
education, the youths arrived at maturity. 
Early in life Dr. Dales united himself with 
the Methodist Episcopal Church, and prepared 
for the work of the ministry. His first charge 
was the church at Hanover, Ohio, and from the 
Pittsburg Conference he was appcjinted to 
the Central Ohio Conference. Fifteen years 
of his life was spent in active, earnest work 
in behalf of the church, when, on account of 
im|)ai!ed health, he was obliged to withdraw 
from ministerial labor. During these years 
of ministerial work he applied himself studi- 
ously, acquiring a thorough knowledge of 
medicine, and when his voice became affected 
through preaching, he entered upon the prac- 
tice of medicine near Liniaville, this county, 
in 1863. For a time he was also deeply in- 
terested in the development of excellent coal 
mines, in which his farm proves to be quite val- 
uable. S:'ptember, 1850, he married Cynthia 
A. Konible, of Columbiana Co., Ohio. They 
have had five children, viz. — Kemble B., of 
M'ellsville ; Wilbur F., a conductor on the 
P., Ft. W. & C. R. R.; Oscar L., a practicing 
physician of Bryan, Ohio ; and Carrie B. ; Ora 
D., deceased in childiiood. They removed 
from the farm to Alliance in 1879, where the 
doctor continues to practice his profession. 

JAMES DAVIDSON, Eclectic physician; 
Alliance; was born in Burton, Geauga Co., 
Ohio, Felj. 15, 1829. His father Thomas 
Davidson; was a native of Connecticut, a mill- 
wright by trade, and was one of a party of 
eight who, in the year 1800, walked from Con- 
necticut, to what is now Harrison, Portage 
Co., Ohio, fi'r the purpose of building a mill 
near there, on the Cuyhoga River, for a Mr. 



Punderson. They were supplied with an ox- 
team to haul their tools and outfit, but were 
themselves obliged to make the entire journey 
on foot. Mr. Davidson married one Susan 
Stull, who had come here with her parents 
from New Jersey. Our subject is the eighth 
of their nine children; his boyhood was spent 
on the farm and in attending the Burton Acad- 
emy. When he arrived at manhood he was 
employed for many years bj' various firms in 
Cleveland as collector, and in 1>850 he be<:;an 
to study medicine with Dr. O. Manly, of G ir- 
rettsville, Portage Co., and remained with him 
four years. In the winter of 1859 and 1860 
he attended le'ctures at the Eclectic Medical 
College at Philadelphia, and the following 
winter attended a second course at tiie same 
institution, where he graduated. In the win- 
ter of 1806-67 he attended a third course in 
the University of Medicine and Surgery of 
Philadelphia, and also graduated from that 
institution. He practiced considerable with 
his preceptor, and in 1862 he came to Alliance 
and has practiced in this vicinity ever since, 
except two years residence in Marlborough. 
In April, 1862, he married Mary E. Hawley, 
by whom he had three children — Charles, 
Wilber and Jammie. 

DAVID FORDING, attorney-at-law; Al- 
liance; was born in Salem, Columbiana Co., 
Ohio, July 3, 18-12; his father, Ewan Fording, 
was a native of Green Co., Pa., who came to 
Ohio when 5 years old; soon after the family 
was separated by the death of the mother, 
when Ewan started among-st strangers to do 
for himself. From early life he showed those 
traits of character, industry and moral worth 
which have characterized his whole life. At 
the age of 22 he married Christina Clippinger, 
then a resident of Columbiana Co. They 
reared a family of six children, all of whom 
are now living and prosperous — Lloyd, a resi- 
dent of Mahoning Co., received a gun shot 
wound at the battle of Stone River, from the 
effects of which he lost the use of his left arm, 
since which time his occupation has been 
principally that of a teacher; Leander is en- 
gaged in merchant tailoring in Allianci;; Mil- 
ler is a member of the Erie Conference of 
the M. E. Church and now stationed at Col- 
umbus, Pa.; T. J., the youngest, read law 
j with David and soon after his admission to 
' the bar, opened an office at Abilene, Kansas, 



iV 



CITY OF ALLIANCE. 



725 



where he remained three years, then removed 
to San Bernardino, Cal., his present liome; 
Sannuitha, the only daughter, married Rev. 
Wm. J. Hahn, now a resilient of Lisbon, Linn 
Co., Iowa. The family moved to Mahoning 
Co. when David, the subject of tiiis sketch, 
was about 4 years of age. His early life was 
variouslv spent on his fathc's farm and at- 
tending common school; subsequently he 
entered college at Mt. Union, where he re- 
mained but a short time when he began the 
study of law. The first year of his legal 
study was spent at home; the econd year in 
the office of W. C. PippiU. '^ept. 13, 18^0, 
at the District Court in Cleveland, he was 
admitted to the bar, and opened an office in 
Alliance and began the practice of his pro- 
fession. The profession at Alliance was then 
represented by ten regularly practicing attor- 
neys, notwithstanding which he secured a 
paying practice from the first, which steadily 
increased. His temperate habits and open 
denunciation of the unlawful sale and use of 
liquor gave him favor with the temperance 
people, regardless of party, which led to his 
being taken up against his protest during the 
temperance excitement of 1874, and elected 
Mayor on what was known as " the people's 
ticket;" he servcl as mayor two years in con- 
nection with his law practice, and was after- 
wards appointed to fill a short vacancy caused 
by the death of Mayor Barnaby. In 1875 a 
law ])artncrHhip was formed with J. J. Parker, 
known as the firm of Parker & Fording, which 
was dissolved in 1876. May 11, 1875, he 
was admitted to practice in the F<'deral 
Courts. He was married to Esther J. MiCon- 
nej', of Portage Co., Oct. 5, 1870; they have 
a family of three children — two sons and one 
daughter. 

P. J. GAUME, dry goods merchant. Alli- 
ance; was born near Louisville, Stark Co., 
Ohio, in April, 1844; the son of Louis andJose- 
phine (Faivre) Gaume, who were natives of 
France, and emigrated to the United States 
about 18.35. Five of their eight children are 
still living. Mrs. Gaume died in 1856, and 
Mr. Gaume married a second wife. The boy- 
hood of our subject was spent on the farm 
until about 2'> years of age, wl en he went to 
Ft. A\'ayne, Ind., and clerked there two years 
in the dry goods business. At the expiration 
of that time he returned home, and accepted 



a position as clerk with the Haines Bros., 
which he retained four years, and gained for 
himself a desirable record for industry and 
faithfulness. When he severed his connec- 
tion with the Haines Bros., he engaged with 
the firm of King, Weekcrt & Warren, where 
he remained about six years. He married 
Miss Nancy R. Haines, Sept. 9, 1873, and 
they have one cliikl, Harry H. He remained 
two y«;ars with Mr. King, subsequent to some 
changes in the firm, and when King & Co., 
removed to Paris, Mr. Gaume began business 
for himself, and by economy and adaptability 
and the help of ^Irs. Gaume, who was also 
familiar with that line of business in her 
brother's (!stablishment, out of a limited capi- 
tal they have built up a good and prosperous 
trade. 

FRANK W. GASKH-L, grocer; Alliance; 
was born where he now resides, .Jan. 28, 1858. 
His father, William Gaskiil, was a native of 
Ohio, and learned the carpenter's trade, and 
was prominently engaged contracting and 
building in tiiis vicinity at an early date. He 
marrieil Catharine McDugan, who came here 
from Ireland with a sister, in 1849. Mr. 
Gaskiil died in 1800, leaving a widow and 
four small children, viz. — Elleti, Ava, now 
Mrs. John W. Bowden, Frank W. and Anna. 
Frank W. got a fair education in the Alliance 
pid^lic schools, and when eighteen years of 
age conceived the idea of opening a grocery 
at the residence located in the old part 
of the town known as P^reedoin, and although 
he had nothing to begin with, he was trusted 
for some goods, and begun on a very small 
scale, being industrious and of good busiiKJss 
qiialiticatioMS he has built up an admirable 
and ])rofitable trade. Every effort has been 
met with success, and since he has begun bus- 
iness he has purchased the interests of the 
other heirs in the old homestead. His mother, 
widow Gaskiil, married .James Hunter for 
her second husband, by whom she has one 
son. 

JOHN G. GARRISON, editor and i)ro- 
prietor of the Alliance Standard; Alliance; 
was born in Powhattan, Belmont Co., Ohio, 
Feb. 22, 185.5. He is the second son of a 
family of six children of Jantes W. and 
Amanda Garris in. His father was for many 
years engaged in printing in Pittsburg and 
Cincinnati. In 1859 he came to Alliance where 



^ 



726 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



he became prominently identified with the 
newspaper interests. When nine years old 
young Garrison entered the printing business 
under the supervision of his father, who was 
an experienced and practical printer, he thus 
acquired a thorough knowledge of the business 
which added to his natural taste he became 
master of his chosen profession at the age 
of 15. At this time, partly on account of 
ill health and force of circumstances he accept- 
ed a clerkship in the store of E. H. Brosius, 
which he retained for six years, making for 
himself a creditable record for ability and 
faitlifulness. While thus engaged he contin- 
ued private study to better fit himself for 
newspaper work. In 1870 he was elected 
Township Clerk and served one year, declin- 
ing a second nomination. Shortly after, 
himself and partner leased the Alliance 
Monitor, but on account of his partner's con- 
duct, and to him unknown embarrassment of 
the concern, he suffered pecuniary loss. He 
then leased the job office of the Hevieio for 
eight months during which time he settled 
satisfactorily and in full with the creditors and 
subscribers of the Monitor which suspended 
when Mr. Garrison severed his connection 
with it. He then became manager of the Inde- 
2}endent Age, and in 1878, at the solicitation 
of various citizens he opened a job printing 
office, and before his outfit was unboxed he had 
received unsolicited orders for two months 
work. In 1880 he purchased the fixtures of 
the Indeptndent Age, and established the 
Alliance Standard. Starting for himself at the 
age of fifteen he struggled against financial 
embarriissmcnt and ill health, being also of 
frail physique, but by a manly and indepen- 
dent course, marked by industry, faithfulness' 
and honesty, he gained the confidence and 
respect of the community, and gathered 
around him a host of friends. His early ex- 
perience has made him a thorough and prac- 
tical printer. The "Garrison Steam Printing 
House " has attained a high reputation for the 
neatness and superior quality of its work. 
June 28, 1880, he married Nettie S., daughter 
of Asbury and Mary P. A. Reno, of Roches- 
ter, Penn. He is united with the M. E. 
Church, and is a member of the I. O. O. F. 

E. WILSON GRAY, banker; Alliance; 
was born in Salem, Ohio, April 20, 1825. He 
was the only son and fourth child born to 



Wi lliam and Edith (Glover) Gray, in a family 
of seven children. The latter was a native 
of New Jersey, and the former of Pennsylva- 
nia, where they were married, and moved 
into Ohio at any early date. His parents 
were farmers, and in those pursuits Mr. Gray's 
liovhood was spent. Subsequent to his moth- 
er's death, his father traded off the farm, 
and entered into the mercantile business in 
Limaville, this county. At this time Mr. 
Gray was about 15 years of age, and had re- 
ceived some knowledge of the elementary 
branches taught in the common schools of 
that time. His opportunities for obtaining a 
thorough education were very limited, as he 
was taken into the store of his father at that 
time, and continued there for five years, 
when he began to read medicine with Dr. 
Day, who was also a merchant of I^imaville, 
and with whom Mr. Gray remained in his 
study three years. At the exj^iration of this 
time he was employed by Dr. Day in the ca- 
pacity of clerk,' where he remained about one 
year; thence to Deerfield, in same capacity 
for about six months, when he returned to 
Litnaville and opened a store of general mer- 
chandise on his o\vn account in 1848, and con- 
ducted it imtil 1851. He removed to Deer- 
field again, and in partnership with Isaac 
Wilson, opened a store there, with several 
chang-es in the firm. Mr. Gray continued in 
the UKM'cantile business until 1868, when he 
came to Alliance and entered into partner- 
ship with A. W. Coates, in the manufacture 
of horse hay-rakes, which continued until 
1874. While he was yet engaged in the man- 
ufacturing business, h<i was also interested in 
the firm of Griener, Steel & Co., bankers, 
and on withdrawing from the firm of Coates, 
Gray & Co., was formed the present partner- 
ship of Lamborn & Gray, in 1875. He mar- 
ried Juliette Clark, Oct. 10, 184'J; her father, 
Richard Clark and family, came from Massa- 
chusetts. By this union one child was born, 
Hi'len F., who died in childhood. Mr. Gray 
is an active member of the following secret 
societies, viz: JIasonic, I. O. O. F.. Knights of 
Honor, and American Legion of Honor. On 
May li, 1881, Mrs. Gray departed this life in 
her 71st vear. 

CURTIS GODDARD, manufacturer of the 
"Right Speedy" Corn Sheller; Alliance; was 
born in Hartford Co., Conn., July 22, 1823. 



y^\S 



CITY OF ALLIANCE. 



His parents wore Joab and Martha Goddard, 
both natives of Connecticut. They ivartJ 
two cliildren to maturity, viz — ("urtis and 
IJoilin il. The father was a blacksmith l)y i 
trade, but finally turned his attention to farm- 
ing. When Curtis was about oijrht weeks 
old, the family moved to Ohio, and located at 
Windsor, Ashtabula Co., where th(>y remain(>d 
about a year, wiien they removed to IJecrfield, 
Portage Co., where they remainei! about five 
years, and from thence went to Edinburgh, 
where the old folks died, many years ago. 
]n youth, Curtis assistcMJ his father at the 
blacksmith's trade, but when he grew to man- 
hood he diverged to the carpenter's and 
joiner's trade, which lie followed some time. 
In 1849 he returned to his native State, and 
engaged in the Collin's Ax Factory, of Col- 
linsville, Conn., for some time, and thence 
went to Pine Meadow, and worked there 
aliout a year and a half in Chapin's Tool 
Factorv, ami then returni'd to the old home- 
stead in Edinburgh, O., where he farmed 
several vears. Hn married Miss S. P. Jones, 
(biughter of Thos. Jones, of Poitagc Co. 
Tlwy have two children — .Minnie S., now Mrs. 
C. B. Haines, and Clarence A. .Mr. Goddard 
is of an inventive turn of mind, and has 
seeuri'd varions patents, among which we 
mention a machine for turning bedstead 
pins, which was extensively used while the 
cording method was in use, also a clothes 
line holiK'r. In 1860 he came to Alliance, 
and engaged occasionally at joiners' work, 
•erecting a gtod residence for himself. In 1875 
he began work on his "Right Sjieedy " corn 
sheller, which was patented 1877, since which 
time he has devoted his attention lo manufac- 
turing, producing about 8,000 shellers annu- 
ally, which are sold all over the United 
States, and some in Europe, principally in 
Bulgaria, Austria, Switzerland and Italv. 
July 31, 1879, the Italian government granted 
to Mr. Goddard a diploma and sUver medal, 
demonstrating the favor with which this in- 
expensive sheller was met. Considering the 
utility and trifling expense to the purchaser 
as well as its durability, we doulit if its 
equal has over been ofTcr.-il to the public. 

JOX.VTHAX R. HAIXE.S, farmer; P. O. 
Allianci'; was born in New Jersey, Dec. 28, 
1821, the only child born fo Abraham and 
Axey (Bryan) Haines, who lived to maturity. 



Jonathan Haines, the grandfather of the sub- 
ject of these notes, was a native of New 
Jersey, who with his family moved to Ohio 
and settled in Columbiana Co., in 1802. Ab- 
raham (Jonathan R.'s father), was then a lad 
about G years old, and grew ui)to manhooil in 
the pioneer days of Columbiana Co. Here he 
formed the iiccpiaintance of Axey Bryan, a 
young laiiy who came from New Jersey to 
Ohio on a visit to some friends, which led to 
a matrimonial alliance, and after their mar- 
riage they began farming and clearing up 
their home. Some time later they paid a 
visit to the parents of his young wife;, in New 
Jersey, and while there Jonathan R. was 
born. They returned to their home in Ohio, 
and continued to farm. Jonathan R. was 
reared to farming and its kindred pursuits. 
Sept. 28, 1841, he married Sarah Grant, 
daughter of John Grant, who emigrated from 
New Jersey, and settled where Mr. Haines 
now resides, in 1811, and remained in this 
place until his death which occurred in ]8.')4. 
The latter part of his lite was spent with Mr. 
and Mrs. Haines, as they came to his old 
homestead in 1S.')2. They have five children 
living, viz. — J. Columbus; T. Foster; Charles 
B., of Warren, O.; Alma G., now Mrs. T. 
Lingo, of Warren, and Florence A., at home. 
Mr. Haines' ancestors were of the Society of 
Friends, but in his. religious views he is un- 
scctarian. Politically, he early in 1842, es- 
poused the anti-slavery cause, which was a 
most un]iopular cause at that time. Believ- 
ing that the Republican party had fulfilled its 
destiny, he withdrew from its ranks, and ailil- 
iated with the liberal Democracy, which nom- 
inated Horace Greeley in 1872. He attended 
the convention in Cleveland, which nnininated 
John C. Fremont for President in 1804. Mr. 
Haines has been a member of the Board of 
Education of Alliance for several years, and 
is a meinl)er of the I. O. O. F. He is one of 
those men who are favored with that most 
valuable and desirable gift, commn)i sfiisi'., is 
pleasant and unassuming, and at all times the 
same, yet a man of clear and well-defined 
views. 

RICHARD W. HAINES, retired farmer; 
Alliance ; was born in Burlington Co., N. J., 
July 5, 1801. He is of English descent ; his 
grandfather, Ephraim Haines, and three broth- 
ers, emigrated from England to this country 



7[^ 



^f7 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



during its colonial history ; some settled in 
New Jersey, some in Pennsylvania. John 
Haines, son of Ephraim, married one Mary 
Wells, and of their seven children Richard 
W. is the fifth. His early life was spent on 
his father's farm until early manhood, when 
he went to Philadelphia and learned the cab- 
inet-maker's trade, remaining there about 
seven years, when he returned to New .Jersey. 
In 1839 he removed to Ohio, and settled in 
Damascus, where he carried on the cabinet 
trade for about five years. He married Re- 
becca H. Crispin in .July, 1830. She was a 
daughter of Abel and Hannah (Evans) Cris- 
pin, of Mahoning Co., formerly of New Jer- 
sey. In 1835 Mr. Haines turned his attention 
to farming in Lexington Tp., Stark Co., for a 
short time, and then removed to Goshen Tp., 
Mahoning Co., where he resided for a period 
of upward of thirty years. Their family having 
all married and doing for themselves, Mr. and 
Mrs. Haines sold their farm in 1873, and re- 
moved to Alliance, where they built a com- 
modious residence, and are now, in their ad- 
vanced years, enjoying the fruits of their in- 
dustrious and well-spent lives. To them were 
born six children, viz. — Mary, Hannah, wife 
of B. F. Slusser, of Terre Haute, Ind.; John 
C, of Mt. Union ; Abel C, of Emporia, Kan.; 
Elizabeth, the widow of F. Lassaux, Creston, 
Iowa ; and Nancy R., now Mrs. J. P. Gaume, 
of Alliance. Mr. Haines was a staunch abo- 
litionist, and early in the history of the Re- 
publican party espoused that cause. His 
religious training and views were those of 
tiip " Society of Friends," as were also those of 
Mrs. Haiues. Her ancestors also are English, 
her paternal grandfather having emigrated 
here with William Penn. 

JAMES GUTHRIE HEATON, deceased; 
was born Feb. 5, 1838, in Millsborough, Wash- 
ington Co., Pa., and came to Alliance when a 
young man, residing here a short time; he 
began the study of medicine with Dr. Paint- 
er, a homoeopathic physician, and attended 
lectures at the Cleveland Homoeopathic Col- 
lege. He then returned to his native place 
where he engaged in the practice of his pro- 
fession until his preceptor. Dr. Painter, had 
an aberration of the mind which compelled 
him to withdraw from active life, when Dr. 
Heaton was solicited to return and take charge 
of the office and practice. After returning 



to Alliance Dr. Heaton graduated from the 
Cleveland Homoeopathic Medical College in 
1869, and established a good practice in the 
vicinity of Alliance. He married Margaretta 
Williams, Dec. 14, 1805; she was daugh- 
ter of John Williams of Mt. Union. She died 
iJec. 1, 1874, leaving three children — Clyde, 
Mary J. and Hugh. Jan. IS, 1876 he married 
Miss Susan R. Cooper, who was a graduate 
in medicine. She is a daughter of Morris 
Cooper of Lancaster Co., Pa. Dr. Heaton 
was seriously affected with pulmonary trouble, 
and with a view of seeking relief he started 
for California, stopping a few days with 
friends at Des Moines, Iowa, where his disease 
culminated in death, June 27, 1876. Mrs. 
Heaton then returned to Alliance and remain- 
ed a short time, when she removed to Colorado 
for a few months, but again returned to Al- 
liance, and began the practice of her pro- 
fession in the spring of 1878. Mrs. Heaton 
was a student of both schools of medicine, 
her first preceptor. Dr. Philo P. Hatch, of 
Minneapolis, Minn., being one of the most 
prominent homoeopathic physicians of the 
Northwest. Under his instruction she be- 
came thoroughly acquainted with the practice 
of homoeopathy. She read medicine with Doc- 
tor Mary E.Wilson, also,' who practiced un- 
der the Old-school system, and was a gradu- 
ate of the Woman's Medical College of Penn- 
sylvania, at Philadelphia. Mrs. Heaton at- 
tended lectures at the Woman's Medical Col- 
lege of Pennsylvania, at Philadelphia, during 
the winter of 1873 and 1874, and graduated 
from tliat institution in 1875. 

MATTHIAS HESTER, retired; Alliance; 
was born in Green Co., Penn., Oct. 17, 1793; 
the third son of a family of nine children born 
to John and Elizabeth (Mason) Hester. His 
mother was a daughter of one Martin Mason, 
who when a lad of 14 years, was stolen by the 
Indians from his home in Virginia, and 
brought to Ft. Ducpiesne — now Pittsburg, 
Pennsylvania, where a Frenchman saw and 
took compassion on him, and finally pur- 
chased young Mason from the Indians for a 
bottle of rum. The Frenchman was on his 
way to Montreal, took Mason along,and there 
remained as one of the family until he was 21 
years of ag'e, then returned to his folks in 
Virginia, who had long since given up any 
hope of ever hearing anything of him again. 



Ai! 



ik* 



CITY OF ALLIANCE. 



72!> 



Mr. Hester's parents removed from Pennsyl- 
vaiiiii, and settled in Coluinhiaiia Co., Ohio, 
in 1807. Tliey were agriculturisls, but our 
subject boin<r of frail physique, was appren- 
ticed to the tailor's trade in New I^isl)on. 
He cominiMiced the business for himself in 
Salem, aft(;rward remaininjj in it at that place 
about ten years. In 183(5 he came to Mt. 
Union and opened a grocery store, l:)ut in 1838, 
removed his stock to Freedom — now Alliance, 
his being the first mercantile establishment 
in the place, and continued in business until 
1848. He has always been an enterprising 
citizen, and very liberal with his means to 
assist any and every improvement of general 
interest. He was a warm sujiporter of the 
railroad enterprises of the town, when those 
corporations were an uncertainty, and donated 
to them over §6,000 worth of real estat;-. He 
married Susan Gaskill, of Salem, in 1819. 
Mi-s. Hester died in M:ireh, 1804. They were 
the parents of ten childien, viz: — David G.; 
John N., deceased; Sarah, Eliza, George W., 
deceased; Charles M.; Thomas; Ri^becca. de- 
ceased; Harrison, cleceased; and one died in 
childhood. Mr. Hester is now in his 88th 
year, and is remarkably well preserved for 
one of his age, though never of robust consti- 
tution. In later years he has enjoyed 
remarkably good health, and only through a 
slow, natural process of exhaustion of vital 
force is the finger of time discernible. He is 
a man of sterling character, honored and re- 
spected most by tho.sc who know him best. 

DAVJD G. HESTER, agent for the White 
Bronze Monumental Works, and Insurance 
Agent; is the eldest son of Matthias Hester, 
was born in Salem, Columbiana Co., in Mav, 
1821. In boyhood and early manhood he was 
occupied as clerk in his father's store, and 
continued in the niertantile business many 
years. In March, 1850, he married Sarah H. 
Fox, of Deerfield, Portage Co., Ohio. They 
have two children, Shelley and Frederick. 
In 1861 Mr. Hester opened a book and paper 
store in Alliance, which he conducted until 
1873; and then engaged in the insurance bus- 
iness, representing a number of good compa- 
nies, among which may be mentioned the 
Home of New York, Pennsylvania of Phila- 
delphia, North A:nerica;i anil Fraiikiin of 
Philadelphia; Hartford, Ai.tn-d, and Phccnix 
of Hartford, and many other American 



companies, both life and fire ; besides the 
North British and Queen of England. In 
January, 1881, he was appointedag<>nt for 
the White Bronze Monumental Manufac- 
turing Company, of Bridgeport, Coini., 
for Stark and adjoining counties. In 
a short time this cla.ss of work promises to 
supersede marble and granite for statuary 
and monumental designs ; being beautiful in 
appearance, and as has been demonstrated in 
the "Old World," is, by the action of the 
elements, unchanged for hundreds of years. 
SIMON JOHNSON, Mayor of Alliance; 
was born in W'ashington Tp., Stark Co., Nov. 
12, 1826. His grandfather, Caleb Jolmson, 
was a well-to-do farmer in I'entisylvania, and 
a man whose advice was largely sought in mat- 
ters of local interest. He was appointed Jus- 
tice of the Peace, and held said oflice contin- 
uously forty-eight years. He had a family 
of eight children, and the four boys, Ellis, 
Simon, Caleb and Job, emigrated to Ohio and 
settled in Stark Co.; of these only Ellis sur- 
vives, in his 03rd year. The second one, Si- 
mon, married Keziah White, and came here 
about 1823. Thoy reared a family of ten 
children, of whom our subject is the second, 
and bears his father's name. There were five 
girls and five boys, one of each sex being de- 
ceased. The Mayor's early education was 
such as the common schools afforded, besides 
some time spent in study at Mt. Union Semi- 
nary. He was one of the four students pres- 
ent at th'e orgainzation of said institution, and 
subsequently took a course at Marlborough 
Academy. April 3, 1851, he married Jane 
Teeters, daughter of John Teeters, who resi- 
ded near Salem. They moved to a farm in 
Knox Tp., Columbiana Co., where they resid- 
ed eight years, three of which he served as 
Justice of the Peace. In 1859 they removed 
to Alliance, and the following year he was 
elected Mayor, and served one year. In 1862 
he was re-elected Mayor and served three 
years. At the expiration of this term 
of office, they removed to the old home- 
stead in the country, and in 186S returned 
to Alliance. During his residence here from 
1859 he was largely engaged dealing in live- 
stock through the period of the late civil war, 
and spent some time traveling in the interests 
of the agricultural works of B^isher, Shaw & 
Co., then of this town. Two years subse- 



730 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



quent to 1868, lie spent travelino;' as assistant 
State agent for the Security Life Insurance 
Co., of New York; three years for Forest City 
Fire Insurance of Cleveland, anil one year 
for the Buckeye Insurance Co. In the 
spring of 1880 he was re-elected Mayor of 
Alliance, which office he now holds. They 
have had five children, four of whom are liv- 
ing — John H., Rosetta, (deceased); Mary K., 
L. M., now in Akron, and William W. Mr. 
Johnson is a plain and unassuming gentleman 
of fine personal appearance, a man of sterling 
qualities, and most respected wliere he is 
best known. 

J. H. JOHNSON, Insurance Agent; Alli- 
ance ; is thi'.ehlest son of Simon and Jane 
(Teeters) Johnson ; hf was born in Wiishing- 
tun Tp., this county, Feb. 17, 1852. His edu- 
cation was secured at the public schools of 
Alliance, and he also spent a short time 
at the Alliance College. When quite 
young he began to assist his father, who was 
then representing several insurance ompa- 
nies, and has ever since devoted his attention 
to that line of business, and represents many 
of the most reliable insurance companies do- 
ing business on this continent, among which 
may be mentioned the Royal of England and 
the Travelers' Life and Accident of Connecti- 
cut. He married Rosa Hartzell, June "48, 
1876 ; she was a daughter of Freilerick Hart- 
zell, of Belmont, Mahoning Co., Ohio. They 
have one child — Lucy K. Mr. Johnson has 
been a member of the Knights of Honor for 
the past six years. 

THOMAS J. JOHNSTON, City Marshal ; 
Alliance ; was born in Franklin T]3., Colum- 
biana Co., Oliio, Sept. 25, 1847. He is the 
youngest of five children born to William 
and Elizabeth R. .lohnston. His parents were 
both born in County Antrim, Ireland, and 
came to the United States when quite young. 
His paternal grandfather, with his famih', set- 
tled in Columbiana Co. about ] 828, and his 
maternal grandfather (whose name was also 
Johnston) settled in the same neighborhood 
about 1830, and all engaged in farming. 
AV'hen Thomas J. was about three years old 
his father died, leaving a widow and five chil- 
dren. Mrs. Johnston remained on the farm, 
and reared the childn^n to farm life, and gave 
them a fair common-school education, and 
prepared them for doing for themselves. She 



lived to enjoy their filial affection, and died 
at the old home in September, 1879. The 
children are — Rosey, now Mrs. J. C. Shoe- 
maker, of Alliance ; Robert, now in Marion 
Co.; Mary, who resides on the old homestead; 
William J., in Jefferson Co.; and Thomas J. 
When about 14 years old, Thomas J. began 
to learn the shoemakers' trade, and worked 
about a year and a half, when he enlisted, 
early in the summer of 1863, in tlie 12th Ohio 
Cavalry, being first under Cm. Burbage, but 
aiterward transferred to Cen. Stoneman's 
command. He served until November, 18G5, 
when he got his discharge and returned home, 
and employed himself at general business, 
principally bricklaying and plastering, for 
several years. March 3, 1870, he married 
Mary J. Aikens, of Alliance ; thev have two 
children, viz. — Frank W. and Elizabeth J. 
Mrs. Johnston's parents came to the United 
States from France. Mr. Johnston came to 
Alliance in 1867 ; he took a position on the 
police force of Alliance in 1878, and in the 
spring of 1880 was elected City Marshal. 

JOHN JOSEPH, manufacturer of stone- 
ware; Alliance; was born in Beaver Co., 
Penn., Aug. 27, 1837^ son of Burton and IMar- 
garet (Kramer) Joseph, both of whom were 
natives of Pennsylvania. The Joseph family 
came from Delaware to the " Keystone " 
State at an early date. The parents of our 
subject followed agricultural pursuits, to 
which he also was early initiated. They were 
parents of eight children, four of whom lived 
to maturity. In 1842 his father died, leav- 
ing a widow and four helpless children, viz : 
Alexander, Daniel, John and Burton, the 
youngest of which was born a few weeks 
after his father's demise. At this time they 
were on a large rented far m, and in order to 
provide the necessaries of life for her family, 
and get the business safely within her control, 
ilrs. Joseph gave up the rented place, dis- 
posed of their surjjlus chattels, and purchased 
a small piece of land, where the devoted 
mother reared and supjiorted her family un- 
til they began to learn trades and do for 
themselves. John was especially restive, and 
in lioyhood full of youthful mischief, which 
caused many an ominous shake of the wise- 
acres ' heads. But as he advanced in years, 
and began to reach out into the realities of 
life, the scene changed materially. When a 



^0 



>^ 



CITY OF ALLIANCE. 



731 



youth of about 15, he began to run on the P., 
F't. W. & C. R. R., and eight years later, ISGO, 
he was promoted to loconiotive-entrineer, 
where he remained until 18(55, when he left 
the railroad to engage in teaming in Alliance. 
Thus lie occupied his time until 1871, when 
he embarked in the coal trade until 1874. On 
abandoning the coal trade, he conceived the 
idea of establishing a pottery here, more for 
business recreation tiian out of necessity. 
In superintending this he takes great delight, 
and makes the finest kind of "stone-ware." 
His business has been a pecuniary success, 
and conducted in such an unassuming man- 
ner that many of the citizens scarcely realize 
its proportions. He manufactures about sixty- 
five kihis, with an average of 3,500 gallons of 
ware of all kinds, to the kiln annually, and 
gives employment to ten hands. He has been 
married three times; first in 1855, to Mar- 
garet Durbin, who died in less than a year 
from th:- d ite of their marriage. His second 
marri;ige was with Mary E. Allerton, July 2, 
1857; she died in 1877, leaving one child — 
Flora E. Nov. 2. 1878, he married Margaret 
M. Gassaway, by which union there is one 
child — Gertrude M. Personally, he is a man 
much above the average size; his weight be- 
ing upward of 300 pounds. At one time 
himself and two brothers, jointly, w<'ighed 
nearly ten hundre<l pounds. When he b:>;jan 
for himself he was without means of any 
kind, l)ut by industry he has accumulated a 
fine property in Alliance, the inccmie of 
which is more than sufficient for his every de- 
mand. He is a mi'mlier of the Masonic fra- 
ternity, Knights of Honor, and American Le- 
gion of Honor. 

PETER I). KEPLINGER, boarding house 
keeper; Alliance; was liorn in Paris Tp., 
Stark Co.. Ohio, Aug. 0, 1824. His father, 
Samuel Keplinger was a tobacconist, and a 
native of Atlanis Co., Penn. He married 
Miss Sarah Slagle, a native of the same county. 
Her father was financially well-to-do, ami at 
an early date in the settlement of Staik Co., 
he came here and entered a large tract of 
land in what is now Paris Tp. In 1823, his 
son-in-law, Mr. Samuel Keplinger, removed 
with his young wife to the tract of land al- 
ready referred to, with a view of occii])ying 
and improving that portion which liis wife 
would eventually inherit. When they came 



here thcj' were young, and knew little of the 
hardships which they would have to encounter 
in the almost unbroken forest; their means 
were limited and only the things actually 
necessary were procured. Tliey erected in 
the woods a log cabin 10x12 feet, and lived 
in it without either lloor, except the one 
formed by nature, or furniture; and the few 
rude things made of riven boards, forming 
bed-steads by driving posts in the ground. 
Such were the luxuries of pioneer life! But 
in a year or so they were able to erect a more 
comfortable dwelling. When they once got 
a patch of ground cleared, everything grew 
luxuriantly, but it was almost impossible to 
raise even a small sum of money. When 
they had been living in their new home over 
two years, the entire sum of cash raised in 
that time by Mr. Keplinger was §1.50. There 
was no market or demand for anything pro- 
duced in the country, conseipiently no circu- 
lation of mone}'. The fond memory of other 
days and circumstances, with the pleasant 
associations of her girlhood, frequently caused 
the silent tears to tr'ckle down the young 
wife's cheek. But these times they outlived, 
the settlements increased, the country opened 
up to the outer world by the construction of 
the canal, circumstances and society changed, 
and their d;iys of privation gave place to 
seasons of plenty. Mrs. Keplinger jiassed 
away in 1847, he in 1849. Peter 1). was the 
oldest of their six children, and his early life 
was spent on the farm. He married Carolina 
Miller, but she died, hjaving two children — 
Elmira and Samuel L. He then marri(Hl Ra- 
chel Scheatzley. She was born in Germany, 
and came to Stark Co., with her parents in 
1831, being at that time 8 years old. By 
this union three children were Ijorn, viz. — 
Mar}' L., Lyman D., and Frank E. In 1850, 
Mr. Keplinger engaged in the mercantile 
business in New Franklin, for about four 
years, thence went to North Georgetown, 
where he remained about six years in business. 
In 1800 he came to Alliance and has engaged 
in almost every kind of industry in the |)lace. 
He was interested in the inanufacture of 
light steel; also in the wagon and carriage 
hub factory, which burned down, causing him 
considerable loss; and, unfortunately he was 
the loser of §5,000 by the failure of the 
Fisher, Shalters & Co.'s agricultural works. 



^j; 



Al: 



II. 



7^2 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



Nevertheless, ln' has accumulated a good 
property, owning- one of the best , business 
rooms on Main street, occupied by Mr. Katz- 
enstein, in the dry goods trade, besides other 
valuable property. 

MARION M. KING, Attorney at Law; Alli- 
ance; was born in Columbiana Co., Ohio, May 
31, 1853. He is the eldest of the family of 
four children of Levi and Mary (Lower) 
King, who were likewise natives of the same 
county. His education was that afforded by 
the common schools and Georgetown Acad- 
emy, which institution has been abandoned. 
When about 1? years of age ho began to 
teach school in the winter months, and at- 
tended Mt. Union College during the spring 
and summer. He began the study of law 
with A. L. Jones, of Alliance, in 1873, and 
was admitted to the bar in the District Court 
of Stark Co., Se]it. 17, 1874. He opened a 
law office in Alliance, where he practiced 
until November, 1880, when a partnership 
was formed with himself and his preceptor, 
under the firm name of .Jones & King. March 
6, 1877, he married Dora, daughter of Mr. A. L. 
Jones. They have one child — Roxy Verne. 
A. L. Jones was born in Columbiana Co., 
Nov. 37, 183(3; he is the second in descent 
from Samuel Jones, a native of Nevv Jersey, 
who emigrated to Virginia, and whose son, of 
same name (Samuel), emigrated to Ohio, and 
settled in Columbiana Co., near New Lisbon, 
at a very early day. A. L. was the eighth of 
ten children, and when about 15 years of 
age he was apprenticed to the tailor's trade, 
but abandoned that to secure a more liberal 
education, and attended an academy at 
Washingtonville and Marlborough. When 
about 36 years of age, he began to read law 
with W. D. Ewing, of New Lisbon, and in May, 
1851:, he was admitted to the bar, and in the 
fall of same year was admitted to practice in 
the Federal Courts. Oct. 3, 1849, he mar- 
ried Ruth A. Coffee, daughter of Joseph 
Coffee, of Columbiana Co. They had four 
children — Joseph C, Samuel A., Dora, now 
Mrs. King, and Ruth A. Mrs. Jones passed 
from this life Oct. 37, 1878. 

LEWIS KIRK, miller and general man- 
ager of the Alliance City Flouring Mill; Al- 
liance; was born at Grampian Hills, Clear- 
field Co., Pa., Dec. 19. 1814. His father, 
Asaph Kirk, was born Feb. 10, 1814, and 



reared to agricultural prusuits in Clearfield 
Co., Pa. He married Eliza Wall, in 18;)5, 
she was born in York Co., Sept. 9, 1815, and 
when a little girl moved to Clearfield Co., 
with her parents. After tlunr marriage they 
settled on a farm near the Grampian Hills 
P. O., where they reside to this day, and 
where their family were all brought up to 
farm life, with very limited school facili- 
ties. They had five children — -Mary, Jona- 
than, Jason, Lewis and Jane, all married. 
Lewis was the third son, and when about 
31 years old he learned the art of photoi^raphv, 
and followed it until August, 1868, when he 
started to Ohio in a one-horse wagon to seek 
a new field of labor; towanl the close of the 
first day's travel, he stopped at a small town 
and while loitering around saw two bars of 
heavy iron nailed to the ground, and extend- 
ing as far as he could see; upon enquiry, as to 
their use he was told that it was a railroad, 
" What ? a railroad within one day's drive of 
Skunk-hollow." He then concluded to send 
his horse and wagon home and try the thing. 
He had heard of railroads somewhere, but 
knew nothing of academies and colleges, and 
was lost in amazement at the extent of the 
country when he got to riding in a big box 
with windows in it. He arrived in Ohio sev- 
eral days^ahead of time, but ho traveled over 
the State considerable, and finally selected 
Alliance as the most desirable spot to con- 
vert a Keystone boy into a Buckeye. His fa- 
ther and two uncles, Isaac and David Kirk, 
purchased the Alliance City Flouring Mills, 
and he took charge Jan. 15, 1869, as princi- 
pal business manager, and apprentice 
to the milling trade. At Cleveland, Jan. 
7, 1869, he married Hannah Margaret Spencer; 
the}' have three children — Cora V., Elsie F., 
Raphael S. Mrs. Kirk was born in Clearfield 
Co., Pa., April 33, 1850, and is a daughter of 
Joseph and Elizabeth (Stugart) Spence, who 
were married there in 1840, and in 1868, 
moved to Benton, Holmes Co., Ohio, with two 
sons, .lesse and Isaac, they are engaged in the 
milling business; their eldest son John was 
killed May 6, 1864, in the battle of the Wil- 
derness, and Elsie the youngest is with her 
parents. In 1873, on the death of his uncles, 
our subject's father purchased their joint half 
interest in the mill, and the management re- 
mains unchanged. 



fe- 



CITY OF ALLIANCE. 



733 



JASON KIRK, th(> second son. was born 
Oct. 7, 1840, .and worked on his fatlioi's farm 
until Aiisif. 12, 1802, wlipij he enlisted in Co. 
K. UO, P. V. 1., one of the famous "Buck- 
tail" Regiments, of the Ai my of the Potomac, 
he w.is in the Seven-days' Fight, the Battle 
ot the Wilderness, in the hottest contested 
points of the Battle of Gettyshurg, and many 
others, and serveil until the close of the war, 
without receiving even a scratch. On return- 
ing from the army he learned, and afterward 
engaged in the photographic art until 1S(J9, 
when he came to Alliance to assist his brother 
in running the mill, remaining until July, 
1873, when he repaired to the oil-reigons of 
Pennsylvania, and engaged in drilling oil- 
wells until August, 1878, when he returned 
to Alliance, and resumed business as practi- 
cal miller and business manager. He was 
married Sept. 9, 1875, to Anna E. Edwards, 
of Honieworth, Columbiana Co., Ohio. 

SAMUEL KATZKXSTEIN, Alliance; is 
one of the leading merchants of Alliance. 
He came from Europe to the United States 
when quite young. Having been engaged in 
the dry goods trade from early boyiiood, he 
continued in that business in this country, and 
iias now established one of the best dry goods 
liouses in Alliance. 

LEVI LESLIE LAMBORN, physician 
and banker; Alliance; was born in Chester 
( 1)., Pa., Oct. 10, 1829. He is the youngest son 
of a family of eleven children born toTownsend 
and Ann (Clayton) Lainborn. His father was 
a prominent Whig politician, and passed ma- 
ny years of his life as an officeholder in his 
county. He was greatly opposed to Freema- 
sonrj', and once ran for Governor of Pennsyl- 
vania on the anti-Masonic ticket. When 
young Lamborn was about 8 years old lie 
came with some of his older brothers to Ohio, 
and located near Salem, where, in conformity 
with the religious creed of his relations, he 
was reared and educated in tlie schools of the 
" Friends." At the age of 15, having already 
determined upon medicine as a profession, he 
I>i-gan reading under the supervision of Dr. 
Scilonion Sleeve, of Damascus; attended his 
first two courses of lectures in Philadelphia, 
and a third at the medical department of the 
West rn Reserve College in Cleveland, where 
he graduated in 1819. He entered upon the 
practice of his profession in Mt. Union, where 



he continued fifteen years. In 1863 he re- 
moved tt) Alliance, and having practiced for 
three years he retired from the profession. 
In 1805, in company with others, he purchas- 
ed 350 acres near Alliance, a part of which is 
now the southern addition to the city. In the 
sessions of 1859-00 and of 1800-61, he 
served as Clerk of the House of Repre- 
sentatives of Ohio, having been a Free 
Soil candidate for that body the year pre- 
vious. Before the late war he was a Re- 
publican, but, possessing conservative views 
as to the policj' to be pursued toward the 
South, he became what was known as a Union 
Democrat, and has since affiliated with that 
party. In 1874 he was a candidate for State 
Senator on the Democratic ticket, and in 1870 
Was nominated for Congress from the 17th 
Ohio District. In 1874 he engaged in private 
banking with E. W^ Gray, though for several 
years previous he transac.ed quite an exten- 
sive loan and discount business. He possesses 
natural abilities of a high order, coupled with 
good judgment, grciut caution and shrewdness. 
He has acquired a leading position among the 
most successful business men of the county, 
and is of independent and decided views, be- 
ing outspoken, yet of genial, alFable manners. 
As a physician he enjoyed an extensive prac- 
tice, and achieved position among the eminent 
practitioners of eastern Ohio ; was a member 
of the various medical associations of the 
County and State, and has been a mend^er of 
the Board of Trustees of the State Asylum 
for the Deaf and Dumb, at Columbus. He 
is connected with no organization of any kind, 
secret or religious, but has been an earnest 
advocate of the policy of the Democratic 
party ; has acquired a reputation as a public 
speaker, and a prominent place among the 
effective platform orators of this part of the 
State. In June, 1851, he married Maria, 
daughter of Stacey Grant, of Alliance. They 
have had seven children, six of whom are liv- 
ing ; their only daughter, Lissetta L., is the 
wife of Alexander Fletcher, an official of the 
P., Ft. W. & C. R. R. ; Leroy L. conducts one 
of the most extensive floral establishments in 
this part of the State. 

RICHAliD LEE, retired farmer; P. O. Al- 
liance; was born in Berks Co., Penn., Oct. 
25, 1817. His great-grand-parents were from 
Wales and Ireland. They came to this conti- 



734 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



nent prior to the Revolutionary war, and set- 
tled in Pennsylvania. His father, Jeremiah 
B. Lee, married Mary Tea, of his native place. 
To them were born seven children, of whom 
the subject of these notes is the third. When 
he was about 10 years old his mother died, 
and father married again. Two children 
were the result of this union. Richard was 
apprenticed to the pottery business when 10 
years old, and continued in that business un- 
til about 34 years of age. In 1840, the fam- 
ily, consisting oi father, step-mother and six 
childien, came to Ohio and located at Albany, 
Columbiana — now Mahoning Co. They en- 
gaged in farming, and got along well in their 
new home. The old folks returned to their 
former home in Pennsylvania, on a visit after 
about two years residence in Ohio. When 
returning here his father took sick by the way 
and died at New Brighton. April 1, 1841, 
Richard married Susan, daughter of John and 
Mary Teeters, and began to farm for himself. 
He was appointed administrator of his fath- 
er's estate; and unknown to the family his 
father had signed as surety the paper of a 
merchant of Salem, to the amount of $2,500, 
which became due soon after his death, and 
for which the farm was sold to meet the de- 
mand. Richard and a brother-in-law, William 
Hoppes, purchased the place between them 
and succeeded in making satisfactory arrange- 
ments, thus retaining the old homestead. 
Richard's early education was very deficient, 
as he was continuously engaged from 10 years 
of age until 15 years, in the pottery, having 
attended school about six months in all, after 
he was 10 years old. At 15 years of age, he 
was obliged to haul iron ore from the mines to 
the smelting works during the winter months, 
and through the summer continue in the pot- 
tery; thus he was employed until he was 34 
years of age. In the meantime he had ac- 
cpiired a fair knowledge of the common 
branches of education by close and hard study 
at nights; by the light of the fire he eagerly 
perused what few books he could secure, and, 
although working hard, made more progress 
in gaining a knowledge of the practical idea 
than many who were favored with better facil- 
ities. In the spring of 1844, the family re- 
moved from Columbiana to Stark Co., and set- 
tled in Washington Tp., where Mr. Lee be- 
came one of the most successful farmers. 



and resided until 1875, when he retired 
from the farm and came to Alliance, where he 
has resided ever since. He officiated as Treas- 
urer of Washington Tp., for twelve years; 
was County Commissioner six years, and is 
now serving his fifth year as Trustee of Lex- 
ington Tp. Early in life he affiliated with the 
Democracy; being opposed to the pro-slavery 
issues, he resolved to unite with the " Know- 
Nothing" party, which was then being organ- 
ized. Having presented himself for initia- 
tion, the secret oath being administered, in 
which there were unpleasant and unpatriotic 
issues developed, he instantly called a halt 
in ceremonies, reached for his hat, and bid 
the party a lasting farewell. To Mr. and 
Mrs. Lee five children were born — Mary, now 
Mrs. W. Coffee; Jeremiah, Ellen P., wife of 
T. F. Haines; Jane, wife of Robert W. Cook, 
and Jessie E. His son Jeremiah enlisted in 
the late war, 115th, O. V. I., and served 
three years, having received his discharge the 
day he was 31 yeai'S old. He returned home 
broken down in health, married and survived 
until July 4, 1873, when he died of disease 
contracted in the service. 

HARVEY LAUGHLIN, attorney at law; 
Alliance; was born in Deerfield, Portage Co., 
Ohio, Jan. 10, 1813. His father, James 
Laughlin, was born in Virginia, and came to 
Pennsylvania with his parents when quite 
young; in the latter State he married Letitia 
Dunlap, and in the year 1800 they removed 
to Ohio, settling in Deerfield Tp., of Portage 
Co. They were parents of twelve children — 
six girls and an equal number of boys; ten 
grew up to maturity, seven of %vhom survive. 
Harvey was the eiglith child. Mr. James 
Laughlin was by trade a mill-wright; he 
was a man of push and energy; with an idea 
of the early demand for milling in the rapidly 
developing settlement, he began the erection 
of a dam on the Mahoning River, one mile 
south of Deerfield Center. He put in 
machinery for both grist and saw-milling; 
this was among the first mills in Portage Co.; 
he lived there to a good old age, and passed 
away in 1851. His wife preceded him in 
death several years. Harvey obtained his 
education at the common schools and Sturde- 
vant Academy of Talmadge. His early man- 
hood was spent variously between teaching 
school and being employed in his father's mill. 



If^ 



CITY OF ALLIANCE. 



735 



and farming. In 1842 he began tlie study 
of law with Griswold and Grant, of Canton, 
and in the fall session of 1844-, of the Supreme 
Court in Canton, he was admitted to the bar. 
He did not enter immediately upon t ho practice 
of law, but returned to the old homestead in 
Deerfiold, Portage Co., and of which he had 
charge until 185:i. That same year he moved 
to Alliance, and opened a law office, where 
he has practiced ever since. lie has been 
twice married, first to Sarah A. Baldwin, of 
Wheeling, Va., in 1836, who died, leaving 
one chiki — Sarah A. Uis second marriage 
was with Minerva M. Mills, of Deerfield, in 
May, 1840. By this union five children %vere 
born, four of whom are living, viz. — Eliza 
M., Harvey C, James L. and Mary E. His 
eldest son, Harvey, has been in the employ of 
the Pioneer Oil Co., of Cleveland, in the 
capacity- of book-keeper for the past ten years. 
.Tames L. graduated from Harvard College, 
in 1.S73, where he is now Assistant Professor 
of Political Economy. 

JONATHAN MYERS, contractor and 
builder ; Alliance ; was born in Smith Tp., 
Mahoning Co., Ohio, June 6, 1836. His fath- 
er's name was Jonathan Myers, who was born 
in Virginia, Nov. 11, 1806. When quite 
j-oung, his parents removed from Virginia to 
Carroll Co., Ohio, and when he arrived at man- 
hood he worked at the carpenter's trade. He 
finally married, and with his wife removed to 
Smith Tp., Mahoning Co., where he engaged in 
farming. They reared eleven children, seven 
boys and four girls ; of these, ten lived to 
maturity. The subject of these notes is the 
third child of the family ; he received the 
ordinary tuition afforded in the common 
schools, and until about 2'i years of age was 
variously engaged on his father's extensive 
farm and in working at the carpenters trade ; 
for the latter he had a decided natural turn of 
mind. He began for himself, with what ex- 
])erience he had then acquired, in contracting 
and building, throughout the neighborhood, 
in which operations he was quite successful. 
Aug. 5, 18(j-2, he enlisted in Co. H, 10.5th O. 
V. I., and went to the front ; on the 8th of 
October, the same year, while participating in 
the battle of Perryville, Ky., he was shot 
through the right arm, breaking it above the 
elbow, which disabled him from further duty 
as a soldier ; he lay there in hospital three 



months, and was then removed to Louisville, 
Ky., where he was discharged Jan. 14, 1863, 
on account of disability. The ensuing sum- 
mer he attended a select school in Mahoning 
Co., and in 1864 he accepted a |>osition as I 
bookkeeper in the planing-mill of .John Pack- '< 
er, where he remained seven months, when he I 
purchased a piece of real estate in Alliance, 
and began building, and selling house and 
lot as soon as finished. He did a good busi- 
ness in this way during the influ.\ of jjopula- 
tion to the town when it was comparatively 
new. This line of business he has continued 
ever since, besides being for three years the 
partner of J. T. Weybreeht in the planing-mill 
and lumber business. June 8, 1865, he mar- 
ried Etneline Cop})ock, a daughter of Pleas- 
ant and L\-dia E. Coppock, of Mahoning Co. 
They have five (children living — Mar)' (de- 
ceased), Charles S., Howard F., Orlando B., 
Oscar and Edward ; one died in childhood. 
Besides his town property, he purchased in 
April, 1880, a farm of 120 acres adjoining the 
citv corporation. 

B. F. MERCER, manufacturer of wooden 
pumps; Alliance; was born in Columbiana 
Co., Ohio, Dec. 20, 1831. He is the son of 
Solomon and Elizabeth (Fitzpatrick) Mercer, 
who were both natives of this State. His 
father learned the potters' trade, and worked 
at it in his younger days, but subsequently 
turned his attention to farming, where he 
reared his family. Consequently the early 
life of B. F. was spent on the farm, and at 
the age of 1.5 hl^ was apprenticed to the 
carriage manufacturing business in Massillori, 
and worked at that trade, including a term of 
apprenticeship, about fifteen years. In 1864 
he removed to Alliance, and embarked in 
the manufacture of horse, hay and grain- 
rakes, and conducted that three years; the busi- 
ness could scarcely be considered a financial 
success, and abandoned it. In 1868, in part- 
nership with Dr. Armstrong, he established 
the manufactory of wooden pumps, and about 
one year later he purchased tlic interest of 
his partner, since which time he has conducted 
the business himself. In this he has been 
favored with a rapidly extending patronage ; 
lays no claim to any new-found plan or patent, 
but manufactures a first-class pump, of the 
very best material, for either deep or shallow 
wells. His establishment is commodious and 



t^ 



736 



BI0(5RAPmCAL SKETCHES: 



suited to his business; he employs five to ten 
hands, according to the season of the year, 
and turns out about 5,000 pumps annually, 
which are sold to dealers throug-hout the 
states of Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana and 
Michigan. April 13, 1851, he married Sarah 
C. Freer, of Paris, this country. The\- have 
three children, viz. — Harlcv F., Fannie and 
Burr S. 

CHARLES L. MORGAN, physician and 
surgeon; Alliance; was born Sept. 19, 
1857, in Alliance. He is the son of John C. 
and Elizabeth (Pennock) Morgan, both of 
whom are natives of Ohio. Charles L. is the 
second son of three children. He received 
a thorough practical education in the pub- 
lic schools, and in 1S71 entered Mt. Union 
College, and subsequently graduated from 
the High School of Alliance, and in 1876 be- 
gan the study of medicine with Dr. J. H. Tres- 
sel, in this place. The first course of lectures 
he attended was in the Miami Medical College 
of Cincinnati; and again at the College of 
Physicians and Surgeons of Baltimore, Md., 
where he graduated in 1879. He began the 
practice of his profession in partnership with 
Dr. E. I.uolien, of Westfield, Morrow Co., 
and in 1880 he removed to Alliance, where 
he has established himself, and, so far, has se- 
cured a good patronage, which is daily in- 
creasing. As a student he was a close worker 
and observing, and as a practitioner no doubt 
the same characteristic will predominate. 
With his naturally agreeable and pleasing 
manners, combined with his professional abil- 
ity, it is only a question of a short time and 
circumstances when he will stand in the first 
ranks of the profession. While he is profi- 
cient in all branches of the science of medi- 
cine, surgery claims his special atttenion. 
Sept. 3, 1880, he married V. Esteila Miller, 
daughter of Dr. Jesse Miller, of Alliance. 

EMERY MILLER, dealer in live stock; Al- 
liance; was born in Mahoning Co., Ohio, .fnly 
21, 1839. The second of nine children born 
to John H. and Elizabeth (llgenfritz). Miller; 
and in youth was brought u]j to farming and 
its kindred pursuits. After the regular course 
of study in the district schools, he received a 
liberal education in the Canfield Academy, 
and began teaching school when 16 years of 
age; having completed six terms before he 
was 31 years old, some of the time being em- 



ployed in the schools of New Middleton' 
When of age, he began to clerk in a drv 
goods store, and a year later (1861) he came to 
Alliance, and opened a diy goods store which 
he continued for eight years ; when he pur- 
chased a good farm of 240 acres in Mahoning 
Co., a short distance from Alliance, and en- 
gaged in stock dealing extensively, to which 
business he devotes his whole attention. His 
annual shipments average about 500 head of 
horses, sold {)rincipally in Philadelphia, and 
about 1300 head of cattle, which are slaugh- 
tered principally in Youngstown, Ohio, to 
supply the meat market of his brother, whose 
patronage requires upwards of 1300 beeves 
yearly. In March, 1860, Mr. Miller married 
Maggie I., daughter of David Weikart, of 
Mahoning Co. Three children have been 
born to them, viz: Austie I., Ivie C, and 
Chloe E. Mr. Miller has pursued industrious- 
ly a straight, business-like course, which has 
been greeted with more than ordinary suc- 
cess. He began in business with a very 
limited amount of capital, and has now, in the 
prime of life, a competency; for, besides his 
stock-farm, he owns 9 acres within the cor- 
porate limits of Alliance, on which he erpcted 
one of the finest residences in Alliance, in 
1877, at a cost of upwards of $11,000, with all 
necessary out-buildings. He is an ai-tive 
member of the Society of American Legion 
of Honor. 

JESSE MILLER, physician and sur- 
geon; Alliance; son of Rev. .Fohn B., and Sarah 
Sliller; was born in Washington Tp., Stark Co., 
Ohio, May 4, 1837. His early education was 
received in the common schools, and subse- 
quently at Mt. Union Seminary; he began 
teaching in his 17th year, during win- 
ter, and attended school in the interval. 
In 1858 he began the study of medicine with 
J. P. Gruwell, M. D., at Damascus, Ohio; 
attended lectures at the University of Penn- 
sylvania, at Philadelphia, and graduated there 
in March, 1871. He married Maria Summer, 
daughter of David and Anna Summer of 
Columbiana Co., Sept. 29, 1859; he began the 
practice of his profession in 1861 at North 
Benton, Ohio; where he remained until he 
engaged in the war of the late rebellion in 
1864, as Assistant Surgeon, U. S. A., and 
was assigned to duty, first at Indianoplis, 
soon after ordered to Louisville, Ky., and from 



r 



^14* 



CITY OF ALLIANCE. 



737 



tlu'ie went to Nashville, Tenn., and was as- 
sigiR'd to general iiospital No. 2, where he re- 
mained until March, 1805, when he returned 
home havinjj contracted rheumatism from 
which he has suffered severely since. In 1809 
he was compelled to quit practice, on account 
of disability induced by rheumatism, and de- 
cided to try a change of climate. He then 
removed to Topeka, Kan., where he resided 
five years without anj' improvement, but his 
rheumatic double had so far disabled him as 
to make him almost entirely helpless. He 
returned to Ohio in 1874, and located in Al- 
liance where he now resides. His suffering 
has been extreme, even to the dislocation of 
his joints; his esteemed wife has been his 
constant companion and care-taker during 
these many years of his afiliction, which he 
has borne with patient resignation. They 
have two children, viz. — Viola Estelle, and 
William Leslie. 

REV. JOHN B. MILLER, Presbyterian 
minister ; Alliance ; was born near North 
Benton, Columbiana (now Mahoning) Co., 
Ohio, Feb. 13, 1816. His father, Abraham 
Md'er, was a native of Fayette Co., Pa., and 
moved to Ohio and settled in Smith Tj). of 
Columbiana Co., in 1804 ; his wife's name 
was Nancy Blackburn ; they reared a family 
of eight children. The children were sent to 
subscrijjtion schools in the winter, and were 
reared to the industries of farm-life during 
summer. In this way . I oh n B. secured a good 
practical education, and was never an hour 
under instruction which was paid from any 
public fund. When about 12 years of age he 
united himself with the Methodist Episcopal 
Church, and early distinguished himself as a 
leader ; on the day he was 16 years of age 
he received a license from that denomination 
to exhort in Randolph, Portage Co., and was 
regidarly ordained at Warren, Trumi.idl Co., 
Aug. 1, 1841, as a local minister. Two vi^ars 
subsequent to his ordination, when the Church 
was divided on the issue of slavery in the 
United States, Mr. Miller went with the 
seceding faction and joined the M^esleyan 
Methodists, in Auo-usi, 1843; he was tlien 
a])pointed to a circuit, and spent ten years as 
traveling minister, principally in the "Western 
Reserve," except one year which he spent in 
the Westville circuit, in the counties of Co- 
lumbiana and Stark. Althongii evervthing 



was in harmony as regarding his connection 
with the Wesleyan body, yet his better judg- 
ment and more cool reflection would continu- 
ally deprecate his withdrawal from the Meth- 
odist Episcopal body. In December, 1853, 
he united himself with the Westville Pres- 
bytery, and was received by that body on cer- 
tificate from the Wesleyan MetJiodists, as an 
ordained minister, as he had been ordained an 
elder while connected mth the Wesleyan 
M(!thodist Church. He was then installed 
pastor of the Presbyterian Church at New 
Waterford, Columbiana Co., where he preach- 
ed fourteen years, when he received and ac- 
cepted a call to preach at Enon Valley, in 
Pennsylvania, where he remained three years, 
when he accepted a call from the churches of 
Betliesda and Hanover, in Columbiana Co., 
where he preached three year.s, half the time 
to each church, as neither congregation was 
able to sustain regular weekly service. He 
then severed his relation with the Hanover 
church, and preached two years, giving all his 
time to the church at Bethesda. In Ajjril, 
1877, he was obliged, on account of failing 
health, to give up his charge at Bethesda, 
since which time he has been supplying dif- 
ferent churches ; for about eighteen months 
past he has been preaching to the congrega- 
tion at New Harrisburg, Carroll Co. Dec. 2, 
1834, he married Sarah Shaffer, and to them 
were born twelve children, eight of whom are 
living, viz.^ — .Jesse (whose sketch is in this 
work), Bradford, now Treasurer of Shawnee 
Co., Kan.; Williatn W. and Hiram B., part- 
ners in mercantile and live-stock trade, in 
Osage, Kan.; Henry H., a ph3-sician, in prac- 
tice at Rossville, K;in.; John A., in the boot 
and shoe business in North Topeka; Stephen is 
a merchant in Florence, Kan.; Jane A. is now 
Mrs. William Millard, of tliis county. Mrs. 
Miller died Nov. 6, 1805 ; Mr. Miller married 
his second wife, Mrs. Mary Boies, nee Hamilton, 
widow of the late W. Boies, Nov. 6, 1866. 
Although well advanced in years, Mr. Miller 
is a man full of vitality, energetic in the good 
cause, an ever-ready and zealous worker; 
what he may have lacked, in early life, in 
collegiate education, is fully compensated in 
native ability, a large amount of common- 
sense, seasoned with a long and varied expe- 
rience. Five of his sons were engaged in the 
late civil war, viz. — Jesse, Bradford, John A., 



738 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



Willium W. and Hiram B. Bradford served 
for some time as Assistant Provost Marshal at 
Alliance. 

WILLIAM McLERAN, commercial trav- 
eler and hardware merchant; Alliance; was 
born at Philadelphia, April 28, 1832. His 
parents were James and Mary (Brown) Mc- 
Leran, both natives of Scotland; who came to 
the United States with their respective 
families when children. James McLeran en- 
gaged in the manufacture of woolens in Phil- 
adelphia, and continued in that business until 
1832, when he removed with his family to 
Salem, Columbiana Co., Ohio, where he en- 
gaged in coverlid and carjiet weaving, and 
continued in that business until his death, 
which occurred in 1852. His widow survived 
until 1867. They had four children — James, 
John; and Mary and William (twins). Wil- 
liam's boyhood was spent in Salem, and when 
about 14 years old, he began to clerk in a 
store of general merchandise, and remained 
three years, when he began to learn the 
carriage-blacksmitliing- trade, and worked at 
that for four years. Being much inclined to 
travel, he decided on making a tour of the 
Western States and Territories, which, includ- 
ing his stay in California, occupied a period 
of four years. In 1855, he left California, and 
returned to Ohio, and engaged in the dry 
goods business in Hanover, and subsequently 
in the merchant-tailoring in Salem for several 
years, and then disposed of his interest in 
that business to his brother, who was his part- 
ner, and went to Pittsburg in April, 1859, 
where he engaged in the hardware-jobbing 
business until January, 1861, when he went 
to Philadelphia, and has been a commercial 
traveler from the latter city ever since. His 
experience for the last twenty-one years as 
traveling salesman over the north-west, has 
been varied and interesting. His strict 
integrity and close attention to business has 
placed him high in the confidence of his em- 
ployers, and won him many friends among 
ills patrons. Nov. 7, 1855, he married Laura 
.]. Laubie, daughter of .James Laubie, of 
Salem, formerly of Pittsburg, Pa. In the 
spring of 1881, he established a retail hard- 
ware store in Alliance, in partnership with 
his nephev/, Will. M. Grumrine, the latter 
gentleman has charge of the business, in 
which he has had considerable experience. 



He was born in Salem, Ohio, April 2*^, 1856; 
son of Daniel and Mary (McLeran) Crumrine 
— she the only sister of Mr. McLrran. Mr. 
Crumrine was engaged in a hardware store 
where he remamed six years, and then 
accepted a position in the wholesale house of 
Wagner & Forney, of Mansfield, as traveling 
salesman, which position he resigned when 
the firm of McLeran & Crumrine was formed. 

WILLIAM MURPHY, manufacturer and 
repairer of steam boilers, &c.; Alliance ; 
was born in Cork, Ireland, Feb. 10, 1846. 
When he was about 3 years old, his parents 
came to the United States, and settled at Buf- 
falo, N. Y. There his mother died, and his 
father married a second wife, and reared a 
large family. When about 19 years of age, 
William began to work with the Buckeye 
Boiler Co., of Cleveland; finished his trade 
with the Variety Iron Works Co., and subse- 
quently established a shop in Newcastle, 
Penn., but being in limited financial circum- 
stances, he suffered considerable loss in the 
panic of 1873, and was obliged to suspend 
business in that place. He then opened a 
shop in the oil regions of Pennsylvania, which 
he finally sold and returned to Ohio. On 
Aug. 29, 1872, he was married to Margaret 
Ryan, daughter of William Ryan, of Mt. 
Union. Since their return to Ohio, Mr. Mur- 
phey worked at his trade during the winter 
months, and worked Mr. Ryan's farm during 
the summer, until November, 1880, when he 
established liis present boiler works in the old 
Nixon agricultural works building, where he 
does all kinds of boiler manufacturing and re- 
pairing. They have three children — William 
F., Charles H., and John A. 

J. W. MoFARLAND, machinist and 
manufacturer of engines; Alliance; was 
born in Chester Co., Penn., August 26, 1833; 
he is the youngest of five children of John and 
Ann (Wiley)" McFarland. His father died 
when he was quite young, and until about 
his 17th year he lived and worked on the 
farm. He then began to learn the ma- 
chinist's trade at the Brandywine Machine 
Works, and served four years. In 1855 he 
came to Ohio, and started a saw-mill near 
Salem, Columbiana Co., and ran that about 
three years. He came to Alliance in the 
spring of I860, and was employed in the ma- 
chine works here as " master mechanic;" he 



f^ 






CITY OF ALLIANCE. 



739 



held this |ii)sitiou until 18GG, when he re- 
moved to Uoatesville, Penn., and engaged at 
his trade there several years, after which he 
returned to Alliance and took charge of Nix- 
on & Co.'s works for a short time. In 1872 
he began business for himself; although his 
out-set was at a time most unfav()ral)le for 
business enterprise, he pushed his work per- 
severingly and steadily in a small way, and 
has been favored with unexpected success, 
em|)loviug now live or six hands, as trade de- 
mands. In June, 1858, he married Phoebe 
P. Babb, of Chester Co., Penn. They have 
two children — Laura E., (who has charge of 
the books o! the concern), and Leetta. 

ISAAC C. MILBOURX, general stationery 
dealer; Alliance; was born in Hanover, Co- 
lumbiana Co., Ohio, Nov. 19, 18'.28. He is 
the youngest of a family of eight children, 
one girl and seven boys, born to Samuel and 
Jane (Craig) Milbourn, who removed from 
Virginia to Chio about 1804. They located 
on a farm in Columbiana Co., and on which 
they ever afterward resided until their demise, 
which occurred, his in 1S64, and his widow 
survived until 1870, both well advanced in 
years. Isaac C. Milbourn's vouth was spent 
on the farm until about 18 y.ars of age; he 
then learned the carpenter's trad(\ and fol- 
lowed that business until 1864. The follow- 
ing j'ear he abandoned the carpenter business 
anil opened a store of general hardware in 
Waynesburgh, this county, which he conduct- 
ed two years, and then embarked in the dry 
goods trade until 1869. He disposed of 
his business in Waynesburgh, and came to Al- 
liance the same year, and toi)k a contract of 
grading the Pittsburg, Baltimore & Ohio R. 
R., from Connellsville to Cumberland, which 
occupied him over a year. His contract com- 
pleted, he returned to Alliance in 1870, and, 
to learn the business, he accepted a clerkship 
in a stationery ostalilishment, which he pur- 
chased in 1874, and has conducted that busi- 
ness ever since. March, 1853, he married 
Elizabeth Manfull. They hail one child who 
died when 4 years old. Mrs. Mill)ourn is a 
daughter of Stephen Manfull, of Augusta, 
Carroll Co., Ohio. 

FRANK M. ORR, tin, stove, and hardware 
merchant; Alliance; was born in Harrison Co., 
Oliii, July 12, 1838; the son of John and 
Elizabeth (Adkinson) Orr, who came from 



Virginia to Ohio, and located in Harrison Co. 
His father was a mill-wright bv trade, but af- 
ter coming to Ohio his time was spent prin- 
cipally in fanning. They reared eight chil- 
dren of whom Frank M., is the only survivor; 
he got the advantages of a good common 
school education, and being left to his own 
resources at 10 years of age, he learned indus- 
try and economy out of necessity. At 15 
years of age he began to learn the tinner's 
trade in Carrollton, Carroll Co., and in 1856 
removed to Canton, where he worked at his 
trade until 1802. In the spring of that year 
he moved to Alliance, and set up in business 
for himself, where he has continued in the 
tin, hardware, stove and house-furnishing 
trade ever since. In his business career there 
existed a partnership until 1873, which termi- 
nated then by Mr. Orr purchasing the entire 
business, immediately preceding the panic 
of 1873; in this he was a heavy loser, but 
through energy and good executive business 
tact he surmounted the impending difficulties 
of trade and has done a flourishing business 
since. In October, 1859, he married Isabel 
Grim, for whom he had formed an early attach- 
ment in youth, in Harrison Co. By this union 
were born eight children, six of whom are liv- 
ing, viz. — Alice (now Mrs. II. H. Highland), 
Elmer E., Kittic, Lo>i A., William J. F., and 
Edna B. Mr. Orr has been a member of tlie 
Independent Order of Odd Fellows since 18G0, 
and is a member of the Royal Arcanum. 

MORRIS C. PENNOCK, hardware mer- 
chant and banker; Alliance; of the firm of 
Wright & Pennock; was born in Chester Co., 
Penn., May 22, 1830, and is the son of John 
and Sidney (Chambers) Pennock. The Pen- 
nock family in this country trace their ances- 
try back to one Christopher Pennock, who 
was an officer in the British army, but on em- 
bracing the religion of the Quakers, he resign- 
ed his position in the army and came to 
Pennsylvania with Wni. Penn, when the lat- 
ter came to this continent on his second visit. 
Christopher Pennock had three sons who 
were the heads of the various branches of that 
family now in the United States. The parerits 
of our subject removed from Pennsylvania to 
Ohio in 1832, and settled about eight miles 
south of Salem, where they farmed about 10 
years, and then moved to the near vicinity of 
Salem, where they now reside; their ages re- 






spectively being 79 and 74 years; they reared 
a family of five children, four of whom are 
living, viz. — Elizabeth, now Mrs. Jos. Davis; 
Morris C; Rachel P., now Mrs. C. Bonsall; 
and Sidney M. They were brought up to 
farm life, and got a liberal education in the 
public schools. Morris C attended a private 
school in Salem, and for six or eight years he 
taught school in the winter, and worked on 
the farm during the summer. In March, 
1857, he married Emma E. Wriglit, daughter 
of Redmond Wright, of Trumbull Co. They 
had one child, now deceased. For the pur- 
pose of learning the hardware business, he 
accepted a clerkship in an establishment of 
that kind with Chessman & Wright, of Salem, 
which he retained until 1862; when a partner- 
ship was formed between himself and Mr. Al- 
fred Wright. Their present hardvvare house 
was established, and to it Mr. Pennock gives 
his undivided attention. In all their busi- 
ness enterprises they have been greeted with 
that success which awaits industry and hon- 
est effort. He is one of the originators of the 
First National Bank of Alliance, which was 
organized in 1872, and has been a member of 
its Board of Directors ever since the organi- 
zation, and is now the Vice-President. He 
has also been a member of the City Council, 
and is president of the Board of Education. 
Mrs. Pennock, his first wife, died in 1802; and 
in May, 1808, he married Mrs. A. Keith, nee 
Colcstack; she has one child, Chas. S. Keith, 
by her first husband, who is engaged in the 
store. 

WILLIAM REYNOLDS, retired train 
conducto" and merchant; Alliance; was born 
in Monmouthshire, England, Aug. 5, 1821. 
When he was about 20 years of age his 
brother John, their father, George Reynolds, 
and liimself emigrated to the United States. 
They came to Fallstown, Penn., where their 
fatlier engaged at his trade, that of wire- 
drawing, as did the subject of these notes; 
but death called John away ere they had 
been long in this country. In 1851, our 
subject engaged with tlie Ohio & Pennsylva- 
nia R. R. Co., now the P., Ft. W. & C. R. R., 
as wood contractor while it was being con- 
structed. As soon as the road was in order 
for running trains, he was employed as bag- 
gage master on the train, and was soon pro- 
moted to conductor, in which capacity he has 



been on every grade of train fmui the gravel 
or construction train, up to the " Lightning 
E.Kpress," being the conductor on the first 
Lig'htning Express, and the conductor on the 
last trip made by the Liglitning Express, 
which trains were run during a period of 
heated competition of the " Trunk" Lines. 
He married Margaret J. McDonnal, of Alli- 
ance, in 1853, formerly of Florence, Pern. 
Subsequent to their marriage, he settled on 
a farm and in 1800, they came to reside in 
town where they have remained ever since. 
They have one child — Elizabeth Jane. In 
1863 he opened a hotel in Alliance, having se- 
cured a contract for supplying the soldiers who 
were called thither, this being the headquar- 
ters of the Provost Marshal for this district. 
He is a gentleman of shrewd business facul- 
ties and has been several times in the mercan- 
tile business; when proper opportunity would 
present itself, he would purchase or sell out 
his business, and never devoted himself to 
any special branch of business; with all he 
has been favored with success. He united 
himself with the Masonic fraternity in New 
Brighton, Penn., and with the lodge there, h(; 
has sustained his membership for a period of 
upwards of twentv-tive vears. 

WILLIAM A. ROUfSON, master of trans- 
portation on the Eastern division of P., Ft. W. 
& C. R. R.; Alliance; was born Sept. 24, 1841, 
in Wayne Co., Ohio, and is the second of a 
family of eight children, born to Samuel and 
Jane (Morrison) Routson. His father was 
extensively engaged in the manufacture of 
stone-ware and sewer-pipe, which business 
he conducted for many years. William A. 
received a liberal education, and early in life 
began to learn the art of telegraphy, and was 
variously employed as ojierator and superin- 
tendent's clerk, at Mansfield fir some tinie. 
On leaving Mansfield he was given charge of 
the railroad and telegraph offices at Wooster, 
where he remained several years; thence to 
Massillon, and had charge of the railroad 
office there as freight and ticket agent, until 
1872, when he was promoted to Master of 
Transportation on the New Castle and Law- 
rence branches, of the Pennsylvania R. R. 
In 1875 he was appointed to his present posi- 
tion, includiTig also the Massillon Branch R. R. 
His position is one of much responsibility and 
trust. During these many years of railroad 



If^ 



]^ 



CITY OF ALLIANCE. 



business in the various departments, from the 
least up to ills present position, he has always 
bCi'ti faithful and diligent in the discharge of 
his duty. In October, 18G5, he married Eliza 
K. Finlev, daughter of Rev. Robert M. 
Finley, a Presbyterian Minister, of Wooster, 
Ohio. One child is the result of this union — 
William A., Jr. 

H. K. RUTH, merchant; Alliance; was born 
in Lancaster Co., IVnu., Jan. 10, 1831, the 
fifth child of a family of twelvi' children born 
to Peter and Kesiah (Itegar) Ruth, both na- 
tives of Pennsylvania. They removed to 
Ohio and settled in Osnaburg, Stark Co., en- 
gaging in the hotel business, where they re- 
mained about fifteen years, and fnially re- 
moved to Columbiana Co., where they died, 
well advanced in life; he in his 87th, and she 
in her 80th year. When about 16 years of 
age, young Ruth engaged as clerk in Minerva 
lor a short period, thence went to Canton 
where he held a similar position with M. Wik- 
idall; thence to Osnaburg, and engaged with 
the Kountz Bros., who are now so favorably 
and well known as bankers and merchants in 
New York, Oniaha and Denver. In 185:3 he 
established a store of general merchandise in 
partnership with George Sloan, Sen., in Han- 
over, Columbiana Co., where he conducted 
business until 1800, and thence went to Au- 
gusta, where he was in business three years. 
He came t« Alliance in 1804, and was in the 
mercantile business a short time when he ac- 
cepted a ]K)sition as commercial traveller, and 
remained in that capacity about ten years. In 
1877 he opened a notion and fancy-goods 
store, and does a prosperous business. lie 
married Hannah Hamilton, Sept. 28, 1854, 
of Hanover. They have five children, viz — 
Charles, William, Clifford, Frank and Katie. 
Of his father's family of twelve children, eight 
are still living — Elizabeth, married Charles 
Haines, of Minerva, who is now in the oil trade 
at Oil City, Penn., since 1860; Mary A., has 
been twice a widow, her first husband was R. 
Smith, alter his decease she married William 
Frost; William, married Adaline Kountz, and 
resides in Denver, Col.; Matilda, deceased, 
was wife of Henry Shaffer, of Saline, Ohio; 
Kate is now the wife of Augustus Kovnitze, 
senior member of the Kountze Bros. Banking 
House, New York; Jefferson is a resident of 
Utah, dealing in agricultural implements; 



Emma, unmarried, resid(?s in Hanover, Ohio; 
Rufus C. is a commercial traveler lor a Phila- 
delphia house for the last six years. 

HENRY SHAFFER, farnier and shipj.er 
of moulding sand; P. O. Alliance; was born 
in Washingtcm Tp., Stark Co., Ohio, Jan. 7, 
1834; the fourth of eight children born to 
Samuel and Mary (Berger) Shaffer, whrjse 
sketch appears in this work. His parents 
moved to Alliani'e when he was quite young. 
He went out to his uncle .Jonathan Shaffer's, 
where he lived three years, ^\'h(■n about 10 
years of age, he began to learn the carp(Mi- 
ter's trade with James K. Blackburn, and fol- 
lowed that business until 1850, in the mean- 
time having contracted and built many farm 
buildings. Dec. 24, 1855, he married hJliza- 
beth Chance; they have one child, Franklin 
H. Mrs. Shaffer is a daughter of Perry and 
Lovina Chance, of Alliance. For two years 
he was running a saw-mill, and in 1858 he 
rented a small farm and turned his attention 
to farming, which lasted only that season. 
Having lost all his crops by the severe and 
memorable freeze in June, 1858, he became 
disgusted, and secured a jiosition on the P., Ft. 
W. & C. R. R., as a brakeman, but was soon 
placed in chargeof a freight train; then promo- 
ted to coruhictor on a passenger train between 
Ft. Wayne and Chicago, having his residence 
in the latter place, from 1801 to 1800. They 
returned to Alliance, when he quit railroad 
work, where he has remained since. He 
purchased a small farm of 43 acres, on which 
is found valuable beds of moulding sand, for 
which there is a good demand in the mould- 
ing establishments all over the country, from 
Pittsburg east, to Indianapolis and Chicago in 
the west Mr. Shaffer has been a member of 
the ATasonic faiternity since 18(i0. He has 
been a Director of the Alliance & Lake Erie 
Railroad, and for two years Superintendent 
of said railroad, and one of its promoters. 

JOHN SEFERT, meat market; Alliance; 
was born in Canton T|)., Ohio, July 17, 1832. 
He is the oldest son of U'.n children born to 
Michael and Sally (Wills) Sefert. They 
came to Stark Co., about 1828, when much of 
itwasyetin its natural ctmdition. Theirchild- 
ren are — John, George, Carolina (deceased), 
Sarah, Michael, Christian, Henry, Washing- 
ton, Cora and Alice. Having spent his early 
manhood on his father's farm, John engaged 



:^ 



-'4* 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



in the butclieiing business in Waynesburtr 
four years, when he removed to Alliance and 
opened up the same business here which he 
closed out in a year to take a position on 
tlie P., Ft. W. & C. R. R., where he was em- 
ployed ten years, nine of which he was con- 
ductor. He then resigned his railroad posi- 
tion, and started again in the meat market in 
Alliance, which he has continued ever since. 
Nov. 13, 1854, he married Anna Griffith, a 
daughter of Jacob Griffith, of this county. 
They have had nine children, viz. — -Carolina, 
Hulila E., George H., William E., Franklin 
(deceased), Mary A., Salome B., Emma A., 
and one died in childhood. Mr. Sefert is a 
quiet, industrious citizen, and has been a 
member of theMasonic fraternity for the last 
si.xteen years. 

RALPH SCRANTON, deceased, was born 
in Atwater, Portage Co., Ohio, August 12, 
1812. In youth he learned the cabinet-mak- 
ing business in Ravenna, and worked at iiis 
trade in Deerfield for ten years. In 1846 he 
purchased a small farm in Lexington Tp., 
Stark Co., and carried on his trade in connec- 
tion with his farming. They sold out in 1850, 
and I'enioved to the farm where his widow now 
resides In the fall of 1835, he married Eliza- 
beth Pickering. She was born in Dorchester, 
Eng., Oct. 23, 1814, a daughter of Joseph 
and Annie Pickering, who with their seven 
children, emigrated to the United States in 
1830; came direct to Deerfield, Portage Co., 
Ohio, where they located and remained until 
their death. To Mr. and Mrs. Soranton were 
born ten children, nine living, viz. — Lovina, 
Irving, Edwin E., Paiuelia, Harrison, Albert, 
I^ouisa, Aldine and Rosetta. Mr. Soranton 
died April 10, 1867. Two of their sons par- 
ticipated in the late war — Irving and Edwin 
E. The former was, at the time of the out- 
bi-eak of the rebellion, a resident of Iowa, and 
enlisted in the 16th la. V. I., was seriously 
wounded by gunshot at the battle of Pitts- 
burg Landing, from whence he was discharged 
becavise of disability. 

EDWIN E. SCRANTON, railroad agent; 
Alliance ; was born March 2, 1840, while his 
])arents resided in Deerfield, and is the 
third child of the family. He was educated 
at the Public Schools, and at Mt. LTnion Col- 
lege, where he took a course extending over 
two years. For two years he taught school in 



the counties of Stark and Portage. He en- 
listed in the late war, Oct. 28, 1861, in Co. B., 
65th O. V. I. On July 1, 1864, he was pro- 
moted to First Lieutenant, and steadily rose 
in favor in his regiment. .Jan. 1, 1865, he was 
promoted to Regimental Adjutant, and Nov. 
30, was mustered out, with the rank of Cap- 
tain. His war record is in every respect 
highly honorable, and so far as escape from 
injury is concerned, was exceedingly fortu- 
nate, considering that he participated in four- 
teen of the most prominent battles of the whole 
campaign; among which we may mention the 
engagements at Shiloh, Stone River, Chicka- 
mauga. Mission Ridge, through the Atlanta 
Campaign, Franklin and Nashville, besidts 
many skirmishes. On his return from the 
army, he farmed two years, then disposed of 
his interests in that line and for the greater 
part of his time since was in the employ of the 
P., Ft. W. & C. R. R. Co., engaged in office 
work at Alliance, until the spring of 1881, 
when he engaged with the Lake Erie & Alli- 
ance R. R. Co. He attends to general office 
work, and is agent for said conjpany at 
Alliance. Feb. 28, 1866, he married Hannah, 
daughter of Robert and Aliigail Wood. They 
have five children — Melville, Clarence, Lau- 
rin, Evelina and Edison E. Mr. and Mrs. 
Scranton are members of the M. E. Church. 
He has been for two years a member of the 
City Council, and served three years on the 
Board of Education of Alliance, and for 
two years Assistant Superintendent of the 
Sunday School. 

JACOB SHAFFER, treasurer and secre- 
tary of the Alliance Bagging Co.; Alliance; 
was born in Washington Tp., this county, 
July 3, 1828. He is the son of Samuel and 
Mary M. vShaffer, who is referred to elsewhere 
in this work. His boyhood was spent in his 
father's store as clerk while he was yet quite 
young, in which capacity he continued many 
years. On attaining his majority he entered 
into partnership with his father in the mer- 
cantile business; they estaVilishcd a general 
store of merchandise, besides handling pro- 
duce largely. They also took in as partner 
one A. C. Hanger, the firm name being S. 
Shaffer & Co., which was dissolved in 1857. 
Our subject then embarkeil in the dry goods 
trade with Mr. Keplinger for about three 
years. In 1862 a partnership was formed be- 



s Vy 



Al^ 



Vv 



CITY OF ALLIANCE. 



743 



tween himself and Jlr. Ely, in the mercan- 
tile business wliich lasted until 1S?3. In the 
meantime he and Mr. Ely had taken an in- 
terest in the bao^j^ing nianufactury, and ere 
long Mr. Shaffer joined the latter establish- 
ment, and has been an active member of the 
firm ever since. He was married to Emeline 
Stanley in March, 184:8. She was a daughter 
of L. B. Stanley, of Malioninir Co. They 
have six children, viz. — Minerva J., Emma S., 
Alonzo T., Knivilla, Charles C, and TIenry C. 
Mr. Shatlor is one of those unassinninij, quiet 
business mini, who watch their own business 
interests without courting- a superficial popu- 
larity. He has been elected, and served sev- 
eral years as member of the Alliance Town 
Council. 

GEORGE SEFERT, meat market; Alli- 
ance; was born in Canton, Ohio, March 3, 
1834; the second son of ten children born to 
Michael and Sally (Wills) Sefert. He was 
brought up to farm work in youth, and when 
about 1(3 years of age, he went to Wheeling, 
Va., where he was engaged in the glass-blo.v- 
ing business about five years. Returning to 
this county he engaged in farming and stock- 
dealing with his father, who was largely en- 
gaged in driving live stock. In 1858 he 
opened a moat market in Wa\'nesburgh, and 
th(s following year moved to Minerva, where 
he continued his business until IS&Z. On 
Feb. 8, of that year, he enlisted in the 3d O. 
L. A. of the late war, and was assigned to 
duty as Sergeant, and afterward was promot- 
ed to Orderlj' Sergeant, then to 2d Lieu- 
tenant, and then to Senior 1st Lieutenant, 
in which capacity he served to the close of the 
war, having participated in many of the impor- 
tant battles of the war, among which we men- 
tion the engagements of Raymond, Mi.ss., Jack- 
son, Miss., Chani])ion Hills and Seige of 
Vicksburg. He then returned home and re- 
cruited soldiers for six months, and again 
joined his regiment which was then at Cairo, 
III., but soon advanced to Georgia, participa- 
ting in the Kcnasaw Mountain engagement. 
Chat dioochee River, and Atlanta, on the '22d 
of July, 1864, where Gen. McPherson was 
killed. His regiment was then sent back to 
Nashville, Tenn., wh(>re they remained until 
the close of the war. His war record has 
been of a character to reflect lasting credit. 
Sej)temb:>r, 180.5, he came to Alliance and es- 



tablished his present business, and has in con- 
nection with it, engaged extensively in live- 
stock <tealing ever ?-ince. He married Bar- 
bara Weaver, of O.snaburg Tp., March 28, 
1858, and there were born to them two child- 
ren — Amelia and Charles. 

SAMUEL SHAFFER, deceased; was born 
in eastern Pennsylvania, in 1803; the sec- 
ond child of a family of thirteen children 
born to William ShafTr^r. William Shaffer 
came to Ohio with his faniilj' in 1814, and lo- 
cated in Washington Tp., Stark Co., where he 
entered considerable land. His numerous 
family of children all lived to maturity, and 
he and his wile remained in the same 
place until their demise, which occurred many 
years ago. Their sons all settled in Ohio, but 
some of their daughters removed to the west 
with their families. Samuel married Mary 
Barger, Sept. 20, 1825. She was daughter 
of Christian Barger, a minister of the United 
Brethren Church, who came with his family 
from Pennsylvania early in the spring of 
1825, and settled at Harrisburg, Stark Co. 
He labored in the good cause for about three 
years in the pioneer settlements, when the 
Master called him from earthly scenes. Mr. 
and Mrs. Shaffer pursued their farming voca- 
tion about two arid a half miles southwest of 
Mt. Union, until by rheumatism he was dis- 
abled in one leg, being then less able to in- 
dulge in active work of the farm, and still re- 
taining his usual energy, he was determined 
to do something; so he opened a grocery at his 
residence, which he conducted for about three 
years. In 1841 he moved to Freedom — now 
Alliance — and opened the second store ever 
in this place. He was early identified with 
the United Brethren Church, of which he was 
Trustee for many years, but subsequently uni- 
ted himself with the M. E. Church, which de- 
nomination granted him a license to preach, 
but being of a reserved and retiring turn of 
mind, ho never entered on ministerial duties. 
He was a man of good business abilitv, and 
did much for the general welfare and devel- 
opment of Alliance. In partner-ship with his 
son Jacob, he built the provision warehouse 
now owned by Jacob Lower, and conducted 
business there several years. He was cho-iMi 
Township Trustee, which office he held for 
many years. .Mr. an<l Mrs. Shaffer were par- 
ents of nine children, eight of whom lived to 



744 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



niaturitv, viz: — Jacob, Henry, Samuel (was a 
eor.duciur on the P., Ft. W. & C. R. R., on 
which he sustained fatal injuries at Massillon,) 
Isaac, Sarah, Susan, Sophia and Lucinda. 
Mr. Shaffer died Feb. 7. 1877. Mrs. Shaffer 
is left in vi.^ry comfortable circumstances, and 
is remarkably hale for one of her age, and es- 
pecially for one who has cared for so large a 
family, and borne the burthen and withstood 
the trials of pioneer life. 

REUBEN SHI DLER, proprietor of livery 
stable; Alliance; was born in Paris Tp., Stark 
Co., Ohio, July 3, 18:57. His father David, 
and his mother, Lydia (Fryfogle) Shidler, were 
both natives of Pennsylvania, and removed to 
Ohio when young. The Shidler family were 
among the early settlers of Paris Tp. Our 
subject is the fourth of a family of nine 
children, six sons and three daughters. His 
boyhood was spent on the farm, but 
when about 14 years of age, his father removed 
his family to Homeworth, and there engaged 
in the steam saw-mill business, remaining un- 
til their demise. Young Shidler engaged in 
the lumber trade, which he continued for a 
time; when he purchased a farm and dcvotetl 
himself to the caieof it for about three years, 
but on the beginning of the oil excitement in 
Pennsylvania, he repaired thither, but re- 
turned in a short time and sold his farm, and 
engaged in the hotel business at Homeworth 
for three years. In April, 1870, he came to 
Alliance, intent on establishing a dray-line, 
which he concluded, on his arrival, would not 
be a paying arrangement. He leased a small 
stable, and in partnership with Albert Reed, 
turned his attention to the livery business. 
Soon thereafter he purchased a lot and erect- 
ed his present stables. The partnership rela- 
tion of the firm was dissolved by Mr. Shidler 
purchasing the interest of Mr. Reed in the 
stable in "March, 1881. He married Hattie 
King, of Columbiana Co., in 18.58. Their 
onlv child is William W., now witli Mr. Se- 
fert. 

SAMUEL SHIMP, freightand ticket agent 
of P., Ft. W. & 0. R. R.; Alliance; was born 
in Franklin Co., Penn., Nov. 21, 1838; the sec- 
ond child and oldest son born to Samuel and 
Catharine (Stouifer) Slump, who were also na- 
tives of Pennsylvania. His father was a car- 
penter by trade, but subsequently turned his 
attention to farming, to which life our subject 



was brought up. When about 19 years of 
age, he began to learn the carpe?iter's trade, 
and continued in that business about eight 
years. In February, 1851, he accepted a 
clerkship in a dry goods store, and followed 
that vocation for various employers for a pe- 
riod of six years. In 1802 he entered into 
the employ of the Pittsburg, Ft. Wayne & 
Chicago R. R. Co., at Alliance, and in No- 
vember, 1863, was appointed freight and 
ticket agent of the Company at this station, 
and has remained here ever since. He mar- 
ried Sarah Ann Greenawalt, Nov. 1, 1850, of 
Montgomery Co., Penn. They have three 
cliildren living, viz. — S. Edgar, Zoe F., and 
Carrie B. During these years of service, 
where there is a great deal of responsibility, 
Mr. Shimp has invariably been equal to the 
task and is kind and sociable under all cir- 
cumstances; at all times willing and prompt 
to oblige and accommodate the patrons of the 
railroad, or any who may call on him in any 
capacity. With business reputation above sus- 
picion, he holds the friendship and universal 
indorsement of the business men of Alliance. 
GEORGE G. SMITH, physician and sur- 
geon; Alliance; was born in Trumbull Co., 
Ohio, Jan. 31, 1837. His parents were Phil- 
ander and Martha (Freer) Smith, of New 
York, who removed to Ohio about 1833, and 
settled in Trumbull Co. They reared eleven 
children. Mr. Smith was by occupation a 
mill-wright. After a common-school educa- 
tion, the Doctor set out in life for himself. 
He came to Alliance when a mere youth and 
entered into the employ of Drs. Wilson & 
Armstrong, in the capacity of drug-clerk. 
He became interested in the study of med- 
icine iind while clerking, spent his leisure 
hours in study, consequently his employers 
became at the same time his preceptors. He 
was in very limited circumstances, as he was 
depending entirely on the resources of his 
own labor, to furnish means of support 
and education; in consecjuence of which the 
completion of the medical course was somewhat 
retarded. Ho accepted a clerkship in a drug 
store in Janesville, Wis., where he remained 
one winter; thence to Cincinnati, whore he 
held a similar position, and while there 
attended a course of lectures in the Ohio 
Medical College. In 1859 he removed to 
Michigan, and began the practice of medicine 



-^ — "i^ 



CITY OF ALLIANCE. 



in partnership with Dr. James A. Leasia. He 
enlisted in the late civil war in August, 1861, 
in Co. K, 9tli Mich. V. I. At the organiza- 
tl(in of the rej^iment, he was chosen sergeant 
and arose steadily to distinction in the 
service. Fiis regiment was ordered to Ken- 
tucky, and as soon as they arrived he was de- 
tailed as hospital steward at West Point, 
Ky., where he remained about two months, 
when he was removed to Elizabethtown and 
occupied the same position at the post hos- 
pital, linniediately after the battle of Pitts- 
burgh Landing, he was ordered to Nashville, 
and assigned to duty in Hospital No. 5. 
While there he attended a cour.se of lectures 
at the medical department of th<j University 
of Tennessee, and graduated in the winter of 
iy62-63. In April, 1863, he was appointed 
assistant surgeon of his old regiment. In 
.I\dy of 18G4 he was again (h'tailed from his 
ri'rriment, this time as surgeon of the 19th 
U. S. I., throughf ut the Atlantic campaign, 
and the following October, he received his 
commission as surgeon of his old regiment, to 
which he returned in December, 18()4, to the 
mutual satisfaction of himself and his old 
associates, as his congeniality during his term 
as assistant surgeon, had made him a favorite, 
and many warm friends. When mustered 
out of the service in 1805, he returned to 
Ohio, opened an office in Newtown Falls, 
Trumbull Co., and resumed the practice of 
his profession, and remained three years. He 
attended a course of lectures in the Cleveland 
Medical College in the winter of ISOr and 
1868, and graduated in the spring of the 
latter year, receiving the ad vundetn degree. 
In October of the same year he came to Al- 
liance, where he has practiced ever since, 
and enjoys an ever incn^asing patronage. 
He married Kate, G. Coleslock, daughter 
of Daniel Colestock, of Columbiana Co. 
They had two children, both deceased. He 
is a meml)er of the Stark County Medical 
Society, and a member of the Masonic Fra- 
ternity. He was apjiointed U. S. Examining 
Surgeon for this county. 

GKORGE W. SOURBECK, restaurant 
ke:p.;r; Alliance; was born in Briilgeport, 
Cumberland Co., I'enn., Feb. 26, 1837. He is 
the oldest son of .John Sourbeek, by his sec- 
ond wife (Sarah A. Collier). The subject of 
these notes was only 7 years old at the time 



his father was drowned (which event is noted 
in the sketch of Daniel Sourbeck), therefore 
he was early in life necessitated to do for 
himself, and began his career as driver on the 
canal from llarrisburg to Nanticoke and 
Wilkcsbarre. This he followed one season, 
when he wont to Mechanicsburg and appren- 
ticed himself to the boot and sho(; trade, and 
remained there six years. In 18.55 he came 
to Alliance, and was engaged in his brother's 
dining hall at the railroad depot, for about one 
and a half years. He went to Voungstown 
and engaged at his trade for a short time, 
when he accepted a clerkshij) in Union Hotel, 
where he remained two years. He purchased 
the passenger dining-rooms on Liberty street, 
Pittsburg, which he conducted about a year, 
sold out and returned to Youngstown, Ohio, 
and Jan. 3, 1861, he married Mary A. Wilson. 
They moved to Allegheny City, Penn., where 
he began to "run" on the P., Ft. W. & C. R. 
R., and was soon promoted to a conductor- 
ship on the road, which position he retained 
seven years, when he was appointed Night- 
train Dispatcher at the outer depot for one 
year, and then returned to his jiosition as 
conductor, and "ran" one year when he re- 
signed to engage in the hotel business in Alli- 
ance, having been running the Exchange Ho- 
tel about ten months, when, on Ma\- 'i'i, 1871, 
it burned. He then cjpencjd the restau'rant 
close to the depot, which he has conducted 
ever since with much success. They have 
five children, viz. — Alva L., Emma S., Harry 
P., George W., Jr., and Lillie C. 

DANIEL SOUl!Ui;CK, hotel-keeper; Al- 
liance; was born in Cumberland Co., Pcnn., 
May 10, 1812. His parents were John and 
Lydia (Hemphill) Sourbeck, both natives of 
Pennsylvania. His father was a hotel-k(;e|jer 
for five years at Karrisburg, and twenty years 
at Bridgeport, Penn. He was drowned while 
fishing in the Susquehanna near Dauphin, in 
1839. Of eight children our subject is the 
oldest son. He received his e(bication at the 
common schools, and in his youth was vari- 
ously employed; learning the car])cnter's trade 
and in his father's hotel, and followed the 
former occupation several years. In the; fall 
of 1834 he came to New Brighton, Penn., 
with William Laborn, a well-known briilge- 
builder, and was in his employ about a y'-ar, 
assisting him to build the bridge across the 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



Big Beaver River at New Brighton. During 
the two succeeding years he was completing 
work on the Erie Canal, which was contracted 
by himsell' and two others under the firm 
name of Phillips, Foreman & Sourbeck. He 
then returned to Now Brighton, and was pro- 
prietor of the Sourbeck House of that town 
from 1837 to 1853. In May of the latter year 
he removed to Alliance, Ohio, where he has 
since remained engaged in the hotel business. 
He is still proprietor of the Sourbeck House 
at New Brighton, which is run by his step- 
grandson, Daniel Robertson. In December, 
1835, he married the widow of Edward Dow- 
ney, ^jfe Eliza Jack. He was connected with 
the Ohio militia, having been a lieutenant in 
the Alliance Light Guard, and while in Penn- 
sylvania he was Captain of a cavalry company 
known as Beaver Co. Light Horse. He is a 
member of the Masonic fraternity and I. O. 
O. F. for nianj years. On the evening of 
Dee. 8, 1856, a collision occurred in which a 
train on the Cleveland & Pittsburg R. R., ran 
into a train on the P., Ft. W. & C. R. R., at 
the crossing close to his house, one of the cars 
being thrown into the rotunda of his hotel. 
Nine persons were killed outright, and several 
severely wounded. On Aug. 29, 1860, he had 
a narrow escape from death, in an accident 
which occurred on the Camden & Amboy 
(New Jersey) R. R., in which thirty-two per- 
sons lost their lives. In the car which Mr. 
Sourbeck was in twenty-two were killed. 
The train was running liackward at a rapid 
rate of speed, and was thrown from the track 
by a team and carriage which was crossing 
the road. Being between high embankments 
the cars were smashed into kindling-wood, 
and the passengers bruised beyond recogni- 
tion. He had the scalp torn from the top of 
his liead and his skull fractured, which dis- 
abled him for four months. He has been in 
the hotel business for forty-four years, and is 
widely and favorably known thorughout the 
United States, and part of the old country as 
one of the old "land-marks," and proprietor 
of one of the best railroad hotels in this coun- 
try, in which many dignitaries of the United 
States, Indian Chiefs, Prince of Wales, and 
other potentates have been guests. It is 
doubtful if any other railroad hotel proprietor 
in the United States has so long held his posi- 
tion amid the various changes of railroad cor- 



porations. He truly is a self-made man, of 
fine ])ersonal appearance, good business qual- 
ifications, independent and outspoken in 
everything, affable, courteous and possessing 
a high sense of honor. 

AMOS C. SILVER, boot and shoe mer- 
chant; Alliance; was born in Salem Tp., Col- 
umbiana Co., Ohio, Sept. 3, 1838. He is the 
eldest of a family of three children born to 
James and Nancy (Tharp) Silver. Amos C. 
received a liberal education at New Lisbon 
Union School and Damascus Academy. 
When about 20 years of age he taught school 
several winters, and was employed on the 
farm the rest of the year. In 1861 he entered 
the United States' Service, building and re- 
pairing telegraph lines during the war. He 
continued in this business until September, 
]8(i3, when he accidently cut his foot with an 
ax, while at work at Cul]j(>pper Court House. 
The wound so far disableil him as to confine 
him to the hospital, three months, at Wash- 
ington, D. C. He obtained his discharge, and 
returned home; and in 1864 he was employed 
on the telegraph lines along the P., Ft. 
W. & C, and the C. & P. R.^R.s, of which 
he has had the care until 1878. At the latter 
date, he engaged in the boot and shoe trade 
in Alliance. Jan. 11, 1866, he married Sarah 
A. Kelty. They have one child — Charles. 
Mrs. Silver was born in Columbiana Co., 
Ohio, but when quite young her parents re- 
moved to Bedford, Mahoning Co. A brother 
of Mr. Silver, William H., was also in the 
service in the late war; he enlisted in the 103d 
O. V. I. in 1862, and served until at the 
battle of Resaca, Ga., May 14, 1804, he re- 
ceived a gun-shot wound in the hip. He was 
taken to the hospital at Chattanooga, where he 
died on .June 3, following. 

JOHN M. STILLWELL, boot and shoe 
merchant; Alliance; was born in Troy, Geauga 
Co., Ohio, Oct. 15, 1845. His parents were 
Kortenus and Wait B. (Stafford) Still well. 
His father was formerly of New Jersey and 
his mother of New York. They came to Ohio 
aliout 1837, and located in Geauga Co. John 
M. is the youngest of their six children, and 
until he was 13 years old, his time was spent 
on the farm. At that age he began to learn 
the machinist's trade at Chagrin Falls, and 
worked at that business there and at Alliance 
about eight years. About four years he sold 






l^ 



Af 



iK 



CITY OF ALLIANCE. 



sewing machines, and the subsequent four 
\'ears, he farmed in Geauga Co. In the 
spring of 18S0, lie estalihshed himself in the 
lioot and slu)e tra<Ie in Alliance, which he now 
conducts. Oct. 17, 1807, he married Madora 
Niece. Siie is daughter of .J. B. Niece, of 
Chagrin Falls. They have one child — Mark. 
Mr. Stillwell is now serving as a member of 
Alliance Town Council, and is also a member 
of tlu! Masonic fraternitv, and the I. (). (). F. 
.JOHN H. TRESSEL; physician and sur- 
geon ; Alliance ; was born near Malvern, 
Carroll Co., Ohio, March 17, 1833. He is the 
third son of a family of ten children born to 
Matthias and Catharine (Harsh) Tressel, both 
natives of Washington Co., Pa., and moved 
to Carroll Co., Ohio, about 18".23. His father 
was a farmer and a man of fine culture, a warm 
friend to the cause of education, and for many 
years held influential ])()sitions on boards of ed- 
ucation in his community. When he settled in 
Ohio he was in moderate circumstances, but 
by industry he accumulated a competency, 
and became the owner of 400 acres of im- 
proved land. He was a member of the IJe- 
formed Presbyterian t'hurch, in which faith 
he died in 18-18, at the age of bi years. Due- 
tor Tressel's early manhood was spent in at- 
tending school and working on the farm. In 
18.52 he began to read mediciTie with Dr. S. 
F. Rukenbrod, of Malvern. During the yel- 
low fever and cholera epidemic in 1856, he 
visited the plague-infected districts of the 
South and Cuba. With a view to advancing 
his knowledge in the science of medicine, he 
visited Paris, France, with the intention of 
taking a course in the best Medical Colleges 
in Europe ; but before his dijsign in that di- 
rection was fully consummated he was sum- 
moned home by cablegram, in consequence 
of what was believed to be a fatal illness of 
his mother. While abroad he visited Africa, 
where he remained a short time. Previous to 
his emigration to France he had almost com- 
pleted the regular course of study at Mt. Un- 
ion College ; on his return he jjraduated 
therefrom in June, 18G0 ; and the two suc- 
ceeding years he was Principal of the Acade- 
my in Malvern. In the summer of 18G1 his 
leg was broken in five ])laees by a horse fall- 
ing upon him. In the winter of 18C)l-6".i he 
attended lectures in the Cleveland Medical 
College, and the following summer began the 



practice of medicine in Malvern. The suc- 
ceeding winter he attended lectures in the 
.same ijistitution, graduated in the sj)ring 
of 18G3, and resumed his practice at Mal- 
vern, whi-re he was engaged for ten years. 
During the late war he did good service as 
surgeon, being employed in times of special 
emergency in deta-hed service, not being 
able, on account of ill-health, to be on contin- 
uous duty. In 1873 he sold out, with the in- 
tention of removing to the South. Through 
the advice of friends he changed his purpose, 
and came to Alliance, where he has a steadily 
increasing practice. In the spring of 1876 
he was ap})ointed surgeon for the Pittsburgh, 
Ft. Wayne & Chicago and the Cleveland & 
Pittsburgh K. R.s, which position he still holds. 
When residing in Malvern he was Secretary 
and one of the Censors of Carroll Co. Medi- 
cal Society, and is now one of the Censors of 
Stark Co. Medical Society, and a member of 
Northeastern Ohio Medical Association, also 
of the American Medical Association. He 
has contributed to various medical journals, 
and has prepared a series of articles on the 
causes and variations of diseases and on ther- 
apeutics. In November, 1876, he lost almost 
all his effects by fire, including his instru- 
ments, medical and general library. He has 
acquired a tine rejiutation as a surgeon, and 
has performed a number of very delicate ope- 
rations, among which may be mentioned, the 
resection of the should(!r-joint and of the 
lower limbs, the removal of a tumor from the 
brain of an insane patient by tri'])hining ; the 
patient had been insane for a j)eriod of ten 
years, and, on removal of the tumor, immedi- 
H.elv gave evidence of remembering facts 
which were identical in time with the first 
symptoms of his insanity ; he became of 
sound mind and is now a well-to-do farmer, 
and from the throat of another he extracted 
a tumor, which was pronounced by some lead- 
ing surgeons impossible without sacrificing 
life. .June 1!', 1862, he married Susannah T., 
daughter of Thomas Hawkins, of IJerlin, Ma- 
honing Co. They have, three children — I>ora 
H., Gertrude H. and John K. Mrs. Tressel's 
pencil, crayon and oil work would do credit 
to the professional artist. The doctor is a 
member of the fraternity of Freemasons, In- 
dependent Order of 0»ld Fellows, K. of P., 
and other secret societies. 



-^ 



748 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



JOHN T. WEY^BRECHT, lumber dealer 
and contractor; Alliance; was born in France 
Jan. 27, 1839. His parents' names were John 
and Hannah Weybrecht, also natives of 
France. In yovith Mr. Weybrecht learned 
the carpenter's trade, and in 1854 emigrated 
to the United States, and after a short resi- 
dence in Pennsylvania he removed to Stark 
Co., Ohio, and continued at his trade. He 
soon began to take building contracts, which 
proved a success; and in 1856 opened a lum- 
ber yard on a small scale, and was in this 
direction greeted with success; and in 1805 
he established a planing-mill, thereby be- 
ing able to furnish the material for his 
ever increasing building-trade in any 
necessary form or quantity. In 1878 he 
built his present brick planing-mill, and 
continues to do an annual business of 
about $30,000 in value, many of the best 
buildings in Allinnce being the result of his 
architectural ability. Among the heaviest 
contracts secured and carried out by him, were 
the Union School building, at a cost of $22,- 
000, and the Alliance College, at a cost of 
*!80,000, both of which are imposing struct- 
ures. He married Margaret Honacker in Jan- 
uary, 185(5; she was the daughter of Christo- 
pher Honacker, of Alliance, formerly of Wur- 
temburg, Germany, who emigrated to this 
countrv in 1832. They have six children — 
Mary (now Mrs. Leroy L. Lamborn), B. F., 
Anna, Jennie, Charlie and Andrew. He is a 
member of the Independent Order of Odd Fel- 
ows, and of the Knights of Honor, but has re- 
peatedly refused to accept any public offit;e. 
Mr. We}d)recht came to this place in limited 
financial circumstances, but through strict at- 
tention to business, and economy, he has estab- 
lished himself in a desirable and lucrative 
position. 

WILLIAM H. WHITACRE, merchant 
and railroad conductor; Alliance; was born in 
New Lisbon, Columl)iana Co., Ohio, June 8, 
1839; son of James and Julia (Frazier) Whit- 
acre. He was a native of Ohio, and she of 
Pennsylvania, but came to this State when 
quite young. Mr. Whitacre is the third of a 
family of ten children. His early manhood 
was spent on the farm, but when 20 years of 
age he obtained a position on the Cleveland 
& Pittsburg Railroad, in the capacity of 
brakesman, and in 18G3, about one year later, 



he was promoted to the position of conduc- 
tor of the "local," which he retained until 
1867, when ho was transferred to the passen- 
ger department as conductor, where he has 
continued ever since. In 1S61 he entered 
into a |iartnership with Isaac Miller in the boot 
and shoe business, and has been engaged in 
that lino of trade ever since. While his posi- 
tion on the railroad renders it impossible to 
devote all his time to the store, he keeps a 
general supervision of the business, and has 
always at his leisure hours in the evening 
kept the books of the concern, and is accred- 
ited with being one of the most active busi- 
ness men of Alliance. He married Jennie 
Wilson, of Uniontown, Penn., March 20, 
1860. Of their six children only one sur- 
vives, viz: — Edward J. Mr. Whitacre is 
prominently connected with the M. E. Church, 
a member of the I. O. O. F., and also of the 
Masonic fraternity. Since Mr. Miller severed 
his business relations with Mr. Whitacre, Price 
W. Beardbley has purchased an interest in 
the establishment, and conducts the business, 
the firm name having been Whitacre & Beards- 
ley since 1879. Mr. Beardsley was born 
in Geauga Co., Ohio, April 13, 1839. His 
father, Lyman Beardsley, came from Ben- 
nington, Vt., about 1830. His mother, 
whose maiden name was Fannie Presley, 
was a native of Ohio. They reared three 
children, of whom our subject is the eld- 
est. When about 18 years of age he came 
to Alliance, and began to learn the boot and 
shoe trade. In 1864 he enlisted in the 162d 
O. N. G. for three months' service. He mar- 
ried Mary A. Stanley, and they have thr(^e 
children — T. G., Alvah P., and Carrie S. He 
is a member of I. O. O. F. 

ALFRED WRIGHT, hardware merchant, 
of the firm of Wright & Pennock; Alliance; 
was born in Burlington Co., New Jersey, 
July 28, 1819; the son of John Elizabeth (Bul- 
lock) Wright, both of whom were natives of 
New Jersey, and of English descent. One 
Joshua Wright, a Quaker, of whom our sub- 
ject is a lienal descendant, emigrated from 
England in 1669, and settled in what is now 
Burlington Co., N. J.; there he made a p\ir- 
chase of a large tract of land, for which he 
paid King Charles II, and then he re-pur- 
chased his claim from the Indians. The de- 
scendants of this pioneer became numerous 



•^ 



'^ 



LEXINGTON TOWNSHIP. 



749 



in Burlington Co., and principally devoted 
th(>inselves to stock-raising and agricultural 
pursuits. .lulin Wriglit was a prominent far- 
mer and influential citizen in his community; 
he roared a family of four children, viz: — Ab- 
ner, Charles, Samuel H., and Alfred; they re- 
ceived as liberal an education as the schools 
of that day afforded. Alfred got his educa- 
tion principally in private schools and private 
study, until about 17 years of age, wluiii he 
attended school in Philadelphia. When 18 
years old he began teaching in Philadelphia, 
wiiere he continued two years: at the expira- 
tion of that time he engag(>d in the hardware 
business, and in 1842 came to Salem, Ohio, 
where he opened the first hardware store in 
that town, and soon afterwards added to his 
hardware business a stock of drugs, which 
was the most extensive establishment of the 
kind in northeastern Ohio. Jlr. Wright's 
wonderful success is principally due to his 
practical business ideas, amounting almost to a 
science. Through the medium of the journals 
of northeastern Ohio, he presented his busi- 
ness properly to the public, and was the first 
merchant in Salem to think of advertising in 
newspapers, other than those of his own town. 
With the public demand he was familiar, and 
was ever in readiness to meet it. In 1862 
was formed the partnership of Wright & Pen- 
nock to do business in Alliance; but Mr. 



Wright conducted his extensive hardware 
and drug trade at Salem until 1865, when in 
consequence of ill health he sold out that 
establishment, also his interest in a fruit farm, 
in southern Illinois, and an interest in a farm, 
steam saw-mill and lumber trade in Indiana. 
In politics he has always affiliated with the 
Republican party, but even when political 
prejudice was at its zenith during the late war, 
he never failed of receiving the patronage of 
the most radical opponents; for, while firm in 
his views on political questions, he avoided un- 
necessary parade of conflicting sentiments. In 
January, 1866, when he had retired from bus- 
iness, the iSa/em licpuhlican and Buckeye 
State, in appropriate terms, deplored the loss, 
or withdrawal from active life of one of their 
most public-spirited and enterprising citizens. 
A partnership was formed between himself 
and Samuel Chessman, which continued four- 
teen years. July 3, 1845, Mr. NVright mar- 
ried Amelia R. Middleton, of Philadelphia. 
She died in 1865, leaving four children, viz.: 
Edgar A., of Davenport, Iowa; Ella V., Ida 
M. and Arlhm-. He removed from Salem to 
Alliance in 1874, and was elected president 
of the Alliance and Lake Erie R. R. four 
years ag(j, which office he has now n>signed, 
but still remains a member of the board of 
directors. 



LEXINGTON TOWNSHIP. 



THEODORE ARMSTRONG, A. M., pro- 
fessor of jienmanship, and assistant sups^rinten- 
dent of the commercial department of Mt. 
Union college; Mt. Union; was born June 13, 
1848, in North Uenton, Ohio. He is the oldest 
of a family of ten children born to Dr. Robert 
and Amy B. (Woodruff) Armstrong. His 
grandfnther Armstrong, came to Ohio, and 
was one of the first pioneers of Mahoning Co., 
as were the Woodruffs also, who entered their 
land of the government. When moving from 
New Jersey to Ohio, their team being heavily 
lixided with their effects, the grandmother 
Mrs. Woodruff, walked on foot the entire dis- 



tance. Dr. Robert Armstrong was a promi- 
nent physician, and had a very extensive and 
lucrative practice in Mahoning Co., and vicin- 
ity. The subject of this sketch received a 
liberal common school course, and in the fall 
of 1865, he entered Mt. Union College, and 
was appointed tutor of a class in ]86>^, in the 
meantime pursuing his own studies; but be- 
ing of frail constitution, he was compelled to 
give up his college work for a short time. 
Upon finding his health recruited by out- 
door exercise, he returned and graduated in 
the scientific course in Mt. Union in 1870, 
and in 1871 graduated in the classics. He 



750 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



was then appointed professor of penniauship 
and assistant superintendent of the commer- 
cial department of the college. May 1, 1873, 
he married Emma M., daughter of Zachariah 
and Mary Bertolett, of North Benton, Ohio. 
They have two children living — Mary I., and 
Bertolett. Prof. Armstrong lias a very com- 
mcjdious home, which he has taken great 
delight in beautifying, doing all the work 
himsplf as recreation in his leisure hours. 

Wn,LIAM ARMSTRONG, Mus. B., pro- 
fessor of instrumental music, special vocal cul- 
ture and musical composition ; Mt. Union; was 
born in Cheshire, England. In youth he 
was a ]irivate ]5upil of Henry C. Coojjer, of 
the Cobden Philharmonic Society, of London. 
He was a teacher of music in London for sev- 
eral years, but emigrated to the United States 
in 1870, and after a short residence in New 
York, he was associated with Dr. Henry Sut- 
ter of Painesville, Ohio, who was formerly 
"Hofkapell-Meister" , to the Grand Duke of 
Hesse-Darmstadt — and with him established 
the Sutter College of Music; and with Dr. 
Sutter 'he was joint author of the "Grand 
German Piano Forte Method " and " Classi- 
cal Method of Voice-Culture." Mt. Union 
College ratified the degree of Mus. B., in 
187"^, since which time he has been a member 
of the Faculty. 

JAMES A. BRUSH, A. M., professor of 
mathematics and didactics in Mt. Union Col- 
lege; Mt. Union; was born in Washington 
Tp., Stark Co., Sept. 26, 1838. His par- 
ents were Charles and Fannie (Fitch) Brush, 
the former a native of Long Island, and 
the latter of Norwalk, Conn. They were 
married in New York city, where Mr. 
Brush was engaged in the boot and shoe 
business ; several years later, they removed 
to Lima, in western New York, and in that 
place continued his business for several years. 
He, however, disposed of his business there, 
and they removed to Ohio and located in 
Washington Tp., Stark Co., in 183.5 ; here 
Mr. Brush purchased a farm, and devoted his 
time chiefly to that vocation until 1870, when 
he sold out and retired from business, and 
died in Mt. Union in 1870, in the 74th year 
of his age. His widow still survives at the 
advanced age of 72 years. They reared eight 
children, viz. — Amanda M. (now Mrs. O. N. 
Hartshorn) ; Mary C. (now Mrs. Amasa Gar- 



wood, near Etna Green, Ind.); Jane A. (Mrs. 
Daniel Johnson, of Etna Green, Ind.); James 
A., Charles H. (of East Norwich, Long Island) ; 
Fannie A. (Mrs. Leroy Bentley, of Salem); 
Theresa (Mrs. Chas. Johnson, Beloit, Ohio); 
and Beckie S., who resides with her aged 
mother in Mt. Union. James A. was the 
fourth child and eldest son of the family ; his 
boyhood was spent on his father's farm and 
attending the common school in the winter, 
until he was about 16 years of age, when he 
entered Mt. Union College, and graduated in 
classical course from that institution in 18G3. 
In the spring of 1862 he enlisted in Co. G, 
86th O. V. I., in the "three months" service, 
but served considerably over that length of 
time. He early chose teaching as a profes- 
sion, and bent all his energy and time in pre- 
paring himself for that calling. He freipient- 
ly taught in the public schools, and was Prin- 
cipal of the public school of Minerva, this 
county, one year, and accejited a similar posi- 
tion in the Ravenna schools for two yeare. 
In 185.5 he was appointed Assistant Professor 
of Mathematics and English Classics in Mt. 
Union College, until 1879, when he was ap- 
pointed Professor of Mathematics. June 23, 
1863, he married Amelia A. McCall. She is 
daughter of Joseph McCall, of Nelson, Port- 
age Co., of which he was a pioneer settler, 
formerly of Middlebury, Conn. Mrs. Brush 
also chose teaching as a profession, and pre- 
pared herself thoroughly for the work. Be- 
fore she was married Mrs, Brush had taught 
several terms in public schools, and was Prin- 
cipal of the Nelson Academy for several 
vears, and was also her husband's assistant 
teacher in Minerva. In 1880 she beg-an teach- 
ing in Mt. Union College, having ])reviously 
graduated from that institution with the de- 
gree of Ph. B., and was elected as Preceptress 
in the Ladies' Department, and Professor of 
English Literature and Rhetoric. To Mr. 
and Mrs. Brush have been born four children, 
viz. — Harlie W., Walter S., Louis H. and 
Anna. 

L. W. BUTLER, farmer; P. O. Alli- 
ance; was born in Burlington Co., N. .1., 
Sept. 15, 1797. His grandfather, John 
Butler, when about 16 years old, in com- 
pany with another boy of similar age, left 
their home in Ireland, unknown to their folks, 
and emigrated to this continent, settling in 



LEXINGTON TOWNSHIP. 



751 



New Jersey. John Butler married and re- 
mained there. He had only one son, Benja- 
min, who lived to maturity. When he (Ben- 
jamin) arrived at manhood, he married Han- 
nah AVebster, daui^hter of Lawrence Web- 
ster, of Enirlish descent. Of this union, the 
subject of tiiese notes was first-born of their 
nine children. About the year 1804, the fam- 
ily moved from New Jersey and located in 
what is now a surburb of the city of Phila- 
delphia; there th(>v remained until 1811, when 
they removed to Ohio and settled east of Da- 
mascus, Columbiana Co., and the following 
year located in Goshen Tp., now Mahoning 
Co., where his parents died; his fatiior in his 
6Gth year, and his mother at 85 years of age. 
Tiiey belonged to the orthodox society of 
"Friends," as did all the family reared in 
that faith. His early secular education was 
such as the ordinary subscription schools of 
his time afforded. .March 20, 1820, he was 
married to Sarah Votaw, daughter of Moses 
Votaw, a pioneer of Columbiana Co. Mr. 
and Mrs. Butler started out on life's " jour- 
ney" together, in the woods, with very lim- 
ited means; l)ut although their log cabin was 
a rude affair, it was surrounded by luxuries 
which gold can never purchase — an air of con- 
tentment and happiness, which caused even 
the wilderness to sniile. In their humble and 
unassuming way they toiled and prospered, 
and saw the fruits of their labor accumulate 
until they were in good financial circumstan- 
ces. To them were born nine children, viz. — 
Moses, now in Cedar Co., Iowa; Hannah, wife 
of David Tatum, of Cleveland; Mary, de- 
ceased; Lewis, now of Toledo, Ohio; .Joseph 
and Benjamin, twins, the latter in Morgan Co., 
Ind.; Joseph removed to Arkansas, where he 
died; Eunice is the wife of Flemming Staidey, 
of Michigan, and .fohn is in Kansas. Mr. 
Butler succeeded in business, and accumula- 
ted considerable property in his life-time, 
but has of late years distributed it liberally 
amongst his children, giving each a fair por- 
tion to enable them to start for themselves; 
and was somewhat unfortunate in going as 
surety for ^5,000, which amount he was 
obliged to settle. When younger and more 
able to stand the burthen of worldly care, he 
was energetic and active in business, a ready 
discerner of character, possessed of good 
judgment, and was firm in his friendships. 



His wife died in 1866, and in October of 18G8, 
he married Ann Beck. He attends to, or 
oversees, the work on his farm, and notwith- 
standing his advanced age, he is a man of re- 
markable vital force and physical ability. 

GEORGF: W. CLARKE, A. M., professor 
of Greek and Latin, Mt. Union Colleg<>; Mt. 
Union; was born in North Springfield Tp., 
Portage Co., now Summit Co., Ohio, July 24, 
1825. He is the third child of a family of 
twelve children born to Robert L. and Nancy 
I. (Do Haven) Clarke. The Clarke and De 
Haven families were both early pioneers in 
that section of the State, and were among the 
most prominent and influential citizens of the 
Western Reserve, wh(!re they located about 
the year 1810. The parents of Mr. Clarke 
were farmers, and in the duties consequent 
upon that vocation, and attending the com- 
mon school of the neighborhood his boy- 
hood days were spent. He was the third 
of their twelve children, nine of whom lived 
to mature years. When about 16 years of 
age, Mr. Clarke attended an academy at Kent, 
Ohio, and through the winter months taught 
school, and worked some on the farm. He 
entered the Allegheny College, at Meadville, 
Penn., when about 22, and supported himself 
throughout his collegiate course by teaching 
at intervals, as opportunity afforded, and by 
doing chores for his uncle, who was professor 
of Greek and Latin in that institution at the 
time. In .July, 1852, he graduated, third in a 
class of thirty-two, with the honorary degree 
of A. B. The following August he took 
charge of an academy at Conneautville, Craw- 
ford Co., Penn., where he taught almost two 
years. On account of the failing of his uncle. 
Prof. Clarke, in the Allegheny College at 
Meadville, our sul)ject was appointed for a 
time in his place as tutor of Greek and Latin, 
with his alma mater; and while in that place 
was chosen to the professorship, which he now 
holds, in 1854, whore he has labored contin- 
uously ever since. He has frequently assisted 
in branches other than the languages, viz.: 
astronomy, botanj', physiology, elocution and 
classic vocal music. He has also served as 
secretary of the College Faculty for the last 
twenty years. April 6, 1862, he married Eliz- 
abeth M. Hill, of Summit Co. By this union 
two children were born, viz. — J. Wilbertand 
Mary Ida. They both graduated at the same 






•RT 



:^. 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



time; he in the classics, and she in English 
literature and music. J. Wilbert studied 
law with W. C. Pippitt about two years; was 
considered an accomplished scholar and pos- 
sessed of more than ordinary ability for his 
time; but he was stricken by cerebro-spinal 
meningitis, and survived the attack but a 
short time, dying May 10, 1877, in his 23d 
year. Miss Clark is a fine musician, and de- 
votes her time principally to teaching that 
art, and it is generally conceded that she is 
one of the finest pianists in the State. 

ELIAS ELLETT, farmer; P. O. Alliance; 
was born in Salem Co., N. J., Jan. 20, 1812; 
he was the fourth child of nine children born 
to James and Catharine (Sickler) EUett. He 
was brought up to the various duties of farm 
life. He married Eimira Sarash in Novem- 
ber, 1835, and in 1838 they removed from 
New Jersey to Columbiana, now Mahoning 
Co., Ohio; they followed farming in that 
county until 1843, when they removed to Lex- 
ington, Tp., Stark Co., and purchased 90 acres 
where Mr. Ellett now resides. December 30, 
1858, Mrs. Ellett was called away by death, 
leaving twelve of their thirteen children, ten 
of whom lived to maturity, viz. — Mary, Cath- 
rine, W. K., Sarah A., John E. (deceased), Re- 
becca J., A. J., S. P., E. J., A. F., and three diid 
in childhood. Mr. Ellett married again, Mrs. 
R. J. Fogg, in June, 1801; by this union there 
is one child, Henry B. His present wife was 
the widow of the late Aaron Fogg, of Alliance, 
who sustained fatal injuries on the railroad. 
His oldest son, W. K., enlisted Aug. 7, 18(i2, 
in the 115th O. V. I., in the late war, and 
served three years. Besides attending to his 
farm, Mr. Ellett dealt in horses for a period 
of twenty-five years, frequently shipping to 
the Eastern markets. As stated elsewhere, 
he is a charter inember and President of the 
Lexington ^[utual Aid Association. He has 
been a faithful member of the Baptist Church 
these forty-seven years past, both himself and 
Krst wife uniting with the church in New 
Jersey, in 1834, and for the last twenty-five 
years he has officiated as deacon in the Bap- 
tist Church of Alliance, of which his present 
wlf ' has been a member for the past sixteen 
vears. 

SHADRACH FELTS, deceased ; was born 
in Sussex Co., Va., May 23, 1794. His father, 
Jesse Felts, wife and two children, viz. — 



Shadrach and a sister, constituted one of the 
seven families who in company, removed from 
Virginia to Ohio in 1807. The party consist- 
ed of about fifty souls, viz. — Jesse Felts, wife 
and two children ; Charles Hamlin and five 
children (his wife having died in Virginia); 
William and John Hamlin, each with a wife 
and five children ; Josej)h Sebrell, wife and 
seven children ; Thomas Wood, wife and two 
children ; and Judson .Tones, wife and two 
children, &c. On April 22, 1807, thpy set out 
in their wagons to traverse the country and 
cross into Ohio, in search of a home in the 
new and unsettled West. They arrived at 
Salem, Columbiana Co., the following June. 
There they encamped on a lot which had been 
partially cleared, and were the recipients of 
much kindness at the hands of some few set- 
tlers at that point. Taking Salem as a basis 
of operations, they began to look around for 
permanent locations. .Jesse Felts and Charles 
Hamlin soon set out on a prospecting tour, 
and wandering into what is now Lexington 
Tp., Stark Co., accidentally found the "Stan- 
ton" settlement, which had been made near the 
Mahoning, near Lexington village, several 
years Ijefore. The Stantons persuaded Felts 
and Hamlin to settle in their vicinitv, and ac- 
cordingly each made an entry of land on what 
is now Sec. 10: Felts 160 acres and Hamlin 320 
acres; and to this place they removed their fam- 
ilies, from their temporary encampment at Sa- 
lem, in the "fall" of 1807. Charles Hamlin's son, 
Stephen, by this time had married the only 
daughter of Jesse Felts ; they too came to 
this section, constituting another family. The 
Joneses and Sebrells moved in afterward, un- 
til the settlement was considerably enlarged. 
After about two years' residence here, busi- 
ness called Charles Hamlin to return to Vir- 
ginia, and on his way back here he took ill at 
Salem and there died suddenly. Jesse Felts 
died here in 1818, his being one of the first 
interments made in Lexington cemetery ; his 
wife survived until 1840. January 30, 1817, 
our subject and Mary, daughter of Charles 
Hamlin, were united in matrimony, and began 
the battle of life for themselves on the farm 
where Mrs. Felts resides to this day. It was 
a portion of the original entry, and has never 
been out of the hands of the family. They 
had nothing to begin with except the home- 
stead and able and willing hands. For several 



LEXINGTON TOWNSHIP. 



753 



vcars till! only product which they had for 
excliange, for any other article they were 
obliged to have, was sugar made from the 
sugar-maple. They struggled along and hore 
many hardships of toil and privation incident 
to pioneer life, but in their time have seen 
manv and extreme changes. They had five 
children, viz. — John, .Jesse, Charles, Edwin 
and Richard E. Of these only .John and 
Jesse survive. Charles died h(-re in 18GS, 
leaving a widow and two children. Edwin 
and Richard E. both enlisted in the late war ; 
the former died at his home, Ft. Wayne, Ind., 
from disease contracted in the artny, and the 
latter dl(!d in Kentucky from a similar cause. 
In 18.50 Jesse, then a young man of 34 
years, went with an emigrating part}' to Cali- 
fornia, and has been there and engaged on 
the frontier as a freighter for over thirty years, 
at times being years without correspondence 
with his parents, many of his friends believ- 
ing he was dead. But Time itself could not 
shake that maternal faith and desire of Mrs. 
Felts to see her son once more ; in which she 
was gratified on a December evening of 1880, 
when to her, her long- lost boy walked in, not 
exactly like the vouth of twenty-odd sum- 
mers who left her in 18.50, but a man of mid- 
dle age, of venerable look and whitened locks. 
As it were, he providentially arrived a few 
weeks before the demise of his father, which 
occurred in January, 1881, who had long 
wished and waited " for to see his boy again." 
Mrs. Felts is one of the few pioneers of the 
county who still survive ; she was born in 
Virginia April 29, 1794; now well advanced 
in her 8Sth year, she is a woman of remarka- 
ble vitality, although of quite slender ])hys- 
ique, is possessed of extraordinary nervous 
force, combined with good c(mimon sense and 
considerable executive ability, and one of 
those women in whose vocabulary the term 
"fail" or "can't" never had a place. Her 
eldest child, John, has always remained single 
and at home with his parents, and is well ad- 
vanced in years, not being in a robust state 
of health. They pass their time quietly on 
the farm where Mrs. Felts has lived seventy- 
four years. 

ELI GRANT, farmer ; P. O., Alliance ; 
was born in this township, Oct. 9, 18:5:$. He 
is the third of a family of eight children, born 
to Stacey and Jemima (Rockhill) Grant. 



His grandfather, John Grant, came from New 
Jersey to Ohio with his wife and two oldest 
children. They located at Salem, Columbi- 
ana Co., where the family was increased in 
due season by six more children; in all there 
were — Harriet, who married and removed to 
Indiana; Thomas, to Williams Co., Ohio; 
Stacey, who remaine 1 here and is the father 
of several heads of families, who reside in the 
vicinity; Clayton in Indiana; Eliza, Hannah, 
Ann, and Sarah are the children of .lohn 
Grant, who came to Lexington Tp., and lo- 
cated on what is now the wc'stern portion of 
Alliance, on what is now the farm of .1. R. 
Ilaines, in .about 1812. He was a wagon 
maker by trade, and an ingenious wood or 
iron worker, and many of the first wagons 
made in this section of the Stute, were the 
production of his mechanical skill. Stacey 
also worked at that bvisiness with his father, 
and together produced some of the first bug- 
gies ever manufactured in this j)art of Ohio. 
As stated elsewhere, .John Grant passed the 
closing days of his life v^ith his son-in-law (.1. 
R. Haines) on the old homestead. Stacey 
Grant, the father of the subject of these lines, 
was born April 17, 1807; and May 25, 1828, 
he married Jemima Rockhill. She was born 
in New Jersey, Feb. ti, 1811; of six children 
of David Rockhill, Mrs. Grant was the only 
daughter. Previous to their marriage Mr. 
Grant had purchased some land, all in woenls, 
to which they repaired, and immediately be- 
gan the necessary improvements, and at in- 
tervals, did considerable work at the black- 
smith's trade. Thus variously employed, he 
conducted his affairs successfully, and remain- 
ed on the same farm on which he began for 
himself, until his death, which occurod, Nov. 
1, 18G7. They reared eight children, seven 
lived to maturity, viz. — Juliana Maria, now 
Mrs. Dr. L. L. Lamborn; Eli, .Joseph, Henry 
(deceased), Annetta and Samuel. Mrs. Grant 
still survives, and is admirably well preserved, 
both physicaly and mentally, for one who has 
passed " the allotted span " of time. Eli was 
the oldest son. He received a fair education 
in the common schools, and spent some time 
at the Mt. Union Seminary. Aug. 27, 18.57, 
he married Malinda Babb. She was a daughter 
of Harrison Babb of Chester Co., Penn. 
They have had three children, one living — 
Henry E. He engaged in the mercantile 



business with Teeters & Bates, which lasted 
three years. He then went into the Agricul- 
tural Works, through which he sustained some 
pecuniary loss. In 1871 he purchased a small 
farm, having severed all connection with the 
Agricultural Works Co.. for whom he had 
been traveling salesman for some time. He 
now owns 53 acres of good land, west of the 
city, which is underlaid with a valuable vein 
of coal, which he is working. 

JOSEPH GRANT, farmer; P. O. Alliance; 
was born Jan 2'.t, 1830. He is the second son 
and fourth child born to Stacey and Jemima 
(Rockhill) Grant. His early education was 
that received at the common schools, and 
a short time at the Mt. Union Seminary He 
was desirous of obtaining a thorough educa- 
tion, but ill health, induced by sedentary 
habits incident to constant study, compelled 
him to return to greater e.xercise on the farm, 
to which he has ever since devoted his atten- 
tion. Oct. 10, 1858, he was married to Mary 
Keyser, whose father, Daniel Keyser, came 
from PiMinsylvania a young man, and married 
Maria Bryfog'le, and settled in Marlborough 
Tp., Stark Co. Mr. and Mrs. Grant began 
for themselves where thev now reside, on 
about 67 acres, which he got off his father's 
estate; but by their unceasing industry, they 
have added by purchase, until they now own 
130 acres of good land, in an excellent state of 
cultivation, and with farm buildings not 
excelled in Lexington Tp. They had two 
children, both of whom died in childhood. 
They have one adopted son — Samuel J., whose 
name they had changed from that of his nat- 
iiral paient to Grant. His natural father — 
Fry — lel't here several years ago, leaving a 
wife and several small children, to look out a 
])roper location in the West, but was never 
more heard of. Mr. and Mrs. Grant are 
members of the United Brethren Church, of 
which he has been a steward for some time. 

REV. ORVnXE NELSON HARTS- 
HORN, LL. D., President of Mt. Union Col- 
lege and Professor of Moral and Intellectual 
Philosophy and International Law, whose 
portrait appears in this work, was born Aug. 
;iO, 1823, in Nelson, Portage Co., Ohio. He 
is the second child and eldest son of five chil- 
dren born to Norris and Asenath Hartshorn. 
Mr. Norris Hartshorn was born April 1, 1785, 
in Torrington, Litchfield Co., Connecticut; 



and after the close of the War of 1S12, in 
which lie was a soldier, he emigrated to Ohio, 
and located in Portage Co., where he was 
married to Asenath, daughter of Samuel and 
Abigail Backus, and died at Mt. Union, at 
the age of 75. Mr. Backus was born Aug. 20, 
1764, in Palmer, Northampton Co., Mass.; 
and, having served as a soldier in the Revolu- 
tionary War, moved from Massachussets in 
1810 with his family to Deerfield, Portage Co., 
Ohio, and died July 20, 1854, near Alliance, 
Stark Co., Ohio, at the residence of his daugh- 
ter, Asenath, at the advanced age of nearly 
90 years. The subject of this sketch. Presi- 
dent Hartshorn, was brought up to farm life, 
and there received only a moderate common 
school education. To his devoted Christian 
mother, he is chiefly indebted, under a kind 
Providence, for the normal development of 
his intrepid and decisive character. He not 
only inherited from his cultured mother her 
remarkable and naturally strong straits of 
character; but, from infancy even to manhood, 
he daily received from her skilled hand emi- 
nently practical, affectionate and positive 
training. This regular and strict training — 
embracing religious and systematic home in- 
struction given by his mother during his first 
twelve years, not only in the common branches 
of an English education, but especially in the 
immutable and eternal principles of truth and 
right, and in the daily and voluntary practice 
of stern duty, self-reliance and self-govern- 
ment in strict accordance with the laws of his 
entire being — laid the solid foundation of his 
sterling character, and gave an irresistible 
impetus in the direction of all his subsequent 
actions and marked achievements. It was 
also his heroic mother who taught the first 
public school which he attended, she having 
taught in the public schools during the ten 
years preceding her marriage. This salutary 
home-training- thus early received from his 
devoted mother, supplemented by that of the 
Sunday School in which she was also his 
teacher, was the chief means, under Provi- 
dence, of early leading him to Christ, and of 
form'ng corr(^ct habits, and subsequently of 
using patiently and conscientiously the 
requisite efforts to acquire liberal cpialifica- 
tions for his active life's work. Though most 
of his youth was cheerfully devoted to phys- 
cal labor on the farm, and at intervals to car- 



'^ 



LEXINGTON TOWNSHIP. 



pentering, yet he attendofl district school 
a portion of the winter months, and for some- 
time a high-scliool near his home, at Deer- 
field. Then lie took a further course of three 
years of faithful study at the Atwater Lin- 
naean AcadcMuy in his native county. He 
then attended Alle<j;heny College at Mead- 
ville. Pa., another three years; and after there 
prosecuting and completing its Classical 
course of four vears" study, he there graduated 
in the decree of Bachelor of Arts; and, three 
years later, in the degree of Master of Arts. 
While a student both at the Academy and the 
College, he defrayed his entire expenses, 
partly bj- manual labor during short intervals, 
but chiefly by teaching public schools 
during the winter season. Self-support by 
honest and thoughtful labor, and self- 
reliance, with humble yet implicit trust in 
the infinitely perfect One ; also fidelity to 
dutv and love for his neighbor, have always 
characterized his generous, positive, enter- 
prising and intensely active life. Oct. 4, 
1840, he organized at Mt. Union, Stark Co., 
Ohio, an institution known as Mount Union 
Seminary. The surroundings for a school 
seemed inauspicious, and at t!\e beginning there 
were only six students; but the number in- 
creased until the roll showed the first year an 
average of twenty students. Under his judi- 
cious planning, persevering energv and well 
directed care, this aggressive institution regu- 
larly grew in substantial patronage and favor, 
even beyond his fon<lest hopes, thus adding 
zeal to his well-considered, firm and conscien- 
tious purpose to lay liroadly the foundation 
of an educational institution of national use- 
fulness, based on the principles of truth and 
right, and the actual needs of our American 
people, and having as its distinctive object, the 
rendering of an integral, liberal, Christian edu- 
cation, easily and erjually accessible to every 
honest and enterprising youn<r man and young 
woman, however lowly or self-di'])endent. He 
conducted this progressive seminary with 
eminent prudence, patience, ability and suc- 
cess until January, 1S.58, when it was regu- 
larly chartered as a college. It had become 
a college in fact, lacking only the authority to 
confiT degrees, antl the accumulation of suffi- 
cient funds to place it on a firm basis. How- 
ever, many intelligent, generous and wealthy 
persons, — who had observed this institution 



during its first few years struggling bravely 
for honorable existence and recognition, now 
becoming an eligible place of sound learning 
of no secondary importance, — responded with 
living sj'mpathy, wise counsel and liberal do- 
nations, thus giving it a good, substantial 
foundation. (See the College History in gen- 
eral chapter). At its opportune and effi- 
cient organization in 1858 as a college. Dr. 
Hartshorn was elected President of its Fac- 
ult}' ; also President of its Board of Trust- 
ees. After successfully serving for ten 
years this college of the people, by the peo- 
ple and for the people, in both these capaci- 
ties, he resigned Juno, 1868, in favor of Hon. 
Lewis Miller, of Akron, Ohio, the Presidency 
of the Board of Trustees, in order that he 
might give his whole energies to his increas- 
ingly responsible duties as President of the 
Faculty. Having in his early manhooil devo- 
ted considerable time to the study of law un- 
der the instruction of Hon. Chester Hayden, 
LL. D., of Cleveland, there have been since 
then a number of students of Mt. Union Col- 
lege, who have read law jirivately under Dr. 
Hartshorn's instruction, and were admitted to 
law schools for completing their course or 
graduation, on his examination and recom- 
mendation. His earlier impressions had in- 
clined him to the practice of law, but his more 
deliberate convictions ol duty, involving en- 
larged usefulness to American youth, even to 
the most lowly and self-dependent, finally in- 
duced the settled purpose to study theology in 
connection with the practical truths of sci- 
ence, and to enter in earnest the united, ardu- 
ous and self-d(!nying duties of the Christian 
ministry, and the liberal instruction of youth, 
being profoundly imbued with the belief that 
the actual work of the faithful teacher of sci- 
entific or natural truth is not only compatible 
with, but is quite as needed and sacred as are 
the truly consecrated and responsible ser- 
vices of the devoted teachers of Biblical 
truth. After due study and preparation he 
was, in 18.52, regvdarly licensed to preach by 
the Methodist Episcopal Church, and subse- 
quently was properly ordained and elected 
a member of the Pittsliurg Conference 
of that church, which relations to the church 
he still retains, except that under a gen- 
eral rule he became a member of the 
East Ohio Conference, in 1876, upon its or- 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



gatiization by authority of the General Con- 
ference. In 18G8, he was elected by the 
Pittsburg Annual Conference, a delegate to 
the General Conference of the church, which 
in that quadrennium met in Chicago. After 
visiting and carefully examining most of our 
American colleges, Dr. Hartshorn was, in 1867, 
appointed bj' the College Trustees to visit the 
various countries of Europe, in order to inves- 
tigate their educational systems, museums and 
institutions; also to investigate plans and 
methods, and secure specimens and apparatus 
for the Mt. Union College museum, cabinets 
and laboratories. The Ohio College Associa- 
tion, also the Ohio Teachers' Association, had 
elected him to procure European educational 
facts and methods, and to report the result to 
each of these bodies, which he did. Accord- 
ingly, he started July 7th, 1867, on this Euro- 
pean tour, and returned in the forepart of 
the next year, after faithfully and acceptably 
accomplishing this responsible mission, having 
visited all the principal countries, museums 
and institutions in Europe; in the meantime 
spending a few days inspecting the Paris 
International Exposition of 1867. It is 
proper to say, in brief, that this foreign visit 
was productive of eminently valuable results, 
in securing not only a vast amount of impor- 
tant and practical information, but especially 
in obtaining rare and invaluable specimens 
and apparatus, and in establishing superior 
methods and means for continuously collect- 
ing both natural and historical specimens of 
rare educational value from all parts of the 
habitable globe, and thus to accunuilate and 
regularly extend economically and systemat- 
ically, through the agents established on the 
plan of the British Museum, in all countries 
of the world, the museum of Mt. Union 
College, thereby progressively making this 
free educational museum of science and art 
second to none other in this country. In 
1855-6, he was chosen to edit the Famibj and 
School Instructor, a monthly magazine of 
forty pages, published by the professors and 
students of the institution. This educational 
journal was both ably conducted and well 
received. To his ready pen we are also 
indebted for numerous essays and public 
addresses, and a large amount of valuable 
contributions to our periodical literature, as 
well as publications of more permanent form; 



among the latter there being a treatise enti- 
tled " The Supremacy of Law," embodying 
all that this title implies. As a writer and 
author, his style is clear and logical; as a 
public s]ieaker, whether in the pulpit or on 
the platform, his style is characterized by its 
force and appropriateness of thought, natural- 
ness, energy and purity of expression, the use 
of proper words in proper places, and its 
directness of argument and freedom in deliv- 
ery. He likewise knows how and where to 
be silent. But as a teacher of youth, whether 
in the recitation or lecture-room, all his pow- 
ers, both natural and acquired, find their 
freest and fullest play. It is in the school 
that his great usefulness and influence are 
most widely and efi"ectively felt. Among his 
leading traits of character are concentrative- 
ness, simplicity, frankness, animation, mag- 
nanimity, courage, force of will, breadth and 
integrity of purpose. His powers of inde- 
pendent and consecutive thought, discern- 
ment of motives and of character, physical 
endurance, combined with his unswerving at- 
tachment to friends and sympathy with needy 
youth and the masses of the common people, 
have not only enhanced his efficiency, success 
and growing usefulness as an organizer, disci- 
plinarian and instructor of youth; but also 
as a trusted guide and benefactor of society. 
Besides being actively connected with the 
educational associations in his native state, 
he is a member of the American Philological 
Societj^; also a member of the American Asso- 
ciation for the promotion of Science. Ap- 
pointed in 1851 by the Stark County Teach- 
ers' Institute to represent, with his friend and 
the eminent teacher. Prof. Lorin Andrews, 
then superintendent of the Union Schools of 
Massillon, that body in the National Teachers' 
Association, he was, in this year, elected one 
of its life members. As early as 1850, he 
was recognized as a faithful worker in vari- 
ous important reforms demanding earnest 
attention, among which may be named the 
cause of Anti-slavery, Sunday Schools, Tem- 
perance, Graded and Normal Schools, County 
and State School Supervision. He has usu- 
ally participated in the State and National 
T-emperance Organizations, Sunday School 
Conventions, and Young Men's Christian 
Associations. Being a member of the 
National Christian Temperance Association; 



«e^« — ^ 



LEXINGTON TOWXSIIIP. 



he was elected by its annual meeting in 
the spring of 1875 at Chicago, as one of 
its two delegates from Ohio to represent that 
body in tlic International Christian Tcnijicr- 
ance Union that met June, 181';, in Philadel- 
phia. Being a member of the first class, 
which, in 1874 graduated at Chautauqua in the 
National Sunday School Assembly's Course 
of Study. He was, at its annual meeting in 
1876, elected by its Alumni Association to 
act in connection with ten judicious represen- 
tatives appointed from as many evangelical 
churches, to prepare the Chautauqua Normal 
Sunday School Course of Study. Though 
never an active politician. Dr. Hartshorn was 
urged at the begiiuiing of our late war to 
accept a position of important trust in the 
Union army; and later, a responsible service 
in the civil affairs of his country. Though in 
no sense lacking in patriotism, nor inappre- 
ciative of these honorable avenues to em- 
inence and usefulness; yet he has foregone 
these and other inviting fields of state and 
national distinction, from a dominent convic- 
tion that his unbroken life's work should be 
in the direction of humbly aiding to make a 
thnrough, liljeral Christian education, econom- 
ically and easily accessible to every energetic, 
right minded j'oung man or woman, however 
poor or neglected. He also sincerely aims to 
discharge properly all his political and relig- 
ious duties, with a patriotism above partyism, 
and with a Christianity above sectarianism. 
His accurate and practical knowledge of hu- 
man nature, and especially <if the distinctive la- 
bors, varying motives and influences incident 
to student life, and his tested experience with 
other extensive qualifications, admiral dy 
adapt him to the arduous and peculiarly re- 
sponsible duties of the President of a live, 
modernized, aggressive college, as actually 
needed by our American people. Naturally 
blest with an excellent, physical constitution, 
as well as with a highly social, cheerful, sym- 
metricnl disposition, with his simple, genial, 
systematic habits, he n-adily forms personal 
acquaintances, and strong attachments for 
students and friends; and though in his fifty- 
eighth year, he seems now in his prime. He 
has fn/quently during his life, made as might 
be expected, serious mistakes; but scarcely 
would any one question either his willingness 
to correct them, or the purity of his purpose. 



By possessing deep and positive convictions, 
with true teachableness, firmness and well- 
poised character, his course would inevitably 
antagonize those of opposite or erroneous pur- 
pose and action ; uev( rtheless, he is accus- 
tomed simply to perform his duty, and thus 
honorably exercise the natural right to think 
and act responsibly for himself, in strict ac- 
cord with the nature of things and with his 
deliberate judgment and conscience — being 
always equally willing to concede cheerfully 
the same personal rights and freedom to oth- 
ers. His daily and minutest acts, as well as 
his more momentous or public duties, being 
so frequently and intimately in the presence, 
and thus open to the varying scrutiny and 
conflicting criticisms of those knowing him 
from childhood, it might be expected that his 
motives, plans and actions, however sincere 
or correct, would be constantly subjected to 
opposite or diverse opinions and utterances, 
and that those failing to appreciate or approve 
them would, at least in some instances, be 
notedly slow either to coiulone or forget them. 
Under these as well as all other circumsUmees, 
his favorite motto is: " Take a square view, 
trust God, then act, leaving to Him the con- 
sequences." Itnpartial and tolerant to all, 
conservative in retaining whatever is good in 
the past, and progressive in radically apj)ly- 
ing the wise and good to new and worthv 
objects, he has been uniformly accustomed, 
with head, heart and hand, to go directiv for- 
ward, exercising envy or malice toward none 
— it being his rule and happiness to cherish 
for all a charity that is kind, that thinks no 
evil, and suffers long. His entire life, though 
characterized by severe conflict, labor and re- 
sponsibility, has been one of hope, happiness 
and benefit. Respecting his public life's 
work, he has, under Providential guidance, 
been eminently fortunate in his choice of 
wise, prudent and efficient counselors, asso- 
ciates and helpers. Nor has he been unfortu- 
nate in his domestic relations. Nov. 1, 1840, 
he was suitably married to Miss Amanda Mcl- 
vina Brush, who, during the three preceding 
years, had been an apt and faithful student in 
the Seminary, being one of the first six stu- 
dents in attendance. Mrs. H rtshorn, a daugh- 
ter of Charles and Fanny Brush, of Mt. I'n- 
ion, was born in New York city, March 13, 
18ii8. To Dr. and Mrs. Hartshorn have been 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



born six chililreii, fire of whom are living, 
viz. — Lucetta (now Mrs. Dr. B. U. Jacoli, of 
Chicago); Dora (now Mrs. Otis D. Croolcer, 
of Cleveland); Homer Ciiase and Emma 
(twins); and Walter. The State and Union 
Law College, of Cleveland, in I860, conferred 
on President Hartshorn the degree, pro m«ri(o, 
of Doctor of Laws. His whole life and study 
having been devoted cheerfully, assiduously' 
and unselfishly, to the equal advancement of 
Christianity and of popular and higher educa- 
tion, he has thereby efficiently promoted the 
true interests and elevation of the masses, 
and the free diifusion of knowledge and hap- 
piness among the lowly and common people. 
Mt. Union College, to whose normal growth 
he has, with right purpose, so unostentatiously" 
yet effectively given his untiring energies, 
and uniformly has, with many others whose 
noble acts, cooperation and benefactions form 
the chief part of its history, only humbly 
helped to make it an impartial and beneficent 
source of continual blessings to self-depend- 
ent youth of both sexes, though for years this 
institution was interposed by stiff obstacles — 
does now nobly attest that this his life's work 
of love has not been in vain. 

HON.EIJWIN NORMAN HARTSHORN, 
A. M., Professor of International and Com- 
mercial Law, and superintendent of the Com- 
mercial Department of Mt. Union College; 
was born near Alliance, Ohio, May 37, 1835. 
His parents, Nurris and Asenath Hartshorn, 
having moved from New England, settled 
at an early day in Nelson, Portage Co., Ohio. 
He is the youngest of five children, and was 
raised to farm life, and enjoyed for some 
years the advantag-es of the common schools. 
He received from his parents, especially from 
his cultured and devoted mother, systematic 
and affectionate training, until at the age of 
nearly twelve; and being then put under the 
care of his older brother. Dr. O. N. Hartshorn, 
he entered in the fall of 18-1:6 upon a course 
of study at Mt. Unijn Seminar}', being one of 
its first six students. He regularly continued 
his studies at this seminary until it was, .Jan- 
uary, 1858, chartered as a college, defraying 
his entire expenses by doing janitor service 
during the first four years, and during the 
next seven or eight years by teaching a part 
of the time in the Seminary, but chiefly by 
teaching public schools during the winter 



season. At the organization of the Institu- 
tion in 1856 as a college, he was elected one 
of its Charter Trustees, also Professor of 
Natural Science, having previously devoted 
most of his teaching to giving instruction in 
mathematics. Soon after it was chartered, he 
regularly graduated at Mt. Union College in 
both its Scientific and Classical courses, and 
three years later in the degree of Master of 
Arts. In the spring of 1862 he was elected 
Superintendent of the Graded or Union 
Schools of Brownsville, Pa.; but after faith- 
fully and acc-eptably conducting for a few 
months the Brownsville Schools, he accepted 
the urgent request of the Trustees and Fac- 
ulty to return and resume his teaching and du- 
ties in Mt. Union College. His labors as Pro- 
fessor until 1868 were chiefly confined to 
Natural Science and Mathemat4cs, though 
during part of this time. he was required to 
teach Ancient Classics, Logic, Rhetoric, Po- 
litical Economy and History. In 1868 *he 
Commercial Department being duly organiz- 
ed under the charter of the college. Prof. 
Hartshorn was elected its Superintendent, 
and was appointed to teach Book-keeping, 
International and Commercial Law, and Act- 
ual Business. He had a t>w years before 
taken a full course in Dufl''s Commercial Col- 
lege at Pittsburgh; and having there in 1856 
graduated, received a Diploma from that Busi- 
ness College. Having been a close student 
during the preceding fifteen or twenty years, 
and being an original and systematic thinker, 
and possessing the physical as well as men- 
tal stamina to endure a large amount of con- 
secutive and thoughtful labor, he exerted all 
his energies to systematize this Commercial or 
Business Department, and to put it on a sub- 
stantial basis. He prepared a thorough and 
systematic course of study, and of actual busi- 
ness, and so organized the depai tment as to re- 
duce all its features to a complete system, prob- 
ably not surpassed in thoroughness and practi- 
cal detail by any business college. East or 
West. He has instructed in this department 
over 2,000 students, who are now occripying re- 
sponsible and lucrative positions in various 
respectable business houses, where the most 
thoroi\gh and approved modes of doing busi- 
ness are required. Quite a number of the 
graduates of this department are ladies, who 
are, by their thorough and practical qualifica. 



'%i= 



-r^ 



■fV 



il^ 



LEXINGTON TOWNSHIP. 



759 



tioii in the Theory of Accounts and Actual 
Business, making themselves a necessity to 
their respective employers, and are receiving 
for their services a sahiry not excelled by 
gentlemen of equal experience. Prof. Harts- 
horn has thus from the first been a mem- 
ber of the General Faculty, and has judi- 
ciously borne during this time a resjwn- 
sible part in its general internal manage- 
ment, involving the government, instruction 
and classificati<m of the students. He has 
likewise been, from the origin of the college, 
an efi'ective member of its Board of Trustees 
and of its Executive Committee; and during 
the past fourteen years has acted as its assist- 
ant treasurer, receiving all the internal funds, 
disbursing the same and keeping the books 
therefor. Though ids chief labors have been 
in the college, yet Prof. Hartshorn has also 
discharged various responsible duties as a 
citizen. He has from its origin served on 
the Board of Education for the union schools 
of Mt. Union; also for several years on the 
Board of C'ouncilmen for that incorporateil 
village. Having been treasurer of its Board 
of Education during some ten years, and 
having taken an active and efficient part in 
the planning and erection of its now and 
excellent Union School building, he has also 
been required to take a responsible share in 
the selection of teachers, and in the proper 
management of this union school. In all his 
duties he trusts nothing to luck, but depends 
solely on the prompt, lionorable and exact 
compliance with all the conditions of success. 
In ail his plans, duties and trar'.sactions with 
either the public or with private parties, he is 
unifortnlv straigiit-forward, decisive, respect- 
ful, prompt, temperate, firm, generous, reliable, 
and faithful. As to church relations, he is a 
Methodist; as to politics, he is a Re])ul)lican, 
and as a neighbor and citizen he has given 
ample evidence of his enterprise, kindness, 
honesty and fidility. During the late war he 
took with his means and time a highly gener- 
ous, patriotic and active jiart, both in raising 
numerous recruits, and in nobly sustaining 
our Union soldiers at the front; and, indeed, 
he would also have eagerly ndegated to others 
these patriotic home supports, and entered the 
active service in the fielil, had it not been that 
his presence and stipulated services were also 
imperatively needed in the college. He has 



devoted considerable time to the study of 
law; also in conducting Teachers' Institutes, 
and in delivering educational and other pub- 
lic addresses. Botii as a speaker and a writiir 
his style is logical, clear and forcii)le. In 
1878, he was nominated and elected State 
Senator for the Twenty-first District of Ohio, 
embracing the counties of Stark and Carroll. 
During his two years of public service in the 
Senate, he was appointed chairman of some 
important coinmiltees, as "Common Schools 
and School Lands; " " Universities, Acade- 
mies and Colleges. " He also served on 
other important committees, as " Soldiers' 
and Sailors' Orphans' Home and Schools 
for Imbecile Youth ; " " Public Printing;" 
"Revision." While a member of the 
Ohio Senate, during the G4th General 
Assembly, he introduced the following 
Bills, which passed both Houses, and are 
now law, viz. — Senate Bill No. 70, amending 
Section 1,155 (llevised Statutes), providing 
compensation to county recorders for keep- 
ing up general indices; Senate Bill No. 89, 
dividing Washington Township, Stark Coun- 
ty, into two election precincts; Senate Bill 
No. 144, amending Section 5,2.jl (Revised 
Statutes), relating to the demand of witness' 
fees; Senate Bill No. 158; Senate Bill No. 
333, providing for the appointment of an as- 
sistant to the Mine Inspector; Senate Joint 
Res(jlution No. 39, granting the use of battle- 
flags, guns, tents and accoutrements to the 
Reunion of Soldiers and Sailors, held Sept. 
1st, 1880, at Canton, Ohio; also a Senate Joint 
Resolution, providing for admitting Sarah 
Curan, of Slarlborough Tp., Stark Co., 
into the Cleveland Asylum for the Insane; 
Senate Resolnticm No. 14, fixing the pay of 
the pages. Three other Bills were introduced 
by Senator Hartshorn (Nos. 110, 426 and 33G), 
and passed the Senate, but did not get through 
the House. He has recently (1881) been nomi- 
nated without opposition to serve another term 
of two years in the Ohio Senate. Mr. Harts- 
horn was happilv married January- 1st, IS.'iS, 
to Miss Elvira, daughter of John and Martha 
Allerton, of Alliance?, Ohio. To Senator and 
Mrs. Hartshorn have been born six children — 
Loyal Douglas, Carrie T., Wilber A., Jessie 
G., Gertrude Josephine, and Florence; all of 
whom are living exce]>t the eldest S(m, who 
died at the age of eighteen, and Gertrude 



<<,Ts 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



Josepliine, who died when four years of age. 

ELLIS HAZEN, farmer; P. O. Alliance; 
was born in Mahoning Co., Ohio, April 19, 
1824. His father, Daniel Hazen, was a native 
of Pennsylvania, of German descent. He 
came to Ohio in 1801, and settled in Colum- 
biana, now Mahoning Co., and was a well-to- 
do farmer, and a man of considerable influ- 
ence in the neighborhood in which he resided. 
He was married to Polly Wood, and to them 
were born four children, viz. — Ellis, Thomas, 
Elizabeth and R. J. C. The family removed 
from Mahoning Co. to Lexington Tp., Stark 
Co., in 1833, and located on Sec. 16, where 
Thos. Hazen now lives, and on said location 
Mr. Hazen remained until called away by 
death in 1869. He was a man worthy of 
trust and much respected in his own vicinity, 
and was almost continuously serving in some 
township office. After the organization of 
Lexington was effected, Daniel Hazen was 
the first Township Treasurer, an office which 
he held about twenty years. The subject of 
these notes is the oldest of the family. His 
early education was received in the public 
schools, and limited at that, as delicate con- 
dition of his father's health, demanded that 
Eilis' attention and labor should be directed 
to the care of the farm. Dec. IS, 1845, he 
was married to Emeline Wickersham. She 
was born in Columbiana Co., April 20, 1824, 
and came to Stark Co. with her parents in 
1841. Mr. and Mrs. Hazen began on their 
own account, and farmed in this township 
ever since, and in this they have been quite 
successful. They have had eight children, 
six of whom are living — Almiretta, Lewis 
(deceased), Curtis (deceased), Eva, Lyde, Ed- 
ward, William and Adalbert. Mr. Hazen had 
but little means when he began for himself, 
but by industry and care, he is now financially 
well fixed, having a good farm of 226 acres 
in a high state of cultivation. He was elec- 
ted to the office of Township Trustee, which 
he held four years, and in October, 1878, he 
was elected County Commissioner, which 
office he now holds. He is in manner unas- 
suming and pleasant, and although holding 
an office, the gift of the people, he is no pol- 
itician; but a man who has gained and 
retains the respect and confidence of his 
fellow-citizens. 

HARVEY V. MERRICK, A. B., Pro- 



fessor of the German Language in Mt. 
Union College; was born in Columbiana 
Co., Ohio, March 27, 185.5, son of Wm. and Jane 
(Coulson) Merrick, who are both natives of 
the same county. They reared six children, 
viz : — Martin, who enlisted for the late war in 
the 115th O. V. I., and served throe years, 
and returned home and died in 1866 ; Sarah; 
liizzie (deceased); Harvey V., Allen and Har- 
per. Harvey V. was the fourth child and 
second son ; his boyhood was spent on the 
farm, and in attending the public school ; af- 
ter he had taught one term, he entered Mt. 
Union College in 1875, and took a five years' 
course, employing himself teaching in the 
winter terms as a means of suppoit during the 
succeeding college term. During his col- 
legiate course he studied the German language 
thoroughly, and was appointed professor there- 
of immediately after his graduation in July, 
1880. July 26, 1880, he married Carrie P. 
Chapman, daughter of John B. Chapman, who 
was a pioneer-settler and attorney, of Warsaw, 
Ind. Subsequent to the death of her father, 
Mrs. Merrick, with her mother, removed to 
Adams Co., Iowa, and settled near Corning ; 
there, in early childhood, Mrs. Merrick be- 
came familiar with the Icarians, a French- 
speaking community, of whom she readily ac- 
quired the rudiments of the French language; 
and having access to their libraries, and a 
natural taste for such studies, she soon became 
familiar with much of their literature, and 
a proficient French linguist. She attended 
Mt. Union College, from which she graduated 
in July, 1879 ; and in February, 1880, was 
appointed Professor of the French Language 
and History. 

MICHAEL McGRATH, deceased; was 
born in County Kildare, Ireland, in Octo- 
ber, 1826. When about 20 years of age 
he emigrated to the United States, and 
spent his first year in this country at Auburn, 
N. Y. He removed thence to Cleveland, 
Ohio, and entered the employ of the Cleve- 
land, Pittsburg & Wheeling R. R. Co., as 
overseer on a portion of that road during its 
construction. In March, 1852, he came to Alli- 
ance, and engaged with the P., Ft. W. & C. 
R. R. Co., as overseer of a gang of repairers; 
this position he occupied until his late illness, 
which resulted in his death. May 15, 1881. 
He was quiet, sober and industrious, and al- 






k 



LEXINGTON' TOWNSHIP. 



though working for nominal wages, he was, 
through industrious habits, enabled to pur- 
chase a farm of 78 acres adjoining the city 
corporation of Alliance, on the west. On 
.Jan. 22, 1854, he married Phcebe A. Rock- 
hill. They had nine children, seven of whom 
are living, viz: — Josephine, John H., Michael 
D., James E., Ida .M., Joseph F., and Ellen O. 
In September, 1878, their oldest son George, 
took his gun and with several others went 
hunting. When several miles away he step- 
ped to the wagon in which his gun was lying, 
and while in the act of taking it out it was acci- 
dentally discharged; the muzzle being toward 
him and in close proximity with his body, the 
load took effect in the u|>])er part of his body, 
which caused di/ath instantly. He leaves a 
young wife and one child to mourn their un- 
timely loss. Mr. Michael McGrath leaves his 
family in very comfortable circumstances, 
with a good home surrounded by all the com- 
forts necessary. He was through life a con- 
sistent member of the Catholic Church. 

JOHN NEILER, farmer; P. O. Alliance; 
was born in Chester Co., Pa., April 3, 1811. 
His father Samuel, and his mother, Sarah 
(Evans) Neiler, were both natives of Pennsyl- 
vania. His father was a miller and farmer, 
and from boyhood up, John being the oldest 
of the family, was kept at the milling business, 
in which he soon became practical and 
thorough. He received at intervals, a fair 
common school education. He conducted 
the business for some time after the death of 
his father; and at the settlement of the affairs 
of the estate he removed to Ohio, ami located 
in Goshen Tp., Mahoning Co., where he began 
to farm and remained five years; thence to 
Salem, Columbiana Co., and purchased the 
Allison Mills, which he ran seven years. He 
sold out liis mill property in Salem, and re- 
turned to Mahoning Co., where he resided 
until 18G7, when he sold out and removed to 
Lexington Tp., Stark Co., and purchased a farm 
of 40 acres; on which he has resided ever 
since. He married Beulah W. .Morris, March 
12, 1853; she was a daughter of Joseph and 
Rachel Morris, of Mahoning Co., who with 
their ten children, emigrated from New .Jersey, 
in a two-horse wagon, and located in Goshen 
Tp., Mahoning Co., in 1821. Her par nts re- 
niiiined in the same place where they settled 
until she died, many years since. Mr. Neiler 



is unassuming and plain in his manner, a man 
of unquestioned candor, and highly respected 
by those with whom he becomes acquainted. 
Thev had two children, both deceased. 

JOHN M. PETTIT, grocery merchant. 
Alliance; was born in New Lisbon, Columbi- 
ana Co., Ohio, May 15, 1817; In; was the 
second child and oMest son of Austin and 
Elizabeth (Middleton) Petlit, who came from 
Pennsylvania to Ohio in 1812, and located in 
Columbiana Co., where he engagnil in farm- 
ing and stock dealing. When John M. was 
about 8 years old, his mother died, leaving 
four children. His father married Elizabeth 
Schooley for his second wife, and by this union 
six children were born. Until Mr. Pettit ar- 
rived at his 19th year his life was similar to 
that of most young men reared in the country, 
variously occupied on the farm and in attend- 
ing school, after which he accepted a clerk- 
ship in a store of general merchandise in 
Salem, which he retained about six years. In 
March, 1845, he came to.Mt. Union, Stark Co., 
and in partnership with Isaac Wilson opened 
a general store; shortly afterward, at the 
demise of Mr. Wili-on, Mr. Pettit purchased 
the entire busines.-, and conducted it until 
1853, when the partnership of Pettit and 
Park was formed. In 1859 Mr. Pettit em- 
barked in the general jiroduce business with 
one Nixon, as Pettit & Nixon, which continu- 
ed until 18t)5, when Mr. Reed took Nixon's 
place in the establishment; the latter partner- 
»hi]) lasting about five yi*ars. In 1870 Mr. 
Pettit engaged in the fire and life insurance 
lousiness for about four years, and then in 
partnership with his son, established his pres- 
ent business in Alliance. Dec. 28, 1843, he 
married .Mary Bean, daughter of Israel and 
Jane Bean, of Salem, Ohio. They had four 
children; two died in childhood and two are 
living, viz: — Presley C, who is Cashier of the 
First National Bank, and George P., now in 
Colorado. Although these many years en- 
gaged in active business in Alliance, he has 
always been a resident of Mt. Union since the 
spring of 1845. Ho has been in active busi- 
ness since 19 years of age, a man of public 
spirit and enterprise, and decided business 
ability. ' 

REV. LOUIS PAINE, Minister of Meth- 1 
odist Episcopal Church, Limaville; was born I 
in Salem, Columbiana Co., O., Dec. 4, 1837. j 



_® v*" 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



His parents were Rul'us and Narcissa (Al- 
drich) Paine. Rufus Paine was born in Smith- 
field, R. I., Sept. 11, i;9;'.. Narcissa Aldrich 
was born in Northbridge, Mass., April 3,1809. 
They were married at Norwich, Conn., April 
27. 1836, and removed to Ohio in the spring 
of 1837. In 1838 they located in Limaville, 
Stark Co., where Mr. Paine engaged in the 
mercantile business; but at the end of two 
years he disposed of the same, and purchased 
a farm on the northern limits of the village, 
which has been the family homestead ever 
since. To Rufus and Narcissa Paine were 
born four children, viz: Louis; Rufus Smith, 
who (lied at the age of 16; Henry, now in the 
real estate and banking business, in Ducorah, 
Iowa; and Eva, now Mrs. C. T. Mattingly, of 
Plymouth, Ind. Louis Paine's primary edu- 
cation was received in the public school, and 
in a select school in Limaville, his first teacher 
being H. M. Lewis, now of Alliance. After- 
ward he attended the Atwater Academy, nnd 
in 1857 entered Mt. Union Seminary, which 
soon afterwaid was chartered as a college, 
and from which he graduated in the classical 
course in 186^. Jan. 1, 1860, while a student, 
Mr. Paine was married to Mary E. Cunning, 
of Shanesville, O., who died April 21, 1861. 
In the beginning of 1856 Mr. Paine had united 
with the Methodist Episcopal Church; but up 
to this event had pursued his educational 
course, having in view a business life; now, 
however, his thoughts turned toward the min- 
istry. In the fall of 1861 he was licensed to 
preach by the Quartei ly Conference of the 
Alliance Circuit. In the fall of 1 802, after his 
graduation, he was appointed by Dr. I. N. 
Baird, who was the Presiding Elder, to the 
Marlborough Circuit. In March, 1863, he was 
received on trial in the Pittsburgh Conference, 
and appointed to the Columbiana Circuit. In 
March, 1864, he was appointed to the Elkton 
Circuit. On the 20th of March, 1865, at the 
Conference held in Canton, Ohio, he was or- 
dained to the office of Deacon, by Bishop 
Ames. At the close of this Conference, on 
the evening of March 21, he was united in 
marriage to Mary E. Lind, who was a teacher 
in the Canton Union School, and a daughter 
of John Lind, Esq., of New J3erlin, Stark Co., 
O., this being the second marriage solemnized 
in the M. E. Church of Canton, O. The suc- 
ceeding two years, for the purpose of recuper- 



ating his health, he took no charge in the Con- 
ference, but resided in Limaville, and engageil 
in mercantile and farming pursuits. At the 
Conference held in Massillon, O., in March, 
1807, he was ordained by Bishop Thoinjison 
to the office of Elder, and appointed to Roch- 
ester, Pa. Here he organized, in the town 
hall, the first Methodist Episcopal Church, 
with about 05 members; but the work pros- 
pered so successfully that during the three 
years of his staj' as pastor, he received over 
300 additional members, and succeeded in 
erecting their present fine two-story brick ed- 
ifice. From the arduous labor of this charge 
he retired in March, 1870, but his health hav- 
ing suffered thereby, he again retired to the 
farm for the succeeding two years. In March, 
1872, he was appointed to Irondalo, O., hav- 
ing in view the liquidation of a debt upon a 
new church building. In March, 18?3, he was 
])laced in charge of the " Centenary Church,'' 
Pittsburgh, Pa. Here he completed a ehureli 
building which had been some years before 
begun, at a cost of some $22,000. At the ex- 
piration of two years, in March, 1875, the Con- 
ference having concluded to divide into the 
Pittsburgh and the East Ohio Conference, he 
asked to be placed again in the Ohio work, and 
was appointed to Mt. Union charge, in Stark 
Co.,0. Here he remained during three terms, 
or until September, 1878; and his labors were 
eminently successful, receiving, in one reviv- 
al, one hundred into the church. From Sep- 
tember, 1878, to September, 1880, he was pas- 
tor of the Wellsville charge, during which 
time he received into the church about 160 by 
letter and on profession of faith. In Septem- 
ber, 1880, he was appointed to Wilhmghby, 
Lake Co., O., vphere he officiates at this date. 
Rev. Mr. Paine retains the old family home- 
stead at Limaville, O.. where his mother still 
resides, his father having died in 1804, and 
where his family spend a portion of each sum- 
mer. To Louis and Mary E. Paine have been 
born seven children, five of whom are living, 
viz: — Dellie (deceased when a few weeks old), 
Bertram Lind, Mary Myrtilla, Lura Bell, Stel- 
la Rosalie (died at the age of 2 years), Lou- 
is Henry, and Bertha Leona. 

DAVID ROCKHILL, farmer and proprie- 
tor of livery stable ; P. O. Alliance ; was born 
near the site of Alliance, Stark Co., Dec. 11, 
1846, son of David and Hannah (Buekman) 



LEXINGTON TOWNSHIP. 



76S 



Rockliill. The latter was a native of Pennsylva- 
niii, but the father came here at an early date 
from New Jersey. They reared seven child- 
ren, six of whom are livinc;. Mr. Rockhill 
married Jaiu; E. McDonald in 1870. They 
have two children, riz: — Wesley L. and Es- 
tella May. In 18i',) he purchased the livery 
establishment of Mr. Phillips, and has charge 
of that business as well as superintendina; his 
farm, uj)<)n which he still resides, and which 
is the same farm entered by his grandfather 
Kockhill, when they first locatei! here. 

CLEMENT ROCKHILL, farmer; P.O. 
Alliance ; was born where he is now residing, 
Jan. 8, 1828. He is the fifth child and oldest 
son of eleven children (all of whom lived to 
maturity) born to Samuel A. and Nancy (Bry- 
ant) Rockhill. His parents were natives of 
New Jersey, and after they were married 
thev removed to Ohio, and settled at Salem, 
Columbiana Co., in P^ebruary, 1820. They 
had stopped a short time whcMi they removed 
to Stark Co., and entered 100 acres west of 
Mt. Union, and subsequently purchased the 
farm which our subject owns, which is all 
within the corporate limits of Alliance, for 
the sum of $3 per acre. When quite young, 
Mr. Rockhill was obliged to work on the farm, 
as he was the eldest son of a large family ; 
consequently his early education was rather 
limited. When he had attained his majority 
he began to do for himself, and took charge 
of the homestead. In 1858 he married Sarah 
Hogate, a d aighter of John Hogate, of Mar- 
shall Cyo., Ind. She died in November, 1871, 
leaving three children, vi/: — (":issius Clay, 
Lulu M. and Clarence A. Mr. Rockhill mar- 
ried a second wife, Louisa Barnes, by whom 
he had one child — Charles C. From her he 
obtained a bill of divorce. His present wife 
was Sarah Stone, of Ravenna, i'ortage Co. 
They own a farm of 49 acres in the corpora- 
tion of Alliance, which is a comfortable home. 
Mr. Rockhill is a quiet, industrious citizen 
and has always been one of those men who 
attends tt) his own affairs, and allows others a 
like privilege. 

WILLIA.M SOULE, M. S., Ph. D., 
Professor of Physics and Chemistry in Mt. 
Union Colleg-e; was born at Dover Plains, 
Duchess Co.,"N. Y., Dec. 5, 18:J4. His pa- 
rents were John B. and Jane (Tabor) Soule, 
the former a teacher in his early life, but lat- 



terly turned his attention to farming, and was 
an influential citizen in his neighborhood. 
The early education of our subject was that 
of the common schools, which cost him six 
miles of travel each day. He subsequently 
attended the famous "Qiiintillian Seminary," 
of Rev. Eliphaz Fa}'. In IS-jlJ, he entered tlu: 
American Seminary, and was a close student 
and hard worker, to the serious injury of his 
sight and general health. He entered the 
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Mich., 
in 1858, and graduated from that institution 
in 1861 ; he touk a post-grailuatc course in 
chemistry and natural history, and tDok a sec- 
ond degree. In May, 1SG3, he married Ade- 
lia E., daughter of Eber White, a prominent 
and early resident of Ann Arbor, Mich. They 
have two children — Stella and Marion. Sub- 
sequent to his post-graduate course. Prof. 
Soule returned to New York ; was principal 
of a school for some time, and was then ap- 
pointed Professor of Natural Science in Caz- 
enovia Seminary, where he remained thirteen 
years. During this time many medical stu- 
dents pursued a regular course of analytical 
chemistry under his instruction. He is fre- 
quently called upon to decide the character of 
minerals, the purity of drugs, etc. Upon one 
occasion, a case of supposed poisoning was 
submitted to him ; the body was exhumed, 
which he analyzed, and his report accepted as 
conclusive. In the summer of 1880 he was 
elected to the professorship, which he now 
holds in Mt. Union College. The honorary 
degree of Ph. D. has recently been conferred 
upon Prof. Soule. 

HENRY A. SOLIDAY, Limaville; of the 
firm of Soliday & Sparr, millers, proprietors 
of the Valley Mills; was born in Blair Co., 
Penn., Feb. 25, 1837; the third in a family of 
ten children born to Abraham and (Jatharine 
Solida}'. His parents were both natives of 
Pennsylvania, and his father a millwright 
by trade. In 1845 the family removed from 
Pennsylvania to Ohio, and settled near 
Wooster, Wayne Co., where his father en- 
gaged in the milling business. Having been 
brought up to that trade l>y his father, the 
subject of these notes followed mill-building 
until about 28 years old, when he engaged in 
the mercantile business in Doylestown, where 
in connection with his business, he was Post 
Master, and served as a Justice of the Peace 



:f^ 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES* 



about seven years. He removed to Akron in 
18^3, and continued in the mercantile busi- 
ness until 1879, when he purchased the Val- 
ley Jlills, at Limaville, and took as partner 
his brother-in-law, B. F. Sparr. They have re- 
fitted and made various important improve- 
ments in the mills, they beina; only adapted to 
water-])ower when they purchased; but they 
have since provided a 35-horse power steam 
enjrine and boiler, and are now prepared to do 
work at any season. In Noveuiber, 1860, Mr. 
Soliday married Sarah A., daughter of Elias 
Galehouse, a pioneer of the township in which 
he settled, in Wayne Co. By this union 
there are three children living, viz. — Charles 
H., George W., and Jessie A. 

JOSEPH SEBREI.L, farmer; P. O. Lima- 
ville; was born in Sussex Co., Va., April 15, 
179G, the fifth child of Joseph and Rebecca 
(Jones) Sebrell, who with their si.\ children, 
were a part of the party of some fifty persons 
who emigrated from Virginia to Ohio in 1807. 
Several families came direct to Stark Co., 
while Mr. Sebrell's family located near Salem, 
and remained there until 1823. His father 
was a hatter by trade, and during the pioneer 
days, when it was almost impossible to pro- 
cure money for pi'oduce of any kind, Mr. Se- 
brell found his manufactured articles a handy 
commodity to exchange for other necessaries. 
When he got the hatting business established, 
his sons also worked at the trade with him, 
but soon turned their attention to farming. 
The sul>ject of these notes states that their 
first few crops of corn were almost all devour- 
ed by squirrels, having in his boyhood, day 
by day paced the field and guarded the seed 
corn when planted, until it had grown beyond 
the stage when liable to suffer from the pests; 
but as soon as it formed " ears," the ravages 
of these pests were as bad as ever, necessita- 
ting the corn to be cut when only in roasting- 
ear, and gathered near their cabin for protec- 
tion. His father came to Stark Co., and 
purchased 160 acres about a mile west of 
Lexington, and to this location the family re- 
moved from Salem in 1823. Previous to 
their removal, Joseph, the subject of those 
notes, married Mary Shinn, in 1817. She 
was born in New Jersey, July 3, 1798, and 
came with her parents to Salem in 1803. Mr. 
and Mrs. Sebrell have been familiarized with 
hardship in pioneer life, which can be real- 



ized only by those who settleil in the unbrok- 
en forest, where naught of civilization was to 
be found. They are both hale, and happily 
passing their declining days with their 
daughters. Although Mrs. Sebrell has for 
some time been totally blind, and the organs 
of hearing somewhat affected, she is other- 
wise enjoying good health, and is sound of 
mind, with a wonderful memory of past 
events. They are parents of nine children, 
all of whom lived to maturity — Abigail (de- 
ceased), wife of Jos. Wiley; Mathews; Re- 
becca, wife of E. Bennett; Thomas; Mary A. 
(deceased), wife of J. Kennedy; Elizabeth, 
wife of Aaron Gibson; Hannah, Joseph and 
Hulda. 

ELISHA TEETERS, farmer; P. O. Alli- 
ance; whose portrait appears in this history 
as a representative pioneer of Lexington Tp., 
was born in what is now Mahoning Co., Ohio, 
Jan. 11, 1814. His grandfather, Elisha Tee- 
ters, emigrated from Germany to this country 
about the time of the Revolutionary war, 
and settled in Eastern Pennsylvania, in 1796, 
finally becoming one of the early pioneers to 
what was then Columbiana, now Mahoning Co., 
Ohio. The parents of our subject were John 
and Mary (Cook) Teeters. His father was a 
Colonel under Gen. Harrison in the war of 
1818; a warm friend to educational and moral 
reform, and an influential member of the com- 
munity. He was a " Friend " in his relig- 
ious belief, a Democrat up to the beginning 
of the late war, and afterwards a Republican. 
He died July 35, 1866, in his 85th year. Of 
a family of ten children, Elisha, the subject 
of this sketch, is the oldest son. Reared amiil 
the surroundings of pioneer life, he obtained 
such an education as that early period afforded. 
On July 16, 1835, he married Eliza, daughter 
of Richard Webb, an early pioneer to Co- 
lumbiana Co., and in August following they 
moved to Lexington Tp., Stark Co., where he 
began life for himself in the woods in the vi- 
cinity of this place, where he has since re- 
mained, a lover of agriculture and its kindred 
pursuits, and now resides near Alliance, on 
one of the finest farms in Stark Co. Aside 
from his industry, he has been prominently 
identified with various local enterprises. Early 
in the history of Alliance, he was for several 
years engaged in the dry goods and produce 
trade. He then engaged in private banking, 



-^ 



f 



-14* 



LEXINGTON TOWNSHIP. 



70:i 



which he carried on for fifteen years, his son, 
R. W., iiaving been a partner most of the 
time. He was also for a number of years of 
this time, treasurer of the Lake Erie, Alli- 
ance & Wheeling R. R. Co., and along with 
this business he was for ten years connected 
with the manufacturing interests of Alliance, 
being president of Nixon & Co.'s Agricultu- 
ral Works. In this enterprise he was the un- 
fortunate loser of about $"250,000 surety 
money, none of the obligations being of his 
own contracting. For six years he has served 
as County Commissioner, and is now one of 
the trustees of the Fairmount Children's 
Home, situated near Alliance, for the coun- 
ties of Stark and Columbiana. He is also the 
owner of Alliance College and Boarding Hall, 
the original cost of which was upwards of 
1100,000. Politically, he has been a life-long 
DeiMO rat, and firm in that faith, and for 
many years a member of the Christian Church, 
and an elder in the same. He has long en- 
joyed the reputation of being a clear-headed 
business man, honorable in his dealings, firm 
in his views, and a plain, unostentatious 
gentleman, possessed of an unusual amount 
of sterling good sense. He has ever been a 
warm and zealous advocate of all measures cal- 
culated to advance the social and moral 
welfare of the community, and now being 
well advanced in years he enjoys the confi- 
dence and respect of all good citizens. Mrs. 
Teeters died in January, 1866, having been 
the mother of ten children, all living but one. 
Jesse W. lives on the old homestead, which 
was cleared by his father; R. W., is a busi- 
ness man of Alliance; Isaac F. and Charles 
are eng.iged in stock-raising in western Kan- 
sa-s; K. P. is now mail agent on the Lake 
Erie & .\lliance R. R.; -M. Susan, is now Mrs. 
John Sliimj), of Canton; Rachel L. is the 
wife of James Amerman, an attorney of Al- 
liance; Rosa J. is now Mrs. C. C. Eddy, of 
Kansas City, Mo.; and Laura E., now .Mrs. 
George Kay, book-keeper in the bank of 
Laudjorn & (iray. On July 14, 1!S71, Mr. 
Teeters married a second wife, Sarah R., 
daughter of .Mathias Hester, whose biography 
is in this work. 

JESSE W. TEETERS, farmer ; P. O. Al- 
liance ; was born where he is now residing, 
June 5, 1836. He is the oldest of ten child- 
ren born to Elisha and Eliza (Webb) Teeters. 



He was reared amid the scenes and circum- 
stances incident to a newly settled locality. 
He was brought up to the multifarious duties 
of farm life, and received a fair education in 
the common schools. June 28, 1800, he was 
married to A<ldi(! Brosius ; she is a daughter 
of Amos and Esther Brosius, of Washington 
Tp. Mr. and Mrs. Teeters have one child — 
Mary Mabel. Mr. Teeters has a good farm of 
19"3 acres, well improved and in a beautiful 
location, being the old homestead where his 
father settled when he first came to this town- 
ship. He is much interested in good farming 
and stock-raising, and has taken pains to in- 
troduce some excellent short-horn cattle, 
which are beginning to attract the attention 
of the farmers and stock m(^n of this section, 
from the grand results produced on his farm. 
At various times he has marketed steers of 
this breed, when four years old, weighing up- 
wards of two thousand pounds. Mr. Teeters 
is a gentleman of no political or oflBce-seeking 
aspirations; he is a pleasant, unassuming man, 
possessed of considerable natural ability, ex- 
cellent judgment, and above all, that rare 
gift, common sense. He was a member of the 
Disciples' Church, and at the division of the 
congregation he united with the Independent 
faction. 

JOSHUA WOOD, farmer; P.O. Alliance; 
was born on the farm adjoining the west of 
his present home, Dec. 3, 1830. His father, 
Robert Wood, came with his parents from 
Virginia when quite young ; they located near 
Salem, Columbiana Co. He (Robert Wood) 
married Abigail Gaskill, a daughter of one of 
the first pioneer families of that section of 
Ohio. They came to Lexington Tp., and set- 
tled in the unbroken forest, and began to 
clear up their land ; and in which they made 
good progress by dint of industry. .Mr. 
VVood became a man of considerable influ- 
ence in the new settlement, and was sought 
after by the citizens as a proper person to 
transact the duties of the township offices, 
some of which he held almost all his life; he 
died here about 1802, at the advanced age of 
70 years. They had 13 children, of whom 
six sons and twodaughlers survive, viz: — Levi, 
of Lexington Tp.; Joshua; E. .!., in Iowa; 
E. M., a minister of the gospel, in .M. E. 
Church at Pittsburgh, Pa. ; J. D., of Mahon- 
ing Co.; Daniel, in Colorado; Hannah, now 



"B ""V 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



Mrs. E. E. Scraiitoii, of Alliance; ami Jatie, 
Mrs. L. .1. KcUey, of this township. The sub- 
ject of these notes began on his own account, 
in the vicinity in whicli he lives ; first having 
acquired a good common school education, 
and that principally by private study at night, 
by the blazing torch-light iu the old-fashioned 
fire-place of his father's log cabin, as school 
facilities were poor and expensive ; and a 
large family to be cared for, with limited 
means. Amid such surroundings the family 
were reared to be industrious and frugal. 
But above all else, Joshua evinced a strong 
desire for instruction and a love for knowl- 
edge. His scanty stock of books he eagerly 
perused, and fitted himself for teaching; he 
taught eleven school-terms — ten of which he 
was in the saine school. December 31, 185-t, 
he married Maria, daughter of George and 
Eunice Carter, who were formerly of Portage 
Co. They have five children, viz : — Lorinda 
O., now Mrs. G. A. Winner ; Bell, Edwin G; 
Ona E., and Artie B. Mr. Wood has always 
held some township office since he has been 
of age; and in 1872 he was elected County 
Commissioner, and held that office six years 
in succession. He has ever been an industri- 
ous, energetic citizen, and a promoter of every 
measure which proposed general and material 
development for the welfare of the commu- 
nity. A portion of the old homestead, which 
was owned and first settled on by his father, 
constitutes a part of his present farm of 156^ 
acres, which is a comfortable home — the re- 
sult of his own and his wife's industry and 
care. 

JOSEPH L. WICKERSHAM, farmer ; P. 
O. Alliance; was born in Columbiana Co., Ohio, 
Jan. 9, 1833. His father, Ellis Wickersham, 
came to Ohio from Chester Co., Pa., when a 
young man. He married Eliza Morgan, and 
they reared ten children. The family remov- 



ed from Columbiana to Slaik Co., and settled 
on the farm now owned by Joseph L. in 18-11; 
its im]irovenients were then of little value — 
an old log cabin for residence, and the greater 
part of the farm covered with heavy timber. 
Here the family grew up and spread out over 
the country, as follows : Mary A. was mar- 
ried to William Angus, and removed to Wood 
Co., Ohio ; Lydia E. married D. Wood, and 
went to Indiana ; Emeline is Mrs. Ellis Ha- 
zen ; Lewis went to Iowa, thence to Kansas, 
where he died ; Ellis T., deceased ; Thomas 
M., deceased ; Joseph L., William Q., went 
to Kansas ; and two died in childhood, .lo- 
seph L. was the seventh child. His early ed- 
ucation was of the public schools and Marl- 
borough Union School. He taught district 
school two winters. He has a good farm of 
183 acres, on which is found beds of excellent 
quality of potters' clay, which he furnishes to 
various manufacturing institutions in this part 
of the State. Nov. 26, 1859, he was married 
to Susan Fowler. Her father was a native of 
New York and came to Pennsylvania a young 
man; there married and came to Portage Co., 
Ohio, in 1830. Mr. Wickersham was elected 
a member of the County Board of Agricul- 
ture, which office he has held since 1876. He 
was prominently instrumental in the organi- 
zation of the Lexington Aid Association, in 
1876 — a mutual agreement by several farmers 
to aid each other in case of fire ; it has given 
such satisfaction that its promoters were en- 
couraged to organize under the State laws, 
and apply for a charter, which was duly grant- 
ed June 4, 1881. The charter-members are : 
Joseph Grant, Joseph L. Wickersham, Joshua 
Wood, William Hugus, Joseph Kelley, Jacob 
Butler, Elias Ellett, President of the organ- 
ization, and others. Mr. Wickersham has 
been Secretary of the Company since the 
organization in 1876. 



-f 



L.WVRRNCK TOWNSIHI' 



d>>^ 



LAWRENCE TOWNSHIP. 



S. M. BUCKMASTEK. m;iiinf;utuiL"r of 
Ciirricigcw and buggies and general i'ej)airing. 
Canal Fnlton: was horn in Jackson Tji.. Stark 
<•(.. in ISK): son of James and Nancy ( Millerl 
Biickmaster. Passing his youth upon a farm. 
our subject, at the age of IV), commenced to 
learn his trade in Canal Fulton, under in- 
structions, from William Staiu, with wliom he 
c-mtinued for eiglit montlis. sulisiM|ut'ntly lin- 
ishing his ai)])renticeshii) in Batli Tp., Sum 
mit Co In lS(il, he enlisted in the ir)th O. 
T. I., and was soon after detailed for duty as 
a lilacksmitli: lie remained in the service over 
tlu'ee years, and then re-enlisted as a veteran 
ill the 'id Ohio, which was under the command 
of Shennan; he was soon detailed as a scout, 
under tlie command of Harry Kenderdine, of 
Iowa, and in thisea))acity entered the rebel lines 
several times in seiirch of information. Our 
limited s]iaci' will not permit of a recital of the 
many exciting episodes in which he was a par- 
tici])ant: his army lifecontinued until theclose 
of the war. In ISfi'i, he purchas(»d from Stam 
his blacksmith-sho]), and commenced business 
operations, in Canal Fulton, where he has 
remained an important business factor; his 
incr(>asing trade has, from tinio to time, com- 
jielled an increase in room and assistance', and 
at the ])resent time is contemplating still more 
improvements and enlargements. He manu- 
factures all varieties of wagons, carriages and 
buggies, and docs all manner of jobbing and 
repairing, his business being one of the lead- 
ing industries of the community. em])loying. 
Ht difl'erent seasons, from nine to sixteen 
hsinds. As a citizen. Mr. Buckmaster is])rom 
inent and honored: he has served as (council- 
man for six years, and a member of the 
Sch<x)l Board six years: he is a member of the 
Knights of Honor: in the Masonic onler he 
is Master, and for the last fourteen yeai-s h;is 
been Past (irand in the I. O. O. F. fraternity: 
he is also a member of the I. O. O. F. Camp 
and Eureka Lodge. No. 24, Ma.ssillon En- 
campment. He was lUiuried. Sept. 7, ISTT), 



to Miss Belle Lambright, of Pennsylvania; 
they have six chihlren — Hattie, Waldon, 
Champion, Truman. Franklin and Carrie. 

BE.VU .V AETHER, sash, doors and Ijlinds 
and j)laning mill. Canal Fulton. Franklin 
Bear, the senior member of this firm, is a native 
of Pennsylvania; he commenced when a 
youth to lesuMi the Ciirpenter's trade, which he 
followed for a few years, and was alsi) cmgaged 
in a rifle manufactory, in Pennsylvania, work- 
ing in that two yeiU's; he next engaged in a 
saw-mill, in Center Co., Penn, and soon after 
engaged in a sash, door and blind manufac- 
tory, in Pittsburgh, remaining ther(> three 
years. In INTT), he came to Canal Fulton, 
and entered into ])arlnership with his 
brother Samuel, manufacturing sash, doors 
and blinds together nearly three years; his 
brother then retired fi'om the tirm, John 
Arther becoming liis succi'ssor, since which 
time they have been associated together, mak- 
ing sasli, doors and blinds: als(j running a 
planing-mill and cider j>ress. Messrs. Bear & 
Arther have excellent facilities for the prompt 
execution of business, and iU'e relial)le and 
entc>rprising business men. Mr. Bear was 
man'ied, in ](S7(J, to Miss Lavina Kissinger, 
of Indiana; they have one child, Birdie. Mr. 
Be:u' is a practical engineer, and has charge 
of the tire-engine at Canal Fulton. John 
Arther was Ijom in tianal Fulton in 1858; he 
is a son of Baltzer and Katharine (Gileher) 
.\rther: he is a car])enter by tratle. and jnir- 
sued that vocation the great(>r portion of his 
time until he became a partner with Mr. Beju-. 
since which time he has devoted his attention 
to that business: he is a young man, of g<^)d 
business (pialifications, and ranks well as a 
citizen, ^h: Arther was united in man-iage, 
in 1S~U. to Miss Louisa Ehrett; they have one 
child, Charles E. 

J. M. BILLIN(i, dry goods. Canal Fulton: 
is one of tlm leading and enterprising l)usi- 
ness men of Canal Fulton; he is a native of 
Pennsylvania, b(jrn in Mercer County, in 1838. 



\ 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



^ 



Mr. Billing has been in the mei-cantile busi- 
ness for the gi'eater portion of his life, com- 
mencing as a clerk when 15 years of age, in 
his native connty, where he remained eight 
years; he then embarked in a business enter- 
prise in Greenville, Penu., doing a dry goods 
trade there for five years; he then came to 
Ohio, and was associated with his father-in- 
law in the hotel and life insurance business, 
in Holmes County, for about one year; he 
then engaged as a salesman for Wegener, 
Brouse & Co., of Aki'on, and was in their em- 
ploy two years; in 1871, he came to Canal 
Fvilton, and established a dry goods trade 
thei'e, under the firm name of A. W. Miller & 
Co., continuing for seven years, since which 
time the firm has been known as J. M. Billing. 
Mr. Billing carries an extensive stock of dry 
goods, groceries, hats and caps, etc. ; his store 
is located in the Union Block, and his lousi- 
ness connections are extended and yearly in- 
creasing. He was manied, in June, 185U, to 
Miss Lue M. Griffin, of Pennsylvania; they 
have one child. Cora May. Mi . Billing was 
a member of the Board of Education for nine 
years; served one year as Townshij) Treas- 
m'er, and is now administering the duties of 
that office. He is a member of the Knights 
of Honor, and also an Odd Fellow, in 
which he has passed through all of the 
grades. 

H. BEVARD, drugs and medicines. Canal 
Fulton; is a native of Wayne Co., Ohio, born 
in 1840; he is a sou of James and Nancy 
(Kindig) Bevard, who came to Ohio from 
Pennsylvania, and located iu Wayne County 
about 1881, where they still reside. Our sub- 
ject commenced a mercantile career at the age 
of 14. entering a dry goods store in Dalton, 
where he was employed for five years; in 
1801, he enlisted in Com{)any E, (Jlst O. V. 
I., and was in active service for three years: 
he participated in the battles of Gettysburg, 
Chancellorsville, Bull Run, Mission Ridge, 
Peach Tree Creek. Lookout Mountain and in 
the battles in front of Atlanta, where he was 
woimded in the left arm, which crippled it for 
life: after lying in the hospital for eight 
months, he was mustered out, at Ciuup Denni- 
son, iu 181)5^ After his return home, he en- 
gaged in the grocery lousiness, in Dalton, re- 



maining there one year; then to Orrville, in 
the same business, and in 1869, he removed 
to Canal Fulton; he was engaged in the gro- 
cer}' trade for over six years, when he disposed 
of his stock and engaged in the di'ug business, 
which he has continued at since; his stock 
consists of a full line of di'ugs, medicines and 
fancy goods. He was married, in 1878, to 
Miss Sarah Bliler, of Canal Fulton; they have 
two children- Eve Y. and Ollie B. Mr. 
Bevard is a member of the Common Council, 
and a member of the Odd Fellows Lodge, of 
Fulton. 

A. B. CAMPBELL. i)hysician and sur- 
geon. Canal Fulton; was born in Canada iu 
1845; he commenced reading medicine in 
Canada, and in 18t)'.t entered the University 
of Michigan, at Ann Ai'bor, and gradiiated iu 
medicine and surgery in 1871; he commenced 
jiractice in Summit Co., Ohio, in 1871, re- 
maining there two years. In 1878, he lofated 
in Caual Fulton, where he has since resided, 
and where he has established a large and suc- 
cessful practice. In the winter of 1880-8], 
he attended the Jefferson Medical College, of 
Philadelphia, to perfect himself still more in 
his chosen [irofession, and he now ranks as one 
of the most skilled physicians of Stark County. 
Dr. Campbell was united in marriage, in 1874, 
to Miss Amelia Upjohn, daughter of Dr. Upjohn, 
of Kalamazoo, Mich. ; she died in Canal Fulton, 
leaving a son, Archibald U})john. Dr. Camp 
l)ell is a member of the County Medical 
Society, and of the Northeastern Medical 
Association. 

F. N. CHAMBERLAIN, dentist. Caual 
Fulton; is a native of Alcron. Summit Co., 
Ohio, where he was born in 1851 ; he re- 
mained upon a farm until 21 years of age, 
soon after beginning the study of dentistry, 
at Kent, Ohio, with (t. A. Case, remaining 
with him over two years: he then went to 
Peninsula, Ohio, where he practiced his pro- 
fession nearly three yeais; in 1880, he re- 
moved to Canal Fulton, where he has estab- 
lished a successful jiractice. Dr. Chambi^r- 
lain is an efficient, skillfvil workman, and does 
artistic work. H'> was maiTied. in 1878, to 
Miss Demaris Viall, of Summit County; 
they hfive one child, Blanche. Dr. Chamber- 
lain is a member of the Kniirhts of Honor. 



^— "k> 



LAWRENCE TOWNSHIP. 



769 



CHALMERS M. DICKSON, physician and 
surgeon. Caxial Fulton; is a son of Dr. M. M. 
Dickson, of Norton Tp.. Summit Co. : bf' Ix'gan 
his education iu the common schools, and from 
thence to the liigh school and business colleife, 
of Aki-on, fi-om bt)th of which he graduated; 
he also received a practical business eilucation 
as book-keeper and Cashier of the business 
house of Samuel Steese. Aki-on. with whom he 
was connected two years: having decided upon 
the profession of medicine for his lif(i-work, 
he entered the office of his father, under whose 
tutelage he remained one year, at the expira- 
tion of which time he bi-came a student of the 
Ann Arbor ^ledical College, and after three 
years" coui-se. gi-aduated. in July. ISSO. Dr. 
Dickson th-st located, for practice, at Port 
Clinton. Smnmit Co., where he remained only 
seven months, and iu March. 1 SS 1 , removed to 
Canal Fulton, w'here he intends to remain 
penuaneiitly. Dr. Dickson is an educated 
and genial gentleman, and is a valual)le adili- 
tion to the comnnmity in which he has loc^ated. 
He was imited iu miuriage, in May, ISSl, to 
Miss Nannie Payne, of Port Clinton. 

H. DISSINGEE. physician and surg(>on, 
Canal Fulton; is a native of Franklin T]>., 
Summit Co.. Ohio; he is a son of John and 
Mdlly I Waggoner) Dissinger. who were early 
settlers in that locality: when 1(* years of age, 
his jiai'euts removed to Manchester, where his 
eai'lv days were passed: in 1875, he com- 
mencsnl the study of medicine, with Dr. D. 
Kowe, of Manchester, remaiiuug imder his 
instructions and tutelage for three years, at- 
tending, in the meantime, the Medical College 
of Ohio, located at Cincinnati, where he re- 
ceived his diploma, in ISTS: he then attended 
one coiu'se of th(! Long Island Hos|)ital Col- 
lege, at Br(X)klyn, N. Y., of which he is also a 
graduate. He commenced immediately the 
practice of his profession, at (^anal Fnlttm, 
locating there in December, 1S7S, where he 
has entered upon a successful and pi'oininent 
])ractiee. Dr. Dissinger was united in mar 
riage, in October, 1S7S. to Miss Caroline Sis- 
ler. of Manchester, Summit Co. ; they have 
one child — Earl. Dr. Dissinger is a member 
of the Knights of Honor. 

JOHN DAVIS. Postmaster. Canal Fulton: 
is one of the earlv settlers of Canal Fulton, 



and has been ]iromin(!ut in business associa- 
tions since his first location there. Mr. Davis 
is a native of York Co., Peim., where he was 
born in 1S18; ho learned, when young, the 
hatter's trade in Adams County, wliere he 
remained for two years; in the fall of ISHI), 
he came to Ohio, and in the spring of 1887, 
located at Canal Fulton, where he commenced 
the manufacture of hats; this business he fol- 
lowed for some time, and finally drifted into 
the hat trade, keeping a store of mauufact- 
m-ed goods: this l)nsiness he continued at 
until ItSliO, when he received the a])pointment 
of Postmaster, which office he has faithfully 
administ(>red u|) to the present time. Mr. 
Davis was married, in 1S48, to Miss Martha 
Miller; she died in iS5)5, leaving one child 
Melissa; he was united to a second wife, INIrs. 
Mobley, widow of William Mobley, in IH'A; 
she died in 1S77, leaving a son, W. Emerson, 
and two daughters Ity her former maiTiage, 
Missoiu'i and Virginia. 

J. W. DICKEUHOOF, station agent and 
telegraph operator of the C, T. V. & W. R. R.. 
Canal Fulton; was born in Pennsylvania, and 
came, with his parents, to Franklin Tp.,Siuu- 
mit Co., in IsiS; his father was a farmer, 
and he remained at home assisting upon the 
fann until 20 years of age; he then learned 
the cai'penter's trade and followed that trade 
for about ten years; he came to Canal Fulton 
in 1S72, working at his trade until 1S7<'), 
when he commenced learning telegrajihy at 
the C. T. V. & W. U. R.: in 1.S78. he "was 
appointed agent at Warwick, where he re- 
mained until May, 1S81, when he was trans- 
ferred to Canal Fulton, and is now the station 
agent and telegraph operator there. Mr. 
Dickerhoof was married, in 187Vt, to Miss 
Catharine A. Williams, of Pennsylvania. 

SAMUEL ESCHLIMAN. farmer: P. O. 
North Lawrence; is anotlu^r representative .)f 
th(^ prominent fanners of Lawrence Townshiji. 
and of the Eschliman family; he was born in 
Lancaster Co., Penn.. in \S'-V.i: he was united 
in marriage, in l^,")!), to Miss Anna Martin, 
of Baughman Tp., Wayne Co.. and soon after 
became a resident of the fann upon which he 
now resid(>s. 'Mi: Eschliman is lai-gely engaged 
in farming; ho now owns over 8oO acres of 
improved land, and is one of the progressive 



Jil^ 



770 



ISIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



and liberal-minded men of Stark County; his 
family consists of eleven childi'en — Mary 
Zimmerman and Fanny Hershey, of Wayne 
County: Sarah. Anna, David, Susie, Henry, 
Emma, Ehner, Ida and Samuel. 

JONAS ESCHLIMAN. fai-mer; P. O. 
North Lawi'ence; is a prominent farmer of 
the township, and rt^sident of the Eschliman 
liomestead farm; he was born in Lancaster 
Co.. Penn., in 1S84: was married, in 1855, to 
Miss Fanny Martin, who was a native of 
AVayne County: she died in 1861, leaving four 
children — Elizabeth, Jacob, Nancy and Jonas; 
he sulisequently. in 18(33, married Miss 
Martha Martin, a sister of his deceased wife, 
and by this union there have been eight chil- 
dren — John. Abram, Mary, Amos. Ezra, Dan- 
iel. HeniT and Martha. Mr. Eschliman is an 
intelligent and jiraetical fai'mer, and owns 
about 200 acres of e.xcelleut land, which is 
well cultivated; his buildings are first-class, 
commandingly located and present a picture 
of thi'ift and prosperity. Mr. Eschliman is 
considered one of the solid, snlistantial fa)m- 
ers of Stark County. 

CHRISTIAN ESCHLIMAN. retired far- 
iui>r:P. O. North LawTcnee: is a son of Al)raham 
and Elizabeth ( Horst ) Eschliman, natives of 
Pennsylvania. They emigrated fi'om Lancas- 
ter County to Ohio, IS'iil, locating in Law- 
rence Townsliiji, where they became large and 
successful farmers and passed the remainder 
of their days; he died in 1870, aged 70 years; 
his wife died the same year, aged 74; they 
were ])arents of eight children, who grew to 
maturity — Nancy Showalter, a resident of Ill- 
inois; Chrislian; Elizabeth Weaver, in Elk- 
hart, Ind. ; Susanna Hoover, also a resident of 
Indiana: Abraham, in the West: David, a 
large and successful farmer of Michigan, and 
Samitel and Jonas, farmers of Lawrence 
Township. Christian is a native of Lancaster 
Co., Penn: l)orn in 1828: he mamed, in 1843, 
Miss Mary Gardner, of Baughman Tp., 
^\'ayne Co., and soon after became a resident 
of the fann upon which he has since resided: 
he now is the possessor of over 200 acres of 
superior land in the township, all of which is 
well cultivated and improved; he is now re- 
tired fi'oin farming, and is occu])ying his time 
in matters of trust, acting as administrator in 



settling estates, and as collection agent; he has 
served the township as Trustee, and was, for 
many years, actively interested in educa 
tional matters; is a strict advocate of tem- 
perance; a member of the Disciples" Chm-ch, 
and one of the valued citizens of the commu- 
nity. Of a family of fom' children, only one 
now siu^vives, Elizabeth Lawrence, living in 
Wayne Co. 

CHARLES EASLY, hotel proprietor, 
Canal Fulton; son of William and Nancy 
(Carr) Easly; was born in Pennsylvania in 
1832, and came, with his mother, to Ijawrence 
Township in 183(), his father having been 
killed in Pennsylvania by falling from a 
building. Om- subject passed several years 
in farming, in liawivnce Township; in 1855, 
he came to Canal Fulton, and engaged in the 
grocer}' and butchering business, for about 
six years; he then disposed of his goods, and 
for a period of three years, was engaged in 
buying and selling stock: in 1865, he em- 
barked in the grocery and jirovision tiade, 
continuing in that line until 1876, when he 
started the Easly House, and has since been 
engaged in its management; he has served 
the township as Trustee two terms; as Town- 
ship Assessor, one term, and is now Street 
Commissioner of Canal Fulton. Mr. Easly is 
a genial and courteous gentleman and deserv- 
edly popular as a hotel proprietor; while as a 
citizen, he ranks among the liest; he was united 
in marriage, in 1853, to Miss Jane O. Riley, 
of Wayne Coimty; they have eight children 
living — Mary, Lizzie, Wallace, of Akron; 
Jay, a promising law student, Sadie, Charlie, 
Lavina, Maggie and Willie T. 

J. B. EASLY, dealer in horses. Canal Ful- 
ton; is a native of Pennsylvania, but at the 
age of 2 years came with his mother to Law- 
'rence Township; in 1847, he went to Navaire, 
and learned the tinner's trade; in 1851, he 
commenced in that business, at Canal Fulton, 
in partnership with William McDowell, with 
whom he remained three years; he then con- 
tinued in the tinning business until 1878, es- 
tablishing a large and successful business, 
which was damaged by the loss of his health; 
since 1878, he has been dealing in horses, 
which he ships to Boston; he occupied a prom- 
inent position at one time among the busi- 



-V 



LAWRENCE TOWNSHIP. 



ness men, and served in various oflSces of 
trust; as Township Treasurer, one term; as 
Couucilmau alxjiit eif^lit years, and one term 
as Mayoi". 

JOHN A. FISHER, retired, Canal Fidton; 
is a native of Germany; lie came to America 
in 1840, and settled in Auglaize County, re- 
maining there a few years, and in 1848 he 
removed to Canton, making that his home 
until 1844, when he came to Canal Fulton, 
and was engaged in conducting a cabinet 
shop for twelve years: in 1S5(), in connection 
with George Wolfsperger, he piu'chased an 
interest in a flom'ing mill ])roperty. Wolf- 
sperger died soon after, but his interest was 
retained by a son. They continued together 
until 1878, when the property was divided, 
"Wolfsjierger retaining the mill, and our sub- 
ject (Ul acres of land, since which time he has 
been engaged in agricultural life, but at pres- 
ent is retired from active lalxjr. He was mar- 
ried, in 184,"), to Miss Christiana Wolfs])erger, 
who died ten years after, leaving two children 
— Henry and Annie; he m.'U'ried, for a second 
wife. Widow Housley, in 185(5; they had two 
children — Frank and Mary Sutherland: his 
wife's maiden name was Annie ]\Ia('hamer, and 
her people were eiU'ly settlers of Lake Town - 
shij>, where they came, about iS'i'.^, from Penn- 
sylvania, and were residents there the remain- 
der of their li\es. Annie was born in Penn- 
sylvania, and married to Levi Housley, in 
1838: he died in 1852, leaving eight children, 
five of whom are now living. Frank Fisher 
is a member of the milling firm of Hamion 
& Fisher; he is a native of Lawrence Town- 
ship; son of John A. and Annie Fisher; he 
received a good education, and has begun a 
promising business career in his native town- 
ship; in May, 1879, he became associated with 
Daniel Harman in the flouring mill, and they 
are establishing an honorable and successful 
reputation as busint>ss men. IMr. Fisher also 
is devoting part of his time to the cultivation 
of his father's land; he is an intelligent and 
studious young man, with ])r<.)mising pros- 
pects. 

H. A. FISHER, express and station agent 
Pennsylvania Railroad; was bom in Canal 
Fulton in 1848; his parents were John A. 
and Christiana (Wolfsperger) Fisher; they 



were natives of Germany; mairied in Stwk 
County, and resided several years in Canal 
Fulton, where he was eng.iged in the cabiiu-t- 
maker's ti'ade; in 1855, his wife died, ami he 
was subse(|uently mju-ried to the Widow H(}us- 
ley; in 1850, he sold out his cabinet-shop to 
Mr. Tromp and engaged at milling in the 
tovvnshi]); he is now living in the township 
upon a farm; by his lirst wife, there were two 
chikh-en Anna, and H. A., the subject of 
this sketch; by his second wife, also were 
two children Friink and Maiy . Our subject 
commenced his business car<>er as a clerk in 
the dry goods store; of C. \V. Robinson, with 
whom he remained three years; he then i>n- 
gaged in the drug trade in connection with J. 
F. Zeller, remaining in that line two years; 
also acting as st.ation agent of the C. & Mt. 
Y. R. K. during this time; he then sold out, 
and since that time (1873) has been giving 
his entin> attention to railroad business, act- 
ing as station agent of what is now a branch 
of the Pacilie Railroad, and as ex])ress agent 
of the Union Express Company. Mr. Fisher 
has sei-ved as Coipuration Clerk fom- yeai's, 
and is now serving as Township Clerk; he 
is a meU-ber of the Masonic OnltT of Waynes- 
bm-gh. Heman-ied, in 1S75. Miss FloraPorti'r, 
of Wayne County : they have two children — 
Olive and Walter. 

WILLL\M FINDLEY. uairchant, Cliap 
man; is a young and |in)niising business man 
of Lawreuci' Township: he is a native of Scot- 
land, and in 1S57 emigrated to America with 
his parents, whom he was soon imfortnnate 
enough to lose. He was then taken into the 
family of his uncle, Archibald Findley, and 
reared as if h(> were their own son. William 
assisted and workeil around the mines, in 
LawTence Township and vicinity, until he 
attained his majority, when he entered into a 
business partnership with Thomas Masters, 
of Youngstown Hill, and they m-e now en- 
gaged in the gi-ocery and provision trade there, 
under the firm name of Masters & Findley. 
AYilliam was married, Jnly ('), 1870, to Miss 
Annie Rowland, daughter of Edward Row- 
land, of Lawrence Township; they have one 
child, Maggie K. Archib.\li) Findley is a 
native of Scxjtland, and emigrated to America 
in 1855; he located in Wayne Co., Ohio, for a 



773 



BIOGRAPHICAI, SKETCHES: 



short period, but soon after settled in Law- 
rence Township, where he has since resided 
and engaged in mining, which business he 
followed in the old country. He was mar- 
ried, in 1851, to Miss Jane Dougall, also a 
native of Scotland; they have one child, Jean- 
ette, now the wife of John Street. Mr. 
Findley has also a small tract of land, which 
he gives part of his attention to. 

HENRY GILCHER, lumber. Canal Ful- 
ton; is one of the oldest business men of 
Canal Fulton now living; he is a native of 
Germany, born in 1804; he emigrated to 
America in 1833, with his family, wliich con- 
sisted of a wife and one child; he first located 
in Tuscarawas Township, and engaged at his 
trade, as carpenter, remaining there about one 
and a half years; then removed to Massillon, 
where he remained for three months, and in 
1835 came to Canal Fulton, where he has 
since resided and lieen identified with its 
business and social interests; he first engaged 
as a journeyman, for two years, and then em- 
barked in business for himself, as contractor 
and builder; about 1855, he engaged in the 
lumber trade, which has been his chief busi- 
ness up to the present time, for the past eight- 
een years having been associated with his son 
David. Their yards are extensive and well 
supplied, and in eoimection therewith they run 
a ))laning-mill and do a large business in con- 
tracting and building. Mr. Gilcher is one of 
the valued and resjiected citizens of the town- 
ship; he has served in offices of tnist with 
honor and fidelity; with the school interest 
he was identified as Director for ten years, 
and in 1863 and 18()4 served as Township 
Trustee, and in corporation offices as a mem- 
ber of the Council; he is now serving as Vice 
President of the Cemetery Association; he 
was married, in Germany, in 1828, to Catha- 



rine Fickisen; she died in Canal Fulton in J amount of time in traveling through adjoin 



May, 1878; they had three children — Mary 
Lambight, who died in 18(52; Catharine 
Utter and David, both residents of Canal Ful 
ton. Mr. Gilcher is now living with a second 
wife, who was Mrs. Susan Hhoads, of Penn- 
sylvania. David Gilcher was born in Massil- 
lon, a few weeks previous to the removal of 
his parents to Canal Fulton; he has been a 
resident of the latter place since that time, 



and one of her practical and industrious bus- 
iness men, during his later years; he learned 
the carpenter trade of his father v^^hen a youth, 
and was engaged in that calling over fifteen 
years; in 1863, he became associated in busi- 
ness with Ilia father, which has lasted up to 
the present time. David has the supervision 
of the business, which, under his skillful man- 
agement, has become extensive; he was mar- 
ried, in March. 1861, to Miss Kate Ecki'oad, 
of Lawrence Townslii}); they have two chil- 
di'en living — Eugene and Henry B., and one 
deceased, Carrie. Mr. Gilcher has served on 
the Common Council over ten years; Town- 
ship Trustee, two years (and is now serving in 
that capacity again); as Township Treasurer, 
foiu- years, and as member of School Board 
one term; he is a member of the L O. O. F. 
JOHN GESAMAN, farmer; P. O. North 
Lawi-ence; is a son of Jacob and Barbara 
(Reiehai'd) Gesaman, natives of Franklin Co., 
Penn. ; they settled in Lawrence Township in 
1829, and were residents of the township un- 
til their death; his mother died in 1847, and 
his father subsequently married Anna M. 
Bruch, a widow. By the first marriage there 
were ten chikii'en, seven of whom are now liv- 
ing — Lavina Shilling, living in Indiana; John; 
Kate Calbeck, of Noble Co., Ind. ; Joseph, 
also a resident there; Sabina "Walter, living 
in Wayne Co., Ohio; Alvira Lawi'ence and 
Melinda Linn, residents of Lawrence Town- 
ship. By the second wife there were three 
children, two now living — Daniel, living in 
Michigan, and Sarah Linn, also a resident of 
Michigan. His father died in 1861. John 
Gesaman was born in Westmoreland Co., 
Penn.; he owns 175 acres of improved land, 
in Lawi'ence Township, where he has lived 
since 1 j'earold; his occupation has been that 
of a farmer, but he has devoted a large 



ing counties as a lectiu-er to children in 
schools, principally; his lecture was, "' Morals, 
Manners and Temperance," and his desire to 
instill in the minds of the young elevated 
thought and the use of a good education; he 
was mairied, in 184U, to Miss Mary M. Rein- 
oehl, daughter of William Reinoehl, an early 
settler of Lawi'ence Township; she is a native 
of the township. Mr. and IVIi-s. Gesaman have 



LAWRENCE TOWNSHIP. 



773 



had five children, onlj' two of whom now sur- 
vive- George Q. and Ezi-a. They iire mem- 
bers of the United Brethi-en Church, and es- 
teemed members of society. 

J. T. GOUCHEll, M.b., North Lawence; 
is a native of the Keystone State; he com- 
menced teaching school when 14 yeiu-s of age, 
in Michigan, where his pai'ents had removed 
to from Pennsylvania; his father, C. W. 
Goucher, is a physician of Lansing, Mich., 
and has thi'ee brothers who are also membci-s 
of thai, profession; a peculiar coincidence in 
the family is, that each has a son who is a 
practicing physician. Our subj(>ct eiirly be- 
gan the study of medicine, under his father's 
instructions, together with his duties as a 
teacher, at which he continued for -eight years: 
he then became an attendant of the University 
of Michigan, at Ann Arbor, where he gradu- 
ated in the medical department in the winter 
of 1872-73; he began the practice of his 
chosen profession in Inwood, Ind., where he 
resided for three years, and subsequently re- 
moved to Leiter's Ford, Ind., where he re- 
mained nearly four years; he then came to 
Ohio, and after a residence of two years in 
Orrville, Wayne Co., resumed his practice in 
North LawTence, in 187U, where we find him 
at the present WTiting establishing a success- 
ful practice. Dr. Goucher is an intelligent 
and cultured gentleman and de.serving of suc- 
cess; he wjus united in marriage, in 1875, to 
Miss Maggie J. Walter, of Ornille. They 
have two children — Carl R. and Leonainie. 

E. K. HELD, grocer. Canal Fulton; is a 
son of Philip and Philaphina Held, who were 
natives of Germany; they emigrated to Amer- 
ica and setthid in Massillon, subsequently re- 
moving to Canal Fulton, where they contiii 
ued residents for the remainder of their lives. 
Philip Held was a prominent business 
man, and in Canal Fulton was engaged in 
conducting a manufacturing business; his 
connection with Canal Fulton lasted through 
thirty or forty yeai-s of honorable and suc- 
cessful business, in the foundry line, manu- 
facturing stoves, plows, and doing general 
casting; as a citizen, he ranked high, serving 
fifteen years as Justice of the Peace; his 
death occurred in 18G7: his wife's in 1861); 
they were parents of eighteen children, thir- 



teen of whom are now living — Elizabeth, now 
Mrs. Hess, of Wayne Co., Ohio; Caroline, 
now Mi'.s. Ruchti, Massillon; Malviua, uow 
Mrs. Porter, of Canal Fulton; Emma, now 
Mrs. Myers, in Indiana; Martin, a resident of 
Portage Co., Ohio; Philip A., of Alliance; 
W'illiam, in Cleveland; Herman, Robert and 
Adolf, of Chicago; Ferdinand, in Kent; 
Chai-les, in Minnesota, and the subject of 
this sketch. F(*rdinfaid, William, Charles. 
Adolf, Herman and Adam were all pai-tici- 
pants in the late war. Our subject began his 
business career at the age of 14 as clerk for 
Lewis Ruch, who was in the gi-ocery business 
in Canal Fulton, remaining with him two 
years; he next became clerk for T. Sullivan 
in the grocery business, continuing as clerk 
for him five years, and then became associ- 
ated with him as a partner, which business 
connection continued until Sullivan was 
elected County Treasurer; he then purchased 
his intei-est and since that time has continued 
in business alone, conducting an honora- 
ble and successful business, and ranking as 
one of the progressive and enterprising busi- 
ness men, and one whose career promises to 
extend into moi'e extended iields. 

JOB HANEY, fai-mer; P. O. Massillon. 
The mother of our subject, Saloma Yount, was 
a native of Bedford Co., Penn. ; she married 
there, David Dick, and in July, 1817, they 
emigrated to Ohio, settling in Lawrence 
Township. David Dick, died in 1822, leav- 
ing three childi-en Jlatilda (deceased), Eliz- 
abeth and Catharine. IVL-s. Dick subse- 
quently married John Hsmey, in 1827 : he was 
a native of Bucks Co., Penn., and also a pio- 
neer of Ohio. Mr. and ilrs. Haney passed 
the remainder of their lives upon the farm now 
owned by oiu- subject, in Lawrence Township. 
The mother died in March, 186(5, and the fa- 
ther in M;u-ch, 1877; five children were born 
to them — Jacob and Reuben dicni in infancy; 
Job ; Sarah Hams, living in Tuscarawas 
Township; and an infant deceased. Job 
Haney was born in December, ]88(), upon the 
old iiomestead farm, in Lawrence Township; 
his occupation has always been that of a 
farmer, and at that calling he makes a prac- 
tical success; he has always taken advanced 
interests in matters of public imjwjrtance, and 



j) \ 



15I0GRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



is a respected and valued citizen; lie was 
man-ied, in 186], to Miss Maria Camp; tbey 
have had eight children — J. H. Knox (de- 
ceased): Ezra D. died at the age of 4 years; 
Josiah, Coleman, William O., Orsella Ann 
(deceased), Sai'ah C. and Thomas C. Mi', 
and Mi's. Haney are members of the Reformed 
Presbyterian Clnu-ch. 

AMOS J. HEESHEY, farmer; P. O. Canal 
Fnlton: is a son of John and Sabiua (Wamp- 
ler) Hershey, natives of Pennsylvania; his 
father was a native of Lancaster Co., and 
came with his father, Jacob Hershey, at 
an early day, to Stark County: his mother was 
a native of Westmoreland County, and came 
with her parents to this county: they settled 
in Tuscarawas Township, after their maiTiage, 
where they remained until 1S54, when they be- 
came residents of Lawi'ence Tovniship, living 
there until 1865, when they rettu'iied to Tusca- 
rawas Township, where they passed the remain- 
der of fheir days, the father dying in 1874, the 
mother in 1872: they have seven chikh'en 
now living- Maiy A. Setterlin and William, 
residents of Massillon; Eliza Mathie, of 
Plain Towiiship: Loetta Gesaman, of Noble 
Co., Ind. : Amos J.; Sai'ah J. Houk, living in 
New Mexico, and Frank M., living in Massillon. 
Amos J. Hershey is a native of Tuscarawas 
Township, and until 20 years old remained as 
an assistant upon the home farm ; he then en- 
tered the shops of the Russell manufacturing 
company, Massillon, where he was employed 
eighteen months; he was married, in 1870, 
to Miss M. Mcllvaiue, of Wayne County, and 
in the spring of 1871 became a resident of 
the farm upon which he now resides, in Law- 
rence Township, which consists of 100 acres 
of improved land. They have five children — 
Reuben W., Rose D., Edmond Hayes. Frank 
and Wright. He is a member of Elliot 
Lodge, A., F. & A. M., of Fulton and Hiram 
Chapter. No. 18, Massillon. 

GEORGE W. HARDGROVE. farmer: P. 
O. Canal Fulton: is a son of Richard iind 
Rosanna (Martin) Hai'dgrove, who were among 
the earliest settlers of the township: they 
came from Pennsylvania to Lawrence Town- 
ship about 1811, where the father had erected 
a cabin the yeai' before, and amidst pioneer 
times commenced to clear the land and estab- 



lish a home; here this worthy coujjle passed 
the remainder of their days, his death occur- 
ring in November, 1843, and the mother's in 
August, 1854; he was a j^i'ominent citizen, 
and sei'\'ed as Constable and Township Trustee, 
also taking an interest in aifairs of education. 
Mr. Hai'dgrove was a member of the Method- 
ist Chiu'ch: he had the following family — 
Robert, a resident of Chipi)ewa Tp.. Wayne 
Co. ; Samuel, a resident of this townshij): Ruth 
Earl, of Perry Township: Rachel, deceased; 
Mary Shaffer, of Wayne County: George W. 
and Sarah Myers (twins), and John and Will- 
iam, farmers in Lawrence Township. George 
W. Hardgi'ove was born upon the old home- 
stead farm, in 1821. and upon it engaged in 
farming, at which he has passed his life; he 
is one of the respected citizens of the town- 
ship, and has served as Township Tnistee for 
two terms: he was married, in 1858. to Miss 
Martha Oberlin, a native of Lancaster Co., 
Perm.: they have two chikh'en living — Sarah 
A. King, living in Mahoning Coiuity, and 
Martin, at home. 

DANIEL HARMAN, miller, Canal Fulton; 
is a son of Frederick and Lucinda Harman, 
both natives of Holland and emigi'auts to 
America in 183(>. settling in Lawi'ence Town- 
ship. Frederick Hai'man is by trade a 
blacksmith, which vocation he has followed a 
great many yeiu's in the township; they ;ire 
now living in retirement in Lawrence Town- 
ship. Daniel is the third child of a family of 
six children: he enlisted, in 1861, in Company 
G. 1st Battalion, 18th United States Regular 
Lifantry, and remained in service for five years, 
participating in si.vteen of the leading en- 
gagements of the late war, and at its close was 
sent to Dakota Territory. While there, the mas- 
►iacre of Fort Phil Kearney occurred, and he was 
in three engagements with the Indians: after 
serving on the border eighteen mouths, he was 
discharged, at Fort Reno, and returned home, 
walking 800 miles over the plains to reach 
transportation. Upon his retiu'n to La^vl•enee 
Township, he engaged at fai'ming for three 
years, and then worked at mining alx)ut live 
years; in 1876, he purchased an interest in 
the milling business in the tovmship, and was 
associated with another gentleman for eight- 
een months: in 1879, he formed a partnership 



^=^ 



•<a i 



'.iL^ 



LAWRENCE TOAVNSIIll'. 



775 



with Frank Fisher, and they still continue to 
do business together, under tlie firm name of 
Harman <& Fislier: their work is principally 
custom trade: he served as Constable live 
years, and is a member of I. O. (). F. Lodge 
of Fulton: he was married, in 1872. to Miss 
Lavina Bnchtel. of Summit County: they 
have three children living — Alta L.. Esther 
B. and Percv. 

D. J. HOW'ENSTINE. foundry and brick- 
yard. Canal Fulton: is the jiro] rietcir of one of 
the leading industries of the townshi]>: he is 
a native of Lawrence Townshi]). liorn in 1S44: 
his parents were Jacob and Nancy (Jackscn) 
Howenstine: his father a native of Pennsyl- 
vania: his mother, of Lawrence Townshij): 
they were early settlers and picneers of the 
county and township. Our subject was 
brought uj) on a farm, learning the cooper's 
trade of his father when a youth: at the age 
of 18. he enlisted in Company H. of the IC'id 
O. V. I., and was in service until the close of 
the war: ujion his return, he attended school 
f(ir a few years, and then engaged in the jew- 
elry business in Canal Fulton, ci ntinuing in 
that trade for seven years: in 1877. he pur- 
chased from E. Held the foundry with which 
he has since been identified: he does general 
casting and jobbing, and also manuafctiu'es 
some grain drills: he has also been interested 
in brick manufacturing, to which he is now 
giving especial attention, and doing a flour- 
ishing business. Mr. Howenstine was mar- i 
ried. in 1808. to Miss Martha E. Van Kirk, of 
^Vayue County: they have three cihldren — 
Cora C. Annie M. and Eliza B. 

.JOHN HOWENSTINE. f aimer: P. O. 
Canal Fulton: is a son of David and Magda- 
lene (Cook) Howenstine. the former a native | 
of Lancaster County, and the latter of Frank- 
lin Co.. Penn. : they removed to Ohio in 181-5"). 
locating in Stark County, where they began 
farming: the father was a cooper by trade 
and did a small business in that line in con- 
nection with his agricultural pursuits: they 
lived in the township a number of yeai-s, then 
remo\ed to Wayne County, where they were 
residents a number of years. While living 
there the mother of our subject died: his 
father subsequently returned to LawTence 
Township, and departed this life in Fulton. 



Our subject was the second child of a family 
of eleven children: he is a native of Pennsyl- 
vania, born in 1820, and learned the trade of 
cooper fri m his father, and in connection with 
his fyrming ojeraticns, works at his trrde. 
Mr. H(-wenstine owns hO acres of finely im- 
proved land, in the southeastern ];ortii n of 
the townshij). and is one of the most intelli- 
gent and substantial farmers of Stark County: 
his wife's maiden luime was Lydia Brougher, 
and was fn m Jackscn Townshi]>: they have 
six childrtn. 

JOHN HAMMEE. farmer: P. O. Canal 
Fulton: is a son of Lcminick and Catharine 
(Malline) Hammer, both natives of Bavaria, 
Germany, where they were married, subse- 
(juently (1840) removing to the L'nited States: 
they immediately located in Lawrence Town- 
shi]). and went to farming; his fathers death 
occurred in 1847: his mother is still living: 
they were parents of two children — our sub- 
ject and Frances, now Mrs. Steiner. John 
was born in Geimany. and since the location 
of his parents in Lawrence Township, has 
been a resident there, engaged in farming 
and dealing in stock. The old homestead 
farm of which he is the pos.sessor. consists of 
100 acres of land, part of which is within tho 
corporation limits uf Canal Fulton: he is also 
owner of several valuable business houses in 
town. Mr. Hr.mmer has served as a member of 
the Common Council a number of terms, and 
is a liberal miuded. progi'essive citizen; he 
was maiTied. in 1804. to Miss Mary C. Dunn, 
of Akron. Ohio: they have four children liv- 
ing — Edward. Williiim. Martha and Felix. 

JAMES H. JrSTl'S, miller, Canal Fulton; 
is one of the prominent members and pioneers 
of the milling interests of Stark County. He 
was born in Bedford Co., Penn., in 1820, and, 
until 14 years of age, worked u))on a farm. 
His father being a miller, he subseiiuently 
learned millwrighting. So much of Mr. Jus- 
tus' life having been spent inthemilling busi- 
ness, and in so many i)laces. we only mention 
a few of his most imjiortant connections. He 
was connected with Wellman's mill, at Mill- 
port. Jackson Tp.. for eleven years, going there 
.•;s third miller, and fcr the last five years there 
had the chai-ge and i-uper\'ision of the mill. 
He then went to Massillon and su])eriutended 



"*-7l- 



•f^ (L_ 



77(5 



BIOGKAPHK^'Vl. SKETCHES: 



the building of the present Sij)po Valley Mill, 
now owned and operated by Warwick & 
Jiistiis Bros., remaining there two years, 
having charge of the mill. He then retm-ued 
to Jackson Towushij) and superintended the 
rebuilding of the mill with which he had been 
formerly employed (which had bm-ned, and, 
in connection with H. B. Wellman and David 
Fahs, conducted the mill for three years as a 
partner, and for two years as Superintendent. 
He then was engaged in milling in the old 
mill known as Earl's Mill, U(>ar Massillon, 
with several parties as partners, for seven 
years, and soon after bought an interest in the 
Sij)po Mills, with J. G. Warwick, under the 
name of J. H. Justus & Co., his brother, Will- 
iam H Justus, subsequently becoming a part- 
ner; he continued in this association for about 
eight years, aud in 1874 sold his interest to 
Warwick. Retiu'uiug to Millport, he bought 
the old mill there, in connection with William 
Kitchen, continuing there with different }>ar- 
ties for several years. His next venture was 
in the lumber trade in Massillon, with E. B. 
Leighley, and conducting a planing-mill in 
connection for two years. In 1881, in con- 
nection with Warwick and Jiistus, of Massil- 
lon, he bought the ilouring-mill at Canal Ful- 
ton, which he has refitted and improved, and 
is now engaged in pursuing the calling to 
which he is eminently fitted, and in which he 
has devoted nearly half a centmy. The mill 
at Fulton is ran by steam, and contains foui' 
runs of stone. Mi-. Justus was married, in 1848, 
to Laviua Beattv, of Lawrence Townshij), 
daughter of James Beatty, one of the pioneers 
of the county. They have had eight ehildi-en, 
only three now siu-viving — Anna, Lee and 
Hariy. While in Massillon, Mr. Justus 
served as Township Treasurer and Trustee, 
as member of the School Board and Council, 
and was one of the Directors and stockholders 
of the rolling-mills. 

GEORGE S. KILGORE, grain and feed. 
Canal Fulton; is a native of Wayne Co., 
Ohio. His gi-andfather came from West- 
moreland Co., Penu., and settled in Sugar 
Creek Tj)., Wayne Co., at an early day, resid- 
ing there the remainder of his life. His par- 
ents were William and Nancy (Shipley) Kil- 
gore, who remained residents of that township 



all of their days; his father died in 18(52, and 
his mother in 1847; they were parents of 
three children, George S. being the second 
child. Our subject passed his early life upon 
a farm. In 1862, he enlisted in Co. H, l(l2d 
O. V. I., and was in service three years, most 
of the time on detached duty; he was a par- 
ticipant in some of the most severe battles of 
the war- Franklin, Athens, Decatm- aud Pu- 
laski, dvu'ing which engagement he was injiu'ed 
by the wi'ecking of a train so as to slightly 
cripple him in the ankles. Upon his retiu'n 
to his home, he entered upon an extended 
Western toiu', through Dakota and Wyoming 
Teiritories, which occupied one year. He then 
entered into mercantile life, starting a dry 
goods and di'ug store in OiTville. Wayne Co., 
where he continued in business lor six yesu's; 
he then went to Knox Co., Ohio, and for three 
years was engaged in agrieultm'al [)m-suit8, 
after which he romoved to Canal Fulton, Ohio, 
and has been engaged in the grain business 
with his father-in-law, R. R. Porier, up to the 
present writing. He was married, in 1869, 
to Miss Nannie J. Porter, of Canal Fulton; 
they have foiu- children — George E., Cora 
May, Lloyd P. and Minnie E. jVIi-. Kilgoreis 
now sei-ving as Justice of the Peace; is a 
member of the Fulton Masonic Lodge and of 
the Royal Ai-ch of Massillon. In polities, Mi'. 
Kilgore is a Republican, and has always taken 
an active interest in seciu-ing the advancement 
of that party. He is a prominent member of 
the Stark County executive force, and has 
served as a member of the Central Committee 
for three years, during which time he has done 
effective service in his district. 

JOSEPH KIRK, farmer; P. O. Canal Ful- 
ton; was born in Center Co., Penn., in 1805. 
His father's name was Michael, and he was 
a native of Ireland ; his mother's maiden name 
was Christina Bait; she was a native of Ger- 
many, and, with four children — George, Julia 
Ann, Rebecca and our subject — came to Law 
rence Township in 1815; she rode on horse- 
back with the younge)' children, the boys walk- 
ing. They settled in this tcjwnship, two miles 
below Fnltou, where Jacob Kirk, a bi'other, 
had settled tlu-ee years before. Joseph was 
bound out to learn the carpenter's trade soon 
after their arrival ; he was to receive his board. 



\^ S — ■ — r- 



l.AWRENCE TOWNSHIP. 



777 



two months schoolinor, and SI 5 in cash at the 
ond of his apprenticeship; he then engaj^ed 
with John Taylor for four years at !?12 jier 
month. In 1825, he was married to Miss Su- 
sanna Karr, and immediately began farming 
openations in the township, njioji the tract of 
laud where lie now lives. Mr. Kirk has 
brought his land from the primeval forest up 
to a condition of superior cultivation, devot- 
ing his time exclusively to that business, with 
pleasing results. His buildings are line, and 
are a pictiu'e of thrift and comfort: he has 
100 acres of land on his farm, conveniently 
and pleasantly located. He has been a mem- 
ber of the Methodist Church over fifty years, 
and his entire life has been exemplaiy and 
honorable. His first wife died in 1854; she 
was the mother of ten chikb'en — Grace, Mrs. 
Sichly, a widow, now a resident of Akron: 
George, decea.s(>d: William, deceased; James 
R. was killed at Stone River, after eight 
months' service in def(>nse of his country: 
Ellen J., wife of Adam Km-tz. who is now 
working the old homestead: Samuel W. lives 
at Canal Fulton : Rebecca O. : .Ellis died while 
in the anny; Marthii, wife of L. C. Schu- 
macher, of AJa-on: and (3yiiis, living in Canal 
Fulton. 5Ir. Kirk is now the oldest male 
person living in LawTence Townshij). which 
elects him Vice President for that township 
of the Stark County Picmeer Association. 

.JOSEPH W. KIRK, farmer: P. O. Canal 
Fulton; is a son of Jacob and Aim (FurstI Kirk, 
natives of Pennsylvania, and emigrant from 
Clinton Co., Penn.. Ui Lawrence Townshij). 
about 1812. locating near Canal Fulton, where 
they resided diu'ing the remainder of their 
lives. His father became an extensive land 
owner, possessing at one time over (50(^ acres 
in the township, and 80(t acres in Indiana: 
be was also a jjrominent citizen, and served as 
Justice of the Peace. They were both mem 
bers of the Disciples' Church, his mother hav 
ing formerly been a Lutheran. Of a family 
of (>leven chikh'en, only four now survive- 
Jacob. a resident of Illinois: Christina, now 
INIrs. (Jilchrist. (jf Iowa: Henry, of Illinois; and 
the sul)ject of this sketch, who was the sixth 
chiki, and Iwrn in Lawrence Township in 
1819. He has followtnl farming all his life 
in La\\T(>nce Township, and. since 1844, u])on 



the farm where he now resides. He has '2fi1 
acres of land, which he has cleared, cultivated 
and improv(>d unti 1 it presents a model appear- 
ance; his buildings are beautiful, large and 
commodious, and finely located. He is one of 
the substantial and practical farmers of the 
county and is woithy of the esteem accorde<l 
him by his fellow citizens. He served the 
township two terms as Land Api>raiser. Mr. 
Kirk has been thrice man-ied — first, to Chir- 
issa McFarland. who died in 1847 ; second, in 
1850, to Miss Isal)ella Taylor; she died in 
1858, leaving out* child, Ann M.. Mrs. Hous- 
man. In 1N54, he married Alta Cole; they 
have six children living — Eva A., Silva E., 
Charles L.. Howard L., Horace Greeley and 
Henry Dwight. 

PHILIP KELLER, farmer; P. O. Canal 
l''ulton: is a son of Philip aud Catharine 
(Shook) Keller, who were natives of Chester 
Co.. Penn., and emigrated to Ohio at an eju'ly 
day. They located near Manchester for a 
short time, but soon after removed to Jack- 
son Townshij). where they located uj)on a 
farm. While living there our subject's mother 
died, and his father subset juently re-mwTied, 
and lived there until 1S()8. when he removed 
to Summit Coiinty, where he died about 1875. 
Philij) was the eldest of a family of eleven 
chikh'eu, and was born in Summit County in 
Febniary, IHHr. his (>iirly life was passed 
ujjon a fann in Jackson Townshij). At the 
age of 21, he married Maria Whitmyre, daugh- 
ter of Pliilij) Whitmyi-e, of Lawrence Town- 
shiji, and. removing to that townshij), settled 
ujjon a farm in the eastern j)Oiiion thereof, 
where he remained for fomieen years, subse- 
(juently removing to his jiresent location, in 
the western psu't of the township, wh(>re he has 
180 acres of land, well imj)roved. His wife 
died iu 1878, leaving the following children: 
Alvin Keller, the eldest child, was born in 
LawTence Townshij) in 1S44, where he has 
always resided, following f;mning; he was 
man-ied, in 18fir), to Miss Margai-et Walter, of 
Wayne County; thev have thi'ee children 
Wa"lter L.. Oli'ver F. and Charles W.: he has 
80 acres of fine land, situated adjoiiiiug his 
fath(>r's. and is a well-iuftsmied. j)ractical citi- 
zen: Elizabeth lives in Ashland County; Lu- 
cinda, now Mrs. Stauff'er. in Wayne County; 



778 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



Emeliue, now Mrs. Gruff, of Summit County; 
and Catharine, now Mrs. Shaffer, a resident 
of Wayne County, comjirises the rest of the 
family. Mr. Keller married, in 1S77, the 
widow Miller, for a second wife. 

J. H. KITCHEN, farmer; P.O. Massillon: 
is one of the early residents of Stark County, 
and for over forty years of the farm vipon 
which he is now living. He is a native of 
Colmnbia Co., Peun. In 1825, he came to 
Ohio and resided in Portage County for two 
years, working upon the construction of the 
Ohio Canal. In 1827, he l)ecame a citizen of 
Stark County, locating in Jackson Township, 
where he farmed for six years, at the expira- 
tion of which time he removed to Lawrence 
Township, where he has continued to reside 
ever since. He has 114 acres of fertile and 
well-improved land. Mr. Kitchen was mar- 
ried, in 1882, to Miss Sai-ah Breed, of Lynn, 
Mass. Of a family of five children born to 
them, thi'ee are now living — Parmelia; Heury 
Kitchen, a celebrated physician of Cleveland, 
Ohio; and Mary Brieze, a resident of St. 
Louis, Mo. Ml-. Kitchen has been a valued 
citizen of Lawrence Township, and, although 
liow in feeljle health, is interested in all mat- 
ters of public progi'ess. 

J. V. LERCH, Pastor Reformed Chmch, 
Canal Fulton; is a native of Pennsylvania, 
Ijorn in Nortluunberland County in 1848. His 
father, G. W. Lerch, was also a native of the 
Keystone State; his mother's maiden name 
was Eve Klase. They camf> to Ohio aliout 
1848, and settled in Richville, Perry Tp., Stark 
Co. ; his father was a blacksmith by trade, 
and for several years followed that occupation 
in Richville; subsetjuently, they removed upon 
a small farm in Pen-y Township whei'e they 
still reside. Om' subject, at the age of 10, 
wfus apprenticed to Russell & Co., of Massil- 
lon, to learn the machinist's trade, remaining 
in that institution about eighteen months, 
when, in 18()2, he enlisted in Co. E. of the 
104th O. V. I., and was in the service until the 
close of the war. His health failing him while 
in service, he was coniined to a cot in the hos- 
pital for one year-, after which he was ei:igaged 
in dispensing medicine from the dispensary 
for the remainder of his enlistment. Upon 
his return to his home in Stark County, he 



began his education in the higher schools, 
preparatory to a college com'se, which was 
necessary for the exalted calling of the min- 
istry, which he had concliTded to make his life 
work. He attended the academy at Greens- 
burg, Summit Co., two terms, from thence to 
Mt. Union College, and in the spring of 1869 
entered Heidelberg College, located at Tiffin, 
Ohio. He completed his college course in 
1871, and his theological coiu-se two years 
later. Upon the completion of his education, 
he went to Illinois, where, in 1878, he was t^x- 
amined and ordained. Accepting a commission 
as a missionary for ]Missouri, he removed 
thither in 1874, having previously, in the 
same year, been united in marriage to Miss 
Melissa M. Myers, daughter of W. G. Myers, 
Esq.. of Canal Fulton. While a resident of 
MissoTU'i, he united with his labors as Pastor 
the duties of a teacher, and for two years was 
the Principal of the public school at Prince- 
ton; after a residence of over two years, he 
closed his labors there and returned to Ohio, 
and was located at Ashland until November, 
187y, when he was bereaved by the loss of his 
wife. He then removed to Canal Fulton, in 
order to secure care for his children, and has 
been a resident there since, dm'ing which time 
he has established and organized a congrega- 
tion and built a chm-ch; the membership now 
numbers eighty-eight, and the chm'ch and 
society is iu a healthy and nourishing condi- 
tion. 

ANDREW LYTLE, farmer; P. O.' Canal 
Fulton ; is a son of Andrew and Jane Preston 
Lytle, his father a native of Pennsylvania and 
his mother a native of Maryland: were mai'- 
ried iu Fayette Co., Penu., where they lived 
for a few yeai's subsequent. In 1812, his 
father and his brother William came to Law- 
rence Township and cut off' an acre of timber 
fi'om the northeast corner of Sec. 8, and, after 
building a log house upon it, theyretm-ned to 
Pennsylvania. In 1813, he rented a farm in 
Beaver Co., Penn., and worked it until 1817, 
when he came to Lawrence Township with 
his family, consisting of five chikb'en, and set- 
tled dowTi upon their land; here the worthy 
cou))le successfully cleared and improved their 
land, and lived to enjoy some of the well 
earned fruits of industry. Out of a family of 



^ 



i^ 



J.AWRENCE TOAVNSHIP. 



eleven children, the following now survive: 
Robert F., a resident of Lawrence Township 
for many years, Imt now living in Chippewa 
Tp.. Wayne Co. ; Maria Preston, of La Grange 
Co.. Ind. : and the subject of this biogi'aphy. 
Andrew. Jr.. was born in Beaver Co.. Penn., 
in ISlC), and. upon his father's farm in Law- 
rence Township, found ample work for his 
youthful days in helping to clem- and culti- 
vate the land. He is familiar with the growth 
and development of the community from its 
early days, and relates many interesting tales 
of pioneer life. He learned the carpenter's 
trade when 14 years of age, and passed four- 
teen years in the busy plying of that branch 
of industry. In 1850, he married Elizabeth, 
a daughter of John and Eleanor Richey, early 
settlers of the township, ^hc. and Mi's. 
Richey were man-ied in Pennsylvania, and 
settlers of Lawrence Township in 1819, locat- 
ing upon the farm now in possession of oiu- 
subject; they resided there for many years, 
engaged in cultivating and improving: he was 
accidentally killed while on a trip to Pann- 
sylvania. but his wife still siu'S'ives, a resident 
of Illinois. Since his maiTiage, Mr. Lytle 
has cultivated the soil with profitable returns. 
His long residence in the township and his 
honorable Christian life render him a vahiable 
and respected citizen. He, as is also his wife, 
is a member of the Presbyterian Church of 
long standing. They have had four children 
— Leeman H and Horace Williard, living: 
and Frank H. and Mav B., decensed. 

LANDFEAR & MILLER, hardware, stoves 
and tinware. Canal Fulton. This house was 
estal)lished in 187'.*, by a pai'tnorship between 
r. W. Landfeiir and John Buck, who were as- 
sociated t<3gother until the spring of 1881, 
when Buck retired and Charles C. Miller be 
came a ])artner, under the lirm name of Land 
fear & Miller: although they have been es- 
tablished only a short time, they iu'e doing a 
large and increasing business, and are honor- 
able and ])rogressive business men; they are 
making a specialty in stoves, tinware and 
general jobbing business, which line they 
ai'e doing the l(>ading trade F. W. Land 
fear is a native of Portage Co., Ohio: he 
learned his trade in Bedford, Cuyahoga 
Co., commencing at the age of 18. In 



187."), he started in a business venture at Pen- 
insula, Summit Co., and was in the hardware, 
tin and stove business there for fom- years. 
In 187U, he came to Canal Fultwn and em- 
bai-ked in trade there, where he has since re- 
sided. Ho was miuTied, in 187<j, to Miss M. 
R, Cook, of Cuyahoga County; they have 
one child, Lucius R. Mr. Landfesir is a 
member of the Knights of Honor. Clharles 
C. Miller is a son of Abraham jmd Sophia 
(Humbert) Miller; his father, Abraham 
Miller, was lM)m in Lawrence Township; 
he was a son vi Hem-y Miller, one of the pio- 
neers of the township. Abraham Miller was 
a fanner, and lai'gely interested in horticult- 
ural piu-suits; he owned a fiu-m of 150 acres 
at the time of his death, ")• I acres of which was 
in orchai-ds; he was one of the Iwgest fruit- 
growers in the township, making a specialty 
in peaches and apples ; at the time of his death, 
he was engaged in the grocei-y trade in Canal 
Fulton; he died in July, 1875, leaving seven 
children — Lucy J., Henry A. (a resident of Ft 
WajTie, Ind. ), Emma Ridentmr (of Massillon), 
Ciu-'tis J., Louis (deceased), Charles C. and 
Flora. Chai les C. was bom in Lawrence Town- 
ship in 1857, and has always been identified 
with his native town; he foi-medhis first busi- 
ness partnership and venture as mentioned 
above, and starts in life with Mattering prom- 
ises of success. 

LAMBRIGHT & KITTINGER, Canal Ful- 
ton, ai-e extensive dealers in lumber; conduct 
a planing-mill, manufacturi> dooi-s, sash cUid 
blinds, and mu! also contractors and builders. 
S. W. Laml)right is a native of Pennsyl- 
vania, where he was born in 183'2, and learned 
the carpenter and joiner's trade when a youth. 
In 185"2, he came to Canal Fulton and was 
employed at his trade there for a few months, 
then went to Western Ohio, where he en- 
gaged at his trade for two yeiu-s, subseijuently 
returning to Canal Fulton, where he has since 
resided. Hi> worked at contracting iuid build- 
ing until lS7'.t, when h(> entered into partner- 
ship with David Jackson in tlie luml)er trade, 
continuing until January, ISM, when Jack- 
son and .J. N. Kittinger becmne a member of 
the tii-m. He was mairied, in 1857, to Miss 
Maiy A. Gilcher, daughter of Henry Gilcher, 
of Fulton; she died in ISfJl, leaving one child. 



=^=^^ 



ihL. 



780 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



Hamilton M. In 1862, lie married a second 
wife — Miss Nancy Bnckmaster, of Canal Ful- 
ton; they have five children — Flora B.,Minta 
A.. Eva G.. Jessie L. and Bessie S. He has 
served the townshij) as Trustee two terms, 
and as member of the Council of Fulton 
one term; he is an old and consistent mem- 
ber of the Methodist Chiu-ch. J. N. Kit- 
tinger is a native of Lawi-ence Township, 
son of David Kittinger, who was a native 
of Pennsylvania, but a resident of Stark 
County since 1833. Ovu- subject learned the 
carpenter's trade with his father, which call- 
ing he is still ])ursuing, superintending the 
extensive contracts of the firm of which he is 
a member. In ISSl, he became a member of 
the above linn. He was married, in 1868, to 
Miss Celestia Stock, of Hiu-on Co., Ohio; they 
have five children — Albert, Chloe, Zoe, Frank 
and Floyd. Mr. Kittinger is an esteemed 
citizen and business man, and a member of 
the Methodist Church. 

JOHN P. LAWRENCE, farmer; P. O. 
North Lawrence: is a son of Philip and Kath- 
erino (Hartz) Lawrence, natives of Prussia, 
who were emigrants to America in 1844, and 
soon after settled in Lawrence Township, where 
they have since resided; they have two chil- 
dren-Jacob, a resident of Wayne Coimty; 
and John P.. the subject of this sketch. He 
was born in Oermany, but, since the coming 
of his father to Lawrence Township, has been 
a resident there, with the exception of one 
year. Mr. Lawi-ence has been engaged in 
farming all of his life, at which he engages 
his whole attention; he has 111 acres of im- 
proved land, situated in the western portion 
of the township, adjoining Wayne County : he 
has always taken a leading hand in educa- 
tional aft'airs: was Clerk of the Board of 
Education in the township, and has also been 
Township Tnistee, serving at the present time 
his third term. He was married, in 1861, to 
Miss Elina Gesaman. daughter of Jacob and 
Barbara ( Reichard) Gesaman, who were pioneer 
settlers of the township. IVIr. and Mrs. Law- 
ernce have a familvof eight childi-en - Emma 
G.. Cassie E.. Charles G., Jacob G.. Ida E., 
Orriu F., Laudi-eth C. and Aid in. They are 
members of the V. B. Church of Lawrence 
Township. 



JOHN LINN, farmer; P. O. Canal Fulton; 
is one of the earlier settlers of Lawrence 
Township, and worthy of an extended sketch 
of his life. He is a native of Bedford Co., 
Penn., where he was born in 1807; he emi- 
grated to Ohio in October, 182U. and located 
upon the farm in Lav^reuce Township whera 
he now resides, and upon which he has passed 
over half a century. When he came, his farm 
was all timber; it is now one of the fine, cul- 
tivated and valuable farms of Stark Coimty, 
and to Mr. Linn the change is due; he now 
owns SO acres of land, and to farming he has 
devoted his life- time. He maiTied, in Au 
gust, 1833, Miss Susanna Stock, of the town- 
ship; she was born in Adams Co.. Penn., in 
1816; they have nine children living — David, 
a farmer of Lawrence Township, was a mem 
ber of the 104th O. V. I., and in service over 
thi'ee yeai's; Harriet Sheets, in Richland 
CoTinty; Barbara Dayhoof; Addis, a resident 
of Orrville, Ohio; Abraham, a fai'mer of Mich 
igan: William, living in Richland County; 
Jacob, in Williams County, Ohio; John and 
Mary, at home. Addis was also a volunteer 
in the late service for over thi-ee years, in the 
63d O. V. I., and a son, Isaac, was killed in 
Georgia, after sers'ing thi-ee yeai's in the 18th 
Regulars, of Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Linn are 
members of the U. B. Church. 

F. D. LIGGETT, clothing, Canal Fulton; 
is one of the prominent business men of Canal 
Fulton, notwithstanding the fact that his con 
nections there are of recent date. Mr. Lig- 
gett came to Fulton in 1874, from Center Co., 
Penn., where he had fonnerly been engaged 
in the milling and flouring business; he asso- 
ciated himself in partnership with John Mob 
ley in the clothing trade, and conducted the 
business for two years, when be disposed of 
his interest, but retained the management, 
which he still holds. In March, 1881, his 
brother, John Liggett, of Pennsylvania, be- 
came the owner of the stock, and for him he 
is now conducting the business ; the stock con- 
sists of a large line of ready-made clothing, 
hats, caps, gentlemen's furnishing goods, 
trunks, traveling-bags, etc.. and the trade en- 
joyed by this house is large and extended. 
Ml-. Liggett is an enterprising and liberal 
minded citizen, and an efficient and success 



IW 



^ 



LAWRENCE TOWNSHIP. 



781 



fill managei-. He was united in marriage, in 
1860, to Hiss Harriet Mobley, of Lawrence 
Township; thev have three children - John. 
Salathiel and Miirv. 

MYERS. ELLIOTT & CO.. hardware, Canal 
Fulton : is one of the extensive business houses 
of Stark County. This house was established 
in 187U, since which time their business has 
increased until tliev were forced to make a 
change in location, and. in July. 1S81. they 
took possession of their uew rooms in the Union 
Block, vvlierc they have added a large addi- 
tion, depth of !()(• feet, aud two floors, and 
where they have now ample room for their 
mammoth stock of hardware, which is comjilete 
in everj- respect ; they carry a full line of agri- 
cultural implements. Wii.i.i.\m X. Myers, is 
a native of Wayne Co.. Ohio, where he was 
bom in 1850; his business experience began 
in 1868. when he came to Canal Fulton and 
entered the c»m{)loy of J. W. Waggoner in 
ihe hardware trade, with whom he remained 
until 187(1. when his father. W. G. Myers, and 
G. X. Elliott. Ixjught the store, forming the 
company of Myers. Elliott & Co.. aud since 
that time hais gi\en to his business his entire 
attention. He was maiTied. in June. 1877, 
to Miss Mary Kirk, of Fult<^m; they have two 
children — Carl and an infant. Mr. Myers 
has sened as Corporation Treasurer, and 
is an esteemed and efficient business man. 
G. N. Elliott is a descendant of the Elliotts 
who were refugees from Ireland on account of 
their religious belief, as o])|)osed to Catholi- 
cism and the Established Chm-ch of England; 
emigrating to America as a family, they set- 
tled in Holmes and Coshocton Counties at an 
early day, and were piimeers of the Methodist 
Church. Dr. Charles Elliott, the celebrated 
author and editor, was a brtjther of the grand- 
father of our subject. Dr. Elliott was refused 
admittance to the College of Edinburgh on 
account of religious belief. Coming to 
America, he took an advanced rank in litera- 
ture, and was the editor of several Methodist 
papers. Our subject was born in Holmes Co.. 
Ohio, in l>41,aud was raised upon the farm; 
in 18(51. while attending school at Delaware, 
he enlisted in Co. D. 'idth O. V. I., aud was 
in service three years, participating in all the 
severe battles and engagements of the Ai-mv 



of the Tennessee, from Ft. Donelson up to the 
taking of Atlanta, only eight out of bis com- 
pany escaping unhurt. After the war, he was 
engaged in farming inChi])pewa Tp., Waj'ne 
Co., until 1^70. when lie became a member of 
the above hrm. Ho w;is married, in 1868, to 
Miss Rosa J. Myei-s; they have one child — 
Cora Belle. Mr. Elliott was one of the or- 
ganizers of Lodge Xo. 514, A., F. & A. 
M.. which has his name, being known as 
Elliott Lodge, and is also a member of 
Massillon Commandery and Chapter. Rich- 
ard F. Myers was born Xov. '2U, i8r)8, in 
W^tyne County, and in 18S() became a mem- 
ber of the firm of Myers, Elliott & Co., his 
father. W. G. Myers, retiring. "Dick" had 
previously been ctmnected with the business 
for two years, in tbe capacity of clerk; he 
now represents the "Co." 

WILLIAM G. MYERS, lawyer. Canal Ful- 
ton; is one of the re])resentativo self made 
men of our times. He is a native of Chippewa 
Tp.. Wayne Co.. Ohio, and son of Peter and 
Sarah Miller Myers, the; former a native of 
Xew York, the latter of Cumberland Co.. Penn. ; 
his father emigrated in 1816 U) Pen-y Tp., 
Stark Co.. where his mother's peojjle had lo- 
cated in 1812; they were miited in man'iago 
there in 1817. aud soon after went to Chi])])ewa 
Township, where they lived about three years, 
retm-ning subsequently to Perry Township; 
his father died in 1840, his mother in 1879, 
in the home of our subject. William (i. Myers 
was an inmate of his grandfather's home in 
Perry Township until 14 years of age; he then 
engaged in a store in Massillon, S(,)on after 
going to Canal Fulton, where he was indent- 
ured to learn the cabinet-maker's trade; he 
remained in Fulton about one year, and then 
went with his prece]>tor to Bath, Summit Co., 
where he remainc^d for foiu" years: retmniing 
to LawTence Township, he changed his occu- 
pation to that of a carpenter, and followed it 
for four years, teaching school in the winter 
in the meantime, for nine winters. In 1843, 
he marrietl Sarah J. Hardgrove, of Lawrence 
Townshij), and in 1844 began fanning opera- 
tions in Wayne County. In 1850, he com- 
menced reading law, and. although not at that 
time admitted to practice, was employed in 
numerous cases in the region around his home; 



n^r 



BIOGIIAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



he also was an auctioneer, at which he made 
a snccess and extended his acquaintance; his 
farming operations were successful and exten- 
sive, owning, at one period, atout 400 acres, 
and continued until 1870, when he became a 
resident of Canal Fulton, and became inter- 
ested in the morcantile branches of trade. In 
187."), he was admitted to the bar, and since 
that time has devoted his attention to the prac- 
tice of his profession and in settling e.states, 
acting as guardian, and doing a general busi- 
ness of trust, and still pursuing his calling as 
an auctioneer. Mi'. Myers has made a success 
of life by perseverance, industry and honorable 
dealing. His education as procured by him- 
self, and the handsome property which he has 
accumulated is the direct result of his own 
labor and wise skill as a financier. In the 
law, he possesses high natm'al abilities, sup- 
plemented by study and reseai-ch. He has 
always been a strict disciple of temperance, 
and is one of the valued citizens of which 
Stark County may be justly proud. His chil- 
dren are Mary M. Lerch, deceased; John W., 
Rosa J.. Elliott, AVilliam M., George W. and 
Richard F. 

J. W. MYERS, farmer; P. O. North Law- 
rence; is a son of W. G. Myers, Escj., of Canal 
Fulton; he is a native of Chippewa Tp., 
Wayne Co., and, until 22 years of age, re- 
mained with his pai'ents, secm'ing a good edu- 
cation. In 18()-t, he enlisted in Co. I, 5th O. 
V. C, and was in the service about one year; 
mustered out at Charlottesville, N. C. In No- 
vember. 1869, he wiis united in marriage to 
Miss Letitia J. Young, daughter of Cyrus and 
MargcU-et ( Sheaf er) Young, of Lawrence Town- 
shiji. Ml-. Myers has for a number of years 
past been engaged in farming 177 acres be- 
longing to the Young estate. Mi', imd Mi's. 
Myers have f oiu- children living — Cyrus, Will- 
iam, Sadie and Maggie; and two deceased — 
Chai'les and Oscar. 

PETER MATHIE, deceased; was a native 
of France, coming to America in 1882 with 
his parents and locating in Plain Township. 
He married, in 1839, Susanna Duck, of Plain 
Township; they resided in Plain Township for 
one year after his marriage, and then removed 
to Monroe Co., 111., where he remained two 
years; returning to Plain Township, he bought 



his father's farm, where he lived until 1853, 
when he came to Lawrence Township and pur- 
chased land, upon which his sons now reside, 
where he lived until his death, in 1865; his 
wife died in 1878. They were members of the 
Lutheran Chiu'ch. Nine children are now 
living, descendants of this couple — William 
J., in Plain Township; S;unuel, a retired 
farmer, living at Black River, Ohio; Louis D., 
George W. and John P., residents and farm- 
ers of this township; Caroline Hisner, of Ful- 
ton; Josejah, in Michigan; Charles, in Jackson 
TovmshijJ; and Evangel Daly, a resident of 
Michigan. 

G. W. MATHIE, farmer; P. O. Canal Ful- 
ton; is a young and enterprising farmer of 
Lawi'ence Township, son of Peter and Susanna 
(Duck) Mathie. Om' subject was born in Plain 
Township in 1847; since the removal of his 
parents to Lawrence Township, he has been a 
resident and farmer there. He owns 107 acres 
of land, conveniently located. Ho was united 
in maiTiage, in January, 1875, to Miss Hattie 
A. Lu3as, of Lawi-ence Township; they have 
one child, Elton Lee. Mi'. Mathie has also 
been a school-teacher, and served the township 
one term as Assessor. 

JOHN MOBLEY, merchant. Canal Fulton; 
is a prominent citizen of Stark County, an 
old established business man, and a descend- 
ant of an old pioneer family, who early set- 
tled in Osnabiu'g Township. The father of 
oiu' subject was Ezekiel Mobley, who came to 
the county with his pai'euts at an early day, 
subsequently removing to Wayne County. 
Ezekiel mai'ried in Stark Coimty Miss Sarah 
Bear, and soon after located in East Union 
Tp., Wayne Co., where they remained for the 
remainder of their lives, engaged in agricult- 
ural pursuits. John Mobley was the oldest 
child of a family of six children; he was born 
in Wayne County in 18 1 5, and until 15 years of 
age remained as an assistant ujiou the farm 
homestead. He then learned the saddler and 
hai'uess-maker's trade in Stark County, and 
first embarked ui>dn the sea of business life in 
Brooktield, where he only remained one year, 
when, about 1835, he came to Canal Fulton, 
and up to the present writing has been engaged 
in successful business life there. He worked 
at his trade in Fulton for thirtv ^ears, and 



;r^ 



A 



LAWKEXCE TOWXSHIP. 



ihi'n eng.aged in tanning and shoe mamifact- 
iiriug: and for a number of years was inter- 
ested also in a clothing store. Mr. Mobley is 
at the present time engagetl in the boot and 
shoe trade exclusively, and in that lint^ car- 
ries the leading stock and is doing the leading 
business. Mr. Mobley has been an honiu'ed 
progi-essive citizen of Lawrence Townshi]) for 
many years: all works of merit and schemes for 
the promotion of the ])ublic good receive en- 
couragement at his hands. \\'ith the exception 
of one year, in 1N4U, when, during the gold ex- 
citement of that year, he visited California, he 
has been a continuous resident from 18:^5, and 
has seen the progi'ess and development of " Old 
Stark " fi'om j)ioneer days to the present. He 
has sei'v-ed as Township Trustee, as a member of 
the School Board and as a Councilman. He 
is also a member of long standing of the I. O. 
O. F. Mr. Mobley was mairied in 1885 to 
Miss Sarah Gibson, who died in lN4y, leaving 
one child. Belle, now living in Southern Ohio. 
He married a secoutl wife, Miss Mary Augus- 
tine, in ISol. They have one child now liv- 
ing — Ellsworth E. 

JOSEPH MILLEK. farmer: P. O. Canal 
Eultt)n: is a son of Henry and Magdalena 
(Weaver) Miller, his father a native of Vir- 
ginia, his mother of Mai-yland, and both 
came to Stark County when young. They 
were man'ied ne.u" Canton in INK), and soon 
after came to Lawrence Township, settling on 
the tract of land wliich is now the finely cul- 
tivated and im])r(>ve<l home of om sul)ject. 
Here this worthy couple lived for forty yeai's, 
being familiiir with all phases of ]3ioneer life, 
Bubseiiuently removing to the farm now owned 
by Elias Miller, near Fulton. Hinrry Miller 
was extensively engaged in farming, becom- 
ing a large land-owner, and cleared and im- 
prtA'ed many acres of laud in the township. 
He was a member of the Keformed Church as 
was also his wife: they were parents of nine 
children Maiy Simmcmds, who died in this 
towushij): Samuel, killed by the cars in Craw- 
ford County while on his way to insj)ect his 
land there; Abraham, decea.sed; Joseph; Su- 
sanna, died in Crawford Coiuity; John, 
deceiised: Zephiuia. deceased: Hairiet, now 
Mi's. Shiuuacher, of Indiana: and Elias. a 
l>rominent fanner of Lawrence Township. 



Joseph Miller was born in Lawrence Town 
ship in 1822, and has always been a resident 
there, with the excepti(m of foiu" years upon 
the old homestead farm. He jjurchased it 
from his father in IS'iS, and has improved it 
until it is one of the most valuable pieces of 
))roperty in the township. He was man-ied 
in lS4f)", to Miss Lydia Albright, of Jackson 
Township; she died in 185t), leaving fom- 
children — Amanda Streby, Dila J. Tiltcm, 
Melissa J. Tilton and Amos. Mr. Miller sub- 
sequently was united to a second wife, Mary 
Albright, by whom he has six children — 
Frank, Edward, Waldo, Lillie (deceased), 
Itosa and Bertha. Mr. Miller devotes his 
entire attention to farming,, but takes an 
interest in all aflairs of j)ublic improvement 
and refoiTQ. His standing is among the 
jirominent, useful and successful farmers of 
Stark County. 

MAETIN* cS: CAMPBELL, groceries and 
])rovisions. Canal Fulton. This firm was 
established in January, 1S81, and is composed 
of F. M. Martin and I. D. Campbell, two well- 
known gentlemen who have been connected 
with Lawrence Township for several years in 
other occupations. Their s-toek consists of a 
large assortment of groceries and provisions, 
and they have already made a pi"omising stai't 
for public favor and patronage. F. M. Mar- 
tin is a son of William and Abigail Martin, 
natives of Pennsylvania and early settlers of 
the community. Om' sul)ject was the second 
child of a family of nine children born in 
Wayne County in 1811. He enlisted in Au- 
gust, 1862, in Co. A, 104th O. V. I., and was 
in active service for nearly three years, partic- 
ijjatiug in many of the well-knowii battles, 
among which are mentioned the Atlanta 
campaign. Siege of Kuoxville, lasting twenty- 
one days, and with Hood's e.xpedition through 
Tennessee. He was wounded, in February, 
18t)4. in a skirmish near Wilmington, N. C, 
by a bullet striking the buckle of his belt 
and driving it into his body. Upon his 
return from the army he was engaged in 
drilling and prospecting for mineral and coal 
luitil January, 1S8I, when he formed the busi- 
ness pai-tnei-ship mentioned above, and hiis 
been giving his attention to that since. He 
was united in marriage in Januaiy, 18(59, to 



^1^ 



784 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



Miss Mary Hai-tgrove, of Lawrence Township. 
They have live children- Milton, Forrest. 
Eva B., Samuel and Bertha. Irvin D. Camp- 
liell was born in Ashland Co.. Ohio, in 185'2, 
and tii'st entered upon the stage of business 
action by learning telegraphy at Russell Sta- 
tion. This tiusiness he gave his attention to 
for seven years, acting as station agent and 
operator in Canal Fulton for the C, T. V. & 
W. E. R. In Jamiary, 1S81. he embarked in 
trade with Mr. Martin, and to that lousiness 
he is devoting his exclusive attention. Mi-. 
Campbell was married in 1879 to Miss Cora 
M. Miller, of Lawrence Township. They 
have one child — Kelev. 

D. C. McDowell, f aimer: P. O. Canal 
Fulton; is a native of Tuscarawas Township, 
where he was born in 18"iO. His parents were 
James and Mary (Craig) McDowell, who were 
natives of Washington Co.. Penn.. and in 
1814 came to Tuscarawas Tp., Stark Co.. set- 
tling upon a farm where they continued to 
reside for the remainder of their lives. His 
father served as Township Trustee and was 
an honored and useful citizen. They have 
five descendants now living — Nathaniel, liv- 
ing in Illinois: Maiy Fulton, of Shelby Co.. 
Ohio: Letitia Winter.s, now residing in Kan- 
sas: Nancy Lyon, of Wayne Co., Ohio: and 
the subject of this liiography. Robert Mc- 
Dowell was a member of the filst O. V. L, but 
was subsequently transferred to the fi'id Regi- 
ment: was wounded at the battle of Chan- 
clorsville. and was sent home, dying from the 
effects of the Wound. D. C. ]\[cDowell became 
a resident of LawTence Township in 1842, 
since which time he has been engaged in 
fanning there. He owns 108 acres of valu- 
able land, which has been extensively mined 
for coal. He was maiTied in 1843 t« Miss 
Margaret Porter, daughter of Richard Porter, 
of Wayne County. They have two children 
- Orrin and Ella. Mr.' McDowell lost his 
wife in 1871. He is a man widely known 
and universally respected: is enterprising 
and one of the most valued citizens of Stark 
Co. During the war. he served the township 
several terms as Townsliip Trustee. He is a 
member of the Presbyterian ChiU'ch. 

JOHN MICHENER, farmer: P. O. Canal 
Fulton: is a representative of one of the old 



pioneer families of the township, and is prob- 
ably the oldest person born within its limits. 
He is a son of Jonathan and Jane (Hobson) 
Michener; his father was a native of the Key- 
stone State and his mother of Virginia. They 
were mairied in Jefferson Co., Ohio, ab.iut 
1815, and in 1817 became residents of Law- 
rence Townshii), settling on the tract of land 
now in possession of our siiliject, where the 
remainder of their lives were passed; his 
mother died in 1838. She was the mother of 
eight children, John being the only one now 
surviving: his father was subsequently mar- 
ried to a second wife by whom he had two 
daughters: his death occurred in 183U. John 
Michener has been a resident of Lawrence 
Township all his life, engaged in the quiet 
routine of farm life, at which he has achieved 
great success: he is the possessor of the old 
homestead farm consisting of 1(')( ) acres of well- 
improved and finely cultivated land. He has 
served the township as Trustee three terms, 
and in matters of education has always taken 
a leading interest, serving as Director and 
Clerk for eighteen years. He was married 
in 1848 to Miss Elizabeth Beatty, of Jackson 
Township: they had three children — Mary, 
John B. and J. WmTen. 

THOMAS MASTERS, Postmaster and mer- 
chant, Chajnnan: is a native of England. He 
emigrated to America, in 18ri(). locating in 
Pennsylvania, where he worked at mining for 
two yeai's. He then came to Ohio and for two 
years was engaged in the mines in Eastern 
Ohio- Trumbull and Mahoning Counties. 
He next removed to Stark County, and for a 
short time followed mining; subsequently 
engaging in the groceiy. notion and provision 
business at " Youngstown Hill.'' where he has 
since continued. He has filled the office of 
Postmaster since his appointment in 1875. 
In June, 187() he became associated in busi- 
ness with William Findley, and they are still 
doing business together under the firm name 
of Masters & Findley. Mr. Masters was mar- 
ried in 1875 to Miss Sarah Powell, also a 
native of England. They have three children 
— William, Thomas and Amelia. Mr. Mas 
ters is a member of Lawrence Lodge, I. 0.0. 
F., and is one of the substantial and trust- 
worthy citizens of the township. 



LAWUENCE TOWNSHIP 



785 



ALBERT H. MILLER, fanner; P. O. 
Canal Fultou; is a son of John Miller, who 
Wius born in Lawi-ence Township in 1N27; he 
was a son of Henry and Magdalena ( Weaver) 
Miller, early sefctlei-s and pioneei-s of Stark 
County. John Miller was a prominent citizen 
and farmer of Lawrence Township all his 
life; he married Catharine Albright of Jack- 
son Township, and in IStiO bought the farm 
npon which our subject now lives, and lived 
there until his death in INTO. He wiis a 
member of the Reformed ChiU'ch. Five chil 
dren are descendants from this union, four of 
whom are now living — Melvina J., now Mrs. 
McLaughlin; Albert H.; Cora, Mrs. Campbell; 
and George Wesley; Logan, deceased. Mi's. 
Miller is still living and a resident of Law- 
rence Township. Albert H. Miller is a native 
of Lawrence Township, where he now resides. 
He has chosen the occupation of a farmer, 
and is now cultivating the old homestead 
farm. He was united in marriage in 1878 to 
Miss Flora A. Shilling, of Tuscarawas Town- 
ship. Thev have two chiklren — Homer Orton 
and Blanche Estelle. 

RICHARD R. PORTER, gi-ain, wool and 
feed warehouse. Canal Fulton; is a native of 
Beaver Co., Penn., where he was born in 1818. 
His father was a native of Ireland and emi- 
grated U) America at the age of 19; he located 
in Pennsylvania when the western jiortion of 
the State was yet a wilderness, and when he 
arrived at Pittsburgh it ct)nsisted of nineteen 
log shanties; he continued a resident of that 
State until his death, which occurred in Bea- 
ver County in 1841. The mother of oiu- sub- 
ject died while residing with him in 1870, 
aged 91. Richai'd R. Porter was the ninth 
child of a family of ten children, live boys 
and live girls — only live of whom are now 
living— Alexander, now a farmer of Lawrence 
Township; Eleanor, now Mrs. Barclay, of 
Columbiana County ; Elizabeth, now Mrs. Par 
nell, of Seneca County; Ann, Mrs. Rhodes, of 
Darlington, Beaver Co., Penn.; and the sub- 
ject of this biography. Our subject emigrated 
to Ohio when 2 1 years of age, coming to 
Lawrence Townshij), where an uncle of his 
had located. Here he commenced to learn 
the carpenter's trade, which pursuit occupied 
his attention for three vears. He was then 



taken sick and after recovering returned to 
Pennsylvania, where he remained only a short 
])eriod, his father dying there in the meantime, 
when he retimied to Lawi-ence Township, 
which locality has retained him as a citizen 
up to the present time. Mi'. Porter was for 
many yeai's engaged at farming, and still 
retains farming interests and j)ossessions, but 
since 1875 he has been a resident of Canal 
Fulton, where he is pleasantly situated and 
enjoying well-earned leisiu'e. Having jiassed 
the greater )iortioii of his life in stirring and 
practical business and in order that his leism'e 
might not become too monotonous, he erected 
a wiU'ehoiise near the depots, whore in con- 
nection with his son-in-law, George Kilgore, 
he is now engaged in the grain, wool and 
feed business. Mi'. Porter owns KM) acres of 
land in the township, the opera building, 
and various b-acts of real estate in Canal 
Fulton. As a citizen he has attained a high 
position in the coimty and has been identified 
with many of the public enterprises which 
have secured to the juniple lasting benefits. 
To positions of honor and trust he has been 
many times elected as a fitting representative; 
among the many we will mention as a worker 
and member of the school interests for thirty 
years, as Township Assessor, as County Com- 
missioner for six years, during which the 
court house was built and the iron bridge 
system was adopted. In both movements he 
was a leading sjiirit, and last as a member of 
the State Boai'd of Pulilic Works, serving in 
that capacity two tei'ms. In 1875, he was a 
prominent canditlate for the State Legisla- 
tiu'e, but as disaster was the rule with the 
Republican party that yeai', he failed to be 
elected. He is a leading politician, working 
with zeal each year for the success of the Reinil)- 
lican ])arty, which embodies in his ideas all the 
attributes necessary for honorjible and success- 
ful local and national govei'nment. He is a 
member of highest degree of the Odd Fellow 
fraternity of Canal Fulton. Mr. Porter was 
maiTied in 1841 to Mi.ss Kezia Martin, a 
native of Beaver Co., Penn. They have had 
the following children: John, deceased, a 
member of Co. A, l()4th O. V. I., and subse 
(juently a member of the stiifl' of Gen. Riley, 
served over tliree years; he was wounded at 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



the battle of Franklin; his death occun-ed 
in Canal Fnltou. in 1878, leaving a wife; 
Thomas, served two years in the (iSth O. V. 
I., and is now a resident of Canal Fulton: 
Nancy, wife of George S. Kilgore. is also a 
resident of Fulton: Joseph is a resident of 
Denver, Colo., and Charles, a leading dentist 
of Massillon, Ohio. 

JOHN PORTER, fanner: P. O. Canal Ful- 
ton: is a son of Richard and Nancy (Mc- 
Laughlin) Porter: his father was of Ii-ish 
nativity: his mother of Pennsylvania. They 
emigrated from Allegheny' Co., Penn.. to 
Baughman Tp., Wayne Co., Ohio, in 1815. 
where they located and passed the remainder 
of their days. Our subject was born in Penn- 
sylvania in 1811; he has been engaged in 
agricultural pin'suits all of his days. In 1S40, 
he became a resident of Stark County, pur- 
chasing the farm in Lawrence Township 
where he is now residing. He has 158 acres 
of rich and well-improved land, and to its 
thorough cultivation Mr. Porter has given the 
attention of forty years of careful su]>ervis- 
ion. He was united in marriage, in 1840, to 
Eliza J. McDowell, of Tuscarawas Township. 
Two children are the issue of this union — 
Arabella, wife of J. P. Yockey. editor and 
proprietor of the Fulton Sir/iia/. and James 
H.. a traveling salesman for a Mansfield 
house. Mr. Porter was afflicted deeply by 
the death of his wife in May, 1881. "Mr. 
Porter is one of the respected and solid farm- 
ers of Stark County, and an influential and 
progressive citizen. 

RICHARD A. PORTER, farmer; P. O. 
Canal Fulton: is a son of John A. Porter, a 
native of Allegheny Co., Penn.: he mairied 
in Beaver Co., Penn., Miss Maria Scott, also 
a native of Pennsylvania. They emigrated 
to Ohio about 1827, locating in Wayne Coianty 
upon a farm, where they resided for ton years. 
They then removed to Lawrence Township, 
where they became successfvd fanners and 
valued citizens. Mi'. Porter died in 1875; 
his wife still survives h'm, living upon the 
old homestead which is located in the western 
portion of the township. Mrs. Porter is the 
mother of five children — Richard A., Nancy, 
Belle Rail, all residents of Fulton: and two 
deceased — Jane, who was married to a Porter, 



and Thomas. The subject of this sketch was 
born in Wayne County in 1829. His life has 
always been passed in farming, and since the 
removal of his father to this township, within 
its limits. In 1855, he became a resident of 
the farm which adjoins the okl homestead, 
and which consists of 100 acres of tine land, 
well cultivated and improved. He was united 
in marriage in 1855 to Miss E. J. Whitcraft, 
daughter of Thomas WTiitcraft. one of the 
early settlers of the township. They have 
five children living — Belle Tromp. of Canal 
Fulton, Howard, Elta, Allen and Oscar. 

JOHN POLLOCK, postal clerk, North 
Lawrence; is a son of George and Elizabeth 
(Mehon) Pollock, and is a native of Ireland. 
U])on the subsetjuent removal of his parents 
to Scotland, he became a miner in that coun- 
I try. In 18()2, he emigrated to America and 
j located in Stark County, where he engaged in 
mining in Perry and Lawrence Townships 
until 1877, and in the meantime at different 
periods traveling through the State in tlio 
interest of the Miners' Association — at one 
time for three consecutive yeai's He removed 
to North Lawi'ence with his family in ISfiS, 
and has since made that his home. In De- 
cemlier. 1877, he was appointed Postmaster of 
North Lawrence, which position he held imtil 
he received a commission in the mail service, 
in July. 1879. His first route was from Pitts- 
burgh to Indianai olis, but was soon after de- 
tailed to the Canal Dover & Marietta route, 
which he filltd for one year, and after one 
month's seivice from Chicago to Crestline, he 
was assigned to the route from Pittsburgh to 
Crestline, which he has since retained. Mr 
Pollock was engaged in the grocery trade at 
the time of his service as Postmaster of North 
Lawrence. He was elected Justice of the 
Peace iu 1879, and has administered the 
duties of that office ever since. He is a mem- 
ber of the I. O. O. F. Lodge, of Canal Fulton, 
and an esteemed and valued citizen. Mr. 
Pollock was married in Scotland, in 1838, to 
Miss Catharine Maine, who is a native of that 
coiuitry. They have eight children living- 
George, Jennet, Elizabeth, John, Robert, Jane, 
Peter and Alice. 

ROBERT POLLOCK, Pc.stma.ster, grocer- 
ies and provisions, North Lawrence; is a son 



LAWRENCE TOWXSHIP. 



7S7 



of George and Elizabeth (Mehou) Pollock, 
who were natives of Ireland, but subsequently 
removed to Scotland, and from there emigrat- 
ing to America with their family in 18(i:^. 
locating ne;u' Mnssillon. in Lawrence Town- 
ship: the father died in 1S72; the mother is 
still residing there. Six children were the 
result of this marriage- Ann McDonald. 
William Roliert. Mary MeKenzie. Elizabeth 
Kay and John. Robert Pollock is a native of 
Ireland: his parents removed to Scotland 
when he was 1(1 yeai's of age and there his 
early days were passed upon a farm, but he 
subsefpiently became a miner, which he fol- 
lowed until 180)2. when he emigrated to 
America, and for two years worked in the 
mines near Massillon. In IBfiT), he came to 
North Lawi-ence and has since resided there. 
He worked at mining until March, 1879, and 
receiving the appointment of Postmaster in 
ISSO. he opened a gi'ocery store in connection 
therewith, which business he has since con- 
ducted. ]\Ir. Pollock was married in 1855 to 
Miss Margaret Ray, a native of Scotland. 
They have ten children living -George, Mar- 
garet (now Mrs. Johnson), James, Elizabeth M., 
Robert, Jr., William, Ann, Jane, INIartha and 
Andrew F. 

CHARLES W. ROBINSON, merchant. 
Canal Fulton: is a son of John and Nancy 
(Slusser) Robinson: his father was a native of 
Pennsylvania: his mother of Stiu-k County. 
John Robinson was one of the earlier busi- 
ness men of Lawrence Townshij). and one of 
the prominent energetic citizens. He came 
to Canal Fulton, near 1S;{(), and first engaged 
in business with Judge Henry in general 
merchandising, and buying and selling grain; 
sitbsequently continuing business alone th<Te 
until his death. His transactions wer(> upon 
a large scal(> and his business ventures suc- 
cessful. His first wife died in 1842, leaving 
five children. William H. was a prominent 
business man. engaged in boot and shoe busi- 
ness, and subsequently iuterest<'d in a fern- 
company in Detroit. Mich. : subse(jueiitly re- 
turning to Canal Fulton nnd purchasing stock 
from his father's estate, and at the time of his 
death a business man there. Thomas died in 
La Salle Co.. 111.: Harriet, deceased: Charles 
W.. and Nancv Warner, a resident of St. 



John, N. B.. her husband being United States 
Consul there: he subsetpiently married a sec- 
ond wife. Margaret Russell, of Pennsylvania, 
by whom he had on(> child— Robert T.. living 
in Pennsylvania. ('. W. Robinson is a native 
of Canal Fultx^n. where he was born in 1888. 
His life has been passed in Canal Fulton 
engaged in merchantile ])ursuits. He has a 
large stock of general merchandise and does 
an extensive Inisiness. He has served the 
township as Treasurer and has been a mem- 
ber of the Comuion Council of Fulton. He 
was united in marriage in 18()7 to Miss Sarah 
A. Kirk. They have four childi-en living- 
Edwin B.. Russell R.. Hiu-ley H. and Annie, 
and one deceased. John W. 

DAVID RHOADES. fanner: P. O. Canal 
Fulton: is a son of George and Margaret 
(Smith) Rhoades. both natives of Lancaster 
Co.. Penn., where they were married. They 
emigrated ta Ohio in 1810. locating in Can- 
ton, where they remained al)oul two years, 
sitbsequently settling in the noi-theastern corner 
of Lawrence Township about 1812, where 
their son now lives, continuing residents until 
their deaths. His father was drafted in the 
war of 1812, but on account of his family 
secured a substitute: he followed farming, 
vaiying the monotony of that (juiet life by 
distilling whiskv*. and also ruiniing a cardiug- 
machiue. All ])hases of pioneer life and 
experiences were familiar to this family. 
David was the fourth child of a family of 
seven, four of whom are now living: he was 
born in Lawrence Township, in 1820 and has 
continited a resident up to th(> present time. 
With the exception of one year at milling 
and two vefu's as proj)rietor of the American 
House at Canal Fulton, he has l)e(>n (>ngaged 
in farming upon the old home farm. In 1840, 
he took a trip to California, remaining there 
about two years. He lias H'>0 acres of im- 
proved land, and has it under a high state of 
cultivation. He was married in 1851 to Miss 
Margaret Machami>r. daughter of (reorge and 
Katharine (Wolfe I Machainer. early settlers 
of Lake Township: her father wa-s a native 
of Scotland: her mother of Pennsylvania, 
and they were the parents of thirteen chil- 
dren, nine of whom are now living. A more 
extended sketch of this family will ajipear in 



^,. 



^lA 



788 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



Lake TowDship history. Mr. cand Mrs. Rhoades 
have the following childcen uow living — 
Emma, Sabina, (Jharles, Belle, Hattie, Clara, 
Altie, Theo., Grace and Walter. 

ISAAC ROWLAND, farmer; P. O. Canal 
Fulton; is a son of Jacob Rowland, who came 
to Stark Coxinty in 1810, starting a mill near 
whei'e the city of Canton now lies; he was 
also engaged in farming, and until his death 
interested in works of enterprise. A family 
of eleven children are the descendants — 
David, one of the earlier settlers of Lawi-ence 
Towushi]), where he still resides; Christina 
Kitzmiller, of Canton; Isaac; Susan Haines; 
Mary deceased: Nancy Sholter, of Jackson 
Township; Jacob, deceased; Barbara Firestone, 
Canton Township; Harriet, deceased; Katha- 
rine Loutzenheizer, of Canton; and Elizabeth 
Haines, of Jackson To^iiship. Isaac was 
born near Canton, and until 26 years of age 
lived with his parents, engaged as an assist- 
ant of his father in the mill and upon the 
farm. In 1836, he became a resident of Law- 
rence Township, where he has since lived. 
He owns 150 acres of improved land, to the 
cultivation of which he has given his entire at- 
tention. In 1 886, he was united in mamage to 
Miss Lydia Haue, of Canton Township. Of 
a family of thirteen children born to them, 
eight are now living — Harriet, married and a 
resident of Michigan; Louisa Bruch, in Illi- 
nois; Reynolds, in this township; John, a 
resident of Wayne County; Daniel; Emma 
Prater; Esther Keifer, and Ida. Mr. and Mrs. 
Rowland are members of the Disciples' Church. 

WILLIAM ROHR, can-iage-maker and 
blacksmith. Canal Fulton; is a son of Henry 
and Margai'et Rohr, who came from Germany 
and settled in Jackson Tovsmship about 1840. 
The father of oiu- subject was a mason by 
trade, which he followed together with farm- 
ing. He died in Jackson Township in 1871; 
the mother still resides there. William was 
born in Jackson Township, and is the young- 
est child of a family of seventeen children. 
He commenced to learn his trade at the age 
of 16 at Massillon, where he remained for 
four and one -half years. He then went to 
Carrollton and embarked in business for him- 
self. He only remained there a short time, 
however, and in March, 1881, removed to 



Canal Fulton, where he has started a manu- 
factory, making all kinds of carriages, bug- 
gies, wagons, etc., and in connection has a 
blacksmith and general rej)airing shop. This 
shop promises, in time, to be one of the lead- 
ing industi-ies of that section. Mr. Rohr was 
married in November, 1880, to Miss Laura 
Fosnacht, of Perry Township. 

C. K. REINOEHL, farmer; P. O. North 
Lawi'ence; is a son of Levi and Nancy (Bear) 
Reinoehl, who were natives of Pennsylvania, 
and early settlers of Lawrence Township, 
where they resided, engaged in agi'icultural 
pursuits until their deaths; his father's death 
occiuTing in 1861, and his mother's in 1865. 
The subject of this sketch, Cyrus K., is the 
only descendant. He was born in Lawrence 
Township where he has always resided vipon 
the old homestead farm which he inherited. 
It consists of 165 acres of improved land 
located in the central portion of the township. 
He was mai'ried in March, 1873, to Miss Har- 
riet Mock, of Wayne County. They have foiu- 
children — Charles, Maude, Dade and Frank. 
Mr. Reinoehl is an enterprising citizen and 
farmer, and is also a teacher of vocal music, 
to which he gives his attention in the winter 
seasons. 

ALOIS STEINER, farmer; P. O. Canal 
Fulton; is a son of John and Rosalia Fogle, 
natives of Alsace, France. They came to 
America in 1839, first locating in Ma,ssillon. 
His father was a teacher by jirofession, and 
engaged in teaching the German, English 
and French branches for fifteen yetu-s in that 
locality; his death occun-ed in 1853 in Law- 
rence Township, the mother surviving until 
1878. Of a family of seven children four 
now sui'vive, om' subject being the eldest; he 
was bom in France, but passed his youth in 
Stark County, receiving a good education in 
German and English. He Isegan farming in 
I860 in Lavsrence Township, where he has 
been successfully engaged up to the present 
time, being also engaged in the manufactiu'e 
of brick for seven years. He now owns 125 
acres of well-improved fertile land, conven- 
iently located, being only a short distance 
fi-om the limits of Canal Fulton. His build- 
ings are superior and his land shows good 
practical supervision. He has seryed the 



LAWltENCE TOWNSHIP. 



township foui- terms as Towuship Trustee, 
and was an active member of the School 
Board for five years. In 1859, he was united 
in marriage to Miss Frances Hanmier, of 
Lawi-enee Township. They have eij^ht chil- 
dren — Philomena, a teacher; Katharine, John, 
Joseph. William, Frank, Charles and Clara. 

GEORGE STOVER, farmer; P. O. Canal 
Fulton; is a native of the farm upon which 
he now lives in Lawrence Township. He was 
born in 1888, son of Samuel and Margaret 
Stover, and with the exception of a short res- 
idence in Lake Townshij). whither his parents 
removed, he has been a resident of LawTence 
Township and identified with its progreas 
and improvement all his life; assisting as 
well as he could for the advancement of cult- 
ure and civilization. He was engaged as a 
teacher in his eai'lier days — teaching winter 
sessions — this he followed for several years. 
His principal occupation has been that of a 
husbandman, also making a specialty in 
breeding sheep and cattle. Mi'. Stover has 
served as Trustee for the Children's Home, at 
Fairmount, Washington Township, for the past 
si.x years, and is still administering the duties 
of that position. Ho is a Mason, and one of 
the most liberal-minded and prominent citi- 
zens of the county. He was married in Jan- 
uary, 181)9, to Miss Louise J. Beardsley, of 
Akron. They have two children living — 
George P. and Harry W., and one deceased, 
William B., who died aged eight months. 
Mr. Stover is the j^ossessor of the old home- 
stead farm, consisting of 81 acres of valuable 
land. 

PHILIP SHEAFER, farmer; P. O. Canal 
Fulton; is a son of John and Eve (Wag(mer) 
Sheafer, natives of Pennsylvania, where they 
were mai'ried in 1818, and the same year emi- 
grated to Ohio, locating npim a fann now 
own(>d by I'hilip, where thej' continui<d to 
reside until their deaths. His father died in 
18()1, his mother in 187(5; his father was a 
man res])(>cted and honored, serving as Town- 
shij) 'J'rustee. Th(>y wer(^ parents of eight 
children William, deceased: Michael, de- 
ceased; Susanna, deceased; Mary Bowman, 
living in Indiana; Philip, and Margaret 
Young, residents of Lawrence Township; 
John, decea.sed; and Maria J. Greenfield, in 



Indiana. Philip is a native of the townshij) 
where he was bom in 1824, and hiis been a 
resident and fiu'mer up to the present time. 
He owns 107 acres of superior land; as a cit- 
izen he ranks as one of the most respected, 
and has served the township as Assessor. He 
was miuried in 1851 to Miss Sarah Krevetic, 
of the township; she died in 1870, leaving 
fom' chikh'en Edward H. ; Enuna C". Dott; 
Mettie F. McFarland, now a resident of Kan- 
sas, and Mary J., deceased. In 1872, he was 
united to a second wife, Mary Groff, widow 
of John Groflf, and by this union they have 
one child, Eva. Th(>y an* m(>mbers of the 
Methodist Chiu-ch. 

C. HL SULLIVAN, grocery and provisions. 
Canal Fulton; was l)orn in Ireland in 1851. 
He is a son of Jeremiali and Mary (Moylan) 
Sullivan. They emigrated to America in 
1853, and located in Chij)pewa Tp., AVayne 
Co., where they resided for some time and 
from there to Franklin T{)., SimimitCo., where, 
in 1871, his father died; his mother is .still 
living; there are seven children in the family, 
as follows — John, living in Smumit Coimtj'; 
Timothy, now County Troasiu-er of Stai-k 
County; Jeremiah J., a resident of Holmes 
County, and State Senator during the session 
of 1880; Johanna Mur])hy, in Canal Fulton; 
William, in Kansas; Ellen; and the subject of 
this sketch, who began his business career 
first as a miner for five years, then for six 
yeai's working for his father ui)on the fann, 
and then to Canal Fulton where he was a 
clerk in his brother Timothy's grocery store 
for fom- years. In 1875, he began business 
for himself and is now doing a hu-ge grocerj- 
and provision trade.. He was married in 
1876 to Miss Kate Marks, ot Lawi'once Town- 
ship; they have thi'ee childi'eu Clarence, 
Gertrude and Oscar. Mr. Sullivan is a ])rom- 
inent citizen of Lavvrenco Townshi]) and is 
at present acting as Town Treasurer. 

WILLIAM STOVER, fanner; P. O. Canal 
Fulton; is a son of Samuel and Margaret 
( ICreichbaum ) Stover, natives of Pennsylvania 
and pioneers of Summit County; a more 
extendetl sketch of whom appears elsewhere. 
William is a native of Lawrence Township, 
and has remained a citizen thereof all his life 
with the exce])tion of two years. Ho has 



1) 1^ 



^ 



■'JO 



BIOGKAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



made fai'miii<j and the breedinp; ot Ijlooded 
horses his })rofession. and has achieved prac- 
tical success from his labors. In 1860, he 
became the owner of the farm upon whicli he 
now resides, movinif upon it in 1801. He 
was the projn-ietor of the American House in 
Canal Fultt)n for two years, after which he 
retiu'ned to his farm, where we find him at the 
present writing. He has 100 acres of im- 
proved land, conveniently located. Mr. Sto- 
ver has been a progi-essive citizen; has served 
the townshiji as Trustee four terms, as Assessor 
two years, and as Infirmary Director for six 
years. He was married, in 1861, to Miss 
Maggie M. Buchtel, of Jackson Townshij). 
They have two childi-eu — Clara A. and Otis 
G. ^Ii: Stover is a member of the Masonic 
Order at Canal Fulton. 

ISAAC SANDWITH, merchant. North 
Lawrence; is a native of England. He came 
to America in 1877, and immediately located 
in North Lawrence, serving as clerk for John 
Moore until June, 187U, when he was united 
in maiTiage to Mrs. Thomas Lester, and since 
th'it time has been conducting the dry goods, 
gi'ocery, hardware and general line store, 
which was established by Thomas Lester in 
1863. Mr. Sandwith is doing the leading 
business in his locality and is an intelligent 
and res])ected citizen. They have one child, 
Clara. Thomas Lester, deceased; was for 
many years a prominent business man in 
North Lawrence; he was a native of England; 
emigrating to America, he located in Lawrence 
Township, and in 1860 was united in mar 
riage to Miss Jeanette Brown. In 1868. he 
commenced in trade in North Lawrence, car- 
rying a large stock of dry goods, groceries, 
hardware, etc. : he continued in business, es- 
tablishing a lai'ge trade, until he died, in 1876. 
Mr. Lester was a respected citizen, and served 
as Postmaster for a number of years. The 
following childi'en are now living: Alexander, 
Maggie J., Jennie and Cora. 

SAMUEL SWIG ART, farmer: P. O. Canal 
Fulton: is a son of Joseph and Elizabeth 
(Pfeififer) Swigart, who came iroui Pennsyl- 
vania to Stark County about 1822, locating 
near Canton, where they remained about two 
years, and then became residents of Lawrence 
Township, settling on a tract now owned by 



their son, where they remained until their 
deaths. They had a family of twelve children, 
six of whom are now living. Samuel was 
born in Lancaster Co., Penn., in 1814, and, 
since the removal of his parents to Lawrence 
Township, has been a resident of the old 
homestead farm, engaged in agricultural pur- 
suits; he has now 24(* acres of tine land, well 
improved and cultivated. He was married, in 
1840, to Miss Ann Grubb, also a native of 
Pennsylvania, and has now six children living 
— Isaiah, man-ied in February, 1866, to Miss 
Sarah Diehl, now living in Siunmit County; 
La Fayette, married in December, 1865, to 
Miss Frank Sisler, of Manchester, now liv ing 
in LawTence Township; Samuel L. and Fran- 
cis, at home; Emma, now MJrs. Stump, in Simi- 
liiit County: and Saloma, at home. Mr. Swi- 
gart is one of the practical farmers and re- 
spected citizens of Stark County. 

JAMES STERLING, lawyeV and Notary 
Public, Canal Fulton; is a native of Holmes 
Co., Ohio, where he was born in 1.S49; his 
early days were passed upon a farm until he 
attained the age of 15, receiving a common- 
school education: he then attended for two 
terms a select school, and at the age of 16 
commenced to teach, continuing at that voca- 
tion for five yefirs; at the age of 21, he joined 
the North Ohio Conference of the M. E. Chm'ch, 
and for three and a half years was an itinerant 
minister, his first chai'ge being Canal Fulton. 
In 1875, he began the study of law with W. 
G. Myers, Esq., and was admitted to the bai- 
in 1877, since which time he has been prac- 
ticing that profession in Canal Fulton: he also 
represents several leading fire insm*ance com- 
panies. Ml". Sterling is one of the leading 
citizens of Canal Fulton in point of public 
spirit, and is accjuiring an extensive practice; 
he has served as Mayor two terms, and as Jus- 
tice of the Peace one term: was mairied, in 
May, 1871, to Miss Kate Taggart, of Dalton, 
daughter of Dr. T. M. Taggart: they have two 
children — Merrill and Willie. 

A. C. STANSBURY, m;u-ble works. Canal 
Fulton; was born in Tuscarawas Tp., Stark 
Co., in 1851. He is a son of W'illiam and 
Elizabeth (McKinley) Stansbury, early settlers 
in that township, where they now reside. Our 
subject was raised upon a farm until 18 years 



LAWRENCE TOWNSHIP. 



of age, when he came to Canal Fiilton, in 
ISfii). and commeuced to learn his trade with 
his lirothcr. with whom he remained five years. 
In 1S74, in connection with D. J. Wilhehii, 
he hoii^lit out the works, and has lieen en{jag(Hl 
in business up to the present time. Staushury 
At Willu'lm carry a large stock of gi-anite and 
marble, and are prepared at any time to exe- 
cute work in the highest style of their ai't. 
Mr. Stausbury was united in marriage, in 
1874, to Miss p]sther Cujiph's, of Tuscai'awius 
Township. He is a m(>mber of the I. O. O. F. 
fraternity of Canal Fulton; is well spoken of, 
and an honorable ' and successful business 
man. 

JOHN 8CHR0DP:R, butcher, Canal Ful- 
ton: is a native of Germany; he emigrated 
to America in 1853, and, after six months' 
residence in New York, came to Canal Fulton 
and entered into partnership with his brother 
Barney in the meat mai'ket business, which 
they have carried on up to the present time, 
anil in which they are doing the leading busi- 
ness; they also own a farm, consisting of 5(t 
acres, in the township, which they are operat- 
ing in connection with their other business. 
John was married, in 1855, to Miss Susan 
Price, of "Wayne Cotmty. He has served as 
Township Trustee one term, and is now serv- 
ing his second term as member of the Corpo- 
ration C(juncil : he is a member of the K. of P. 
Lodge of Wooster. Ohio. Barney came to 
Canal Fulton one year previous to his brother; 
he was mjirried to Miss Elizabeth Price in 
1S54; they have three children -JIary, Eliza- 
beth and Callie. 

SAMUEL STOVER, retired farmer: P. O. 
CaTial Fulton; is on<' of the j)ioiieer settlers 
of Stark County: he was bom in Aaronsliurg. 
Center Co.. Penn., Aug. Ki. 18i;i: he came to 
Lawrence Township May 'ifi. lS'i3. where he 
rcflnained. ujion the farm on which he now re- 
sides, until the fall of 1831, wlien he went to 
Canton and learned the gunsmith's trade with 
Jacob Banner, with whom he remained three 
years: returning to the iiunn in Lawrence 
To\vnshi[), he has since resided there. He 
was united in mai'riage, Feb. 12, 1835, to 
Margaret Kreighbaum; they have two chil- 
dren — William and George, both prominent 
citizens and farmers of Lawrence Township. 



JOSEPH SAILER, cigar manufactory, 
Canal Fulton; is a native of Germany; he 
emigrated to America in 1N()U and located in 
Massillon, and went to work for his l)rotber, 
Peter Sailer, who is an extensive cigar niami- 
facturer; Jose[)h had previously learned his 
trade in (Germany; he remained with his 
brother for three years, and in 1 872 came to 
Canal Fulton, where he embarked in business 
for himself, and hits established a successful 
trade: h(< m;uiufactm-es four different brands 
of cigars, and also does a retail trade in to- 
baccos. Mi\ Sailer, although a resident of 
Canal Fulton for a few yeiu's. has established 
an honorabl(> reputation as a business mun, 
and as a citizen is liberal and progi'essive. 

I. M. TAGGART. Su]ierintendent of 
Schools, Canal Fulton: is a native of Wayne 
Co.. Ohio, where he was bom in 1S5I>; his par- 
ents were "William and Lydia (Reiter) Tag- 
gart; his mother was a native of Berks ('o.. 
Penn., and came with her parents to Wooster 
at an esu'ly day; his father was born in Bel- 
mont, and, at the age of 21, came to Wooster 
and embarked in the business of making sad- 
dle-trees and harness; in this occupation he 
was engaged for several years, subsecjuently 
becoming a fanner, at which he continued 
until his de.Tth, in ]8()2: the mother is still 
living in Wooster; she is the mother of eight 
children, seven of whom are now living, of 
whom Emmet F. was a member of the lll2d 
O. V. I., and was in service two years, seven 
months of which he passed in "retirement" 
in Andersouville Prison: he is now a resident 
of Akron, Ohio; William R., a member of the 
120th O. V. I., served three yeai-s, and is now 
farming in Wooster Townshi]); James, a mem- 
l)er of the 100-day service, is now farming 
near Wooster. The subject of this sketch 
was the sixth child, and, during his earlier 
years, was an assistant upon the home farm; 
he received a good education, attending the 
Smithville High School, and from there went 
to Mt. Union College, wliere he graduated in 
bS70, at 20 years of age. Mr. Taggart lias 
devoted his attention to U'aehiug from that 
time until the present, with the exception of 
two yetirs in the mercantile business at North 
Lawrence: he came to Canal Fulton in the 
fall of 1875, where he has had ehaige of the 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES; 



public school since, and under his supervision 
it has attained a high degi-ee of excellence; 
the school is divided into foiu' departments, 
and is jiresided over by live teachers, the aver- 
age attendance diu'iug the present year (ISSl) 
being 270; Mr. Taggart is the instructor in 
the high school department; he ranks as one 
of the most progressive and valuable citizens 
of that community; since his residence in 
Fulton, he has served as Justice of the Peace, 
and is now upon his third term: he is a mem- 
ber of both the Odd Fellow and Masonic fra- 
ternities. Mr. Taggart was united in mar- 
riage, in June, 1N71, to Miss Laura E. Fulton, 
of Canal Fulton; they have live children — 
Minnie, Frank, Bertha, Carrie and Cora. 

W. F. TROMP, deceased; was born in Ger- 
many in lS()(i; his wife, whose maiden name 
was Elizabeth Pettrie, was also a native of 
Germany; her people emigrated to America 
about 1825, and located in New York. Mr. 
Tromp also located in New York upou coming 
to this country, and while there met his wife, 
and in 18-14 they were married. He was a 
cabinet-maker liy trade, and followed it and 
piano-making in that city for some time. 
They emigi-ated to Ohio about 1856, locating 
in Canal Fulton; here Mr. Tromp began to 
work at his trade in a small way, and, by per- 
severance and honorable industry, succeeded 
in establishing a large and floiu-ishing busi- 
ness and accumulated a handsome property: ' 
he died in 1874; his wife now owns the ware- 
house and shops, the business being conducted 
by her sons, William H. and Clement O. ; 
they carry a well-selected stock of furnitiu-e, 
which is well-displayed in their large and 
commodious warerooms, and also do an under- 
taking business, for which they are well-pre- 
jiared; the boys are good workmen in their 
occupations, having learned their trade from 
their father, Mrs. Tromp has seven children 
now living — Martha, Louisa, Caroline; Will- 
iam H, (born in New York in 1850, married 
in 1878 to Miss Sally B. Porter, of Canal 
Fulton; they have two childrea — Came and 
an infant), Fred, Clement O. and Lillie. 

EDW^ARD JOSEPH VATTMANN, Roman 
Catliolic Priest, Canal Fulton; was born in 
Westphalia, Pnissia; he is one of a family of 
fom' childi'en, one of whom is a Circuit Court 



Judge, and another Color Sergeant in a Uhlan 
regiment of the land of his birth. After at- 
tending the public schools of his native place 
until he was 11 years of age, our subject en- 
tered the Gymnasium and made a complete 
com'se of nine years, when he gi'aduated at the 
age of 20}-ears; he then studied medicine one 
year, after which he commenced a regular 
philosophical and theological couree in Pad- 
erborn University, and in three years grad- 
uated; he was then -ordained a Deacon of the 
Catholic Chm'ch. He emigrated to America 
in the fall of 1S64, and proceeded to St, 
Charles, Mo,, where, after a short service as 
an assistant, he became parish priest of St, 
John's congregation, Franklin Co., Mo. ; he 
remained in this charge about two years, 
within which he bought the PresbHerian 
Church building at the county seat, and fitted 
it up for a Roman Catholic Church; it was 
while he was located at St. John's that he be- 
came amenable to the law known as ''Drake's 
test oath law," under which he and about forty 
other Catholic priests, upon refusal to take 
this oath of allegiance to the United States 
Government, were incarcerated in the public 
jails; having been released on his own recog- 
nizance, he was never afterward called upon 
to answer before the coiu't. On the expira- 
tion of his service in Franklin Co., Mo., he 
was appointed to a charge at Findlay, Ohio, 
where he remained about two years, and built 
St. Nicholas' Church, at a cost of SI 5,000; 
diu'ing his stay there, he attended mission 
stations at Fostoria ( where he built a parson- 
age), at Winter's, at Cai'ey ( where he laid the 
corner-stone of a new chm'ch edifice), and at 
Bluft'ton; he was next appointed to Dungannon, 
Columbiana Co., Ohio, where he remained 
about eight years, and diu'ing his services 
there he established a Catholic school, which he 
j)laced in chai'ge of sixteen " Sisters of Divine 
Providence," who had been banished from 
Mayence, Germany, by the Government, and 
over this school Father Vattmann was a]i- 
pointed Superior; at the close of his pastor- 
ate in Dungannon, he removed to Canal Ful- 
ton, where he has built a fine parsonage, and 
officiates as Pastor at mission stations, among 
which may be mentioned Marshallville, Orr- 
ville, Manchester, Fairview, Medina, Russell, 



L A WH EXCt TOWNSH IP 



North Lawrence and several others; he has a 
sch<,x)l in connection with the congregation, 
which numbers about one hunih'ed and twenty 
pupils, and emj)loys as teachers only those 
who iire (lualilied to pass examination by the 
County Board of Examiners. Father \'att- 
maun is an enthusiastic and efficient worker in 
the imjwrtant position he occupies, and as a 
Pastor and preacher has achieved gi'eat success; 
bis manners are genial, education su[)erior, has 
fine athninistrative and executive ability, imd 
is popular with all classes of the communit)- 
in which he resides. 

FRAXKLIX WATROrS. retired farmer: 
P. O. Caual Fulton: is a native of Cuyahoga 
County, and was brought u]) upon a fann. 
In July. 1S4H. he was united iu marriage to 
Miss Drusilla McCadden. of Lawrence Town- 
ship, and soon after settled upon a farm iu 
Cuyahoga County, remaining iu tliat county 
the most of the time for ten years. In ISolS. 
they settled upon the old McCadden home- 
stead farm, in La^vTence Township, where they 
remained until 1872. when they retired from 
active labor and are now enjoying the evening 
of their days in a pleasant home, west of the 
corporation limits of Canal Fulton. Jcjhn Mc- 
Cadden. an old pioneer settler of the township, 
and the father of Mi-s. Watrous. \\ as born in 
L'eland; he emigrated to America in 1S08. 
landing in Baltimore, and soon after made his 
way to Virginia, where he man-ied MaryEdg- 
ington in 18(19, and shortly after, in company 
with her father. John Edgington. came to 
Lawrence Township, where they all located 
and lived for the remainder of their liv(>s. 
John McCadden was a prominent citizen, 
serving as Xotary Public, and valued highly 
by all classes: his di-ath occuiTed in 18")!); 
his wife's, seven years previous, in 1852; they 
were parents of seven chiklren. only two now 
sun-iving — !Mrs. "Watrous. and Maria Malone, 
in Lansing. Mich. 

JACOB WEYGANDT, farmer; P. O. North 
LawTence: is a son of Jacob and Elizabeth 
(Wilhelm) Weygandt, his father, a native of 
Pennsylvania, his mother of Virginia. They 
came to Ohio about 1820, settling upon the 
farm now owned by the subject of this sketch; 
they continued residents of the township until 
their deaths: Jacob "Weygandt die»l in 1850. 



aged 70; his wife, in 1854, aged 64. Nine 
children were born to this worthy couple, as 
follows: Hannah (Joon, of Wayne County; 
Elizabeth Reinoehl, living in Minnesota; Jo 
seph, in Indiana; William, a resident of 
Wayne County: Sarah Wilson, of Lawrence 
Township; Matilda, deceased; Margaret Putt 
and Jacob, residents of the townshii); and 
Amanda, deceased. Jacob Weygandt, o\ir sub- 
ject, was born upon the farm uj)ou which he 
now livi«, in bS28; here his life, U]) to the 
present wTiting, has been pa.ss(Hl; to farming 
he has devott>d his attention, and has 80 acres 
of well ciltivated and improved land. He 
was man-ied. in 1S55, to Miss Mary J. Jackson, 
daughter of Joseph and Eva (Fleshmen) 
Jackson, early settlers of the county, and resi- 
dents of Tuscarawas Township where they 
died. Mr. and ]VIi-s. Weygandt have one child, 
Sarah Jane; they iu-e members of the Presby- 
terian Church. 

EDWARD ^AILIJAMS, livery. Canal Ful- 
ton; is a son of John and Sarah (Swyers) 
Williams, natives of Scotland; upon emigrat- 
ing to America, they located first in New 
York, where they remained for ten years or 
more, subse<iuently removing to Ohio and set- 
tling in the southern portion of the State. Our 
sul)ject commenced to leam the hiu-ness- 
maker's trade at the age of 17, in Southern 
Ohio; this trade he followed for several years. 
He came to C'anal Fulton in 1870, and was 
connected in business with Wesley Grayham 
in harness-making; they continued together 
for one and a half years, and Mr. Williams 
continued alone until 1881, rimning, in con- 
nection, a lively stable, which he stiuted iu 
1870; in 1881, he disj^sed of his harness- 
shop, and is now engaged in the livery busi- 
ness exclusively; his stables are l;irg(> and 
well-appointed, and it is the aim of Mi-. Will- 
iams to conduct his business upon a tii-st-class 
basis. He is a membtu- of the Masonic ordt^r 
of Canal Fult<jn, and one of the leading public- 
spirited citizens. He was man-ied, in 18(*.). 
Ui Miss Lottie A. Caldwell, of Stark County; 
thev have one child, Flora. 

MRS. MARGARET YOFXG, Massillon; is 
the widow of Cyrus Young, a sketch of whom 
apjiears in another jwrtion of this work Mi's. 
Yountr, whose maiden name was Mai'garet 



794 



inOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



Sheafer, is a ilaugliter of John aud Eve (Wag- 
oner) Sheafer, early settlers of Lawi'ence 
Township; she was born in the township in 
1N26, and was mairied to Cyrus Yt)ung Juno 
8. 1848. From this union there are ten chil- 
dren, as follows: Letitia. wife of J. W. Myers, 
of Lawrence Townslii]), was born March 5, 
1S4U: William S.. born Aug. 28. IS,")!); Clem- 
ent Russell, born Aug. U». ISo'i, died in LSHO; 
Frances Eve Morgauthalor, of itassillon, born 
Aug. 18, 1854; Mary Melissa, born Oct. 15, 
l>i5(), married to George Leonard in Decem- 
ber. 1S79, and now a resident of Medina 
County; Charles Fremont, born Oct. 1 5, 1856; 
A. Lincoln, born April 7. 185U; Cyrus O.sra, 
born April 7, 18(51; Philip A., born Sept. 4, 
1S6;5: and Violet May, born Oct. 18. 1867. 
Mrs. Young is nicely situated in a beautiful 
home inLawTence Township; she is anagi'ee- 
able lady ;ind a kind and devoted mother. 

WILLIAM S. Y0UN(3t, farmer and capi- 
talist; P. O. Massillon; was born in La vrence 
Township Aug. 23, 1850; he was an assistant 
of his father until 1874, when he went to In- 
diana, where he remained one year; retiu'ning 
t(j Ohio, he engaged in the oil business in 
Lorain County, in whielihe is still interested, 
having four producing wells of the finest lu- 
bricating oil found in the United States; he 
also engaged in the hotel business in Belden 
one yeai'; he returned to Stark County in 
1880, and since that time has had the man- 
agement of his father's numerous interests 
aud estate, of which he is the athninistrator. 
Mr. Young is a young man of fine executive 
aud business ability, and possesses a liberal 
and progi'essive spirit, which is bound to make 
life a success with him; he is a large laud- 
owner in the county, and i.s largely interested 
in valuable real e.state in Massillon. He is a 
member of the Masonic and Odd Fellow organ- 
izations. 

CIL^ELES F. YOrXO. farmer; P. O. 
North Lawrence; is a native of Lawi'ence 
Township, where he was born in 1850. He 
was connected with the home farm until 1870, 
when he was united in marriage to Isabella 
Walter, of Lawrence Township, and soon after 
moved to his present residence in Wayne 
County, upon the line dividing the two coim- 
ties; his fai'm consists of 220 acre.^, which is 



located in both Stark and Wayne Counties. 
Mr. and Mrs. Y''oung have two children- — 
Myrtle and Homer. 

JOHN P. YOCKEY, editor and proprietor 
of the Fulton Signal, Canal Fulton; is a 
native of Lawi'ence Township, and son of 
Philip and Elizabeth Y'ockey, former residents 
of LawTonce Township, now deceased. Our 
subject was rendered an orphan wheu 7 years 
of age, and from that period until 12 years old 
he lived with relatives, receiving meager edu- 
cational advantages; at the age of 14, he 
commenced working for wages upon a farm, 
for five years in the employ of Clii'istiau Esch- 
liman. of LawTence Township, to whom Mi'. 
Yockey owes a debt of gi'atitude for judicious 
advice and instillation of higher aims in life; 
at the age of 19, he went to Smithville Acad- 
emy of Wooster, Ohio, where he remained for 
thi-ee years, teaching school in winter sessions; 
after completing his education, he became a 
teacher, and, in 1808, became the Superintend 
ent of Schools at Canal Fulton, where he re- 
mained for thi'ee years, going from there to 
Doylestown, where for two years he was en- 
gaged in teaching. In 1875, he returned to 
Fulton and liought out the ILrnJil, changing 
the name to the Fulton Siipml, which he has 
conducted ably and successfully up to the pres- 
ent writing; his subscription books have been 
increased from 200 to 000, and he has added 
a job office, in which de})artment he is able to 
do complete and artistic work. Mr. Yockey 
entered into a matrimonial alliance, Sept. 20, 
1877, with Miss Ai-abella Porter, daughter of 
John Porter, of Lawrence Township; they 
have one child, Leila Joy. Mr. Yockey is a 
valuable citizen of Lawrence Township, being 
enterprising and public- spirited, and possess- 
ing a genial and accommodating nature. In 
all works of advancement and progress, you 
will find him in the front ranks; he has served 
the township as Clerk two terms, and for three 
years has been Clerk of the School Board; is 
a member of the K. of H. 

SIMEON YOCKEY, milling. North Law- 
rence; is a native of the Empire State, and 
when quite young came with his parents to 
Ohio; they located in Wayne Coimty, subse- 
(juently removing to Stark County, where his 
father died ; his mother died in Wayne County. 



A 



d4v 



TUSCARAWAS TOWNSHIl' 



Our subject was raised upon a farm, Imt, diir- 
in<j the later yeiirs of his life, has given his 
attention to millinu;. In 1858, he came to 
Lawrence Township, and since that period has 
been a resident there. He was united in mar- 
ria;;e. in 1S41. to Miss Eleanor Johns, a nfitive 
of Franklin Co.. Penn. ; they have six children 
living- Frank, in Dakota Territorj-; Samuel; 
John, in Alliance; Charlotte Milligan. a resi- 
dent of Wayne County; Mary Kettler and 
Matilda. Samuel Yockey is a native of Law- 
rence Township, and has been identified with 



his native township all his life; he worked at 
mining for a few years, but has given his at- 
tention to operating saw-mills the greater por 
ti(m of his life; he is now in partnership with 
his fatlier in a saw-mill enterj^rise in Nurth 
L;uvTence. where they have superior fficilities 
for the ujieration of their business; they also 
are ninning a chopper in connection with their 
mill. Mr. Yockey is a young but entei-jiris- 
ing citizen, and bound to make life a success. 
He was married, in ISTl, to Miss May R. 
North, of Van Wert Co.. Ohio. 



TUSCARAWAS TOWNSHIP. 



JAMES BAYLISS, farmer: P. O. Massillon. 
Among the early settlers and prominent men 
of this locality is the above gentleman, who 
was bom Nov. 7, 1808, in Stratford. England. 
His fatlier was Benjamin Bayliss, who was 
born in the same countrv- in 1777. He was 
the son of Thomas, who had four sons — Ben- 
jamin. Thoma.s, William and Samuel. The 
mother of our subject was Mary, daughter of 
Thomas Timbell. who was a native of Wiu-- 
wickshire, England. In May, 1818, the Bay- 
liss family left Warwickshire, England, in the 
ship Islington, a sail vessel, James being at 
this time a lad of 10 years. They landed at 
Philadelphia. His father w;is a tailor and 
clothier by ti-ade. which vocation he followed 
for seven years at Germantown; aftenvard 
moved to New York City, where he lived two 
ye!irs. Benjamin Bayliss died at Rochester, 
N. Y. Nine children had been bom him 
Elizabeth. Mary. Harriet, Sarah. James and 
Samuel were the nmnber who grew up. At 
the age of ]'i). our subject left home and served 
two years' apprenticeship at the tailor's trade. 
In 1827, he came to this county, and joined 
the " Kendal Conmiunity.'" After^vard. hi- 
and thive others. Edward Dunn. Hezekiah 
Camp and W. G. Mason, formed a coj>artner- 
shi]) with the Trust<^es of Charity SchiX)l, and 
c<jnducted the same for four years. In 1832. 
he bought land in Tuscarawas Township, 
where he lived four years. th(>n r(>turned to 
Kendal and resumed his trade. In 1849, he 



went to California, where he lived two years, 
being engaged, in the meantime, in mining 
and trading. I'pon his return home, he (en- 
gaged in the mercantile business for four 
years at Massillon. at the same time being en- 
gaged in the wool trade on his own account for 
two or three years; afterward, he made it his 
principal business for several years, repre- 
senting a large firm in the East, his ]>ur- 
chases amounting to enonnous sums annually. 
In 1864, he purchased 040 acres of land in 
Sec. 10, in Tuscarawas Township, at a cost of 
about §42,00(>; this section has until recently 
remained unbroken, having sold 40 acres to 
Jacob Christman. In the meantime. Mi-. 
Bayliss resided in Massillon. ciirrving on the 
farm, upon which he had a sawmill, which 
was kept busy cutting up the timber with 
which his fann was plentifiiUy supplied. 
For twenty-five years he lived in the city of 
Massillon. In Jnne, 1S77, he moved to his 
farm in Tuscarawas Township, where he has 
been engaged in fiirming. Jan. 1, 1881, he 
was mairied, by Escjuire Blackbrnii, to Eliza 
J. Fox, who was bom in Tusciu-awas Town- 
ship March 10. 1814; she was a daughter of 
Jehiel Fox and /Vnna Doxsee. which couple 
emigrattnl in 1812. from neai' Lake Cham- 
plain, in Vermont, to Tuscarawas Town 
ship. Five children have tieen bt)m to him 
Edwin. BeTijamin. Mary A. Carrie and 
James M. On Jan. 1 . 1 88 1 , Mr. Bayliss cele- 
brated his golden wedding, and is now 78 



"S > 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



years of age, yet he moves about with the 
sprightliness of a youth of 20, and retains his 
mental faculties, which are yet quick and 
active. Mr. Bayliss is a Republican, and has 
always taken an active part in concerns of his 
city and township; has borne his share of the re- 
sponsibility that rests equally upon every man 
of enterprise in the communtiy. While in the 
city, he was a member of the Council four 
years, and President of the same two years. 
Director of the Union School for several years, 
and Treasiu'er of the School Board : also Presi - 
dent of the State Association of Wool Buyers, 
and prominently identitied with the Eolling- 
Mill Association, and President of the same; 
also Townshi]) Tnistee, and in all matters in 
which the public interests have been con- 
cerned he has borne his ] )roportionate part. 

MRS. SARAH A. BROWN; P. O. East 
Greenville; was born Feb. 12, 1824, in Plain 
Tp., Stark Co., the eldest daughter and third 
child in order of birth born to John and Hannah 
(Moore) Gaft'. John was born Dec. 22, 1794, 
in Westmoreland Co., Penn., he being u son 
of James, a native of Pennsylvania, who came 
to Stark County in IS07, whose wife was 
named Elizabeth Kilgore, and by whom he 
had seventeen children, fom'teen growing to 
maturity, and but one now living — Mrs. Je- 
mima Smith, of GreentowTi. John was mar- 
ried, July 5, 1821, to Hannah Moore, born in 
1797, in Union Co.. Penn., who emigi-ated 
with her father, Joseph Moore, to Stark 
County. Joseph was in the war of 1812. 
After John Gaff and wife were married, they 
settled in Plain Township and remained upon 
the farm until his death, which occurred Sept. 
8, 1868. He united with the Presbyterian 
Church at Canton in 1835, and was a consis- 
tent member of the same until his death; he 
was highly esteemed as a citizen, and was a 
man of unliending integrity. Hannah, his 
wife, died in February, 18(i3. ]VIr. (4aff was 
the father t)f eight children, four of whom 
grew to maturity — Sarah A., Elizabeth. Mary 
J. and Amanda; the balance died yoimg. Eli- 
zabeth and Mary J. live near Canton, the for- 
mer the wife of Jacob Ru])ard, and the latter 
the wife of Lewis Essig; Amanda died at 23. 
Mrs. Brown has eight children living — Virgil 
S., in the Russell works; Alpheus, at home; 



and Alice, wife of Andrew Allard, at Orville. 
Mrs. Brown removed to this township in 1867; 
has 100 acres of good land; she carries on the 
fann herself; is a member of the Disci{)les' 
Church. 

JACOB BASH, farmer; P. O. Massillon. 
This gentleman, now a resident of Tuscarawas 
Townshi}) since 1864, was born Nov. 2, 1821, 
in Westmoreland Co., Penn. His father, 
Michael, was born March 11,1 789, in the same 
county, son of Mai'tin Bash, a native of Lan- 
caster Co., Penn., whose union with Margaret 
Auckerman was honored by the birth of the 
following: Michael, Henry, Mai-y, Catharine, 
Martha, Susan, Christina, Barbara and Char- 
lotte. Michael married Sarah, who was a 
daughter of Jacob Rugli and Sevilla Mechling, 
which union resulted in the birth of the fol- 
lowing childi-en: Michael, Jacob, Benjamin, 
Daniel, John, Hannah, Susan and Sarah, 
Jacob Rugh was a prominent man of his time; 
represented his county in the Legislature, and 
was honored with important offices of trust. 
Both of his grandparents. Bash and Rugh, 
died in 1845; they were both excellent men, 
and prominently identified with the church. 
Michael Bash died in 1862, his wife yet siu-- 
viving him. Of the childi'en. living are John, 
who resides on the homestead in Westmore- 
land Coimty; Jacob, in this township; and 
Susanna, in Pennsylvania, being the wife of 
Jacob Roadman. Mr. Bash was educated for 
a fai'mer. In 1856, he mai'ried Lavina Huff- 
man, boi'n in 1 826, in Westmoreland Co., Penn., 
daughter of George Huffman and Magdalene 
Fink. Mr. Bash remained on the fann until 
the death of his father. In the spring of 
1864, he came to Ohio and purchased 100 acres 
of land in this township, and has since been a 
resident of the same; has been a member of 
the church since 19 years of age, and early in 
life imbibed the political proclivities of his 
father, who was a ^^1lig. Mr. Bash is now 
serving his third term as Township Trustee; 
is a fi'iend to education and general progress; 
has the following children: Sybilla L., Jacob 
L. and Reuben H. 

ABRAHAM BOWMAN, farmer; P. O. Mas- 
sillon; was born Dec. 15, 1813, in Franklin 
Co., Penn.; his father was Abraham Bowman, 
who was twice married -first to Barbara 



TUSCAUAWAS TOWNSHIl' 



797 



Herslioy, by whom he had eix children — 
Catharine, Jacob, John, Barbara, Bonjamin 
and Abraham. His second marriai;e \va,s to 
Christina Crider, by wliom he had ten chil- 
dren. The iri'eat-graudfathor of our subject 
was a native of Baden, and eiiii<p'ated to Lan- 
caster Co., Penn.. in an early day: two of his 
sons were ca])tured by the Indians and taken 
to their tribe and tied to trees, but escajicd, 
and retm-ned uninjured to their homes. The 
Bowman family came "West in 18'2U, locating 
in the northeast part of Tuscarawas Town- 
ship, on ll'id acre.s. Abraham, the father of 
our subject, died in the spring of \X')H\ he 
was an upright man, a worthy citizen, and a 
zealous member of the V. B. Church. The 
subject of these lines, since be was 10 years 
of age, has been a constant resident of the 
township. In December. lS:iS, he man-ied 
Susanna Kohr. a native of Washington Co., 
Md., born June i;i I S15, daughter of Christian 
and Elizabeth (Thomas) Kohr. The family 
emigi-ated West to Tuscarawas County about 
the year ISiili. Nine chiJdi-en were lioru them, 
but live of whom are living — John, Cliristian, 
Samuel, I'olly and Mi-s. Bowman. After Mr. 
Bowman was married, he piu'chased land on 
Sec. 10, this townshiji, upon which he lived 
fifteen years. In 1854, he purchased the farm 
he now owns, on Sec 1, consisting of 90 acres. 
He has seven childnm living, viz., Maiy. at 
home: John and Benjamin, in La Salle Co., 
111.; Samuel, inCiUToll Co., Iowa: Abram H., 
Susan, and Charles, who resides with his 
brotliers in Illinois. Mr. Bowman and wife 
are members of the I'. B. Chiu'ch, he having 
been identified with that l)odv for fortv years. 
AZARIAH CILA.RLTON," fm-mer;" P. O. 
Pig€»on liiiu; was bom Sept 1"), 1 SI 1, in Bed- 
ford Co., Penn.: his parents were Thomas and 
Elizabeth (McClain) Charlton, both natives of 
Pennsylvania. The grandfather of Azariah 
was a native of Ii-eland: his family of children 
consisted of Robert, Isaac, John. Samuel. Will- 
iiim, Joseph, Polly, Fannie. Hannah and Bet- 
sey. Elizabeth, the mother of Azariah, was a 
daughter of Azariah McClain, who emigrated 
from Marjland to Bedford Co., I'enn., when 
the Country was new and sparsely ])ojiulated. 
The names of the children born Thomas ChiU'l- 
ton and wife were John, Azariah, Henrietta, 



William and Isaac. Azsiriah was bereft of a 
father's care at an early age, and was in a 
manner raised by his uncle, William McClain, 
who was very rigid with his nephew; .so he 
left him at '20, and cju-ed for himself. In 
1833, he came to this county, direct to Sugar 
Creek Townshi]), where he has since lived. 
Upon his an-ival here, he had no means, but 
worked out by the day or mcmth, and turned 
his attention to any em])Ioyra»'nt that was to 
be had. His uncle, Isaac, had j)receded him 
to this townshi)) several years. Azariah had 
three brothers who came West, but none of 
them located in this county. John Ciune first 
to Fairfield County: afterward settled in Allen 
Count}-. William came also afterward, and 
was killed in a saw-mill. Isaac came after- 
ward t<i Portsmouth, where he died of cholera 
three days after his an-ival. Azariah at length 
saved sufficient means to enable him to j)ur- 
chase 40 acres, which he ki'pt for tlu't>e years, 
then pm'chased 84 acres, which he kept about 
ten years. About this year, he piu-chased the 
farm he now owns, locatcMl in the south ])art 
of Tuscarawas Township, in the southwest 
quarter of Sec. 35, consisting of K'T acres, 
which was settled by Samuel Slusser. After 
living a bachelor many years, he manned, in 
June, 18S0, Mrs. Elizabc>th Walton, whose 
maiden name was Augustine, a native of Co- 
li;mbiana Co., Ohio. The children born to 
Azariah McClain were six John. Samuel, 
William, Polly. Sarah and Elizabeth the 
mother of Azariidi. 

MRS. GEORCE CRIDER farming: P. O. 
Pigeon Run. The Crider family are also 
prominent among the e;u-ly an-iv'als of Stark 
County. The family have difl'orent spellings 
of the name some spelling it with a ' K " 
others with a "C," yet nevertheless, it is the 
same name; all of the different families of 
the name sprung from the same family head. 
Mr. George Crider, now deceased, was born 
in this township Ajiril '22. 1821; he bore his 
fathers name. George Crider, Sr., was one of 
the number who, with others, left their Penn 
sylvania home, and, in order to better their 
condition, cast their lots with those hardy 
men who liraved th(> hardshijis and ])rivations 
in order that th(>y niight secure to themselves 
; and families homes and a heritage. Mr. Cri- 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



der was married, in November, 1853, to Chris- 
tiana Saiirbaugli, born Sept. 27, 1828, in this 
township, daughter of Philip and Polly ( Wol- 
gamod) Sanrbaugh, who were natives of Penn- 
sylvania, born Nov. 22, 1799, and Jan. 31, 
]8()2, and were married in December, 1823, 
the fruits of which were five childi'en — Eliz- 
abeth. Sarah, Chi-istiaun, Henrietta and Ab- 
salom. Philip Saui'baugh died Nov. 6 1868, 
aged 68 years 11 months and 14 days; his 
wife died the same mouth and day eight years 
previous, aged 58 years 9 months and 6 days. 
Subset (uent to the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. 
Crider, they located on the farm situated on 
the west half of the northeast quarter of Sec. 
34. Here Mr. Crider spent the remainder of 
his days; his death occiu-red Nov. 6, 1880. 
During his life, he was an honest and upright 
man. a good citizen and a Christian gentle- 
man, having been for many years a worthy 
member of the Reformed Church, and Deacon 
of the same; he was a man of intelligence, a 
great reader, and of sound information. He 
left a wife and two childi-en to mourn his loss, 
who remain on the homestead. The children 
are Mary A. and Harvey H. ; are members of 
the chiu'ch of their father's choice. 

JACOB CHRISTIMAN, fanner; P. O. West 
Brookfield; was born Aug. 10, b826, in West- 
moreland Co.,Penn., the youngest of a family 
of live childi'en who came to matiu'ity. His 
parents were Jacob and Mary (Houck) Christ- 
man. The grandfather of our subject was 
named Jacob, and was a Revolutionary soldier. 
Mary Houck was a daughter of Jacob Houck, 
who was likewise a soldier in the Continental 
army, serving through the entire struggle. 
To Jacob Christman, Sr., were born seven chil- 
dren, but four living — John, Elizabeth, Will- 
iam and Jacob. To Jacob Houck were born 
George, Elizabeth, Esther, Susan, Mary Mag- 
dalina and Jacob. Our subject was reai-ed to 
agricultural pursuits. Sept. 2, 1851, he mar- 
ried Caroline Fiseus, who was born in 1829, 
in Unity Tp., Westmoreland Co., Penn., 
daughter of John and Annie Pem'od Fiseus. 
Mr. Chi'istman emigrated West in the fall of 
1851, locating in Tuscarawas Township, pur- 
chasing the farm he now owns, on See. 15, 
consisting of 1<30 acres, upon which place he 
has since lived, and improved the same, so 



that now it is one of the best faims in the 
neighborhood, having now 204 acres, with the 
best of imjirovements thereon. The bricks 
for his spacious residence were made from the 
material upon his fann, which he made and 
biu-ned for use. His family consists of wife 
and three children — Silas, now in Henry Co., 
Ohio; Mary and Edward F., at home. His 
wife and children are members of the Presby- 
terian Chm-ch; his parents were of the Lu- 
theran Church. Since Greeley's time, Mr. 
Christman has been identified with the Re- 
publican jiaiiv. 

WILLIAM CHRISTMAN, farmer; P. O. 
Massillon; was born in Westmoreland Co., 
Penn., the only son born to Heniy Chi'ist- 
man and Susana Bash. He was born July 
29, 1801, iu Westmoreland County, son of 
John Jacob Christman. Susana was born 
July 26, 1800, daughter of Martin Bash. 
They were married Oct. 24, 1822; came West 
to Ohio iu October, 1850, locating on the 
northwest quarter of Sec. 14. To them were 
born five children; foiu' came to matm-ity — 
Sarah, who married John Hai'shey and set- 
tled in Wayne Co., Ohio; William; John J. 
died in 1863; Martha M., the wife of John 
L. Steele. William was married, March 16, 
1 852, to Laviua Felger, born in Wayne Coimty 
March 23, 1832, daughter of Jacob and Sus- 
ana Lauffler Felger; has since resided on the 
farm; has six children- -Samuel, Susanna, 
James and Jane (twins), William F. and Henry 
J. The mother died iu June, 1881 ; the father 
is yet living, and has been a member of the 
Reformed Church since 19 years of age; cast 
his tirst vote for Jackson. William is a mem- 
ber of his father's cluu'ch. and of the same 
politics. 

JOSEPH ECKROADE, farmer; P. O. East 
Greenville; is among the self-made men of 
this township. He is a native of Berks Co., 
Penn., boru Oct. 28, 1808. being the eldest 
child born to his pai'ents. The father of Jo- 
seph was Chi-istian Ecki'oade. a shoemaker by 
trade, son of George, who was born neai' 
Philadelphia, Penn. Ellen, the mother of 
Joseph, was born in the State of New York, 
and was the daughter of John Ireley, a native 
of Gennany. Joseph remained with his father 
until he was 2 years past his majority, being 



^Tv" 



:fe 



TUSCARAWAS TOWNSHIP. 



799 



iu his father's employ; then, leaving home, he 
worked several years iu the coal works at 
Pottsville, and while there was married to 
Elizabeth. dau>;;hter of (xeorge Singley, and 
with her removed West to Ohio in 1S;]3, making 
a sojourn of several months near Bristol, 
Wayne Co.. f n)m which j)lace he canu' to Canal 
Fulton, Lawrence Tp., in 1884. For three 
years after lu> was married, he had neither 
bedstoad, chairs nor table, using in their stvid 
such substitutes as t)ld boxes and other arti- 
cles improvised for the occasion, having no 
means to buy even the most common neces- 
saries. For three years, in lieu of a wagon, 
he used a sled made of saplings, until circum- 
Htances afi'orded him a vehicle more in accord- 
ance with his tastes. He began by renting 
a small piece of ground: saving a little each 
year, he at last piu'chased 40 acres, which ho 
had rented for eighteen consecutive years, sub- 
sequi>ntly adding to it piece by piece, until he 
ac<iuired a sinig farm. He lived in this town- 
ship until 1S.")7. when he sold his farm and 
j)urchased KiO acres located in the southeast 
<piarter of Sec. ."), wliere he has since remained, 
and is now in excellent financial condition. He 
has been tlu-ice married, his lirst wife bear- 
ing him five children: those living are Susan, 
Catharine. Henry and Jacob. He was mar- 
ried a so;'ond timi', to Keziah Klinedinst, a 
native of Maryland: she bore him fom- chil- 
di'eu — Mary E., Fiauk, Corwin and Charles. 
His last wife was Mi's. Sarah McCoi'mick whose 
maiden name was Fullmer; by her he has three 
children Ettie May, Cora B. and Harry AVeb 
ster. Ml'. Eckroade is a member of the (ler- 
man Lutheran Chm'ch. His farm consists of 
H)4 acres. 

D. ERB. farmer; P. O. W'est Brooktield. 
David Erbwas born May 'iU, ISIS; is a native 
of Lancaster Co.. Penn. Josei)h Erb, his 
father, was twice married first, to Sarah Bow- 
man, who bore him live children. His second 
maiTiage, to Sarah Browers, resulted in an 
addition of six, of whom David was the oldest. 
The gi'andfather of David was Messick Erb, 
to whom were born live children, viz., John, 
Esther. Elizabeth. Catharine and Josepii. To 
Joseph and Sarah Erl) were born David, Susan, 
Elizabeth, Siunuel, Rachel and Catharine; 
Catharine and Elizabeth died in srirlhood. 



Joseph Erb was a shoemaker by trade, and, 
being a man of small means, could not give 
his childi'eu such advantages as he desired. 
David left home when ycning, and at the age 
of T] w(>nt to learn the shoemaker's trade, 
completing the same at the age of 20; after- 
wai'd worked three ycsars at jommey work, then 
engaged in the business for himself. In April, 
ISoH, he joined the tide of emigration West- 
ward to Ohio; came first to Dalton, AVayne 
Co., but, remaining but a few months, came 
to this township, where he had previously 
purcha.sed SO acres, situated on the* north half 
of the northeast (juarter of Sec. 15, for which 
he paid !j40 jier acre. He has now a good 
fai-m, with excellent buildings thereon, ail of 
which, with the exce])tiou of .fOOU.liO, which 
came by legacy, he has made himself; has a 
coal-mii>e on his finm, which yields him an 
extra income. His marriage, in September, 
1S51, to Mary Yost (who was born in Wur- 
temberg, Germany, daughter of -John Yost), 
has been crowned with four children, who are 
Franklin, Hemy, Melinila (now the wife of 
Charles Lyons, of this townshi])) and John. 
Henry resides in Baughman Tp., \\'ayne Co., 
Ohio: John and Franklin, at home. i\Ii\ Erb's 
father died Aug. 5, ISoJ; his mother, in Se|> 
tember. IS,") '2. Mr. Erb is a Re])ublican. 

JOHN' H. FISm^K, farmer: P. O. Massil- 
lon; was born in Lel)au(inCo., I'enn., January 
27, 1S2(), being the fourth child born to Henry 
and Sarah (Meiley) Fisher: he was a sou of 
John Peter Fisher, who man'iod a Hnber, both 
of Lebanon County: to them wer<^ born Philip, 
Peter, David, Henry. Sarah, Keb(>cca, Mary 
Louisa. Sarah was a daughter of Emanuel 
Meiley, who had born to him Emanuel, Will- 
iam, George, Samuel, John H., Joseph, Charlas, 
Mary, Catharine, Susan, Saiah and Elizabeth. 
John Fisher, the great-uncle of John H., 
served in the war of the Revolution. The 
children boin to Hemy and Sarah (Meiley) 
Fisher were Mm'ia, wife of Jeremiah SU'ayler, 
of Lebanon County; Susan, wife of John 
FoiTey. of the same county; Sarah, Mre. 
Hemy Blanch, of same place; Elizabeth mar- 
ried Abram Kaufman, of the same county and 
State; Hemy, at the homestead; and John H., 
who rasides at Tuscarawas. Hemy Fisher 
was a wagon-maker by trade; he was a poor 



i^ 



800 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



man, and was unable to give his children a 
start in the world. John H. left home at 19 
to learn the cabinet-maker's trade; came to 
Ohio in 1847, and worked at his trade in var- 
ious places — Cincinnati, Louisville, and other 
places — imd came to Lebanon in 1855, where 
he started in business, which he continued 
until 1868, when he came to this township 
and bought 88 acres of land on Sec. 23, south- 
west quartei, entered by Biddleeome; Mr. 
Fisher has since remained on the farm. In 
February, 1850, he married Mary A. Keifer, 
bom in 1831, in Lebanon Co.. Penn., daughter 
of Frederick and Sai'ah Snyder. Mr. Fisher 
has seven children, viz., Hemy, David, Louisa 
(who married C H. Bender, in Allegan Co., 
Mich.), Sai-ah, Mary. John H. and Elizabeth. 
For several years past, Mr. Fisher has been a 
member of the Board of Ediication, and served 
as Township Trustee; is a member of PeiTy 
Lodge, A., F. & A. M. Mr. Fisher is a self- 
made man. 

A. R. HANNA, farmer; P. O. Greenville; 
was born in June, 1833, in Wayne Co., Ohio, 
and cauie to this township with his parents 
about the year 1838, who located on the north- 
west quarter of Sec. 17. Here our subject 
has since remained. Jan. 13, 1857, he mar- 
ried Mary J. Cook, born Jan. 12, 183C, in 
Daltou, Wayne Co., Ohio, daughter of Asa 
and Mary (Campbell) Cook, both natives of 
Wayne County. To Mr. and Mrs. Hannahave 
been born seven children, viz., Charles, the 
eldest, was drowned. May 31, 1881, while 
bathing in Bell Creek, Biii-t Co., Neb.; Ella 
M. (called "Mamie") resides in Burt Co., 
Neb., wife of S. A. McDowell; Hulda B.,Willie 
A., Frank A., Ella and Earl C, at home. Mi-. 
Hanna has a farm of 100 acres; is one of the 
Board of Directors of the Coimty Agricultural 
Society; also a memlicr of the Horticultm'al 
Society: is a member of the Presbyterian 
Chiu'ch, and one of the Elders of the same. 
The Hanna family ai-e emphatically Repub- 
lican. The parents of the above were Archi- 
bald and Mary Ramage. He was liorn Feb. 
12, 17'JO, in Washington Co., Penn., son of 
Samuel Hanna, who removed with his family 
to Harrison County in 1802, and was one of 
the early settlers in that locality, and one of 
the pioneer members of the Crab Apple Clnu-ch. 



His son, Ai'chibald, entered college in 1810, 
and completed his collegiate course in 1815; 
then began the study of Hebrew under Rev. 
John Walker, and the studv of theolog\- under 
John Rea, D. D. April 4*. 1810, he man-iod 
Mary Ramage, who was born Oct. 23, 17'J6, in 
Washington Co., Penn.; she was a woman of 
rare beauty, energy and mental vigor. She 
died April 23, 185*1, leaving nine sons and 
three daughters Samuel, Joseph and James 
were ministers, and graduates of Jefferson 
College; Joseph has a pastorate in Oregon; 
James, in Center Co., Iowa; Newton died Jan. 
20, 1864, in Nashville, Tenn. ; was a member 
of Co. I, 76th O. V. I. : Ale.xander resides in 
Iowa; John, in Ashlan<l Coiuity, this State; 
Maria is the wife of Rev. D. R. Colinery; 
Jerry, in Licking Co., Ohio; Belle resides in 
Kansas City, wife of J. M. C. Wilson; Calvin, 
in Eugene City, Ore. ; A. R., on the home- 
stead. In 181 8, Archibald Hanna, the father 
of our subject, was licensed to jireach by the 
Ohio Presbytery, and removed to Wayne Co., 
Ohio, in 181U, where he had charge of three 
churches — Mt. Eaton, Pigeon Run and Fred- 
ericksbm-g; in 1820, was ordained Pastor of 
the same, having full charge: after several 
years, he resigned Mt. Eaton and gave all 
his time to Fredericksburg, preaching at Dal- 
ton also for many years; he was one of the 
pioneer ministers of Wayne and Stai'k Coun- 
ties, and preached the tnith with earnestness 
and simplicity; many, through his instra- 
mentality. were led to tiu'u from the error of 
their ways and seek salvation. He settled on 
the land now occupied by his son, A. R., m 
1838, which he cleared up, and remained on 
the sameimtil called to his reward; his death 
occuiTed Jivue 'J, 1875, in his 86th year. 
Thus passed away an u]>right man and devoted 
Clu'i.stian, " and his works doth follow him." 
EMANUEL HORNBERGER, farmer: P. 
O. Massillon; is a native of Lancaster Co., 
Penn., boru Oct. 15, 1812, son of John Horn- 
berger and Leah Ramp. Emaimel came West 
to this township in 1S37, his father having 
preceded him two years, locating on the land 
now owned by the subject of this sketch, which 
was j/iu'chased of David Gaff, who obtained it 
direct from the Government; said farm con- 
sisted of 80 acres. To John Hornberger were 



-^: 



i> fy 



.£. 



TUSCARAWAS TOWNSHIP. 



801 



bom Benjamin, now deceased; Polly, whore- 
sides in Indiana, the wife of Isaacs Grainlini^; 
Elizabeth, deceased, was the wife of Mr. B(K)u: 
Susan, man-ied John Lichley, now of San- 
dusky County; John, now deceased; Isaac, 
now resides in De Kalb Co., Ind. Emanuel 
has remained (jii the homestead farm since 
his first occupancy, and has, by diligence and 
economy, increased his first possessions until 
he now has, in all, 273 acres of land. His 
father died in 1851. Mi'. Hornlierger was 
married, in 1837, to Annie Hiuxlman, a native 
of Lancaster County, who was a daughter of 
Theophilus Hiu'dman. The children of oiu' 
subject are Eliza, ]Mi-s. William Hullinger, 
of Perry Township; Caroline, Mrs. Joseph 
Collor. residing in De Kalb Co., Ind.; Elias 
died in 1875, leaving four children; Samuel 
resides on the home farm; Harriet is the wife 
of Hiram Overderf ; Lewis, at home; Annie, 
now he wife of Frank Umbenhour. of Massil- 
lon. Fanning has been the business that has 
occupied Mr. Hornberger's attention since his 
location in the county, and is successful; his 
home farm, situated on the southeast quiuier 
of Sec. '23. He is not a member of any sect 
or denomination, but is a Democrat in politics. 
JOSEPH HASSLEE, dec.>ased; was born 
July 10, 18H), in Franklin Co., Penn., a son 
•of Joseph, who was the S(m of Joseph, sup- 
posed to be a native of Germany. The mother 
of Joseph, our subject, was Mary Stump ; 
they had a family of six children Elizabeth, 
Polly, Reb(<cca, John, Joseph and DanitU. 
Josejih (third) came to this township from 
Franklin Co., Penn., in March, 1838, and, 
having been out two years j)n^viou8 to that 
time, (concluded to locate on the land now 
owned by Mrs. Hassler. He was mairied, 
April 25, 1838, to Charlotte Poonniin, born 
May 12, 1820, in Franklin Co., Penn., the 
ninth child Ixam to her parimts, Peter and 
Mary (Richards) Poorman. After his mar- 
riage, he located on land and lived in a log 
cabin four yeju-s: remained on this farm until 
his death, Miirch 27, 1875; was a member of 
the Reformed Church, and Elder of the same 
for thirty yeare. He was a man of great 
benevolence, giving freely to charitable causes; 
was an Old -Line ^^'hig, but latterly a zealous 
Republican. He had a family of twelve chil- 



dren, eleven of whom are living — Mary A., 
Mrs. Charles Finkler, in Massillon; Melissa 
R., Mrs. John Shilling, of this township; 
John P., of this townshij); Hadessa A., Mrs. 
Dallas Oberlin, this township; Lucinda, Mrs. 
William Beavers, this township; Eliza, dead; 
Rev. Anson L., minister at Pulaski, Williams 
Co. ; Alice O., wife of Calvin McDowell, this 
township; Ida C, wife of Rev. Silas Mase; 
Lottie E., Emma J. imd Cora B., at home. 
Mi-s. Hassler has 92 acres of laud, with ex- 
cellent buildings thereon; she is a member of 
the Reformi'd Church, as well as are all the 
family, except one, the youngest. There are 
over forty in the family, including sons-in- 
law and chihhvn, and doing well in life. 

JOHN P. HASSLER, fanner; P. O. Mas- 
sillon; was born on the homestead, in this 
township, April 3, 1844, the third child born 
to Joseph and Chai'lotte Poorman. He re- 
mained at home until 23 years of age, when 
he was joined in wedlock with Melissa Har- 
mon, which event was duly celebrated Mjirch 
7, 1867 ; she was born in this township, daugh- 
ter of John Harmon and Maria Brady, who 
were natives of Pennsylvania. To them were 
born eleven children; those who gi-ew up 
were Mai-y E., Louisa C, .tVmelia A., Rebecca 
J., Clara C, Melissa, John and Washington; 
the two last-mentioned served as soldiers in 
the Vfith O. V. I., John soning three years; 
Washington died on the battle-field. The [)ar- 
ents died in 1801, in October, and in 1853, 
respectively. They were meml)(>rs of the Re- 
formed Chm'ch. Since his marriage, hp has 
resided (m his fai'm, consisting of 75 acres on 
the northeast quarter of Sec. 28, which was 
formerly owned by his father-in-law; has one 
child, William J. 5Ii\ Hassler and wife are 
nier^bers of the Reformed Church. 

SYLVESTER HIGERD, carpenter. West 
Brooktield; was born in Perry Township Aug. 
4, 1841I; son of Samuel Higerd and Frances 
Roush. Samuel was born Sept. 13, 1N2*), in 
Cumberland Co., Penn.; son of Peter Higerd, 
whose father was a native of Holland. 
Frances Roush was a daughter of Frederick; 
she was l)orn July 11, 1827, in Lancaster Co., 
Penn., and came West, to Stark County, 
when she was young. Samm>l Higerd came 
to Ohio about the year 1831, locating in Perry 



KJ I — 



802 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHE.S: 



Township, in l(S4(t. where he has since resided. 
Of foiir chikken liorn to Samuel Higerd and 
wife. Sj'lvester is the only one living. Maxi- 
millia, his sister, lived to be grown, and mar- 
ried B. F. Schwier, and died in 1873. The 
mother of oiu- subject died in 1865; his fa- 
ther mari'ied the second time. Sylvester re- 
mained with his father until nearly his ma- 
jority. At the age of 15, he began work for 
Russell & Co.: his father, in the meantime, 
received the benefit of his wages; he remained 
in Russell's employ until ])ast his majority: 
he afterward worked nearly two yefU's in the 
Excelsior works; in 1872. he went to Brook- 
field, where he has since resided; for several 
years was engaged at the carpenter's trade. In 
1873, he married Saliina Gaddis, who was born 
Dee. 7, 1850, in this township, daughter of 
Thomas L. and Elizabeth (McVey) Gaddis, 
both natives of Pennsylvania. Mr Gaddis 
came to this township about the year 1 835. 
and for several years served as Justice of the 
Peace: he died in 18()2. and his wife is yet 
living. Mi: Higerd continued at the carpen- 

I ter's trade until 18S(I. but since that time has 
been engaged in rmming a butcher shop. 

I He vvas elected Township Clerk in 187U; is 

I Republican in polities, and a member of Sip- 
po Lodge, I. O. O. v.. No. 48: he has three 

! sons Floyd A.. Waldo L. and Cliflbrd E. 

J SAMUEL K RIDER. Justice of the Peace. 
Massillon; was Iwru Jan. 23, LSll. in Frank- 
lin Jo.. Penn. ; son of George and Fannie 
(Hoover) Krider: he was born March 24. 
178;): she Dec. 25. 1788: had nine children, 
seven sons and two daiighters. The gi-eat- 
grandfather of oiu' subject came from Ger- 
many, and the Hoovers from Switzerland. In 
18rJ, George, the grandfather of our subject, 
came out, with his son. George, and Sarah: 
the year following, the Maxheimer family 
came out. George settled on the farm now 
owned by Jolm Weffler; he died in 1873: he 
had seven sons and two daughtei-s — Samuel, 
Jeremiah, Benjamin, John, George, Abraham, 
Solomon, Sarah and Eliza, the latter, Mrs. A. 
J. Stohl: Sarah died in Pennsylvania: Sam- 
uel was raised on the fann. and left home at 
I'J: went to Pennsylvania, and learned the 
tailor's trade: returned in 1832, and voted for 
Gen. Jackson: Nov. 26. 1835, he was man-ied 



to Ann Augustine, born Jan. 9, 1819, in this 
tovraship, daughter of Andi-ew and Elizabeth 
(Slusser) Augustine. The Augustines were 
from Maryland, the Slussers fi-om Penusyl- 
vania. Three chikh'en have been born to him, 
two of whom are living- Benjamin, in White- 
ley Co., Ind., and Charles, at home. Mi\ 
Ki'ider has followed his trade, and has 25 
acres of land; was elected Justice of the 
Peace m 1804, and sen'ed fifteen years; was 
School Director for thirty yeai's: has also i'ej>- 
resented his county in the State Legislature 
three years: is a memlier of the Reformer! 
Church, and a Deacon in th(> same: is a Detu- 
oerat, sound and true. 

MRS. ROSANNA KERSTETTER, fanu 
ing: P.O. Massillcn: wasborn Feb. 21, 1821, in 
Wurtemberg, Germany: daughter of George 
and Christina ( Abla) Baur, who had a family 
of foiu' children — Catharine, Gotlieb, Rosanna 
and Frederica, the last named dying young. 
The Baur family emigrated to America about 
the year 1830, going, first, to New York 
State, where they lived six or seven years, 
and then moved to Canada, where they re- 
mained a short time, after which they came 
to Ohio, and settled in LawTenee Go. : aftei- a 
twenty years' residence there, they moved 
to Henry Co., where Mr. Baur died, in 
1868, his wife having died in 1831. In 
1846, Rosanna was man-itnl to Peter Kor- 
stetter, who was born Oct. 2( >, 1 794, in 
Center Co., Penn. Peter was twice married, 
first, to Anna Mary Young, who died, in 1845, 
leaving no issue. Mr. Kerstetter, the husband 
of Rosanna, located in the northeast part of 
Tuscarawas Township, on 115 acres of land 
he received from his father, afterward adding 
89 acres: was in the war of 1812: he died on 
his farm Feb. 17, 1860: by his last wife he 
had five childi-en Matilda C, at home; 
George W., died in infancy: Mary E.. Mi-s. 
Joseph Chapman, died in INTO: Peter B.. on 
the homestead: and David W. at home. Ho 
was a member of the Bajitist Church at the 
time of his death, but had formerly been a 
Lutheran. Mrs. Kerstetter is a Baptist, \mt 
the children belong to the United Brethren in 
Christ Church. Mr. Kerstetter had formerly 
been a Democrat, but latterly voted the Re- 
publican ticket. Matilda, w-ho was bom Oct. 



!£: 



T I ■.SCAR A WAS TOW^'tellU'. 



Mi 



3, 1846, married Mr. Hnrdgrove, and by him 
had one child. Ranals S.. horn April Ki, 1808. 
Mrs. Hardirrovo resides on the homestead with 
her mother. 

WILLIAM KITZMILLER, fiirmer; P. O. 
Massillon: was horn in Canton Township, .\ujir. 
14. 1818. the seventh of a family of t-eli chil 
dren. His piuvnt.s were Jacoh and Sarah 
(Kruggi Kitzmiller: he was boru iu Adams 
Co.. Penn.. about 1778, and was a son of M<ir- 
tin Kitzmiller, whose father emigrated fi-t)m 
Germany to Pennsylvania when that ctiuntry 
was new. To Martin Kitzmiller was horn 
Jacob, Maitin, John and one daughter. 
Jacob Kitzmiller came to Stark Coimty in the 
spring of 1814; he was a blacksmith by trade, 
which he had learned of his father; he set- 
tled alxiut one mile and a half southeast of 
C';inton, piu'chasing 16(1 acres: here he re 
mained until about tlie year 1880, when he 
moved to the edge of Canton (now included 
within the city limits): he died in 1846. a 
man highly respected: was a member of the 
Lutheran Church, and was sti'ong in the prin- 
ciples embraced by the Whig ))arty. Of the 
children born him were Maria, who married 
V. Buckius, and settled in Cimton Townshiji 
(now deceased): Matilda, of Cantcm; John 
settled in Lawrence Townshi]), and died in 
1881: Henry died in Newark. Ohio, in 1865: 
Rebecca is the wife of John Buckius, of Can- 
ton; Jacob is in Ciinton also: William, in 
Tuscarawas Town.shii): Sarah. Mrs. William 
Kelly, of Salem, Cohimliiana ('o. : I'-dward, in 
Pickaway, Miami Co., this State: Lucinda, 
now the wife of Jacob Booker, of Massillon. 
William remained with his father until 2'' 
years of age. March 12, 184(', he was mar- 
ried to Anna Shilling, who was bom in this 
township in 1821. daughter of .\daiii Shilling, 
who was born in Franklin Co.. I'eiin.. Feli. 1 1. 
1792. and came West in 1816. to Stark County, 
and settled in this township. After Mr. Kitz- 
miller was marri<>d, he lived two years on the 
homestead: then moved to Lawrenc<> Town- 
ship: lived elevt'U years; then I'etiu-ned to 
Canttm, where he lived until 18(15. when he 
came to this township: is a Re|'ublican. and 
a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. 

HENRY J. LONAS, fiumer: P. O. Na- 
viure: born March 4, 184(\ in Bethlehem 



Township, the second child of a family of 
thirteen chilibvn; his father. John W. Loua.s, 
was born in 1811, in Shenandoah Co.. Ya. ; 
he mari'ied L(<ah Huiitsb(>rger, wliosc; father, 
John Huntsl)erger, was a native of Yirginia 
but of (German descent. The father of our 
subject emigrat<'d West, to Ohio, locating in 
Stark County in the fall of 18H'J, purchasing 
scneral hundred acres of land in Bethlehem 
township, and remained a constant resident 
until his death, which occurred Aug. IS, 
IS71I, while on a visit to Htmtingtou, Ind. ; 
he was a man highly resjiected in the commu- 
nity; was for many yeiU's a member and elder 
in the (iermau Reformed Church: his wife 
survived him until May 2-5, 1S7(); of the chil- 
dren born them now living, are S;u'ah C., th(> 
wife of John H. Geseman: Henry J., iu Tus 
carawas Township; M;u\v J., miuried Jacob 
ICrberly, of Bethlehem Townshi)); Barbara R. 
A., wife of S. B. Leighley, also of Bethlehem; 
Webster and John in same townshi]): Sanuiel, 
in Perry: Julia Ann, now in Huntington Co., 
Ind., the wife of Josejih Adams; Sarah, now 
Mrs. John H. (xeseman, in Indiana. Henry 
J., remained at home until he was 2.') years of 
age; Feb. 28, bSC),"). maiTied Sarah (leseman, 
who was born iu LawTence Township, Dec. 
15. 1818, being the fourth of a family of sev- 
en childi-en, born to Samuel and Mjiry (Har- 
klerode) Lona,s; he was born in Franklin Co., 
Penn., in 181(1; she in same State in the year 
1818; were married m Pennsylvania, and 
came West, settling in Lawrence Township on 
a farm, remaining here until about 1855, when 
they moved t<i Bethlehem Township; since 
March. 1881. have resided in Huntington Co., 
Ind. The children born them are John, ^Nlary, 
Sarah, Jacob, M.u-garet, Rebecca and Sanjuel. 
all of whom reside in Indiana, except Mrs. 
Louiis and Mary, who reside in Bethlehem 
Township. Mr. Lonas moved on the f;irm he 
now owns iu 1865, hiiving init 1?25(1 when he 
came; afterward received !?2,7(MI from his 
father; then went in debt .?8,75(t: jifterward, 
$5,4()(t: has now 160 acres, all paid for and 
well im])roved, which he has been oflered 
SI U) per acre; coal has been found on his 
hmd, which has enhanced its value; he has 
two children — Laura .\. and Nettie J.; he is a 
member of the Reformed Chm-ch. 



;^ 



^. 



804 



BIOGHAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



JACOB LUTZ, farmer; P. O. Massillon; 
was bom Aug. 2i\ 1S17, in Lancaster Co., 
Penn., the oldest child of Christian Liitz, who 
married a Lohman, his mother dying when 
Jacob was but 4 weeks old. Om- subject was 
raised by his uncle, Mr. Foreman, who located 
in Perry Township when Jacob was 5 years 
old, and with whom he remained until the 
uncle died, in I8r)7. Jacob's father moved 
out several years afterward, and settled in 
this cormty, from where he removed to Craw- 
ford County, and finally, to Williams County, 
where he died, in 1S70. Jacob Lutz was 
married, to Polly Riggle, born in Lancaster 
Co., Penn., daughter of Martin Riggle, fi-om 
which Lmiou has resulted one child, Laiu-a, 
now Mrs. Adam Miller, of this township; he 
has 88 acres of excellent land, and is a Re- 
publican. 

WILLIAM MOFFITT, farmer; P. O. 
Massillon; was born March 12, 1815, in Mid- 
dletown, Washington Co., Penn., being the 
third of a family of six childi'en, born to his 
parents, Peter and Mary (Snee) Moffitt. The 
grandsire of William was born in England; 
his childi'en were Robert, William, Noah, 
Peter, Catharine and Mrs. Porter. Peter 
Moffitt was a native of County Donegal, Ire- 
land, born about the year 1781 ; his wife, Mary 
Snee, was a native of the same county as 
himself, but born ten years later; she was a 
daughter of William Snee, whose wife was 
killed in a storm; their childi'en were as fol- 
lows: Mary, Nancy, William, James and Sarah. 
Peter Moffitt emigrated to America about the 
year 1800, when a single man, landing in 
Baltimore; his brother, Noah, had preceded 
him several years. Peter was a chair-maker 
by ti'ade, which vocation he followed several 
years in Baltimore; then went to Pittsbiu'gh, 
Penn., where he was married, about the year 
1808, to Mary Snee, and subsequently removed 
to Washington Co., Penn; thence to Smith- 
field, Jefferson Co., in 1817, remaining al)out 
two years; then to New Philadeljihia, Tusca- 
rawas Co., Ohio, remaining two years; next, 
to Mt. Eaton, Wayne Co., in 1823, remaining 
until 1827; thence to Dalton, where he re- 
mained until his death, which event occuiTed 
in 1850. He and wife were members of the 
Methodist Ejjiscopal Church, the latter having 



been fifty- eight years a member. William's 
father being poor, was unable to give his son 
anything but his blessing and his good will; 
leaving home at 12, he went to live with his 
imcle, with whom he lived until 17 years of age; 
then leaving, apprenticed himself to learn the 
shoemaker's trade, which he followed some 
time; afterward sold goods; in 1889, married 
Luciuda, born in this township, Feb. 26, 
18U), on Sec. 23, only daughter of Nathan 
Eldi'idge and Elizabeth Thacker, both being 
natives of Essex Co., N. Y., and came West, 
in 1811, locating in tliis township; in 1828, 
moved to Dalton, and kept store until 1843; 
then located on northwest quarter of Sec. 23, 
now owned by Mr. Moffitt, who came here with 
his father-in-law, and has been a constant 
resident. Mr. Eldridge died in Febmary, 
1851; his wife, Sept. 18, 1864. Elizabeth 
Thacker was born in 1795; she was a daugh- 
ter of Stephen, of Esses Co., N. Y. The 
Thacker family located in Brookfield, this 
township, in 1815. To Peter Moffitt and wife 
were born eight chikh'en, all of whom grew 
to man and womanhood, who were Cathai'ine, 
who was the wife of Rufus Hardy, of Massil- 
lon ; also Valentine, who served as Captain in 
Company E, 120th O. V. I.; was a prisoner 
several months in Texas; he had also foui- 
sons who sei'ved all through the rebellion, and 
came home unscathed. William died Octo- 
ber, 1868. Next in order comes William, 
then Noah, Benjamin, Wesley, and James, 
who died in the service of his country; Noah 
settled in Dalton ; Benjamin in Richland 
County; Wesley in Michigan, Genesee Co.; 
the last of the family was Ann Eliza, who 
man-ied John Fletcher. Mr. AVilliam Moffitt 
has had three children born him; but two ai-e 
living; Elizabeth, Mrs. James Fletcher, of 
Dalton; Nathan, now on the farm; he was a 
member of Company I, 76th O. V. I. ; was 
wounded at the battle of Ai-kimsas Bluff, and 
was discharged on account of disability; Mary 
died at the age of 20; Mr. Moffitt is a mem- 
ber of the Methodist Episcopal Church, he 
and wife, and Nathan; daughter and husband 
of the Presbyterian. 

SAMUEL MILLER, farmer; P. O. Mas- 
sillon; was born Oct. 15, 1828, in this town- 
ship, the youngest of nine children, born to 



rrscvKAWAs township. 



805 



Frederick and Rebecca (Dewalt-Hess) Miller; 
he was lx)rn in Center Co., Penn., coming 
West, locating in this ttjwnshij), and purchas- 
ing !()() acros of land, npon which he remained 
until he died, which event occurred in Novem- 
ber, 1857; that of his wife in October, 18f57. 
Stunuel, our subject, remained at home 
until 21 years of age. Oct. 24, 1849, he was 
married to Nancy Kurtz, bom in Lawi-ence 
Townslii]! Aj)ril '11, 183l', daughter of Adam 
and E(>b('cca (Steele) Kurtz. After the mar- 
riage of Samuel, he moved on land his father 
gave him, iipon which he lived until 187(5, 
then moved to where he now lives. He had 
four children — Absalom, Amanda, wife of 
Theodore Princehom, Adam S., Itebecca, Mi-s, 
Pester Kerstetter. Mr. Miller has 325 acres, 
besides (U) acres of coal land. For several 
years he labored industriously and persist- 
ently, and was linally rewarded by the devel- 
opment of a mine that pays him a hpa^'y roy- 
alty, reachi ng as high as ^5,( )( H ) quarterly. In 
liSt)4, he enlisted in Ci)mj)any E, 178th O. V. 
I., and served until the close of the war. 
Himself and wife are members of the Lutheran 
Church, as were also his motlier and father. 
He has always voted the Republican ticket 

JOHN McMILLEN, farmer; P O. East 
Greenville; was born Nov. 14, 1817, in Jeflfer- 
Bon County, near Richmond, the eighth child 
of John P. and Catharine (Moore) McMillen, 
he bom in Westmoreland Co., Penn., in 1775, 
son of John, a native of Ireland, she in Mer- 
cer Co., Penn., daugliter of John Moore, also 
a native of the Emerald Isle. John P., the 
father of oiu* subject, came to Ohio when he 
was 2() years of age (ISOI), and located in 
this (!ounty, buying 2(10 acres of laud, which 
he afterward traded for mill property, ;md 
then sold out and bought \W acres of land 
in this township, in 1829. When he came 
here there was but little improvement, but he 
s(>ttled and remained upon the land until 
184(5, when he moved to Fredericksburg, 
Wayne Co., where ho lived until his death, 
which occtuTed Jan. 20, 1851. He was an 
active member of the Prtisl)yterian Church 
from his 2(5th year; was a Whig, and raised 
the first barn in the township, without whisky; 
his wife died July 13, 18(57; they had live 
children, foiu- of whom grew to maturity- 



Mary maiTied Jacob Mandeville, in Morrow 
County; Alexander died in Lebanon. May 4, 
1875; was a physician; John, our subject, on 
the homestead; James, in Akron. Our sub- 
ject remained with his parents and farmed, 
since 1S45. Sept. 9, 1845, he was married to 
Rebecca Kraj^pensberger, born in Tuscarawas 
County Jan. 1, 1825, daughter of William 
and Nancy (Beals) Kraiipensberger; he from 
Westmoreland Co., Penn., and she from York 
Co., Penn. Mr. McMilleu has been continu- 
ously on the farm since he hiis been here; he 
has four children — Warner P., physician, 
Fort Wayne, Ind. ; DeWitt H., physician. 
West Lebanon, Wayne Co. ; Hadassah, Mrs. 
M. F. Brown, a widow; Nancy E., a school- 
teacher. Mr. McMillen has 1(50 acres of laud; 
has been a member of the Methodist E])isco- 
pal Church since 1859; also Steward of this 
church; was first a Whig; at present a Re- 
publican; never missed but one election. 

WILLIAM MAXHIMER, farmer: P. O. 
Pigeon Run. Among the prominent farmers 
and early residents of the township, is Mr. 
Maxhimer, who was born Aug. 2(5, 1818, in 
Franklin Co., Penn., the eldest of a family of 
eight children, five of whom grew to maturity 
— William, Eliza, Amanda, John and ben- 
jamin, the result of the union of Christian 
and Nancy (Krider) Maxhimer. Christian 
was born in 179(5, Oct. H\ in Franklin Co., 
Penn., and was a son of William, who had a 
family of six children John, Christian, 
Jacob, Elizabeth, Mary and Catharine. Nancy 
was bom in March, 179(3, in Franklin Co., 
Penn., daughter of George Krider, a native 
of Virginia. William, our subject, came We.st, 
with his parents, when he was 2 years (jld 
(1820), and located in this township, living 
in a stable until better quarters could be ob- 
tained; they located on Sec. 27, piu'cbasing 
100 acres of unim])roved land, and with no 
roads leading lo it; he remained on this farm 
(51 vear.s, removing to Orrville, Wayne Co., in 
the spring of 1881 ; his wife died in 1870; he 
has been a member of the United Brethren in 
Christ (!!hurch for forty years; was an ardent 
Whig, but is now a stanch Republican. Our 
sul)ject has always remained at home; in 
April, 1844, he married Elizabeth Colo, liorn 
in Jefferson Co., Ohio, in 182(5, daughter of 



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806 



BIOfiKAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



Joshua ami Oaroliue (Armstrong) Cole, he 
horn in cast i)art of that State, in 1800. she 
in Pennsylvania. Mr. Maxhimer has had 
live ehiklren born to him, foni- of whom are 
still living — Cecelia. Mrs. Nathan Moffitt; 
Clariuda. Mrs. Leonard Slusser: Franklin F., 
of Wayne County, and Sheridan. Mr. Max- 
himer has served as To^\Tishij) Trustee sev- 
eral years, and as Clerk one year: has 90 
acres of laud with excellent improvements: is 
a Republican. 

REV. S. MASE, minister. Massillon: was 
bom in 1848, in Tuscarawas Townshij). the 
second of the children of John and Mary 
(Crider) Mase; born Dec. 24, 18'20: he was 
bom March 9, 1822, in Bethlehem Township, 
this county, son of William Mase, a native of 
Pennsylvania. Mary was a daui;;hter of Mar- 
tin. To John and Mary were born three chil- 
dren — John, Jr., in Hardin Count}': Rev. S., 
Rosanna E., Mrs. Georf^e Caylor, this town- 
ship. Rev. S. left home at the age of 24, 
when he started first t o Mt. Union College, 
afterward going to Heidelberg, where he com- 
2)leted his course; in 1878, he took chai'ge of 
four congregations — New Jemsalem and St. 
Johns, this township; St. James, in Sugar 
Creek Township, and Christ's, this township: 
has charge since; he was miUTied, in August, 
1880, to Ida C. Hassler, born on the home- 
stead in 1857, daughter of -Joseph and Char- 
lotte Hassler. Mr. Mase, being raised within 
the field of his present operations, has jiroven 
the old saw, that " a prc^phet is not withoixt 
honor save in his own country," to be incor- 
rect in his case, for he is tilling acceptably 
and giving njany evidences of fruitfulness in 
his work, right in the midst of those who have 
known him fi'om his ci-adle. 

JOHN McINTOSH, fm-mer; P. O. Navarre; 
is a native of Perry Township: bom Aug. 10, 
1825, being the foiu'th of the family, and the 
eldest son of John Mcintosh and Elizabeth 
Donot. John Mcintosh was born in Ireland; 
came to Perry Township about the year 1820; 
he died about the year 1828; his wife mar- 
ried Ludwick Yoimg, and the children were 
put out. Our subject lived some time with 
Mr. Donot, his relative: afterward with Mr. 
Bixler; he learned the plasterer's trade, 
which vocation he followed for thirty years; 



Oct. 23, 1849, was married to Anna Bixler, 
who was bom Feb. 15, 1881, in Perry Town- 
ship, (laughter of Samuel and Elizabeth 
(Mock) Bixler, both natives of Pennsylvania. 
Mr. Bixler was among the early settlers; he 
assisted building the Ohio Canal. The first 
land Mr. Mcintosh purchased was 25 acres in 
Bethlehem Township, afterward adding to 
the same: came to this township in 18<56, pur- 
chasing 95 acres at $75 per acre, of Mr. Cres- 
inger. Ten children were born, eight living 
— Ahnira, wife of John Whitmore: Frances, 
wife of Mr. Miller, in Sugar Creek Township; 
Samuel, Amanda, Sarah, John S. (telegraph 
operator), Milton J. and Clara A. Those who 
died were Franklin, when a lialie, and Peter, 
who was nearly 18 years of age at the time of 
his death. Ml". Mcintosh has now 168 acres 
of land, which is located in the southeast 
quai-ter of See. 86; is a member (jf the Re- 
formed Church. Mr. Bixler, father of Mrs. 
Mcintosh: resides in Bethlehem Township, 
and is now 86 years of age. 

DAVID MILLER, farmer; P. O. West 
Brooktield: was liorn in Center Co.. Penn., 
Aug. 22, 1815, the fourth child born to Fred- 
erick Miller. David came West, with his 
parents, when 8 years of age, and settled in 
this township. David stayed at home until 
21 years of age, and at 22 married Sarah 
Oberlin. born in this township July 22, 1818, 
daughter of John Ob--rlin, and sister of C. N. 
Oberlin, of Massillon. After maiTiage, they 
moved to this place, where thej' have since 
resided. He began fanning for others on the 
"shares," but now owns 114 acres of good 
land; he has eleven children- Frederick, at 
home; John, this township: Rebecca, Mrs. 
John Packard, this township: Catharine, Mrs. 
Jacob Myers, this townshiji; Amelia, Mrs. 
George Kendrick, in Crawford Co., 111. ; Israel, 
same county; Caroline, Mi's. John Asleman, 
in Kansas: Alice, Mrs. David Mattey, -Jeffer- 
son: David, at home: Sai'ah, at home. Mr. 
Miller sent three sons to the war, all of whom 
came safely home: he and wife are members 
of the German Refcn'med Church. 

JACOB NEWSTETTER, farmer; P. O. 
Massillon: was born Ai)ril 9, 1880, in this 
township, on Sec. 12: son of Heniy and 
Susan (Voris) Newstetter. Jacob remained 



TUSCARAWAS TOWNSHIP. 



807 



under the parental roof until 23 years of aj^e; 
in June, 1853, he was married to Amanda 
Km-tz, who was born Feb. IS, 1840, in Law- 
rence Townshi]). daughter of Adam Kiuiz and 
Rebecca Steeh': in the fall of ]Sr)4, he moved 
to Lawrence Township, where he lived nine 
years on the Kurtz farm; returned to this 
townshi]) in the fall of 1865, locatinij on the 
Grattz fann, situated on the northeast c(u;ir- 
ter of Sec. 21. where lie has since lived; has 
121 acres; has had tkree diildren born him, 
two living — David F.. married, and resides 
in Greenville: Mcnetty. at home. Tlie New- 
stetter family ai'e all loyal Eepublicans from 
the ancestors down to the last gi'Ut^ration. 

W. DALLAS OBERLLN. fann.>r; P. O. 
Dalton: is a son of Peter Olierlin. wlio was 
born in this to^vnship. on Sec. Ill, Jan. 2'J, 
1820, and raised in this to\vnship. He mar- 
ried Lydia Lichty. who was born in Pennsyl- 
vania, a daughter of John aud Maiy (SchlootI 
Lichty. wlio raised fotu- children —Abram L., 
Susau. M.-irtha and Lydia. Susan married 
John Cully, of Sugar Creek Tp., Wayne Co.. 
Ohio; Mai-tha, wife of Jacob Slaymau, and 
resides in (,'arroll Co.. 111.; Abram L. resides 
in the same county and State. The Lichty 
family came West, to Ohio, about the year 
1825. Peter Oberlin removed to Wood 
Coiuity, this State, about ISUi, where he re- 
mained sevei-al years; then located, several 
years, in Sugar Creek T]i.. Wayne Co.; finally 
located permanently in this township, on the 
northwest (pim'ter of Sec. 2S. in this tt)\\niship, 
where he remained until his death, which oc- 
curred in Febnuuy, 1872; he was a member 
of the Reformed Church, and Elder in the 
same for several ye:u-s, and was an active worker 
in the Simday-school cause; was Superintend- 
dent; his wife yet survives him, and remains 
on the homestead, in this township. They 
had five children- Simiantha. W. Dallas, 
Otilia, wife of Peter Poorman. in Sugar Creek 
Township, tliis county, Joseph and Ira J. 
AV. Dallas was born in Wood (bounty, this 
State; received llic advantages of the common 
schools and the high .school, at Smithville 
aud Lexington: at the age of 19, he began 
teaching, and has taught twelve terms and is 
a successful t<'acher. June, 18GU. he mai-ried 
Hadassah Hassler, who was born in this town- 



ship, daughter of Josejih Hassler; has one 
child — Anson Leroy; is a member of the 
Refonned Church, and a Democrat; has aban- 
doned teaching, and is giving his time entire- 
Iv to farming. 

■ AVILLLVM E. OBERLIN, Massillon; was 
born in Tuscarawas Township, Mai'ch '.), 1822, 
the sixth son in order of birth, bom to Peter 
and Susanna (Cramer) Oberlin. Oiu' suljji'ct 
was raised to farming, attending the district 
schools, aud tinishing his education in the 
academy, at Wooster; for some time taught 
school and clerked for variotis thins, after 
which he went to Wooster to school, and tliere 
resumed teaching, having taught, all told, 
sixteen terms. In October, 1852, he married 
Susan Dague, born in Lancaster Co.. Penn., 
in 1832. daughter of Jacob and Maria (Over- 
ley) Dague. The Dague family came to 
Waj-ne County in 1837. .\fter the man-iage 
of our subject, he purcliased a ^mall pifce of 
land, cm which he lived five years, when he 
sold it aud moved to his ()resent i)hice, of 70 
acres, known as "Stand's Fai-m." having in 
all about 140 acres; he has fom- children — 
Otto E., .41bert B.. Charles 1). and Jennie M. 
Mr. Oberlin was elected Township Assessor 
about 1854. aud served thi'ee terms; served 
also as Ju.-^tice of the Peace from 1857. and 
was re-elected in 1881 : also as Township 
Treasiu-er nineteen years; has administnited 
on several estates, and been giuu'diau for ten 
persons; he has always b(>eu a Democrat, and 
is a member of the Reform«>d Chmch. 

JOSEPH OBERLIX, farmer; P. O. West 
Brooktield; was born July 5, 182(5, on Sec. 19, 
Tuscarawas Tj>., Stark Co., Ohio. He is the 
seventh son born to Peter Oberlin, who was a 
son of Adam and Eve Oberlin. who won* 
among the (>arly ]uoneers of TusciU'awas 
Towushiji. Jos(>ph was raised to man's estate 
under the jiarent^l roof, having received good 
school advant<iges. he imjiroved the sjuue, by 
teaching th(^ young ideas of tlie neigliborhood 
for several years. In February, 1S53, he 
caught the gold fever aud spent foiu- years 
and a half in California, where he was mostly 
engaged in mining, rettu-niug to Stark County 
in 1857. Dec. 2(», 18(i0, he mai-ried Miu-y 
Clmstman, born July 3(\ 1S3S. in this town- 
ship, daughter of John Christmau. whose 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



wife's maideu name was Margaret Fisher. 
John Christman was horn Feb. 17, ISll, in 
Mt. Pleasant Tji.. Westmoreland Co.. Penn., 
son of Jacob, who had seven childi-en born 
him. John being the eldest. Jolm Christman 
was married May Ifi. ISHH, to Margaret 
Fisher, who was born in IS 11. in Westmore- 
land Coimty. Mr. Christman emigrated to 
this State in ISSa. and purchased 1(50 acres 
in Tuscarawas Township, upon which he has 
since lived Mrs. Oberlin died Jixne 9. 1'S7y. 
leaving four children — Ai'thur C. Anna M., 
Inez R. and Mary L. After Mr. Oberlin's 
marriage he moved on the homestead, where 
he lived several years. He has now 1(H) acres 
on See. 19. Since 18(59, he has resided with 
his father-in-law, Mr. Christman. Mr. Ober- 
lin is a member of the Gennan Reformed 
Chnrch. 

JOHN POORMAN, farmer; P. O. Massillon; 
was bom Feb. 7, 1S25, near Chambersbm-g, 
Franklin Co.. Penn., the youngest of a family 
of ten chikh-en. His parents were Peter and 
Mary (Richard) Poormau. Our subject came 
to this township with his parents in the fall 
of ] 828. his father purchasing 320 acres of 
land located on Sec. 28. for which he paid $8 
per acre. The farm was then in a wild con- 
dition, a large portion of which he made pro- 
ductive, remaining on thi» same until FebiTi- 
ar^, 1842; his wife sin-vived him just twenty 
years. Of nine childi'en left at their decease, 
were Rachel, wife of Jacob Hiunberger. of 
Massillon; Leah. Mi's. Jacob Culler: ('har- 
lotte, Mrs. Joseph Hassler and John of this 
townshij): David, in Defiance Coimty: Mary. 
now Mrs. Joshua Kilgore. of Noble Co., Ind. ; 
Susanna, wife of Jacob Stair, of Elkhart Co., 
Ind.: Barbai'a married George Feighner, of 
Macomb Co.. Mich.: Peter, in Effingham Co., 
111. Our subject was raised on the farm he 
now lives upon. In November. 1844. he was 
married to Caroline Kelker, who was born in 
1824, in Franklin County, daughter of Jacob 
and Elizabeth (Schertzer) Kelker, who came 
West to Ohio about the year 1835. locating 
in Richland County, wlierc they resided 
about two years, then moved to Springfield, 
and subsequently to this township where they 
died. Mi-s. Poorman died in August, 1871, 
leaving seven childi-en — Jacob L., Martha, 



Peter L., William H.. Franklin F., Charles E. 
and Clara F. : Elizabeth, deceased; Jacob now 
resides in Reno Co.. Kan.; Peter L., in Sugar 
Creek Township: the others are residents of 
this township. May 25, 1875, he married 
Mrs. Naomi A. Augstadt, who was born in 
this township, A]n-i\ 10, 1839, daughter of 
Samuel and Anna (Birchfield) Sliisser. Mrs. 
Poorman was first married to Ben F. Max- 
heimer, and by him had three children. Sam- 
uel Slusser was born in 1810 in this township; 
said to lie the first. He was a son of Peter 
Slusser and died Jan. 2Ci, 1803. Mr. Poor- 
man has 110 acres of land. He is a member 
of the Lutheran Chiu'ch, of which his father 
was one of the founders. He has always been 
a Repulilican; has served twelve years as 
Township Trustee, and Clerk five. In 1873, 
he was elected County Commissioner and 
served six years. 

GEORGE RALSTON, fai-mer; P. O. West 
Brookfield; was born in Lebanon, Lebanon Co., 
Penn., Dec. 24. 182(), the fifth child born to 
William and Jane (Roach) Ralston. William 
being born near Marietta, Penn.. son of 
Josejih, who was a native of England. Jane 
Roach was a daughter of John, a native of 
Germany, who came to Pennsylvania when 
young, locating in Lancaster County. Joseph 
Ralston had six chikh'en — Rebecca, HaiTiet, 
Eliza, William, Joseph and David. John 
Roach had a family of two children by first 
wife — James and Maria. Our subject came 
West when he was but 8 years of age with his 
parents, who located in this township, liuying 
53 acres, where he lived foiu' years: then 
moved to West Brookfield in 1839, stayed one 
yeai', and the following settled on the farm 
now owned by George. Our subject was mar- 
ried Oct. 24, 1850. to Margaret M. Cook, born 
in Canada in 1827, daughter of John S. Cook. 
Since Mr. R. was married he has remained on 
the farm. Fe has eight childi'en — Leander 
D, at home: Frances M., Mrs. B. Reinoehl, 
of this township; Budd, on the A. & G. W. 
R. R. ; Allen, in Brookfield; Wilbiu-. at home; 
Clara, Ella and Mary. Since Mi-. R. has 
owned the farm, he has helped cleai' about (>0 
acres. He has now 81 acres. Father is a 
Democrat, boys all Re})ublicans. Heniy, 
William and George all served in the late 



-^ 



TISCARAVVAS TOWN.SHIP. 



809 



w;ir. He is a member of Clinton Lodge No. 
47, A., F. & A. JL, of the I. O. (). F., Sii)i)o 
Lodge, No. 48, and of Em'eka Encampment. 
Mi\ R. has served as a meml)er of the 15o;u-d 
of Education. His father was a Freemason, 
and a member of the Presbyterian Clim-ch; 
his wife of the German Reformed. John M. 
Cook, the father of the wife of our subject, 
was born Feb. 1, 1802; his wife, July 2, ISOl; 
he died April 26, 1S67; she, March"22. 1.S52. 
They had six daughtere and one son. 

ADAM RODOCKER. farmer; P. O. Massil- 
lon; was born on Sec. 82, northeast cjuarter, Tus- 
carawas Township, May 81, 1821, the young- 
i>st of a family of eight children. His parents 
were Frederick antl Margaret (Oberlin) Ro- 
docker. The gi-andsire of Adam was Freder- 
ick Rodocker, who came from (iermany to 
Pennsylvania when three years of age, his 
father being one of the pioncH-rs in Cumber- 
land Co., Penn. Frederick Sr., mairied a 
lady by the name of .Sauers, and by her had 
seven childi'en, viz.: — Hem-y, Philip, .John, 
Frederick, Samuel George and H(>nry 2d; 
Frederick, Jr., was the father of Anna, Mary, 
Samuel, Rebecca, Sai'ah, John. Lydia and 
Adam. Margaret was the daughter of .\dam 
and Ev(> Oberlin. whose miuriage was blessed 
by the births of the following: Catharine, 
Barbara, Fredoi'ick, Margaret, Peter, Eve, 
John and Elizabeth. Frederick, Jr., tlie 
father of .\dam, (-migrated to Ohio in 1804, 
making his first settlement in New Lisbon, 
Ciiluiubiana Co., where hi; lived two years, 
then locat(>d in Stark County, ueju- Canton, 
in 1 80(), where he entered a quarter section, 
remaining on the same ten yi'^irs. His next 
remove was to the farm now owned by Adam, 
in the spring of 18 Hi: ime small cabin was 
on the plac<>: the "' u|)-stairs" was reached by 
a ladder |>laeed outside; three acres only were 
cleare<l. Here this pioneer couple spent the 
remainder of their davs, both dving of flux in 
18411; his death was" Sept. 24"; that of his 
wife three days later. They were pioneer 
members of the Lutheran Church in this 
t<nvnship. ,\dam has remained continuously 
on the homestead. Was man-ied in 1843 t<) 
Cathiirine, born 182fi in Lancaster Co., Penn., 
daughter of George and Elizabeth (Stoner) 
Ziirtman, who came West in 1837. Mrs. 



Rodocker died .su<ldenly at her own gateway. 
March 28, 1881; foiuieen children were bom 
them, ten living, viz.: Angelina, Mrs. Theo. 
Culler: Isaiah, in Wayne Co., Ohio; Samuel 
and Henry, in Deliiince County; Melissa. Mi-s. 
Jackson Reese, of WajTie County; William, 
Melinda, Peter 1'., Fernando and Clement, at 
home. Josiah (now d(H;eased) was a soldier 
tlu'ee yeai's in the 18th O. V. I. Isaac, Cla- 
rissa and Franklin died young. Mi'. Rodocker 
has 280 acres and is a successful farmer. 

SOLOMON REINOEHL, farmer; P. O. East 
Brookfield; was born Sept. 28, 1812, in Lel)- 
anon Co., Peim., the eldest child born to 
Henry and Catharine (Langle) Reinoehl. 
Solomon early in life learned the blacksmith's 
trade with his father. Om- subject came 
West to Ohio in the fall of 188(), when a sin- 
gle man, and hired out as journeyman at 
iJnxjkfield, working several years as such. At 
the age of 2.") he was married to Eliza Kreil- 
ing, who was l)oni in Lehigh (,'o.. Perm., 
daughter of Ginjrge Ki'eiling, who came to 
Wayne Coimty in 1834, and live years later 
located in Tuscarawas Townshi]), this cotmty. 
After marriage, Mr. Reiiux'hl set up in busi 
ness for himself, at Brooklield, having at the 
time but $200, which he hail saved fi-om his 
<'arnings- he continued in business at that 
place about twenty years and then moved to 
the farm he now owns, which he had pm-- 
chased of his father-in-law (IVIi-. Ivi-eiling) 
situ.ited on Sec. 14, southeast (juarter, con- 
taining 100 acres, where he has sinire resided. 
Of the children liorn him six are living 
John, living with his father; Robiscm, resid- 
ing at Brookfield, this townshii>; Frank, now 
a law student with R. H. Folger, of Massil 
Ion; Charles, at home; Catharine, an invalid; 
Sarah, residing in Greene Co., Ohio, the wife 
of Amos Huernel. Mi'. Reinoehl sent three 
sons to battle for his country Hiram, George 
and John. Hiram and John were members of 
the 1 04th O. V. I., Co. E. George was a mem 
ber of Co. I, 44th O. ^". I., and sen-ed three 
years and was woundtnl at Franklin, Tenn., 
by a shai'j)- shooter, after his time had ex[)ired, 
and died from the effects of the woiuid. 
Hiram died in 1871. John lost the sight of 
one of his eyes while in service fi'om the flash 
of a gixn. Ml". Reinoehl is now comfortably 



'7^ 



^! 



810 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



situated in life, having a good home and a 
sufficient competence. He is a member of the 
Lutheran Chiu-ch. 

WILLIAM STANSBURY. farmer: P. O. 
Pigeon Rim. Prominent among the early arriv- 
als of Tusciirawas Township is the Stansbiu'g 
family, who came to Ohio, locating in Jeffer- 
son County in 1810, being among the pioneers 
of that locality. Our subject was born April 
2(1. hS()7, in Baltimore Co., Maryland, son of 
Elijah Stansbury, whose father William, was 
one of the earliest settlers of Baltimore, and 
was a soldier in the war of the Revolution. 
He raised a family of four sous who were 
— Abraham. William, Jacob and Elijah: 
the latter married Elizabeth, daughter of 
Jacob Eak, a native of Switzerland, who raised 
a family consisting of Martin. Jacob, John 
and Elizabeth, who was the mother of Will- 
iam Stansbury. The Stansburj- family trace 
their ancestry to England. Several mem- 
bers of the family were prominent among 
tlie men of their time, having held positions 
of trust in military and civil life. Elijah 
Stansbury came to this township in ISll, and 
entered IfiH acres of land in Sec. 35: also the 
same number of acres in Canton Towushi];. 
Ho died in ISK'), leaving live children, thi-ee 
sons and two daughters —Dorcas. Tiee. Wash- 
ington, William and Julia Ann. The family 
were kejat together by the mother who did as 
well by them as her slender means aiforded. 
She died at the advanced age of 95. Her 
husband was a man possessing abilities above 
the average of men of his time — not only a 
man of education and refinement but an excel- 
lent financier. William was raised by his 
mother, and early in life learned the chair- 
miiker's trade as well as the painter's art; he 
painted the first hoiise in Richmond. Jefferson 
Co., Ohio. May 10. 1828, he married Eliza- 
beth Armstrong, who was born Aug. 5, 1811. 
in Lancaster Co., Penn. : her ])arents were John 
and Elizabeth ( McKinley ) Annstrong, the 
latter being of li-ish extraction. The Arm- 
strong family came West to Jefi'erson County 
in 1814. Caroline, Jose])h, Elizabeth. Mary 
A.. Thomas. Susan. Benjamin and Martha 
were the childi-en born to John and Elizabeth 
Ai-u>strong. Immediately after the marriage of 
o\ii subject, he came to tliis township, locating 



on the farm he now owns, and has since been 
a constant resident of the township. Eleven - 
children — John, Josiah, Joshua, Haft, Tice, 
Alsina. Joseph, Mahala and Alisalom were 
the number who grew up. Elizaljeth and 
Thomas died young. John, Joshua and Haft 
in Indiana, the others in this towushi[). 
Tice, in Massillon, marble cutter; Alsina, also 
in the city, and the wife of Reuben Bireh- 
tield; Mahala, now of Canal Fulton, being 
the wife of Daniel Wilhelm: .\bsalom in same 
place; Joseph resides in this township. Mr. 
Stansbury has 124 acres of land. Is a 
stanch Republican, and has always taken a 
lively interest in the aflaii's of his county, as 
well as the cause of education. Has been a 
member of the Methodist Ejnscopal Church 
for forty-five years, officiating the greater part 
of the time as Steward. 

CHRISTIAN SNAVELY. fanner; P. O. Pig- 
eon Run: was bcrn Sept. 18, 1823, in Himting- 
don (now Blair) Co., Penn.. son of Daniel, who 
was born 1793. in Himtingdon Co., Penn., of 
Swiss parentage. To him were born — David, 
Jacob, John, George, Chi-istian, Daniel, Esther 
and Susan. Daniel Snavely married Susaima 
Rhodes, whose father was a large mill owner 
in Huntingdon Co., Penn. To Daniel Snavely 
and wife were l)orn nine children, Sarah, the 
wife of Josiah Oberlin, who resides in Rich- 
land County; Chi-istian, Elizabeth, now de- 
ceased, who married Augustus Crossland; 
Susan, Mrs. Isaac Brinker, settled in Bethle- 
hem Township; Nancy, Mrs. Roupe, of Indi- 
ana; Adaline, married Jeremiah (ialla; David, 
in Indiana; Rachael (deceased), maiTied Mr. 
Cams. Of the above, five are living. Daniel 
Snavely was a miller by trade, also a manu- 
factm-er of gi-ain cradles, which business ho 
followed the gi'eater part of his life. He 
emigxated to Ohio in 1831, locating first near 
Canton, where he remained until about the 
yccU' 1836, when he located in Tuscarawas 
Township, pm'chasing 75 acres of land in Sec. 
34, costing $15 per acre, where he remained 
until 1809, the year of his death. He was an 
unpretentious and unassuming man, a worthy 
citizen and Christian worker, being a member 
of the United Brethren Chiu-ch. Our subject 
leai'ued the cradle business of his father with 
whom he worked, and has since condiicted the 



^ 



tiL 



TUSCAUAWAS TOWNSHIP. 



business. His sous havo also been instructed 
in the same. Mr. Snavely has always 
remained on the homestead. He vf;is married 
Jan. 1, 1851, to Kosana iVrmstrong, who was 
born in Jefferson County, 182S, daughter of 
John and Elizabeth (McKinley) Armstrong, 
Mrs. Snavely being the youngest of the girls. 
Seven children have been born them- Susanna 
E.,miirried A. Bughman, of Elkhart Co., Ind.; 
Benjamin F., (Jeorge R., Isaac, Daniel, Charles 
and Nellie (t., all of this town.ship. ]\L-. 
Snavely and wife are membei-s of the United 
Brethren Church. Has 2H"2 acres, which he 
carries on in connection with his cradle man- 
ufacture. 

REUBEN SNYDER, fai-mer; 1'. O., Na 
I varre; born in Northumberland Co., Pa., May 
2, 1819, son of Daniel Snyder and Susanna 
Shroy<>r. both natives of Pennsylvania; he 
was a son of Abraham, a native of Lancaster 
County. The father of Susanna was John 
Shi'oyer, who was likewise a Pennsylvanian. 
Daniel Snyder wiis a soldier in the war of 
1812, and eiuigi"ited to this county in 1880, 
locating in Bethlehem Township where he 
purchased 1(50 acres of land, remaining on the 
same as long as he lived; his death occuiTed 
in 1879; his wife "passed over" the year fol- 
lowing. Eleven children were bom to them, 
four living — Ruben, Catharine, now the wife 
of Thomas Shrefler, of Bethlehem; Priscilla, 
mjirried Josejih Snively. who resides on the 
old homestead; John, in Peny Township. 
Daniel Snyder was a life-long Democrat, an 
upright man and for many years a member of 
the Lutheran Church. Ruijen remained with 
his father until he was 20 years of age. In 
1854, he married Eliza Shriflor, who was a 
native of Dauphin Co., Penn., bom 182(3, 
daughter of Conrad and Catharin*? (Bordner) 
Shrifler. both natives of Dau])hin County. 
Mr. Shrifler served in the 1812 war. After 
Mr. Snyder married he began fanning on his 
own account. For several yeai-s he worked 
out by the month and laViored hard to secure 
means with which to enable him to [)urcha8e 
a home of his own; Ijy diligence and economy, 
he at length succeeded, making his lii'st piu-- 
chase in Bethlehem Township of 100 acres. 
Since 1871 has residetl in Tuscarawas Town- 
ship; farm situated in the extreme southeast 



corner of the U)wnship. Has divided out his 
land among his children, reserving 80 acres 
where ho now lives; also (50 acres in Sugar 
Creek Township. Of six childi-en born him 
live are living, viz.: .Vdaline, now Mrs. O. F. 
Johnson, of 13ethlehem; Daniel, s;mie town- 
ship; Finloy, in Pen-y; Alice, JL-s. J. C. Kel- 
l(<r, of Sugar Creek Tp. ; Ohio, at home; John 
died when 17 years old. Mr. Snyder is a 
member of the Lutheran Chm'ch. 

JACOB STONER,famier; P.O. Pigeon Run; 
Is one of the substantial representatives of 
the old Keystone State. He was born in 
York Co., Penn., in August, 1800, son of 
Andrew and Mai'garet (Mittman) Stt)uer, to 
whom were born Charles, Peter, George, 
William, Polly, Jacol), Andrew, Christopher. 
Samuel and Rebecca. Jacob, the subject of 
these lines, emigrated westwai'd with his p<u-- 
ents in 1818, who located in the west [>art of 
Tuscarawas Township, pm'chasing KiO acres 
situated in the southwest (juarter of Sec. 2 1 . 
Here thi' jjareuts of Jacob lived until removed 
by death, which occurred in Jime, 1850, his 
wife sm-viving him eigliteen yeiU's. Jacob 
remained on the homestead until 1829, when 
he moved to the place where he now resides, 
purchasing the east half of the northeast 
quarter of Sec. 84, which was unimproved; 
here he has since lived. His mm'riage with 
Peggy Rodocker was crowned by the bii-th of 
ten chiklren, nine of the number coming to 
matiu-ity, the eldest being Hem-y; then in 
order comes Josiah, John, Samuel and Louisa 
(twins) Jacob, Levi, Jeremiah and Fiauna 
(twins) and Lovina, all of whom are residents 
of this township, e.xcept Fianna, who resides 
in Perry (Townshiji), wife of Samuel Lonas, 
who was a native of B(>thlehem Townshij). 
Mr. Stoner has raised a family of children, 
that have reflected honor upon their parents, 
all of whom iu-e maiTied well, and are thrifty 
and prosperous farm<^rs, residents of this 
townshij). Mr. Stoner's fai'm consists of 100 
acres; while in his 81st year, built a large 
and substantial bank barn of the gcwd old 
Pennsylvania kind. Mr. Stoner and family 
ai'e members of the Ijutheran Church. 

JOHN W. SHILLINO, farmer : P.O. Massil- 
lon; was bom Oct. 2, 1822, in Lawrence Town- 
ship, he being the second of a family of nine 



^rr 



J± 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



cbiklivn. His father Samuel, was bom 1802, 
September 16, in Lancaster County, son of 
Jacob Shilling, to whom were born seven 
chiklren, five sons and two daaghters. The 
Shilling family emigrated West to Stark 
County in 1816, locating in this township. 
Samuel man-ied Sarah Weaver, who bore him 
the following children who gi-ew up: Isaac, 
who is a merchant in Chicago, 111. : Samuel 
and Hem-y, in Cass Co., Ind. : Simon and John 
reside in California; Emily, married J. Clay- 
ton, and Sarah, Daniel Drift, both of Cass Co., 
Ind.; John W., of this township. Samuel 
Shilling, the father of the above, was a tailor 
by tra<le, which he followed two years, remov- 
ing to Lawi-ence Township in 1818, where he 
piu chased land, and remained on the same 
until his death, in September, 1858; he was 
a member of the Methodist Episcopal ChiU'ch, 
and ;i Jackson Democrat. His wife died in 
1872. John W. lived at home luitil 23, after 
which for several years he was engaged in the 
saw mill and threshing Imsiness. In 1854, 
caught the gold fever and went to California, 
where he lived until 1865; dui'ing this time 
was engaged in mining and teaming. In 
July, the following year, married Abigail 
Gratz, who was born in this township. Her 
parents were Jacob and Sai'ah (Kimmel) 
Gratz, both hailing fi'om Pennsylvania, and 
came West to this township in 1825, locating 
on Sec. 21. where he had piu'chased land 
which he im])roved and spent the remainder 
of his life, which wont out 1858; his widow- 
is yet living. They had seven children, six 
daughters and one son. In 1866, Mr. Shilling 
located on the farm he now owns. He and 
wife are members of the Presbyterian Church. 
Piiliticallv, is Republican. 

DANIEL SHILLING, fai-mer: P. O. Mas- 
sillon ; was born in this township on the farm 
where he now lives, Feb. 4, 1828. the young- 
est son (if Adam Shilling and Mary Koan. 
Adam was born in Franklin Co., Perm., Feb. 
11, 1792. His parents were John and Bar- 
bara (Obei-lin) Shilling. John Shilling's 
father came from Germany and settled in 
Pennsylvania when it was a wilderness; he 
had several brothers, some of whom were capt- 
iu"ed and taken off by the Indians. To John 
and Barbara Shilling were bom Adam, 



Jacob, Samuel, Peter, John, "Peggy" and 
Catharine. The father of the above died 
when Adam was a lad in his teens. In 1816, 
he came Westward to Ohio and settled in this 
township, and is yet living, having seen his 
foiu-soore and ten years (neai-ly). To him 
were born eight children, seven living, viz. : 
John, who resides in Canaan Tp., Wayne Co., 
Ohio; Joseph, in De Kalb Co., Ind; Catharine, 
now deceased; she mtirried Peter Spangler, 
and by him had seven children — Polly, resides 
in De Kalb Co., Ind., wife of George Houk; 
Barbara resides in this township, wife of 
William Kitzmiller; Solomon, in De Kalb 
Co., Ind.; also Elizabeth, wife of David 
Frantz. Adam, the father of the above, lives 
among his children, alternating firom Indiana 
to this State. Daniel Shilling being the 
youngest, has always resided on the home- 
stead. In January, 1852, he married Eliza- 
beth, daughter of Daniel and Sarah Frybor- 
yer, who were from Berks Co., Penn. Mr. 
Shilling has foiu- children — Jacob, who mar- 
ried Miss Overdnrf, and resides in this town- 
ship; Laura resides near Canal Fulton, wife 
of Albert Miller; William resides in De Kalb 
Co., Ind., on his father's farm; Ettie, the 
youngest, at home. The homestead farm con- 
sists of 200 acres. The Shilling family jire 
good Republicans. 

WILLIAM FOSTER SLUSSER, f aimer; 
P. O. Pigeon Run. The Shisser family have 
been tpiite prominently associated with Stark 
Coimty as early settlers and stanch citizens of 
the same. William Foster, son of Peter and 
Susanna (Augustine) Shisser, was born in this 
township in 1822. His grandsire, Phillip 
Slusser, was among the earliest pioneers in 
the county; he came West to Canton from 
PennsylvEmia, and there settled when there 
was but little promise of its future as an 
inland town. Peter Slusser located one mile 
south of Brookfield, this township, in 1809, 
where he remained until his death (1865); 
his wife died five years previous. Mr. Slusser 
was esteemed by all who knew him, being 
worthy of the respect, with which he was held 
in the cominimity of which he was so long a 
representative— both as citizen and a Chris- 
tian gentleman, having been a consistent mem- 
ber of the Methodist Episcopal Church for 



^1^ 



rrsCARAWAS TOWNSHIP. 



miiny yeai-s. Ten children were bom him, 
three oi whom are livinj; — Williimi Foster, 
Geori^e and Elizabeth, of Hillsboio, Highland 
C;o.. this State. William Foster left home at 
2ii. Sept 5, 1844; was united in wedlock to 
Harriet N. Boreland. who was bom in 1827, 
dauf^hter of John and C'larinda (Hoadly) 
Boieland who wore natives of the Eastern 
State.', and emigrated West to Ohio when the 
eoiuitry was new, Mr. Boreland being among 
the j)ioneer school teachers. Mr Slusser. 
moved to his present place of living in Octo- 
ber. 1844, his land being situated in the 
northwest piu-t of the southwest (juarter of 
Se.'. ■17>. Of three children born him but one 
is living Cai'oline Ann, now of Mahoning 
Co.. Ohio, being the wife of John E. Gray. 
Mr. Slusser and wife are members of the 
I'nited Brethren, he being one of the official 
membi rs of that body. 

JOHN' L. STEELE, farmer: P. O. West 
Brooklield John Latimer was born March 
21, 1S26, on the farm where he now lives, the 
only child bom to James and Mai'garet (Lati- 
mer) Steele. Margaret was a daughter of 
Robert Latimer, of English descent, but born 
in Pennsylvania, who emigi'ated to Stark 
County at an early day, locating in Osnabiu'g 
Township, where his daughter Margaret was 
born. His children were, John, Benjamin, 
George. P;u'kinson and Hubert: daughters 
were, Margarc^t, Mary, Sarah. Martha and 
Rachel. l)utone of them now living. Rachel, 
of Coles Co., 111. Archibald Steele was the 
grandfather of the above who was bom in 
County .'Vntrim, Ii'eland. his imcestors being 
natives of Scotland. His wife was Mai'garet 
Wilson, a native of same county as himself, 
whom he man'ied in 17<S(). and eiuigratixl to 
Lancaster Co., Penn.. ten yeiu-s later, remain- 
ing there until 17'J8, when they moved to 
Washington Co., Penn., where they lived until 
their emigration to Stark County in ISIT), 
locating in Tuscarawas Townshi]). northeast 
(juiuter of Sec. 22; at tne same time entered 
l()0 acres in Sugar Creek Tp., in Wayne Co.. 
Ohio. To him were l)om- -Archibald, Jane, 
Elizabeth and James; the latter was married 
to Margaret Latimer, of Osnabrrg. in 1824, 
John L. being the only issue, who has since 
resided on the farm that his grandsire entered. 



there being now four generations of the fam- 
ily living. His aunt Jime is yet living, being 
now nearly 'JO. and reads without ghisses. 
Jan. U. 1852, John L. maiTiod MargiU'et AL 
Christman, born Jan. \C>, 1830, in Westmore- 
land Co.. Penn.. second daughter and youngest 
child of Henry and Susan Bash Christman. 
This union has been crowned by the birth of 
three children — James H., now a minister of 
the Gospel at Mohigan: William, a medical 
student: and Ida, yet at home. Mr. Steele 
has manifested a desire to give his children 
the best of school advantages. He and wife 
were formerly of Presbyterian faith, but since 
the church died out here, he and the entire 
family are members of the Reformed Church. 
Has always fellowshipped with the Repub- 
lican element. 

CAPT. JOHN M. SJMITH, deceased; was 
bom in Pennsylvania in April, 1826; son 
of Sebastian Smith, who was one of the early 
settlers of the t<:mnishi|). and owned a distil- 
lery in the town at ;ai early day. He married 
Eliza J. Hissem, who was bom April 1, 1820, 
in Westmoreland Co., Penn. Om- sul)ject 
was a farmer and school teacher, farming dur- 
ing the summer and teaching the young idea 
during the winter months. Oct. H. 18G2, ho 
enlisted in Co. K, ] 10th O. V. I., and served 
imtil May 5, 1864, when he received a wound 
at the battle of the Wilderness that caused 
his death, which occurred in the hospital at 
Washington May 27 of that year. For his 
bravery and meritorious conduct he was pro 
moted from the ranks until ho was commis- 
sioned as Captain of his company, which 
jiosition he held at the time of his death. 
He was highly respeck'd in the comnnuiity 
as a man and citizen. He was a Repnblic-an 
;md a member of the I. O. O. F. His wife 
yet survives him, and yet boars his name. 
She and her son Chitrles M. reside together at 
West Bro()kfi(>ld, in this township. Charles 
M. was l)oru May 26, 1857. 

HENRY STONER, farmer; P. O. Pigeon 
Run; is a native of Tusciu-awas Township, and 
was born in 1 82'J ; is the fii'st-bom of Jacob and 
Margaret Stoner, who was a daughter of Fred- 
erick Rodocker, who came to Stark Coiinty 
when itwa.sa wildi-rness. Frederick married 
a daughter of Adam Oberlin, by whom he had 



:^f 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETriIE> 



Kamui'l. Jobu, Polly Lydia, Sarali and Adam. 
Andrew Mittman, the grandsire of Henxy on his 
mother's side, served all tlu'oiigh the war of the 
Revolntion. Hem-y lived with his father until 
he was 25. In 1858. he was married to Char- 
lotte Culler, daughter of Jacob and Leah 
(Poorman) Chiller. He located on the farm 
he now o^vns the year following his marriage, 
his farm consisting of 105 acres, situated on 
the southwest (juarter of Sec. 27. Of nine 
children born to him, live are living. Loreu 
F. being the eldest, and is a successful 
teacher of several years' experience: next in 
order of birth is Ida A., Valentine Y., Ada V. 
and Sheridan, all of whom ai'e on the home- 
stead. 

JACOB SIBILA, fiirmer; P. O. Massillou; 
was born in Kendal, now Massillon, Oct. Ci, 
1838. the second child born to his parents, 
Adam and P21izabeth Sibila. Jacob was a 
member of his father's hoiisehold until he was 
22 years of age. In August, ISfiO, he formed 
a mati'imonial alliance with Regiua Witt, who 
was born in Peny Township in 18-K), daugh- 
ter of Christian Witt, one of the early resi- 
dents of the township. In the spring of 1 8()(), 
MJr. Sibila moved to Tuscarawas Township, 
locating on the homestead, where he has since 
resided and l)een engaged in fanning. He 
has the following children living - Jacob R., 
Mary A., Charley, Rosa, Ad<uu C, Joseph and 
Edward. He and wife are memliers of St. 
Mary's Chiu-eh. 

JACOB X'MBENHOWER, farmer; P. O. 
Massillon: was born March 13, 1817. in 
Jefferson Co., Ya. His jiarcnts were -lacob 
Umbenhower and Abba Weyhult, both natives 
of Pennsylvania and of Grerman descent. He 
came West with his parents when 18 years of 
age, his father purchasing 187 acres of Thomas 
Dean, in this township, remaining on the 
same until 1849, when he moved to Wayne 
Comity, near Wooster, where he lived until 
1864. then moved to Indiana, where he died 
in 18()U, aged 78, his wife dying thi-ee years 
])revious, aged 81. Jacob was of a family' of 
six children, viz., John, Peggy, Jacob, Fannie. 
Samuel and Adam. Peggy manied David 
Bughman; Fannie man'ied James Miller ; 
all of the above reside in Indiana with the 
exception of Jacob, who remained on the 



homestead. March 81, he was mairied to 
Miiry Ann Ritter. born in Perry Township 
March 7, 1828; her parents were Daniel and 
Catharine (Slusser) Ritter; he was born in 
Chamberslmrg. Penu., about the year 1793; 
he was a son of John, who came West to this 
county at a very early day. bringing with him 
a wife and eight children, the country l)eing 
then an almost unbroken wilderness; he died 
three days after his arrival, leaving eight sons 
for his widow to care f ( jr. The nearest neigh- 
bor was Air. Oswalt, being nearly two 
miles away, who came to see them, they not 
being aware of the presence of any settlers 
anywhere about. Mrs. Ritter afterward mar- 
ried a Krider. Daniel, the father of Mrs. 
Fmljenhosver. was a weaver by trade, yet after- 
ward farmed; the year of the cholera he 
moved from Perry Township to Massillon, and 
for over two years and a half was engaged in 
running a hotel, called the Jake Miller Tavern; 
afterward moved dovm near Richville and 
purchased a farm, remaining ( in the same until 
his death, which occurred in 1850; his wife 
survived him eight years. Of the eight sons 
aliove mentioned, who were born to John 
Ritter, were Jonas, Daniel, Heniy, David, 
Joseph, Isa;ic, Jacob and J(jlm. To Daniel 
Ritter and wife were born nine children — 
Elizabeth, Mrs. John Umbenhower, in Elkhart, 
Ind.; Philip, in Iowa; Sarah, married Will- 
iam Dipford, of Iowa; Jonathan, of Richland 
Co., 111. ; Katie Ann, the wife of Jacob Copper, 
who resides in Iowa: William, in Newton, 
Jasjter Co., same State; Rebecca, Mrs. John 
Haines, of Mt. Union; and Mrs. Umbenhower, 
wife of Jacob. After the marriage of the 
above, he lived in Peny Township four years, 
then came to this township, on the fann ad- 
joining, wheri> they remained three years, 
finally locating on their present farm in 1849. 
Mr. Umbenhower is a sucessfid farmer; has 
over 700 acres of land, much of which is un- 
derlaid with coal. He has three children 
Hiram, Franklin and Charles; are members 
of the U. B. Church. 

DANIEL W AMPLER, farmer: P. O. W.st 
Brookfield: born Dec. 28, 1818, in Frederick 
Co., Md.. being the youngest of two children 
born to Frederick and Ann M. (Siess) Wamp- 
ler. Frederick was born Eel). 11,1 785 ; his 



TUSCARAWAS TOWNSHIP. 



wife, Nov. 29, 1792. His father, John Wamp- 
IcT. was a native of Switzerland; his wife, 
Dorothy Hiller. was l)orn in France. John 
Waiupler emiLjrated to York Co., Pciin., where 
lie settled, and raised a family of six sons and 
three dan<:fhters Lewis, Jasper, Leonard, 
Georj^e. Frederick. David. Eve, Susan, and 
another name unknown. Ann Siess was a 
diiiif^hter of Geor<^e, whose wife's maiden 
name was Aeclienhrad; to them were horn 
Gwiri^e. David Benjamin, Samuel, Jacob. 
Annie, Barbara and Elizabeth. John V\'am]>- 
ler. the lyrandfatherof Daniel, served as a sol- 
dier in the Revolution; his son, Frederick. 
Wiis drafted in the war of 1X12. but sent a 
substitute in his stead. He was a mason liy 
trade. l)ut finally turned his attention to the 
tanning business, which he followed up to 
1^527, when he emiip'ated to St.u-k County, ro 
maining in Su^ar Creek Townshij) until April. 
1S8(I: duriuj^ this time, he had purposed set- 
tling; in Seneca Coiuity. havinu; entered Kit I 
acres of land, but, the locality j)rovin<4- un- 
satisfactory, he retm-ned to this county and 
purchased the farm now owned by oiu' sub- 
ject: HO acres was the amount pm'chased. He 
remained on this faim until his death, which 
occurred .\]iril 2"!. ISoS. ajjed 7;* veal's 8 
months and 14 days. He was an ui)ri<fht man, 
and hij;hly respected by all who knew him. 
Daniel was raised a fiU'mer. and has always 
remained continuously on the fiimi. In 1'S47, 
he was married to Xancy Iludy, Ixirii in Lan- 
caster Co.. Pemi.. daui^hter (if William Rudy, 
whose wife's maiden name was Kellenberger, 
and by her had Martin. Levi, Daniel. Georije, 
William. Grabill, Eliza. Maria, Nancy and 
Catharine. The Rudy family came West 
about theyeiU' 1^:57, local in>; in this towiiship. 
Mrs. Wampler died in l^ad, leaving two sons, 
William F. and George L. In ]Sr>2, he mar- 
ried Elizabeth Walter, born in IS27, in .\llo- 
gheuy Co., Peun., daughter of John Walter: 
his wife's family nanie was Rouj). Mr. 
Wampler, by his last wife, has ten children- 
Amanda. Sabina, Maria. Emma. John. Paul, 
Barbiira, Lizzie, Amos and Jane. Amanda 
resides in Wooster, and is the wife i>{ W. W. 
Meeks; Sabina, near Dalton, Mis. J. M. Mc- 
Dowell: Mariii, Mrs. R. O. Ellis, of thistown- 
shi]): Emma, Mrs. Jose])h Updegraff, of Pig- 



eon Run. Mr. Wampler is a member of the 
same church to which his father belonged 
Reformetl; has 1115 acres of land. His sister, 
Sabina. married John Harsher. 

JOHN WEFLiat. farmer; P. O. Pigeon 
Run; is a self-made man; was born March 
15, 1N21, and baptized on the 20th, in Swit- 
zerland, eldest of the family. His parents 
were John and Susan ( Gausen) Wefler. The 
grandsire of our subject was Peter W^efler, 
who married Magdaleua Seickendolar, and 
raised a large family, among whom were Peter, 
John, Jacob, Samuel and David; the daugh- 
ters were Anna, Magdalena, Mary, Elizabeth, 
and others whose name cannot now be given. 
Susan was a daughter of John Gausen, whose 
wife was Elizabeth Geiger, and by her he had 
four children John. Christian, Susan and 
Elizabeth. The Wetler family came to 
America in 1S:!7. sailing on the Franconia, 
a sailing vessel, which oc(ni])ied thirty-three 
days in making her voyag<>: came to Massillon 
the same year: lived in I'aris two years, then 
moved to Knox Townshij), in Columbiana 
County, where they lived four years; after- 
ward removed to Mt. Union, where they stayed 
until 1S45, when they located in Pern' Town- 
shi]). Mr. Wetler remained with his father 
until 28 years old. giving his father the bene- 
fit of his labor. Then. l(>aving home poor, 
he began f.muing on rented land in Perry 
Township, remaining (m one farm fifteen 
years. In the si>ring of l''^5»», he came to 
this fownshij): he and his brother Christian 
])urchased HH* acres of land, which they car- 
ried on in piu-tnershi)) for some time, when he 
jiurchased his brother's interest, and has since 
resided on the farm. In August, bS59, Mr. 
Wefler inan-ied Ann Mary Smith, a native of 
Switzerland, Vx)rii in June, ISMl, daughter of 
John Smith and Snsiui Bucher. who came to 
Ohio in 1N4S. Mr. Weller has ten children 
William H., Sophia (Mrs. John Siuihler, of 
Massillon), Ann M. (Mrs. McPherson), Lucy, 
John, Simon, Elizabeth, Rosana, CUara E. and 
Daniel :\r.. all of this townshi]). Mr. Wetler's 
brothers and sistei-s were Susanna, Eliz 
abeth. Christian. Samuel, Catharine, Jlary 
and Jacob, who grew u]) to manhood and wo- 
manhood. Mr. Wefler is now one of the well- 
to-do farmers of the township, having 220 



^ 



.[^ 



BlUGHAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



acres uf laud, aud choice farm buildings 
thereon; a member of the German Reformed 
Church. 

J. B. WENDLIx\G, fai-m aud dairy; P. O. 
Massillou; was born Dec. 24, 183;5, in Perry 
Township, aud is the fom'th son of a family of 
twelve children boi'u to John Adam and Chris- 
tina (Held) \Vendling; the fonner was born 
Nov. l"), 1804, in the Khine couutiy, son of 
Michael aud Mary (Dabuse) Wendling, who 
had six ehildi-en bom to them, viz., John 
Adam, Hem-y, Valentine, Barbar-a. Elizabeth 
and Margaret. John Adam aune to America 
in lH?>fi locating in Massillou July 10 of the 
same year; he was a locksmith aud nail- 
maker, which vocaticm he followed for many 
yeiU's. His wife died April liH. 1809, having 
borne him twelve children Philip, Heniy, 
Jacob, John, Elizabeth, Adam, Caroline and 
Christina, were those who grew n\\ Philiji, 
Adam and Henry served in the late war. 
Henry was a member of the 8d Ohio Battery, 
aud served three years and three days; he 
died at Nashville, Teuu. Adam was in the 
18th Regulars, 2d Battalion, and served over 
foui' years, and was confined about fifteen 
months as a prisoner in Andersonville, Libby 
and at other points. Philip was a member 
of Co. A, IHth (.). Y. I., and served three 
mouths. Jacol ) B. learned the saddler's trade 
at Massillou, following the same about seven- 
teen years. Jan. 4, 1856, he set up in busi- 
ness for himself, continuing until February. 
bS04, when he engaged in farming. On Feb. 
3, isri3, he marrie<l Mrs. Margaret Brechbill. 
born in 1827, in Westmoreland Co.. Penu.. 
daughter of John and Nancy (Brinker) Brech- 
bill. Mr. Wendling has three children 
Nancy J., Mary C. aud Jacob J. Since 1875, 
he has been engaged in the dairy busiuess, 
which he runs in connection with his fanning. 
He is a member of the Lutheran Church; 
also of the I. O. O. F., and also of theEncam])- 
ment, of the Knights of Pythias: is a stanch 
Republican. He has 105 acres of land. 

A. L. YOUNG, farmer: P. O. East Green- 
ville: is the fom'th son and seventh child bom 
to Cyrus and Margaret Young. He was bom 
on the homestead, in Lawrence Townshij), 
April 7, 1859. Abram Lincoln Yoimg was 



raised to farming pursuits, and at the age of 
10 took charge of the farm he now occujiies, 
situated in Tuscarawas Township, consisting 
of 320 acres, which lies as follows: !()(• l)eing 
that of the northeast (piarter of Sec. 17: the 
remainder is the northwest quarter of Sec. 10, 
all of which belonged to Cyrus Young, now 
deceased. Abraham was married, in Decem- 
ber, 1880, to Esther Hartel, who was boi'u in 
MarshallsvilJe. WajTie Co.. Ohio, eldest daugh- 
ter of Lewis and Mary (Genseiuor) Hartel, 
who are natives of Germany. They had three 
childi-en born to them Esther, now Mrs. A. L. 
Young; Otto and Pearl May. He located on 
his farm in March, 1881. and is now engaged 
in the management of it. 

CASPER J. ZIEGLER. blacksmith. West 
Brookfield; was born March 14, 1843, in Ba- 
varia, son of Caspe)' J. Ziegler and Dorothy 
Fazer. The grandfather of our subject was 
named Sebastian Zeigler. The subject ( f 
these lines came to America with his piu^euts 
in 1847, to Bufi'alo, N. Y. Six children were 
born to his parents, Casper being the eldest; 
the others, in order of their birth, were: 
Philip, Elizabeth, Helena, Wendling and 
Maiy. His father was a weaver by occupa- 
tion, but his son Casp(>r chose the trade of 
blacksmith, which he began learning at the 
age of 1 7 ; after its completion, he worked at 
Bufi'alo, Oil City aud other places. His 
father and mother died in New York State, 
the fonner in 180(). his mother the year fol- 
lowing. After her death, he came to Ohio, 
locating in West Brookfield; soon after his 
arrival, he formed h pai'tuership with Daniel 
Hempeily, which busiuess association lasted 
until 1875, when Mr. Hem})ei"ly withdrew; 
since that time, he has continued the busi- 
ness at the same old stand. Sept. 8, 1868, he 
married Agues Sweetter, who was born in 
Switzerland Jan. 1, 1850, daughter of Nich- 
olas Sweetter; this union has been blessed 
with five children — Elizabeth, John, Philip, 
Rose aud George. He was raised in the 
Catholic faith, and is a Democrat. Having 
seen th(^ baneful efi'ects of intoxicating li<juors, 
he has become strougLy opposed to their use 
in anv form, and votes Prohibition. 



^ 



SANDY TOWNSHIP. 



A 



SANDY TOWNSHIP. 



THOMAS A. BARNKS, fiumor; P. O. 
Wayiieshiiijrli. The ijraiuit'atliir of our subject, 
Gen. Barnes, was a native of Ireland, wliere he 
married.Iane P;irks: they emigrated to Amer- 
ica and first settled in Pennsylvania, subse- 
qvientiv removing to Sandy Tp., wli("re ihey re- 
mained until their deaths. They were parents 
of fovir children — Andrew, who died in Iowa; 
Thomas, the father of our .■subject; Ann Beatty, 
now a ri'sident of Carroll Co. and Robert, 
living in Iowa. Thomas was born in Penn- 
sylvania, and came with his parents when 
they came to Ohio about 1S24; he married 
Miss Ann Guiney, of Sandy Tp., and was en- 
gaged in agricultural pursuits in the town- 
ship until his death, in 1836; his wife is still 
living in C^arroll Co. Their children are as 
follow- — Elizabeth Calwell, living in Carroll 
Co.; .lane Sutton, a resident of Jefferson Co., 
and Thomas A. born in 1836, after the death 
of his father. His mother subsequently mar- 
ried Francis Brothers, and removed to Paris 
Tp., where our subject passed his early 
days. In 1862, he enlisted in Co. B, 104, O. 
V. I., and was in severe and active service 
until the close of the war. In the fall of 1865, 
he married Emma Hi Tritt, of Minerva, and 
in 1866, removed to Brown Tp., and en- 
gaged in farming, lesiding there until 1874, 
when he was elected to the responsible posi- 
tion of County Treasurer, he removed his 
family to Carroilton, and for four years faith- 
fully and honojably administered the affairs of 
that office. In 1879, he came to Sandy Tp., 
and purchased the Firestone farm, about 
one-half mile North of Waynesburgh, where 
he has since resided. He has 80 acres of fine 
vallc}- land, and has improved his place by an 
elegant and tasty residence Mr. Barnes 
is an efficient antl practical man in all things, 
and deserving of the esteem and respect ac- 
corded him. They have one child, Henry F., 
at home. 

ELI BROTHERS, farmer; P. O. Magnolia; 
is an extensive farmer of the township and a 
representative of an old pioneer fjnnily. His 
father, Jonas Brothers, was a native of Penn- 
sylvania, and cam ■ with his p;irents to Stark 



Co., when a lad; they located in Pike T[)., 
and were residents of that communitv the 
remainiler of their lives. .lonas married in 
that locality Polly Bordner, and passed the 
greater portion of his life there; he died in 
Hancock Co.; his wife died in Sandy Tp., she 
was the mother of twelve children, of whom 
the following are now living — Esther, Mrs. 
Cox, a resident of Hancock Co.; Eli, .lacob, 
living in Canton Tp.; Ananias in Han- 
cock Co., and Martha, .Mrs. Darr, also living 
in Canton Tp. Ananias was a soldier of 
the late war, servinij about four years. 
Eli was born in Pike Tp., in December, 1823. 
He waii reared and brought up upon a farm, 
and has made that oecupatior) his life 
work. Commencing life with no pecuniary 
assistijnce he has accumulated a large tract of 
fertile and improved laiul, which is the direct 
result of honest and efficient industry. He 
now owns 450 acres, a portion of which lies 
in Pike Tj). His land is cultivated to 
general farming, but he also gives a large 
share of attention to sheep-raising, usually 
shearing from two to three hundred ann\ially. 
Mr. Brothers was united in marriage in 1853 
to Miss Sarah Bowman, daughter of Henry 
Bowman, of Pike Tp. They have six 
children — John, now in (-anton; Emma, Mrs. 
Sickafoose, in Pike Tp.; Cora, Curtis A., 
Hallie and Nannie. Mr. Brothers has been 
a resident and land-owner of the town- 
ship since 1848, when he purchased part of 
the land upon which he now lives. He has 
served the township as Trustee, and always 
takes a leading hand in matters of ])ub;ic in- 
terest and impoi tance. He, with his wile, is 
a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church. 
IRA BOWMAN, farmer ; P. O. Magnolia; 
is a son of John Bowman, who was born in 
Pennsylvania in 1802, and came to Pike Tp., 
when he was a boy, with his parents; 
he remained in that township until he was 
married to Lydia Whitner, of Bethlehem 
Tp., when he removed to Saiidy 'J'p., 
and has been a resident there since, and 
until a few years ago engaged in farming; 
he is now li\ iiig with his son, Henry, who has 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



.1 



purchased the old homestead rarn],aiid is tak- 
ing care of his parents in their declining 
years; thoy have had seven children — five now 
living — Sarah Bonhrak, living in Indiana; 
John in Calit'ornia; Henry, Hannah Newton, 
a resident ol Carroll county; and Eli; Lydia, 
died while young; Samuel was a volunteer in 
the U. S. Service in the 51st O. V. S; was 
taken prisoner at Chickamauga, and died in 
Anderson ville prison; Eli was born in Sandy 
Tp., in 1845, and has been a resident of 
the township since; he has devoted his extire 
attention to agriculture, and is one of the suc- 
cessful and respected farmers of that section; 
he bought his present location in 1870; he has 
100 acres of improved land, and cultivates it 
to general farming; he was also in the 
late service, enlisting in the Itj^nd O. 
N. G., and was with his company during its 
entire service; he was married in November, 
1866, to Miss Emma J. Miller, a native of 
Tuscarawas Co.; they have three children liv- 
ing — Samuel M., Riley E., and Eli N. Mr. 
Bowman is now serving as one of the Town- 
ship Trustees, and has always been found upon 
the right side in matters of public improve- 
ment and education. Henry Bowman was 
born in Sandy Tp., in J 840; he is now farming 
the old homestead farm which he has recently 
purchased; he has 100 acres of the fertile land 
which lies adjacent to the " Sandy Valley," 
and does a general farming business; he has 
an extended army experience, being a mem- 
ber of the 51st O. V. 1., and in active and 
arduous service for three years; he participated 
in the battles of Stone River, Chickamauga, 
Lookout Mountain, Mission Ridge, Atlanta, 
and all the battles of the Army of the Tennes- 
see; he was married in 186S to Elizabeth A. 
Farber, of Carroll Co.; they have four chil- 
dren — .John F., Eiizabetli, Franklin P., and 
Maogie M. 

IRA D. BROWNSON, farmer, P. O. 
Waynesburgh ; is a representative of one of 
the old pioneer families vvho settled in Sandy 
Tp. at an early day. The father of our 
subject, Charles Brownson, came with his 
parents to the township, and was a resident 
of the township up to h:s death, which oc- 
curred in 1855. His mother's maiden name 
was Sarah Beyer ; her |)arents, Conrad and 
Margaret Beyer, were both natives of Penn- 
sylvania, and pioneers of Sandy Tp., locat- 



ing, in 181'i', in the Northern portion 
and where Conrad Beyer, jr., now resides; 
were residents there uistil their deaths. 
Sarah was bor?i in Sandy T[)., in 1830; 
she was married to Cliarles Brownson, in 
1847. Only two children now survive — Mar- 
garet, now the wife of Wm. Shearer, and liv- 
ing in Sandy Tp., was married in 1860. 
Mr. Shearer is a son of Adam and Eliza 
Shearer, old settlers and residents of Osna- 
burg Tp., when William was born, in 
1843; thej' have three children, Elnora, 
Ada and Eliza. Ira D. Brownson was born 
in Sandy Tp., in 1848 ; he has always 
been engaged in farming, and is now tlie 
owner of 73 acres, which is part of the land 
entered and cleared by his ancestors. He 
was united in marriage in 186'J, to Miss Eliza 
Baxter, of Carroll Co. They have three 
children — William, Wi^sley and Ira. Mrs. 
Brownson is living with her daughter Mar- 
garet, in Sandy Tp. 

JAMES BOYD, farmer; P. O. Waym>s- 
burgh; is a native of Ireland, where he was 
born in 1826. He emigrated to the Ur.ited 
States, in 1846, landing in Philadelphia, where 
he remained for ten years; after which he 
went to the oil regions of Pennsylvania, re- 
maining there about five years, engaged in 
various occupations. In 1863, he came to 
Stark Co., and commenced farming, buy- 
ing the Blythe farm, near Waynesburgh, 
where he has since resided. Mr. Boyd h is 
devoted his entire attention to agriculturi', in 
which he has been eminently successful. He 
now owns 345 acres of land in the township, 
all of which is under a high state of cultiva- 
tion; and in location it cannot be excelled, 
lie was married in Philadelphia, in 1850, to 
Miss Isabella Campbell. She died in 1875, 
leaving one child — McClure — who was married 
in 187'.) to Miss Susan Richie; they have one 
son — James C. McClure is now living upon 
part of his father's farm, in Sandy Tp. 
Mr. Boyd was united to a second wile. Miss 
Cordelia Rogers, daughter of J. B. Rogers, 
of Sandy Tp., in 1876. They are both mem- 
bers of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Boyd 
is a conscientious and honored citizen, and 
an exalted member of the community in 
which he resides. 

EDWARD BOORY, deceased; was born 
in Switzerland in 1814, and emigrated 



SANDY TOWNSHIP. 



to America with his parents when he was 
ten years of age; tiicy iocaVil upon a 
farm near Minerva, whore iiis early days 
were passeil. At tiie age of lii, he com- 
menced to learn the Tanners' trade in a Tan- 
nery neai- Minerva, snhsequenlly working for 
Judge Greenwood, at Paris; from there he 
went to St. ]^ouis, wliere he worUi-d for some 
time, finally returning to Ohio, and cmliarking 
in a busini:ss venture for himself, going into 
partnership with a man named Kngel, at Mi- 
nerva. In Mareii, I84H, he cani(> to Waynes- 
burgh, and bought out a small Tannery from 
.John Souser. which he enlaigcMl and im- 
proved; he established a large and successful 
business, and accumulated a handsome prop- 
erty, all of which was secured by his industry 
and good business management. He was an 
honored and respected citizen, and served as 
a member of the Common Council, and took a 
leading interest in the schools and education. 
He was a member of the Waynesburgh 
Masonic Lodge, serving as Treasurer of that 
body for some years. He was a member of 
the German Reformed Chuich. Mr. Boory 
was united in marriage in 18-iO, in Minerva, 
to Miss Ainiis Anderson. They had five 
children, only three of whom are now living — 
William., Maiy Poole and Cynthia Hewitt, all 
residents of Waynesburgh. Mr. Boory died 
in Waynesburgh, Oct. lith, 1878; his wife still 
survives him. Wm. Boory was born in 
Waynesburgh, in 18.51, and learned his trade 
with his father, in his earlier years; he was 
engaged in partnership with him for five 
years previous to his death, after which he 
succeeded him in the business which is now 
owned and operated by him. He was married 
in 18i4, to Miss Mattie Clark, of Waynes- 
burgh. He is now serving the township as 
Treasurer, and has been a member of the 
Corporation Council since his father's death. 
J. M. BYE, physician and surgeon; 
Waynesburgh; is a native of Ohio, born in 
Hanover Township, Columbiana Co., March 2, 
1835. His father being a farmer, our subject 
passed his earlier years upon the farm. He 
acquired a good education, attending the 
Union Sch<;ols .at New Lisbon and Hanover, 
becoming a teacher at the latter place in the 
Union school. He followed teaching for five 
years, receiving pay one of those years for 
thirteen months service. In 1858, having 



decided upon the profession of medicine, he 
entered the ofiBce of Dr. .John Yates, of Hano- 
ver, and began the study of his life-work. 
Dr. Bye is a graduate of the University of 
Michigan, and received his diploma at Ann 
Arbor in 18G3. He entered immediately upon 
the practice of his profession at Mechanics- 
town, Carroll Co., where ho r(Mnain(ul two 
years; and then, after one month's service in 
the hospital at Fri-derick City, Md., removed 
to Waynesbmgli, where he has bicn in con- 
tinuous practice up to the present writing, 
1881). He WIS united in marriage in 1803 to 
Miss Mary E. Keith, daughter of J. G. Keith, 
Esq., of Canton. They have two children — 
Miss Carrie B., attending school in Canton, and 
Joseph K., aged seven years. Dr. Bye's 
parents were of Quaker descent; liis father 
died in Columliiana Co. in 1848, his mother 
surviving until 1880. Dr. Bye is a member of 
the County Medical Association, and served as 
Vice President of that body the past year; 
and is also a member of both the Masonic 
and Odd Fellow orders of Waynesburgh. He 
is one of the leading ])hysiciaiisof the county, 
and an intelligent and esteemed nn-mber of 
the community in which he resides. He, with 
his wife, is a member of the Disciples' Church 
of Waynesburgh. 

KICHAPvD BLYTHE, deceased, was born 
in Fayette Co., Pa., in 1808; ho was a son 
of Henry and Sarah Blythe, who I'lnigra- 
ted to Jefferson Co., O., about 181"', where 
they located some land and remained resi- 
dents. Here Richard passed his early life. 
He came to Sandy Tp., about IS'-i'i, and pur- 
chased what is now the Boyd farm, and began 
farming operations there. He was united in 
marriage May 5, 183i;, to Miss Margaret 
Robertson, who is a native of Pennsylvania, 
and came with her parents to Ohio in l>i'i'i, at 
which time she was two years olil. They 
remained upon that faini until ISHl, when it 
was dispo.sed of to James Boyd, and they 
then removed to near Mapleton, purchasing a 
farm known as the John Shearer farm. Here 
they continued resitlents until his death, which 
occurred May 14, 1SG8. He served as Town- 
ship Trustee, and was an honored memb'^r of 
society, and a conscientious christian and num- 
ber of the Presbyterian Church. Mrs. Blythe 
remained upon the Mapleton farm for three 
years alter his death, when she removed to 



820 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



WaynesliurjTh, where she is now pleasantly 
situated. They had nine children, as follows 
— Sarah J. McKonkey, of Mapleton; Eleanor 
Tlioinpson, Brown Tp.; Ann E., deceased; 
John C, a member of 19th O. V. I., who was 
killed in service at the battle of Stone River; 
Usher Criswoll, Canton Tp.; Alice Dougherty, 
Colninlius, O.; James D; Laura L. and 
Marv E. 

JAMES D. BLYTHE, inMchant; P. O. 
Waynesburgh; was born in Stark Co., in 
1854. He was upon the farm until the age 
of 14, when he commenced to learn the black- 
smith's trade in CarroUton, working at it over 
a y^ar and then engaging at rail-roading for 
nearly three years. He then engaged in 
traveling for thri-e months, in the Enlarging 
Picture-proctss business. He then engaged 
in trade with J. C. Elsass, in Waynesburgh, 
in the provision business, commencing in 
November 1875, and continuing over a year 
in partnership, after which he was engaged 
in that business alone for one year. He then 
disposed of that business, and in 1878 entered 
into partnership with Wm. Raedel,with whom 
he is still associated. He was married in 
January, 1879, to Miss Annie E. Newkirk, of 
Pennsylvania. They have two children — 
Mary M. and Richard H. Mr. Blythe has 
served as a member of the Common Council 
for two terms, and is one of the progressive 
and promising business men of the com- 
munity. 

LEW. S. BONBRAK, tinware, stoves, etc.; 
P. O. Waynesburgh, was born in Magnolia, 
In 1857. He commenced to learn his trade 
when he was 15 years of age, with Robert 
Jop.es, remaining with him for two years, and 
then went to Salem and continued under in- 
structions there for about a year, finishing his 
trade; after which he returned to Waynes- 
burgh and worked at his trade with James 
Hewitt a year ; he then went to Minerva and 
worked for Alexander a short time, subse- 
quently returning to Waynesburgh and again 
entering the employ of Hewitt. In 1877 he 
lieoame associated with Robert Jones, under 
the partnership name of Jones & Bonbrak; 
they bought out Hewitt and continued in 
partnership together until February, 1881, 
when tlie partnership was dissolved and Mr. 
Bonbrak commenced an enterprise in the 
Sweet and Painter block, where he still re- 



mains. While with Jones they invented and 
patented the " Improved continous sheet and 
cap combined Iron Roofing," which L. Scolt 
& Co. are now introducing upon the market 
with improving success — a more extended 
notice appearing elsewhere. Mr. Bonbrak is 
also the inventor and patentee of an " eave- 
trough," which is a most valuable patent, and 
can be manufactured without a seam, in 
lengths of 10 feet, the longest upon the mar- 
ket being 55 inches. This is to be placed 
upon the market as soon as suitable machinery 
can be made for its manufacture. He also 
has an eve-trough fastener, which he has ap- 
plied for a patent upon. Mr. Bonbrak 
is occupying one of the largest and 
finest salesrooms in the town; he car- 
ries a large stock of goods in tinware 
stoves and house-furnishing goods, and is 
constantly adding new features. He was 
elected to the office of corporation clerk at 
the last election, which office he is now ad- 
ministering. He is the local correspondent 
for several county papers, and ranks as one of 
the enterprising men of Waynesburgh. Mr. 
Bonbrak was married in January, 1879, to 
Miss Lizzie McElhinney, of Carroll Co.; they 
have one child, Jennie L. 

GEORGE CASPER, farmer ; P. O. Mag- 
nolia ; was born in Alsace, now a German 
possession, in 1819. His parents, .Tacob and 
Margaret Casper, emigrated to America about 
1832, settling in Sandy Tp., where the re- 
mainder of their days was passed. George 
has followed the occupation of farming all of 
his life, and has been a resident of the town- 
ship since the removal of his parents there. 
He now owns 240 acres of land, and his homt^- 
stead farm is finely improved with buildings, 
and ornamented by a new and elegant resi- 
dence. He was married in 1846 to Miss Lou- 
isa Ullman, of Rose Township, Carroll Co. 
They have twelve children, ail living — Wil- 
liam, a resident of Pike Tp. ; Hannah 
Tresler, living in Sandy Tp. ; Jacob, in 
Indiana ; Susannah Richards, in Indiana ; 
Isaac, living in Indiana, teaibing school ; 
Henry, in the harness trade, Waynesburgh ; 
Annis Newton, Pike Tp. ; .I.-imes, Ida, 
Edward, Curtis and Abraham. .Mr. Casper is 
one of the solid, substantial fanners of the 
township, and universally respect.'d. 

AUGUSTUS R. ELSON, miller; P. O. 



^h, 



SANDY TOWNSHIP. 



821 



Marrnolia; is a son of Richard Elson, a native 
of Brook.' Co., Va.; horn July 12, i:!)T. 
Richard K'son passed through a varied anil 
interesting life; he was raised upon a farm, 
and began life for himself upon the Ohio river, 
engaged in carrying provisions down the river 
upon flat-l)oats, which he had built himself, 
and disposing of the whole cargo in Southern 
cities. This occupation he was eng.iged in 
for seven years. He would walk the entire 
distanc- back to his home at the end of his 
trip, carrying his money in a knap-sack and 
using it for a ])illow, many niglits lying out 
under the stars. Upon one occasion, upon 
arriving South, he found an epidemic raging 
with such violence that he was forced in order 
to get home, to make a coast-voyage to New 
York, from which place he walketl home. He 
came to Oliio soon after his parents had set- 
tled in Osnaburg Tp. and bought a 
small piece of land near there. After the 
death of his father, he, with his brother, opera- 
sed and controlled the home farm. He soon 
after began large and extensive farming opera- 
tions in Sandy Township, entering a quarter 
section of land, where C. C Elson now lives. 
About 1S34—.J he purchased three quarters of 
land in and around Magnolia, in partnership 
with John W. Smith. They erected a saw- 
mill, and sawed out the timber for the grist- 
mill, which was coon after erected. The mill 
was originally made 40 feet square; it has 
been in operation from that time forward, 
and has made an extended reputation. They 
also located the town of Magnolia, which is 
now a thriving village. Soon after Mr. Elson 
moved his familvupon his land, there occupy- 
ing a small log house for some years. He then 
disposed of his share in the mill property to 
Smith, and removed to his farm north of 
Waynesburgh, remaining there until 1839, 
when he bought the entire mill property and 
moved to Magnolia, where he resided until his 
death. He disposed of the mill to his son, 
Augustus R., in 1851, and was extensively en- 
gaged in farming until his death. He was one 
of the largest hind owners in the township, 
and the lan<l purchased by him, althougii con- 
domniMl by others, prov(;d to be the most fer- 
tile and valuable in that region. He secured 
the post-office for Mi^giiolia, and was Postmas- 
ter for many years; also served in mar.y 
other offices of public trust. He was mar- 



ried in 1827 to Miss Sophia F. Boegeb 
of Waynesburgh ; slu^ died in 1829, leaving 
three children — Margaret and Catharine — 
twins. Margaret, now the wife of Wm. H. 
Greer, of Magnolia, and Catharine, wife of Dr. 
Whitacre, now living in Iowa, formerly of Mag- 
nolia, and the subject of this ski'tch. Mr. 
Elson was married to a second wife, Sarah 
A. Brandon, of West Virginia ; she died in 
1847, leaving three children — Mary F. Red- 
man, living iu Iowa, Corwiii C, of Sandy 
Tp., and Richard, jr. Mr. Elson died Aug. 
28, 1879. A. R. Elson was born in Sandy Tp., 
in 1829. He began life upon his father's 
farm, and upon their removal to Magnolia, 
and commencing milling operations, he en- 
tered the mill, and became thoroughly con- 
versant with that occupation. To this he has 
devoted his entire life, and at it he has 
achieved a wonderful success. Mr. Elson has, 
by continued re-building and enlarging, se- 
cured one of the largest mills in that section. 
He is continually adding new and improved 
machinery, and contemplates, during the sea- 
son of 1881, to build more additions to his 
buildings, and thoroughly overhaul it and add 
new features. His power is furnished by the 
best water canal imaginable, and is sufficient 
to run his immense establisiimcnt day and 
night, during the entire year. Something of an 
idea can be furnished by the statement of the 
amount of business done by him; from the 
wheat season of 1880 until April, 1881, 
ground over 31,000 bushels of wheat. Mr. 
Elson is one of the prominent, enterprising 
business men of Ohio. Honorable in all of his 
dealings, and |iossessing genial and social attri- 
butes of high order, he honors to the utmost the 
community in which he resides. He was 
united in marriage in December, 1855, to Mar- 
garet E. Ross, of Waynesburgh. They have 
seven cliildp'n living — -Vustin R., l)orn .luni^ 
17, 1857; Richard R., born March 8, 18i;0; Em- 
ma F., born Aug. 18, 1802; John R., born A|)ril 
3, 18G5; Frank, born Sept. 10, 1869 ; Maggie 
E., born Jan. 24, 1874, and Harry E., born 
Sept. 27, 1879. Mr. Elson has served as 
townshij) trustee, has been of great service 
to the (educational interests of Magnolia, and 
is identified with the development of all 
public measures that promise to advance the 
interests of the peoph;. He owns and oper- 
ates a saw and planing-mill, and was the 



A 



822 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



originator of Chadclock & Sons' Woolen Mill 
of Maprnolia. He erected in Magnolia, in 
1878-79, an elegant brick residence, which 
is fiuelv appciinted. 

JOHN H. ELSON, farmer; P. O. Waynes- 
burg; is the oldest representative of an old and 
prominent pioneer family; his grand-parents 
were pioneer settlors of West Virginia; his 
father, John Elson, was a native of Maryland; 
he married in West Virginia Miss Margaret 
Wiggins, a native of that State; they emigra- 
ted to Ohio in 18;i0, locating near Mapleton, 
in Osnahurg Township, where thoy purchased 
some land and began to improve it; his 
father, however, only lived a short time after 
their arrival, dying in 182!i; his mother sur- 
vived several years after; there were ten 
children in the family, only three now living — 
Thomas W., a resident of Wayne Co., Iowa ; 
Charity Wilson, living in Mapleton; and John 
H., the subject of this sketch. John was born in 
West Virginia in 1806, and was fifteen years 
of age at the time of his parents removal to 
this county, since which time he has been a 
resident of the coanty, and of Sandy Town- 
ship since 1833; his purchase of land in San- 
dy was in 1829; he was married in 1833 to 
Miss Osie Wilson, born in Osnaburo- Town- 
ship in 1815, and daughter of Douglas Wil- 
son, also a pioneer, a more extended sketch 
of him appearing elsewhere. Mr. Elson has 
been engaged in agricultural pursuits all his 
days, and is one of the prominent farmers of 
Stark County; he is one of the large land- 
owners of that section, part of which he has 
disposed of to his children. Mr. and Mrs. El- 
son have had thirteen children, eight of whom 
are now living — Sarah Ann Wilson, living in 
Pennsylvania; James W. died at the age of 13; 
Wm. P., a resident of Missouri; Douglas W. 
died an infant; John H. Elson, Jr., 
died in the service of his country. He 
enlisted in September, 1861, in Fremont's 
body guard, which was soon disbanded, and 
soon after he became a member of the olst O. 
V. I., and served until Jan. 2, 1863, when 
he was wounded at the battle of Stone River, 
and died a few days after in the hospital. 
Henry C, Sandy Tp.; Vallonia V.; Venilia 
Frame, living in Missouri; Owen T. died 
an infant; Edwin W., living in Missouri; Em- 
ma L., in Missouri; B. Frank, married to 
Miss Olive M. Sickafoose, of Sandy Tp., in 



1880, and now faruiing in Sandy Tp.; 
and Florence N., who died at the age of 13 
years. Mr. Elson has served the township as 
Trustee, and always been an advocate for 
measures to promote the prosperity and best 
interests of the township. He has devoted his 
time exclusively to his farming interests, and 
has made it a successful life-work. 

H. C. ELSON, farmer; P. O. Waynesburgh; 
was born in Sandy Township in 1843. He is 
a son of John and Osie (Wilson) Elson of 
Sandy Tp. Our subject was an assist- 
ant at home until the breaking out of the 
n^bellion, when he enlisted Nov. 13, 1861, in 
the 19th O. V. I. He was in severe service 
all through the struggle, and participated in 
the following battles : Pittsburg Landing, 
Farmington, Corinth, Perry ville. Crab Orchard, 
Stone River, Chattanooga, Pickett's Mills, 
Pine Knob, Kenesaw Mountain, Chattahoo- 
chee, Peach Tree Creek, Atlanta, Lovejoy 
Station, Columbia, Franklin and Nashville. 
He was tak(Mi prisoner .fan. 3, 1863, in the 
Stone Ris'er fight, and u[)0ri the same day his 
brother, .John, was wounded, and confined in 
Libby Prison for one month, fortunately being 
exchanged alter one month. He passed 
through all of the engagenients of the regi- 
ment, and was mustered out at San Antonio, 
Texas, Nov. 35, 1865. Returning home he 
rented his father's farm for three years, and in 
the S|)ring of 1869 bought eighty acres of his 
father, where he has since resided. Mr. Elson 
has one of the finest locations in the township, 
and has improved his place with superior build- 
ings. He was married Oct. 33, 1868, to Miss 
pjiizabeth C. Hewitt, daughter of Wilbam 
Hewitt, of Waynesburgh. They have four 
cliildren — Loretta O., Eliza B., Jessie M. and 
Margaret E. 

C. C. ELSON, farmer; P. 0. Waynes- 
burgh; is a son of Richard and Sarah A. 
(Brandon) Elson; he was boin in Magnolia 
in 1841, and assisted when a youth in the 
management of his father's land; he was in 
the service, enlisting in Oct. 1861, in Co. K., 
51st O. V. I. under the command of Stanley 
Mathews, and served all through the war; 
enlisting first in the three years service, and 
subsequently as a veteran he served in all of 
the battles of his regiment — -and never missed 
a day's service in 38 months, at the time of the 
discharge he was ranking First Sergeant; upon 



l-f^ 



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SANDY TOWNSHIP. 



823 



his return to ^lagnolia, he assisted at home 
for about two years, and in 1868 moved to 
his present location, north of Wayncsburgii, 
upon land first entered by his father; he 
was married March 28, 1S72, to Miss Salina 
L. Rutter, of Waynesburgli; tiiey have three 
chiklren — Mary Kate, Fannie B., and Paul R. 
Mr. Elson has now 320 acres of rich valley 
land, which he has under superior cultivation 
and elegantly improved in building-s. He has 
served the townsiiip as Truster, and is one of 
the most respected and enlightened citizens 
of the township; he devotes his time entirely 
to his farming interests, but also keeps up to 
the spirit of the advanced times in matters 
of intelligence and progress. 

RICHARD ELSON, Jr., farmer; P. O. Mag- 
nolia; was born in Magnolia, May 4, 1847, in 
the house in which he how lives; he has been 
ideiitllied with farming interests from his 
youth up, and now owns over '?0(J acres of the 
rich land of the " Sai.dy Valley;" he makes a 
specialty in sheep; and also in laising garden 
products, for which his rich suil seems espec- 
ially adapted. Mr. Elson has been a resident 
of Sandy Tp. his entire life, and is foremost in 
all public measures and in good works; he 
gives his whole attention to the management 
of his land. He was unit(>d in marriage Nov. 
4, 1874, to Miss (yatharino A. Baxter; she was 
born in Hancock Co. Va., in November 
1850; they have two children living — Mary R., 
born in August, 187.3, and Ella D., born in 
M;irch, 1877; Charley B., died an infant. 

WILLIA.M H. EVANS, merchant tailor, 
Wavncsburgh ; was born in Chester Co., Pa., 
in 1849. He commimcod learning his trade 
at the age of 12 years, in Wilmington, Dela- 
ware, remaining there about si.x years ; he 
then went to Rlkton, Md., where, for two 
years, he was engaged at his trade, as cutter ; 
from thence to Pniladcdphia, where he was 
employed in the trimming department of 
Waniiamaker's establishment ', subsequently 
returning to Elktoii, Md., where, under the 
firm name of Evans «& Desmond, he embarked 
in a business venture of his own, continuing 
there two years ; he then disposed of his in- 
terest and came to Ohio, locating at Saline- 
ville, where he was employed at his trade 
about a year, and then, for a little recreation, 
took a short trip abroad, visiting many of the 
continental cities. Upon his return to Amer- 



ica he located in Wayncsburgh, in 1872, start- 
ing in a small way in the merchant tailoring 
line. Here he has since resided, having estab- 
lished a large and flourishing trade, and carry- 
ing a complete and e-xtensive line of goods. 
Mr. Evans has been making a specialty of 
military and band uniforms, and in that branch 
has secured an extended trade, which is not 
confined to Ohio, Init extends to neighboring 
States. Hi- is a skillful and proficient artist 
in his profession, and fully deserving of the 
success which has attended his business. He 
was united in marriage in 1872, to Miss Ruha- 
mah Herbert, of Salineville, O. They have 
one child, Annetta. Mr. Evans is a member 
of Wayn.'sburgh Lodge, No. 5.38, 1. O. O. F., 
and of Sandy Encampment, No. 190. He has 
served as a member of the Corjjoration Coun- 
cil, and is one of the enterprising and progres- 
sive citizens of NVaynesburgh. 

JOHN \V. GLESSNER, mayor and jew- 
eler: P. O. Waynesi)urgh; is a son of Jacob 
Glessner, who was born in Somerset Co., Pa., 
in 1794; he le.irned his trade of cabinet 
maker at Wheeling, and was subsequently 
engaged in traffic upon the Ohio river, taking 
a load of produce upon a flat-boat, and dis- 
posing of them in Southern cities, walking 
the entire distance back. In 1818 he came 
to New Lisbon, Columbiana Co., and in 1822, 
came to Waynesburgh, where he engaged at 
his trade of cabinet-making and undertaking, 
until 1836, when he removed to New Lan- 
caster, O., where he remained four years, sub- 
sequently returning to Waynesburgh, and has 
since been a resident there. He continued 
at his trade until 1874, and since 1876, has 
been totally blind. His wife, whose maiden 
name was Margaret Ranne, was from Ra- 
venna, O. They have one child living, John 
W.; he was born in New Lancaster, 0., in 
1840. He was a salesman in a Hardware 
Store for three years previous to the war, and 
was a member of the 19th O. V. I., enlisting 
in 1863, and in service until the close of the 
war in 1865. He participated in many of 
the battles, notably. Rich Mountain, Corinth, 
Port Gibson, Raymond, Siege of Vicksburg, 
Mission Ridge, and in all of the engage- 
ments of his regiment. He was in the army 
of the Tennessee under Mcl'herson and 
Logan, and was the principal musician of his 
regiment; while in the service he learned, 



it 



■il^ 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



from an old experienced watchmaker, his 
trade. Upon his return to WaynesSurgh, he 
engaged at that calling, at which he has since 
been engaged. Mr. Glessner has been a 
member of the Common Council, Mayor four 
terms, and is the present incumbent of that 
office. He is a member of I. O. O. F., of 
which order he has passed through all grades. 
He was married in 1867 to Mi&s Jos(>phine 
Keagle, of Pennsylvania ; they have five 
children — George E., Charles L., Kittie, 
Madge and Harrv. 

ROBEIIT HAMILTON, deceased ; was 
born in Donegal, Ireland, June 5, 1795. He 
emigrated to America and first located in 
New York city, where he marrii^d Finniah 
Henry, April 1, 1823; she was born in 
that city Oct. 13, 1SI)3. They remained 
in that city for 15 years, keeping a grocery 
and provision store on the corner of Elm and 
North streets. Emigrating to Ohio they 
located about 3i miles north of Waynesburgh, 
and commenced keeping a country travern 
and also a small country store, the goods 
being purchased by Mr. Hamilton in New 
York. They remained in that location for 
about six years, and in 1837 removed to 
Waynesburgh and started the Hamilton 
House, which has been in operation up to the 
present time, and has extended its reputation 
far and near as one of the best hotels in the 
country. Here the worthy couple passed the 
remainder of their days, dispensing their hos- 
pitalities with a liberal hand and receiving in 
return a large and liberal patronage. They 
were both old and respected members of the 
Presbyterian Church and were esteemed uni- 
versally by their friends and neighbors, and 
the traveling public generally. Mr. Hamilton 
died Aug. 31, 1876, his wife Oct. 12, 1879. 
They were the parents of ten children, eight 
now living — James M., the oldest, has been as- 
sociated with the management of the house 
for many years; Cordelia, laarried to Ur. A. 
F. Atwell in 1858; Adeline, wife of John E. 
Wilson, of Waynesburgh; Finniah Taylor, 
living in Kentucky; AleciaM., Laura, now Mrs. 
Rogers; Edward H.was born in Waynesburg in 
1838. H(- has been engaged in the livery busi- 
ness for the most of his life and is now doing an 
extensive business in that line; married June, 
1869, to Sarah J. Morledge, of Waynesburgh; 
they have three children, Nora, Harvey and 



Frank. Robert B. Hamilton, the second son, 
was born in New York in 1829, and for many 
years was engaged in mercantile operations 
at Waynesburgh, doing a large business, 
which, however, resulted disastrously, since 
which time he has been engaged in farming, 
and at his trade of wagon-making; he was 
married to Miss Usher Robertson, of Carroll 
Co.; they have six children; he has served as 
Townshiji Trustee, President of Board of Eilu- 
cation and member of council for several 
years; is a Knight Templar, of Massillon 
Commandery No. 4. Mr. Robert Hamilton 
was appointed Postmaster of Waynesburgh 
in 184.5, the original commission from C. 
Johnson, Postmaster General, being now in 
possession of the family; also served as Post- 
master several years later. The Hamilton 
House is now under the management of James 
C. Rogers, assisted by his wife, Mrs. Atwell 
and Miss Alecia Hamilton. The traveling 
public who patronize the "Hamilton" will 
find their " lines cast in pleasant places." 
James C. Rogers was born in Sandy Tp., 
in 1850 — son of John B. and Elinor (Creigh- 
ton) Rogers, of Sandy Tp. James passed 
his early days upon his father's farm during 
his earlier years, and then upon a farm of his 
own, where he continued until April, 1880, 
when he assumed the management of the 
Hamilton House. He has a small and well 
improved farm of 50 acres in the township. 
He was married Oct. 12, 18T6, to Miss Laura 
Hamilton. 

JOHN HEWITT, retired farmer; P. O. 
Waynesburgh; is a son of James and Eliza- 
beth (Thompson) Hewitt, natives of Ireland. 
His father came to America at the age of 
twenty years, in 1791, and his mother in 1790, 
when ten years of age. They were married 
in Peinisylvania in 1808, and soon after came 
to Sandy Tp., where he had previously 
taken up and improved some land, coming out 
in 1807 with John Creighton and John Reed 
for that purpose. They continued residents 
of this community until their death. He 
served as one of the Erst Justices of the Peace; 
his death occurred in or about 1852; his wife 
had died in 1844. They had ten children, 
six hoys and four girls. William Hewitt, the 
oldest, was the first white male child born in 
what was then Sandy T]i. William 
followed farming in Sandy and Brown town- 



^. 



w 



ik^ 



SANDY TOWNSHIP. 



825 



ships for many years. He is now living in 
Wiiyiiesburgh in retirement, as lie is badly 
cri|]pled by rheumatism, which has troubled 
him for forty years. William w:is mirried 
when twenty-six years of a^^e to Eliza Brotii- 
ers of Paris Tp. They have had throe 
children — Amanda J., deceased; James T., 
living in Sandy Tp; and Elizabeth C, 
the wife of H. C. Elson of Sandy Tp. 
John Hewitt, the subject of this biography, 
was born in what is now Brown Tp., Carroll 
Co., in 1811. He continued a resident of the 
old homestea 1 farm until he was S'i years of 
age, wlien he was united in marriage in 184"2, 
to Miss Isabella .\rbuckle, who was at that 
time living in that portion of Stark, which has 
since been transferred to Carroll Co. She is a 
daughter of John Arbuekle, an early settler in 
that locality. Mr. Hewitt was engaged 
actively in farming operations until 1873 
when he removed t3 Waynesburgh, and has 
since resided there, retired from active busi- 
ness. He owns 150 acres of land in Carroll 
Co. Mr. Hewitt lost his wife April 8, 1873. 
They had two sons and two daught(>rs — Aloii- 
zo, a resident of Carroll Co.; ho was a meni- 
biT of the 2Clh Ohio Battery, and in service 
about 18 months; James A., living in town; 
Martha E. Mad<lock, of Carroll Co., and Jane 
I., living at homi'; this young lady possesses 
rare musical accomplishments, being a superior 
performer and also composer. Mr. Hewitt 
was married to a second wife in September, 
1874, Mrs. Mary A. Mays. He is a member of 
the Pres!)yterian Church, in which he has 
been an elder since 1846. 

ROBERT JONES, foundry, plows, stoves 
and tinware; Waynesburgh; is the pro- 
prietor of the leaiUng industry of Waynes- 
burgh; he is a sun of John .Jones, horn near 
Dublin, Ireland, in 1792; he married there in 
1817 Eliza Ince, and in 1819 emigrated to 
Ain(,'rica, landing at Philadelphia, where he 
remained for a short time, subsequently re- 
moving lo the vicinity of Wilkesbarre, Pa., 
where he remained until the spring of 1821. 
VV'hile living there Robert was born, in the 
year 182U. They next emigrated farther 
west, remaining in Pittsburgh a short period, 
and finally settleil abnut 8 miles north of the 
city, near " Braddock's Field." H(;re htey 
rcmain(!d until the spring of 1823, when they 
again took up the line of march and came to 



Ohio, and in the fall of that year he entered 
some land in what is now Rose Tp., and 
owned by Andrew Jimeson, upon which he 
erected a small cabin and began life in the 
woods. Here he remained with his family 
until the spring of 1838, when lie sold out and 
removed to Pittsburgh, where for eight years he 
was employed as spinning master in a cotton 
manufactory, at the end of which time ho. 
again removed to Carroll Co., where he had in 
the meantime purchased a piece of land ad- 
joining his original purchase, upon which he 
settled and lived until about 1859, when he 
removed with his wife to Waynesburgh, re- 
tiring from active labor. Here the couple re- 
mained until their deaths; he died at the age 
of 73 years, and his wife aged 70 years. 
Robert remained with his parents until the}' 
removed from Pittsburgh in 1830, where he re- 
mained behind, and apprenticed himself to 
learn the machinist's trade in a cotton machin- 
ery manufactory. He received his freeilom 
when about the age of 19, and immediately 
came to Massillon, obtaining employment 
with McMillan & Partridge about 3 months, 
and then engaging with C. M. Russell & Co., 
with whom he remained until the fall of 1847, 
engaged in the manufacture of threshing ma- 
chines. He then removed to Waynesburgh 
and embarked in a business enterprise for 
himself, purchasing a small foundry of Pat- 
rick Call, which he has enlarged and continued 
up to the present time. He manufactures 
several different lirands of plows, many of 
which have an extended reputation; he is also 
the patentee of .tones' Iron Plow, and has 
several valuable improvements in that line 
not patented; about 1851 he added a line of 
stoves and tinware to his other busin(>ss, 
which he has continui'd at, with the exception 
often vears. In 1877, he associated with him in 
business in that department, Mr. Lew S. l?ori- 
lirak, who continued with him until 1881. 
They are the inventors and patentees of the 
Iron Roofing, which bears their name, and 
in connection with L. Scott, commenced its 
manufacture in January, 1880. Mr. .lones, with 
Holding, has applied for a jiatent upon a 
" Quadruplex Seamer," for joining this roof- 
ing. He was united in marriage in S(!ptem- 
ber, 1842, to Miss Margaretta Taupert, a 
native of Germany, who cani(> with her parents 
to Massillon in 183G. Tliev have one son — 



£k. 



82ti 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES : 



Charles li. Mr. Jones has served the town- 
ship as its clerk for over ten, years, and in 
education and other matters of public impor- 
tance, has taken a progressive interest. He 
is a member of the Wayuesburgh Masonic 
Order, and with his wife, a member of the 
Methodist church. 

CHARLES. H. JONES, Waynesburgh; is 
a son of Robert and Margaretta (Taupert) 
Jones. He was born in Massillon, in 1845. 
At the age of 10 he commenced to learn the 
tin and coppersmith's trade in his father's shop, 
finishing at Canton, after which he taught 
school three months in Brown Township. At 
the breaking out of the Rebellion he enlisted 
in the 3d Independent Battery O. V. A., with 
which he was connected for about a year, 
when he was promoted to the position of 
Hospital Steward U. S. A., with the rank of 
Ordinance Sergeant, regular army; he admin- 
istered the duties of this office for one j^ear, 
and then received promotion to the command 
of a company in the 1st Mississippi Mounted 
Riflemen, which was organized at Memphis 
by Col. Jackson, and was composed of white 
refugees; in this position he remained until 
he was mustered out at the close of the war. 
Since his return from the army he has en- 
gaged in many and various occupations, and 
has traveled over most of the States in the 
Union. He was married in Octolier, 1869, to 
Miss Laura Christy, of Pittsburg, Pa., since 
which time he has remained in Waynesburgh. 
He has three children — Robert Christy, Clem- 
ent Russell, and Harry M. Mr. Jones has dis- 
played in all his business transactions intelli- 
gent and efficient qualification. Although 
never receiving a collegiate education, he has, 
by a judicious course of study and reading, 
combined with the knowledge to be attained 
by an extended tour of travels, attained a 
liberal education. He has devoted a large 
share of his later years to journalistic pur- 
suits, in which department he is recog- 
nized as the leading spirit of his community. 
He has devoted also much time and care in 
collectiug old historical facts, and incidents of 
the early days of Sandy Tp., which matter, 
arranged and enlarged by his own hands, 
will be presented to the people of Sandy Tp., 
in this work. 

JOSEPH KIMMELL, retired farmer; P. 
O. Waynesburgh; is one of the early settlers 



of Stark Co., and is intimately acquai:ited 
with the rise, progress and advancement of 
the county from its pioneer days to the pres- 
ent time. He is a son of Joseph and Hannah 
(Weldie) Kimmell, both natives of Pennsyl- 
vania. Adam Kimmell, the eldest son, came 
to Stark Co. in 1815, and was soon after 
joined by two younger brothers, William and 
John. The parents emigrated to the county 
in 1823, with the remainder of the family, 
consisting of four boys and three girls. His 
father had traded some property in Pennsyl- 
vania for a farm in Lake Tp., and here the 
family located, the parents remaining there 
until their deaths. The father, besides his 
occupation of a farmer, taught school for a 
number of years, teaching either German or 
English. His death occurred in 1845; the 
mother's in 1851. Adam, the elder son, was 
a soldier in the war of 1812, and after his re- 
moval to Stark Co., became an influential cit- 
izen, serving as justice of the peace in Can- 
ton for several years. The children now liv- 
ing are as follows : Rebecca, wife of Judge 
Loutzenheimer; .Joseph, Jr., Hannah Loutzen- 
heimer, living in Indiana ; Amos, a resident 
of Illinois, and Jacob, living in Lake Tp. 
Joseph Kimmell was born in Union Co., 
Pa., in 1802, and came witih his parents to 
Stark Co. at the time of their removal thither. 
As he was the oldest son at home, he had a 
practical experience in the hardships and toil 
of those early times. In 1823 he went to 
Canton, and engaged at the trade of fulling 
and carding, in the employ of his brother 
Adam and a man named Gaff, who had em- 
barked in that enterprise. In 1830 he bought 
out the interest of Gafl", and with his brother 
continued in that trade until 1837. He then 
purchased a farm in Carroll Co., a short dis- 
tance from Waynesburgh, upon which he re- 
mained until 1850, when he sold out; and after 
ten years' residence in Logan Co., Indiana, 
returned to Stark Co., purchasing a farm in 
Sandy Tp., which he operated until the fall 
of 1877, when he retired from an active and 
successful business life, and is now pleasantly 
located in Waynesburgh. He was married 
in 1823 to Catharine Emick, by whom he had 
seven children, four now living — -Cyrus, in In- 
diana; Harriet Arnold, in Iowa; Orlando, a 
resident of Iowa; and Emeline Casper, in In- 
diana. His wife died in 1858. In April^ 



^-. 



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SANDY TOWNSHU'. 



827 



18G0, he was married to a second wife, Cath- 
arine Seabuiy, "ho died in 1877. In June, 
1878, he married a third wife, Barbara Fogle, 
a daugliter of Geo. Fogle, one of the pioneei s 
of Stark Co., who came there in 1815, and 
marrieil Anna M. Loutzenheimer, both now 
deceased; his death occurred in April, 1876, 
and his wife's February, 1880. Mr. Kimmeli 
has served Sandy Tp. as trustee one term, and 
whik; a resident of Carroll Co. was justice of 
the |)eace three years. He was formerly a 
member of the Lutheran churcli, but since 
livincf in Waynesburgh has joined thi; Pres- 
byterian denomination, of which his wife is a 
member. 

JEREMIAH KOONTZ, farmer; P. O. 
Magnolia; is a son of John and Rebecca 
Koontz, who were married in Pennsyl- 
vania, in 1816, and soon after emigrated to 
Ohio. Tliey located in Sandy Tp. about 
1818, upon a farm in the northern portion of 
the township, and about 18-55, removed to 
Rose Tp., Carroll Co., whine the father took 
up 160 acres of land, and remained a resident 
until his death in 1848; his mother survived 
until 1862, when she died at the home of her 
son David, in Hardin Co. O. They had eleven 
children, only three of whom ;ir<" now living — 
Jeremiah, Mary, wife of John Housinaii, of 
Hardin Co. O., and Lydia, wife of Adam 
Housman, of Tuscarawas Co., O. William 
Koontz, a son, deceased, was in the late ser- 
vice, and died while in service at Nashville, 
Tenn. Jeremiah was born in Columbiana 
Co., O., Se])t. 16, 1817, itnd saw considerable 
of the hardships and trials of the pioneer days. 
He has been engaged in farming all his life, 
and has made it successful in a pecuniary 
way. His present location is one of the finest 
in the township; his land is fertile and well 
improved, and he has erected upon it as fine 
buildings as can be desired. His residence 
and biun are especially tiotici-able, and are 
corainandingly situated. Mr. Koontz enlisted 
in Co. K. 51st O. V. I., in 1861, and was in the 
service over threevears, participating in all the 
b:ittles and engagements of his regiment. He 
was married in 1844 to Elizabeth F. Beatty, 
daughter of W^'brents and Mary (Filson) 
Bi-atty, early settlers of Rose Tp., Carroll Co. 
She was born in 1820; they have five children 
now living, two deceased — John and Rebecca 
Fishley, both deceased; Robert, Jeremiah, Jr., 



George, Wm. Stanley and Ellen (now Mrs. 
Fish-ley,) now living in Michigan. Jane Fish- 
ley, a grand-daughter, makes her home with 
them also. Mr. and Mrs. Koontz are both 
members of the United Brethren Church. 

WM. H. KNCTTS, farmer ; P. O. Magno- 
lia; is a descendant of one of the old ])ioneer 
families ; his parents were William and Han- 
nah Knotts, his father a native of Maryland, 
and his mother of Virginia. They emigrated 
to Ohio hi 1808, and settled in " Sandy Tp., 
upon the farm that our subject now owns. 
Here they passed the remainder of their days; 
his death occurred in 1850, and his wife many 
years previous, about 1824. There were eleven 
children in the family, of whom our subject 
was the tenth child. He is a native of Sandy 
Tp., born in 1815, and was brought uj) upon 
the farm, remaining at home until twenty- 
three years of age. He then went upon the 
Ohio Canal, and was engaged in boating ope- 
rations upon it for twenty-one summers. He 
then removed to Indiana, and for two years 
was engaged in the waoehouse business there. 
Returning to Saiuly Tp., he was married in 
1863 to Emily S. Miller, of Dunkirk, O. 
Since his return to Stark Co , Mr. Knotts has 
been engaged in the mercantile busiiu'ss at 
Magnolia for ten years, and also farming, at 
which he still continues. He owns 171 acres 
in the township. He has three children — 
William, Hniih atul Ann. 

LEWIS KLOTZ, shoemaker; Waynes- 
burgh; was born in Carroll Co., in 1838; 
he commenced to learn his trade at the age 
of fourteim in Canton, under the instructions 
of .loseph Ricluii'ds, with whom he continued 
eighteen months, he then went to Pittsburgh, 
where he remained two years, and from thence 
to Malvern, Carroll Co., remaining there only 
eight months, when he began business for 
himself in Magnolia, opeiiii;g up a shop there, 
where he resided, and worked at his trade for 
nine years. He came to Waynesburgh in 
1807, and embarked in business there, in his 
line, where he has since resided and conduct- 
ed a successful business. Mr. Klotz, was a 
volunteer in the late war, eidisting in May, 
1864, in the 162nd O. N. G., Co. I.; they were 
in the U. S. service about four months. He 
was united in marriage in 1860, to Miss Sarah 
Van Mater, of Carroll Co. They have nine 
children living — John W., William N., Lewis 



s) fy 



E., Charles M.. George W., Frank A., Cora 
E., Mary M., and Rebecca F. Mr. Klotz is a 
member of both the Masonic and Odd Fellow 
orders, and a respected citizen of Waynes- 
bur<;-h. 

MADISON M. MAYS, dealer in fine 
stock, and farmer, P. O. Waynesburgh; one 
of the jsrogressive business men and practical 
farmers of Stark Co. Ho is a son of Andrew 
and Rebecca (Ryan) Mays;. his father was born 
in Washington Co., Pa., in 1798. He was one 
of the pioneers of Sandy Tp., coming- there in 
1814, and a resident of the township nntil 1879, 
wlien he went to Mercer Co., Pa., to live and 
where he still resides. His marriage with 
Rebecca Ryan, occurred in Sandy Tp. in 
1821; she was a daughter of Cornelius 
Ryan, who came to the township from 
Pennsylvania, at an early day. The 
mother died in 1854. There were nine 
boys and three girls in the family, of whom 
only the following now survive — Madison M., 
Tliomas C, now a resident of Hot Sprinas, 
Arkansas, Wilfred O., living in Iowa, and 
Nerrissa Fell of Mercer Co., Pa. The subject 
of this sketch was born in this township in 1830. 
At the age of 14, he commenced droving, and 
from that time forward has been in constant 
and active business ventures; for several 
years he was contractor upon railroad con- 
struction, and in 1854, removed to Davenport, 
Iowa, and was proprietor of the Le Clare 
House for one year, subsequently returning to 
Waynesburgh, where he engaged in brewing 
and distilling malt liquors. During the war, 
he was engaged most of the time in stock 
operations, and in oil speculations in Pennsyl- 
vania. He jiurchased, in 1800, a farm adjoin- 
ing Waynesburgh, and in 18G5 bought his 
present location, and since that time has been 
extensively engaged in farming operations. 
He now owns about 3 acres of su|)erior 
land, finely improved, and makes a specialty 
in dairying; and for the past three years has 
owned and operated a large cheese factory 
upon his farm. His cattle, sheep, fowl and 
horses are all blooded stock, and his farming 
is conducted with all th(! a<lvanced machin- 
ery of the age. Since 1874, Mr. Mays has 
been interested in the Rappleye Wire 
Fence, and is now General Agent for its 
introduction. He is doing an immense busi- 
ness in that line, and travels all over the 



United States in its interests. During the 
past winter (1880) Mr. Mays passed a large 
sliare of his time in the Southern States, and 
while there, purchased seven blooded horses; 
four of them are now upon his farm, under the 
charge of an experienced driver, and will be 
entered for the sporting season of 1881. Mr. 
Mays' location is near the limits of Waynes- 
burgh, and although his place is finely 
improved, he says that more improvements 
are soon to follow, and is contemplating 
making it a model farm and home. He ])os- 
sesses superior business and social qualities, 
and is daily to be found, when at home, 
exhibiting his stock and enterprises to large 
numbers of visitors. He was married in 1853, 
to Miss Clarissa Koontz, daughter of Solo- 
mon Kooiitz, a former business partner of 
his fatlier's. They have three children — 
Albert, Emma F. and Mary A. 

THEODORE McCALL, farmer; P. O. 
Waynesburgh; is a son of Thomas McCall, 
who was one of the pioneer settlers of Stai-k 
Co. His mother was Sarah Brothers, a native 
of Pennsylvania; she died about 1857. His 
father is now a resident of Canton, a more 
complete sketch of whose life will appear in 
that township history. Theodore has been 
engaged in agricultural pursuits from his boy- 
hood up to the present time. After his mar- 
riao-o he moved upon his father's farm, and 
resided with him until April, 1877, when he 
purchased the farm of his father, who then re- 
moved to Canton. The farm is situated upon 
the Canton and Waynesburgh road, about 
four miles from the latter place. It consists 
of 135 acres of land, a goodly portion of 
which is finely adapted to horticultural pur- 
poses, and in this line Mr. McCall is making 
quite a specialty. The more particular 
varieties of fruit that he is giving attention to 
are quinces, peaches and apples, having about 
3,000 trees of the latter, and making annually 
about fifty barrels of vinegar. He cultivates 
the greater portion of his land to general 
farming. Mr. McCall was united in marriage 
in 1872 to Miss Sarah Reed, of Osnaburg Tp., 
daughter of William Reed, a well-known resi- 
dent of that township. Mr. and Mrs. McCall 
have a family of three girls^Alice, Effie and 
Jessie. Mr. McCall has given his' entire 
attention to farming, not seeking any political 
honors. He is an intelligent and practical 



SANDY TOWNSHIP. 



Iiut^ljaiuliiutii, and is a|ipreoiatcil as a titizeii 
of ^rciiuliie wortli. 

JAMES MORLEDGE, wool, .rraiii and 
produce; Waj-neshurgh; was born in Car- 
roll Co., O., in lU'll; his father, John Mor- 
ledge, was a native of England, and came to 
Ohio in 1813, and settled in Carroll Co. He j 
married there, in 1817, Hannah Westfall, a na- j 
tive of Pennsylvaia.; her father was a captain | 
in the revolutionary war anil sul)se(|uently a 
pioneer of Carioll <' 'o. Roger Morledge, a 
brother to John, came to Sandy Tp. at the 
same time his brother settled in Carroll 
Co., wiiere he lived until his death. John 
Morledge died in 184<); his wife died about 
1873. James was engaged in farming until 30 
years of age, when he moved to Minerva and 
engaged in the grain and i)roduce business 
there. In 18.58 he came to Wayiicsburgh, 
and has resided there since, dealing- in grain 
and produce and making a specialty of wool. 
He was associated in partnership with J. 
Ranne from 1858 to 1865, and in 18G8 went 
into partnership with Fred Mackaman, since 
which time they have conducted a large and 
successful business. Mr. M. was married in 
1843 to Miss Mary Dumbleton, a resident of 
Carroll Co; she died in 1873, leaving six 
children — Sarah J. Hamilton, wife of E. H. 
Hamilton, of Waynesburgh; Kate, wifeof N. L. 
Glover, of Akron; John D., one of the business 
men of Carrollton; Lizzie, wife of S. Woy, 
living in Sparla, Wis.; Mettie, wife of John 
Brouse, Cambridge, (). and Lorin B., married to 
Lizzie Wilson, daughter of John E. W^ilson, of 
Wavnesburgh; he is now engaged in the 
butcher business in Waynesburgh. Mr. Mor- 
ledge was married to a second wife in 1876, 
Lucinda Miller, of Hiram, O.; she is a mem- 
ber of the Disciples' Church. 

F. MACKAMA>i', grain and produce; 
Waynesburgh; was born in Carroll Co., in 
1833. He is a son of Daniel and Lucinda 
Mackaman, early settlers of Carroll Co., and 
now residents of Tuscarawas Co. Our sub- 
ject passed his early days assisting his father 
to till tlie soil. Alter attaining his majority, 
recognizing that a good education was neces- 
sary to attain a prominent ]i()sition among 
men, and for a successful business future, he 
commenced going to school in Tuscarawas Co., 
and was assigned to classes containing boys 
many years his junior. Nothing daunted 



however, he pressed on, soon after was pre- 
pared to enter an academy, when in si.x 
months he received a certificate to teach. 
After teaching for a period of seven years, 
he had saved ^1,000, ;uid soon invested it in 
a farm in Tuscarawas Co., lor which he obli- 
gated himself to pay $6,000. He then began 
farming and stock operations there, in which 
he was very successful, remaining there until 
1868 when he removed to Waynesburgh and 
has since made that his home. Since his resi- 
dence there he has been interested in many and 
various enterprises, giving his attention more 
particularly to wool, grain, and produce, in 
all of which he achieves successful issues. 
Mr. Mackaman is a fair type of the self-made 
men of our day. Commencing life with no 
pecuniary aid, he has achieved, while yet a 
young man, success which many aged men 
might envy. Hij possesses, besides his rare 
executive and business tact, genial social 
qualities of a high order, and a liberal and 
progressive spirit. He educated, at his own 
expense, a younger brother, in the medical 
profession, fitting him to l)e well prepared for 
the battle of life. Mr. Mackaman is a ])rom- 
inent politicaii, democratic in his ter)dencies, 
and his name has been prominently men- 
tioned for high political honors, which he has 
the ability to honorably represent. He was 
united in marriage in 1857, to Miss Charlotte 
Hagarty, of Virginia. They have one child — 
Miss Luella F., now attending the Steuben- 
ville, f)., Female Seminary. 

JEROME MIJCKLEY," farmer; P. O. Mag- 
nolia; is a son of Henry and Nancy (Rhine- 
hart) Muckley, who were early settlers and 
residents of Sandy Tp. His father was born 
in Germany in 1810, and came to America 
with his parents when he »-as nine years of 
age, who settled in Sandy Tp. He was a re- 
sident of the township until his death, which 
occurred in 1866. The mother is still living. 
They were parents of ten children, seven of 
whom are now living — Barbara Boory, living 
in Kansas; Jerome; Adam, a resident of Can- 
ton Tp.; Francesca Welker, of Sandy Tp.; 
Sarah J. Elsass, Brown Tp., Carroll Co., James 
H. and David V., both residents of Sandy Tp. 
A son, .Fohn, now decased, was a member of 
the 126th O. N. G., and died from disease 
contracted while in service. Jerome was born 
in Sandy Tp. in 1844; he has always been a 



~ii "V 



830 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES : 



resilient of his native town, and has been 
engaged in farming from his youth up. He 
was married in 1869 to Miss Mary Farber, of 
Carroll Co., after which he farmed the old 
homestead i'arm three years. In 1873 he pur- 
chased his present location where he has since 
resided. He has 100 acres of improved iand 
and has erected upon it large and commodious 
buililings. They have six children — Elizabeth 
J., Nannie, Henry M., Maggie, Frank, and 
Olive M. 

NETZ & MYERS, ladies' and gents' fur- 
nishing goods, clothing and carpets; Waynes- 
burgh. This house was established in 
Waynesburgh in 1879, and consists of two 
old, experienced and efficient merchants; 
they removed to their present location in 
March, 1880, where they have a large and 
well-lighted salesroom — centrally located — 
and are doing a leading and increasing busi- 
ness. Tiieir stock consists of a large assort- 
ment of clothing — of the newest styles — a 
complete line of hats and caps, ladies and 
gents furnishing goods, trunks and valises, 
and a full and complete assortinent of carpets 
and oil cloths of superior makes and newest 
designs. In September, 1880, they started a 
branch store at Dell Roy, Carroll Co., which is 
under the supervision of Mr. Jacob Derringer, 
who is now associated with them as a partner. 
Their enterprise at Dell Roy was first started 
as a clothing store, but in March, 1881, the 
firm added a line of dry goods, groceries, etc., 
and are now doing a general trade, with fine 
prospects. Messrs. Netz and Myers are en- 
terprising and deservedly popular merchants, 
and are recommended to the people at large 
as honorable and progressive business men. 
Richard Netz, is a native of Waynes- 
burgh; his father, John Netz, was a native of 
Germany; his mother, whose maiden name 
was Catharine Pearch, was a native of Penn- 
sylvania, where they were married, subse- 
quently removing to Sandy Tp., where his 
father followed farming and continued a resi- 
dent until his death. His mother is still liv- 
ing and six of their children are now living. 
Richard, the fourth child, was born in 1844; 
he remained upon the farm until 1861; when 
a youth of 17, he enlisted in Co. F, 126th 
O. V. I., and was in the service of his country 
for three years, the last year as brigade color 
bearer under Gen. Keifer, now M. C. He 



participated in the battles of Winchester, 
Cedar Creek, Strasburgh, Wilderness, Spot- 
sylvania, Cold Harbor, Mine Run, Peters- 
burg, Richmond, and was "in at the death" 
when Lee surrendered. Upon his return 
home he taught school in Osnaburg and Sindy 
Tps. for six years — winter sessions; he then 
entered upon his mercantile career, engaging 
with R. B. Hamilton, with whom he remained 
two years; then was in the employ of Elson & 
Higley two years. He next entered into 
partnership with Beans & Elsass, and was in 
business until 1878, when he disposed of his 
interest, and in 1879 formed his present busi- 
ness partnership with A. J. Myers. Mr. 
Netz has served in many offices of Township 
Trust — Justice of the Peace three years, Town- 
ship Assessor three terms, as Street Commis- 
sioner and Member of the School Board, and 
is now serving as Township Clerk. He was 
married in 1868 to Miss Maggie Van Norden, 
of Osnaburg Tp; they have four children — 
Olive. Robert M., Charles E. and George W. 
Alfred J. Myers was born in Linn Co., 
Iowa, in 1849; he is a son of Jacob P. and 
Catharine (Brown) Myers; his father is a na- 
tive of Pennsylvania and his mother of Ohio; 
his father came to Ohio when a boy with his 
parents, who located in Columbiana Co. 
After his marriage he was engaged In the 
shoemaking business in Canton, subsequently 
removing to Iowa where he engaged at farm- 
ing and also working at his trade. He finally 
returned to Ohio, and is now living in Canton 
Tp; his mother died in 1871. xllfred was 
the third child and only son; he passed his 
early days at farming at home until he ob- 
tained his majority. He was united in mar- 
riage in 1870 to Miss Angeline Van Norden, 
of Osnaburg Tp., and engaged in farming 
nearly two years. He then removed to Can- 
ton and worked at the carpenter's trade nearly 
four years; he then was engaged in contracting 
and building there two seasons, after which 
he removed to North Industry, and in 1877 
started a general store there, remaining there 
one year and then removing to Sparta where 
he was engaged in merchandizing one year. 
He then sold out and came to Waynesburgh 
and formed his present business connection. 
Mr. and Mrs. Myers have two children, 
Eltona and Richard. 

H. W. RHOADS, station agent; Waynes- 



^' 



IV 



t\^ 



SANDY TOWNSHIP. 



bnrgh; was bom in Pennsylvania in 1813; 
oanie to Waynesburgli about 1840, and lor 
many vears was engaged in commercial 
transactions, clerking for R. K. Gray until 
1850, when he removed to lin'^o Tp., Carroll 
Co., and for five years was engaged in I'arm- 
ing, afterward returning to Waynesburgh. 
In 1806 lie received an appointment as sta- 
tion agent, which position he lias since held, 
altiiough lor the past few years the business 
has been done by his sons. He was married 
in 1S3S to Miss Kacliel Adams, of Westmore- 
land Co., Pa. They have the ff>llowing chil- 
dren, one deceased — Samuel, now in mercaii- 
t le business at Dell Roy; Barbara Elsass, 
living in Massillon; Geoige W., in Iowa, en- 
gaged in mercantile business; Jonathan, who 
conducted the railroad business for several 
years for his father, is now in Dover, as agent 
there; Josoph, mail agent on the Connotlon 
Valley Railroad; ilaggie Robertson, Wa\-nes- 
burgh; AbcLF. ; and Harry, agent at Bridge- 
port. Mr. Rhoads has served the township 
as assessor for three terras, which office he is 
now administering. They are members of the 
Methodist Church. 

A. F. RHOADS, acting station agent and 
telegraph operator; Waynesburgh; was born in 
Waynesburgh, in 1852. He passed about 
four years in his earlier days in the mercantile 
business, part of the time in Cleveland, but 
for the past few years has been in the railroad 
business at Waynesl)urgli, and is now the act- 
ing agent and telegraph operator there. He 
was married in 18? i", to Miss Ida Hickson, of 
Kansas City; her father, Dr. Hickson, is now 
residing in Illinois. They have one son, 
Claudie. Samuel served three months in 
the Home Guards, and then enlisting in the 
3d Ohio Battery, serving three years, and 
afterwards as a veteran until the close of the 
war. George Rhoads was in the three months' 
service as a member of Co. I., 18th O. V. I., 
under Co!. Ball, of Canton. Joseph Rhoads, 
enlisted in the 20th Ohio Battery, serving fif- 
teen months, most of the time in guarding 
the ars nal works at Natchez, Miss. 

W. A. ROBERTSON, retired farmer; P. O. 
Waynesburgh. Proininoiit among the old res- 
idents of Sandy Tp. and Waynesburgh is the 
subject of this sketch. He was born in Al- 
legheny Co., Pa., March 15, 1818. His par- 
ents were Denny and Eleanor {McConke}') 



Robertson, natives of Ireland; they emigrated 
to Ohio in 1821, and settled in that portion 
of Sandy Tp. which has since been added to 
Carroll Co., Brown Tp., where his father loca- 
ted some GOO acres of land, and was an exten- 
sive farmer until his death, which occurred in 
April, 1829; his mother's death occurred in 
June following. Thev wore the parents of 
eight children, of whom William was the sec- 
ond; five of the children are now living — 
James, in .Sandy Tp.; and David, in Carroll 
Co.; Margaret Blythe, and Eliza Jane in this 
township. In 1843 William made a purchase 
of 130 acres near Waynesburgh, where he re- 
sided, engaged in agricultural pursuits until 
1855, when he removed to Waynesburgh, 
where he has since resided; retired from ac- 
tive labor, his chief business since his resi- 
dence there has been in the lumber trade. 
He was unit(>din marriage in 1847 to Miss Is- 
abella J. Mclnlyn. Mr. Robertson hasserve<l 
the township in many and various offices of 
trust and honor; he was a Trustee of the Town- 
ship for a score of years, and in educational 
affairs has taken an active and leading inter- 
est, serving upon the School Jioard for many 
years. He is always willing to lend a helping 
hand to well-deserving enterprises, and is a 
most respected and honored citizen. In pol- 
itics he is Republican, and has been one 
since the formation of the party. In religion 
he worships with the Presbyterians. 

JOHN B. ROGERS, farmer, P.O. Waynes- 
burgh; is one of the solid, substantial farm(>rs of 
Sandy Tp., whose prosperity is due solely to 
his individual energy, perseverance and indus- 
try. Mr. Rogers is a native of the " Emerald 
Isle," where he was born in 1813. His i)arents 
John and Margaret (Hamilton) Rogers em- 
igrated to America when he was 3 years 
old, and settled in New York for two years, 
after which they continued their travels until 
they reached Ohio, locating in Coshocton Co., 
where his father farmed until 1827, when they 
removed to Sandy Tp., remaining there, how- 
ever, only two years, when they again 
removed, settling in Brown T])., Carroll Co., 
where they continued to reside for the re- 
mainder of their days; his father died in 
I860; his mother, in 1800. Our subject com- 
menced life upon his father's farm, where he 
remained until he attained the age of 17, 
when he commenced to learn the blacksmith's 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



trade with A. Silvers, of Wayiiesburgh. This 
occupation he followed for about twenty 
years ill Wayiiesburgh. In 1849 he purchased 
134 acres of land of A. Halter, located about 
three-and-a-half miles out upon the Canton 
road. Here Mr. Rogers has since resided, 
improving his farm in buildings and fences 
until it has become a model of neatness and 
comfort. He added to his Oiiginal purchase 
until he attained over 200 acres, 50 of which 
he has given his son James C. He was inar- 
ried in 1839 to Miss Eleanor Creigliton, daugh- 
ter of James Creighton, a pioneer and old 
resident of Stark Co. She was born in Sandy 
Tp. They have had six children — William 
P., died June 'io, 1879; he was a young law- 
yer of great promise, and was rapidly achiev- 
ing distinction in his chosen profession in 
Cleveland, where he had commenced his 
practice; his untimely death, in all proljabil- 
ity, cut short a career of great brilliancy, and 
proved a severe blow to the bereaved parents; 
James C, now managing the Hamilton House 
of Waynesliuroh, and John H. at home; Cor- 
delia, wife of James Boyd, Esq., Sandy Tp.; 
Zipporah Griffith, living in Carroll Co., and 
Alice Robertson, also a resident of Carroll 
Co. Mr. and Mrs. Rogers are members of the 
Presbyterian Church in which he is an Elder. 
WM. RAIDEL, merchant; Waynesburgh; 
is one of the leading merchants in the 
southern portion of Stark county. Mr. 
Raidel is a native of Germany, where he 
was born in 18"28. He married there, in 1851, 
Miss Augusta Kundze, and in 1852 emigrated 
to America. In 1855 he came to Magnolia, 
and embarked in a woolen mill enterprise, re- 
maining there about eight years. In 1864, 
he removed to Waynesburgh, and engaged in 
mercantile pursuits, clerking a short time for 
J. Ranne & Co., and subsequently for R. B. 
Hamilton. He then became a member of the 
firm of Grays, Raidel & Shorts, which was 
afterwards changed to Raidel & Shorts. In 
March, 1878, he associated with him in busi- 
ness, Mr. James D. Blythe, under the firm 
name of Raidel & Blythe; they have since 
been in business together. While a resident 
of Magnolia he was elec ed Justice of the 
Peace, which office he held for twelve years, 
and after an interval of four years was again 
elected, and held it up to the present time. 
He has also served as clerk of the board of 



education and a member of the common coun- 
cil. He is a prominent Mason, belonging to 
the Waynesburgh Lodge, of which he has occu- 
pied the chair of Master, and in various other 
offices of the order. Has five children-— Pau- 
line, Clara E., Maggie A., Wm. K. and Jen- 
nie C. 

RAIDEL & BLYTHE, dry goods and 
groceries; Waynesburgh. This is the lead- 
ing dry goods house of Waynesburgh. It is 
composed of two experienced gentlemen, who 
have been in mercantile pursuits for years, 
and understand how to conduct and manage 
a successful business. The firm was organ- 
ized in March, 1878, and has been rapidly in- 
creasing in public favor and in its extended 
trade. Messrs. Raidel & Blythe carry a 
complete line of dry good, groceries, boots 
and shoes, and a general line of merchandise; 
also are extensive dealers in country produce. 
They have an excellent location and are cour- 
teous and honorable liusiness men. 

WM. A. STRAYER, hardware; Waynes- 
burgh; is one of the leading business men of 
Waynesburgh. He was born in Carroll Co., 
Ohio, in 1847; his parents are Jacob and Eliz- 
abeth (Jenkins) Strayer, both natives of Jef- 
ferson Co., Ohio. They moved to Carroll Co. 
in 1831, where they now reside; the father is 
engaged in agricultural pursuits and is an ex- 
tensive land owner. They were parents of 
eight children, six of whom are now living; 
the subject of this sketch being the youngest. 
William, passed his early years upon the 
farm, and at the age of twenty years com- 
menced teaching, which he only continued at 
for two terms. In 1868 he came to Waynes- 
burgh and embarked in trade in the hard- 
ware line; to this business he has from that 
time forward devoted his exclusive attention, 
and has established a successful trade. For 
ten years Mr. H. S. Moses was associated with 
him in business, at the end of which period 
Mr. Moses disposed of his interest and re- 
moved to iNIansfield, remaining there, how- 
ever, only one year, when he returned and 
repurchased one-half interest, which he still 
retains. They carry a iuU and complete line 
of hardware and are doing a leading business. 
Mr. Moses now resides in Canton, where 
Moses & Strayer have another hardware es- 
tablishment under the firm name of Moses, 
Couch & Strayer. Mr. Strayer has served 



SANDY TOWNSHIP. 



as Councilman and Township Treasurer, anil is 
also the agent of the Union Express Co. Ho 
was united in marriage, in ISTO, to Miss Flora 
E. Couch, of Waynesburgii; they have three 
cliildren: Edward S., Frank C. and Oliver. 
Mr. Strayer is a public-spirited and progress- 
ive citizen, and an able and successful 
business manager. 

C. H. SLUTZ, hardware ; P. O. Waynes- 
burgh; is a native of Ohio, born in Tuscara- 
was Co., in 1846. His grandfather's family 
consisted of eighteen children — twelve boys 
and six girls. Nine of them arc now living, 
the youngest 1)imiii;0"3 years old. His parents 
were Joshua and Mary Magdalene Slutz — 
rt-sidents ol Pike Tp., where his father still 
resides; his mother died about 1858. Charles 
began life assisting upon his father's farm 
until he attained 20 years. His educa- 
tion was commenced in the district schools, 
and finished at Mt. Union College — teaching 
school in winter sessions to pay for his tuition 
while there. When 23 years of age he 
started for the West, and while in Kansas, 
enlisted in Co. A, 8th Kansas, U. S. service, 
and was upon the frontier one year looking 
after the Indians, under Sheridan and Custer. 
Their route was down through the Indian 
Territory into Texas, and was replete with 
interest and excitement. One of the especial 
features of his trip was the rescue from captiv- 
ity of two white girls, who had been captured 
in Northern Kansas. Upon his return he lo- 
cated in Kansas, being employed in the office: 
of a land agency, remaining in the State, in 
all, four years. He then returned to Ohio 
and taught school in Pike Tp., three terms. 
In 1875 he came to Wavnesburgh, and was 



PETER SHERER, farmer ; P. O. Magno- 
lia ; was born in France in 1828, and emigra- 
ted to America with his [jarents when about 
2U years of age ; they located in I'ike 
Tp., remaining there several years, and th<;n 
removing to Canton Tp., where his parents 
died. Peter began life as a farm laborer, 
working by the month and year until 1855, 
when he married Miss Caroline Kinright ; her 
father was from Maryland, and an early settler 
of Sandy Tp., where he died. After his mar- 
riage, Peter began farming operations for 
himself in Sandy Tp., where he remained un- 
til October, 1880, when he removed across 
the line into Carroll Co., where he now re- 
sides, and is engaged in farming. Ho has 
devoted his time entirely to farming, at which 
he has been very successful, and aix-uniu- 
latod a large tract of land ; ho owns 200 acres 
in Carroll Co., where he resides, and ;520 acres 
in Sandy Tj)., which is o|)ciated by his sons, 
John and Michael. His wife died in Decem- 
ber, 1875, leaving nine children — .fohn, born 
1857 ; Michael, born 1858, in Sandy Tp.; Em- 
ma, Alice, Mary, William, Amos, George and 
Lydia. They make a specialty of raising 
sheep, cattle, horses, and stock-farming gen- 
erallv. 

GEORGE C. WELCH, physician and sur- 
geon, Wavnesburgh; was born in Hairison Co. 
O., Sept. 10, 1838; his parents were William 
and Isabella (Crawford) Welch; his father, 
whose ancestors came over in the Mayflower, 
was a native of New York, and about the year 
1803 emigrated to Ohio, settling in Jefferson 
Co., near Steubonville, and afterward in Harri- 
sem Co.; he was first cousin of our late lamented 
minister to Great Britain, Hon. John Welch, of 



a teacher in the union schools there for three i Philadelphia, President of the Centennial Ex- 



years, at the expiration of which time he 
entered into the hardware trade, at which he 
is still successfully engaged. He was associ- 
ated in partnership with T. B. Newhon until 
M.irrh 5,1881. Mr. Slutz carriesa large stock of 
goods in shelf and heavy hardware, paints, oils 
agricultural implements, etc., etc. He is now 
serving as Justice of the Peace, and a mem- 
ber of the present School Bo.ard. Is a member 
of the Masonic lodge, and was Cajitain of the 
W.aynesburgh militia at the time of its disband- 
meiit. He was married in April, 1875, to Miss 
Jennie Huscroft, of Steubenville, O. Child- 
ren — Thomas W., Olive K., and Addie J. 



position, and, on his mother's side, a cousin to 
President Z. Taylor. Our sul)iect in his boy- 
hood enjoyed the educational facilities 
offered by the common schools of his nalivi,' 
place; later he attended the well known New 
Hagerstowri (Ohio) Academy, and obtained 
while at this institution a good practical edu- 
cation. Before he reached the age of eight- 
een his father died, and from that time he 
was thrown upon his own resources; at the 
age of 20 years he began to teach school, and 
after having taught for a time in Carroll Co. 
with good success, he followed the same 
business for about a year in Missouri; upon 



834 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



the l)reakinf; out of the rebellion, he returned 
to Ohio, when he resumed his occupation as 
teacher. During his course of ]3reparation 
for the medical profession his expenses wore 
met by his remuneration as teacher; in 1862, 
he placed himself under the tutelage of Ur. 
G. M. Elliott, of New Hagerstovvn, and for 
about three years devoted himself closely to 
study, when not occupied by his duties as in- 
structor; he attended lectures at the Charity 
Hospital Mi'dical College at Cleveland — now 
the medical department of the University of 
Wooster, from which he graduated in 1870. 
Dr. Welch immediately began practice at 
Kilgore, Carroll Co., where he remained one 
year, and immediately after he located for one 
year at Carrollton, Ohio, where he received a 
fair share of patronage. While at tiiis place 
he was commissioned by Governor Brough, 
under the commutation law, military sur- 
geon of Carroll Co., with ratik of Major, com- 
mission to run throe years from May, 1805; 
he next settled at Mechanicstown, Carroll Co., 
where for thirteen years he enjoyed a large 
and successful practice; in April, 1878, he 
located in Waynesburgh, 0., where he still 
resides, and now is receiving a larger patron- 
age than any other physician in that 
place. He has served as Member of the School 
Board, both at Mechanicstown and Waynes- 
burgh, and has been connected with the Pres- 
byterian church for about eighteen years. Dr. 
Welch married in 18(31, Abigail Amanda 
Hine, of Missouri, originally from Trumbull 
Co., Ohio. From this union liave been born 
five children, four of whom are now living. 
The oldest son, William A. Welch, is studying 
medicine with his father. Dr. Welch's prac- 
tice in Waynesburgh has, both in successful 
treatment and in extensive patronage, placed 
him at the head of his profession. All laud- 
able, public enterprises receive his support. 
In his intercourse with people, he is gentle- 
manly and courteous, and these qualities, 
added to his reputation as a physician, rightly 
place him among the leading citizens of his 
locality. (From Biographical Cyclopaedia of 
Ohio). 

WILLIAM WIREBAUGH, blacksmith ; 
Waynesburgh ; is a son of John and Eliz- 
abeth (Bechtel) Wirebaugh, both natives 
of Stark Co., where they were married and 
lived their entire lives. He was by trade a 



|)lasterer, and also engaged in teaming to 
Pittsburgh when the country was new. His 
first wife died when William was quite young, 
leaving ten children, seven of whom are now 
living; he subsequently married the widow 
Whaler. At the time of his death, he was 
residing upon his farm in Nimishillen Tp.; 
his death occurred in December, 1877. Our 
subject was raised upon a farm until the age 
of seventeen, when he enlisted in Co. I., 19th 
O. V. I., and was in all the active service that 
his regiment passed through ; this regiment 
was called the " Boy Regiment," as it was 
mainly composed of voutlis under age. The 
" Boys," however, passed through the battles 
of Shiloh, Siege of Corinth, Stone River, Mis- 
sion Ritlge, Chickamauga, Atlanta and many 
others, leaving an honorable and distinguished 
record. In the battle before Atlanta, in 1864, 
William was wounded, and confined to the 
hospital for a year ; upon his recovery, he was 
transferred to the Veteran Reserve, and sent 
to Illinois ; while there, his company had the 
honor of guarding, in Springfield, the last 
resting-place of the illustrious martyr, Abra- 
ham Lincoln. He remained there al)out four 
months, and there received his discharge, 
ranking at the time as Orderly Sergeant. 
Upon his return to his home, he engaged in 
burning lime upon the home farm, for one 
season, and then commenced to learn his 
trade, in Marlborough Tp., where he remained 
about four years, setting up and running his 
first shop there. He next removed to Can- 
ton, and was employed in the Agricultural 
Works of C. Russell & Co., for four years, 
after which he removed to Waynesburgh, 
where he has since resided, and has been con- 
ducting a profitable business. Mr. Wire- 
baugh is an esteemed citizen of Waynes- 
burgh, and ranks as one of its most honorable 
liusiness men. He has one child — Maudie 
May. 

DOUGLAS WILSON, farmer; P. O. 
Waynesburgh; is a son of Douglas Wilson, 
who was born near Frederick, Md., in 1778; 
his parents emigrated to Washington Co., 
Pa., when he was only three years of age; 
they remained in that locality for the remain- 
der of their lives. Douglas, Sr., was married 
in that county to Osie Hinds, and emigrated 
to Stark Co., in 1811, settling, March 550th of 
that year, in the southern portion of Osnaburg 



SANDY TOWNSHIP. 



Tp., where they coiithiued until their deaths. 
Tiii'v wer lor many yeais members of the 
Methodist Gliurch, and exemphiry members of 
society; his death was in 1846, and his wife's 
in 1854; thirteen children were in this family 
— James, died in 1828 upon the old farm; Ben- 
jamin living in Osnabui-i; Tj).; Nancy, de- 
ceased; Hoijert, livinij in .Mapletoii; Isaac, 
died in W" d Co., O.; DoiiirJas; Osie Elson, 
wife of John Elson, of Sandy Tp.; Phebe 
Yohe, living in Osnaburg Tp. ; Sarah Kinney, 
deceased; John, living in Indiana; and two 
infants deceased. Douglas, ,!r., was born in 
Osnaburg Tp. in 1812, and was a resjdontand 
assistant upon the homestead farm until 28 
years of age, when he went to Columbiana 
and commenced the study of medicine with 
Dr. Silvers, with whom he was under instruc- 
tion for three 3-ears. He then returned to his 
home and commenced the practice of his pro- 
fession, and also giving some attention to 
farming. After his father's death he, with 
his brother Peter, operated the old homestead 
until 18G5, when he disposed of his interest 
there, and removed to Sandy Tp., buying the 
old Brownson farm, where he has since resi- 
ded. He has IGO acres of land, which he 
supervises, having given up the practice of 
medicine, in which for many years he was ac- 
tivelj- and successfully engaged. Mr. Wil- 
son was married April 13, 1845, to Miss Jean- 
ette Brownson, daughter of Wm. Brownson, 
a native of Xew York State, and resident of 
Sandy Tp., from 1840 up to his death. They 
have seven children living — Josephine Adams; 
Dency Bauni; Lvcurgus, a resident of Louis- 
ville; Chas. W.,'\Vm. D., Phebo S., and U. 
S. Grant; a daughter Ann, died at the age of 
20 years. Mr. and Mrs. Wilson are old and 
esteemed members of the Methodist Church. 
Mr. Wilson is always to be found upon the 
progressive side in matters of public advance- 
ment, endeavoring to promote the best inter- 
ests of the community. 

MICHAEL R. WELKER. farmer, P. O. 
Waynesbiirgh; is a son of Wm. and Sarah 
(Faulk) Welker; his father was a native of 
Westmoreland Co., Pa., and emigrated to 
Stark Co. with his parents, who located in 
Pdii' Tp. at an early day; his nuther was 
born in New Jersey,and came with her parents 
in pioneer times, settling in Sandy Tp. upon 
the farm that Michael now owns. They were 



united in marriage in Sandy Tp., and immedi- 
ately settled upon the farm now owned by 
their son, James J., in Sandy Tp., where the 
remainder of their lives were passed. The 
father died in 1876, and the mother in 1872. 
Thev had eleven children in all, six of whom 
are now living — George, a resident of Osna- 
burg Tp., was in (he 100 days service during 
the late war; Christina, Michael, James J., 
who served, also, 100 days in the army, Cath- 
arine and Martha Crestine are residents, all, on 
Sandy Tp. Michael Welker was born if 
Sandy Tp., in 1838; he remained upon the 
home farm until 1861, when he answered 
the call of his country and went forth to bat- 
tle for its liberties. He enlisted as a private 
in the 19th O. V. I., and was in all of 
the severe and active enjragements of his 
regiment iluring a period of three years; 
he participated in the battles of Shiloli, 
Stone River, Mission Ridge and in many of 
the engagements of the Atlanta cam- 
paign; upon his return to his home he re- 
mained upon the old homestead farm until 
1868, when he was united in wedlock to Miss 
Mary Swan, of Pike Tp. In 1874 they 
moved upon their present location, and have 
been continuous residents there since. They 
have two children, Theodore and Leona. Mr. 
Welker has 133 acres of land which is finely 
improved. In 1876 he erected a large and 
commodious barn, and in 1879 an elegant and 
sightly residence. Mr. Welkcr's entire prop- 
erty shows marks of wise-handed skill and 
practical industry. 

RICHARD E. WILSON, farmer and sur- 
veyor; P. O. Waynesburgh. The Wil- 
son family are of Scotch descent. Doug- 
las Wilson, grandfather of our subject, was 
born in Maryland, in 1778; married in June, 
1801, to Osie Hinds, who was born in New 
Jersey, in 1782. They came to Ohio in 1811, 
and became residents of Osnaburg Tp., re- 
maining there until their deaths. They had 
eleven children. Robert, father to Richard, 
was born in Washington Co., Pa., in October, 
1807; married in Osnaburg Tp., in Se])tember, 
1830, Charity Elson; they have resided in that 
township up to the present writing, and are 
the parents of eleven children, eight now liv- 
ing. Richard was thi' second child and oldest 
son, born Sept. 10, 1834. He assisted upon 
the farm until he attained his majority. He 



836 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



was married Feb. 7, 1856, to Miss Matilda 
Faulk, daughter of Andrew Faulk, of Sandy 
Tp.; she is a native of Sandy Tp., born 
May 1"^, 183G. After his marriage, he farmed 
at home and taught school winter sessions for 
three years, and then removed to Mt. Union, 
and attended college for two years. He then 
removed to Ma])leton, and was onaaged in 
mercantile business there about six years, and 
after farming one year, returned toMt. Union, 
and engaged in mercantile pursuits there, and 
continued tiie finishing of his college course in 
1870. While there he was elected County 
Surveyor of and removed to Canton, where he 
resided three years. In 1874 he purchased his 
present farming location in Sandy Tp., where 
he has since resided, engaged in surveying, 
farming, and operating and dealing in stock. 
He owns IGO acres of land situate in the 
northern portion of the township. Mr. and 
Mrs. Wilson have had seven children, five of 
whom are now living — Andrew T., born De- 
cember, 1856, died in 1870; Cora P., born Oc- 
tober, 1858, died January, 1859; Ida May, born 
May, 1860; Robert F., born .July, 186-v'; David 
B., born September, 1865; Ed. S., born March, 
1868, and George N., born April, 1871. Mr. 
Wilson was a member of a Home Guard Co., of 
Osnaburg Tp., and in 1864 was called out with 
his company, and served four months, return ing 
as Captain of the lG3d Regiment, O. N. G. 
He has served as Township Assessor of Osna- 
burg Tp., and is one of the intelligent and 
progressive farmers of Sandv Tp. 

JOHN S.WELKER, farmer; P. O.Waynes- 
burgh; is a son of Michael and Nancy (Stahl) 
Welker; the former, a native of Sandy Tp. 
(his parents being very early settlers), was a 
land-owner and resident until his death,which 
occurred in 1877. His mother's people were 
from Pennsylvania, emigrating- to Stark Co. 
in early times; her father used to team from 
Massillon to Baltimore, before the railroad 
was built. He finally removed to the west, 
where he died; his mother's death was in 1880, 
leaving three children— John S., Henry W., 
living in Fostoria, and Mrs. Olive G. Jack- 
man, a resident of Sandy Tp., and of the old 
homestead farm. The subject of this sketch 
was born in Sandy Tp., in December, 1845; 
has always been a resident there, and engaged 
in agricultural pursuits. He was married in 
March, 1869, to Miss Francesca Muckley, of 



Sandy Tp. They have three children — James 
A., Wesley M., and Howard M. He is oper- 
ating 160 acres of land, 140 of which he owns. 
Michael Welker served as Justice of the 
Peace, for several years; he was a consistent 
member of the M. E. Church, as was also his 
w ff, who was a licensed e.xhorter, and they 
visited and traveled through several states, 
attending camp meetings and revivals, serving 
the Master until he called them unto himself, 
in the prime of their lives, " only remembered 
by what thev have do]ie." 

B. WINGERTER, jeweler and under- 
taker; Waynesburgh; was born in Alle- 
gheny Co., Pa., in 1850. He is a son of 
Martin and Cecilia (Hegner) Wingertor, who 
became residents of Carroll Co. in 1855, 
where they still reside, his father following 
the occupation of a farmer. Our subject com- 
menced to learn the carpenter's trade, at the 
age of 19, which occupation he has followed, 
to a certain extent, ever since. He became a 
resident of Waynesburgh, in 1869, and has 
remained there since. He began business 
operations in the line he is now engaged at, 
in 1878. His start was in chromos, picture 
frames, etc., establishing a large and still 
increasing trade in that branch, and in Decem- 
ber, 1879, added a large Line of jewelry, 
watches, clocks and silverware, making a spe- 
cialty in repairing watches and jewelry. In 
February, 1881, he bought out Glessner's un- 
dertaking business, and is now enlarging, and 
intends to give this liranch his particular atten- 
ion. He was married in October, 1878, to Miss 
Elizabeth Highlands, of Mngnolia; they have 
one child — Vida L. Mr. Wingerter is an ener- 
getic and pushing business man, and will 
doubtless achieve a prosperous business fu- 
ture. 

J. J. WELKER, farmer; P. O. Waynes- 
burgh; is a son of William and Mary Faulk 
Welker; was born in Sandy Tp. in 18.'59 and 
has always lieen a resident of the township 
and engaged in farming. He was in the 
late service, enlisting in the 163d O. N. G. 
and in the U. S. service about four months. 
He was unite<l in marriage Oct. 13, 1879, to 
Miss Sarah A. Kimmel, of Carroll Co., where 
her parents were residents and early settlers; 
they have three children — Nettie M., Thomas 
J. and Katherine M. M. Mr. Welker has 
given considerable attention to stock opera- 



SANDY TOAVNSHIP. 



837 



tions, l)uj'ing and shipping to Eastern mar- 
kets, liogs, sheep and cattle, for the past few- 
years ; hi> is a resident and owner of the old 
homestead farm consisting of 156 acres and 



has also about 50 acres in Pike Tp., all under 
a good state of cultivation. He is a young and 
enterprising business man and a progressive 
and liberal minded citizen. 



Addendum to Sandy Township Biographies. 

Received Too laic for Alphabetical Insertion. 



THOMAS McCALL, retired; P. O. Can- 
ton; whose pirtrait appears in this history, as 
a representative pioneer of Sandy Tp., was 
born in Bridgeport, Fayette Co., Penn., March 
28, 1809, and was the fourth child of a fam- 
ily of seven children, born to Robert and Nancy 
(Robertson) McCall. They were both natives 
of Westmoreland Co. Penn.; the former born 
July 7, 1776, and died in ISoS. His mother 
was born Feb. 9, 1781, and died in 1858. Bar- 
ney McCall, the grandfather of Thomas, came 
from Ireland tu the colonies when young. He 
married Jliss Mary Newell, a native of Mary- 
land. They lived and died in Westmoreland 
Co. Penn. His grandfather, William Robert- 
son, was a native of Scotland. He came to 
the colonies when a boy, and subsequently 
married Miss Saiah Hurst, a native of Vir- 
ginia. Tli(>v also lived and died residents of 
Fayette Co", Penn. On March 17, 1828, 
Thomas arrived with his parents in Stark Co. 
They settled in Sandy Tp. on a farm, 
though his father did but little or no 
farming; he being by trade a inill-wright, 
and spent his time principally at his 
trade. Their home was on the northeast 
quarter of Sect. 22, adjoining the village 
of Waynesburg, which at the time was com- 
posed of four families. As early as 1807-8, 
Robert McCall came to Ohio, and built a 



number of mills in Columbiana, Stark and ad 
joining counties. Tliomas was raised a mill- 
wright, and worked at the trade with his 
father until the latter's death, when he took 
charge of the old homestead farm, where he 
lived until 184G, and then moved to a farm 
four miles north of Waynesburg, and resided 
there until 1859, when he removed to Canton, 
by reason of his having lieen elected to the 
office of Auditor of Stark Co., by the Demo- 
cratic party, with which he has affiliated since 
bacoming a legal voter. In 1861, his term of of- 
fice expired, when he returned to his farm, and 
resided there until 1872, and then again be- 
came a resident of Canton, which is his home at 
present. He has also served as land Assessor 
for the townships of Canton, Osnaburg, Pike, 
Paris and Sandy. Nov. 13, 1833, he was 
married to Miss Sarah Brothers, of Favette 
Co., Pa. She died Feb. 22, 1855. B\- this 
marriage eight children were born to them, 
five of whom are living, viz : Thomas, in 
Boulder Co., Col.; Harriet E., now Mrs. M. 
Prouse, of Missouri ; Theodore, on the old 
homestead ; .John S. and George D., both in 
Woodbury Co., Iowa. June 26, 1863, he was 
married to Mrs. H. M. Harold, formerly Miss 
Harriet M. Reed. By this marriage they have 
one child, Miss May R. 



^ 



^ 



838 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



OSNABURC TOWNSHIP. 



JOSIAH ANTHONY, farmer; P. O. Osna- 
burg; one of the most attractive places, and 
one which catches the eye of a stranger in 
driving out the State road is the residence 
and barn of Josiah Anthony, a farmer living 
three miles east of Osnaburg. Mr. Anthonv 
was born Feb. 28, 1835, in Osnaburg Tp"; 
his parents were John and Juliann A. (Schull) 
Anthony, of Adams Co., Penn. His father 
having died when Josiah was a youth of 13, 
he was phicod under the care of a guardian, 
Henry Hossler; at 18 he began the carpen- 
ter's trade under Samuel Immel, which he 
followed in the west until 1863. Returning 
to Ohio, he again engaged in farming, at first 
purchasing 80 acres of the present homestead. 
In 1868 he added the remainder of the orig- 
inal place, making in all 130 acres of highly 
improved farming land. In connection with 
his model farming he has of late years 
being dealing some in Merino sheep and Dur- 
ham cattle; his present herd is a cross from 
the thorough bred Durhams imported from 
Canada by Sprankle and Williamson. In 
the arrangement of his barn and yards he has 
spared no pains or expense to have every 
convenience for the comfort of his stock. 
Mr. Anthony was united in marriage to Miss 
Lucinda Baughman, of Nimishillen Tp., and 
is surrounded with a pleasant and harmoni- 
ous family of eight children, five boys and 
three girls; in religion Mr. and Mrs. Anthony 
are communicant members of the Reformed 
Church, at Paris, O. 

FRANK BOWEN, coal dealer, Osnaburg. 
Among the most prominent of the younger 
l)usiness men of Osnaburg Tp., may be 
mentioned Frank Bowen, owner of an exten- 
sive coal field, at the southern edge of Osna- 
burg village. Mr. Bowen married Lydia 
Kungelman, July 30, 1848. His father was 
a native of Pennsylvania, having moved to 



Loudonville, O., in his 12th year. Frank en- 
listed in the 100-day service under Col. Ball, 
162d O. N. G. At his return in 1864 he began 
his apprenticeship at tinning. In 1868 he 
commenced business for himself as tinner, in 
partnership with his brother and Joseph Ball, 
which continued two years. Mr. Bowen then 
returned for a stay of two years, on the farm 
with J. Holwick. In 1873 he ventured on 
opening up the first tin shop in Osnaburg, 
where he held forth for a decade. At the 
death of Mr. Holwick, his father-in-law, the 
court appointed him executor. He removed 
to the present homestead, upon his wife's 
place. He enlarged the capacity of coal pro- 
duction, so that in the winter of 1880-81 he 
v;as employing fourteen men. During the 
summer season the demand being light, 
Mr. Bowen is taking advantage and making 
arrangements to employ mule-power, thus 
increasing the producing capacity of one of 
the largest coal mines in the Township, 
the average monthly yield for the winter 
being 13,000 tons. In 1870, he took unto 
himself a better half in the person of Alice 
Holwick. The family consists of one child, 
Carrie A. Mr. and Mrs. Bowen are both 
members of the M. E. Church. Mr. Bowen 
has been honored by his brethren and the 
young people, by his selection to the S. S. 
Superintendency, and leader of class. In 
his political career, he maintains the Repub- 
lican faith, having been elected to office of 
Township Clerk for three years. Mr. 
Bowen is one of the youngest members of 
the present Union School Board, at Osna- 
burg. 

ABRAHAM CLARK, coal dealer; Osna- 
burg. Abraham Clark was born in Schuyl- 
kill Co., Penn., Nov. 1, 1814, son of Jacob 
and Susanna (Bowman) Clark. He removed 
to Osnaburg Tp. with his parents at the early 



\^ 



OSXABUKG TOWNSHIP. 



839 



age of two years, ■where he was raised 
upon the farm, clearing up the forests and 
assisting at the heavy laljor of a new county. 
In 1845 he began for himself and purcliiised 
his present homestead, the Kuntz farm, which 
he has improved in buildings, &c., until it is 
one of the attractive rural residences of Osna- 
burg Tp. Mr. Clark continued working the 
coal bank, already opened by his predecessor, 
supplying the various manufacturing- estab- 
lishments located at Canton, Akron, Alliance, 
Fort Wayne, and other points at a distance. 
From 1800 to 1878 Mr. Clark was the princi- 
pal coal dealer of Osnaburg Tp., ranging 
from 50,000 to 100,000 bushels per annum. 
One secret of his success was he never leased 
his mines to other parties, but was a direct 
manager and overseer of his own business. 
His coal land is a tillable farm of 144 acres, 
lying at the western edge of Osnaburg village. 
In addition to being an excellent grain farm, 
Mr. Clark has given it a reputation and a 
name as a fine fruit hill with its natural com- 
plement, an extensive apiary. In 1835 he was 
joined in wedlock to Miss Catherine Reatlin- 
ger of Osnaburg. The fruit of this wedlock is 
foiir children — three boys and one girl. The 
boys are all on the farm. Mrs. Catharine 
Clark died 18U5. Mr. Clark was remarried to 
Mrs. Mar)' Meizer of Osnaburg. In politics 
he has always cast his lot with tiie Democracy. 
Mr. and Mis. Clark and family are attendants 
and memljers of the Reformed Church. 

JACOB DAGER, sheep-raiser; P. O. Osna- 
burg; was born in Washington Co., Pa., Au- 
gust 9, 1814. His parents were Jacob and 
Catharine (Hewitt) Dager, of Pennsylvania. 
His grandfatlier, Martin Dager, was a native 
of Germany. Mr. Dagir was bereaved of his 
father in 1826; four years later his mother 
married Henry Everhard, now of Stark Co. 
The subject of this sketch made his home 
upon the farm of his nativity until his ■.i8th 
year. His intellect and energy soon gave 
him a position at home as a teacher, at which 
he was engaged over five years. Between his 
terms of teaching he prosecuted an English 
course of study at Washington College, Penn- 
sylvania. Among some of his pupils that have 
attained high positions, may be mentioned 
Ptevs. Thos. and Samuel Wilson; also, Chief 
Justice of Ohio, Mcllvain. He came to Car- 
roll Co. in 1840, teaching in winters and clear- 



ing his newly-purchased farm in the other 
seasons. In the spring of 1853 he purchased 
a part of his present homestead, to which he 
has annexed adjoining farms until he is the 
owner of 280 well-improved acres. This 
locality being well adapted to combine stock- 
raising with farming, led Mr. Dager into 
the sheep business, in which he has justly 
gained an enviable reputation. His enter- 
prise ranks him as the very first, both as in- 
troducer and breeder of Merino sheep, in Os- 
naburg Tp.; and judging from the county fair 
records, he is entitled to the front rank in his 
business in Stark Co. His flock consists of 
the pedigreed Atwood importation. In 1877, 
himself, his son and his son-in-law, John B. 
Criswell, purchased four ewes and two lambs 
of S. S. Campbell, of Harrison Co. In 1881, 
the firm made a purchase of Campbell and 
Law of a ram for §400. In the herd- book he 
ranks as No. 95 (Glengary). On November 
8, 1838, Mr. Dager and Miss Eleanor Hast- 
ings were united in the holy bonds of wedlock, 
which union has been blest by three children, 
the eldest, Mrs. John B. Criswell, joining 
farms; Isaac N. is also a farmer and stock- 
dealer; John H. is yet at home, associated 
in business with his venerable sire. 

GEORGE DOLL, Osnaburg P. O., is a 
native of Pennsylvania, having been born in 
York Co. He moved with his parents, John 
and Elizabeth (Kith) Doll to Stark Co. in his 
early 3'outh. He remained on the farm until 
he was 15 years of age, and afterward 
was stage-driver for seven years on the Lis- 
bon and Canton road, at thS meager wages of 
§10 per month and expenses paid. He 
was afterwai d employed by the National Stage 
Route Co., having the honor of driving the 
first stage over the new National Road. In 
1840 he hired to Linn & Murry, proprietors 
of a traveling circus of considerable note in 
that day. Two years afterward, he returned 
to Osnaburg, and " took unto himself a wife," 
making the haj)pj- choice of Miss Susan Mei- 
ser, of Osnaburg, in 1843. Miss Meiser came 
formerly from Lebanon Co., Pa. Mr. Doll 
followed the mason's trade fur several years, 
leaving many lasting monuments of his work, 
in the walls and battlements of this locality. 
With his hard-earned accumulations he pur- 
chased a farm, which he afterward sold and 
bought the American House, and was land- 



':TZ 



BI(3CtRAPHICAL sketches : 



lord at this stand for eight years. Mr. Doll 
cared for his aged parents, and furnished them 
rooms at this hot(!l until their death. He sold 
his tavern to Jacob Reece in 1858, living a 
private life until the breaking out of the war, 
at which time he not only gave his sons to 
the cause, but enlisted himself, under Capt. 
Gotchsell, as company farrier. The regiment 
proceeded to Nashville, witnessing the first 
engagement at the battle of Shiloh. At Mur- 
freesboro he was made veterinary surgeon of 
the regiment. The next engagement was at 
Lookout Mountain. Mr. Doll was with the 
army in their march to the sea, under Gen. 
Sherman, this trip being the most agreeable 
in his army experience. One incident that 
his profession called his especial attention to 
was the severity of a trailing brier that did 
great injury to the limbs of the horses, the 
thorns being so severe that they would make 
great incisions in the horses' legs like knives. 
After their return to Nashville, Mr. Doll was 
started down to the Mississippi river with two 
steamers of broken-down mules, which were 
intercepted a few miles below Nashville, and 
the men captured. Mr. Doll, in company 
with two negroes, escaped again to the steam- 
ers, and were rescued by the timely arrival of 
a Federal iron-clad. Mr. Doll received but 
one injury during his military career ; that 
was caused by the slipping of his horse, se- 
verely injuring one of his limbs. Mr. Doll is 
at present a citizen of Osnaburg, and inter- 
ested in the Osnaburg Coal Co., and he 
has had considerable experience in the coal- 
mining business. He is a Republican 
in politics, casting his first vote for Henry 
Clay. Mr. and Mrs. Doll are communicants 
in the German Reformed Church. 

HIRAM DOLL, merchant ; Osnaburg 
is one of the younger business men 
of the town of Osnaburg, being born in 
1843, in this township; descendant of John 
Doll, who came originally from York Co., 
Penn. His father was Geo. Doll, whose life 
is noticed elsewhere in this work. Mr. Doll 
spent his boyhood days in Osnaburg village, 
where he attended the public schools. In 
the spring of 18C0 he removed to Perry Tp. 
A year from the following fall, at the break 
ing-out of the war, he enlisted in company 
I, 19th Ohio, under Capt. Wm. Rakestraw, 
and Col. Sara. Beaty, going first to camp Den- 



nison, then to Louisville, Ky. During his 
term of service he was in the battle of Shiloh, 
at the Siege of Corinth, Murfreesboro, Tenn., 
Perryville, Ky., and Chickamauga, and at the 
latter place was among the unfortunates, 
being taken prisoner the last evening of the 
engagement. He was removed to Richmond, 
afterward to Danville, Andersonville and 
Savannah, also to Millen. At Andersonville 
he served a term of six months, experiencing 
all the hardships of Confederate prison -life, 
scurvy being one of the afflictions at that 
place. At Danville he was incarcerated for 
a period of five months, at which place he 
was sorely afflicted with the small-pox. He was 
imprisoned in all fourteen months. Mr. Doll 
having served over three years, received an hon- 
orable discharge, Jan. 13, 1865. The following 
May he was united in the holy bonds of wed- 
lock, with Miss Lydia Newman, of Osnaburg. 
Of this union there are three children living — 
Charley H., Nettie and Maggie. One child, 
James R., was buried in the winter of 1873. 
After the war he was engaged in coal mining 
and painting, until 1876, in which year he be- 
gan general merchandising in Osnaburg, at 
which business he is at present emploj'ed. 
His prison-life and army career has made 
him a Stalwart Republican. Has held local of- 
fice in the township, serving as Township Clerk, 
also Treasurer for one 3'ear; in spring of 1881 
was elected again to that office, and is the pres- 
ent incumbent. Mr. and Mrs. Doll are members 
of the German Reformed Church. Has held 
the position of Deacon in same for fourteen 
years. He takes great interest in Sunday- 
school work, and has held the position of 
Superintendent for several terms. At other 
times has been a constant teacher of a class. 
Mr. Doll lives in one of the finest dwellings 
in the village — a neat, brick edifice, upon 
Nassau street, opposite his store-room. 

JOSIAH FINK, farmer; P. O. Osnaburg; 
was born April l-i, 1833, in Lancaster Co., 
Penn., son of Ephraim and Susanna (Shenkle) 
Fink. Five years later they moved to Stark 
Co., locating in Osnaburg Tp. He served a 
faithful apprenticeship on the farm with his 
father, and in 1850 began to learn the car- 
penter's trade; this pursuit he followed but 
four years, when he rented a farm in Osnaburg 
Tp. In about six years his thrift and econ- 
omy enabled him to puachase 40 acres of his 



^- 



OSNABUKG TOWNSHIP. 



present dwelling spot in the northwest corner, 
Sec. 6, of Osnaburg Tp. In 1880 he added to 
his present farm 30 acres, a portion of wliicli 
lies in Niruishillen Tp. For thirteen years Mr. 
Fink followed threshing of grain; in 1872 he 
sold his interest in this branch of machinery, 
and has since made farming his exclusive busi- 
ness. In politics he is a "full-blooded" Kepubli- 
can, having been nominated and elected by 
that party to the office of Township Trustee, 
and in 1880, as Land Appraiser for the present 
term. His associates in the Home Insurance 
Co. have elected him their clerk many terms. 
At prese'it is a member of the township School 
Board; his different offices and occupations 
combined with fine social qualities have made 
him very generally known and honored in 
this part of the countj'. Mr. Fink was mar- 
ried June 12, 1853, to Miss Sarah Wenger. 
Mrs. Fink is a daughter of one of the oldest 
and wealthiest families of the township. Their 
home has been made joyous with six children 
— Susanna, Amanda, Isaac, Martin, Josiah and 
Samuel. 

FRED. J. FRY, farmer; P. O. Osna- 
burg; was born April 13, 1829, upon the 
present finely located spot, popularly denom- 
inated "Centcrville farm." His parents, 
Frederick and Elizabeth (Neidig) Frj-, were 
natives of Berks Co., Pa., and moved to 
Ohio and located in Stark Co., in 1816. The 
subject of this sketch remained with his par- 
ents upon this farm, until his 22d year, at 
which age he purchased 148 acres of the 
paternal homestead. Mr. Fry has been a 
dealer in live-stock, sheep being his favorite 
branch of the business. At present, he has a 
fine drove of 100 Merinos. In matrimony, 
he joined his fortunes with those of Miss 
Mary Fogle, Feb. 9, 1865. The sweets of 
married life' were strengthened by a family 
of eleven children. Miss Frances, the eldest, 
is still at home; Miss Ada is in her 22d year, 
also residing on the farm; Marion is 21 years; 
Henry in his 20th year; Alfred IS; Mary L., 
17; Bradley G., 16; Johnny L., 15; Reason, in 
his 12th year; Walter, a lad of 10 summers. 
The family circle remained unbroken until 
they were called around the bedside of 
their dying mother, Aug. 19, 1880. Mr. Frj', 
and part of the family, are communicant mem- 
bers of the Reformed Church, at Paris, O. 
Mr. Fry, has held an active relation to Sun- 



day School and Church work for many years. 
He has been repeatedly elected Sunday 
School Superintendent, at Centerville organ- 
ization. The orderly appearance of his farm 
and home, speak in high terms of his atten- 
tion and skill in husbandry, and rearing of a 
dutiful family of children. 

REV. JOHN M. GRETHER, Osnaburg. 
Out of the numerous congregations in 
the village of Osnaburg there is at present 
only one resident minister, the Rev. John M. 
Grether, of the Reformed Church of the United 
States, born in Niederweilder, Grand Duchy 
Baden-Baden, Germany, Dec. 22, 1828, his 
parents being John J. and Catharine (Eber- 
hart) Grether. His father died in 1841 when 
John M. was but 12 years of age. He received 
a thorough common-school education in the 
German schools. After his 14th year, he 
continued his course of study in a religious 
direction, laboring in vacations for a number 
of years with his relatives, in the bakery busi- 
ness. June 21, 1847, Mr. G., with his mother 
and their family of eight children, sailed 
from Havre for America, arriving Aug. 2. 
They moved first to Canton, Ohio. Mr. G. 
engaged himself in the bakery and confec- 
tionery business at Akron, O. Tiring of this, 
he began a course of medicine under Dr. John 
Weimer of that city, completing his medical 
education in the Cleveland Medical College. 
Practiced three years at Wooster. A severe 
type of diphtheria breaking out at New Phila- 
delphia, Dr. G. was called to that locality to 
treat the disease among the Germans. He 
continued his practici^ in this place very suc- 
cessfully four j'ears. The last two years he 
served as County Physician at the Infirmary. 
The many scenes of suffering and dying inci- 
dent to the medical profession, called forth the 
more serious part of Mr. Grether's nature, and 
he took up a course of theological reading 
during his last year of medical practice, and 
even before he was ordained minister, he was 
called to various fields of church labor by the 
ministry of the Reformed Church. In 1862— 
63 he took a special course in theology, being 
ordained as minister of the holy gospel in 
1863. His appointment by the Synod was for 
Medina and Ashland Counties, serving three 
congregations and establishing a fourth at 
Ashland. In 1867 was sent to Warren, Ohio, 
where he labored for six years. During his 



4« 



8-12 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



administration he lifted the entire debt of 
$1,800 from the small congregation of Youngs- 
town. In 1873, Mr. G. was called to Hart- 
viUe, Stark Co., serving the three congrega- 
tions of Hartville, Randolph and Liniaville. 
In the spring of 1877 he began his pastoral 
labors in Osnaburg, serving at present three 
congregations, beside the village one atStras- 
burg, which he organized March 16, 1879. 
The St. Martin's, east of Osnaburg, is the third 
congregation. They have a communicant 
membership of 230. Mr. G. was deprived of 
his first wife March 5, 1854. Dec. 17, 1854, 
he was remarried. This union was blessed 
with ten children, six sons and four daughters, 
all living — Frank, the eldest, is in his 36th 
year; at present is minister and tutor in the 
Mission College, Franklin, Wis.; William is 
in the same school; Emma is wife of J.J. 
Broumbach; Louisa, the second daughter, is 
teaching; John, Amanda, Anna, Frederick, 
Alfred and George. Mr. Grether stands liigh 
among his people, and is an earnest laliorer 
among them, in all branches of ecclesiasti- 
cal labor, constantly holding extra services 
through the week. 

GEO. W. HENNING, teacher and min- 
ister, Osnaburg. Rev. Geo. W. Henning, 
is a descendant of Abram and Susanna 
(Bair) Henning. His mother is a grand- 
daughter of Rudolph Bair, one of the dele- 
gates to the first Constitutional Convention 
of Ohio. He was born Jan. 5, 1833, and 
until his 18th year remained upon the farm 
with ins parents, attending winter school. 
Having assiduously given his spare moments 
to books, he was soon competent to begin 
tlie profession of teaching, in which he has 
since taken so high a rank. His first attend- 
ance at advanced schools was at Massillon, 
under Prof. L. Andrews, who afterward be- 
came President of Kenyon College. In 1851 
he entered Mt. Union Seminary, and gradu- 
ated in 1859, being Valedictorian of his class. 
The following year he was employed as Mathe- 
matical Professor in Eden Seminary, Trumbull 
Co. In 1859-60, he was elected to fill a chair 
in the Western Reserve Seminary. In 1860-63 
he acted as Principal of Georgetown Semi- 
nary. In connection with his profession, he 
read sufficient theologj' to be ordained min- 
ister of the Gospel in the Reformed Church 
of the U. S. From 1864 to 1875, he was 



constantly employed in the South Grammar 
School. Feeling the need of physical recup- 
eration, he returned to his I'arm in the eastern 
part of Osnaburg Tp., teaching the short 
winter terms at home, and improving his 
farm. The winter of 1879-80 again found 
L. Longshore, of East Fairfield, Nov. 10, 1859. 
him in the school, teaching a scliool-year in 
Louisville, Stark Co. He was married to Maria 
This union has been blest with ten children, 
all of whom are at home, except the eldest 
son, who is teaching school in their home 
district. In politics he is Democratic. 

ALFRED HURFORD, farmer and coal- 
dealer; P. O. Canton. Alfred Harford was 
born in Canton Tp., July 16, 1814. His 
parents' names were Thomas and Mary 
(Wilcoxen) Hurford, of Chester Co., Penn. 
Mr. Hurford remained with his father 
upon the farm until the death of the latter, 
which occurred in 1835, six months before 
Alfred arrived at his majority, thus prevent- 
ing him from acting as executor of the es- 
tate, which consisted of a fine half section at 
the south of the city of Canton, a part of 
which is at present within the city limits. The 
executor was so dilatory, that the estate did 
not yield to the family what it should. Mr. 
Hurford engaged himself to John Myers, with 
whom he labored on the farm for one year. 
He afterwards became an employe of Dun- 
can, at 50c. per day. He and his younger 
brother afterward leased the homestead, which 
they managed in partnership for four years. 
In 1839 he rented his mother-in-law's farm, re- 
maining until Nov. 26, 1845, when he removed 
to his present place, and purchased eighty- 
two acres, at $25 per acre. In 1849, he added 
si.\ty-two acres on the northeast side. In 
1863 he purchased five acres, making in all 
at present a farm of 190 acres, -well diained 
and enriched land, with three veins of work- 
able coal underlying it. Was married March 
37, 1836, to Miss Dinah-Brown of Pennsylva- 
nia, from which union there were six ciiildren, 
five are still living — Hiram B., a m.^chanio in 
Canton, O.; Henry E., in a grain depot, Cin- 
cinnati, O.; Lewis K. is in the grocery busi- 
ness; Zachary T. died from a disease con- 
tracted in the army, returning and dying sur- 
rounded by the family; Maria R. Hurford is 
at home. The youngest is living at Canton, 
O. Mr. Hurford is widely known and re- 



^f^ 



OSXABURG TOWNSHIP. 



8« 



spect«d among his fellow business men, as a 
man hij^lily honorable, and good as Iiis word 
in every undertaking that he lends a helping 
hand. He is a member of the Home Iiisur- 
rance Co.; also of the Board of Educa- j 
tioii for many years; is a Republican. 

JACOB KLOTZ, dairvinan; P. O. Canton. 
Jacob Klotz was born in Neiderbrund, Alsace, 
France, Jan. 5, 1831. In 1836, Mr. Klotz, 
in company with his parents, Jacob and 
Christiana (Gutebube) Klotz, emigrated for 
America, and located at Magnolia, Carroll Co. 
H(? apprenticed himself to the trade of shoe- 
making, but not enjoying the business, he 
began on the farm, which agreeable occupa- 
tion he pursued for sixteen years. In 1871, 
he purchased 100 acres in southern Nimi- 
sliillen, which he sold at a neat profit ; in 1 873, 
he purchased his present dairy farm, in Sec- 
tion 6, N. W. quarter of Osnaburg Tp., in all 
a finely watered tract of 107 acres. In 1876, 
Mr. Klotz, began the dairy business that he 
has so successfully continued up to the pres- 
ent time. His market is the city of Canton, 
which demands seventeen to twenty cows; in 
connection with his milk trade, he cultivates 
garden vegetables for the sjiring and summer 
markets. In connection with !iis many farm 
improvements, Mr. Klotz, has manifested his 
enterprise by erecting a capacious cider-pres-, 
which, last season alone, expressed 1,650 
barrels of cider. In 1857, Feb. 10, he was 
united in marriage to Miss Eva Mutchler, of 
Jacfeon Tp. In politics he casts his lot with 
the Democracy; in religion Mr. and Mrs. Klotz, 
are members of the Lutheran Church, Canton, 
Ohio. 

GEO. LIEBTAGis a native of Germany; 
born in Creuznacli, on the Rhine. His parents 
were Gabriel and Elizabeth (Eccardt) Lichtag. 
He sailed for America in 1853, and located in 
Berks Co., Penn. The family came the fol- 
lowing year. After a six years' residence in 
that county, they engaged in a family grocery 
store. Mr. Liebtag afterwards became inter- 
ested in mill property, and engaged in the 
grist-mill business for six years. The subject 
of this sketch moved to New York City in 
1859. From York State he came to Stark 
Co., O., in the winter of 1860. In this county 
he began the coal-mining business, commenc- 
ing in Clark's coal mine, and remained there 
until the breaking-out of the war. Mr. L. 



enlisted under Col. Beatty, in the 19th Ohio. 
Started dinct for camp Dennison, and from 
there to Louisville, and through the Kentucky 
campaign. At the time of the battle of 
Shiloh, Mr. Liebtag was with the wagon-train, 
and did not arrive at the scene of battle until 
after the contest was end"d, reaching the bat- 
tle-fieid on the Tuesday following. From that 
date he was engaged in skirmishing, until the 
evacuation of Corinth. Marching through 
Alabama, to Battle Creek, Tenn., following 
Gen. Bragg in his retreat, reaching Louis- 
ville in advance of Gen. Bragg; from this city 
they followed him to Perryviile, Kj-., at no 
time coming in direct contact with the Con- 
federate troops, except in a few minor skirm- 
ishes. The next engagement was at Crab 
Orchard. Nothing of special interest until 
the engagement at Stone River, Dec. 31st, 
at which time Mr. Liebtag received a flesh 
wound in the thigh, disabling him for ten 
months. He again joined the regiment at 
Cliattanooga, Tenn., where the army was 
being besieged by Gen. Bragg. Mr. Liebtag 
participated in the advance of Orchard Knob; 
also in the charge of Mission Ridge, passing 
through one of the severest marches of the 
entire campaign to Knoxville, camping at 
Strawberry Plains. Here he re-enlisted 
for three years more, and was granted a fur- 
lough. After the second return, began the 
Atlanta campaign; was engaged at New 
Hope Church, Kenesaw and Peach Tree 
Creek. In front of Atlanta and Lovejoy 
Station, engaging in many a hot skirmish, 
until the evacuation of Atlanta. Was also in 
the battles of Franklin and Nashville, after 
which he went with the 10th on their memor- 
able campaign to Texas. He returned to 
Columbus, O., and received his discharge 
Nov. 25, 1865, making in all four years and 
three months of active service. Mr. Liebtag 
is very fully informed upon a general as well 
as a detailed history of the late Rebellion. 
Politics: he was formerly a Whig and Repub- 
lican, until the Greeley Campaign; he has 
since voted with the Democratic party. He 
was sent by his Democratic brethren to Colum- 
bus, O., as delegate, in the summer of 1880, for 
the purpose ol nominating delegates to the 
National Convention, at Cincinnati. Has 
held minor local ofliees, being one of the Town 
Councilmen of Osnaburg at present. Mr_ 



n^ 



;f^ 



844 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



Liebtag has been connected for many years 
in the coal-mining business, and is a stock- 
holder and mine superintendent of the Osna- 
burg Coal Company. Mr. Liebtag was mar- 
ried in 18G7. The fruit of this marriage 
are three children — Charley, Lizzie and 
Delia, who are all at home. Mr. L. received 
his education in Germany, and acquired his 
knowledge of English by his own unaided 
efforts, after coming to America. 

SAMUEL MARKS, farmer; P.O. Osna- 
burg; is connected with one of the oldest 
families of Stark Co. His father, Jacob 
Marks, Sr., who is still among us, has weath- 
ered the storms of 87 wintry blasts, — the 
oldest man in the township. His venerable 
mother died in January, 1881. The subject of 
this biography was born in Osnaburg Tp., 
March 5, 1834. He is one of a family of five, 
living with his parents, three miles south of 
Osnaburg, doing-general farm work and attend- 
ing district school in the winter When he 
became of age, he engaged in farming, for 
eight years, in Carroll Co., renting a tract of 
land in Brown Tp. In 1862, he returned to 
Stark Co., purchased 101 acres at $80 ]>er 
acre. In 3 872, he added to his homestead, 
the Speigle farm of 31 acres, at |100 per acre. 
With the many improvements and richness 
of this tract of land, it is estimated to be 
worth from $125 to $130 per acre. In May 
1858, he was married to Miss Elizabeth 
Swalle, of Osnaburg Tp. Of this family. Miss 
Amelia is the eldest, the next are twins, 
* George A. and Luellen, Emma is the youngest. 
They are all minors, and still form an unbro- 
ken family circle. Opposite to his father, Mr. 
Marks is a Democrat, and a member of the 
Lutheran Church. Mrs. Marks is a member 
of the German Reformed; the eldest daugh- 
ter is also a communicant member of same. 

WILLIAM JAMES McCONKEY, phy- 
sician; Mapleton; was born July 3d, 183G, 
in Armagh, County Tyrone, Ireland. He 
is a grandson of John McConkey, a freehold 
farmer; he inheritshis love for the medical 
profession from his father, Dr' Wm. Mc- 
Conkey; his mother was Rebecca V. (Max- 
well) McConkey; he attended the common 
schools of his native country until his 
IGth year, when he was advanced as clinical 
pupil in the county infirmary for two years. 
At the age of 18 he removed temporarily 



to Dublin, taking a four years' course of 
medical lectures at the Royal College ; 
he repaired to Glasgow and obtained his 
surgical degree; after completing his studies 
in other branches, he received his second 
diploma and M. D. from Edinburgh; thus 
thoroughly equipped with a classical edu- 
cation and two degrees in his profession, he 
began practicing in 1854, at Clonrael, Ire- 
land. In 1858 he sailed for the shores of the 
United States, locating and practicing four 
years in New York city; in 18G3 he located 
in Mapleton, where his practice has kept him 
busy. The active part he takes, and the in- 
fluence he wields in the Stark County Medi- 
cal Societj', speak volumes for his reputation 
among his competitors. In 1864 he united 
his fortunes with Miss Sarah J. Blythe, of 
Waynesburgh; he is surroinided with five 
happy children — Eletta V., Wm. A., Edith, 
Auren M. and James C; in politics he is Re- 
publican. Dr. McConkey, besides his extended 
information from books and practice has 
traveled quite extensively, having made trips 
through France, Germany, Belgium, England 
and Ireland, and in this country he has visited 
many places of historical interest both East 
and West. Mr. and Mrs. McConkey are mem- 
bers of the Presbyterian Church. 

JOHN McLaughlin, farmer; P.O. Os- 
naburg. Connected with one of the old- 
est families and estates of Osnaburg, is 
John McLaughlin, born in Canton Tp., Feb. 
29, 1812. George McLaughlin, his father, was 
native of Ireland, his mother, Mary (Fink) 
McLaughlin. In 1831 he moved to Osnaburg 
Tp., and began the wagon-making business 
with Jacob Hossler, which trade he pursued 
for about eight years in connection with farm- 
ing. In 1832 he purchased the N. W. \ 
of Sec. 4, Osnaburg Tp., of his mother, for 
S700, and in 1851 bought the tract of land ho 
at present resides upon. No better improve- 
ments were upon it other than a log hut, sur- 
rounded with a dense forest. All the fine 
improvements and conveniences now on the 
property, are monuments to his good manage- 
ment. In 1866 he purchased the Reading 
farm, one mile west of his dwelling, which he 
afterward sold. In Lake Tp. he purchased 
seventy-five acres. Selling same to his son- 
in-law, he purchased twenty in Nimishillen 
Tp. in 1876. In 1880 he purchased eighty- 



) "V 



^Ul 



OS-N'ABURG TOWNSHIP. 



845 



two acres, holding same for speculation but 
a short time. Boyoiid the State he pur 
chased 160 acres iu 1875, situated in Illinois, 
which was disposed of to his son-in-law. 
Mr. McLaughlin was married to Miss Eliza- 
beth Wonger, Aug. 30, 1841. Miss Wenger 
was a member of one of the pioneer families 
of Stark Co. Tliis union was made happy 
with five children — Leah, wife of Geo. IIul- 
ber, Osnaburg Tp.; Lydia, wife of .Jacob 
Lorah; Mrs. Susanna C'aldran, of Illinois; 
Mis. Elizabeth Slusser, of Lake Tp.; Celena, 
at honn'. 

MANASSES MOUL, farmer and stock 
dealer and raiser, P. O. Osnaburg; was born 
Sept. 29, 1829, in York Co., Peinisylvania; son 
of John and Margaret (Wertz) .\Ioul. The 
subject of this sketch moved to Ohio, Osna- 
burg Tp., in 1833, and began laboring on the 
farm, continuing at the same until his mar- 
riage to Miss Susanna Wetter, June 2, 1852. 
In 1857, he purchased the Werntz saw-mill at 
Bedford, running it for two years. In 1859, he 
removed to his present home at the western 
edge of Osnaburg village, Sec. 18. In connec- 
tion with his farming, Mr. Moul takes great 
interest in live stock, having been the first to 
introduce into the Township, the " New Kirk 
Steamer and Evaporator," with which he 
steams all the food for the farm stock. Mr. 
Moul has the following children — Amanda 
A., Mrs. Bycrlcy, of Lake Tp.; Byron S. and 
John F., still remain with him on the farm; 
the latter is associated with his father in the 
" New Kirk Evaporator."' Mr. Moul has 
always been a Democrat, although in a Re- 
publican precinct, he has been repeatedly elec- 
ted Township Clerk. Mr. and Mrs. Moul are 
members of Reformed Church. He is also 
member of the Village School Board. Mr. 
Moul's sober and industrious habits, combined 
with a fine business talent, has given him 
rank among the first in his profession, as well 
as a well merited social position. 

ADAM NIMAN, farmer and wagon maker; 
Osnaburg. Among the few in Osnaburg 
Tp., of foreign birth is Adam Niman, who was 
born in Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany, Feb. 2, 
1833, and in the following Maj-, he crossed 
the ocean with his parents, John and Barbara 
(Aloelin) Ximan, who located in Columbiana, 
Co. In 1852 the family moved to Stark Co., 
working with his father in the shop in the 



winter season, and pursuing agriculture in the 
other seasons. For many years, Mr. Niman 
and his father were the chief wagon makers 
in the township, which trade they have pur- 
sued up to the present time, but more limited 
in late years. In 1851, Mr. Ximan purchased 
his presnt home of ei^hty acres; lie has since 
added twelve acres to it. Mr. Niman deals 
to a limited degree in live stock, sheep being 
his preference. He was married Oct. 6, 18G7, 
and from this union there are four children — 
Harvey, George W., Levi, and Frances. In 
politics he votes with the Democratic pirty, 
having cast his first piesidential vote for .James 
Buchanan. Mr. Niman and family were all 
baptized in the Lutheran faith. 

PETER NUMAN, coal dealer; Osnaburg; 
was born March 25, 1827, in Berks Co., Pa. 
His parents' names were Peter and Esther 
(Chrest) Numan. His father was a native of 
Pennsylvania. In 1835 he moved with his 
parents to Ohio, locating in Osnaburg Tp., 
three miles east of the village. Mr. Numan 
remained with his parents on this farm until 
a year after his marriage to Jliss Eleanor 
Dewalt, May 20, 1847. In the following 
March, he rented his father's farm of 120 
acres, and remained on same until 1852. 
After which, he removed upon his father's 
newly purchased farm, south of the first. In 
1854, he moved to the Kitt farm. In 1855, 
he took up his abode upon the John Numan 
land, at which place he began the coal busi- 
ness. In 1856 he purchased the George 
Numan property, selling same, he moved to 
Michigan, in 1857, and bought 80 acres in 
Hillsdale Co., Mich. In 1859, Mrs. Numan 
died, after which, he returned to Ohio, and 
engaged for a year and a half in general mer- 
chandising. Dec. 31, 1859, he was again 
married. Miss A. C. Long, becoming his 
wife. In 18G1, removed to Mrs. Lily's farm, 
Osnaburg Tp. In 1862 he purchased the 
American House, Paris, O., presiding over it 
for two years. In 1864 he sold his farm and 
hotel, and moved to Wooster, and run the 
Eagle House, two years. In 1866 he pur- 
chased the Canton 'Bus Line. In 1874 he 
sold out his 'Bus Line, and invested in his 
present homestead farm of eighty acres. In 
the Centennial year he moved upon this land, 
making coal his principal business, increasing 
his production to about 50,000 bushels an- 






BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



nually. There are four children living- of the 
first union, and seven from the second. In 
relio-ion he was raised in the Roformeil 
Ciiurch, but in 1S65, he iiecame a member of 
the Lutheran Church. At present, he is a 
iTienibor of the Reformed Church; is a Deacon 
and Sunday School Superintendent in same. 
Is member of I. O. O. F., Lodge No. 39, at 
Canton, O. 

GEORGE REED, Osn.nburg; was born in 
Berks Co., Ponn., .July 3, 1835; son of Jacob 
and Elizabeth (Bowen) Reed, both citizens of 
Berks Co. The subject of this sketch re- 
mained upon the farm with his father, engag- 
ing ill live stock dealing at an early age until 
his 31st year. When yet a mere boy 
he drove market horses across the mountains 
to the eastern cities. Not infrequently he 
would drive a herd of cattle or sheep over this 
long and tiresome route, long before the whis- 
tle broke the silence of the "rock-ribbed" 
Alleghenies. In one season Mr. Reed spent 
about one hundred days upon this mountain- 
ous trip. After becoming of age he continued 
this business, having had so thorough a train- 
ing under his father. Handling a great 
amount of live-stock led him to study the 
habits and diseases of cattle and horses, which 
has given him more than a local reputation and 
a name in doctoring and giving diagnoses of 
various stock diseases. In this department he 
ranks foremost in this section of the country. 
Mr. Reed has been identified with the stock in- 
terest of Ohio since 1840, having located at 
that time in Osnaburg Tp. In 1854 he pur- 
chased real estate in the east edge of the vil- 
lage, which in twenty years has risen in value 
400 per cent. Mr. Reed was married Aug. 8, 
1853, to Miss Mary Warner. Mr. Reed is the 
happy father of six children: the eldest, Ange- 
line, died in November, 1880; Henry is a stu- 
dent in Oberlin College; will complete his 
course with the class of 1883; Josephine is yet 
at home; William inherits his father's love for 
a fine horse, and is well skilled for a youth in 
that line already, and is a close student of the 
otock market; the youngest boy, George, is 
in his 12th year; the "baby" is Ida. 
She is in her 9th year. Mr. and Mrs. Reed 
are communicants of the Lutheran Church. 
In politics he has always been a Democrat. 
Mr. Ri'i'd is a member of No. 60 Lodge, Free 
Masons. 



C. L. REIFSNIDER, Osnaburg was born 
in Orwiosburg, Schuylkill Co., Penn., Oct. 8, 
1827. The parents of Mr. Reifsnider, were 
Daniel and Mary (Greatf) Reifsnider, both 
born in Pennsjdvania. The subject of this 
sketch was educated in the German district 
School, at Greentown, Ohio. After his Ger- 
man education, he took a short English course, 
and turned his attention to commercial pur- 
suits. Beginning as a clerk in Greentown, 
which he followed for the two years, 1848-9, in 
a dry goods store. In 1850 he was employed 
by J. B. Estef, a dry goods merchant of Can- 
ton, O., remaining in his service for five years. 
His next position was as employe of Kimball 
& Co., in the same city for five years. In the 
Fall of 1864, he was elected County Recorder 
for Stark Co., on the Lincoln ticket. After 
serving his full term in this capacity with 
great credit to himself and county, he was ap- 
pointei! Deputy Postmaster from 1869 to 
187r, at which time he moved to Osnaburg, 
opening out a general store on Main street. 
Not only is he at present one of the leading 
merchants, but is also a stockholder and 
President of the Osnaburg Coal Co., organi- 
zed April 1, 1881; an enterprise tliat bids 
fair to be the leading feature of the township 
in the future. Mr. Reifsnider was married 
May 8, 1866, to Miss Emma Painter, of Pike 
Tp., Stark Co. They had tvs-o children, a boy 
and girl, both of whom are dead, the former 
d3'ing at three months, and the other at the 
age of six and one-half years. He is a mem- 
ber of Eagle Lodge, A. F. & A. M., Canton, 
O.; also of the Nimisilla Lodge, I. O. O. F., 
Canton, O. In politics he is a pronounced 
Republican. His wife is a member of the 
Disciples' Church, Canton, there being no 
congregation of that faith in Osnaburg. 

B. F. SHENGLE, lumber dealer and sawyer, 
Osnaburg. Benjamin F. Shengle was born in 
Lancaster Co., Penn., Feb. 8, 1831, son of 
John and Mary (Boucher) Shengle; at the 
early age of two he moved with his parents 
to Nimishillen Tp.; he served an apprentice- 
ship upon the farm until his 20th year, at 
which time he engaged himself to Eph. Fink, 
a leading carpenter, from whom he learned 
the trade. During the seven years that he fol- 
•lowed this business, he spent one year in 
Indiana; in 1858 he returned to the old home- 
stead and conducted the farm for about five 



^P 



"V 



J^— 



-^ 



OSNABURG TOWNSHIP. 



j-cars. Preferring village life, he moved to 
Osnaburg and oiigagod again in the lumber 
and building business and purchast-d a half 
interest in the village saw mill, supplying 
the luniijer for many of the county contracts 
in bridge-building and other public work. At 
present he is also a member of the newly 
organized Osnaburg Coal Co., having the con- 
tract for sawing all the timbers used in the 
mine. In 18.55 he was united in marriage to 
Miss Fannie Youtz, of Stark Co; of this union 
there arc eight children — .losiah, William, 
Franklin, Benjamin. William is in the livery 
business at Louisville, the other boys are still 
at home. Mary A., Ellon, Sarah and Alice are 
the four daughters. Mary is wife of Henry 
Warner, Marlborough Tp.; in politics has al- 
ways been a Republican. His friends and 
neighbors have honored him with local offices 
and duties, as Township Trustee, Delei^ate to 
the county conventions; wa.s appointed one 
of the agents to incorporate the rising city 
of Osnaburg. He is a member of Lodge No. 
60, A. F. & A. M., of Canton; his wife is a 
communicant member of the Evangelical 
Church. 

JOHN H. SPRANKLE, dealer in short 
horn cattle; Paris, O.; was born, Sept. 7, 1829, 
in Canton Tp., Stark Co. He is connected 
with one of the early families that braved the 
hardships of early border life, his parents 
Jacob and Margaret, (Drushal) Sprankle, of 
Pennsylvania, being numbered with the 
pioneers; when he became of age he engaged 
himself as an apprentice at Canton, O., in the 
woolen mills, and acquired a knowledge of 
every department of that business. In his 
twenty sixth year he purchased 110 acres of 
the present farm. In a comparatively few 
years his energy called for more territory, so 
that in 1803, he was the purchaser of 100 
more acres, and has been adding on every 
side since then, his last purchase being 80 
acres in 1876. Though yet in the prime of life 
he is the possessor of 300 acres of excellent 
iarming and grazing land. His enterprise 
led him, notwitiistanding strong prejudice and 
ridicule against him, to go to Canada in 1S75, 
aud buy a herd of pedigreed short horn Dur- 
ham cattle; he has practically demonstrated 
to himself and neighbors the difference be- 
tween feeding and housing the '-pennyroyal" 
stock and the sleek " marble " backed and 



" well flanked " Durham. In the care of his 
stock and sale cattle, he takes great care and 
pride, keeping them in a good breeding con- 
dition. The success of this venture has en- 
couraged him to make other purchases in the 
near future from abroad. Mr. Sprankle was 
united in marriage to Miss Anna Fry, Stark 
Co. Si.x children constitute the family-^the 
eldest is Jacob, engaged in the dairy business, 
in Pennsylvania; Alfred E., is running a porta- 
ble saw-mill in this county; Henry S., on the 
farm; Florence T., Anna, John G. are all 
minors. In ])olitics he is a pillar in the Re- 
publican party of his corner of the township. 
JOHN SHENGLE, deceased; was born in 
Chester Co., Penn., March 6, 1797. lie 
was one in a family of nine born to Martin 
and Elizabeth (.Mooushower) Shengle, who 
were also natives of Pennsylvania. When 
17 years of age, John left the home 
farm, and commenced working at the stone 
masons' trade, a business he followed until his 
marriage with Mollie Bucher, which took 
place about 1S19, in Lancaster County. 
His wife was a daughter of .Jacob Bucher, 
a family well known in that count}'. lie 
lived in Pennsylvania, fanning until 1834, 
when he moved to Stark Co., O., locating in 
Nimishillen Township, on the farm now owned 
by .1. B. Draimo. The farm at that time 
was only about one-third cleared, and after 
his settlement Mr. Shengle commenced 
clearing and improving the place, and soon 
erected a saw mill, which was for many years 
the leading saw-mill in the neighliorhood. 
Mr. Shengle was a man of considerable inge- 
nuity, and while he did not profess to be a 
master mechanic ofanykind, he always did 
the harness and shoe-making for his own 
family, and to some extent for his neighbors 
also. To his union with Miss Bucher, there 
were born — Susan, Sarah, Nancy, Mary, Eliz- 
abeth, B. F., Jacob and J. B. Mr. Shengle 
died February 23, 1872. He was a man well 
known to the community for his upright 
character and deep religious principles, being 
a mem!)er of the German Baptist Church for 
upwards of fifty years. His political actions 
were with the Democrats, until Lincoln's 
nomination in 1860, when he voted the Re- 
publican ticket, atid afterwards became iden- 
tified with that party. His widow still 
survives him, and is a resident of Wyandot 



.k 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



Co. Jacob Sliengle, their son, was born May 
23, 1847, in Nimisliillen Township on the old 
homestead. He remained at home, assisting 
on the farm until 21 years old, during which 
time he received a very ordinary educa- 
tion. He was married June 1, 1858, to 
Catharine Bower, daughter of David and 
Mary (Bollinger) Bower. This lady died 
February 15,1859. Mr. Shengle's second and 
present wife is Melinda, daughter of Isaac and 
Susan (Stull) Myers, who was jjorn in Osna- 
burg Township in October, 1845. By her he 
has a family of eight — Milton, Abana, Olivia, 
Phebe, Vinnie, Ira, L. D. and Maude. After 
his marriage, Mr. Shengle worked as a day 
laborer for a few years. In 1863 he started a 
steam saw-mill at Osnaburg, and followed 
that until the spring of 1875, when he formed 
a partnership with Elias Essig, at Louisville, 
in a planing mill and general lumber dealing. 
The firm name is Essig & Shengle; a more 
detailed account of their business will be 
found in the history of Louisville. Politically 
speaking, Mr. Shengle is a staunch Repub- 
lican, adhering to the principles laid down by 
the National Republican Party. In 1868 he 
was elected Justice of the Peace in Osnaburg 
Tp., and was successively re-elected until 
1880, when he refused to serve again, as 
his business did not give him the time to 
attend to the office. 

THOMAS TINKLER, dealer in iron ore, 
and farmer; Paris, O.; was born in England, 
Sept. 9, 1826; son of Joseph and Anna Tink- 
ler, in whose company he sailed for America, 
at the age of 7 years. At 13, he was 
placed under the tutelage of Arvine Wales, a 
farmer residing near Massillon, O. After 
arriving at his majority, he engaged as a 
clerk, in Massillon, in 1856. In 1862 he was 
employed by Hon. J. P. Burton, of Massillon, 
to go to Tuscarawas Co., for making inspec- 
tions in the black iron-ore belt. But he 
subsequently discovered the thickest stratum 
of black-band ore of the entire belt in Osna- 
burg Tp., upon the farm that he now resides 
upon, the maximum thickness measuring 18 
feet, with two to three feet of stripping under- 
laid with twenty-four inches of coal deposit. 
Being employed as Superintendent, he began 
at once to open up this mine, the magnitude 
of which can be partially conceived, when we 
consider that twenty-five to thirty teams were 



employed in the. favorable seasons, for five 
years, with an average delivery at Louisville, 
of forty tons daily. He was employed by J. 
P. Burton, in Stark and Tuscarawas Cos., for 
about fourteen years, which has given him a 
wide and practical knowledge of the geologi- 
cal formations of the black-band ore, and 
strata contiguous to it. In his opinions he has 
met with opposition from the State Geologist, 
Newberry, Mr. Tinkler claiming that no 
other belt of black-band ore has ever been 
discovered outside of a three-mile belt, begin- 
ning at Mineral Ridge, Trumbull Co., and 
extending S. W. to the Ohio River. Mr. 
Tinkler was married to Miss Harriet Hicks, 
of Massillon, in February, 1856. This mar- 
riage is blest with one child, a young lady of 
culture and refinement, still at home. Mr. 
Tinkler is at present engaged in ornament- 
ing and improving his beautiful home and 
farm. 

JOHN VAN VOORHIS, farmer and stock- 
man; P. O. Mapleton. Among the many 
prominent families of Osnaburg Tp. is 
that of Van Voorhis, which the subject 
of this sketch represents. John Van Voorhis 
was born in Osnaburg Tp., Sept. 19, 1824, 
son of Peter and Margaret (Sickman) Van 
Voorhis. His father was a native of York 
State; his mother of the Keystone State. 
John was an apprentice on his father's farm 
until he was eighteen, at which time he en- 
gaged himself to a shoemaker in Canton, O., 
and continued pounding his last for nine 
years. During these years he purchased 111 
acres in the southern part of Osnaburg Tp., 
In 1851 he removed to the same. In 1863, 
he increased this fine-sized farm by an 
additional tract of 31 acres. Not only has 
he his fields in the highest state of cultiva- 
tion, but he has also removed many of the 
early land marks, and replaced them by neat 
and convenient buildings. In connection 
with his grain farming, he usually keeps a few 
stall-fed steers, and a well assorted lot of 
choice Merino ewes. Mr. Van Voorhis, uni- 
ted in marriage, Feb. 27, 1845, and has been 
blessed with eleven children, ten of whom 
are living — Elizabeth, Mrs. William Judd; 
Peter K., in Osnaburg Tp.; Mary, Mrs. Sutz- 
chal, of Sandy Tp.; Dan. E., of Pike Tp., 
dealer and shipper of live stock; Margaret, 
Mrs. Niman, deceased, of Osnaburg Tp.; 



«^ s ir* 



l\^ 



OSNABUKG TOWNSHIP. 



840 



Caroline, Mrs. Ed. L. Roaher, of Michigan 
Tliose who are at home are: Eleanora, Wil- 
liam and Elmer. Mrs. Van Voorhis, died 
Aug. 24, 1875. Mr. Van Voorhis was re-uni- 
ted in we<liock to Miss Barbara .fudd, in the 
centennial year. They are all members of 
the Christian Church. In politics, he began 
with the Whig party, and remained in that 
faith until the Republican party arose, with 
which he still affiliates. 

.JACOB M. WALK, P. O. Osnaburg; is one 
of the most earnest and driving farmers in the 
vicinity of Osnaburg, who was born in Lan- 
caster Co., Penn., Aug. 26, 1824, son of 
Samuel and Christina (Miller) Walk. Mr. 
Walk was a posthumous child. His mother 
remained a widow for eight years, when she 
was married a second time to Mr. John Singer. 
Mr. Walk remained with his mother until his 
twenty-first year. Tn 1S3S he removed to 
Stark Co. bj' wagon, spending a fortnight upon 
the route. In the spring of the following year 
he moved with his parents to near the present 
village of Mapleton. Since that date the vil- 
lage has been organized and built up, Mr. 
Walk still remembering the first sale of the 
lots, which ranged in price from §15 to 130. 
Mr. Singer being a weaver by profession, his 
step-son learned the business of coverlid weav- 
ing in 1842, at which occupation he remained 
until 1860, investing his surplus funds in real 
estate, and doing some farming. He pur- 
chased his first home of 20 acres, one-half 
mile soutiiwost of Mapleton. He subsequently 
made a purchase of the " Baker" farm, a rich 
body of land lying three-quarters of a mile 
west of Mapleton, a farm of 96 acres. 
This land not l>eing extensive enough to 
satisfy his ambition, he moved to Wayne Co., 
where he engaged more extensively in general 
agriculture. M'hile absent he sold the Baker 
farm and purchased the present farm and coal 
bank of 145 acres, a short distance southwest 
of Osnaburg, bordering on one side the Con- 
notton Valley Railroad. With his near access 
to the railroad for his coal, a rich farm and an 
eligible building locality', Mr. Walk has reason 
to he as content as he is. He was united in 
marriage to Miss Catharine Staub of Osna- 
burg Tp. Dec. 31, 1846. She was born in 
Prussia, coming to America at the early age 
of three years. Mrs. Catharine Walk died in 
1874, leavinff three sons and two daughters — 



Mary E., the eldest daughter, is an instructor 
in music in Osnaburg and several of the 
neighboring villages. Ellen C. is at home. 
Both of the daughters are members of the M. 
E. Church and S. S. Mr. Walk was re-married 
to Mrs. Lucinda Clark of this county; they 
have one child, a l^oy of fourteen months, 
christened Jacob Howard. In politics Mr. 
Walk was raised a Democrat, and remained of 
that faith until the " Know-Nothing" party 
sprang up, when he became a Republican. 
Mr. Walk is an uncompromising advocate of 
temperance, his zeal having made him hated 
by the " beer element" of the neighborhood, 
having been active in prosecuting several 
saloonists. Mr. Walk was chosen chairman of 
the Christian Temperance Union. In his 
religious life few have lived more active and 
consistent. Ho was confirmed in the Lutheran 
Church at 16 years of age, and had his entire 
family baptized in the same. For many years 
there being no Sabbath-school at Mapleton, 
he with a few others succeeded in organizing 
one, he being chosen first superintendent. 
He held the superintendency also during his 
residence in Wayne Co., and has been rej)eat- 
edly chosen to that position and as teacher 
since his residence in Osnaburg. Mr. Walk 
has never been an office-holder or seeker, but 
his fellow-townsmen sent him as one of a com- 
mittee of three to secure the incorporation of 
the village of Osnaburg, and he was also mem- 
ber of the first town council. 

DRS. B. A. and JOSHUA WHITE- 
LEATHER, Osnaburg, are the two leading 
jjhysicians of the village of Osnaburg. Dr. 
B. A., was born April 7, 1835; Dr. J. in 1830; 
they each received a common school educa- 
tion in their native county, Columbiana; Dr. 
B. A. attended Mt. Union College classical 
course; both brothers hold diplomas from the 
Wooster Me<lical College, Cleveland. The 
younger brother began jiracticing in Cliam- 
bersburg, Columbiana Co., and afterward re- 
moved to Osnaburg, where he has been a con- 
stant practitioner of the allopathic school up 
to the present date except during his 
absence in the armv, having served as Major 
in the 162d O. N. G. under Col. Ball, in the 
100-day service in the spring of 1864. At the 
close of the war the two brothers formed a 
second partnership, being the sole practi- 
tioners up to 1879. In the spring of 1881 



efv 



ta^ 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



Dr. B. A. took a special course at Belle View 
Hospital under Professor Knapp; in politics 
he has always been a supporter of the Repub- 
lican party; has never allowed his name to be 
used in any state or local ticket. Dr. Joshua 
is of the opposite belief; and votes regularly 
the Democrat ticket on national issues; the 
two own in partnership one of the principal 
coal fields at present in the vicinity of Osna- 
burg, having run in favorable seasons as many 
as twelve to fifleon miners at a time, the 
principal market being Canton. Since the 
ConnoUon Valley R. R., arrangements will be 
made to lay a side track to the shaft. Dr. 
Joshua was married to Miss Lucinda F. 
Adams, Knox Co., III., 1860, she dying after 
the brief period of six months of wedded life. 
In religion Dr. B. A. is a member of the Dis- 
ciples' Church. The junior member of the 
firm led his bride, Miss Margaret Criswell, to 
the altar of Hymen iu 1858. 

PROF. GEORGE. A. WISE, Osnaburg. 
The satisfactory condition in which the Union 
Schools of Osnaburg are conducted is due to 
the abilities and management of Prof. Geo. 
A. Wise, a young man, born in Lake Tp., 
Stark Co., June 4, 1856. His father and 



mother were Lewis and Elizabeth (Raljer) 
Wise, also natives of Stark county. His grand- 
father, Mr. John Wise, was a native of Penn- 
sylvania. Young Wise, being an apt student, 
was prepared to teach at the age of 16, and 
actually engaged in this profession the follow- 
ing year at his home, in Greentown In the 
spring of 1874, Mr. Wise entered Greensburg 
Seminary. In the fall terms of 1875-76 he 
was a student in Mt. Union College, teach- 
ing during the winter terms. In the fall of 
1878 he was elected Principal of the Green- 
town schools, serving in that capacity for 
two years. During the summer vacation he 
enlarged his store of information by a trip 
through the Northwest, and returning by 
Indiana. In the fall of 1880 he was elected 
Principal of the Union Schools of Osnaburg. 
The school now numbers 175 pupils, consist- 
ing of three departments. In politics he was 
born and bred a Republican, casting his first 
Presidential ballot for James A. Garfield. 
Mr. Wise was a delegate to the State Sen- 
atorial Convention at the age of 22. He is 
an active member of the M. E. Church, serv- 
ing as S. S. Superintendent in Osnaburg, in 
1880-81. 



PIKE TOWNSHIP. 



JACOB BUCHMAN, farmer and stock 
dealer; P. O. Pierce; was born in Pike Tp., 
March 27, 1838; son of Lewis and Anna 
Maria (Thomas) Buchman. Lewis was born 
in Westmoreland Co., Pa., Nov. 28, 1807; he 
was the son of Jacob and Elizabeth (Marohant) 
Buchman, and was a teamster in Pennsylvania 
for many years, hauling goods from Philadel- 
phia and Baltimore, to Pittsburg, in connec- 
tion with his brother Henry and their father, 
Jacob Buchman, who followed this occupation 
over the same route, before the Pike road was 
constructed between these cities. When 27 
years of age, Lewis stopped teaming, and 
settled on a farm. He was married April 15, 
1834, to Miss Anna Maria Thomas, who was 
born Nov. 6, 1810. They moved to Ohio in 
1836, settling in Pike Tp., upon 320 acres of 



land, now owned by their son .Jacob. Lewis 
was a member of the Presbjterian Church in 
Pennsylvania, but united with the Reformed 
denomination after settling in Pike Tp. He 
was the father of two children — Henry, who 
died in infancy, and Jacob, now a resident of 
Pike Tp. Lewis died Oct. 10, 1880. Jacob 
was raised and educated in Pike Tp. During 
tlie war, was a member of the Ohio National 
Guards, and was in active service for four 
months. In 1870, he purchased 119 acres 
from the heirs of Nathaniel Thomas. He was 
married March 28, 1874, to Elizabeth, daugh- 
ter of John and Margaret (Miller) Knotts; 
they have four children — Lewis, Anna Maria, 
John, and Henry. The Buchman farm has 
been noted for many years, as having some of 
the finest stock in this section of the State. 



^ 



PIKE TOWNSHIP. 



Mr. Lewis Buchman gained by his experience 
as a teamster, while a young man, information, 
which in after years proved of much benefit 
to him in raising fine animals; and for many 
years he was casjiiged buying, rearing-, and 
"selling the best grades of horses; having at 
times on his farm, the finest animals in the 
county, which were reared from tliree-year- 
old colts. He frequently visited farms in 
many surrounding counties, in order to obtain 
valuable colts of that age, which he kept until 
they became old enough to use. Mr. Buch- 
man introduced, into Pike Tp., the first Short- 
horn cattle, which he purchased over twenty- 
five years since, but after a few years, sold 
these and bought Merino sheep; during the 
past fifteen years, however, the Buchmans 
have always kept Short-horn cattle, paying in 
many instances, high figures for these animals, 
viz: 1150 for one bull, $135 for a bull-calf 
ten months old; at the age of four, this animal 
weighed 2.800 pounds; $200 was paid for his 
present animal " The Royal Baron," when he 
was ten months old; the beast is now valued 
at $500. About 1860, the Buchmans pur- 
chased fifty head of improved Merino sheep, 
for which they paid $2,000; since then, they 
have always had sheep of this grade, paying 
some four ye;us since, $125 for two bucks. 

SAMUEL BOWMAN, retired farmer; P. 
O. Pierce; son of Jacob and Hannah (Klinger) 
Bovvinan, natives of Northumberland Co. 
Penn., who removed to Stark Co. in 1813, 
and a few years afterward settled in Pike 
Tp. .Jacob was born February 22, 1777, and 
his wife March 24, 1784; they were the 
parents of ten children, one died in infancy, 
nine grew to maturity as follows: .John, of 
Sandy Tp.; Henry, of Pike Tp.; Sarah, now 
Mrs. Bonebrake, of Homeworth; Catharine, 
now Mrs. William Miller, of Huntington 
Co., Ind.; Lydia, now Mrs. David Flora, of 
Huntington Co.; Hannah, married George 
Flora, both deceased; .Jacob, of Canton Tp.; 
Polly, married Samuel Miller and now de- 
ceased; Samuel, of Pike, subject of this 
sketch. Jacob was a member of the old 
Luth; ran Church; he originally purchased in 
Pike, ItJO acres from the government, and also 
240 in Crawford cotinty, which latter tract was 
occupied for many years by one of his sons. 
Jacob died in July, 185'j, and his wife 
December 7, 1871; the youngest son, Samuel, 



was born Feb. 18, 1827, at the farm on which 
he now resides. He was raised and educated 
in Pike Tp.; continuing with his father dur- 
ing the latter's life and then purchased the 
farm from the heirs. He was married Feb. 
25, 1849, to Elizabeth Brothers, who was born 
April 12, 1828, and died Nov. 15, 1857; she 
was the mother of four children — Hiram, of 
Pike; Martha Jane, now Mrs. William Ecker- 
inan, of Iowa; her husband is a minister of 
the Disciples' Church; Albert, died aged 2; 
Levi, now of OsnaburgTp. Mr. Samuel Bow- 
man was married a second time January 1, 
1861, to Lucinda Van Mater; three children 
were born who died in infancy and his second 
wife died April 2, 1870. Mr. Bowman served 
as Trustee for some six terms; he was elected 
Land Appraiser in the fall of 1879, and is a 
member of the Disciples' Church at Sparta. 
His present residence was built in 1871 on the 
site of the old log cabin erected by his father 
about 1815. He owns 110 acres at the present 
time, which is farmed on shares by his son 
Hiram, who married Lydia L. Anderson, to 
whom two children — Samuel Franklin and 
Charles Edward, were born. 

MCSES BACHTEL, farmer; P. O. Pierce; 
is a native of Pike Tp., and son of one of the 
pioneer settlers of Stark county. He was 
born Sept. 12, 1826; was raised and educated 
in Pike, and at the age of 18 commenced to 
teach school, which occupation he followed 
for sixteen winters, farming during the sum- 
mer time; residing with his mother until 
March 6, 1861, when he was married, and 
removed to his present farm of 55^ acres, 
which he purchased from his mother-in-law. 
His wife was Miss Susan Miller, who was 
born October 25, 1839, daughter of Jacob 
and Susan (Kerstetter) Miller, who were early 
settlers of Pike Tp. The latter was a 
remarkable woman, aiid died in 1880, at the 
advanced age of 84. Mr. Bachtel was a 
member of the -Ohio National Guards during 
the war, and was called into active military 
service for four months, during 1864. In the 
spring of 1868 he was chosen Justice of the 
Peace, and re-elected in 1871, serving in this 
position six years; was afterward appointed 
Notary Public, and has also served as Clerk 
of Pike Tp. for two terms. He was raised a 
member of the German Keformed Church, but 
his wife and family are at present connected 



y\'- 



^1 



>^. 



852 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



with the Disciples' Church, of Sparta. Mr. 
Bachtel is the father of seven children as 
follows: Lincoln Marshal, Clara Lavina, 
John Wickliff, Edwin N., Virginia, who died 
in infancy ; Lillian Gertrude and Delano 
Foster. The grandfather of Moses Bachtel 
removed from Maryland to Stark county with 
his family, at a very early day, and settled on 
land now owned by Mahlon Slutz. His son, 
David Bachtel, married Mary Taylor, and 
they had four children — Lazarus, of Pike ; 
Moses, subject of this sketch; Issac, who 
died in 1843, and Levi, of Pike. David 
farmed in the summer time, and during winter 
followed weaving and made flour barrels ; be 
died Sept. 32, 1838. 

HENRY BUCHMAN, farmer; P. O. 
Pierce; was born in Westmoreland Co., 
Penn., May 9, 1806; the son of .Incob and 
Elizabeth ('Marchant) Buchman. His grand- 
father, George Buchman, came to America 
when about 17 vears of age, and was sold for 
three years to defray the expense of his pas- 
sage across the ocean; he died about 1832 at 
the age of 83; the Marchants were of French 
or Swiss descent, and many persons bearing 
this name are now residents of Westmoreland 
Co., not a few being doctors of medicine. 
Henry was raised in that county and worked 
for his father until he became of age; then 
for many years he was a teamster, hauling 
goods from Philadelphia and Baltimore to 
Pittsburgh; the first trip he made was in 1827; 
in those days all goods were transported 
between these cities in wagons, and the team- 
sters were allowed twenty days in which to 
make the trip, being held responsible for all 
losses. Henry al'terwards purchased his 
father's farm in Pennsylvania, and was married 
March 29, 1837, to Mary, daughter of Peter 
and Barbara (Heiberger) Whitehead. In 
1849 he moved to Pike Tp. with his family, 
purchasing 200 acres, known in those daj'S as 
the James Hazelett land. During the first 
fall his saw-mill was destroyed by fire; he 
afterwards built the flouring-mill, now stand- 
ing at Sparta, and having disposed of his land, 
he purchased of Benjamin Painter 320 acres, 
about half of which lie has transferred to his 
children and other parties, and he now owns 
and occupies about 160 acres. Mr. and Mrs. 
Buchman were in early life active members of 
the Presbyterian Church; they are the parents 



of the following children: one died in infancy, 
seven are living as follows — Sarah, now Mrs. 
.John Yant, of Sparta; Catharine, died aged 11; 
Elizabeth, now Mrs. Wallen Evans, of Pike; 
Alpheus, now of Fort Wayne, Ind.; Daniel, of 
Pike; Jane, now Mrs. Alfred Young, of Pike; 
Marv, now Mrs. Isaac McKinney, of Pike; 
William, on the homestead with his father. 

JOSEPH BRIGGLE, farmer; P.O. Pierce; 
is a son of Joseph and Catharine (Beard) 
Briggle. Joseph, Sr., came from Germany 
when six years of age with his parents; they 
settled in Pennsylvania, where he resided dur- 
ing his later childhood, and finally moved to 
Stark Co.; he was married to Catharine Beard, 
of SummitCo.; they had twelve children, two 
of whom died young and ten reached ma- 
turity, as follows: Caroline, now Mrs. Henry 
Shemp, of De Kalb Co., Ind.; Sarah, now 
Mrs. Moses Brown, of Canton; Eliza Ann, 
now Mrs. Jesse Van Nostran, of Canton; 
Amanda, now Mrs. Nathan Evans of Pike. 
John died of small-pox June 19, 1871, while 
a resident of Pike Tp; Catharine, now Mrs. 
Levi Bouebrake, of Huntington Co., Ind.; 
Almira, Joseph, Melancthon and George S.; 
the latter four are residents of Pike. Their 
father lived in Pike nearly forty years, and 
died October 31, 1875, at the age of 76. He 
was a member of the Lutheran Church at 
Sandyville. Joseph Briggle, the subject of 
this sketch, was born in Pike, May 21, 1845, 
where he was raised and educated; he con- 
tinued on his father's farm until. April, 1863, 
when he enlisted for three years in the 107th 
Regiment, and remained in the service for 
some t\vo years and eight months. After the 
war closed the portion of the 107th Regi- 
ment that had enlisted for three years were 
transferred to the 25th Ohio, which was sta- 
tioned at Columbia, S. C; during his term of 
service he was never sick or absent from the 
regiment. When he returned home he 
worked as a farm-laborer until the spring of 
1871, when ho settled on his present farm of 
93 acres ; he was married June 28, 1868, to 
Sarah Jane, daughter of John and Mary (Mc- 
Kinney) Williams; they are the parents of four 
children — John Roy, Homer Vincent, Allen, 
who died in infancy, and Stewart. Politically 
Mr. Briggle is a Republican, and is a member 
of the M. E. Church of Sparta, his wife also 
beinor connected with the same congregation. 



i^ 



PIKE TOWNSHIP. 



8r)3 



WILLIAM H. BRIGGLE, miller; P. 0. 
Pierce, ; was born Sept. 8, 1861, in Pike 
Tp.; son of John and Eliz:ibeth (Wil- 
liams) Briggle. John Brig^'lo, son of Jo-eph 
and Catharine (Bi.'ard) Briggle, was born Dec. 
27, 1839; was raised and educated in Pike 
Tp., and was married August 22, 18(50, to 
Miss Elizabeth, daughter of John and Sarah 
Jane (Alexander) Williams, who were pio- 
neer settlers of Pike Tp. Some five years af- 
ter their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Briggle set- 
tled on 119 acres, now owned principally by 
their brother Joseph, occupying this farm un- 
til Ajiri), 1871, when tliey removed with their 
family to Sparta. They had every prospect 
of a long and happy life, when the loving 
husband and kind father was suddenly stricken 
down by a frightful contagious disease — small- 
p<).\ — and died June 19, 1871. He was a 
member of the M. E. Church, and the father 
of four children — William, subject of this 
sketch; Gertrude, Mary Catharine, who reside 
with their mother, and Homer, who died aged 
on(! year. Mrs. Briggle was afterwards mar- 
ried to J. J. Burnheimer, and was by him the 
mother of two children — Eddie, who died 
aged nearly five, and Charles Wesley. Wil- 
liam H. Briggh- was raised in Pike Tp., and 
when only 17 years of aiie entered the 
llou ring-mill at Sparta, in March, 1879, serv- 
ing an apprentieeshij) of one year under 
Alonzo Fo.\. In March, 1880, he was em- 
ployed by Samuel Cable, owner of the mill, to 
run the establishment on shares, which trust 
he satisfactorily fulfilled, and when (Jable sold 
out to John Swan, the new proprietor contin- 
ued him in the same responsible position, 
which he has faithfully filled for eighteen 
months, although he has not yet attained the 
twentieth anniversarv of his birth. 

MICHAEL BORTS, farmer; P.O. North 
Industry; is a son of Henry and Mary (Fisher) 
Borts, who were for many years residents of 
Westmoreland Co., Pa., and the parents of ten 
children; one died in infancy, eight are resi- 
dents of Pennsylvania, the subject of this 
sketch being the only one of this large family 
living in Stark Co. Henry was a farmer in 
Westmoreland Co., he died some three years 
since, and his wife a shor; time previous; their 
son Michael was lorn Nov. 6, 1829. He re- 
ceived a common school education, and resi- 
ded on the farm until he became of age; then 



worked at bricklaj'ing, as a stone-mason, and 
in a saw-mill until he was married. This event 
took place Feb. 7, 18.3G, and the yf)Uiig lady 
who accompanied him to the altar was Miss 
Rebecca Jane Rutf. About one year after- 
ward, they removed to Stark Co., and settled 
on his present farm, purchasing in connection 
with his brother-in-law, Franklin Rufl", 160 
acres from Michael Welker; this quarter 
section was divided between Messrs. Borts 
and Ruff, each owning half of the tract, but 
in later years Mr. Borts purchased 55 acres 
from Theodore Swan, and now owns 135 
acres, a portion of which is underlaid witli 
limestone, and a 3^ foot vein of coal. Two 
mines have been opened on his land, and in 
addition to his labors as a farmer, he is en- 
gaged mining and burning lime to a limited 
extent. Mr. and Mrs. Borts are membere of 
the Lutheran Church at Magnolia. They are 
the parents of nine children — Albi'rt, Richard 
Porter, William Henry, Elizabeth Amelia, 
Simon, Agnes, Sarah Savilla, Mary Ann, and 
John. In politics, Mr. Borts is a Republican. 
JAMES FARBER, farmer and stock dealer; 
P. O. Magnolia; a native of Tuscarawas Co., 
and second son of one of the pioneers of 
this section of Ohio; his father, John Farber, 
was born in New Jersey, Oct. 24, 1781, son 
of Philip and Margaret Farber; Philip was 
born Oct. 3, 1758, and Margaret April 19, 
1758. The Farber family left New Jersey in 
I 1804, and settled for a time near Steubenville; 
' in ISOG they removed to Tuscarawas county, 
^ locating in Sandy Tp. At that time their near- 
! est neighbor was the Huff family, who lived 
some eight miles away, south of what is now 
Zoar village. Canton at that time contained 
only a few rude log cabins, and the Farbers 
visited Cleveland for their salt wh(!n the fu- 
ture Forest Cit\' contained about one dozen 
houses. The family cleared a patch of six or 
seven acres for corn by June, 1806, and were 
rewarded bj- a fine crop; the next year many 
I other families purchased farms and settled in 
the same neighborhood. In those days they 
I could catch a barrel of fish in half an hour, 
and deer and bee trees were plenty. John 
Farber started in life a ()oor boy, but at the 
time of his death, in 1804, was a large land 
owner. During his life he held many offices of 
honor and trust to which he was chosen by 
his neighbors; he married Elizabeth Douglas, 



854 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



who was of Scotch descent, and they were 
the parents of fourteen children; several died 
when the}' were young; nine lived to maturity, 
raised families, and John was the ancestor 
of many descendants, who are living in Car- 
roll, Tuscarawas and Stark counties, and many 
localities in the west; Elizabeth died in 1873. 
James Farber, subject of this sketch, was born 
in Sandy Tp., Tuscarawas Co., March 1, 1808, 
where he was raised and educated, remain- 
ing on his father's farm until October, 1833, 
when he married Caroline, daughter of Oliver 
Weaver; he then purchased from his father a 
quarter section in Pike Tp., which land he 
has occupied for nearly fifty years, his present 
residence having been built in 1840. During 
his life has purchased other real estate, 
now owning over 400 acres, and in addition 
to this has transferred over 900 to his chil- 
dren; he has in past j'ears paid more atten- 
tion to sheep raising than farming, wintering 
at times over one thousand head. Mr. and Mrs. 
James Farber are the parents of seven child- 
ren; onediedin infancy; six are now living, as 
follows — John, of Carroll Co.; Isabel, now Mrs. 
John Keiffer, of Carroll Co.; Oliver, now of 
Sandy Tp., Stark Co.; Philip, of Pike; Abigal, 
now Mrs. Franklin Newhouse, of Pike; Eliza- 
beth, now at home with her parents. 

PHILIP FARBER, farmer and stock- 
dealer; P. O. Pierce; son of James and Caro- 
line (Weaver) Farber, was born in Pike Tp. 
Jan. 3, 1841, where he was raised and edu- 
cated, receiving instruction in the schools of 
the neighborhood; he remained on his father's 
farm until Dee. 19, 1873, when he was mar- 
ried to Miss Mary L. Bonders, who was born 
in Germany and removed to America with 
her parents when she was four years of age; 
her father was killed in 1803, at the battle of 
Gettysburg. After their marriage Mr. and 
Mrs. Philip Farber removed to iiis present 
farm of 172 acres, which he purchased from 
liis father; they have three children. Jay, 
May, and Etta. Mr. Farber's principal busi- 
ness is stock raising, and he is more directly 
interested in sheep and cattle, having a spe- 
cial grade of fine sheep. During the Rebel- 
lion Mr. Farber was a member of the Ohio 
National Guards, and as such was called in 
active service for fcrur months, serving from 
May to September, 1864, in the 162d Regi- 
ment under Col. Ephraim Ball. 



JACOB FLORA, deceased; one of the 
early settlers of Pike Tp., was born in Witten- 
berg, Germany, and emigrated to America 
when quite young, with his father, George 
Flora, who assisted in hauling stone for the 
first jail in Baltimore. Jacob removed to 
Pike Tp. in 1816, purchasing 160 acres of 
land now owned in part by J. .1. Burnheimer. 
He was a member of the old Lutheran Church, 
and the father of six children — David, died 
in Huntington Co., Ind.; Catharine, now Mrs. 
John Burnheimer, of Magnolia; Daniel, died 
in Huntington Co.; Barbara, married Harmon 
Smith, and removed to Indiana; George, died 
while a resident of Pike Tp.; Mary, now Mrs. 
Cornelius Henline, of Huntington Co. Jacob 
removed to Huntington Co. in 1844, where he 
died shortly afterward. His son George lived 
on the farm now owned by Adam Muckley, 
until he died in 1871. He married Hannah 
Bowman, daughter of .Jacob Bowman, of Pike 
Tp., and had five children — Frank, now of 
Dansville, N. Y.; Jacob, of Pike Tp.; Harriet, 
now Mrs. .John Farber, of Carroll Co.; Harri- 
son, now of Dickinson Co., Kan.; Emma, 
now of Dickinson Co., Kan. The three 
boys were in the Union Army, during the 
war; Frank served three j'ears; Harrison was 
Second Lieutenant in the 107tli Ohio. Jacob 
was born Dec. 3, 1836, was raised and educa- 
ted in Pike Tp., and attended Oberlin College 
for several years, from which institution he 
graduated in 1859. He has taught school for 
twenty-three winters. He was elected Asses- 
sor several times by the citizens of Pike. 
He enlisted in 1861, and was mustered in 
June 5, serving for eighteen months in the 
4th Ohio; he then returned home and assisted 
his father on the farm, and took an active 
part in " regulating'' the affairs in this section, 
during those turbulent times. He was Cap- 
tain of a company of National Guards, com- 
posed entirely of citizens of Pike Tp., which 
was in active service four months during 1804. 
Jacob was married June 13, 1865, to Lucinda 
McFarland, daughter of John McFarland, an 
early settler of Pike Tp.; they have three 
children — Sarah H., Emma N. and William F. 

WASHINGTON GUEST, farmer; P. O. 
North Industry; is a leading influential citi- 
zen of Stark Co., and one of the three com- 
missioners. He was born at the farm upon 
which he now resides, Nov. 13, 1819; the son 



;V 



M* 



-fe^ 



PIKE TOWNSHIP. 



855 



of Rev. Pitney and Catharine (Miller) Guest, 
who were natives of New Jersey. Pitney 
was bom Sept. 19, 1783, and Catharine, May 
26, 1?82; they were married March 0, 1805, 
and emigrated to Pike Tp. in 1812; first set- 
tling upon Sec. 16, making improvements 
there for which 1100 was afterwards paid. 
Mr. Guest then purchased 80 acres from the 
Government. He was a minister of tlie Bap- 
tist Church for many years; was the Hrst Jus- 
tice elected for Pike Tp., which position he 
held about 21 years, and was also Trustee 
many terms. He was drafted at the last call 
during the war of 1812, but before entering 
active service, peace was declared. Rev. Pit- 
ney Guest was for many years a leading and 
influential citizen, anil reference is made to 
him in the General History of Pike Tp. He 
died A\igust 9, 1856; his wife survived him 
nearly two decades, and died Jan. 29, 1874, 
at the advanced age of 92. Her father, Ben- 
jamin Miller, was a soldier during the Revolu- 
tionary War. Mr. and Mrs. Pitney Guest 
were the parents of seven children — Mary 
Ann, now Mrs. Phillip Bordner, of Crawford 
Co., O; Jesse, died many years since in Carroll 
Co.; Lydia, married .faeob Bordner and died 
in Wood County; Jephtha, died aged 19; Hes- 
ter, now Mrs. Daniel McKinney, of Pike; 
Washington, subject of this sketch; Harriet, 
now Mrs. .Jos(>ph Stults, of Huntington Co., 
Indiana. Washington was educated in the 
schools of Pike Tp., and afterward attended 
a select school in Canton, conducted by Ar- 
chie McGregor, Esq,, now editor of the Stark 
County Democrat; and afterward taught 
school for about eighteen winters. At the age 
of 22 he was elected Assessor and served in 
this position for ten years; was also Treasurer 
many terms, and Trustee; of Pike Tp., at va- 
rious times. In October, 1870, he was chosen 
Justice of the Peace, re-elected in 1873, and 
again in 1876, serving nine years. In 1879, 
he was nominated by the Republican party 
as their candidate for Commissioner, and suc- 
ceeded by his personal popularity in securing 
a small majority at an election which resulted 
in a victory for some candidates of the oppo- 
site party, nominated for county officers. Mr. 
Guest owns at the present time, 160 acres of 
land, 80 of which he has purchased since his 
lather's death. He was married October 26, 
1 !^.54, to Miss Ellen, daughter of Bernard and 



Bridget Collins. His wife was born December 

28, 1831, and died Feb. 14, 1878, leaving 
eight children — Osborne Pitney, of Pike ; 
Martha Ellen, now Mrs. .Jeremiah Aplcy, of 
Pike; Olive Olivia, now Mrs. W. H. Becher, 
of Pike; Cora Alice, Katie Ann, William 
Elmer, George Washington and Ida May. 

DR. DANIEL L. GANS, physician, farmer 
and stock raisi^r; P. O. Pierce; was born July 
31, 1819, of German parentage in Springhill 
Tp., Fayette Co., Penn.; he was the son of 
William and Magdalena (Custer) Gans, the 
doctor ])eing a cousin of the brave and la- 
mented Gen. Custer, who perished during the 
Indian war of 1876, while fighting against 
overwhelming odds. Dr. Gans was reared on 
a good farm under the training of kind, indus- 
trious, well-to-do Christian [)arents and en- 
joyed some of the sweets of handling a plow 
in stony ground, of cutting grass witli an old- 
fashioned scythe and grain with the time-hon- 
ored sickle. About the age of 18 years he 
conceived that the medical profession was the 
field for him, and so stated to his father, who 
presented his strongest arguments to induce 
the son to remain 'on the farm, but they had 
not sufficient weight and did not avail. The 
subject of this sketch was passionately fond 
of reading and employed most of his leisure 
hours in that way. His preliminary educa- 
tion consisted of what he could obtain at a 
country school and some advantages of a 
select course in Virginia. In the fail of 1838 
he left home and went to Moundsville, Vir- 
ginia reading medicine there with his elder 
brother for two years. He completed his 
medical course at the Ohio Medical College 
of Cincinnati during the years 1840 and 
1841, and comnienced the practice of his pro- 
fession in Smithfield, Penn., three miles from 
his former home, continuing there about eight- 
een months during an epidemic of typhoid 
fever. The country being rough and mount- 
ainous, the doctor determined to leave for a 
more pleasant one to travel over. In Octo- 
ber, 1842, he located in Magnolia, single ai:d 
a stranger; in two or three years he grew into 
an extensive practice, remaining there eight 
years. He soon learned it was not good for 
a doctor " to be alone" and was married April 
22, 1845, to Miss Margaret, daughter of 
James and Mary (Gordon) Hanna; her par- 
ents were born in Ireland and emigrated to 



^ 



856 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



America when about 24 years of age. In the 
fall of 1850 Dr. Gans removed with his family 
to his farm near Sparta where he now resides, 
continuing to practice his profession, having 
served nearly forty years in that capacity. 
His practice has been a general one, although 
he has performed some of the major opera- 
tions, as amputation of the thigh and arm, re- 
duction of fractures, etc. During the period 
he has been located in Stark Co. five students 
have received instruction under him, and are 
now filling positions of usefulness. Dr. Gans 
at the present time owns and farms 385 
acres of land; he was one of the first to intro- 
duce Spanish Merino sheep into this section, 
and keeps his farm stocked with sheep of this 
and other grades to its full capacity, only cul- 
tivating enough grain to keep the whole farm 
in grass. April 29, 1875, fire destroyed his 
house with most of its contents, and his pres- 
ent residence has been erected since that 
date. Dr. Gans is the father of five children, 
two sons and three daughters. The eldest 
daughter died when young; the eldest son W. 
C. Gans, who is a graduate of Bethany Col- 
lege, is now engaged in the drug business at 
Youngstown, Ohio; Ollie, the second daugh- 
ter, is the wife of H. C. Muckley, principal of 
the Central School of Youngstown; Miss 
Lizzie and EmmetGans are students at Hiram 
College. The docter has always voted the 
Kepublican ticket, but never sought for office 
or held one in the gift of the people, as he is 
contented with living at home on his farm. 

WASHINGTON HINES, farmer; P. O. 
North Industry; was born in York, Pa., .July 
4, 1811, son of Jesse and Elizabeth (Fry) 
Hines, who removed with their children to 
Stark Co. in 1833, settling in Paris Tp. for 
some three years, but in 1826 purchased from 
Henry Bordner, of Pike Tp., the farm now 
owned and occupied by their son Washing- 
ton. Jesse was a blacksmith in Pennsyl- 
vania, which occupation he followed for some 
thirty years, but after he removed to Ohio, was 
a farmer; he brought his tools along, however, 
erected a forge upon his farm, and his son 
Absalom, who had learned the trade in Penn- 
sylvania, conducted the business for some 
years. Washington Hinos reports " that when 
their family removed to Pike Tp. tlu're was 
neither a school-house nor meeting-house in 
the township, but still-houses were numerous. 



whisky being found in every household; and 
that his father was the first man in Stark Co. 
who refused to supply whisky for his hands 
during harvest." Jesse was a Presbyterian 
in Pennsylvania, but after removing to Pike 
Tp. connected himself with the United Breth- 
ren church; he died January 6, 1856, aged 77; 
his wife died nearly twenty five years pre- 
vious. They were the parents of seven chil- 
dren — Absolom removed to Indiana and died 
there; Elizabeth, married Solomon Brown, and 
died in Perry Tp.; Jesse, died at Reedsburg, 
Wayne Co., while pastor of the German Re- 
formed Church; Anthony, now a resident of 
Plain Tp.; Washington, the subject of this 
sketch; Rebecca, now Mrs. Levi Briggs, of 
Whitley Co. Indiana; Sarah, died aged 15. 
Washington remained on the farm with his 
father, who at his death willed his son the 
land, stipulating that he should settle with 
the other heirs. Washington was married 
Oct. 33, 1837, to Miss Jane Hockensmith, 
daughter of Peter and Christina (Smith) 
Hockensmith; they are the parents of eleven 
children, six boys and five girls, as follows — 
Hiram Harvey, in Lucas Co.; George W., and 
Salathiel, in Pike Tp.; Henry, in Upper San- 
dusky, Ohio; Sarah, now Mrs. Robert Hall, 
they are missionary teachers in New Mexico; 
Elizabeth, now Mrs. Christ Wiles, of Phila- 
delphia, Pa.; Maria, now wife of Rev. Mr. 
Hunter, a M. E. minister in Kansas; Jesse, in 
Pike Tp.; Amanda, now Mrs. James Evans of 
Pike Tp.; Harriet and John, at home with 
their parents. Three of Mr. Hines' sons were 
in the army during the Rebellion, viz: Hi- 
ram in the 107th Regiment O. V. I., and 
George and Salathiel in I63d Regiment O. 
N. G. Washington was in early life an old 
line Whig, but since the Republican party 
was organized he has voted that ticket. 

GEORGE HOWENSTINE, farmer; P. O. 
Pierce; for many years an influential citizen 
of Pike Tp. and Stark Co.; was born in 
Franklin Co., Penn., Aug. 4, 1807; his grand- 
father, also named George, came from Ger- 
many about one hundred years ago, and raised 
a large family of children as follows — John, 
George, Jacob, William, Rebecca, Susannah, 
Elizabeth, Samuel, Peter and Henry. Jacob, 
father of the subject of this sketch, was born 
April 1, 1784; he married Catharine Crause, 
who was born June 13, 1786; thev had six 



^1 



tk 



PIKE TOWNSHIP. 



857 



children, who are now living — George, Jacob, 
Margaret (now Mrs. .John Epley), Samuel C, 
Jeremiah and Mary Ann (now Mrs. Michael 
Lichten waiter). AH of these ixci-pt Jeremiah 
are residents of Pike Tp. Jacob Howenstine 
removed with his family to Stark Co. in 1822, 
remaining one year in Bethlehem Tp.; finding 
that locality to bo sickly, he came to Pike 
Tp. and settled upon about 400 acres of land, 
which he purchased from his father-in-law, 
George Crause, and other parties; he also 
owned at one time 160 acres near the present 
site of the cemetery, near Canton. Jacob died 
March 11,183.5; his widowsurvived him many 
years and died April 28, 1868. Their son 
George remained at homo assisting his parents 
until April 3, 1827, when he was married to 
Christina, daughter of George and Margaret 
Sicafoose; he then settled on his present 
farm upon which he has resided over fifty 
years. At the present time he owns 120 acres, 
but during his life has had other real estate, 
some of which he has transferred to his sons; 
He is at present one of the Trustees of Pike 
Tp., and has occupied this position several 
terms; was also Clerk one term, many years 
since; was Justice of the Peace for eighteen 
years, and chosen Commissioner of Stark Co. 
on two occasions, serving in this position six 
years; he was. on the Board when the old 
Court House was built and also when the 
old "brick anne.x" was finished. Among those 
who were Commissioners during these six 
years were: William Dillon, of Marlborough; 
.fohn Bretz, of Tuscarawas, Jacob Gallaton, of 
Sugar Creek, and Jacob Schlott, of Plain. 
Squire Howenstine voted the Democratic 
ticket until the Missouri Compromise was 
reiealcd, and after the formation of the Re- 
publican party he gave his vote and influence 
to the Republicans. He is a member of 
the M. E. Church at Sparta, and held many 
offices of honor and trust in the congregation; 
is now C ass-le;ider and has been Steward and 
Recording-Steward. He is the father of nine 
children, five sons and four daughters, as fol- 
lows — Wiliam S., of Whitley Co., Iiid.; John 
S., of Canton; Margaret Ann, now Mrs. 
Christian Henry, of Whitley Co.; Catharine, 
now Mrs. Jesse Hisem, of Whitley Co.; 
Samuel S., of Pike; Harriet, now Mrs. S. P. 
Wilson, of Nimishillen Tp.; George Lyman, of 
Canton; Sarah, died aged .33, on Jan. 30, 1871, 



and Jacob Marion, now on the farm with his 
parents. Three of these sons were in the 
arm V during the reljellion ; John S. and George 
Lyman served three j'ears, and Samuel was 
out for four months. Jacob Marion married 
Alice Sandford Oct. 6, 1872, and they have 
one son, Homer. 

JACOB HOLM, farmer; P. O. North In- 
dustry; born in Pike Tp., Oct. 9, 1822; son 
of John and Elizabeth (Shutt) Holm. John 
was born near Ilagerstown, Maryland, May 1, 
1701; ho removed with his father, Michael 
Holm, to Ohio about 1813. Michael settled 
on the farm now owned by Abraham Hover- 
land, and afterwards removed to the land 
now occupied by Charles Hant; he died 
there about 1835, at the advanced a^ie of 80 
years. He was a member of the Dunkard 
Church; was married twice, and had twenty 
children. His son John married Elizabeth, 
daughter of John Shutt, who was one of the 
early j)ioneers of Stark Co. Shutt settled on 
the farm now owned by George Holm, re- 
maining there over fifty years; ho died about 
1862, at the advanced ago of 97 years; he was 
a member of the Reformed Church, and the 
father of four children, viz.: Polly, married 
a Mr. Savington, and died in Tuscarawas 
Co.; Elizabeth married John Holm; Jacob 
died in Perry Tp.; Catharine married a Mr. 
Albright, and moved to Summit Co. John 
Holm and wife, after marriage, settled on the 
land now farmed by Daniel Seaman, where 
they died. He was the father of four child- 
ren, who reached maturity — Susan married a 
-Mr. Soladay; George, of Canton; Jacob, of 
Pike; Jeremiah, who wjis killed at Gettysburg 
while fighting to preserve the American 
Union. Jacob Holm, suljject of this sketch, 
was raised and educated in Pike Tp.; served 
a regular apprenticeship at the shoe-makers' 
trade, and afterward wcjrkel as a journeyman 
at Canton; lu; was married May 23, 1844, to 
Ann Rosenbury, daughter of William Rosen- 
bury, of Tuscarawas Co., and they had 
seven children, one died in infancy ; the 
other six are — Rachel Ann, now Mrs. Jacob 
Hoverland, of Sugar Creek; William N., lost 
during the Rebellion, at the battle of Chancel- 
lorsville; Asbury, of Sugar Creek; Sarah 
Jane, died, aged 17; Angelina, now Mrs. 
Frank Buxser; Margaret, now Mrs. George 
F. Sunth, of Niniisiiillen. Mr Holm's first 



fk^ 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



wife died Feb. 19, 1857, and lie was married 
a second time to Martlia Worley, who is the 
mother of seven children, viz.: Emma, Alice, 
Cora, Lewis E., Flora H., Perry and John 
Edwin. Jacob Holm settled on his present 
farm in the year 1845, which was formerly the 
property of liis giandfather, .Joliu Shutt; he 
now owns 171 acres in Pike Tp. His present 
residence was built in 1808. Mr. Holm is 
connected with the United Brethren Church, 
of which denomination he has been an active 
member for nearly forty years. 

DAVID B. ilENLl'NE, farmer; P. O. 
Bolivar, Tuscarawas Co.; is the son of an 
early si'ttler of Pike Tp. His father, Samuel 
Henlino was liorn in Somerset Co., about the 
year 1793, and moved with his father, Cor- 
nelius Heuline, to Pike Tp., at an early day; 
he married Elizabeth Flickinger, who died 
September 18, 1824, after bearing him five 
children. Pinton, the eldest, died April 35, 
1842, and his only son is now running- a store 
at Navarre. The other four children died 
without issue; Samuel was married the sec- 
ond time to Mary Ann, daughter of Nicholas 
Leichley, a pioneer school-teacher of Stark Co. 
she was born in December :;!0, 1800, and of 
her six children, two died in infancy and four 
grew to maturity, viz.: Caroline, now Mrs. 
kilbourne Mills, of White Co., Ind.; Samuel, 
died aged 24, in 1850; Susannah, now Mrs. 
John Justis, of Canton Tp., and David B., 
subject of this sketch. Samuel took the 
Zoarite Community across the Sandy river in 
a canoe when they first arrived in this section 
of the State; during his life he owned a saw- 
mill, still-house and choppiii;i-mill; was a 
member of the old Lutheran Church, a cap- 
tain in the militia and owned over 400 
acres of land. He died June ]0, 1849; 
his son, David B. Henline, was born August 
2, 1844; was educated in Pike Tp., of which 
he has always been a resident; was in active 
military service for four months during the 
war in the 162d Regiment, and is farming at 
the present time 287 acres, belonging to him- 
self and the Henline heirs; he has been a 
dealer in stock during past years and at the 
present time is breeding a high grade of native 
improved short-horn cattle; is the largest 
dealer in thoroughbred Chester White hogs 
in the township, feeding annually a car-load 
for the Eastern market. His sheeu are fine 



wool ontirelv, his father having purchased 
Merino sheep about forty years ago, and since 
then the Henlines have always had animals of 
this grade. Mr. Henline has held the oiBce 
of School Director in his district for about 10 
years. He was married February 22, 1865, 
to Sarah, daughter of Henry Evans, of Pike 
Tp.; they have three children, one son and 
two (laughters — Mary Loretta, Samuel H. and 
H. C. Mr. and Mrs. Henline and their eldest 
daughter are members of the Disciples' 
Church at Sparta, of which denomination he 
has been an active member and Elder for 
many years. 

VICTOR HALTER, farmer and stock- 
dealer; P.O. Pierce; was born in Alsace, 
France, Feb. 22, 1837, and when two years of 
age, his parents removed to America, and 
settled in Sandy Tp., Stark Co. Victor is the 
son of Lawrence and Susanna (Shear) Halter, 
who had fourteen children. His father is now 
a resident of Canton. Victor was raised and 
educated in Sandy Tp.; farmed his father's 
land 195 acres, for three years, and was then 
married, April 27, 1857, to Miss Catharine 
Rotherstine, shortly afterward settlitig on 
the 55 acres now owned by him, which he 
jiurchased from Mrs. Mary Ann Layrailler. 
He has since bought another- tract, containing 
40 acres, from his brother-in-law, Andrew 
Rotherstine, and now owns 95 acres. He is 
more espeoiall}' engaged in stock-raising than 
at farming, having many head of choice ani- 
mals, amoKig which are several short-horns. 
Victor is the father of six children — Catharine, 
Henry, George, Valentine, Mary, and Eme- 
line. The family are connected with the 
Catholic Chui ch of Canton. When interroga- 
ted in regard to his political views, Mr. Halter 
exclaimed — " Say I am a Democrat of the 
Hard Shell kind; put it down that way, for 
it is a fact." 

DANIEL KEEIIN, farmer; P. 0. Canton; 
was born in Bethlehem Tp., Stark Co., Jan. 
5, 1829. His grandfather, George Keehn, 
removed from Berks Co., Pa., nearly seventy 
years ago, and purchased 320 acres in Beth- 
lehem Tp., where he lived over twenty years. 
He was the father of eight children, who 
reached maturity, two sons and six daughters; 
the sons, John and Jonathan Keehn, were 
residents of Bethlehem Tp. many years. John, 
the father of Daniel, was drafted during the 



<.:^' 



PIKE TOWNSHIP. 



859 



4 



war of 1812. He married Elizabeth Traul; 
thev had five sons and three daughters — 
Daniel, of Pike Tp.; John, of Bethlehem Tp.; 
Levi, of Kosciusko Co., Ind.; Jonathan and 
George, of Noble Co., Ind., the latter being 
Ci'unty Tri-asurer; Mary, now Mrs. Zebulon 
Clover, of Kosciusko Co.; Sojihia died aged 
1!); Catharine married Jolin Win^ert, and 
died in Lagrange Co., Ind. John Keehn died 
in 1852, and his wife in 1848. Their son 
Daniel, the suiiject of this sketch, continued 
with his parents until about 20 j'ears of age, 
then served an apprenticesliip at the carpen- 
ter's trade for over two years, tlien worked as 
a journeynnin for several years, and in March, 
185U, removed from Stark to Noble Co., Ind., 
where he followed his trade until about Jan- 
uary, 1803, when he was apjiointcd Deputy 
U. S. Marshal, for the 13th Congressional 
District of Indiana, and served until the close 
of the Ribellion, during which period his 
duties consisted mostly in recruiting. When 
he first removed to Noble Co., that section of 
the State was infested by a gang of thieves, 
organized to plunder the iniiabitants; a Vigi- 
lance Committee was form d by the citizens, 
and Mr. Keehn appointed ( 'aptain. He re- 
lates many interesting incidints in regard to 
the work of this committee, in crushing out 
the spirit of lawlessness in tliat neighborhood, 
lie was married Sept. 21, 1851, to Miss Cath- 
arine Whitmer, daughter of Benjamin Whit- 
mer, of Bethlehem Tp. They were the par- 
ents of ten children — John Wesley, George 
Finley, Margaret, now Mrs. Frank Coburn; 
Andrew .Jackson, Benjamin Franklin, and 
Emma, who died in infancy; William Seward 
and Millie, Ollie and Elbe, who also died in 
infaticy. His wife died May 27, 1874. Some 
two years afterwards, on March 23, 187G, he 
returned to Ohio with his family, having been 
a resident of Indiana just two days less than 
twenty years. He was married March 26, 
1876, to Mrs. Anna ShrefBer, daughter of 
Jacob Kemerly, of Pike Tp. Mr. Keehn owns 
at the present time, about 90 acres of land in 
Stark Co. He has been a member of the 
Disciple's Church for many years. Politically 
he is a Democrat, and is one of the Township 
Trustees, to which office he was first elected 
in April, 1S80, it being reported that he is 
the first Democrat elected to a township office 
in Pike, for many years. 



JOSEPH L. KEEL, farmer; P. O. Boliver, 
Tuscarawas Co.; youngest son of Joseph and 
Elizabeth (Chestnutwood) Keel; was birn in 
Pike Tp., Sept. 1, 1849; his father, Joseph 
Keel, was born Dec. 13, 1806, in Pennsylva- 
nia, and when about 13 years of age, moved 
with his father, Joseph, to Stark Co. He was 
a blacksmith by trade, and followed this occu- 
pation many years. Was married Oct. 30, 
1828, to Miss Elizabeth Chcstimtwood, who 
was born June 2, 1805; he died Aug. 8, 1878; 
his wife is still living in Canton. They had 
t n children; four are living, six are dead, as 
follows: John, deceased; David, formerly of 
Pike but now dead; Levi died in boyhood; 
Aurora, now of Ft. Wayne, Ind.; Sarah mar- 
ried Levi Stands, but now deceased; Abra- 
ham, of Pike; Reece J. died during Rebell- 
ion, of disease contracted while in the ser- 
vice; Elizabeth dii-d in infancy; Harriet, now 
Mrs. Wellington Douds, of Canton; Joseph 
Lilirand, the j'oungest son and subject of this 
sketch, was raised and educated in Pike Tp. 
He afterward attended Mt. Union College for 
one term, and when 19 years of age com- 
menced to learn the blacksmith's trade, which 
occupation he followed about three years — 
some fifteen months at Sandyville, ai\d two 
years at North Industry; then ])urchased his 
pres, nt farm of 94 acres, uj)on which he 
has erected the buildings now standing. 
Was married Ma}' 28, 1874, to Miss Ellen, 
daughter of Mathias and Catharine (Richard) 
Umliolz, of Pike Tp. Mathias died Sept. 20, 
187G, and his wife Aug. 15, 1873. Mr. and 
Mrs. Keel are members of the Methodist 
Church. They have had four children; one 
died in infancy, three are living — Elizabeth, 
Charles and Allen. 

MICHAEL LICIITENWALTER, farmer; 
P. O. Pierce. The subject of this sketch is one 
of the most active and energetic farmers of 
Pike Tp.; he was born in Canton Tp. Stark 
Co., D,-c. 16, 1823; his father, Michael Lich- 
tenwalter, was born in 1777, in Lancaster Co., 
Pa. and in 1809, settled in Canton Tp.; he 
married Mary Ovster, and they were the par- 
ents of nine children — Rebecca married Ben- 
jamin Bowers, and died in Van Wert Co.; 
Catharine, now Mrs. Abraham Kinney, of 
Kosciusko Co., Ind.; John of Canton T|).; 
Abraham Lichten waiter, of Crawford Co., 
Elizabeth never marriecl; Michael, of Pike 



t\^ 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



Tp.; Clu'isriana married Samuel Shatzer, and is 
now deceased; Mary, now Mrs. David Stullz; 
Harriet, now Mrs. Doug-las Pierson ; Micliael, 
Sr., died Jan. 29, 1844:, and liis wife, manj- 
years afterward, in February, 1860. Michael, 
the subject of this sketch, was raised in Can- 
ton Tp., receiving a common-school educa- 
tion; he remained with his mother until about 
four years after his father's death, and in 
1848 moved to the farm now owned Ijy Squire 
Yant, and after living- there eiaht years sold 
it, with the intention of going West, but gave 
up the idea and ))urchased his present farm; 
first 1G3 acres, of Peter Becher, and afterward 
80 acres of Thomas Ayers; he afterward bought 
other small tracts, and now owns 260 acres; 
he was married Oct. 31, 1847, to Mary Ann 
Howenstine, who was born November 
38, 1837. She was the daughter of Jacob 
Howenstine. Mr. and Mrs. Lichtenwal- 
ter are connected with the Luthern 
Church, being members of the Melshei- 
mer congregration; they are the parents of 
nine children; two died in infancy, seven are 
living, as follows — John Calvin, of Pike; Mary 
Catharine, now Mrs. F. M. Young, of Pike; 
Hilary, now Mrs. Peter Yant, of Pike; Wil- 
liam, Daniel, Emory, Maggie and Viola. 
Mr. Lichtenwalter is a Republican, and at 
the present time one of the Directors of the 
Pike Tp. Insurance Company. 

WASHINGTON McKlNNEY, farmer 
and stock-dealer; P. O. Pierce; was born 
Doc. -3, 1847, in Pike Tp., where he was raisetl 
and educated, continuing on his father's farm 
until he became of age, when, after working 
for different parties for some months, he en- 
tered the store of F. M. Shaffer, at Sparta, 
and when his employer was stricken with the 
small-pox nursed him until he died. Wash- 
ington was then employed by the administra- 
tor of Shaffer's estate to close out the stock of 
goods on hand, and the next spring, in con- 
nection with Samuel Cable, opened a store un- 
der the firm name of Cable & McKinney. In 
October, 1874, the latter sold his interest in the 
establishment, and the next spring moved to 
his farm west of Sparta, where he remained 
with his family until they removed to their 
present residence in the village. In 1874 
Mr. McKinney was chosen Treasurer of Pike 
Tp., serving in this position for seven years. 
He is a director at the present time of the 



Pike Township Insurance Company, which he 
was greatly instrumental in organizing. For 
some ten years he purchased wool at Sparta 
each spring, and in later years has paid consid- 
erable attention to bu^'ing and sellinc"- stock. 
He was married March 9, 1875, to Miss Mary 
Rager, who was raised by .lohn Carnes, 
formerly of Pike Tp., ami they have three 
children — Chloe Camilla, Mervin Monroe and 
Blanche Grace. Martin McKinney, g-rand- 
fathev of Washington, was born in Franklin 
Co., Penn., just previous to the Revolutionary 
AVar; during this struggle his father entered 
the American army and fell in battle; Martin 
was raised amono; strangers; he married Susan 
Benedit about 1804, and in the spring of 1816 
they removed to Pike Tp. with their family, 
settling on land now owned hy William 
AVilliams; Martin was the father of seven 
children — Elizabeth, married William Tee- 
pies; Daniel, of Pike; Samuel, deceased; John, 
of Canton; Peter and Silas, of Pike; and Polly, 
now Mrs. John Williams, of Pike. Daniel, 
the second child, father of the subject of this 
sketch, was born November 4, 1808, and re- 
ceived but a limited education in consequence 
of the poor school facilities in those early days. 
He was married in 1835 to Miss Hester Guest, 
daughter of Rev. Pitney Guest, an early 
settler of Pike Tp.; some two years afterward 
Daniel was chosen Justice of the Peace and 
served for five terms or fifteen years. He 
was Constable previous to his marriage and 
also served as Clerk several terms. Trustee 
many years and Treasurer for some six terms. 
Daniel and wife are the parents of nine chil- 
dren — Mary, John, died aged 20; Isaac, died 
aged 8; Catharine, now Mrs. Leonard H. 
Stands, Lanson, of Sparta, Washington, Altha, 
Elizabeth, now Mrs. Wesley Miller and Nancy 
Ann. 

SAMUEL MILLER, proprietor portable 
saw-mill; P. 0. North Industry; was born in 
Stark Co., near Alliance, Dec. 25, 1834; the 
son of Rev. Michael A. Miller, who has been a 
minister of tlie German Reformed Church for 
forty years, during which time he has faith- 
fully labored in the Master's cause. Samuel 
was married July 4, 1858, to Martha, daugh- 
ter of John and Magdalena (Buchtel) Grove, 
who were the parents of four children; 
Joseph, died in 1871, aged 30; John J., of 
Pike; Samuel, of Bethlehem Tp.; and Martha, 



?r^ 



PIKE TOWNSHIP. 



wife of the subject of this sketch. After their 
marriage Mr. an i Mrs. Miller lived in Portage 
Co. for one year; then moved to Canton 
where they resided two or three years, 
Samuel being employed in the Aultinan shops; 
they then removed to Uniontown, Stark Co., 
where Mr. Miller was engaged in the foundry, 
remaining there nine years; then settled in 
Pike Tp., and after two years occupied their 
present home where they have lived for nine 
years. For the past two years Mr. Miller has 
been engaged running a portable saw-mill. 
He is the father of four children — Louis, 
Emma, Ida C, and Maggie E. Mr. and Mrs. 
Miller are nienibers of the United Brethren 
Church; residing with them at the present 
time is their mother, Magdalena (Buehtel) 
Grove, wliose father, Peter Buchtel, was a 
soldier during the war of 1812, and died at 
Sandusky City; she is an aunt of the noted 
John R. Buchtel, of Akron, founder of Buch- 
tel college; is at the present time over 80 
jrears of age, and has been a resident of Stark 
Co. seventy years. 

SIMON RICE, farmer; P. O. Pierce, was 
born in Westmoreland Co., Pa., about the 
year 1827; son of John and Rebecca (Wible) 
Rice. Simon was raised in the " Key-stone 
State," receiving a common school education. 
He remained with his father until he attained 
his sixteenth year; then worked for other 
jieojik", several seasons. He removed to 
Kosciusko Co., Ind., remaining there several 
years; grubbing, mauling rails, clearing up 
land, and at other hard work. On the 20th 
of .March, 1850, he left Warsaw, Indiana, with 
several com))anioiis for California; two died 
of the cholera during the journey, and Mr. 
Rice was sick for a short time, but reached 
his distinatiun Sept. 0, 18.50, having walked 
2,000 miles during this time, the entire dis- 
tance except 25 miles. After remaining one 
year iu the gold regions, he returned home 
by the Nicaragua route, and was for some 
months in Carroll Co., wh-re he purcliased 
I'.'O acres of land. In March, 1853, he left 
again for California, via, the Panama route, 
returning to the States in June, 1854. 
During these two trips he sufl"<'red severe pri- 
vations, and met with many adventures. Ho 
relates now many interesting incidents of 
which he had a personal knowledge. He 
saved $2,400 of the funds obtained in Cali- 



fornia, and by industry and good management 
of his resources he has secured a competency, 
owning at the present time -308 acres in Pike 
Tp., 150 in Tuscarawas Co., and 225 in 
Carroll Co.; total 74-3 acres. Mr. Rice 
was married Nov. 18, 1854, to Miss Sarah A., 
daughter of .John Truxal, of Westmoreland 
Co.,. Pa.; they removed to Carroll Co. in 
1855, remaining there until tlie spring of 
1874, when he settled in Pike Tp. He was 
for many years an ext(!nsive stock dealer in 
Carroll Co., but at the present time has 
discontinued operations to a great extent. 
He is the father of si.\ children — Silas, now of 
Tuscarawas Co.; John T., now in the 
hardware business at Mineral Point; Lewis 
H., of Pike Tp; Lilly, James A. and Emma 
who reside at home with their parents. His 
two daughters are connected with the Metho- 
dist Church of Sparta. Mr. Rice states that 
politically he is an "Old Hickory" Demo- 
crat. He served for several terms as Trustee 
while a resident of Carroll Co. 

DAVID RILEY, farmer; P.O. Pierce; was 
born Feb. 8, 1845, in Bedford Co., Pa.; son of 
James and Rachel (Speaker) Riley. They re- 
moved to Ohio in 1858, remaining in Madison 
Co. one year, then settled in Tuscarawas Co., 
continuing there until the fall of 1803, when 
they removed to Carroll Co. In the year 
18C8 they located in Osnaburg Tp., Stark Co. 
James was then a farmer, but in his early days 
followed shoemaking for twenty-one years. 
While a resident of Osnaburg Tp., he was 
engaged in the coal business, and at the pres- 
ent time is running a provision store at New 
Franklin. His children are all residents of 
Stark Co., except one, who is located in Mis- 
souri. Daviil, the subject of this sketch, re- 
ceived a common-school education. He as- 
sisted his father on the farm for many years, 
and was afterwards engaged in the coal busi- 
ness in Osnaburg Tp., leasing a mine belong- 
ing to Daniel Saucer, and mined, with six 
diggers, an average of 500 bushels per week 
the entire year. He settled in Pike Tp., in 
1871, on his present farm, and was married 
Nov. 26, 1SG8, to Mary E., daughter of Thomas 
and Margaret (McKee) Newhouse. She was 
born Feb. 24, 1850. Mr. and Mrs. Riley are 
members of the M. E. Church of Sparta. They 
have two sons, James T. and Hiram; their only 
daughter, Mary M., died aged 3. David 



yc. 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



was a member of the O. N. G. during the 
Rebellion, and was in active service for four 
months in 18G4. He was elected Trustee of 
Pike Tp. in the spring of 1S80, and re-elected 
in 1881; has served on the Township Board of 
Education five or six years, and has been 
a Director for many terms. As a man he has 
been successful in whatever he undertook. 

HENRY STANDS, farmci; P. 0. ISTorth 
Industry; was horn Sept. 24, 1811, in Franklin 
Co., Pa.; son of Peter and Eve (Albert) Stands, 
who were natives of the same county. Peter 
was an invalid for many years previous to his 
death, being troubled with dropsy; conse- 
quently he was not able to work, and as he 
was very poor, his family suffered many hard- 
ships, being in want frecjuently of the necesr 
saries of life. Henry was raised on corn- 
bread and buckwheat, and got only about 
three loaves of white bread during the whole 
of his stay in Franklin Co., for if the young 
Stands ciiildren got plain white bread occa- 
sionally, they considered themselves happy 
children. When quite young, Henry was 
hired out to different parties, by his mother, 
receiving at first only $1.50 per month, which 
meager stipend was always collected by his 
mother and used to buy food for the younger 
children; when he grew older he earned more 
wages for the family, and finally learned the 
weaver's trade. The Stands children were 
ambitious, and when they grew up, desiring 
to better their financial condition, Henry re- 
n)oved the family to Stark Co., in 1839, where 
Peter was supported by his son John, until 
ho died, several years after coming to Ohio. 
His wife died some two years afterwards, 
having had five children — John, now of Pike; 
Leonard, of Canton Tp.; Henry, of Pike; Su- 
sannah, now Mrs. George Finkenbinder, of 
Huntington Co., Ind., and Barbara, now Mrs. 
John Shartzer, of North Industry. After Henry 
removed to Stark Co., he wove coverlids for 
three years in a shop, some three miles east 
of Canton, which formerly belonged to John 
Feichner; then followed butchering for six 
months, and alter taking out cooper lumber 
for about half a year, he opened a cooper shop, 
which he ran for two years, hauling barrels 
to Massillon; then moved to Pike, and com- 
menced farming on land which he rented 
from different parties, until he purchased his 
present farm of 170 acres, most of which he 



bought from Joseph Medill. For twenty-five 
years Mr. Stands was actively engaged buy- 
ing horses, cattle, and trading in stioek gener- 
ally, at which business he was very success- 
ful. He was married in 18.34, to Lydia, 
daughter of Michael Holm, who bore him 
fourteen children, four of whom died young, 
and ten grew to maturity as follows — Leonard 
H., of Pike; Caroline, died aged 37; Isaiah, 
of Wabash Co., Ind.; Samuel, of Pike; Katy 
Ann, died aged 33; Mary, now Mrs. George 
Hoverland, of Pike; Margaret, at home; 
Saiah, now Mrs. Jacob Yutz}', of Pike; John, 
of Sumner Co., Kan.; Amanda, now Mrs. 
Milliard Young, of Pike. Mr. Stands has 
served as School Director for seventeen years 
in his district, and has been chosen Town- 
ship Trustee twice; he has been a member of 
the United Brethren Church for thirty years, 
and has held many offices of honor and trust 
in the community. 

JOHN SIFFERT, farmer; P.O.Canton; 
was born at the farm upon which he now 
resides, June 7, 1817; son of Philip and 
Esther (Jarvis) Siffert. Philip was a native 
of Westmoreland Co., Pa., and Esther was 
born in New Jersey; they were married in 
the east, and came to Ohio in 1806. For a 
short time they lived in a tent near what is 
now Canton, but afterwards removed to Pike 
Tp., and entered the land now owned by their 
son John. He afterwards purchased 160 acres 
in Wayne, 160 acres in Hancock, and 160 acres 
in Wood Cos. When Philip first settled in 
Pike, the country was very wild, the woods 
were full of bears and deer, and they were 
frequently visited by the Indians, but had 
plenty to eat, drink, and wear; it was neces- 
sary however, to visit Steubenville and other 
markets still farther off, in order to purchase 
their supplies. Philip and his wife were 
members of the United Brethren Church, and 
at an early day, their home was the center of 
the religious efforts of this denomination in 
the neighborhood; quarterly meetings being 
frequently held here; also several camp meet- 
ings were conducted in the woods upon the 
Siffert farm, which was in that early day, a 
place where the banner of the Lord was ever 
unfurled to the breeze. Philip died May 16, 
185.3, aged 75 years, 11 months and 6 days; 
his wife dying some ten j-ears previous. They 
were the parents of eleven children — Margaret 



i> \' 



i^Al, 



PIKE TOWNSHIP. 



863 



married Jacob Simons, and removed to Put- 
uam Co., but returned and died in Stark; 
Elizabeth died in childhood; Rosannub mar- 
ried John Keel and died in Putnam Co.; 
Joseph died in Bethlehem Tp., whore he 
resided; Eliza married David Wolf, and died 
while a resident of Coshocton Co.; John, sub- 
ject of this sketch; Nancy married Jacol> 
Ruthraurrh and died early in life; Philij> was 
drowned, in infancy; Hester also married 
David Wolf, and died in Coshocton Co.; 
William, now a resident of Whith'y Co., Ind.; 
and Samuel died at 18 years of age. John 
Siffert, the subject of this sketch, was raised 
and educated in Pike Tp., an I has been a 
fanner all his life. When HO y< ars of age he 
was licensed to preach the gospel, and was 
received liy the Muskingum Annual Confer- 
ence of the Unit<'d Brethren Church, as a 
minister; he traveled for two years on Crooked 
Run Circuit, in Tuscarawas Co., and then for 
one j'ear on Nimishillcn Circuit in Stark Co. 
At the present time he is connected with 
Otterbein Chapel of Pike Tp., but for many 
years has not been an active minister of the 
Church. He was married in November, 1849, 
to Amanda, daughter of Richard Hughs, and 
was by her, the father of five chihlren — Mary 
Ellen married William Teaby, and died Feb. 
4, ]8S1, leaving two children — Charles Ells- 
worth, and Walter W.; Melancthon P., a 
sciiool teacher; Angeline, Ida, Olive, and 
.John E. at home with their parents. His first 
wife died A))ril 12, 1^^0.5, and he was married 
a second time, to Miss Anna, daughter of 
Christopher Bender, of North Industry. She 
is the mother of three children — Delia Belle, 
Thurman C, and Cora Alice. 

JOHN' S.MITH, farmer; P. O. Pierce; born 
in Chester Co. Pa., Dec. 17, 1818; son of 
Jacob and Elizabeth (Watson) Smith, who 
removed to Pike Tp. in the spring of 1829, 
settling on 30 acres of land now owned by 
Leonard Shroyer; after remaining some twen- 
ty years, Jacob removed to Washington Tp., 
where he died in May, 1875; he was the father 
of five children, one died aged 18, four are 
living as follows — I/awrence B. and John of 
Pike Tp.; Elizabeth, now Mrs. George Hud- 
son, of Nebraska; Waircn G., of Alliance. 
When the Smith family first moved to Pike 
Tp., the facilities for acquiring an education 
were very poor, but the subject of this sketch 



wishing a more thorough knowledge of the 
different branches of science than could be 
obtained near home, walked to Canton each 
morning carrying his dinner and returning in 
the evening; thus he accpiired an education 
which has been transmitted to very many of 
his descendants; he early learned the trade 
of a shoemaker, which occupation he followed 
many years. About the year 1849 he was 
chosen Justice of the Peace, and served one 
term, after six years was re-elected, and serv- 
ed for two terms; he has also been Clerk and 
Ass(>ssor for several terms, and is Township 
Treas>n-er at the present time. He was mar- 
ried May 12, 1839, to Miss Martha, daughter 
of Peter Hockensmith. Mr. and Mrs. John 
Smith, are members of the Methodist Church 
of Bolivar; they are the parents of eleven 
living children, as follows — Jacob, of Pike; 
Margaret, now Mrs. Jeremiah Culler, of Can- 
ton Tp.; Mary Jane, at home; Charity, now 
Mrs. James Walz, of Pike; William H., of 
Dakota Territory; Caroline, now Mrs. .John 
Ijash, of Bolivar; Wesley, of Si)arta; Benja- 
min, Elmer, James and OUie. Jacob Smith, 
the eldest son was born in Pike Tp., April 5, 
1840, where he was raised and educated, after- 
ward teaching school for three terms; he learn- 
ed the shoemaker's trade, which he followed 
until 1870, since which year he has been en- 
gaged as a carpenter and contractor, putting 
up houses and barns. August 7, 18C2, he en- 
listed for three years in the 107th Ohio, and 
served until June 20, 1805, when the Rebell- 
ion having been subiluod, he was discharged. 
During this period he served for one 
year with the army of the Potomac; the bal- 
ance of the time in South Carolina and Flo- 
rida. He was married Sept. 19, 1807, to Miss 
Elizabeth Ann Shell, who was raised by Wil- 
liam Groves, Sr. He is the father of five chil- 
dren — Flora Ellen, Jennie Lillian, Margaret 
Pearl, Bertha Mabel and Ethel Agnes. Mr. 
and Mrs. Smith are connected with the 
M. E. Church, of Bolivar. Wesley Smith, 
son of Jacob, was born Feb. 11, 1853; elected 
Justice of the Peace in the fall of 1879; Mar- 
ried April 11, 1880, to Miss Sadie, daughter 
of Phillip and Sojihia (Klsass) Smith. 

ISAAC SICKAFOOSE, farmer; P.O. North 
Industry; was born in Sandy Tp., Sept. 30, 
1835. Ilis father, George Sickafoose, a native 
of Westmoreland Co., Pa., removed to Stark 



^S - 



'M^ 



864 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



Co. in 1813, and settled in Sandy Tp. on 160 
acres of land, which he purchased iVoni the 
government. He was a soldier during the war 
of 1813; was a member of the Lutheran Church, 
and died in July, 1840. His wife, formerly 
Miss Margaret Wagner, died in December, 
1857. She was the mother of ten children — 
Tena, now Mrs. George Howenstine, of Pike 
Tp.; Samuel, of Whitley Co., Ind.; George, 
died .Taiiu ry, 1876, near Freeport, 111.; Mich- 
ael, of Whitley Co., Ind.; Mary Ann, married 
Barton BIythe, and died in Sept., 1875; .lohn, 
of Sandy Tp.; Andrew, of Whitley Co., Ind.; 
Benjamin, of Sandy Tp.; Isaac, of Pike Tp., 
and Margaret, now Mrs. James Robinson, of 
Sandy Tp. Isaac Sickafoose, subject of this 
sketch, was raised and educated in Sandy Tp., 
and when his father died, he, in connection 
with his brother Benjamin, purchased the 
homestead, which they farmed until some 
seven years ago, when he sold his interest 
and rented a farm in Sandy Tp. for one year, 
then purchased his present land in Pike Tp., 
from the heirs of Ciiarles Laiblin. During 
the Rebellion he was a member of the O. N. 
G., and was in active service for four months 
in the 16"-id Regiment under Col. Ball. He 
was married Nov. 15, 1864, to Mary Ann, 
daughter of David Read, one of the pioneer 
settlers of Sandy Tp. They have three child- 
ren — David Reuben, George Emory and Cur- 
tis Read. His farm of 91 acres in Pike 
Tp., is underlaid with a vein of coal, which 
is in some places three, and in others four 
feet in thickness. 

JEREMIAH STEINER, farmer and stock- 
man; P. 0. Pierce; was born Jan. 39, 1835, in 
Westmoreland Co., Pa. His parents, Jacob 
and Elizabeth (Thomas) Steiner, were natives 
of the same county where Jacob followed his 
trade as a hatter for over thirty years at 
Adamsville. In 1853 he moved to Stark Co. 
with his family, purchasing the farm now 
owned by his son Jeremiah and Benj. Whit- 
mer. Jacob served as Treasurer of Pike Tp. 
many terms; was a member of the Lutheran 
Church; his wife was a Presbvterian. He 
died Jan. 1, 1863; she in April, "lS79. They 
wore the parents of eleven children; thi-ee 
died in infancy, eight grew to maturity, as 
follows — George G., of Pil«e; Jacob, of Des 
Moines, la.; Jeremiah, of Pike; Barnett T. 
was Captain of the 107th RegMnent O. V. I., 



during the Rebellion, was wounded at Gettys- 
burg, and died shortly afterwards from the in- 
juries; William, now of Sandoval, 111.; Eliza- 
beth, now Mrs. Aaron Skelton, of Pike; Jane 
M., now Mrs. George Hines, of Pike; Char- 
lotte S., now Mrs. Benj. Whitmcr, of Pike. 
Jeremiah was raised in Adamsburg, and re- 
ceived a common school education; removed 
with his parents to Pike Tp., remaining on 
the farm until aliout 21 years of age. He 
then embarked in business as a drover; was 
employed first as an assistant by other par- 
ties, but soon commenced purchasing stock 
and driving them east on his own account, 
and since then he has been engaged in this 
business with considerable success. Formerly 
cattle were driven from Stark Co. through 
Pennsylvania to the eastern market, and it 
required four weeks to make the trip. Mr. 
Steiner has made many trips over the Alle- 
gheny Mountains driving cattle. The last 
time was in 1863, when the animals were 
nearly captured by the Rebels. He pur- 
chased the farm of 120 acres, upon wliich he 
now resides, in 1862; and also owns 105 acres 
purchased from his father's heirs. His pres- 
ent residence was built during the summer of 
1881. He was in the 100 days' service during 
the war; was married in February, 1801, to 
Miss Nancy, daughter of .lames Carnes, and 
they have six children — Barnett, Emma, Ed- 
ward, William, Hattieand James. 

MAHLON SLUTS, farmer, P. O. North 
Industry; was born in Tuscarawas Co., July 
17, 1812, son of Sanniel and Sarah (Hague) 
Slutz. Samuel was born in Frederick Co., 
Md., March 6, 1783. He was the son of John 
Sluts, whose father came from Germany, and 
settled in Baltimore. John was the father of 
eighteen children, fifteen growing to maturity 
and raising families. Ho was a wheelwright by 
trade, served in the Revolutionary War, and 
settled with his family near Steubenville in 
1806. His son Samuel was married Oct. 26, 
1810, to Sarah Hague, who was born July 15, 
1788. She was raised a Quaker, and by him 
the mother of four children, viz: — Mahlon, of 
Pike; Susan, married Benjamin L. Critchet 
and now deceased; Mahala died aged three; 
William also deceased; Samuel settled in 
Tuscarawas County with h;s wife in 1811, 
and died there Nov. 27, 1821. His widow 
was married in 18R4, to Peter Houseman, 



^f^ 



PIKE TOWNSHIP. 



They had four children. She died May 17, 
1857, at Dunkirk, Ohio. Mahlon Sluts, the 
subject of this sketch lived iti Tuscarawas 
Co., until he was 13 years of afje; his father 
being dead, he lived with his Uncle James, 
then a resident of Sugar Creek Tp., continu- 
ing with this kinsman until March 23, 1834, 
when he married Rebecca Wallburn. After 
living a few months in Holmes County, they 
bought 130 acres in Sugar Creek, upon which 
tract they lived over three j'ears; then moved 
to Carroll County, remaining there ten years, 
on two different farms. September 14, 1848, 
the family settled in Pike Tp., purchasing 75 
acres at first, to which was added other tracts 
until Mr. Sluts owned 323 acres. He trans- 
ferred some of this to his son, and now 
owns 212 acres. Mr. Sluts and wife have 
been members of the Methodist Church for 
over 23 years. Previous to this they were 
connected with the United Brethren de- 
nomination. He has been Class Leader, 
Trustee and Steward in the congregation, and 
represented the Society at conference, and 
was School Director for fourteen years. He 
was the father of seven children; two died 
before they reached maturity, five are living, 
as follows — Samuel, of Pike; Sarah Ann, now 
Mrs. Wm. M. Howenstine, of Huntington 
Co., Ind.; George J., of Pike; Rebecca Jane, 
at lK)nie with her parents; William L., grad- 
uated at Mt. Union, and during the past eight 
years has been a minister of the M. E. Church, 
and loi'ated at Colorado Springs. 

LEONARD H. STANDS, teacher; P. O. 
Pierce; Clerk of Pike Tp. since April, 1871; 
born May 3, 1835; the son of Henry and Lydia 
(Holm) Stands. I^eonard is a native of Pike 
Tp., and received during his youth a good 
common school education, after which he at- 
tended Mt. Union College! lor three years; he 
visited Missouri during tiie fall of 1860 and 
taught school there the winter previous to the 
war; returning to Ohio in 1 SOI, he was mar- 
ried Dec. 29, of that year to Kate McKinney, 
daughter of Daniel and Hestrr (Guest) Mc- 
Kinney; they have three children — Cora 
Alice, Emmet Grant and Charles Monroe. 
In the spring of 1807 he purchased his present 
homo of 12} acri's which he has occupied 
since October, 1867. He is a miniber of the 
M. E. Church at Spirta, and his wife and 
daughter Alice are connected with the same 



congregation. During the war Mr. Stands was 
a member of the Ohio National Guards, and 
he was in active service for four months in 
1S64, holding the rank of Second Licjutenanl. 
He was first chosen Ckrk of Pike Tp. in 1871, 
and the best |>roof that he faitiifully executes 
the duties of the office is the fact that he has 
been re-elected to the same position each 
spring since then, and is now serving his 
eleventh term. Mr. Stands is by occupation 
a school teacher, which calling he has fol- 
lowed for twenty-five years in Pike Tp. and 
Tuscarawas Co. 

ALFRED WILLIAMS, farmer and stock- 
dealer; P. O. Pierce; is a grandson of Bar- 
tholoiniiw Williams, one of the early settlers 
of Stark Co. This pioneer married Miss 
Elizabeth Farber, a native of New Jersey; 
they emigrated to Jefferson Co. in 1804, about 
the same time the Faibers did; Mrs. Williams 
being the daughter of Philip Farber. After 
a few years, Williams removed to Pike Tp., 
purchasing from the government the quarter 
section now owned and occujiied by Simon 
Rice; he afterwards entered in his son's name 
the land now owned by Alfred Williams. 
John Williams, son of Bartholomew, was born 
Oct. 22, 1800, in Jefferson Co., and when 
quite small, his parents removed to Pike Tp. 
By two wives, he was the father of ten child- 
ren; he was married Aug. 13, 1837, to Miss 
Sarah Jane Alexander, who was born May 10, 
1818, and was the mother of four children — 
Nancy, now Mrs. John Newhouse; Elizabeth, 
naw Mrs. J. J. Burnheimer; and William B.,all 
three of Pike Tp.; the fourth child died when 
quite small; their mother died May 21, 1844, 
and Mr. Williims was married a second time, 
to Mrs. BtMijamin Brothers, formerly Miss 
Mary McKinney, born Dec. 20, 1813, and by 
Mr. Williams, she was the mother of six 
children — Alfred, subject of this sketch; Susan 
B. died aged 15; Sarah Jane, now Mrs. Joseph 
Briggle; John Emory, died in childhood; 
Mary Etta, now Mrs. A. W. Dyrc, of Musk- 
ingum Co.; Martha died in childhood. Joim 
Williams was a xnember of the M. E. Church, 
of Sparta. He died of small-pox, June 7, 
1871. A short time previous to his death, he 
was shot by a man named Tceples, without 
any just provocation ; the wound, which ordin- 
arily wouKl not have been fatal, was the indirect 
cause of his death, as he was taken with small- 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



pox before the bullet wound could heal, and 
the murderous assault thus had a fatal ter- 
mination. His son Alfred was born Feb. 26, 
1846, and was raised and educated in Pike 
Tp., where he has always resided. At the 
present time he owns 183 acres of land, and 
is engaged farming and raising stock, prin- 
cipally sheep. He was married May 12, 
1870, to Miss Ellen, daughter of Nathan and 
Christina (Welker) Thomas, and they have 
two children — Ada May, and Walter Clyde. 

WILLIAM WILLIAMS, farmrrand stock- 
dealer; P. O. Pierce; was born October 17, 
1842, in Pike Tp.; son of John and Sarah 
Jane (Ale.xander) Williams and a grandson 
of Bartholomew and Elizabeth (Farber) 
Williams; a more extended reference of these 
old settlers will be found in the sketch of 
Alfred Williams. The subject of this bio- 
graphical sketch is one of the most active and 
successful business men of Pike Tp. ; he was 
raised and educated in Pike, and remained 
with his father until the great Rebellion was 
inaugurated; in November, 1861, when he 
enlisted in the 76th Ohio and served until 
early in 1863, when he was discharged, Init 
afterwards as a member of the O. N. G. he 
re-entered the service and received a com- 
mission as First Lieutenant of Company F, 
102d Regiment, but owing to the continued 
al)sence of the captain Mr. Williams had 
charge of the company during the greater 
portion of his term of service. In 18G5 he 
removed to his present farm, whieh he pur- 
chased from his father and the heirs of his 
father's estate, and now owns 180 acres of 
land. He was married January 26, 1865, to 
Susan Jane, a dughter of Samuel and Agnes 
(Evans) Cable; tJiey have four children — 
Loretta, Loemma, John S. and Blanch. At the 
present time he is engaged in farming and 
also buying, fattening and selling stock for 
the Eastern market; he has been engaged 
in the stock business in connection with 
Jeremiah Steiner for some years and with 
considerable success. Mr. and Mrs. Williams 
are members of the M. E. Church, of Sparta, 
of which congregation he has been Trustee 
and Class Leader; he is a Steward at the pres- 
ent time, and has also served as Superintendent 
of the Sabbath School. 

DANIEL YANT, farmer and Justice of 



the Peace; was born in Canton Tp., Jan. 12, 
1828. His father, John Yant, also a na- 
tive of the same township, was born about 
the year 1805, and died aged 44. His mother, 
formerly Miss Lj^dia Jolly, was born June 16, 
1803, and is still living' at an advanced age. 
Daniel's parents removed with their family to 
Carroll Co., when he was about 5 years of 
age. After his father died the family re- 
turned to Canton Tp. Daniel worked on his 
father's farm until he attained his 16th year, 
and was then apprenticed to learn the black- 
smith trade, and continued at that occupation 
for many years. After the Yante returned to 
Canton Tp., he worked at his trade there one 
year, then opened a shop at I\Iap!eton, Osna- 
burg Tp., continuing in business there until 
June, 1802, when he enlisted, serving for 
three years in the 115tb O. V. I. He was 
mustered out in July, 1865; three of his broth- 
ers also served in the army during the Re- 
bellion. Mr. Yant returned to his forge in 
Mapleton, remaining there one year; then re- 
moved to Canton Tp., where he farmed for 
two years. He purchased the 88 acres now 
owned by Dr. Becher, which farm he occu- 
pied four years, during which period he was 
also engaged mining coal, the last year selling 
over 50,000 bushels. Having sold this farm, 
he purchased from Peter Moret 160 acres, 
60 of which he afterward transferred to his 
son. In April, 1874, he was chosen Justice 
of the Peace, and re-elected to this position 
in 1877, and again in 1880. Previous to this 
he served as Trustee, and also held the same 
position in Osnaburg Tp. He was married 
Feb. 16, 1851, to Miss Sophia Kinney, daugh- 
ter of Peter and Elizabeth (May) Kinney, 
who were natives of Pennsylvania, but re- 
moved to Stark Co. at an early day. Mr. and 
Mrs. Yant are members of the M. E. Church. 
They are tJie parents of eight children, only 
three of whom are living — Sarah Elizabeth, 
died aged 7; William Preston, died aged 4; 
Peter K., now of Pike; Cordelia, now Mrs. 
Edward Bach, of Sugar Creek Tp.; Johnny, 
died in infancy; Martha Loemma, died aged 
3; Ida May, at home with her parents; Ber- 
tha Florence, died aged 5. In addition to 
their three living children, Mr. and Mrs. Yant 
have taken a young lad, Harvey M. Craig, 
whom they are raising as their own child. 






-r— ^1^ 



PARIS TOWNSHIP. 



.^ 



PARIS TOWNSHIP. 



AMOS D. BAKER farmor; P. O. Paris. 
Mr. Baker was born on the 5th day of May, 
1819, in Washington County, Pennsylvania. 
He was a son of Jacob and Nancy (Mowl) 
Baker, his mother havinjf emigiatcd from 
Germany in her infancy. ^^r. Baker em- 
barked in matrimony on the JJd day of Sep- 
tember, A. D. 1840; the cloice of his affec- 
tions being Letitia Murray. He, in com- 
pany with his better half, came to Ohio 
on the 11th day of April, A. D. 1842, 
locating in Paris Tp., on a farm of 50 acres, 
which he then purchased. He has now aug- 
mented his accumulations to the amount of 
170 acres. He was the father of two child- 
ren — Isaac D. and Sarah M. Botii are 
married and have forsaken the parental roof. 
Mr. Baker's political propensities have 
always been Democratic. He has been 
Trustee and Delegate several times, and dis- 
charged the duties of Justice of the Peace 
during two terms. Mr. and Mrs. Baker are 
members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. 

JACOB BURGER, farmer; P.O. Minerva. 
Amotig the oldest settlers and descendants of 
pioneer blood may be mentioned .lacob 
Burger, born Dec. 31st, 1807; son of Daniel 
and Mary (Keller) Burger. His grandfather 
was Jacob Hursxer, a native of Switzerland, a 
soldier in the Revolutionary War. In fall 
of 1817, he started for Ohio with his parents, 
locating in Stark Co., Paris Tp. the following 
May, leasing of David Wyley, a farm in Sec- 
tion 36. Mr. Burger attended common (very 
common) school, and remained with his 
father until 1841, when Jacob took the home- 
stead, and united himself in marriage to Miss 
Anna Morrow, of Paris Tp., Dec. 15, 1842. 
Mr. Burger had the following family of chil- 
dren — Jacob, carpenter at Minerva; Hiram, 
junior partner of Jacob in carpentering; 
Rachel, now Mrs. [laynam; Harriet, now Mrs. 
Holms; Hannah, Mrs. Henry Crowl, farmer. 
Mr. 13. is a Lutheran and a Democrat. 

JOHN CARSON, farmer and sheep-raiser; 
P. O. Minerva, was born in Ireland, County 
Tyrone, July 15, 1819; son of Samuel and Marj' 
Carson. The family sailed to the United 



States in 1834, and located in Rose Tp., 
Carroll Co. Mr. Carson received his early 
education in Ireland, and finished a common 
school education in western Pennsylvania; 
when he began in Washington Co. to 
farm, continuing at same for fourteen 
years. In June, 1S.">2, he removed to Carroll 
Co. Ohio. In 1856, he located in Stark Co., 
Paris Tp., Section 36, where he purchased 
the present farm of 160 acres, to which he ad- 
ded 25 acres in 1878. Mr. Carson began his 
sheep-breeding and wool-growing at the 
opening of the Rebellion. His flock are of a 
high grade, the original blood being from the 
^yells & Dickeson herd. Mr. Carson has a 
flock of 160, culled and selected from many 
years of breeding; having purchased blooded 
animals of choice pedigrees from time to time, 
to cross with his ewes. Mr. Carson was mar- 
ried in the spring of 1853, to Miss Mary A. 
Bell, of Washington Co., Pa. In politics Mr. 
Carson is not radical, but other things being 
equal, he sustains the Democratic ticket in 
national issues; served as Trustee for the 
township a period of ninteen years. Him- 
self and his wife are niemljers of the Presb}'- 
terian Church at Minerva, he holding the pos- 
sition of Elder in that church for inanv years. 
LEWIS CONRAD, farmer; P. O"^. Paris; 
was born in Paris Tp., Feb. 15, 1829; a son of 
Peter and Maria (Loutzenheiser) Conrad. 
Peter was a native of Alsace, France, now 
Germany, and born in 1793. Henry Loutzen- 
heiser, his father-in-law, was among the early 
settlers of Stark Co., and laid out the village 
of Louisville. Mr. Conrad labored upon the 
farm, and attended the log school-houses of 
his day, during his minority. After arriving 
at his majority he farmed the homestead for 
seven years, when he purchased his present 
farm of 120 acres, which he has improved by 
tiling the low-land, and enriching the up- 
lands, making it in many respects a model. 
May 4, 1854, Mr. Conrad was united in 
marriage to Miss Mary E. Stuckey, of Wash- 
ington Tp., of which union there were ten 
children, eight living — .Miriam, Mrs. Robert 
Shearer, of I'aris Tp.; Addie, at home; Alice, 



A5- 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



deceased; Eliza, at home; Marion, at home; 
Carrie, deceased; Howard, Nettie, Amanda, 
Alvin, minors, at home. Mr. and Mrs. Con- 
rad are members of the Reformed Church, at 
Paris, he being an Elder in the same for 
six years. In politics he was formerly a 
Whia;, but of later davs a Democrat. 

J. F. DOUGHERTY, dentist; Minerva; 
was born Auj^-. 10, 1858, in Lake Tp., 
Stark Co. His paternal lineage is in the line 
of Dr. J. E. Doiighrety, one of the leading phy- 
sicians in the county ; his mother, Angeline 
(Gorgas) Dougherty. Frank attended high 
sohooi at Greentown ; afterward, took a course 
at Inland Seminary, Summit Co. In 1879 
he entered the dental office of Craig & Dough- 
erty, Canton, O., where he apprenticed, and 
prosecuted his course for two years. In 1881 
he formed a partnership with I. A. Burson, 
constituting the only dental firm in the rising 
town of Minerva. In 1881 he entered the 
University of Michigan, to complete the more 
advanced studies of dentistry. Whether he 
returns to continue his profession at Minerva 
or chooses a larger field of labor, his intelli- 
gence and skill have already won him a place 
in the profession, and presage a successful 
career, wherever he casts hislot. Mr. Dough- 
erty inherits Republicanism, and continues 
strong in that political faith, casting his first 
vote for James A. Garfield. He is a member 
of the Methodist church, and a worki-i in the 
Sunday School. 

G. J. GESZNER, farmer; P. O. K'n.rts- 
ville; was born Nov. 3, 18.37, in Cinrlniiati, 
O.; a son of George L. and Catharine (Weir- 
man) Geszner, natives of Prussia; sailed for 
the United States in 1818; and his father con- 
tinued his trade as baker in Philadelphia. 
In 1836 they removed to Cincinnati; his 
parents returned to Philadelphia, and after a 
short residence removed to Stark Co. in 1847, 
and purchased 142 acres. George L. Geszner 
died in 18()5, leaving the estate to the subject 
of this sketch and Elizabeth wife of Valentine 
Mong. Thf farm being willed to George, he 
has improved it with a fine residence where 
he enjoys the felicities of single life. In 
politics Mr. Geszner votes the Democratic 
ticket. Ho is a member of the Lutheran 
Church at Robertsville and a strong supporter 
of the same financially. 

JOHN HAYNAM, farmer; P. O. New 



Franklin. Among the influential and old 
families of Paris Tp. may be mentioned John 
Haynam, the eldest of three brothers, all 
residing in central Paris, and well provided 
with real estate. John was born in Colum- 
biana Co., Dec. 18, 1814; son of Thomas and 
Barbara (Rule) Haynam. His grandfather 
was Thomas, a native of England. The sub- 
ject of this sketch was but four weeks old when 
he moved to Stark Co. with his parents, mak- 
ing him the oldest resident of the first raising 
in Paris Tp. Mr. Haynam is one of the few 
men who were content to abide their time in 
the dense forests, to clearing and improving 
until he had procured himself a fine home, 
and reared a family. His early education was 
received in the pioneer school room. Among 
his first teachers he recalls with pleasure, 
William Alexander, William Keath, Bazillian 
Etzler and Herriot Parker. April 13, 1837, 
he was married to Catharine Neidigh, of Paris 
Tp. His father having moved to the present 
homestead of George Haynam, when .lohn 
was 14 years of age, he returned, when mar- 
ried, to the original homestead, and purchased 
80 acres of his father. In 1858, he added to this, 
25 acres. In 1865 he increased his farm again 
by 50 acres more. In 1858 he added another 
20 acres. Mr. Haynam was blest with twelve 
children, nine boys, and three girls; four boys 
are dead — George was slain in the Franklin 
battle, Tenn.; Thomas died at home; Manuel 
died in Canto)i. Of the ones living, Samuel 
is a farmer in Paiis Tp.; William, farmer 
in Oregon; David, farmer in Paris Tp.; Joseph, 
carpenter in Osnaburg; James F. at liome; 
Hannah E., wife of John Geiselman, Colum- 
biana Co.; Mar}' A., veife of Lycurgus Martin, 
Alliance; Barbara R., wife of Elmer Hasler. 
In politics Mr. Haynam was formerly a Dem- 
ocrat, but since the Rebellion, has voted with 
the Republicans. 

SAMUEL HAINES, farmer; P. O. Min- 
erva; was born in Frederick Co., Md., Nov. 
25, 1808; son of Abraham and Elizabeth 
(Flickenger) Haines. At the age of 13 he 
removed to Columbiana Co., Ohio, where he 
continued his common school education and 
fitted himself for teaching; beginning first 
in Paris Tp. in 1829; he afterward returned 
to Maryland where he taught for two winters; 
laboring in the summer vacations at $7 per 
month on a farm; after which he returned to 



hL^ 



Ohio, and continued teaching in Stark and 
Cohinibiana Cos. for three winters, in all 
aliout twenty-five months. In 1835 he pur- 
cliased his present homestead, then a dense 
forest of heavy timber. Mr. Haines added to 
his first farm . of 30 acres G3 acres more in 
1S71, and purchased in the village of Minerva 
three houses and five lots besi<les propertj' at 
IJayard. Mr. Haines united liis fortunes in 
1830 with those of Catharine Crowl; of this 
union tliere is one child — Uriah H., a farmer 
of Paris Tp. Mrs. Haines died in October, 
1800. Mr. Haines was re-married July 25, 1878, 
to Miss Amanda Mortland, of Virginia. In 
politics he was formerly a Democrat, but sub- 
sequently changed to the Republican faith 
during the first Lincoln campaign, an active 
supporter of which he has ever since been. 
He had held several minor offices; Assessor, 
Trustee, etc. Mrs. Haines is a member of the 
Presbyterian Chiirch at Minerva, while Mr. 
Haines is a non-professor of religion. Mr. 
Haines' scholarly attainments have given him 
much estate administration and other legal 
business to transact for the neighborhood and 
township. 

HIRAM HOSTETTER, farmer ; P. O. Mi- 
nerva. Hiram Hostetter, farmer and stock- 
man, is a son of David Hostetter, a native of 
Baltimore city, Md., one of the jjioneer set- 
tliTS of Stark Co. His grandfather, Uirick 
Il'istetter, was a native of Switzerland. Da- 
vid Hostetter entered land in Sec. 25, Stark 
Co., in 1808. At the breaking out of the war 
of 1812, he entered as 2d Lieutenant of O. 
V. I., under Capt. Roller, participating in the 
battle of Maiden and the surrender of Hull 
at Detroit. At the time Mr. David Hostetter 
moved upon the present homestead of his son, 
the township was a dense forest, infested with 
all the native animals of the State. Hiram 
was born Sept. 19, 1825, remained on the 
farm until his 20th year, when he entered 
the Wooster Academy. Mr. Hostetter com- 
pleted his education by " swinging the ferule" 
for a few terms in district school. In 1854 
he taught a school at Racine, Wis. In the 
following year he taught a precinct school in 
Chicago, 111. In 1857 he returned to Ohio, 
and began the study of law at Ashlatul. 
\\ ith tills fine foundation in erudition and 
iiis knowledge of men, he chose the pleasant 
occupation of husbandry, and returned to the 



homestead, which he has since enlarged and 
improved. Mr. Hostetter has never ceased the 
prosecution of his studies, to which the retire- 
ment of rural life is so favorable. His read- 
ing and research has been wide and liberal, 
and given him a high rank in the community 
for his accomplishments in the sciences and 
history. In politics he was formerly a Dem- 
ocrat, but, during tiie Fremont campaign, he 
changed to the Republican faith, of which he 
has ever since been a staunch supporter in 
brain and purse. Mr. Hostetter w;is 2d Lieu- 
tenant in the 102d O. V. I. In religion he is 
a supporter and member of the Christian 
Church. He was married Jan. 1, 18G0, to 
Miss Elizabeth P. Walker, of Paris Tp. A 
family of four children living is the fruit of 
this union — Carl. M., in his 20th year; Almira, 
Atta Carrie, and Victor Grant ; all at home. 
Two children are deceased, having died by 
accident : Ethel, drowning ; and Arete, fall- 
ing from a tree, receiving a fatal shock. 

W. W. HOOPES, druggist, Minerva, O.; 
successor to Hoopes & Son, was born Nov. 
1, 1851, in Carroll Co., O.; son of Marshall and 
Mary (Moore) Hoopes. In the spring of 1852 
his parents moved to Minerva, and young 
Hoopes spent his boyhood days in the village 
schools of Minerva. Having completed the 
common schools, and entered Mt. Union for 
two terms, and afterward a short course at 
Alliance College, paying special attention to 
pharmacy, fitting himself for the drug busi- 
ness, at which he returned to engage in part- 
nership with his father. The firm of Hoopes 
& Son dissolved in March, 1880, when the 
subject of this sketch became sole proprietor, 
doing a business of §8,000 annually in drugs 
and notions. Mr. Hoopes was married Feb. 
G, 1873, to Miss Virginia Perdue, born Aug. 
28, 1854. This union has been blest with two 
children — Mollie C, 7 years, and Bertha J., 
5 years. Mr. and Mrs. Ho'>pes are members 
of the Disciples' Church, and their education 
and refinement place them in the best social 
circles of Minerva. In politics Mr. Hoopes 
is a Republican. 

JOHN F. JEROME Lawyer; Minerva; 
was born May 23, 1848, in Carroll Co., and is 
a son of James and Isabella (Elliott) Jerome. 
His mothi^r is a descendant of the Indian 
Missionary Elliott, of early American co!oniza_ 
tion fame. Like a jjreat number o*" 3ur sue 






i \ " 



870 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



cessful professional men, young Jerome was 
raised on a farm. In 1864 the family moved 
to Minerva, and John F. manifested his patri- 
otism by enlisting in the service under Capt. 
Davis. At close of the war he entered the 
Mt. Union College, and, having prosecuted 
his course for a year, returned, and took a 
special course as a private student under 
Prof. Elliott of Minerva. In 18G9 he began 
his law course under Benjamin F. Potts, the 
present Territorial Governor of Montana. In 
May, 1871, he was admitted to the bar, since 
wliich date he has been the only lawyer in 
Paris Tp. In 1870 he was elected by the 
State Senate as Assistant Scrgeant-at-Arms. 
Mr. Jerome has been a loyal Republican from 
his youth, beginning in 1809 to stump the 
county for that cause. In 1874 he was ad- 
mitted to the U. S. Dist. Court, having an 
extended practice in bankruptcy causes in 
this iind adjoining counties. The party have 
complimented Mr. Jerome by sending him as 
their representative to various committees 
and State conventions. In the fall cam{)aign 
of 1880, he lield the position of Chairman of 
the Garfield Club and Central Committee. 
Mr. Jerome's social and accommodating dis- 
position have won for him more than a local 
reputation in this line. He was united in 
matrimony in 187"3, to Miss Amy D. Perdue. 
The union is blest with two children — Grace, 
6 years, and Mary L., 1 year. 

E. MESSMORE, green-house and insur- 
ance; Minerva; was born in Columbi- 
ana Co., Feb. 13, 1820. His parents were 
George and Margaret Messmore, natives of 
Pennsylvania. He spent the years of his 
minority upon the farm, where he was taught 
the lessons of industry and management that 
have characterized his subsequent career. 
His first position where he became of age, was 
that of clerk, at New Chambersburg, a posi- 
tion that he occupied for five years. In 18.50, 
he established a store of his own in East 
Rochester; the following year he removed to 
West Liberty, Iowa, and continued in mer- 
chandising for six years, when ho removed 
to Minerva, Ohio, where he engaged in insur- 
ance, with the Surety Life Insurance Co., 
holding the general agency for four States, 
during a period of fifteen years. In con- 
nection with the former, he was also agent 
for the Mutual and Equitable. In 1880, he 



was appointed general manager of agencies 
for the Stoubenville Mutual Protection Asso- 
ciation. In 1870, he opened up the green- 
house business; at first a private affair, to 
cultivate the many choice varitics of plants 
he had collected. The demand at home and 
the neighboring- cities having increased un- 
til he has enlarged two houses, 11 x 70 feet, 
and one 20 x 70 feet. He has three planta- 
tions of strawberry beds, making in all, six 
acres of this fruit. His selection and col- 
lection of green-house plants is both rare and 
various. His most Eastern market at present 
being at Pittsburgh, Pa. Mr. Messmore 
was united in the sacred l)onds of matrimony, 
in 1851, to Miss Angie Montgomery. There 
is a family of two children — C. F., telegraph 
operator and Station Agent at the C. & C. R. 
R. The daughter is Mrs. Laura C. Caler- 
dine of Cincinnati, O. Mr. Messmore is Re- 
publican in politics, but keeps aloof from 
office seeking. Mr. and Mrs. Messmore are 
members of the Christain Church. He is a 
member of the I. O. O. F. lodge, and a Royal 
Arch Mason, at Hanover, O. 

WILLIAM L. MYERS, farmer; P.O. New 
Franklin; was born in Plarrison Co. Oct. 3, 
1821; son of John and Fannie (Lowmiller) 
Myers, pioneers of Harrison Co., where Wi 1- 
iara was inured to the hardships of farm 
life, attending district schools in the winter 
season. In 1844 he moved to Paris Tp., to 
the present homestead of David Unkefer, a 
farm of 40 acres, purchasing for $600, the 
same piece selling in 1877 for $3,200. In 
1850 he moved to his present home, having 
purchased 128 acres, which he has improved 
both in buildings and cultivation. In 1800 
he added 40 acres to the east. In connection 
with his farming, he keeps a selected drove 
of brood-ovres, a herd ranging from 100 to 
125, of Merino blood. Mr. Myers was united 
in marriage to Miss Sarah Myers, in 1844, 
who bore him the following children — Al- 
pheus, farmer of Columbiana Co.; Josiah, 
farmer of southeast Kansas; Jacob, carpenter, 
Paris Tp.; Elizabeth, Mrs. S. Shively, of Ne- 
braska. Mrs. Myers, died July 4, 1854, and he 
was re-married jfune 4, 1855, to Miss Hannah 
Slack, of Paris Tp. Of this union there are 
six children — Ephraim S., farmer, of Paris; 
Boughman; Ona C; William and Charles 
at home. In religion, Mr. and Mrs. Myers 



*^> 



PARIS TOWNSHIP. 



871 



Sarah J., Mrs. S. Kline; Sainantha E., Mrs. 
are Geniiaii Baptists. Mr. Myers has been a 
Democrat in politics, castini^ his lirst vote for 
James K. Polk. He has been lionored as 
Trustee of the Tp., anil coininittee-inan to 
various conventions. 

ISRAEL METZ, farmer; P. O. New 
Franklin; was born in Paris Tp., Jan. 24, 
1824, son of Joseph an'l Rebecca (Crown- 
becker) Metz. The former a native of Penn- 
sylvania, the latter of Maryland. Israel was 
engaged upon the farm until he arrived at 
his majority, receiving a common school edu- 
cation from the district schools. In 1846 he 
btcamo an owner of real estate, purchasing 
80 acres In Paris Tp., the paternal lioraestead, 
and remained upon the same until 1864, 
when he sold, and purchased his present 
beautifully situated farm of 160 acres in Sec- 
tion 2, of Paris Tp. Mr. Metz has not only 
conducted farming successfully but has been 
a wool-grower, keeping a flock of over TOO 
sheep. Dee. 24, 1848, Mr. Metz and Miss 
Lucy Freed, were married, and of this union, 
there is a family of six children — Harriet, 
Lotta, Mrs. I. Mong; Anna M., wife of Mr. 
L. Davis; John S. at homo, farmer; Emma 
and Ettie B., at home. Mr. and Mrs. Metz 
are members of the Christian Church at Mi- 
nerva. In politics he has been a loyal sup- 
porter of the Republican faith since the late 
rebellion. He has always held himself aloof 
from politics, and reaps the fruits of mind- 
ing his own business, and is enjoying a 
well regulated home and farm in the N. E. 
part of the Township. 

VALENTINE MONG, farmer; P. O. 
Paris; was born May 24, 1828, in Bavaria, 
Germany; a son of Nicholas and Catharine 
(Steine^ Mong, who sailed for the United 
States in 1835, and located in Stark Co., Paris 
Tp., where Valentine attended the common 
school, and finished his education in the Can- 
ton schools. In 1858 he began farming for 
himself, when he bought a farm of 110 acres, 
in Sec. 30, of Paris Tp. In 1867 he pur- 
chased 88 acres in Sections 9 and 10. In 1874 
he added to his present homestead 30 acres' 
which he improved in 1877 with a fine resi- 
dence and handsome farm buildings. In con- 
nection with his farming he has been a wool- 
grower, and keeps a well selected herd of 75 to 
100 head. Mr. Mong was elected Trustee of 



Stark Co. Agricultural Society in 1878. In 
politics Mr. Mong is a Democrat, being a 
strong supporter of the Union during the war. 
He has been honored with the office of Town- 
ship Trustee for fourteen years, and elected to 
represent the townshi]) at various county and 
district conventions. Mr. Mong was married 
in March, 1851. to Miss Elizabeth Geszner, a 
native of Philadelphia; from which union has 
resulted the following children — George II., 
farmer, of Paris Tp.; John V., farmer; Maria, 
now Mrs. William Shetzley, of Paris; Emma, 
wife of Mr. Geoige Klutz, of Carrol, Ellen 
and Clara, minors, at home. Mr. and Jlrs. 
Mong are members of the Lutheran Church at 
Paris, O. 

DAVID MYERS, farmer; P. O. Minerva; 
was born in P"'ranklin Co., Pa., April 16, 1830; 
son of John S., and Catharine (Beam) Myers, 
natives of Franklin Co., Pa. His parents mov- 
ed to Stark Co. when David was in his 4th 
year, and remained upon the farm until 20 
years of age, when he liegan the carpenter's 
trade, which ho has since so successfully 
followed. Mr. Myers purchased his present 
home in 1864, a farm of 80 acres. During 
his career as a carpenter iie has built and assist- 
ed in building many of the dwelling and pub- 
lic buildings of Paris Tp. Mr. Myers was 
married May 22, 1851, to Miss Caroline Eys- 
ter of Paris Tp.; her parents were William 
and Juliana (Hiiikle) Eyster. The latter was 
born in York Co., Pa., Oct. 28, 1778, having 
been a resident of Paris Tp. for fifty-four 
years. She is living with her daughter Mrs. 
David Myers, in good health with iier second 
eye-sight, and cutting her third set of teeth. 
Mr. Myers has a familj' of seven sons — Ephraim 
E., farmer, of Indiana; J'-remiah E., farmer, of 
Columbiana Co.; Hiram E., caqienter, of Stark 
Co.; Sylvanus E., machinist and money broker; 
Ellsworth E., John W. E., and Harvey E., all 
minors at home. Mr. Myers is a member of 
the German Baptist Church, Mrs. Myers, of 
the Lutheran. In politics Mr. Myers votes 
with the Democrat party. His trade and social 
qualities have made him wididy known in this 
and adjoining townships. Mr. Mj'crs has 
improved his homestead and surrounded him- 
self with many of the comforts of life, so that 
his last days mav be his most enjoyable. 

JACOB MATZ, hotel-keeper; Paris. Mr. 
Matz was born on the 7th day of January, 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



A. D. 1829, in Germany. He was a son of 
Jacob, Sr., and Elizabeth (Wingeid) Matz. 
The subject of this sketch was brought to 
America wlion he was 8 years of age. 
His father located in Paris Tp., and Jacob, Jr. 
remained with liis father until his 19th 
year, when he married Eliza Shidler, of Paris 
Tp. Mr. Matz purchased 80 acres of land in 
this Township, on which he spent the first 
seventeen j'ears of married life. He owns 
360 acres of land, and the American Hotel in 
Paris, wliich he is now running. He was the 
father of eleven children, seven of whom still 
survive, four are married, leaving three in the 
family circle. Mr. Matz is a Democrat in 
politics, and in religion he and his companion 
adhere to the creed of the Reformed Church. 
JOHN NUMAN, dry goods merchant, 
Minerva ; was born Sept. 18, 1838. His 
lineage is preserved for four generations. 
His parents were John and Catharine (Fryfo- 
gle) Numan. His grandsire was Henry, of 
Pennsylvania ; his great-grandfather, Peter, 
was a native of England, a descendant of 
Walter Numan. Several branches of this 
family will be noticed in other townships of 
this work. The subject of this sketch was 
raised upon the farm until his 15th year, when 
he engaged himself to John F. Reynolds, of 
Canton, as clerk, for one year. After return- 
ing to the farm for one vear, he removed to 
Loudonville, O., working in a store for a short 
period, when he hired to a firm in Osnaliurg 
for about a year. In 1857 he took an irregu- 
lar course at Mt. Union College ; on his re- 
turn, engnged himself to Hoi wick at Osna- 
burg for one year. Having again returned to 
the farm, he was united in the holy ties of 
wedlock to Miss Lovina Dangler, of Osna- 
burg. Mr. Numan is blest with a fimily of 
eleven children — the eldest, C. H. Numan, be- 
ing engaged in business with his father; Flor- 
ence is the wife of W. M. Morehead ; the 
others are minors, still at home. Willie G. 
and an infant are deceased. In 1861 he re- 
moveil to Minerva, and acted as salesman for 
H. A. Foster for four years. Mr. Numan was 
one of the volunteers under Col. Ball, being 
promoted to the position of Sergeant- Major of 
the regiment. Returned and engaged in the 
livery business at Minerva for one year, after 
which he engaged in th > shoe business with 
Joseph Morehead. In 1866 he purchased the 



entire interest, which he retained until 1869. 
After selling goods for J. F. Yingling for a 
short time, he formed a partnership with Davis 
in the dry goods business. In 1871 he pur- 
chased the entire interest, which store he has 
conducted with success, and is doing thi' lead- 
ing business in that line at present. In politics 
Mr. Numan is a well-informed and enthusi- 
astic Republican, having been honored by his 
party as delegate to State and district conven- 
tions at various times. Of the minor positions 
he holds maybe mentioned: member of Si.'hool 
Board and Town Council, and Director and 
Vice President of the Minerva Union Agri- 
cultural Association. He is a member of Sla- 
sonic Lodge No. 235, and Minerva Chapter, 
R. A. M. 

SAMUEL OYSTER, retired farmer; P. 0. 
Paris. On the 15th day of April, A. D., 
1817, while living in Columbiana Co., O., 
Samuel, Sr., and Barbara (Keller) Oyster, of 
German nationality, were gratified by the 
birth of a son, whom they named Samuel. 
When he was 9 years of age liis parents re- 
moved to Mahoning Co. There Mr. 03'Ster 
lived with his father until he grew up into 
manhood. Then he took unto himself a wife, 
I the lady being Catharine Landes, of Mahon- 
[ ing Co. Mr. Oyster then beg^n clearing his 
' father's forest, which resulted in the clearing 
of 50 acres of land, on which he had erected a 
rude log cabin. After having been sheltered 
by this cabin fifteen years, he sold his land 
and moved to Stark Co. He bought 160 acres 
of land in Paris Tp., on which he lived eight- 
een years. He then purchased property 
in Paris and retired from labor. Mr. 03'ster 
j also owns a farm of 103 acres in Tennessee. 
i He was the father of ten children, one of 
I whom is dead, six are married, and two are 
living at home. Eli is in Kansas, and has re- 
cently purchased some land. Mr. Oyster is a 
firm Repul)lican. 

WILLI A RD PENNOCK, of Pennock 
Brothers, railroad-car manufacturers; Minerva. 
The village of Minerva had been in rather a 
dormant state for many years, until a few 
men of enterprise and skill took advantage of 
her many resources, and cheap rents, and 
started, in the 3'ear 1879, the business "boom " 
j that has given it a stir worthy of a young 
I city. The leaders of this new impetus were the 
Pennock Brothers, manufacturers of railroad 



If^ 



4^ 



I'ARIS TOWNSHIP. 



873 



cars. This firm opened up business in Feb- 
ruary, 1874, at the corner of Walnut and [ 
Mill streets, as manufacturers of agricultural | 
implements. After a successful career of i 
five years, they ventured their capital in 
establishing more extensive works, and in | 
1879, they began the manufacture of freight i 
cars, with a capital of $15,000. The demand 
has grown faster than their capacity to supply, 
although the firm did a business of $163,000 j 
in the year ending April 1, 1881, which did , 
not supply the demand. Not only are they 
running their foundry to its fullest capacity, 
but the amount of unfilled orders warrants 
the erecting of new shops, that will be com- 
pleted by the middle of the summer of 1881, 
increasing the force to twice its present 
strength, which is at present forty mechanics. 
The difference in rents and board renders it 
twenty per cent more profitable to laborers in 
comparison with neighboring cities, at the 
same terms per month. The firm is composed 
of I. N. and Williard Pennock, both born in 
Carroll Co. Williard was born July 21, 1853; 
son of Joel and Charlotte (Van Horn) Pen- 
nock. He labored upon the farm until his 
16th year, when he began clerking in the 
village of Minerva, in the hardware business, 
attending in winters the village schools. In 
the year 1872-3 he prospected in the oil 
regions of Pennsylvania, and returned to 
Minerva and formed the above partnership 
with his brother. In polities he is, and has 
alwaj's been a Republican, casting his first 
ballot for Gen. U. S. Grant. He is a member 
of the Knights of Pythias, Lodge No. 225, 
Minerva. 

THOMAS J. ROACH, furniture finisher; 
Minerva ; was born in Stark Co., Paris 
Tp., Aug. 18, 1837, son of Samuel and Mary 
(Biler) Roach. Thomas spent his boj'hood at 
farm labor and in attendance at the district 
schools until his ISth year, when he began 
the trade of carpentering at Canton. In 1859 
he removed to Minerva, where he took a 
special course at school for one year. The 
following year was spent in completing his 
trade under McDowell, the leading cabinet- 
maker of Minerva. In 1861 he enlisted under 
Col. Ball and Capt. Davis, in the 162d 
O. N. G. After the service, he returned and 
engaged with O. J. Pitney. In the years 
1866—7-8 he conducted his business at Mal- 



vern, since which time he has been engaged 
under Cap. Yost in furniture manufacturing. 
In politics he is a Republican, having cast his 
first vote lor Abraham Lincoln. Mr. Roach 
has held many mitior complimentary positions 
and some official. In the spring of 1880, he 
w'as elected Mayor of the city. He has been 
a member of the Town Council for 3 years. 
ilr. Roach was married in 1860, to Miss Lu- 
cinda Stein of Paris Tp. This union is blest 
with a faniil3' of four children, three living — 
Jason B., .lohn C. and Frank. In religion 
Mr. and Mrs. Roach arc members of the M. E. 
Ciiurch. Mr. Roach is a temperance man and 
a strong advocate of rigid legislation against 
the traffic of liquor, or any other measures 
to stamp it irrevocably from existence. 

A. M. SPEL\L\N, hotel and livery; Min- 
erva; was born in Portage Co., June 5, 1843. 
His parents were M. F. and Mary A (Reed) 
Spelman, natives of Connecticut. Mr. Spel- 
man remained on the farm until his 18th 
3'ear, when he entered the service under 
Capt. Baird as Sergeant of Company I, 104th 
O. V. I., participating in 211 engagements and 
skirmishes, among which was the Georgia Cam- 
paign as far as Atlanta, during which campaign 
he received a slight wound from an enemy's l.'all 
upon his right thigh, accomplishing its deadly 
mission by piercing the vitals of a comrade, 
standing by his side. After his return under 
Gen. Thomas, he shared in the sanguinary 
contest, at Franklin, Tenn., in which their 
captain was slain, and a great number of 
privates. They then fell back to Nashville, 
following the enemy to the Terniessee River, 
and went to Cincinnati by water, and from 
thence to Washington D. C. From the capital 
the regiment was sent to Wilmington, N. C, 
and Mr. Spelman being sick, joined the troops 
at Newbern, N. C. After the surrender of 
Gen. Johnston they returned to Clev(;land, 
and were mustered out of the service, when 
he returned to his Portage Co. farm, and 
engaged in dealing in live stock, making 
horse-shipping and raising a specialty. 
Among the steeds of local and State notoriety 
that he has owned, are ■' M;iggie Smith," with 
a 2:35 record; " David Cro kett," in the 2:22 
class; " Mambrino Clay,"' which won first 
money and sweep-stakes at Northern Ohio 
State Fairs for two successive years; " Fire 
Clay," with a record of 2:42; " JTambrino 



A 



874 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH ES : 



Clay, Jr.," owned by Mr. Spelinaii at present, 
a four-yuar-uld, in 2:02 class; entered on the 
Indiana and Michigan circuits for the season of 
1881. Mr. Spelnian purchased the Unkefer 
House at Minerva in 1880. His long associa- 
tion with the public, and fine social qualities, 
together with a well regulated house, have 
ah'eady placed him at the head in this line of 
business at Minerva. He is also lessee of 
the Minerva Union Fair Grounds for 1880-81. 
Mr. and Mrs. S]jolman are members of the Con- 
gregational Church. There is a family of 
two children- -Dwight, in his 11th year, and 
Herbert, in his 5th year. 

JAMES SLENTZ, wagon-maker and far- 
mer; P. O. New Franklin; was born in Adams 
Co., Penn., Dec. 17, 1821; son of Jacob and 
Nancy (Carr) Slentz. His father was a na- 
tive of Pennsylvania; his mother of the city 
of Baltimore, Md. Mr. Jacob Slentz moved 
to Richland Co., O., in 18'i3; afterward re- 
turned to Cokunliiana Co., and again, in the 
summer of 181U, he removed to New Frank- 
lin, Stark Co. To them were born a family of 
seven children. The subject of this sketch 
labored on the farm until his 16th year, when 
he learned the wagon-making trade of his 
father. AVlien he was 23 years of age he set 
up shop for himself in Columbiana Co., where 
he continued his trade for twelve years. In 
1855 he returned to Stark, and paid at- 
tention to manufacturing grain-cradles, which 
he has since worked at in New Franklin, cul- 
tivating his farm at the east end of the village 
at the same time. Jan. 5, 1813, he was mar- 
ried to Miss Elizabeth Snider, of Paris Tp. 
Of this union there were seven children, six 
living — Elmer F., Colorado; Albert O., fore- 
man of wood department of Russell shops, 
Canton, 0.; Orville L., at home, manufactur- 
ing grain-cradles; Parmelia, now Mrs. En- 
sign, of Columbiana Co.; Mrs. Ruth R. Riley, 
at Paris, and Mrs. Nancy K. More, of Paris Tp. 
In politics Mr. Slentz is a Democrat, being 
repeatedly elected Justice of the Peace of 
Paris Tp. Since 1861 Mr. Slentz has fre- 
quently represented his township in the vari- 
ous county and district conventions during 
the last few years. 

ANDREW S. SUTTON, farmer and wool- 
grower; P. O. Minerva; was born in Jeffer- 
son Co., Ross Tp., March, 1818; sou of Wil- 
iam and Rebecca (Shane) Sutton, natives of 



New Jersey, and residents for several years 
of Virginia. The subject of this sketch was 
raised upon the farm and received his educa- 
tion from the district school. In his business 
education he had an excellent tutor; his father 
who has been one of the successful accumu- 
lators of wealth, in the wool-growing and cat- 
tle trade of Jefferson Co. In 1876, Andrew 
removed to Stark Co., and purchased 200 
acres in Section 21, a tract of land well adapt- 
ed by nature to his special line of business, 
having both bottom and upland pasturage, 
watered with nine perennial springs. Mr. 
Sutton keeps a drove of 200 to 225 sheep. 
Merino being his principal breed ; of other 
stock he usually winters hfteen to twenty head 
of market cattle, buying- and selling in the sum- 
mer season. Mr. Sutton was married Oct. 3, 
1876, to Miss Eliza A. Wallace, of Jefferson 
Co. They have two children — Henry, 4 
years, and Mary, 2 years. In politics he 
was raised and remains a Republican. Mr. 
and Mrs. Sutton are members of the Presliy- 
terian Church, at Minerva, he holding the 
position of Trustee at present. Among the 
younger business men of this part of Stark, 
Mr. Sutton holds a high rank for his liberal 
and upright dealings and stirring business 
qualities. 

NICHOLAS STONEHILL, farmer; P. O. 
Robertsville; was born April 4, 1831, son of 
Solomon and Catharine (Miller) Stonehill. 
Solomon moved to Stark Co., in company with 
his father, Godfrey Stonehill, a native of 
Hamburg, Germany, about 1813, and located 
in Stark Co., OsnaburgTp.; afterward moved 
to northwest part of Wayne Co., and there 
finished his days. Solomon purchased the 
present homestead of Nicholas, in 1816, of 
McEntaffer — the interior of Sections 19 and 
30. Solomon was engaged in farming and 
blacksmithing until his death in 1841. Dur- 
ing the early manhood of Nicholas, he ap- 
plied himself to studies, and was fitted to 
teach, an occupation he afterward followed for 
five terms. At the death of his father he and 
his brother John purchased the shares of the 
remaining four heirs, and have continued 
farming the same in partnership ever since, 
.lohn being yet single lives with his brother 
Niciiolas. in 1860 he added 23 acres, making 
a farm of 150 acres. Mr. Stonehill has been 
a dealer in live stock, making wool-growing 



PARIS TOWNSHIP. 



i\±. 



at one time a specialty. In 1863 he was uni- 
ted in wedlock to Miss Eliza Keith. Tlie 
marriage has been blest with five children, two 
still living, Ettie and John W., both at home. 
In politics Mr. Stonehill is a Republican. In 
1879, he was elected Justice of tlie Peace over 
a Democratic candidate in a Democratic pre- 
cinct by 76 majority. Mr. Stonehill is a well 
read farmer, and few have the reputation 
among their neighbors for equal fair dealing, 
and general information on the topics of the 
day. He is a non-professor in religion, and 
liberal in his views. 

DAVID B. SHERWOOD, editor, Minerva 
Monitor, Minerva; was bom in Wayne Co., 
Peiui., Oct. IJr, 1840. He remained upon the 
farm until his 12th year, at which time he be- 
came a " devil " in a printing office. In 1871 
he removed to Illinois and continued at his pro- 
fession for nine years. In the Spring of 1881 
he opened an office in the stirring village of 
Minerva, and called into existence the Minerva 
Monitor, an eight column folio, with a circula- 
tion of 500 to start with. The paper so far pub- 
lished has been complimented by its patrons on 
every hand, and bids fair to have a long lease 
of life. Mr. Sherwood is a member of the A. 
U. W. Loi!gi\ and is independent in politics. 

JACOB SCHMACHTENBEUGER, farm- 
er; P. O. Minerva. The subject of this 
sketch, and whose portrait appears in this 
history as a reprcsentive of the pioneers of 
Paris Tp.; was born in Canton Tp., Stark Co. 
Aug. 3, 1819, and is the son of Adolph and 
Margaret (Rupert) Schmachtenbergcr. His 
grandfather, Adam, was one of seven brothers 
that figured quite prominently as soldiers in 
the American Army, during the Revolution. 
The father of Mr. S. was a native of Mary- 
land, but moved to Ohio in 1806, and settled 
near Osnahurg, Stark Co. He subsequently 
removed to Canton Tp., where he resided for 
twenty-two years. His mother is still living, 
aged 89 years. Jacob remained a resi- 
dent of Canton Tp. until 18-tn, and then 
went to Paris Tp., where he has since resid- 
ed. In 1849, he purchased what is now the 
old home farm, just north of the village of 
-Minerva; to this he added diflFerent purchases 
from time to time, until he now owns a fine 
property of well cultivated and valuable farm 
land of 181 acres, with two other farms not 
adjoining, as well as property purchas- 



ed in Minerva, in 1868. His careful marvige- 
ment, steady habits and good financiering have 
won the respect and confidence of the com- 
munity in which he lives. As a result, many 
positions of public trust have been given him. 
He is now serving his twentj'-ninth year as 
Justice of the Peace; for six years he has 
held the office of Assessor, and is also at pres- 
ent President of ihe Scliool Board of Minerva 
Union School, and has acted as such for the last 
eight years. In the latter office he has shown 
his excellent financiering by extricating the 
city from a long impending debt of $7,500, 
and leaving the corporation free from all debt, 
and in possession of a fine brick Union School 
building. Politically he is a Democrat, and 
has had the honor of representing his party 
in various State and district conventions. 
Mr. Schiiiachtenberger h;is given his atten- 
tion principally to agriculture and wool-grow- 
ing, though he also owns a saw-mill, and has 
bought, sold, and handled a large quantity 
of lumber. He was married in 1840 to Miss 
Elizabeth Myers; six children have been born 
to them, two only of whom are living — David, 
a resident of Minerva, and engaged in farm- 
ing, and Alvin, who still resides with his 
parents. Mrs. Schmachtenberger is a mem- 
ber of the Dunkard, and he of the Lutheran 
Church. Whatever his position in the com- 
munitj' as a man of honor and ability may be, 
it has been gained by his own careful con- 
duct, and always adhering to the principles 
of right and honesty. He now has, as the 
result of his frugality and industry, a fine 
property and a pleasant home, but best of all, 
he has builded for himself a name and repu- 
tation, that will ever be remembered with 
pride by his friends and family. 

DR. H. H. SHAFER, physician; Roberts- 
ville; was born in Osnaburg Tp., Stark Co., 
Nov. 36, 1852; son of John and Mary A. 
(Roos) Shafer; his father was a native of 
Lancaster Co., Pa. His grandfather P"'redric 
was a native of Germany. The Doctor's 
mother is still living, having her home in 
Sandy Tp. He attended the district schools, 
after which he taught a short time and en- 
tered the Canton Academy. In 1875 he en- 
tered Hiram College and prosecuted studies 
preparatory to his medical course, which fitted 
him to enter the Starling Medical College of 
Columbus, O., where he completed a course 



"^f^ 



Mil 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



in allopathy. In 1876-7-8-9 he remained in the 
office of Drs. B. A., and J. Whiteleather, of 
Osnaburg. In 1880, he opened up an office 
and began practice at Magnolia, where in the 
face of strong competition, he established a 
lucrative practice. In the Spring of 1881 he 
located in Robertsville, near his old home 
and is the only residentphysician; he has in the 
short time already established confidence 
among his neighbors and patrons of that por- 
tion of Paris and Osnaburg Tp. Sept. 4, 
1879, he was married to Miss Angia Reed, a 
daughter of George Reed, of Osnaburg. The 
union was made happy by one child, a boy — 
Charley S., yet an infant. Mrs. Shafer died 
Jan. 25, 1881. 

WALTER R. WALKER, stone-mason, 
Minerva; born on the Battle-ground of Bran- 
dywine, Chester Co., Penn., Oct. 12, 1810; 
son of Jacob and Rachel (Craig) Walker, na- 
tives of Pennsylvania. His grand-father was 
John Walker, native of Ireland. Mr. Walker 
moved to Ohio in 1833. He located in Paris 
Tp., Sec. 24, and purchased 60 acres. At 19 
years of age, Mr. Walker began the mason's 
trade in Pennsylvania, farming a limited 
amount until his trade engaged a great deal of 
his attention. In 1847 he purchased 53 acres. 
In 1851 he added 40 acres more. To illus- 
trate the endurance and energy of the subject 
of this sketch, it may be recorded that he 
made an overland trip on foot to Philadelphia, 
Reading and other eastern cities, but in the 
later days he has enjoyed this route by rail. 
Mr. Walker has not only improved the neigh- 
boring farms with buildings and stonework, 
but has left a standing monument of his skill, 
by putting himself up a durable stone residence, 
the most capacious stone dwelling in southern 
Stark Co. St. Valentine's day 1838, was ap- 
propriately celebrated by the union of Mr. 
Walter Walker and Miss Evalina Edwards. 
Of this union there were six children— Anna, 
Mrs. Thos. Newcomer, of Stark Co. ; William, 
farmer and carpenter, Columbiana Co.; 
Hiram, farmer and saw-mill, Columbiana Co.; 
Lewis, running saw-mill in Columbiana Co.; 
Walter, farmer at home; Evalina, Mrs. John 
Lucas. Mrs. Evalina Walker died Sept. 23, 
1871. Mr. Walker was re-married to Lydia 
Orr, March 13, 1873, no issue. In politics he 
was an " old line Whig," and a Republican 
since the birth of the party. 



ISRAEL WARTMAN, farmer, stock ship- 
per and raiser; P.O. Paris; was born in Vienna 
Tp., Trumbull County, O., January 29, 1830, 
son of Henry and Elizabeth (Heke) Wartman. 
His father, a native of Berks Co., Penn. His 
grandfather, Abraham Wartman, emigrated 
to Trumbull Co., in 1818, where the subject of 
this sketch spent his boyhood days, when at 
the age of 16 he moved with his father to 
Stark Co., and labored at farm work until he 
became of age. In 18.50 he moved upon the 
present homestead situated on the State Road, 
the main wagon thoroughfare of the State; 
here he purchased 150 acres which he has 
improved with the finest frame residence in 
the northern part of Paris Tp. In 1872 he 
added to his farm 80 acres. About 1855 Mr. 
Wartman began dealing in live stock, ship- 
ping, feeding and raising. He has enlarged 
in this department until he ranks as the lead- 
ing shipper and dealer of the township, which 
has given him a wide acquaintance through 
Stark, Carroll, Columbiana and other neighbor- 
ing counties. Mr. Wartman shipped for three 
years from Indiana and the Western part of 
the State, reaching in number 9,000 sheep, 
besides many cattle and hogs annually. In 
1870 he purchased a small herd of thorough- 
bred. Short-horn Durhams, of H. Wartman, of 
Trumbull Co., which his present herd of 
graded and blooded stock are from. He was 
united in marriage June 15, 1855, to Miss 
Rachel Miller, of Paris Tp., which union has 
been blessed with five children, three yet 
living — Theodore, farmer, of Paris Tp., Alfred 
and Howard, minors, yet at home. Mr. and 
Mrs. Wartman are members of the Lutheran 
Church, at Paris, Ohio. In politics he votes 
the Democratic ticket. 

JACOB WALKER, farmer; P. O. Minerva. 
Among the descendants of the old and honor- 
able families of Stark Co. is Jacob Walker, 
whose father was one of the leading men of 
the past generation of Stark Co. His grand- 
father, Jacob Walker, was a native of Ireland, 
born June 17, 1774, and a man of powerful 
endurance, making a journey in 1856 to Ohio, 
at the advanced age of 83, visiting among 
his grand-children. His father, Eli C. Walker, 
was born Oct. 2, 1808, in Chester Co., Penn., 
moved to Ohio in 1840, and located in Paris 
Tp., where he reared a family of nine children. 
His mother, Elizabeth (Barbary) Walker^ 



PARIS TOAVNSHIP. 



877 



was a fit holp-ineot for so earnest a husband, 
an I shared in the many hardships of early days. 
The subject of this sketch was the first of the 
family born in Ohio, wliich event transpired 
Feb. 2, 1843. His father having died Sept. 
28, 186?, Jacob remained on the homestead 
with his mother, and farmed the place until 
it was sold, in 1865, when Jacob and Joseph 
purchased it, after which Jacob bought out 
his brother, making a farm of 100 acres of 
choice land, and Mr. Walker yet a young 
man. He unites general stock-raising with 
his farming, in that way utilizing all his own 
products. Sept. 29, 18G4, he was united in 
marriage to Miss Henrietta Miller, of Min- 
erva, and has been blest with six children — 
Frederick C, 16 years; Susannah E., John 
Charles M., Jacob H., Alonzo Cye, Ira A.; 
all minors, at home. Mr. and Mrs. Walker 
are members of the Reformed Church. In 
politics he has always voted the Republican 
ticket, casting his first vote for A. Lincoln. 

CAPT. T. D. YOST, planing mill, Miner- 
va; was born in Bavaria, Germany, Feb. 10, 
1839, son of Philip and Elizabeth (Blasie) 
Yost. The family embarked for the United 
States in 1846. From the tiine he was 14, to 18, 
he learned the trade of furniture finishing, 
with the firm of Lemon & Hotchley, of Pitts- 
burgh, Pa. At the breaking out of the war, 
Mr. Yost enlisted under Capt. Boatty as a pri- 
vate. He held this rank but a short time, be- 
ing promoted to the 2d Lieutenancy Feb. 8, 
1862. His competency and address won him 
another promotion, being commissioned 1st 
Lieutenant March 13, 18G2, and at the close 
of the fail campaign he received his commis- 



sion as Captain of Comjjany F. Although he 
passed so rapidly from the rank of private to 
this latter position, he was yet further hon- 
ored with the appointment and commission of 
Captaincy of the Independent O. V. L. A., 
26th Battery, holding the same command un- 
til his honorable discharge, Sept. 2, 1865. 
Capt. Yost was a participant in seventeen 
pitched battles, besides numerous skirmishes; 
among the more im])ortant was the Siege of 
Vicksburg, being in the attack the entire time, 
losing a lock of hair over his left ear by a 
rebel bullet. He was made prisoner at the 
surrender of Harper's Ferry in 1862. After 
his return he engaged in business, buying 
one-third interest in the firm of O. J. Pitney 
& Co.; remained at same for eighteen months, 
after which, in company with J. M. Perdue 
and W. F. Unkefer, he established the Pio- 
neer Planing Mill. In 1871 tiie firm changed to 
Perdue & Yost. Four years later, Capt. Yost 
purchased the entire interest of his partner, and 
added the department of furniture manufac- 
turing. It is the only planing mill in the vil- 
lage, the capital stock being 115,000, doing 
an annual business of §30,000, with orders 
unsupplied, which will demand an increase of 
one-fourth the present force of twenty-five 
men employed. Capt. Yost was married Jan. 
16, 1866, to Miss Elizabeth Perdue. This 
union has been blessed with a family of three 
children — Viola Elizabeth, David Eugene and 
William Frank. Mr. and Mrs. Yost are mem- 
bers of the Disciples' Church ; both are active 
laborers in Sunday School work, the Captain 
being Superintendent for eight years. 



"fy" 



J d^ — ^ 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



PLAIN TOWNSHIP. 



J. E. ANSTINE, farmer; P. O. New Berlin; 
was born in York Co., Pa., March 20, 1819; 
is the second in a family of eight children born 
to George and Catharine Anstine. George 
Anstino s.as a farmer, and during tlie war of 
1S12, was engaged in teaming from Baltimore 
to York, Pa. Our subject's early life was 
spent on the farm, and he remained at home 
until he was 21 years of age. He then 
apprenticed himself to the carpenters' 
trade, serving two years as an apprentice. 
He then purchased a carding and dyeing 
mill, and for five years was engaged in that 
business. He then engaged in farming, where 
he remained ten years, then came to Ohio, 
settling in Plain Tp., on a farm of 240 
acres, where he still resides. In 1843 he was 
united in marriage to Catharine Landis, of 
York Co., Pa., who bore him twelve children, 
eight of whom are living, viz: — Henry, Sophia, 
Rebecca, John, Ellen, Malinda, George and 
Marne. Mr. and Mrs. Anstine are members 
of the Lutheran Church. 

JOHN BAIR, farmer; P. O. Middle Branch. 
Jacob Bair, the father of our subject, was 
born near Hagerstown, Md., where he passed 
his childhood, and then removed to Pennsyl- 
vania, and was there married to Miss Nancy 
Rhodes, who was a nat've of Bedford Co., Pa. 
In 1805 he came to Plain Tp., Stark Co., O., 
in company with an older brother, where they 
erected a cabin and began to clear a piece of 
land. After remaining there one year 
he was obliged to leave on account of the 
wild beasts. He went to Columbiana Co., 
where he remained two years, and then re- 
turned to Plain, and there lived up to the 
time of his death. He died in 186-3, aged 
76 years; his widow still survives him, and 
has reached the ripe age of 87 years. John 
Bair, our subject, was born in Plain Tp., 
Stnrk Co., O., June 23, 1821. The early years 
of his life were passed in the labors of the 
farm, and but little interrupted by educa- 
tional pursuits, the chances for obtaining an 
education being scanty and of an inferior na- 
ture in the region of his home. He lived at 
home and worked for his father until he was 



28 years of age. He soon after bought a 
small farm in Marlborough Tp., and there lived 
nine years. Disposing of it he purchased the 
farm where he now lives. He now owns 183 
acres of well improved land. In 1849 he 
united in marriage with Miss Sarah Brouse, 
of Canal Fulton. From that marriage there 
have been eight children, three of whom are 
living — Reuben, now a resident of Indiana; 
Ozias, on the homestead, and Mary E., now of 
Cass Co., Mich. Mr. and Mrs. Bair are faith- 
ful members of the Lutheran Church, uniting 
with the same several years ago. Ozias Bair 
was born in Plain Tp., this county, in March, 
1850. His childhood was passed on the farm 
with his parents, with whom he lived until he 
was 26 years of age. He received a common 
school education in the schools of his neigh- 
borhood. He learned the carpenter's trade 
and worked at'the same but a short time, as 
he preferred farming to a trade. In 1876 he 
married Miss Mary Miller, of Plain Tp., and 
soon after he rented a farm in Canton Tp., 
and in 1881, returned to the old homestead, 
where he is engaged in farming. Mr. and 
Mrs. Bair united with the church while young, 
and are much respected in the community in 
which they live. 

J. D. BACHTEL, retired merchant and 
farmer; P. O., New Berlin; was born in Plain 
Tp., Nov. 25, 1832. His parents, Isaac and 
Susanna (Smith) Bachtel were natives of the 
Keystone State. When but 10 years of age the 
father of our subject came to Stark Co., with 
his parents, they settling on a farm in Plain 
Tp., in 1808, whereon his youthful days were 
spent. He obtained a common school educa- 
tion, and when 21 years of age began teaching 
sciiool in his neighborhood, where his instruc- 
tions were appreciated by all. He continued 
in this vocation for several years and then set- 
tled on a farm, where he lived some time and 
died in 1866, at the age of 67 years. He was 
a man greatly admired in the neighborhood 
in which he lived, for his true manly character 
and good citizenship. Our subject's youth 
was spent at home, he received his education 
in the common schools, and while young he 



:V 






^, 



PLAIN TOWNSHIP. 



entered his father's store and was there en- 
gaged as clerk for eight years. In 1861 he 
eng-aged in the grocery business at New Jierlin 
and soon after took his brotiier, A^'illiani H. H., 
into partnership, this lasting three years, when 
ho disposed of his goods and has since lived re- 
tired. He owns a farm of 188 acres in Lake 
Tp., and property in town. In 1857 he was 
married to Susan Sell, of Lake Tp. From that 
union tiiere has been one child, Carrie E., an 
accmplished young lady. He has always been 
identified with the Democratic party. 

M. BITZER, retired: New Berlin; is a 
son of .lohn B. and Elizabeth Bitzer, who 
were natives of Lancaster Co., Pa., where the 
father was engaged in farming and tlie grist- 
mill business. lie was engaged in farming 
principally, up to the time of his death in 187T, 
at the age of 81 years. There were ten chil- 
dren in the family, our subject being the oldest; 
was born in Lancaster Co., Pa., Sept. 28, 
1819. His youth was spent on the farm, and 
at the age of 20 he began learning the 
miller's trade and after workmg at the same for 
three years he returned to the farm. In 1843 
he came to Summit Co., Ohio, settling on a 
farm north of Mogadore, and there remained 
until 1851, when lie removed to Lake Tp., 
and in 1853 settled at New Berlin. He was 
engaged for several years keeping hotel and 
butchering ; he also owned a valuable piece 
of land adjoining the town of New Berlin. 
At the organization of the Home Insurance 
Co., of Plain and Jackson Tps., he was elected 
President, and has filled the office up to the 
present time. He was called out in Co. E., 
162d Regiment, O. N.G., and was out 100 
days. In 18-16 he was married to Elizabeth, 
daughter of .Jacob Schlott, of Plain Tp. 
From that marriage there were five children, 
two of whom are living — Mary A., wife of 
Frank Schiltz; and Catharine E., wife of Ben- 
jamin ^yinger, both of New Berlin. Mrs. 
Bitzer died in 1878, at the aire of 50 years. 

.JOHN BLOO.^^•'IELD,'' farmer, P. O. 
Middle Branch; was born in Crawford Co., 
Penn., his birth-day occurring Feb. 18, 1821. 
He lived at home until 23 years of age; his 
parents during these years coming to Ohio, 
he attended the common schools, where he 
acquired a fair education. At the age of 23 
years he began farming his father-in-law's 
farm, where he remained twelve years, after 



which time he was given the farm, making 
additions to the same until he owned 160 acres.^ 
After living there several years he remorgd 
to the northeastern part of Plain Tp., where 
he settled on a farm of 170 acres, and re- 
mained there until 1866, when he engaged in 
the mercantile business, which he conducted 
successfully for seven years, retiring from 
which he took up his residence in Canton, 
where he lived a short time, but not being 
engaged in business in's ambition would not 
allow him to enjoy life, the result being a re- 
moval to the farm where he now lives. Ho 
now owns 196 acres of well improved lands. 
In 184:3 he took for his partner through life, 
Miss Rebecca ^Yise, of Plain Tp., who bore 
him the following children — Emeline, Lewis, 
Hiram, Senia, Wm. E. and Elmer E. Mr. 
ami Mrs Bloomfield are members of the Bap- 
tist Church, having united with the same 
oyer thirty years ago. Lewis and Susan 
(Krok) Bloomfield, the parents of our subject 
came to Stark Co. from Green Co., Penn., in 
the year 1833. The father, Lowis Bloomfield, 
bought a farm of 160 acres in Plain Tp., where 
he lived three years; then settled on another 
farm, and there remained until his faithful 
companion departed this lif', after which he 
lived with his dauijhter until his death. 

SOLOMON BAIR, farmer; P. O. Middle 
Branch; is the third in a family of six chil- 
dren born to .John and Sarah Bair, who were 
natives of Adams Co., Pa., and in 1806 came 
to Stark Co., settling in Plain Tp. John Bair, 
the venerable old pioneer, settled on a farm 
when it was a dense forest, but cleared the 
same, and has lived in the vicinity of the 
place upon which he settled, ever since. He 
was married three times, and was the father of 
nineteen children. He is highly spoken of 
for his manliness and hospitality. Solomon, 
the subject of this sketch, was born in Plain 
Tp., Stark Co., Jan 12, 1826. His childhood 
was spent on the farm, where he remained 
until he was 27 years of age. He then rented 
a farm in Plain Tp., where he remained 
thirteen years, and in 1866 he purchased 
160 acres of valuable land, where he has 
lived since. Mr. Bair began life a poor 
boy, but by his industry he has accumulated 
considerable property. In 1835 he married 
Catharine, daughter of John Markley, of Lake 
Tp. From that union there have been seven 



A^ 



880 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



children— Lucy A., Susan, Mary, Andrew, 
Jaha, Solomon and John. Mr. and Mrs. 
Bair are members of the Lutheran Church. 

ISRAEL CARPENTER, carpenter; New 
Berlin; is a son of Gabriel and Susanna 
(Schrantz) Carpenter, who were natives of 
Lancaster Co., Pa. In 1837, they came to 
Ohio, settling in Plain Tp. The husband 
worked for a man for thirteen years, and then 
removed to Lake Tp., and lived there several 
years. He lived with his daughter the latter 
part of his life, and died in 1870 at the age 
70 years. Tiiere were eleven children in the 
family, our subject being the second. He was 
born in Lancaster Co., Pa., Iti 1838, and when 
9 years old came to Plain Tp., with his par- 
ents, and owing to their limited means he, at 
the age of 11 years, went to work for farmers, 
continuing at farm labor until he was 18 
years old; he then apprenticed himself to the 
carpenter's trade, serving as an apprentice 
three years, he then began working at his 
trade in Plain Tp., and has been engaged in 
the same business ever since. He has been 
engaged in contracting largely for several 
years, and owing to his competency and faith- 
fulness, he has always been busily engaged. 
His two sons have been engaged in the 
same business. In 1854, he was married to 
Elizabeth, daughter of Daniel Holl, of Plain 
Tp.; she died in 1804. From that marriage 
there v/ere three children, two of whom are 
living — Clayton and Silas. He married for 
his second wife, Leah, the widow of Isaac 
Sell. Mr. and Mrs. Carpenter are members 
of the Disciples' Church. 

SAMUEL CORRELL, farmer; P. O. Can- 
ton; is the second in a family of twelvoi 
children born to John and Elizabeth (Lind) 
Correll, who were natives of Carroll Co., Md., 
where John was engaged in the distilling 
business, and farming. In 1813 he removed 
to Adams Co., Pa., and engaged in farming, 
which business he carried on until 1834, when 
he removed to Stark Co., settling on a farm 
in Plain Tp., where Samuel now resides. He 
remained on this farm until death removed 
him from the midst of many friends, who 
keenly felt the loss of his amiable disposition 
and true manliness. Samuel, our subject, 
was born in Adams Co., Pa., March 10, 1815, 
and his childhood was spent on the farm, 
where he received his education in the com- 



mon schools of his native county, and when 
19 years of age came to Ohio with his 
parents. The year following, he apprenticed 
himself to the tanner's trade, serving an ap- 
prenticeship of two years. He then workeil 
as journej'man for a short time, and estab- 
lished a business in Harrisburg, this count}', 
where he remained twenty-four years. Ho 
then removed to the farm where he now lives, 
(it being 1861). In 1840 he married Miss 
Lucetta, daughter of John and Julia Depuy, 
of Stark Co. From that marriage there have 
been seven children, five of whom are living — - 
John H., William W., Elizabeth E., Julia^I., 
and Samuel. Mr. Correll is a stanch Repub- 
lican, and has held many township offices in a 
Democratic township. 

SAMUEL L. CROMER, Superintendent 
of Stark Co. Infirmary ; Cantc . John and 
Maria Cromer, the parents of our subject, 
were natives of Franklin Co., Pa., where John 
worked at the wagon-makers' trade and coach 
building, and still lives in Penns^-lvaniain the 
town of Mercersburg. Samuel, our subject, 
was born in the town of Chambersburg, Pa., 
Dec. 33, 1842. He attended the school of his 
native town until he was 15 years of age, when 
he commenced learning the carriage and 
wagon-makers' trade, serving two years as an 
apprentice, after which he worked two years. 
In 1868 he enlisted in Co. F., 32d regiment. 
Pa. C, serving- in the same until the close of 
the war, doing his duty faithfully and heroic- 
ally. He was in the battles of Gettysburg, 
Petersburg, and other hard-fought battles. 
Out of 1100 of Pennsylvania's brave sons, only 
169 returned; among them the brother of Sam- 
uel, who rode the same horse from the time ho 
left home until he returned, being in many of 
the fiercest battles. In 1865 Samuel came to 
Stark Co., and commenced work as a farm-hand 
on the Infirmary farm; here he remained three 
years, faithfully discharging his dutii , and 
gained the confidence of his employers. He 
removed to the city of Canton where he lived 
until 1871, when he was engaged to superin- 
tend the Infirmary farm by its Directors, and 
has remained there ever since. In 1870 he 
married Rachel A. Sweeney of Wooster, O., 
who died one year after, at the age of 24 years. 
In 1873 he married for his second wife, Mary 
C, daughter of Samuel Bair, of Plain Tp. 
From that marriage there are two children- • 



PLAIN TOWNSHIP. 



881 



Thomas Jetri;rson and Fanny E. Mr. CromiT 
is a nietnlter of the Masonic Lodge, No. 70, 
and is a Republican. 

LEVI A. COCKLIiSr, farmer ; P. O. Mid- 
dle Branch ; is the sixtli in a family of eleven 
children, horn to Adam and Barbara (Gaerte) 
Cocklin, who were natives of Berks Co., Pa., 
where Adam was engaged in farming. In 
18.30 he came to Stark Co., O., settling in Lake 
Tp., on a small farm, where he lived twenty- 
one vears. He was a shoemaker by trade, and 
worked at the same in connection with farm- 
ing. In 1860 he removed to Plain Tp., and 
there lived until 1806, when he departed this 
life at the ago of .56 years. His widow sur- 
vived him until 1S80, dying at the ripe age 
of 8:> years. Our subject was born in Lake 
Tp., Stark Co., Aug. 11, 1837, and received 
his education in the common schools, remain- 
ing at home on the farm until he was 21. 
During these years he had learned the black- 
smith's trade, and worked at the same trade 
in Plain Tp. for nine years. He then began 
farming on the farm he now owns, consisting 
of 06 acres of well improved land. He has 
been \ery successful in life, and by his indus- 
try and econcmiical habits has acquired con- 
siderable property. In 1863 he married Mary, 
daughter of John and Hannah Christ, who 
bore him five children. Mr. Cocklin has al- 
ways voted the Democratic ticket, and has 
held many offices of trust in the township. 

JOSIAH CORRELL, farmer ; P. O. Can- 
ton ; is the youngest in a family of twelve 
children born to John and Elizabeth (Lind) 
Correll, whose sketch appears in this work, 
lie was boi n in Plain Tp. in November, 1836. 
His youth was spent on the farm, and he lived 
at home until he was 24 years of age ; he 
then farmed the homestead for a short time, 
and afterward moved to Canton Tp., where 
he was engaged in farming. In 1866 he pur- 
chased the farm he now lives on, in Plain Tp., 
and has since resided there. In 1862 he was 
united in marriage to Miss M. E., daughter of 
David and Chiistina Mentzor, of Canton. 
From that marriage there have been five 
children born, all of whom are living. Mr. 
Correll is a Republican, and has always been 
identified with that partv. 

GEORGE DONNER", farmer; P. O. New 
Berlin; was born in Pennsylvania, March 
17, 1831, where he lived until he was 4 years 



old, when his parents came to Ohio. He lived 
at home until he was 23 years of age, when he 
took the father's farm to work, and remained 
on the same for five years. He then bought 
05 acres in Wadsworth Tp., Mcidina Co., and 
remained th(>re sometime. He was for a 
short time eng.iged in farming in Michigan. 
In 1874 he purchased 60 acres of land in 
Plain Tp., and has lived on the same up to 
the present time. In 18.52 he was united in 
marriage to Mary Boger, who dieil in 1872. 
In 1874 he was married to Lydia Pepple, 
widow of Samuel Roush. Mr. and Mrs. 
Donner are members of the Liitheran Church. 

LEWIS ESSIG, farmer; P. O. Canton. 
Among the families who settled in Plain Tp., 
in 1806 was the Essig family. Jacob, the 
father of our subject, was a native of Adams 
Co., Pa., and in 1806 came to Stark Co., with 
his parents. They settled on a farm in Plain 
Tp., where .lacob worked at clearing the farm. 
He married Elizabeth Weaver, who was a 
native of Hagerstown, Md., and then settled 
on a farm, on Section 21, and there lived 
thirty years. His faithful wife died in 1852, 
after which he n^moved to Navarre, this 
county, and thence to the home of his son 
Lewis, where he died in 1874 at the advanced 
age of 83 years. He served his country nobly 
in the war of 1812. They were the parents 
of eight children, our subject Ix-ing the 
youngest living. He was born in Plain Tp., 
this county, in December, 1828. His youth 
was spent on the farm, where he remained 
until he was of age, 21. He attended the 
schools of his neighborhood, where he acquired 
a good education. He inherited 80 acres 
from his father's estate, and there lived until 
1872, when be bought 60 acres where he now 
lives. In 1855 he was united in marriage to 
Miss Mary J., daughter of John Gaff, of Plain 
Tp. From that marriage there have been three 
children, viz: — Laura, Ada, and Joseph. Mr. 
and Mrs. Essig are consistent members of the 
Lutheran Church. 

H. W. FIRESTONE, stockraiser and 
farmer; P. O. Middle ]3ranch. The subject 
of these few lines was born in Plain Tp., 
Stark Co., June 3, 1839, and is the oldest sur- 
viving child in a family of nine children born 
to Henry and Mary (IlofTstot) Firestone, who 
were natives of Columbiana Co., O., where 
the father of our subject was engaged in 



:ft 



8S2 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



farming. In 1830 he caine to Stark Co., set- 
tling on a farm in Plain Tp., where he worked 
faithfully until the body of woods was cleared, 
and the land producing. He lived on this 
farm up to the time of his death. H. W., 
our subject, spent his childhood on the farm, 
and in attending the schools of his neighbor- 
hood, where he acquired a liberal education. 
At the age of 22 he bogan farming on the 
farm in Nimishillon Tp., belonging to his 
father. After remaining there three years he 
returned to the old homestead, and a short 
time afterward purchased it of the heirs; he 
has lived on the same since. He has been 
extensively engaged in sheep-raising for sev- 
eral years. At the time the Fanner.■^' Bank 
of Canton was incorporated he owned one- 
fifth interest in it, and was one of its Direct- 
ors. He was connected with the institution 
three and one-half years, when he withdrew. 
In 1880 he associated himself with the City 
National Bank of Canton, and Mr. Firestone 
was employed by the Connotton Valley Ry. 
Co., as their timber agent, and has taken 
great interest in the building of the same. 
In 1861 he was united in marriage to Mar- 
garet McDowell, of Plain Tp. "From that 
marriage there have been three children, viz: 
Nettie, Mary and Henr3-. 

JACOB H. FLORY, farmer; P. O. Canton, 
was born in York Co., Pa., March 20, 1823, 
and is a son of John and Nancy (Hoft'man) 
Plory. He received his education in the 
common schools of his neighborhood. At the 
age of 21, he took charge of his father's farm, 
where he remained four years, at the expiration 
of which time he was presented with the same, 
and there remained until 1805. He then 
sold the farm and came to Stark Co., settling 
on the farm he now occupies, consisting of 
131 acres of valuable laud. He bought the 
mill property known as the Everhardt Mill, 
and has been engaged in that business, in 
connection with his son, John M. In 1849, 
he was united in marriage to Mary Musser, 
who was a native of Lancaster Co., Pa. 
From that marriage there have been six chil- 
dren, viz. — John M., Elizabeth, wife of Sam- 
uel Bowers of Canton Tp.; Jacob, Annie, 
Amanda and Milton. Mr. and Mrs. Flory are 
devout members of the Church of Christ, hav- 
ing liolonged to that body for several years. 
MISS ELIZA GASKINS, colored; retired; 



New Berlin; is a daughter of Jacob Gaskins, 
who was born in slavery in Winchester, Va., 
in 1792. He was one of 999 slaves owned by 
a man who at the time of his death gave free- 
dom to all slaves in his possession, with the 
exception of those under age, who were 
obliged to work in bondage until they reached 
their 21st year, and in that number Mr. Gas- 
kins was included. He then lived with a 
man who admired him for his industry and 
honesty, and after he had attained the age re- 
quired, was given a certain per cent of the 
proceeds of the farm, but after working there 
four years, he came to Ohio, settling in Plain 
Tp., in 1817 on a small piece of land. By his 
industry he increased his farm until he owned 
about 375 acres in Plain and Jackson Tps. 
He lived a retired life for a few years pre- 
ceding his death, and died in 1873, at the 
age of 81 years. He was a man respected by 
all who knew him, for his honesty and indus- 
try. In 1818 he married Hannah Robinson, 
who died in 18G1. They were the parents of 
nine childien, Eliza being the only one living. 
She was born in Plain Tp., Jan. 17, 1827. 
She had always lived at home, and at the time 
of Mr. Gaskins' death, fell heir to his proper- 
ty, and is now living a retired life in New 
Berlin. She is a member of the Church of 
God. 

GEORGE HOLTZ, physician; New Ber- 
lin; whose portrait appears in this history 
as one of the selected repiesentatives of Plain 
Tp., was born in the township where he now 
resides, in 1816; and is the son of John and 
Mary (Wortsler) Holtz, who were natives of 
Pennsylvania, and the parents of the latter be- 
came residents of Plain Tp., as early as ISOG. 
At the breaking-out of the war of 1812, Jolai 
Holtz entered the service of his country and 
proved himself to be a patriotic and gallant 
soldier. Returning to New Berlin, he was 
made Captain of their home militia company. 
He engaged in farming, at which he con- 
tinued until his death, which occurred in 
1875, in his 84th year. The early life of the 
Doctor was spent on his father's farm. He 
obtained his early education in the common 
schools of that date, through which he suc- 
ceeded in fitting himself for a teacher, a busi- 
ness he followed for about ten years during 
the winter season. He began the study of 
medicine in 1844, and finished his course of 



PLAIN TOWNSHIP. 



8S3 



study at the Western Reserve College of 
Hudson, and at Clitvelanil. He began prac- 
tice as early as 184:5, thoui^li he did not 
receive the degree of an M. D. until 1850. 
He began practice in New Berlin, where he 
met with such flattering success anions his 



1847 he was united in marriage to Mary, 
(laughter of Christian Kryder, one of Stark 
Co.'s early settlers. From that marriage there 
have lieen three children — W. H., of New 
Berlin; J. W., of Canton, and F. K., of Kan- 
sas Citv. Mr. and Mrs. Hoover are members 



native people as to have since remained with of the Lutheran Church. 

them. Much, perhaps, of the Doctor's popu- | JESSE HARTER, dealer in farming im- 



larity as a physician has been gained liy his 
humane and conscientious principles of prac- 
tice, and though he has gained a fair compe- 



piements; New Berlin. The subject of this 
sketch was born in Stark Co., Ohio, in August, 
1818, and is the youngest in a family of 10 



tcncy, it has been done by very modest children born to Jacob and Mary (Nowlen_ 
charges and a large amount of gratutitious i Harter, who were natives of Lancaster Co., 



practice. In 1842 he was married to Miss 
Elizabeth Koontz, who bore him several chil- 
dren, one of whom is living — Miranda, now wife 
of Ephraim SchatTer, of New Berlin. Mrs. 
Holtz died in 1849, and subsequently the 
Doctor married Miss Maria Lininger, who 
died in 1SG2, leaving three children, all of 
whom are living. The Doctor has been for 



Lutheran Church, and since 1847 has held the 
oflSce of Justice of the Peace. He is now 
growing old, among a community that has 
known and respected him for over half a 
centurv. 

DANIEL HOOVER, farmer; P. 0. New 
Berlin; was born in Franklin Co., Pcnn., Aug. 
3, 1823, and is the second in a family of nine 
children, born to Henry and Margaret Hoover, 
who were both natives of the above named 



county, and came to Ohio in 1827. He (Henry) '• adjoining the village of New Berlin. In the 
was a blacksmith by trade, and worked at the same year (1801) he was employed by C. 
same for several years at the time of liis Aultman & Co., of Canton, O., as traveling 
settlement in Plain Tp., and also worked on a salesman for their works, and with this Corn- 
farm of 320 acres, with the determination of | pany remained for several years. He then 
converting the forest into a productive farm, engaged with P. P. Mast & Co., of Springfield, 
which he accomplished after many months of Oliio, with whom he has done bu-iiness since. 



labor. He remained on this farm for several 
years, and at the time of his death was 77 
years of age. Daniel, the subject of this 
sketch, came to Plain Tp. with his j)arents 
when but four years old; his childhood was 
spent at home on the farm, where he re- 
mained until he was 23 years of age. At the 
age of 10 he apprenticed himself to the tan- 
ners' trade, and after a few years he engaged 
in the business, continuing in the same until 
1873, meeting with good success. In 1853 
he purchased a farm of 86 acres on Sec. 9, 
and has lived there ever since, farming the 
same in addition to the tanning busim^ss. In 



Pa., and about 1794 they removed to Centre 
Co., where they lived until 1812. Jacob was 
engaged in farming, and in 1812 he came to 
Stark Co., settling on a farm in Plain Tp. 
Section 8. The first four horse team driven 
over the road leading from Canton to Cairo 
was driven by him — he clearing the passage. 
He settled upon a farm which he cleared and 



a number of years, a consistent member of the , lived upon up to the time of his death. He 



was a man who took a great interest in church 
and school matters, and delighted himself by 
promoting tlie interest of the same. He died 
in 1850, at the age of 77 years. Our subject's 
early life was spent on the farm where he 
lived until he was 20 years of age; he then 
farmed his father's farm for 13 years, meeting 
with good success. He then purchased a 
farm of 190 acres, where he lived until 1801, 
he at that time removinir to a pleasant home 



with the exception of a Hnv years when he re- 
presented Ludlow & Rogers, of tlie latter 
named city. Mr. Harter is considered a 
competent salesman, and has during the last 
twenty years represented the above named 
comj)anies in every State in the Union of any 
importance to the trade in which he is engaged. 
In 1837 he was united in marriage to Deborah 
Essig, of Plain Tp., and from that marriage 
there have been twelve children, eight of whom 
are living. 

H. W. HOSSLER, wagon-maker; Canton; 
is a son of George and Elizabeth (Hershev) 
Hossler, who were natives of Pennsylvania. 



8S4 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES : 



George came to Ohio when but 11 years of 
age, and lived in Marlborough Tp., this county, 
until he reached manhood. He worked at 
the wagon-maker's trade for several years, 
then purchased a farm in Niniishillen Tp., 
where be lived four years. In 1854 he bought 
the farm where he now lives, consisting of 
160 acres of valuable land. They were the 
parents of seven children, our subject, H. 
W., being the oldest. He was born in Stark 
Co., O., in 1854. He attended the common 
schools until he was about 18 years of age, 
then learned the wagon-maker's trade, and 
worked at the same up to the present time. 
In 1875 he purchased a farm in Niniishillen 
Tp., which he rents. In 1871 he was elected 
Justice of the Peace of Plain Tp., and has 
held the office up to the present time. He 
has always voted with the Democratic party. 

JOHN HOFFMAN, farmer; P. O. Canton; 
is a son of Jacob Hoffman, who was a na- 
tive of Pennsylvania, where he was engaged 
in farming, and in 1848 came to Ohio, set- 
tling on a farm in Canton Tp., this county. 
He was a very prosperous tanner, an intelli- 
gent man and a good citizen. Our subject, 
John Hoffman, was born in Bedford Co., Pa., 
April 30, 1833, and came to Ohio with his 
parents in 1848. He obtained his education 
in the common schools in Pennsylvania, and 
at the age of 22 years began i'arming his fath- 
er's farm, where he remained four years. In 
1861 he bought a farm of 160 acres, where he 
has since lived, with the exception of two 
years he lived at Louisville, Stark Co. By 
industry and good management he has accu- 
mulated a handsome fortune, and now owns 
371 acres of fine land in Plain and Nimishil- 
len townships. In 1855 he was united in 
marriage to Elizabeth, daughter of William 
Bachtel, of Canton. She died in 1873, leav- 
ing four children, viz: — David, Sarah, the 
wife of Henry Keim; Jacob and William. Li 
1874 he married for his second wife, Catha- 
rine Thomas, who bore him two children. 

W. H. HOOVER, collar manufacturer and 
tanner; New Berlin; is a son of Daniel Hoov- 
er, whose sketch ap])ears in this work. W. H. 
was born in Plain Tp., this county, in Au- 
gust, 1849, he obtained his education in the 
common schools and Mt. Union College. 
After leaving college, he returned to the farm, 
and at the age 18 years he went to work in 



his father's tannery, where he was employed 
until 1871, wheti he purchased the stock of 
his father, and conducted the business there 
for two years. He then purchased the tan- 
nery at New Berlin, in which he now carries 
on business. In 1875 he began to manufac- 
ture horse-collars, and is engaged in the same 
at the present, making the best goods in that 
part of the State. In 1871 he was married to 
Susan, daughter of Peter and Catharine 
Troxel, of Plain Tp., who bore four children. 
Mr. and Mrs. Hoover are members of the 
Disciples' Church. In politics he is a Re- 
publican, and has always been identified with 
the party. He is a member of the Odd Fel- 
lows Lodge, No. 454. 

JAC0i3 HARMAN, farmer; P. O. Canton; 
was born in Columbiana Co., O., Oct. 5, 1812, 
and is a son of Fredrick and Elizabeth Har- 
man, who came to Columbiana Co., in an early 
day. Fredrick was a Lieutenant in the war 
of 1813, serving his country with commend- 
able gallantry. Elizabeth Shenabarger, the 
mother of Our subject, was born while her 
parents were crossing the ocean coming to 
this country. They settled in Columbiana 
Co., where I)oth father and mother died. Our 
subject lived at home until he was 31 years of 
age, when he apprenticed himself to the pot- 
ter's trade, and after serving three years he 
started in business, and was engaged in the 
manufacture of stone-ware for twenty-one 
years. He then built a steam saw-mill, and 
after being engaged in the latter named busi- 
ness for two years, removed to Stark Co., set- 
tling in Plain Tp., on 145 acres, where he has 
since resided. In 1837 he married Annie, 
daughter of Abram Shellenbarger, of Colum- 
biana Co. From that marriage there have 
been ten children, seven of whom are living, 
namely — Rachel, Harriet, Ellen, Elizabeth, 
Lovina, Almira and John. Mr. and Mrs. 
Harmun are memliers of the Lutheran Church. 

H. H. UOUSEL, farmer ; P. O. Middle 
Branch. The subject of this sketch was born 
in Plain Tp., Stark Co., 0., xAugust, 1840, and 
is the son of Anthony and Mary (Hoover) 
Ilousel. Anthony Housel was a native of 
Union Co., Pa., and came to Stark Co. with 
his parents in 1813 ; the year following, he 
returned to his native StaU;, and there remain- 
ed two years, being engaged in farming ; in 
1814 he returned to Plain Tp., and settled 



PLAIN TOWNSHIP. 



S85 



on a farm of 240 acres, where he lived up to 
the time of his death. He was a prominent 
man, holiliiisr many offices of trust. He died 
in ISO!), at tlie age of 87 years ; Mrs. Hovisol 
died in 18.5:^, aged 56 years. Oiu' subject's 
early life was spent on the farm and in ob- 
taining a common school education. At the 
an-o of 21 he began farming the homestead, 
which he now owns. In 186-1 he entered the 
United States service as a Captain in th(^ l(J2d 
Regiment O. N. G., and was out until the 
close of the war. In 18()5 he was united in 
marriage to Elinira, daughter of Henry Fire- 
stone, of Plain Tp., and from that marriage 
there are three children. He is a member of 
the A., F. & A. M. r^odge, No. 60, Canton, and 
has always been i<lentified with the Republi- 
can party. 

.M. J. HOLTZ, farmer; P. O. Middle 
Branch ; is a son of .lohn and Mary Holtz, 
whose sketch appears with that of Dr. Holtz. 
Our subject was born in Plain Tp., Stark Co., 
O., June 23. 1827. He attended the common 
schools of his neighborhood, where he obtain- 
ed a liberal education. He remained at home 
on the farm until he was 25 years of age. 
He then commenced farming the homestead, 
where he remained for several years, farming 
for a certain per cent of the proceeds, and at 
the time of his father's death was working 
thus ; he now owns 130 acres of valuable 
land. In September, 1851, he was united in 
marriage to Emily, daughter of David Fol- 
som, of Ashtabula Co. From that marriage 
there have been born four children, three of 
whom are living — Eli^sta A., wife of .lames 
M. S])angler, of Plain Tp.; Francis M. and 
Miiuiie A., at home. Mr. and Mrs. Holtz are 
members of the Lutheran Church. Mr. Holtz 
has alwavs voted with the Democratic party. 

JACOB HOLE, farmer; P. O. New Berlin; 
is the third in a family of eight children, born 
to Daniel and Barbara (Leil)) Holl, who were 
natives of Lancaster Co., Pa., where Daniel 
was engaged in farming the greater part of 
his life. In 1832 he came to Stark Co., sr>t- 
tling on a farm of 160 acres in Plain Tp 
He there remained until 1859, when he set- 
tled on a small farm, and there lived until 
1870, when he departed this life at the age of 
75 years. His widow survives him, and is 
living in New Berlin. Jacob, the subject of 
this sketch, was born in Lancaster Co., Pa., in 



1824. His childhood was spent at home, and 
in 1832 he came to Plain Tp., with his par- 
ents, where he attended the schools of the 
neighborhood, and received a liberal educa- 
tion, and also taught for several years. In 
1848 he began life fur himself; he first farmed 
the old homestead for ten years, and finally 
purchased 100 acres of the same, wh(!re he 
remained several years; afterward purchasing 
the 80 acre farm where he now resides. In 
1847 he married Rachel Sell, of Lake Tp., 
who bore him three children, two of whom 
are living. Mr. and Mrs. Holl are members 
of the German Reformed Church. 

JOHN HILL, retired merchant; Middle 
Branch; was born in Baltimore Co., Md., 
May 1, 1816. His youth was spent on the 
farm of his father, Richard Ilill, who came to 
Stark Co. in 1818. Young Hill lived at home 
until he was 21 years of age. He then began 
to work at the shoemaker's trade, and worked 
at the same business for several years. In 
1839 he took charge of a dry goods store in 
New Berlin, for a Canton merchant. This 
lasted but bne year. The following year he 
began business for himself, and continued for 
three years. He then built the New Berlin 
hotel, and was engaged in farming. He re- 
moved to Middle Branch, and was engaged in 
mercantile pursuits for about eight vears. In 
1881 he removed one-half miie north to the 
village of Middle Branch, the post-office be- 
ing removed at that time. In 1841 he mar- 
ried Margaret Smith, who bore him eight 
childrin, of whom the following are living, 
viz : — John S., George W., Vincent and 
Lewis L. The last named three are engaged 
in the mercantile business at Middle Branch, 
and the vounirest son, J. B., is in Canton. 

CLAYTON HOLL, coal and lime opera- 
tor and farmer; P. O. New Berlin; is a son 
of Jacob and Rachel Holl, whose sketch ap- 
pears in this work. Clayton was born in 
Plain Tp., Stark Co., Ohio, April 4, 1849. He 
attended the common schools and the Grecns- 
bnrg Academy, where he procured a gfiod 
education, after which he returned to the old 
homestead, where he remained until he was 
25 3'ears of age. He then purchased 50 acres 
of land, where he now resides, th ' land being 
made valuable by the amount of coal and 
limestone it contains, which Mr. Holl, for the 
last few years, has been developing quite ex- 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



tensively. In 1874 he was united in. mar- 
riage to Samantha J., daughter of David Hess, 
of Stark Co. From that marriage there have 
been horn four children. 

DAVID KUTZNER, farmer; P. O. Cairo; 
is the eldest in a family of six children, born 
to Isaac and Mary Kut/ner, v^ho were natives 
of Franklin Co., Pa., where Isaac was engaged 
in the distilling business. In 1823 he came 
to Stark Co., settling on a farm in Plain Tp., 
where he lived until 18.52, when he removed 
to Di.'Kalb Co., Iiid., where he and his wife 
both live. David, our subject, was born in 
Franklin Co., Pa., June, 1821, and in 183-3 
came to Plain Tp. with his parents, with 
whom he lived until he was 24 years of age. 
He then purchased a farm of 160 acres, where 
he lived 19 j^ears, and in 1868 he purchased 
the farm he now lives on. Mr. Kutzner has 
been a hard-working man, and by his indus- 
try and economical habits has secured consid- 
erable property. In 1845 he was married to 
Annie, daughter of Henry Hoover, of Plain 
Tp., and from that marriage there have been 
four children, three of whom are living, viz.: 
Mary, widow of J. J. Smith; Calvin, and Ida, 
wife of Edward Wise; Calvin, the only son, 
remains on the farm with his parents. Mr. 
and Mrs. K. are members of the Lutheran 
Church. 

JOSEPH KIJNKER, farmer; P. O. Can- 
ton. This gentleman is a son of John and 
Sarah (I^awrence) Klinker, who were natives 
of Northampton Co., Pa. They were the par- 
ents of eight children ; our subject being the 
sixth, was born in Northampton Co., Pa., 
Aug. 13, 1822. He received a common 
school education, and at ihe age of 5 years 
he went to live with his grandfather, after his 
father's death, and with him remained until 
his mother again married; he then lived with 
his stepfather until 1844, when he came to 
Stark Co., Ohio. He learned the carpenter's 
trade and worked at the same for several 
years, when he purchased a small farm of 30 
acres in Pike Tp., where he remained two 
years ; thence to Perry Tp., where he lived 
eleven years, and in 1867 he bought the farm 
where he now lives. Mr. Klinker commenced 
life a poor boy, and by diligence and econ- 
omy has become one of Plain Township's most 
successful farmers. In 1850 he was unite<l in 
marriage to Catharine Kryder, an estimable 



lady, who bore him five children — Theodore, 
Sarah, Emma, M'^arren and Joseph. Mr. 
Klinker has always voted the Democratic 
ticket. 

L. W. KAMP, farmer; P. O. Middle 
Branch; is a son of Jacob and Sarah (Frey- 
berger) Kamp, who were natives of the Key- 
stone State. Jacob came from Union Co., 
Pa., to Stark Co.. at any early date, and lived 
at home with his parents until he reached 
manhood, when he began life for himself as a 
farmer, in Lake Tp., where he lived several 
years. He was a man of great ambition, and 
not being satisfied with the ailvantages of 
Lake Tp., removed to DeKalb Co., Ind., where 
he lived until 1867 — dying at that time at an 
advanced age. Our subject was born in Lake 
Tp., Starke Co., O., in November, 1827; his 
youth was spent on the farm, where he re- 
mained until he was 18 years of age. He 
then worked by the month for several years, 
and by his economical habits accumulated 
means sufficient to enable him to purchase the 
100 acre farm in Lake Tp., where he lived 
until 1864, when he bought and settled on the 
farm where he now resides In 1851 he was 
united in marriage to Mary Kahler, a native 
of Lancaster Co., Pa. From that marriage 
there have been eleven children born, six of 
wlioin are living — John, Sarah C, Milton, Lib- 
bie, William, and Cora C. Mr. Kamp has al- 
ways been identified with the Democratic 
party. 

PETER LOUTZENHEISER, farmer ; P. 
O. Canton. This venerable pioneer of Stark 
Co., and whose portrait appears in this work, 
was born in Beaver Co., now Lawrence Co., 
Pa., April 13, 1800, and is the third in a family 
of nine children born to Jacob and Elizabeth 
(Weaver) Loutzenheiser, who were natives of 
the Keystone State. Jacob was a carpenter 
by trade, and worked at the same for several 
years previous to coming to Ohio, in connec- 
tion with running a small grist-mill, which 
was operated by his wife in his absence. In 
1806 they came to Stark Co., settling on Sec- 
tion .34 in Plain Tp., there being but two oth- 
er families of whites in the township at that 
time. The Indians were numerous, and very 
frequently surrounded the Loutzenheiser cab- 
in, so attached were they to the family. Ja- 
cob was the first Justice of the Peace ever 
in Stark Co. He died in 1810, and his widow 



aT. 



PLAIN TOWK.SIIIP. 



887 



!ii 1812. Peter, the subject of tliis sketoli, 
V. .1- to Ohio when but 6 j'ears ol" age ; his 
i-.iildhood vv;is spent in the woods of Plain 
Tp., and at tin- age of 1-1 lie Avas apprenticed 
to the s!i icmaker's tra<le, serving tluee years 
apprenticeship, at which trade he worked sev- 
en years. In 1S24 he commenced farming 
the old homestead, wiu're he remained until 
1833 ; he then removed to the place where he 
now lives, lie has owned several liundied 
acies of land, which he disposed of as he ap- 
proached old age. He served as Associate 
Judge of Stark Co. for two terms, and Justice 
of the Peace for over twenty consecutive 
years, filling both positions with the best of 
s;i;isfactioM. He was elected President of the 
SUirkCo. Pioneer x\ssociaiion, still having the 
honor of being a resident ol" S ark Co. longer 
tiian any other man therein. In IS'23 he uni- 
ted in marriage with Reljecca Kiinmel, who 
was a native of Pennsylvania, and from that 
marriage there have been eleven children, 
nine of whom are living, viz : — William, .Ja- 
cob, Joseph, George, John, Hannah, Peter V. 
B., Amanda and Rebecca. Mr. and Mrs. 
Loutzenheisor are members of the German 
Reformed Church. He has been a life-long 
Democrat, and has held many offices of trust 
in the county and township. 

BENJAMIN LEHITY, coverlet-weaver; P. 
O. New Berlin; was born in Lancaster Co., Pa., 
Aug. 30, 1811. His parents, John and Mary 
Bassler) Leihty, were natives of Switzerland, 
and came to the Keystone State, where the 
father was engaged in farming, and there lived 
up to the time of his death. Our subject spent 
his youth on the farm, and obtained his edu- 
cation in the common schools. At the age of 
17, he was a])prenticed to a coverlet- weaver 
to learn the trade, anel served two years at the 
same. He then worked at the trade for two 
years, and in 1832 came to Ohio, settling in 
Stark Co., and aft<'r remaining there three 
years removed to Bristol, and was there about 
nine years. During this time he had started 
a shop, and emploj'ing several men. He then 
settled on a farm in Jackson Tp., and re- 
mained on the same until 1861, when ho re- 
moved to New Berlin, and has remained there 
ever since. In 1836 he was married to Sarah, 
daughter of Samuel Schlott, of Lancaster Co., 
Pa. She died in 18.58, and he soon after mar- 
ried Susan Myers, of Canton Tp. From the 



first marriage there were five sons, three of 
wiiom are living — Daniel, a physician; W. H., 
and Jacob, all residents of Illinois. The five 
sons enlisted, the oldest one being pronioted 
to First Lieutenant, and died in New Or- 
leans. From the second marriage there are 
two daughters. Mr. and Mrs. Leiiity are 
members n' the Evangelical Church. 

WILLIAM LESH, retired; P. O. New 
Berlin; was born in York Co., Pa., Dec. 1, 1813, 
and came to Ohio with his p^^rents when but 
3 months old. He obtainci his eduf-ation in 
the common schools, which in those days 
afforded but poor opjiortunities of receiving an 
education of much advantage. He lived at 
home on the farm until he was 21 years of age, 
when he went to work in Niniishillen Tp., 
and after working at shingle-ni:il;iiig for sev- 
eral years, he bought a farm in the same town- 
ship, where he lived several years, when he 
bought another farm, and there remained until 
1875, when he removed to New Berlin, where 
he still resides. He owns two valuable farms 
and considerable town propirty. In 1838 
he married Catharine A. Young, of Canton, 
and from that marriage there were four chil- 
dren, two of whom are living. Mrs. l/csh died 
in 1846. For his second wife he married 
Sarah Schlott, of New Berlin, who died in 
1873; she bore him three chihlren. He mar- 
ried for his third wife, Mary, widow of William 
Shook, of Pennsj'lvania. Mr. Lesh is a mem- 
ber of tlu! Reformed Church, and Mrs. Lesh 
of the Disciples. 

JAMES McDowell, farmer and stock- 
raiser; P. O. Canton. The subject of this 
sketch, and whose portrait apjjcars in this his- 
tory, as a representative pioneer of Plain Tp., 
was born in Cumberland Co., Pa., Sept. 9, 1809, 
and was the fourth child of a fainil}' of five 
children, born to James and Elizabeth 
(Kearns) McDowell, who were of Scotch par- 
entage, though they were born in the North 
of Ireland. They remained residents of their 
native land until 1802, in which year they 
were married, and -shortly after this event 
emigrated to America and settled in Cumber- 
land Co., Pa. They remained in that State 
until 1820, and then came to Stark Co., and 
and settled in Tuscarawas Tp., where they 
resided for three years, and then removed to 
Richland Co., Ohio, where the}' resided until 
their death, his occuring in 1843, his widow 



sss 



BiOGRAPIilCAL SKETCHES: 



surviving him until 185G. In 18"?0 .J;\nios 
came to Stark Co. -with his parents; he was 
then a lail of about 11 years of age. At 14 he 
was emjiloyed as assistant shepherd by W. R. 
Dickinson, one of the most successful sto<'k- 
raisers in Northern Ohio. This occupation 
prevented his attending scliool, and to im- 
prove the time he carried books and papers 
with him and spent his sjiare moments in study. 
He soon picked up a thorough and prac- 
tical knowledge of sheep-raising, which, in af- 
ter years proved of great advantage to him, 
aiid has been largely conducive to his success. 
Proving himself to be worthy of confidence, he 
was soon given the care of a large flock, and 
for fourteen years from the time of his engage- 
ment as assistant shepherd, he remained in 
the business, in the employ of Mr. W. R. 
Dickinson, and Mr. Adam Hildenbrand. 
During this time he had accumulated some 
capital, and in 1836 bought 320 acres of land 
in Jackson Tp., Stark Co., selling the same 
six months after at an advance of $2, 700. He 
then bought 100 acres of the farm where he 
now resides, and soon after added to it 200 
acres more, the whole of which now comprises 
one of the finest improved places in Plain Tp. 
The stock of shi'cp owned by Mr. W. R. 
Dickinson, were of the original Spanish im- 
portation, made by Col. Humphre}' in 1802. 
When Mr. Adam Hildenbrand became owner 
of these flocks, Mr. McDowell took charge of 
them for him, and when he quit the employ of 
Mr. Hildenbrand, he purchased and placed 
upon his new farm some of the finest pure 
bloods of the flock; and though since then he 
has usually kept a flock of from four to five 
hundred head, his aim and object has been to 
keep fine, pure-blooded stock rather than an 
extensive flock of an inferior bree d. His 
name and reputation as a breeder of fine 
sheep is the best proof of his success. He 
took an early and active part in political afi'airs, 
espousing the cause of the Republican party 
upon its organization ; he has remained firm 
in adhering to the principles of his faith. He 
early took an active part in the advancement 
of the schools of Plain Tp., and their success 
in later years has well repaid his efi'orts, not 
only in the advantages derived by his own 
children, but in the satisfaction of having aid- 
ed in placing Plain Tp., among the first in 
the county in her school sj'stem. In 1874 he 



joined in the o-'-mizntion of the Farmers' 
Bank, of Canton, iti ^^!lioll he is a stockholder, 
and one of the directors. His son, Thomas 
C, has been cashier of this linnk since 1874. 
In 1835, he was married to E'iza, daugiiter 
of Michael Hildenbrand, of Jackson Tji., who 
was prominent among the early pioi.esrs of 
the county. Mrs. McDowell's death occurred 
in 1867, "in her 55th year. Mr. McDowell 
still resides on the old home farm, which 
long years of pride and good management 
have made a beautiful country home, and in 
which he is jieacefuUv and oonlenl<^i!ly enjoy- 
ing the fruits of his early economy and in- 
dustry. 

JACOB S. MILLER, farmer; P. O. Cairo; 
is a son of Henry and Julia A. Miller, who 
were natives of Lancaster Co., Pa., and came 
to Stark Co. in 1820, and settled on a f:*rm in 
Lake Tp., where Mr. Miller was engaged in 
farming and working at his trade, it being 
that of a stone-mason. After remaining in 
Lake Tp. ten 3'ears, he removed to Portage 
Co., where he died. He was twice married; 
his widow lived until 1877. Jacob S., our 
subject, was born in Lake Tp., Stark Co., O., 
in 1840. He obtained a common school edu- 
cation, and when 15 years of age began learn- 
ing the carpenter's trade, working at the same 
for five years, after which he went to farming, 
and has been engaged in farming up to the 
present time. In 1880 he erected a saw-mill 
on his farm, and has been engaged in sawing 
in connection with farming. In 1860 he was 
vmited in marriage to Elizabeth, daughter of 
J. H. Bair, of Plain Tp., and from that mar- 
riage there were ten children, all of whom are 
living at home. Mr. and Mrs. Miller are 
members of the German Reformed Church. 

SOLOMON M. MILLER, distiller; P. O. 
Cairo; is a son of Abiaham Miller, who was a 
native of Huntington Co., Pa., where he was 
engaged in farming. In 1812 he came to Ohio, 
and settled in Plain Tp., on 160 acres of land. 
He was one of the first officers of Plain Tp. 
He continued farming u]i to the time of his 
death. Solomon, our subject, was born in 
Plain Tp., Sept. 23, 1832. He lived at home 
on the farm until he was 25 years of age. 
He then took charge of his father's farm, and 
four years after he bought 80 acres, where he 
has lived ever since. In 1850 he engaged in 
the distilling business, and has been engaged 



r 



.t 



PLAIN TOWNSHIP. 



889 



in the same up to the present time. He has 
been very successful in his business pursuits. 
He now owns 180 acres of valuable land, and 
the Summer Hotel at Congress Lake. In 
1847 he was married to Eliza Bishop, of Lake 
Tp., who died in 18G3, leaving three child- 
ren, viz: — L. Artilda, wife of William "Wise; 
Jemima, wife of George Lamberson, of Sum- 
mit Co., and Nathaniel, at home. In 1872 ho 
married Ilcttie, the widow of John Gebble, of 
Plain Tp. 

J. S. -MILLER, farmer; P. O. Cairo ; is a 
son of Henry and Julia A. Miller, who were 
natives of Lancaster Co., Pa., where Henry 
worked at the stone-mason's trade. In the 
year 1820 he caine to Ohio, settling on a small 
farm in Plain Tp., this Co., where he lived ten 
years, then removing to Lake Tp., where he 
remained about the same length of time. He 
then removed to Randolph, Portage Co., 
where he died at the age of 54 years. He was 
twice married, J. S. being the third in a fam- 
ily of five children, born of the last marriage. 
Our subject was born in Lake Tp., Stark Co., 
April 10, 1840; his childhood was spent on the 
farm, where he received a common school ed- 
ucation, and at the age of 15 years was ap- 
prenticed to the carpenter's trade, and worked 
five years at the same after serving his appren- 
ticeship. In 1800 he purcluised a farm of 70 
acres, where he had lived for several years pre- 
vious to the purchase. Mr. Miller has been 
engaged in the saw-Mill business, and had fol- 
lowed threshing for twenty years. In 1800 he 
was united in marriage to Miss Elizebeth, 
daughter of J. H. Bair. From that marriage 
there have been ten children born, all living 
at home. Mr. and Mrs. Miller are members 
of the German Reformed Church. 

CHARLES MARTIN, rope-maker and far- 
mer; P. O. Canton ; is a son of George and Cath- 
arine (Kroft) Martin, who were natives of Lan- 
caster Co.. Pa., where George was engaged in 
rop( -makinir up to the time of his death. He 
was a soldier in the war of 1812, serving 
manfully throughout the war. He died in 
1824, aged 00 years; his widow survived him 
several years. They were the parents of 
eight children, Charles, our subject being the 
youngest. He was born in Lancaster Co., 
Pa., July 20, 1823. He lived with his wid- 
owed mother until he was 10 years old; he 
then left home for the purpose of learning the 



printer's trade, at which he worked a short 
time, and then learned the rope-maker's trade, 
and has worked at the same ever since in 
Stark Co., as his mother moved here in 1831. 
He has been very successful at his trade, and 
has accumulated a handsome recompense for 
his diligent working. In 1872 he bought 
and settled on 83 acres of valuable land two 
miles north of Canton, and has remained there 
ever since. In 1844 he was united in marriage 
to Delilah, daughter of John Smith, of Stark 
Co. From that marriage there have been five 
children, two of whom are living — William 
and Mary. Mr. Martin has alwaj's been iden- 
tifie<l with the Democratic party. 

WILLIAM J. MATHIE, farmer; P. O. 
New Berlin. Peter and Susan Mathic, the 
parents of our subject, were natives of Paris, 
France, and came to Stark Co., O., at an 
early day. Upon their arrival in Stark Co., 
they purchased a farm in Plain Tp., and there 
lived until 1853, removing at that time to 
Lawrence Tp., this county, where they settled 
on a farm, and there remained until he died. 
His father was one of the soldiers of the great 
Napoleon, and fought in the battles in which 
Napoleon figured so conspicuously. William 
J., our subject, was born in Stark Co., O., .Ian. 
31, 1841, his youth being siient on the farm, 
where he remained until he was 24 years of 
age, when he left home and began life for 
himself, first engaging in farming and thresh- 
ing, which he followed for several years. In 
1873 he purchased 108 acres of well improved 
land, where he still resides. In 1805 he was 
united in marriage to Eliza Hershey, a native 
of Pennsylvania. From that union there have 
been born seven children, three of whom are 
living, viz.: Enos, Clara and Eva G.; Olivia, 
.Jesse, Emma and Viola, are the names of the 
ones deceased. Mr. Mathie is a Democrat, 
and has held many offices of trust with the 
best of satis!'aetIon. 

M. T. MEYER, farmer; P. O. Canton ; is 
a son of Juilge S. Meyer, of Canton, whose 
sketch appears in this work. Our subject was 
born in Canton in April, 1842 ; he received 
his educati'in in the Union schools of that 
city and Bacon's C( mnvrcial College. In 
April, 1801, he enlisted in Co. F, 4th Regi- 
ment, O. V. 1., as a private, and in October 
of the same year he was promoted to First 
Lieutenant of Co. I, 64th Regiment, O. V. I., 



^ 



S2: 



,k 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



by Gov. Deiinison, holding that position 
for two years, and was in many fierce engage- 
ments. He resigned his commission and re- 
turned home, and worked for five years in 
the Aultman, Miller & Co. works of that city. 
In 1872 he settled on a farm of 108 acres, 
where he now resides. In 1867 he was united 
in marriage to Lucinda, daughter of William 
Williams, of Canton, and from that marriage 
there have been born three children. Mr. 
Meyer has always been identified with the 
Rejiublican partv. 

OBED OBEKLIN, farmer; P. O. Middh^ 
Branch; is a son of John and Susan (Sharp) 
Oberlin, who were natives of I,aiicaster Co., 
Pa., where they were engaged in farming. 
Obed was born in Lancaster Co., Pa., in 1828, 
wliere he sjient his childhood, roeoiving a 
common school education, and in 1853 came 
to Ohio, settling on a farm in Plain Tp., and 
after running this farm a few years, he re- 
moved to Green Tp., Summit Co., and there 
remained three years. He returned to Plain 
Tp., and purchased the Grist mill known as 
the Centre Mill, and for nine years he was 
engaged in the milling business. In 1866 he 
bought and settled on a farm of 150 acres, 
where he still lives. In 1850 he married Cath- 
arine Smith, who bore him eleven children. 
Mr. and Mrs. Oberlin are members of the Luth- 
eran Church. In politics he is a Republican, 
and has always voted the Republican ticket. 

ANDREW PONTIUS, farmer; P. O. Can- 
ton; whose portrait appears in this history as 
a representative of Plain Tp.'s leading citi- 
zens, is a son of Jacob and Rebecca (Essig) 
Pontius, who were natives of the Keystone 
State. Jacob was born in Union Co., and in 
1816 he came to Stark Co., with his parents, 
who settled in Plain Tp. He obtained his ed- 
ucation in the common schools, and was en- 
g-aged in farming up to the time of his death. 
His widow survives him, and is living with 
her son, Andrew Pontius, in Plain Tp. They 
were the parents of three children, our subject 
being the second. He was born in Plain Tp., 
Stark Co., Ohio, Aug. 23, 1829. At the age 
of 3 years his father died, and his early train- 
ing and education was dependent on his 
mother and grandfather. He lived with the 
latter until ho was 20 years of age, and one 
year later he settled on a farm, where he lived 
until 1881, when he purchased the Monnin 



farm, now known by the name of Mt. Ver- 
non farm, which he has imp-oved extensively 
since the purchase. Mr. Pontius is a man 
who by honesty and integrity has become one 
of Staik Co.'s foremost men. He was Deputy 
Treasurer of the County for several years; 
President of the Agricultural Society for 4 
years, and much of the prosperity of the so- 
ciety is due to his energy and push. He has 
also been Justice of the Peace for 15 years. In 
1850 he was united in marriage to Sarah J. Cor- 
rell of Plain Tp. From that marriage there 
has been seven chililren, as follows: Lorin W., 
.Jackson W., Glancy C, Lucy M., Chas. A., 
Willie J., and Rebecca E. Mr. and Mrs. 
Pontius are consistent members of the Luther- 
an Chui'ch. 

JOHN PONTIUS, farmer, P. O. Canton. 
The subject of this sketch, whose portrait ap- 
pears in this work as a repres ntative of Plain 
Tp., was born in Plain Tp., Stark Co., Ohio, 
in August, 1827, and is the oldest of a family 
of three children, born to Jacob and Rebecca 
(Essig) Pontius, who were natives of the State 
of Pennsylvania, and settled in Plain Tp. while 
it was a wilderness. Jacob, who was the 
youngest of a family of four children born 
to Frederick and Margaret Pontius, came to 
Plain Tp. in 1816; his life was that of a 
farmer, and he underwent many hardships 
and privations incident to pioneer life. He 
was married to Rebecca Essig in 1S25, and 
died in 1833 at the age of 30 years; his widow 
still survives him and is living with her son, 
Andrew Pontius. Our subject's early life 
was sjjent on the farm where ho remained 
until he was married. He received a com- 
mon school education and farmed the old 
homestead for one year, tlien purchased the 
143 acres he now lives on and has remained 
there since. In 1880 he purchased 80 acres 
of land of the Connotton Ry. Co., situated 
on the railroad in the northeastern |>art of the 
township, and at once coipmcnced dividing it 
into village lots. It was -iven the name of 
Middle Branch, the post office being removed 
there from the place where it was located for 
many years. During this short period 
Mr. Pontius has been the cause of its rapid 
building up and settlement. In 1865 he was 
united in marriage to Elmira, daughter of 
Henrv Firestone; from that marriage there 
has been three children. 



-^^ 



PLAIN TOWNSHIP. 



PETER PIEHSOX, merchant; New Ber- 
lin; is a soil (if Potpr and Catlmrine Pierson, 
who wrre natives of the province of Hip:h 
Rhine, Franco, and camn to America in IS'28, 
and settled in Jackson Tp. Previous to com- 
ing to this country, the father of our subject 
followed the trade of a weaver. He served 
under Napoleon in the fierci^st of his battles 
in Spain and Germany. Pie settled on 100 
acres of land in .Jackson Tp., where he lived 
until 1857, when he was removed by death 
from the mid^t of man\' friends. He loved 
his adopted countrv and its institutions; he 
was an honest, uprio-lit citizen, a kind husband 
and a lovins father, and bv liis death a true 
Christian man wa.s removed, at the .qge of 69 
years. Peter Pierson, .Jr., the subject of this 
sketch, was born in France, February, 1S18. 
At the age of 10 years he came to Ohio with 
his parents, and remained at home on the 
farm until ho was 30 years of age, when he, 
in company with his brother, erected a 
small brewery on their father's farm, and was 
engaged in the brewing business for two 
years. They lost all by fire, and soon after 
re-built and conducted the Iiusiness until 1849 
or 1850, when he came to New Berlin, and en- 
gaged in the mercantile business, being en- 
gaged in the same up to th<! present time. 
In 1880, he in company with his son Joseph 
Pierson, established a lumber trade, and is 
engaged in the same at present. In 1847, 
he was united in marriage to Catharine Donz, 

who bore him four children, as follows: 

Peter L., Joseph A., Mary, wife of Urias 
Ream, and Edward H. Mr. and Mrs. Pier- 
s<m are devout members of the Catholic 
Church. The second son, Jos(>ph A., was in 
1878 appointed to take charge of one of the 
wards in the Insane Asylum at Newburgh; 
after romiining there about one and one-half 
years he resigned his position. Soon after his 
return home he was engaged by the officers 
of the Longview Asylum at Cincinnati; after 
remaining there a short time he was promot- 
ed to another position, which he filled with the 
best of satisfaction. He resigned the posi- 
tion on account of ill health. He is now en- 
gaged in the lumber business in company 
with his father. 

EZRA PEPPLE, farmer; P. O. New Berlin ; 
was born near Ilagerstown, Md., Aug. 8, 1810. 
His father, William Pepple, was a native of 



the same place, where in his early manhood he 
worked at the carpenter's trade. In 1825 he 
came to Plain Tp., and lived on rented farms 
for several j-ears. He then purchased a farm 
in Washington Tp., and there remained sev- 
eral j'ears, afterward removing to New Ber- 
lin, and thence to Williams county, where he 
died. There were nine children in the fam- 
ily, our subject being the third. Hi' obtained 
his education in the common schools, and in 
1835 came to Plain Tp., with his jiarents, and 
lived with them on the farm until he was 31 
years of nge. He worked at the carpenter's 
trade for ten years, and then purchased 50 
acres of land in Plain Tp., which he infreascd 
to 70 acres. In 1834 he was married to Cath- 
arine Wartf iiberger, who was a native of 
Stark Co. From that marriage there were 
two children — Lydia, wife of George Donner; 
and Susan, wife of Eli Shook, of Knlamazoo 
Co.. Mich. Mr. Pe]i|>le has always voted 
with the Demooratic ])arty. 

DANIEL PAULUS, farmer; P. O. Canton; 
is a son of Jacob and Annie (Broughor) Pau- 
lus, who were natives of the Keystone State. 
Jacob was a blacksmith by trade, and worked 
at the same in .lackson Tp., this county, un- 
til old age prevented him. He then worked 
at the gunsmith's trade for several years, and 
being a superior mechanic he was never idle. 
He is still living in Jackson Tp. Daniel, our 
subject, was born in Jackson Tp., Stark Co., 
Ohio, .Ian. 37, 1835. His childhood was spent 
at home on the farm, where he remained until 
he was 34 years of age, receiving in the mean- 
time a common school education in the schools 
of Jackson Tp. In 180 T he purchased the 
farm he now lives on, consisting of 81 acres. 
Mr. Paulus is a man with a character that has 
made him friends. He was ordained a preach- 
er in the Church of Christ some years ago, and 
has filled his position and calling with the best 
of satisfaction. In 1857 he married Miss 
Mary A. Hoover, who bore him ten children, 
nine of whom arc living, viz.: Amanda, An- 
nie, Monroe, Sarah, Ellen, Mary, Nathaniel, 
.lacob, and Isaac. 

PETER PONTIUS, farmer; P. 0. Canton; 
is a son of Frederick and Anna (Morget) 
Pontius, who were natives of Union Co., Pa., 
where Freilerick \vas cmgaged in farming. In 
1816 he came to Stark Co., settling on a farm 
in Marlborough Tp., of 160 acres, where he 



■^ 



f 



~e ^ 



:^i 



892 



BIOGPvAPIlICAL SKETCHES: 



lived uutil his death, which ouourred in 18C0, 
at the age (if 80 years. Petor, the subject of 
this sketch, was born in Union Co., Pa., Aug-. 
13, ISOl. His chihlhood was spent at home 
on the farm, he obt:'.iiiing a fair education in 
the scliools of his neighiiorliood, and wlicn he 
was 10 years of age came to Stark Co. with 
his parents. He lived at home until he was 
28 years of age, and then settled on the fann 
he now lives upon, and has remained there 
over since. Mr. Pontius has accumulated a 
handsome fortune by his industry and eco- 
nomical habits. In 1828 he was united in 
marriage to Catharine Essig, who bore him 
seven children, of whom the following are 
living, viz: Emanuel; Maria, now Mrs. Dan- 
iel Bftler, of Portage Co., and Andi-ew. Mr. 
and Mrs. Pontius are members of the Presby- 
terian Church, and are highly respected by 
their neighbors and acquaintances for their 
charitable disposition. 

GEORGE PHILLIPS, farmer; P. O. Mid- 
dle Branch; is a son of Jacob and Elizabeth 
Phillips, natives of Adams Co., Pa., where 
they were engaged in farming. George was 
born in Adams Co., Pa., Dec. 28, 1812. He 
received a common school e.hication, and at 
the age of 18 years was apprenticed to a 
blacksmith to learn the trade, serving an ap- 
prenticeship of three years. In 18oo he came 
to Canton, and after working as journeyman 
for two years, he started in business for him- 
self, and continued it until 1856, meeting with 
good success. In 1850 he purchased the 
farm he now lives on, consisting of 173 acres 
well-improved laiul in the northern part of 
Plain Tp. In 1830 he was united in marriage 
to Eliza liininger, of Canton, and from that 
marriage there were eight children, s?even of 
whom are living, Elizabeth, Henry E., Mi- 
randa, Charles, Letta, IMary, Ella, and 
George E. Mrs. Phillips is a memlier of the 
Lutheran Church, and Mr. Phillips of the 
Presbyterian. He has always been identified 
with the Republican partv. 

SAMUEL REESE, farmer; P. O. Canton. 
John and Haimah Reese, the parents of our 
subject, were natives of Maryland; but re- 
moved to Franklin Co., Pa.; after sojourning 
there a few j'cars he (John) came to Stark Co., 
O., and upon his arrival in 1814, bought a 
farm and lived on the same up to the time of 
his death. He was a soldier in the Revolu- 



tionary war, and at the time of his death had 
reached his 73d year; his widow survived 
him until 1853, dying at the ripe age of 83 
years. They wore the parents of eleven 
children, our subject being the youngest. He 
was Ijorn in Plain Tp., Stark Co., O., Aug. 20, 
1810. His childhood was spent on the farm, 
and at the age of 18 he took charge of tlie 
homestead, and then purchased 100 acres of 
wood-land, clearing the same in four j-ears 
time; but sold it, and bought another farm 
where ho lived several yea:rs, when he bouglit 
and removed to the one he now occupies, 
now owning 564 acres of well improved land. 
In 1840 he married Mary Lesh, of Nimishil- 
len Tp., who bore him the following children: 
Mar}', Hannah, Amanda, Lydia, Sarah, Em- 
ma, Ellen, Lucetta, William and Laura. Mr. 
and Mrs. Reese are members of the Evangel- 
ical Association, uniting with the same body 
over 30 years ago. Mr. Reese has always 
voted the Republican ticket, has been very 
successful in life, and owes his success to his 
honesty, industrv and economy. 

SAMUEL RINGER, farmer ; P. O. Mid- 
dle Branch ; was born in Stark Co., O., Ajjril 
1824, being the seventh in a family of twelve 
children born to John and Catharine Ringer, 
who were natives of the Keystone State. 
John Ringer came to Stark Co. in 1802, in 
company with his father, and entered about 
1300 acres of land in Stark and Wayne Cos. 
They made the journey on foot, and subsisted 
on the game they killed. They returned to 
Pennsylvania, where John lived until 180G, 
when he returned to Stark Co., and in the 
dense forest in the west part of Nimishillen 
Tp. he settled. He was yet a single man, 
and for two years lived a solitary life in his 
little log cabin. In 1808 he went to Pennsyl- 
vania, and was there married to Catharine 
Truby, they returning to his new home imme- 
diately. He was a soldier in the war of 1812, 
and the first Constable of Stark Co. He was 
engaged in farming up to the time of his 
death. Sanuiel's early life was spent on the 
farm, and he received his education in the 
common sciiools of his neighborhood ; he 
lived with his parents until he was 31 years 
of age, then bought 80 acres of the old home- 
stead, and has lived on the same up to the 
present time. He now owns 245 acres of 
well improved land, and has by his industry 






PLAIN TOWNSHIP. 



893 



and economical habits become one of the 
wealthiest fanners in the township. In 1853 
he was united in marriage to Marj*, daugiiter 
of Adam Zentz, of Stark Co., and from that 
marriage there have been born thirteen child- 
ren, eleven of whom are living. Mr. and 
Mrs. Ringer are members of the Lutheran 
Church. 

JACOB RUPERD, farmer; P. O. Canton. 
The subject of these lines was born in Adams 
Co., Pa., June 19, 18^0. His youth was 
spent on the farm, and at the age of 9 years 
he came to Stark Co. He there began to 
work for Samuel Lind, of Plain Tp., for whom 
he worked ten years. During this time his 
education was neglected, but as soon as he 
had accumulated sufficient means to enable 
him to prosecute his studies, he attended the 
Academy at Canton, where he remained some- 
time, and acquired a knowledge sufficient to 
enable him to teach school, which vocation 
he followed for several years. He then en- 
gaged with a merchant in Shelby, O., to sell 
goods, with whom he remained two years. 
Ho returned to Plain Tp. and worked on a 
farm for a short time; then rented a farm, 
and at the time of his father-in-law's death, 
he purchased 100 acres of the old Gaff farm, 
and has lived on the same up to the present 
time. In 1848 he was united in marriage to 
Elizabeth, daughter of John and Hannah 
Gaff, who were among the early settlers of 
Plain Tp. From that marriage there have 
been six children, five of whom are living. 
Mr. and Mrs. Ruperd are consistent members 
of the M. E. Church. He has always been 
identified witli tiie Republican party. 

SAMUEL RUFFNER, farmer; P. O. Can- 
ton. The subject of these few lines was born 
in Plain Tp., Stark Co., January 2t!, 18o0, and 
is the only son born to Samuel and Delilah 
Ruffner, who were natives of Pennsylvania, 
and came to Stark Co., at an early date. Our 
subject remembers nothing of his father, as 
he was but 13 months old when that parent 
died. His widowed mother removed to Can- 
ton where she lived two years. She then 
married George Ecker of that city, and soon 
after removed to Pike Tp., wliere our sul)ject 
spent his youthful days, remaining there 
until he was 27 years of age, when he 
moved on the farm he now occupies, inher- 
iting the same from his father's estate. In 



186-i he enlisted in Co. E. 104th Regiment 
O. N. G. and served until the close of the 
war, when he returned, and has remained on 
the farm ever since. In 1857, he was united 
in marriage to a lady in Pike Tp., who died 
in 1800. In 18CS, he married for his second 
wife, Malinda, davighter of Samuel Essig, of 
Canton; from that marriage there have been 
two children. Mr. Rulfnor has always voted 
the Republican ticket. 

HENRY REAM, farmer; P. O. Canton; 
this gentleman is tlie youngest in a family of 
twelve children, born to Phillip and Mary 
(Aultman) Ream, his birth occurring Sept. 
'iS, 1823, in Canton, Stark Co., O.; his youth 
was spent on the farm, receiving a common 
school education in tiie schools of his neigh- 
borhood. In 1846, he began farming the old 
homestead, and there remained three years. 
In 1852, ho purciiased SI acres where he now 
resides. Mr. Ream has been an auctioneer 
for over thirty years. In 1846, he was united 
in marriage to Anna, daughter of Adam Ober- 
lin, and from that marriage there have been 
born nine children, six of whom are liv- 
ing — .losiah W., Ellen, Edwin, Eunice, Ma- 
nias I)., and Charles W. Mr. and Mrs. Ream, 
are members of the Reformed Church. Tlie 
))arents of our subject were natives of West- 
moreland Co., Pa., where Phillip was engaged 
in farming. In 1806, he came to Ohio, set- 
tling in Columbiana Co., where he remained 
one year; he then came to Canton Tp., set- 
tling on a farm where he lived until a short 
time before his death, which occurred in 1S.")1, 
at the age of 83 3-ears; his widow died in 
1852, at the age of 70 years. 

AMOS REEMSNYDER, farmer; P. O. 
Now Berlin; is a son of Daniel and Barbara 
(Hower) Reemsnj'der, who were natives of 
Lancaster Co., Pa. When Daniel was but 
15 3-ears of age his parents came to Ohio, set- 
tling in Plain Tp., where he worked on the 
farm until Ik; became of age, when he began 
to work at the carpenter's trade. He workeil 
for several years at his trade, when he began 
the undertaking business at New Berlin, be- 
ing engaged in the same up to the time of his 
death. His third son Elias I)., who now car- 
ries on the* business, was born in Plain Tp., 
in 1857, and at an early age began the car- 
penter's trade. He has worked at his trade 
in that section of the country with good suc- 



-oi ^ 



cess. Amos A., was born in Plain Tp., in 
1851; he remained at home until he was of 
age, and worked at the carpenter's trade for 
three years, then purchased part of the old 
homestead where he new lives, owning 70 
acres of valuable land. In 1873 he was mar- 
ried to Susan, daughter of John Mohler of 
Plain Tp. 

W. B. REED, Ijrick manufacturer and 
farmer; P. O. Canton; is the fourth in a fam- 
ily of nine children, born to William and 
Sarah Reed, who were natives of Berks Co., 
Pa., and who in 1835 came to Stark Co., set- 
tling at Waynesburgh. Our subject was born 
in Berks Co., Pa., in 1825, and in 1835 came 
to Ohio with his parents, with whom he lived 
until he was 18 years old. He received his 
education in the common schools of his neigh- 
borhood, and at the age of 18 began working 
in a brick-yard, where he remained seven 
years. In 1850 be started in business for 
himself in Canton Tp., and in 1873 he leased 
the " Smith " yard, where he is still engaged, 
and makes a quality of brick which he dis- 
poses of easily. In 1849 ho was united in 
marriage to Eliza, daughter of George Wil- 
liams, of Wayne Co., and from that union 
there have been born four children. Mr. Reed 
is a member of Lodge No. 39, I. O. O. F., and 
a Republican in politics. 

FRANK SCHILTZ, stock-raiser and butch- 
er ; P. O. New Berlin ; is a son of J. N. and 
Apalonia (Hoffman) Schiltz, and was b(jrn in 
New Berlin Jan. 30. 1841. His father was a 
native of Belgium, where he worked at shoe- 
making for several years. About the age of 
23 he came to Stark Co., and, after working 
at his trade a short time, he went to Pennsyl- 
vania, and not being satisfied with his loca- 
tion, he returned to New Berlin, where he 
was engaged in business up to the time of his 
death. He was the father of seven children, 
our subject being the oldest. His A^outh was 
spent at home, and after receiving a liberal 
education, went to work in his father's shop, 
and there worked until he was 17 years of 
age ; but not being satisfied with the trade, 
he went to work on a farm, and was there en- 
gaged for three years. At the organization 
of Co. A, 19th Regiment, O. V. I., he enlist- 
ed, serving in the same companv throusfh 
many engagements. At th.e battle of Stone 
River he was shot through the lungs, and was 



offered his discharge, but declined, and was 
sent to the hospital, and a short time after- 
ward returned to his comjiany. At the close 
of the war he returned to New Berlin, where 
he established a meat market, and has ever 
since been engaged in that business. In 1868 
he began buying and shipping stock, which 
business he has continued up to the present 
time. In 1860 he was united in marriage to 
Mary A., daughter of Michael Bitzer, whose 
sketch apnears in this work. From that mar- 
riage there have been five children, four of 
whom are now living. Mr. Schiltz has always 
voted with the Republican party. 

HIRAM SCHICK, retired farmer; P. O. 
New Berlin; is the third of a family of nine 
children born to Peter and Susan (Palmer) 
Schick. Peter was born in Washington Co., 
Pa., and came to Ohio with his parents in 
1809. He learned the tailor's trade, and was 
the first tailor in Plain Tp., and by his indus- 
try and economy he accumulated means suflS- 
cient to enable him to put a small stock of 
goods in his tailor shop. He was the first 
merchant in the township, and after being 
engaged in the business for several years, he 
removed to Smithville, Wayne Co., O., where 
he continued the same business. Thence 
went to Plain Tp., this county, where ho died 
in 1876. He was twice married; first to 
Susan Palmer of Jackson Tp., whose parents 
were the first white family in the township. 
Our subject was born in New Berlin, Stark 
Co., O., Dec. 39, 1833, his childhood being- 
spent on the faim, where he remained until 
he was 24 years of age. He then engaged in 
farming, and has continued in the same up to 
the present time, now owning 105 acres of 
valuable land. In 1858 he was united in 
marriage to Margaret, daughter of Daniel 
Winger, of Lancaster Co., Pa. From that 
marriage there have been three children, viz.: 
— John W., William P., and Wilton. Mr. 
and Mrs. Schick are members of the Disci- 
ples' Church. He has always voted the Re- 
publican ticket. Mr. Schick, the postmaster 
of Now Berlin, and William Schick, now 
manager of D. F. Huntsberger's store, of 
Uniontown, O., are brothers of our subject. 

JACOB SHENABARGER, retired; New 
Berlin. Among the early settlers of Plain 
Tp., is the Shenabarger family, who settled 
there in 1806. Jacob, the grandfather of our 



PLAIN TOWNSHIP. 



8'JJ 



subject, was born in Lower Alsace, Germany, 
and came to Cumberland Co., Pa., previous to 
1S(H), and there worked in mills and on a 
small farm until 1806, when lie came to Phiin 
Tp., settling in the woods two miles northeast 
of Canton, where he cleared a farm and lived 
on the same up to the time of his death. 
.John Shenabarger, the father of our subject, 
was born in Cuinherlaii<l Co., Pa., in 1791; 
came to Ohio with his parents in 1806, and 
assisted his father in clearing the land they 
settled ujjon. He lived at home up to the 
time of his father's death, and th(>n purchased 
the farm now owned by Jacob. He died in 
1862, at the age of 71 years. Jacob was born 
in Plain Tp., Nov. 2'i, 1817; his education 
was obtained in the common schools, and he 
lived at home until his father died, when he 
took charge of the homestead, purchasing the 
interest of the remaining heirs. He contin- 
ued farming for several years, and in 1877 
purchased the farm known as the Harter 
farm, now owning 'Z'Zi acres of well improved 
land, and a handsome property in New Ber- 
lin, whore he lives. Nov. 8, 1877, he was 
united in marriage to Rebecca, widow of Ed- 
ward Breen. Mr. Shcnabarger has through 
industry and economy, accumulated consider- 
able property. He has always voted with 
the Republican party. 

U. J. SOM-MER & BRO., millers, Canton. 
Joseph Sommer, the father of our subjects, 
was a native of Germany, and for some years 
previous to his coming to America worked in 
a grist-mill. In 1840 he came to America, 
coming direct to Stark Co., O. His first work 
was in a brewery in Perry Tp. There he 
worked for a few years, when he went to But- 
ler Co., O., and worked on a farm; then re- 
turned to Stark Co., and had been engaged in 
farming there for several years. In 1869 he 
purchased what is known as the Plain Centre 
Mill, and was engaged inthe milling business 
until 1881. Mr. Sommer has been a hard-work- 
ing, honest man, and accumulated a handsome 
property, but, owing to his generous disposi- 
tion, lost much of it. He married Miss Cath- 
arine Augspurger, of Butler Co., who bore 
liiin twelve children, H. .1. being the second, 
lie was born in Perry Tp., this county, in 
1S48, and lived at home until he was 21 years 
of age, when he began learning the miller's 
trade, which he completed in 1876. He was 



then given the Superintendency of his uncle's 
brewery in Perry Tp., and continued in the 
business until 1880, when he purchasi^d the 
Plain Centre Mill in comj)any with his broth- 
er John J. In 1875 he was united in mar- 
riage to Mary C. Kropf, and from that mar- 
riage there have been two children. John J. 
is a native of Stark Co., his birth occurring 
in 1849. He h^arned the miller's trade, and 
has worked at the same from 1869 up to the 
present time, with the excei)tion of one year, 
which he spent abroad. In 1878 he was mar- 
ried to Fannie Kro])f, of Jackson Tp., who 
bore him two children. 

WILLIAM SPANGLER, farmer; P. O. 
Canton; is the second in a f..mily of ten chil- 
dren born to Joseph and Elizabeth (Koon) 
Spangler, who were natives of Adams Co., Pa., 
where Joseph was engaged in the milling 
business. In 1814 he came to Stark Co., set- 
tling in Plain Tp. He went to work in the 
old grist-mill that stood where the Plain Cen- 
tre mill now is; here he remained about 
three }'ears, then went to Summit Co., and 
took charge of a mill for five years. In 1823 
he returned to Plain Tp., and purchased 120 
acres of land where William now lives; he 
lived on the farm until he was removed by 
death. Our subject was born in Plain Tp., 
Stark Co., July 9, 1815. His childhood was 
spent on the farm where he remained until 
his father died, when he took charg- of the 
farm and lived with his widowed mother un- 
til he was 21. He then rented the farm, and 
was a renter for three j'ears; he then bought 
75 acres of it and has lived on the same ever 
since. In 1835 he married Elizabeth Lind, 
a native of Stark Co., who bore him ten chil- 
dren; those living are — .loseph, .lohn, Hiram, 
Charles, George, Murray, Elizal)eth, Harriet, 
Emma. Mr. and Mrs. Spangler are mem- 
bers of the Methodist Pjpiscopal Church. 

SAMUEL C. SHEETS, farmer; P.O. New 
Berlin; is the son of .lohn and Mary (Cass- 
ler) Sheets, who were natives of Lancaster 
Co., Pa., where John was engaged in farming. 
In 1842 he came to Stark Co., settling in | 
Plain Tp., on a farm of 107 acres, where he 
lived twenty-three years. Ho then removed 
to a small farm, where he liv(?d until 1880, 
when he removed to New Berlin, where he 
still resides. He began life a poor boy, but 
by his industry has become one of the wealth- 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



iest men in Plain Tp. Samuel C, the sub- 
ject of this sketch, was born in Lancaster 
Co., Pa., Feb. 10, 1834, and in 1842 came 
to Stark Co. He received his education in 
the schools of his neighborhood, and lived at 
home until he was 24 years of age; he was 
then given the farm he now lives on, consist- 
ing of 116 acres of valuable and well im- 
proved land. In 1860 he married Henrietta, 
daughter of Christian Brilhart, of Canton. 
From that marriiige there were two children, 
one of whom is living, namely, John. Mrs. 
Sheets is a member of the Disciples' Church. 
Mr. Sheets is a Republican, and has always 
been idiMitified with the Republican party. 

WILLIAM SMITH, farmer; P. O. Cairo; 
was liorn in York Co., Pa., in 1801, and is one 
of four children born to William and Christi- 
ana (Bucher) Smith. The father was a na- 
tive of Maryland, and the mother of York Co., 
Pa. In 1818 he (William, Sr.) came to Plain 
Tp., and settled on a rented farm, where he 
remained eight years. Having a good knowl- 
edge of surgery, he gave it his exclusive at- 
tention up to the time of his death. The 
subject of this sketch came to Ohio with his 
parents in 1818, and lived at home until he 
was 'Zl years old. He then learned the car- 
penter's trade, and worked at the same for 
twelve years after his apprenticeship was 
served; he then bouglit a farm of IGO acres, 
where he now resides, and has lived on the 
same ever since. In 1837 he married Mary 
Christ of Lake Tp. From that marriage there 
were seven children, five of whom are living, 
viz: — Susan, wife of P. Hate; Alfred, of Stark 
Co.; Elizabeth, wife of Jno. C. Shaffer, of 
Plain Tp.; Mary, wife of Albert Cluft, of Can- 
ton, and Allen at home. Mrs. Smith died at 
the ago of 70 years. She was an estimable 
lady, and much missed by her many friends. 
Mr. Smith is one of the oldest and most re- 
spected citizens of Plain Tp. 

BENJAMIN F. SMITH, farmer; P. O. 
Canton; is a son of George E. Smith, who 
was a native of the Ke\'Stone State, and 
oame to Stark Co. with his parents while 
young. He was apprenticed to the tanner's 
trade, and after serving his apprenticeship 
carried on the business for thirty-five years in 
Lake Tp., where he accumulated consideral)le 
money, which he invested in land, and was at 
the time of his death one of the largest land- 



holders in Stark Co. He died in 1879 at the 
age of 80 years. His widow (she who was 
Sarah Christ) is still alive. They were the 
parents of eight children, our subject being 
the fifth child, and was born in Lake Tp., 
Stark Co., O., Aug. 5, 1838. His youth was 
spent on the farm, where he lived until he 
was 23 years of age. He then bought the 
farm he now lives on, consisting of 90 acres 
of well improved land, and has worked dili- 
gently on the same until it now ranks among- 
the best in improvements, it being rented for 
thirty-two years before he purchased it. In 
1870 he married Harriet, daughter of John 
and Nancy Smith, of Canton Tp., who bore 
him three children, viz: — George E., Jessie 
May Bell, and Stella I. Mr. Smith is a Re- 
publican, and in 18f52 and 'Go fought for his 
countrv in Co. B, 11.5 Regiment, O. V. I. 

ELI SMITH, farmer; P. O. Middle Branch; 
was born in Franklin Co., Pa., January, 1815, 
being the fifth in a family of eleven children 
born to Daniel and Mary Smith, who were 
natives of the above named county. Daniel 
was a farmer, and in 1825 he came to Ohio, 
settling on a farm in Stark Co.; he cleared the 
farm and lived on the same until 1850, when he 
departed this life at the age of 82 years; his 
wife died in 1851. At an advanced age, Eli, 
the subject of this sketch, came to Plain Tp., 
when but 10 years old; he lived on the farm 
until he was 19, when he apprenticed him- 
self to the tanner's trade, which trade he has 
worked at from 1833 up to the present time. 
In 1855 he purchased 160 acres of the old 
homestead, and has remained on the same up 
to the present time. He now owns 260 acres 
of valuable land in Stark Co. In 1840 he 
united in marriage with Sarah, daughter of 
George Kreighbaum, of Stark Co. From 
that marriage there have lici-n eleven children, 
eight of whom are living — Abram, George, 
Daniel, Lewis, Frank, Harvey, Catharine and 
Mary. Mr. and Mrs. Smith are members of 
the Lutheran Church. He is a Democrat, and 
has held many offices of trust in the town- 
ship. 

HENRY SNIDER, farmer ; P. O. Canton. 
Among the early settlers of Plain Tp. were 
the parents of our subject, namely, John and 
Elizal)eth (IToltz) Snider, who were natives of 
Pennsylviinia, and came to Plain Tp. in 1810. 
They settled on the farm Henry now occuj)ies. 



*%;=^ 



PLAIN TOWNSHIP. 



it being thou a dense forest ; but witli a wil- 
ling hand and hopes of future happiness, lie 
set to work and converted it into a fine farm. '• 
He assisted in the building- of the first church 
in Plain Tp., and died in 1847. Our subject 
was born on the farm he now lives on, Oct. | 
11, 1820 ; he received a common school edu- | 
cation in the schools in his neighborhood ; he 
remained at home on the farm until he reach- 
eil manhood ; he bought 88 acres, and has 
lived on the same ever since. In 1848 he 
was united in marriage to Maria, (laughter of 
John Kun fare, of Marlborough Tp. From that 
marriage there were seven children, five of i 
whom are living, viz. — Adam, of Canton; Sa- 
rah, wife of Hiram Sell, of Plain Tp.; Henry 
A., Georg(! W. and Jacob, at home. Mr. and 
Mrs. Snid(>r are members of the German Re- 
formed Church. Mr. Snider has always voted ' 
with the Democratic party. 

E. C. SHEETS, farmer ; P. O. New Berlin; j 
is a son of Jolin Sheets, mention of whom is 
made in this work, and \vas born in Stark Co., 
O., Dec. (i, ISA"). His childhood was spent 
on the farm, where he remained until he was 
25 j'ears of age. In 1808 he settled on the i 
old homestead, consisting of 106 acres of val- 
uable land, and one of the best improved 
farms in the county. In 1SG9 he married 
r.ydia, daughter of Samuel Keese, whose i 
sketch appears in this work. From that mar- I 
riage there have been two children. In 186-4 
he enlisled in Co. E, 162d Regiment. O. V. I., 
being in the service but a shi rt time. He 
now owns 256 acres of land in St irk Co. 

J. C. TRUMP, farmer; P. O. (.'anton; is the 
oldest in a family of nine children born to P. 
P. Trumj), whos(! sketch and portrait a])pear 
in this work. Our subject was born in Plain 
Tp., Stark Co., O., in December 1824. His 
childhood was spent, like that of other farm- 
i^rs' sons, on the farm. He received his educa- t 
tion in the common schools of his neighbor- 
hood, and taught school for several terms, 
and at the age of 24 he began farming the | 
hom(!stead, where lie remained until 1864, 
where he removed to Canton, where he re- j 
uiained two years, and while there was en- 
gaged in the grocery and provision business. I 
X(it being suited with the business, he pur- 
chased in 1867, 114 acres of valuable land, , 
where he now lives. In 1848 he was united | 
in marriage to Eli/aBeth, daughter of Sam- 1 



uel Weaver, of Plain Tp. From that mar- 
riage there has been one child. 

WM. H. VINE, farmer; P.O. New Berlin; 
is a son of Jacob aiui .Margaret (Thomas) 
Vine. Jacob was a native of Lancaster Co., 
Pa., and came to Ohio with his parents in an 
early day. He learned the blacksmith's trade 
and worked at the same for twenty-three 
years in Nimishillen Tp., then purchased 85 
acres of land, and was engaged in farming 
until 1873, when he removed to Louisville, 
Stark Co.. whore he still resides. There were 
three children in the family, our suliject being 
the oldest child. He was born in Nimishil- 
len Tp., Nov. 2, 1848, and obtained his educa- 
tion in the (tommon schools, and at Mt. Union 
College. After leaving College he began 
teaching school, and has been engaged in 
school teaching up to the ])resent time, in win- 
ter seasons. He attended a musical college 
for one yenr, and has since then taught many 
terms of singing school. In 1881 he pur- 
chased 8!} acres of land in the northwest cor- 
ner of Plain Tp., where he now resides. In 
1873 he married Sarah A. Stuckey, who died 
one year later, leaving one child. In 1875 he 
married for his second wife, L\-dia Stoner, of 
Lake Tp., who bore him two children, Annie 
and .fohn. 

ELIAS T. WISE, farmer ; P. O. New Ber- 
lin ; is a son of Daniel and Elizabeth (Tom- 
baugh) Wise, who were natives of Washing- 
ton Co., Pa. Peter Wise, the grandfather of 
our subject, came to Plain Tp. in 1807, and 
entered about 1200 acres of land ; he then 
returned home, and the followinu' vear return- 
ed to Plain Tp. with his family. In 1811 
Daniel built the first grist-mill erected in 
Plain Tp., it being situated on the middle 
branch of Nimishillen creek. He exchanged 
his mill for 320 acres of land, where he lived 
u|j to the time of his death. He died in 1818, 
at the aije of 34 years, and his widow mar- 
ried, in 1824, .ludge John Hoover, of Canton, 
who was one of the most energetic and cul- 
tured men Stark Co. had. Mr. Wise, our sub- 
ject, was born in Plain Tp., at the Middle 
Branch Mill, Sept. 24, 1813 ; his youth was 
spent on the farm of his father, and he ob- 
taineil such an education as the common 
schools of that day afforded. After leaving 
school he learned the carpenter's trade, work- 
ing at the same for sixteen years, part of the 



V 






J.. 



898 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



time being in Pennsylvania. In 1847 he be- 
gan farming the old homestead of the Speel- 
man family, and after remaining there seven 
years (in 1854) he bought the farm he now 
occupies, owning now 350 acres of valuable 
land, and is considered one of the most suc- 
cessful farmers of Stark Co. In 1843 he was 
united in marriage to Margaret, daughter of 
Valentine Speelman, of Plain Tp. From that 
marriage there were four children, three of 
whom are living, viz. — Margaret, wife of Urias 
Schrantz, of Plain Tp.; J. W., at home ; and 
Henry A. Mrs. Wise died in 1850. For his 
second wife he married Catharine, daughter 
of Jacob Price, of Montgomery Co., Pa. 
From that marriage there were seven child- 
ren, three of whom are living — Elias P., at- 
tending college at Ashland ; Milton P. and 
Annie C, at home. Mr. and Mrs. Wise are 
members of the German Baptist Church. 
WILLIAM WARSHELER, farmer; P. O. 
Middle Branch; is the only son in a family 
of four children, born to Samuel and Elizabeth 
(Essig) Warsheler, whose families settled in 
Plain Tp., among the first. Samuel came to 
Plain Tp. in 1807, with his parents, he being 
then only 2 years old. His youth was spent 
at home, and when large enough to use an ax 
he was put to work to lessen the trees which 
surrounded his father's cabin, and in that 
continued for several years. At the age of 
24 years he married Elizabeth Essig, whose 
father's family settled in Plain Tp. in 1811, 
and with whom he lived until 187<s, when he 
departed this life at the age of 73 years. 
William Warsheler, the subject of this sketch, 
was born in Plain Tp., Stark Co., 0., Oct. 15, 
1835. His youth was spent, like that of all 
country boys, on the farm, and there remained 
until he was 21. He then began farming the 
homestead, where he continued until 1880, 
when he purchased the same he now owns — 
71 acres of valuable land, underlaid with coal 
and limestone — which in 1881 he began to 
operate. In 1858 he was united in marriage 
to Eliza Dine, a native of Franklin Co., Pa., 
who bore him nine children, four of whom are 
living. Mr. and Mrs. Warsheler are members 
of the Lutheran Church. 

SOLOMON WARSTLER, farmer; P. O. 
Cairo; is a son of George and Mary (Freeze) 
Warstler, who were natives of Hagerstown, 
Md., and came to Ohio about 1802, settling 



in Plain Tp. They were among the very 
first families in the township. The father 
learned the blacksmith's trade and worked at 
the same for several years. He then settled 
on a farm and at the time of his death owned 
about 800 acres of land in Plain Tp. He do- 
nated the land upon which the Warstler 
Church is built and was one of the organi- 
zers of the same. Our subject was born in 
Plain Tp., July 27, 1808, and spent his youth- 
ful days on the farm where he remained un- 
til he was 13 years of age ; he then began 
teaming for his father, • hauling goods from 
Pittsburgh, Pa., to Cleveland O. At the age 
of 21 he purchased the farm he now lives on, 
and has remained on the same ever since, 
with the exceptions of fifteen years he lived 
on the homestead, and six years in New Ber- 
lin. He now owns 180 acres of valuable land 
in the northern part of the township. In 
1829 he married Hannah Platner, who bore 
him two children, one of whom is living — 
Sarah, wife of William Bachtel. Mr. and 
Mrs. Warstler are members of the Presbyte- 
rian Church. 

A. M. WISE, farmer; P.O. Middle Branch; 
was born in Washington Co., Pa., in 1833. 
His early life was spent at home on the farm, 
and he obtained his education in the common 
schools and the academy of his native town. 
At the age of 23 years he came to Ohio, set- 
tling in Delaware Co., where he remained 
but one year, when he removed to Stark Co., 
settling on a farm in Plain Tp., where he has 
since resided. His farm contains 144 acres of 
valuable land, upon which he has been en- 
gaged in slieep-raising extensively, since com- 
ing to the county. In 1856 he was united in 
marriage to Phoebe C, daughter of Adam 
Wise, of Canton. This lady died in 1872, 
leaving five children. In February, 1873, he 
married for his second wife, Lydia Archer, of 
Canton, who bore him three children. Mr. 
Wise is a member of the M. E. Church of 
Canton. His father, Solomon Wise, was a 
native of Washington Co., Pa., where he was 
engaged in farming and the distilling busi- 
ness. In 1858 he sold his interests in his na- 
tive county, and removed to Marshall Co., 
III., and engaged in the mercantile business, 
which he followed for several years. He then 
purchased a farm where he lived up to the 
time of his death. 



PLAIN TOWNSHIP. 



DANIEL WARSTLER, retired; P. O. 
Canton. Is a soil of Christian and Barbara 
(Bair) Warstier, who were natives of Adams 
Co., Pa., where Christian was enffaii'ed in 
farmiriij. In 1803 he left his native town in 
Pennsj'lvania for tlie purpose of making a new 
home ill the far West (as it was so considered 
in those days). He settled in Columbiana Co., 
O., where lie remained until 1807, when ho 
came to Plain Tp. and purchased a farm of 
^50 acres, now owned by our suV)ject, situatc^d 
near the church which bears his name. He 
was thrice married; first to the above named 
ladv, then to Elizabeth Schaffer, the third 
bcin,£r a Mrs. Dake. He died Dec. 26, 1858, 
at the ripe as^e of 89 years. The subject of 
these few lines was born in Columbiana Co., O., 
Sept. 24, 1804, and in 1807 came to Plain Tp. 
with his parents. He lived on the farm they 
settled on until 1875, when he retired from 
farming, and is nov living a retired life. In 
1831 he married Catharine Lmd, who bore 
him eleven children, eight of whom arc living, 
viz: — Isaac, John, Christian, Aaron, David, 
Levi, Catharine and Daniel. Jlr. and Mrs. 
Warstier are members of the Lutheran church, 
and have been for fifty-five years. 

R. Z. WISE, farmer and county surveyor; 
P. O. Middle Branch; is a son of Peter" M., 
and Catharine Wise. The mother was a na- 
tive of Cumberland Co., Pa., and Peter M., 
was born in Washington Co., Pa., where he 
was engaged in farming with his parents, and 
came to Ohio in 1811; he soon after returned, 
anil in 1819, settled on a farm in tlie north- 
east corner of Plain Tp., where he lived up 
to the time of his death. In 1836 he repre- 
sented the district, including Stark Co., in 
the Legislature, and was one of the most 
prominent iiien of his county; he died in 1876, 
at the age of 82 years. Our subject was born 
in Plain Tp , Stark Co.. O.. Aug. 26, 1836. 
His childhood was spent on the farm, and in 
attending the common schools and the col- 
lege of Mt. Union. After completing his 
education he taught school for several 
terms, in Plain and in the adjoining town- 
ships. In 1880 he was elected surveyor of 
Stark Co., on the rejiublican ticket. In 1860 
he was united in marriage to Lydia, daughter 
of Benjamin Gans, of Lake Tp. Mrs. Wise 
died in 1877 leaving five children. In 1879 
h • married for his second wife, Rebecca A., 



daughter of Charles and Susanna Poe, of Na- 
varre, this county. 

.JONATHAN \VARSHTLEK, farmer ; P. 
O. New Berlin; was born in Plain Tp., Stark 
Co., ill January, 1810. His j'outh was spent 
at home on the farm, where he lived until he 
liecaine of age. He received his education in 
the common schools of his neighborhood, they 
affording but pooi opportunities. At the age 
of 22 he rented a farm in Plain T])., where he 
lived but one year, and then bought a farm of 
115 acres, and has lived on the same ever 
since. In addition to attending to his farming 
duties, he worked at the carpenter's trade for 
several years. In 1833 he was married to 
Mary Hossler of Marlljorough Tj). From that 
marriage there were eleven children, four of 
whom are living, viz: — George of Clark Co., 
111., Matilda, wife of Christ Stoner, of Canton; 
Lucinda, wife of Levi Druckenbrode, and 
Cyrus. Mr. and Mrs. Warshtler are members 
of the Presbyterian Church. 

PETER C WISE miller; Middle Branch; 
was born in Holmes Co., O., in 1846. His 
parents, George and Susanna (Christ) Wise, 
were natives of Pennsylvania. Peter, our 
subject, came to Lake Tp., with his parents at 
an early date, his childhood being spent on 
the farm. At the age of 22 he apprenticed 
himself to the miller's trade, serving an ap- 
prenticeship o*" three years in the Snow Flake 
mills at Canton. He then took charge of the 
Middle Branch mill, and has remained there 
since. In 1881 he purchased the mill, and is 
now doing a good business. In 1878 he was 
married to Louise Minser, of Stark Co. Mr. 
Wise, although a young man, has excellent 
business qualifications, being one of the best 
millers in the county — a master of his trade. 

CYRUS YOUNG, farmer; P. O. Canton; 
is the third in a family of nine children born 
to Samuel and Susan ,^Fouser) Young, who 
were natives of Lancaster Co., Pa. Samuel 
Young worked at the cooper's trade in liis na- 
tive State for some time before he came to 
Summit Co., which was at an early date. Ho 
first settled in Summit Co., where he worked 
at his trade for ten or twelve years. He then 
leased a coal bank and did a successful business 
for several years, when he removed to Stark 
Co., and has remained a citizen of the same 
up to the present time. Our subject, Cyrus 
Young, was born in Lake Tp., Stark Co., O., in 



:t>- 



-%* 



9U0 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



December, 1840. His childhood was spent at 
home, receiving a common school education, 
and when large enough, was set to work in a 
coal bank. In 18G2 he enlisted in Co. B, 
115th Regiment, O. V. I.; was in many en- 
gagements, doing his duty faithfully, and at 
the close of the war returned to Plain Tp., 
and commenced farming; he also working 



for two years in the works of Aultman, Mil- 
ler & Co., of Canton. He bought a farm of 
03 acres in 1873, and has lived on the same 
since that time. In 1866 he was married to 
Louisa Voglegesang, of Stark Co. Mr. and 
Mrs. Young are members of the Evangelical 
Association. 




vi® 



r 



NIMISIIILLEN TOWXSnlP. 



NIMISHILLEN TOWNSHIP 



B. T. BERT JEN, nurseryman; P. O. Louis- 
vilh-; is a son ot' Isaac and Robecca (Trum])) 
Berlien, and grandson of John Berlien, who 
was horn in Yori< Co., Pa., Jan. 8, 1777. He 
was married to Elizabeth Mourer, in Ponnsj^I- 
vania, and by her liad eleven children. He 
came to Trumbull Co., Ohio, in 1827, and emi- 
grated from there to Perry Co., Ohio, in 1833. 
From Perry Co. he moved to Butler Co., Pa., 
and from thence came to Nimishillen Tp., 
Stark Co., Ohio, in 1863, where he lived and 
finally died, at the advanced aije of 101 years, 
two months and twenty-seven days. Isaac 
Berlien was born in York Co., Pa., in 1810. 
He came with his parents to Trunil)ull Co., 
Ohio, in 1827, and soon afterwards came with 
his brother to Stark Co., where they engaged 
in makinor shingles, roofing, building, etc. Pie 
was married in 183(3 to Rebecca Trump, and 
liy her had a family of eight: — B. T., Sarah, 
Mary, Josiah, deceased, Resugus, Rebecca, 
Henry, deceased, and Eliza, deceased. He 
started in life a poor boy, but at his death left 
what is far better than gold — an honorable re- 
cord. His death occurred Jan. 28, 1876. His 
widow is yet living. The subj(!ct of this biog- 
ra]ihy, was b(5rn in Nimishillen Jan. 26, 1837. 
His early life was passed in hard labor on the 
farm. His first marriage was to Sarah Gehman, 
Aug. 13, 186.5; this lady died Feb. 2, 1874, 
leaving her husband one son — Henry, who 
was born March 12, 1866. Mr. Berlieii's sec- 
ond marriage was with Leah (Miller) Wolf, 
widow of William Wolf, and was celebrated 
Oct. 1, 1874. By her first husband Mrs. Ber- 
lien had two children — Harvey and Mary. 
The former was born September 20, 1864, 
and the latter April 23, 1866. Mr. Berlien 
followed carpentering in Louisville and neigh- 
borhood until he engaged in his present occu- 
pation; he now owns one of the largest and best 
selected stocks of fruit trees, shrubbery, berry 
plants, rhubarb, etc., of any nursery in Stark 
Co. He expects to steadih' kecj) on enlarging 
and improving his stock, so that the people of 
Stark and adjoining counties will find it to 
their interest to patronize home nurseries. 

DR. W. O. BAKER, physician: Louisville; 



was born in Northampton Co., Penn., Dec. 
12, 1827. He is the youngest .son of Jacob 
H. and Anna (Overholt) Baker, who were pa- 
rents of three children — George, Susan and 
William Overholt. The father, Jacob H., 
was a shoemaker by trade. In 1836 he and 
family came to Wadsworth Tp., Medina Co., 
Ohio, it then being a new country. He is 
yet living in Medina Co., hale and hearty. 
Mrs. Baker has been some time deceased. 
Dr. Baker's early life was one of labor and 
self-denial. He received a common educa- 
tion in youth, and the winter he was 20 years 
of age, taught his first term of school. Hav- 
ing an uncle practicinir medicine in Wooster, 
Mr. Baker determined to make that his voca- 
tion in life, much against his parents' wishes. 
When 21 he commenced his studies, and the 
winter of 185'2-53 attended lectures at the 
Jefferson Medical College at Philadelphia. 
His financial resources failing, he was com- 
pelled to discontinue school and go to teach- 
ing. For two years he taught school, during 
which time he still continued his studies. In 
185.5 he came to Nimishillen Tp., Stark Co., 
Ohio, and commenced the practice of medicine. 
In 1858 he came to Louisville, purchased 
property, and has remained here since that 
time. In 1856 Dr. Baker and Miss Rebecca 
Utt were united in marriage. Mrs. Baker is 
a daughter of Elias Utt, of New Jersey. She 
was born in Pennsylvania, in Septembet, 1833, 
and is of Etiglish descent. Dr. Baker's grand- 
father, Georire Baker, was descended from 
German ancestors, but his mother's people 
were of German-English descent. There is 
nothing that particularly characterizes the 
Bakers. They were of that li(jnorable class 
of yeomanry that is only found in the better 
grade of American society. The Ovcrholts 
were peojjle of a larger mental capacity, 
taking to books and professions more than 
physical labor. There has been born to Dr. 
and Mrs. Baker, nine children — Alfred J., 
Anna E., Amanda C, Mary E., John W., Ada, 
Charles W., Minnie, and one that died un- 
named. Of these, only Annie E., Amanda 
C, Mary E. and Charles W. are living. Dr. 



^fv* 



902 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



Baker has been quite successful in his prac- 
tice; is a member of the United Brethren in 
Christ Church, of which denomination he is a 
local exhorter. 

G. F. BAUMANN & SONS, Merchants, 
Louisville. Gustavus F. Baumann was burn 
in Baden, Germany, in 1828. He is a son of 
Carl and Sophia (Regenold) Baumann, who 
were natives of Germany, and the parents of 
four children. The father was a physician, 
and served some time in the French army un- 
der Napoleon. At the age of 15 Gusta- 
vus upjjrenticed himself to a tin and copper- 
smith to learn tlie tin trade; and after serving 
three years, mastered this business, and the fol- 
lowing three years traveled and worked at his 
trade. In 1848 he participated in the German 
Revolution of that date. Mr. Baumann was 
taken prisoner, with a number of others, and 
after lying four months in prison, his trial 
came oif. When captured Mr. Baumann had 
no arms in his possession, and this fact alone 
saved him a heavy penalty. In April, 1819, 
he took passage for the United States on 
board a sail-vessel, and after a voyage of six 
weeks arrived in New York. Through the in- 
fluence of a fellow traveler, Mr. Baumann 
was induced to come to Canton, Stark Co., 
O., where for six months he worked for Henry 
Bockius. In February, 1860, he came to 
Louisville, which has been his home and 
place of business until the present. Mr. 
Baumann first started in Louisville with a 
small tin shop, such as his means at that time 
would allow. After working a time he would 
peddle his goods out to the citizens. By 
economy and close attention to business, he 
soon made enough to eidarge his buildings as 
his increase of trade demanded, and is now 
considered among the leading business men 
of his town. In 1849 he was united in mar- 
riage with Mary Ann Wang, of Canton, but 
formerly of Germany. To this union were 
born nine children — Josephine, Gustavus, 
Charles, Henry. Louis, Theresa, Mary and 
Anna, twins, and one that died in infancy. 
As soon as his sons became of age, Mr. Bau- 
mann admitted them to a partnership in the 
business, the firm name now being G. F. 
Baumann & Sons. Mr. Baumann started in 
life with but very little means at his com- 
mand, but by his own labor he has acquired 
one of the best trades of any house in Louis- 



ville. Besides a general tin and stove trade, 
this firm makes a specialty of slate and tin roof- 
ing, galvanized cornice-work, spouting, &c., 
during the summer season. It would be safe 
to say, there are no firms of this kind in Stark 
Co. that do a more extensive business, or 
have the confidence of the public any more 
than G. F. Baumann and Sons. Mr. Bau- 
mann is a member of the A., F. & A. M. of 
Louisville. 

ISRAEL BIXLER, stock-raiser and far- 
mer; P. O. Louisville; was born in Lake Tp,. 
Stark Co., Ohio, in 1828. His father, David 
L. Bixler, was a native of Lancaster Co., Pa., 
his birth occurring in 1796. His parents were 
in indigent circumstances, and he being one 
in a family of ten, induced him to come to 
Ohio, that he might not deprive his younger 
brothers and sisters of comforts that would be 
divided with him were he among them. In 
1810, he together with the JIarkley family, 
came to Stark Co., locating in Lake Tp. For 
tliree years succeeding his arrival, young Bix- 
ler worked for the Markleys, sending all his 
earnings home to his parents in Pennsylvania. 
He then commenced working for the neigh- 
bors at odd jobs, and being a sober and in- 
dustrious youth, saved up his earnings, so 
that when 21 he was able to make some good 
improvements on a farm he had entered about 
that time. About 1816 he was united in mar- 
riage with Elizabeth Markle, and by her had 
five children. This lady died, and Mr. Bix- 
ler's second and last wife was Catharine Ricii- 
ard, who bore him nine children, of whom the 
subject of this sketch was the first. Mr. Bix- 
ler died in 1867, and his widow is 1871. He 
was one of the leading citizens of his local- 
ity. In politics he was a Democrat, and in 
religion a German Baptist. Israel Bixler Ije- 
gan for himself when 19 years old, by going 
to Miami Co., Ind., where he hired out to a 
farmer and nurseryman at #120 per year. He 
was at this business about two and a half 
years, but during the first j^ear's service man- 
aged to buy 80 acres of land for $300, which 
at the end of two years he sold for $500. 
With this amount he went to New York, 
where he embarked for Piftiama. After cross- 
ing the isthmus, he took passage on l)oard the 
ship " Croton " for San Francisco. While sail- 
ing for that port, they met with adverse storms, 
which bore them far out of their course, and 



•VI7 



NIMISHILLKN TOWNSHIP. 



only in the most dilapidated circumstances 
reached their destination, after sixty-nine 
daj's. On his arrival, all Mr. Bixler had of 
the ^500 was ^l.oO, and that amount just 
lacked fifty centsofl)i'in<>; enough to pay for one 
meal. He immediately engaged his services 
as a day laborer at 812 per day, continuing 
at this until he had ^400. He then went to 
SacramcMito, and from there to Marysville, 
working at each place aliout ten days. Then 
in company with others went to the middle 
branch of Feather River, where he began 
mining. He remained here six months only, 
making about ^3 or ¥4 per day. Not finding 
this very satisfactory, he went to the west 
branch of the same river, and working at 
mining made in eight months -iiOiOOO. Then 
in company with four others, Mr. Bixler pur- 
chased the "Iowa City Claim" on the middle 
branch, paying ^15,000 for the same. They 
went to considerable expense in digging a 
race, through which they turned the river's 
course, and then began operations in the orig- 
inal river's bed. This movement proved finan- 
cially a failure, Mr. Bixler losing about all he 
had previously made. He then worked on a 
saw-mill at $0 per day, until his collateral 
amounted to about *SOl), and then formed a 
partnership with O. ^V. Sowers in the " pack- 
ing " business. They would buy their own 
provisions in Marysville, and pack- them on 
mules' backs to the miners in the mouniains, 
where they would make an admirable profit 
on their investments. This business proved 
very remunerative, until the_y were attacked 
by Indians, and lost twenty-seven mules with 
their packs. After this loss Mr. Bixler again 
worked on the saw-mill until he had al)out 
11,500, when he returiKnl to Ohio, and the 
first eleven weeks succeeding his arrival at- 
tended school. This was the greatest amount 
of schooling Mr. Bixler ever received at one 
time. He was married Jan. 8, 18.53 to Sarah 
M. Smith, and by her had ten children — Mar- 
tha, Leona, Orlando, Sarah, Cora, Loretta, 
Byron, Ellsworth, Elmer and Ida, deceased. 
Soon after his marriage Mr. Bixler rented his 
father-in-law's farm, which he finally pur- 
chased in June, 1877. He now owns "241 
acres of excellent land. He is a Republican 
in |)olitics, and he and wife are members of 
the Evangelical Church. 

JOSIAH L. COY, carpenter and joiner, 



and school teacher; Louisville; was born 
in Bedford Co., Penn., Jan. 30. 1854. He 
is a son of John and Magdalena (Pence) 
Coy, a sketch of whom accompanies this 
work. Josiah came with his parents from 
Bedford Co. in 1854, to Stark Co., O., and 
this county has been his home ever since. In 
1876 he began in life for himself, working at 
the carpenter's and mason's trades in the 
summer, and teaching school in the winter. 
On Feb. 22, 1877, he was united in marriage 
with Miss Clara A. Wilson, daughter of S. 
P. Wilson, of Nimishillen Tp., but formerly 
of Sandy Tp. To this union there were born 
three children — Bertha E., deceased, John F. 
and George Van P. Mrs. Coy was born Feb. 
3, 1858. Mr. Coy moved to his place in 
Louisville, where he now resides, in 1878. 
In politics he is a Democrat ; was elected 
Township Clerk in 1879, and since has twice 
been re-elected. He and wife are members 
of the Reformed Church, ilr. Coy is an in- 
telligent, enterprising young man, being a 
teacher of eight terms experience. He bills 
fair to be among the most prominent citizens 
of his township. 

JOHN COY, farmer; P. O. Louisville; is a 
native of Washington Co., JId., his birth oc- 
curring in July, 1819. Ills parents were John 
and Hannah Coy, and his grandfather was 
Woleiitine Coy, who was a native of Ger- 
many. Mr. Coy was one in a family of twelve, 
of whom only .loseph, John, David, Daniel, 
Susanna and Elizabeth, are living. Mr. Coy's 
father's occupation was that of a common 
laborer. He moved from Maryland to Penn- 
sylvania in 1825, and died about 1848, his 
mother dying about ten years later. John 
Coy apprenticed himself to learn the black- 
smith's trade with David Gantz in 1849; and 
after serving three and a half years, com- 
menced for himself. lie first formed a part- 
nership with a Mr. McCiain, in Frederick Co., 
Md., which continued about two years. The 
partnership was then dissolved, Mr. Coy fol- 
lowing the business some seventeen years. 
Having by this time saved up some money, 
Mr. Coy came to Ohio (1854), purchased 70 
acres of land in Nimishillen Tp., Stark Co., 
paying for the same *;2,-100, and in the spring 
of 1855 located on the place which has been 
his residence ev«r since. He has since in- 
creased the farm, until he now owns 90.72 



-efv 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



acres. This farm is located on section 14, 
and is a portion of tlie old Mathias homestead. 
There is an apple-tree j'et growing on the 
place that must have been planted very near 
three-quarters of a century ago. Mr. Coy 
and Miss Magdalena Pence were united in 
marriage October 2-i, 1S43. To this union 
there were eiglit children born : Georg-e A., 
born Feb. 12, 1S45, died Aug. 37, 1845; Lewis 
A., born July 16, 1846, died Dec. 30,1850; 
David, born Feb. 17, 1849; Amos, born March 
24, 1852; Josiah, born Jan. 30, 1854; Augus- 
tus, born Nov. 25, 1856; Mar}-, born .Tune 28, 
1859; and Martin, born April 8, 18G3. Mrs. 
Coy was born March 4, 1819; David married 
Mary A. Felgar, and lives in Stark Co.; Amos 
married Mary Andric; Josiah married Clara 
Wilson, and they also live in Stark Co. Au- 
gustus married EmmaStnckey, and lives with 
his parents. Mary is the wife of Levi Hart- 
enstine, and is a resident of Carroll Co., O. 
Mr. and Mrs. Coy are consistent members of 
the Reformed Church, and the Coy family is 
among the best in the township. 

JOSEPH M. D'OSTROPH, farmer and 
merchant; P. O. Louisville; one of the lead- 
ing French residents of Stark Co., Ohio, is 
the subject of this biograjjhy. He was born 
in Lorraine, France, in 1835, and is of French 
parentage. Joseph D'Ostroph, his father, 
was the proprietor of a large glass factory in 
Lorraine, which he sold, and moved to Aus- 
tria, when our subject was but two years old. 
After a residence there of six years, he con- 
cluded to come to America; consequently 
about 1844 he came to the United States, 
and established a glass factory in Vermont. 
Not succeeding very well there, he sold out, 
and went to Williamsport, N. Y., where he 
and two others started a glass factory. After 
some time he found he was losing instead 
of making money, and he accordingly re- 
turned to Austria, where he still continued 
the business, and where he died in 1867. Jo- 
seph M., is one of a family of three — Mary, 
Catharine and Joseph M., the last one being 
the only one of the family living. He was 
raised mostly in New York, and during his 
youth received an excellent education. He 
studied for the priesthood, but after his grad- 
uation at Fordham College, he concluded to 
relinquish his intentions and assist his father, 
who was then needing his assistance. Not 



returning to Austria with his parent, he was 
sent lay Bishojj DeCharbonell, of Toronto, to 
Brantford, Canada, where he organized the 
first Catholic school at that place. After 
teaching here two years he removed to Buf- 
falo, N. Y., and from there to Dunkirk, same 
State, teaching at each place about one 3'ear. 
He then went to Kenosha, Wis., and after 
teaching one year there was employed by the 
United States Government, through President 
Buchanan, as a teacher among the Menomo- 
nee Indians. He remained with them two years, 
and then resigned his position to fill the office 
of Clerk of Courts of Shawano Co. While in 
Wisconsin Mr.D'Ostroph held various positions 
of honor and trust, among which we mention his 
being Postmaster at Kershena, Clerk of Courts, 
State Commissioner, Justice of the Peace, and 
Township Trustee. In 1866 he came to Stark 
Co., where he was employed in the Catholic 
school of Louisville, and in teaching music. 
When he first commenced the school was in 
a very poor condition, but with his usual 
characteristic energy, Mr. D'Ostroph institu- 
ted reforms and new rules, so that at the end 
of a year it was considered among the best of 
its kind in the State. In 1857 he married 
Margaret Hawkins, who bore him three child- 
ren — Edward, Arthur and Mary. The mother 
died in 1865. Two years after that event he 

' married Victoire Gladieux, widow of John B. 
Menegay. To this union there was born 
one son- -Louis. Mr. D'Ostroph is one of the 
leading businessmen of Louisville. He owns 
a provision store, whieh he carries on in con- 
nection with his farm (115 acres), and besides 

i this he owns town property in Shawano, Wis., 
and another store building in Louisville. 
Witliout flattering Mr. D'Ostroph, we can saj^ 
he is one of the best educated men in Louis- 
ville, as it was demonstrated by his receiving 
the Indian Commission over thirty-three com- 
petitors. He is a Roman Catholic in religion, 
and an enter]3rising citizen. 

ELIAS ESSIG, P. O. Louisville; son of 
Adam Essig, and grandson of Simon Essig, 
was born in Plain Tp., Stark Co., Ohio, Sept. 
6, 1833, and is one of a family of twelve chil- 
dren. Adam Essig was a native of York Co., 
Pa., his birth occurring in 1787. At the age 
of 18, he left home and came west to Ohio, 
locating in Plain Tp., Stark Co., where his 
father previously purchased a tract of land. 



^(S 



XIMISHILLEX TOWXSHIP. 



l£ll. 



Mr. Essig was a poor boy when he came to 
CHiio, the only property of which he was pos- 
sessor being the land given him by his lather. 
He immediately settled on his land, and with 
the energy characteristic of the Plain Tp. pio- 
neers, began improving: ;in I tilling the land 
he possessed, suffering ma ly hardships and 
privations that are incident to the earlj- set- 
tlers' life. At the age of about 26 he was 
united in marriage with our subject's motlier — 
Catharine Lichtenwalter. During the war of 
1812 he was called out and served for some time 
in that war. After a long life of usefulness, 
Mr. Essig died in 18GG, and Mrs. Essig in 
18G4. Elias Essig passed his youth and early 
manhood on the old farm in Plain Tp., re- 
ceiving the benefits of the common schools. 
Oct. 28, 1860 he married Melinda Lesh, 
daurrhter of .Jacob Lesh, an old settler of Nim- 
ishillcn Tp., and to this union were horn two 
children — Ella and Phoebe B. When his 
father died the farm was sold, and Mr. Essig 
then took charge of a saw-mill for his father- 
in-law one year. In January, 1869, he pur- 
chased an interest in the planing mill at Lou- 
isville, and has ever since remained a partner. 
Mr. Essig has been one of the leading men 
of Louisville for the last ten years. He as- 
sisted in establishing the woolen factory at 
this place, and is also at present a partner in 
the manufacture of baskets. He is a member 
of the Town Council and School Board of 
Louisville. The Essigs are of German de- 
scent, but it is not definitely known when 
they came to America, i^imon Essig was one 
of the brave and tried men who fought for 
the freedom of the colonies in the war of the 
Revolution. 

JOSEPH FRANTZ, farmer; P. O. Louis- 
ville. In taking notes of the history of the 
Frantz famiU% we find that it was mainly 
through their influence that induced the first 
French settlement in Stark Co., Ohio. Jo- 
seph Frantz is a native of Lorraine, France, 
and was born Feb. 12, 1822. His parents 
were named respectively , Thiebaud and 
Frances (Menegay) Frantz. This couple 
were parents of twelve children, whose names 
are — Joseph, deceased ; John P., Therese, 
Mary Ann, Margaret, Peter E., Loui Frances, 
Christina, Catharine and Joseph, and one that 
died quite young. Mr. Frantz was an agent 
in the employ of the canal company there. 



and under Napoleon's last call, enlisted in the 
French army, where he served but a short 
time. Financially speaking, Mr. Frantz and 
many of his neighbors were very [)00r, Mr. 
Frantz finding very often hard work to feed 
so many mouths in his family. From 1820 to 
1825, all Europe was being agitated by many 
of its people flocking westward across the 
Atlantic, where poor people had equal chances 
with rich; where work was plenty and wages 
gootl; and where their sons as soon as they 
arrived at manhood, were not pressed into the 
army, to be separated from friends, and finally 
die on the battle-field in some distant coun- 
try. In 1825, Mr. Frantz determined on 
sending his two daughters, Mary Ann and 
Margaret, to America, in order to learn if the 
reports were true they heard. After a long 
voyage they arrived in New York, and there 
finding work plenty and prospects bright, 
wrote back home, giving glowing accounts of 
the country and people. This letter had the 
eff'ect of bringing Mr. Frantz and family and 
four other families to the United States. In 
the spring of 1826 these families started 
from Havre on board a sailing vessel, and 
after a perilous voyage of forty-two days, 
landed in New York. On their arrival at this 
point, the great cry of immigrants was Ohio; 
and Mr. Frantz with his companions deter- 
mined to go there. Arriving in Cleveland, 
they left their families in a barn while they 
would go out in the country and select a suit- 
able location. After considerable search they 
came to Canton, where thi're was a small 
Catholic organization. Mr. Frantz made the 
remark after seeing the Catholic cross, that 
that was the first one he had seen since leav- 
ing the city of New York, and he should go 
no farther. They went back to Cleveland 
and brought their families down to Nimishil- 
len Tp. Mr. Frantz settled on asmall tract 
of land all woods and entirely devoid of clear- 
ing. He was an honest, enterprising citizen, 
and was the leading spirit of all the French 
in Nimishillen Tp. More of his history and 
that of other early Fn-nch settlers will be 
found in the history of Nimishillen Tp. Mr. 
Frantz lived a long life of usefulness, and 
finally died in lS.il, followed by his widow in 
1869. Joseph Frantz was reared to hard 
labor on the old homestead. He early learned 
the carpenter's trade, at which he worked 






90G 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



twenty-six years. In 18-19 he was married to 
Magdalena Favicr, and by her had eleven chil- 
dren — Joseph S., Josephine, August T., 
Flank, Jane, Mary, Loui, Euphrasia, Sophia, 
Henry and Adaline. Mr. Frantz steadily fol- 
lowed carpentering until 1863, when he moved 
to his present place, having purchased 08 
acres, which he has since increased to 113 
acres. He is pleasantly located near Louis- 
ville, where he is surrounded by an intelli- 
gent family. His son August is one of the 
leading enterprising young men of his town- 
ship. 

JACOB FREEDY, merchant; Louisville; 
was born in Louisville, Ohio, in 1843. Ho ts 
a son of Jacob and Augustine (Monnier) 
Freedy, who were both natives of France. 
This couple were parents of five children — 
Alexis — drowned at Toledo; Catharine, now 
the wife of T. Bobay; .Justine, widow of Jere- 
miah Favret; Frank married Anna Ream; and 
Jacol). Those alive are now residents of 
Louisville. The father was afarmer, and came 
to the United States about 1828, locating in 
Nimislhillen Tp., Stark Co. He was born 
about 1809, and when near the age of 18 
married Augustine Monnier. Mr. Freedy 
was a much respected citizen of Stark Co. 
Early in 1843 he came to Louisville with the 
view of going into business, but soon after 
his arrival took sick, and after three day's ill- 
ness died. Jacob Freedy, the subject of this 
biography, was born shortly after his father's 
death. His youth and early manhood was 
passed in Louisville, and when about 15 
years of age, started to learn the shoemaker's 
trade. He worked at this until November, 
1861,when ho enlisted in Co. H., 19th O. V. L, 
and was with that regiment in all its engage- 
ments until he was finally mustered out Oct. 35, 
1865. Among some of the leading battles he 
wiis in wera — Shiloh, Corinth, Stone River, 
Cliickamauga, Knoxville, Mission Ridge, 
Chattanooga, Atlanta, Kenesaw Mountain, 
and a number of others, of which appropri- 
ate mention will be made in another part of 
this volume. Mr. Freedy was an efficient sol- 
dier, and too much honor cannot be given the 
brave defenders of our country. At the close 
of the war he came home, and soon after- 
ward entered into a partnership in the boot 
and shoe business with Peter Beuchat, which 
after a few years was dissolved, Mr. Freedy 



retiring from the partnership. For three or 
four years following he was employed at his 
trade by Mr. Beuchat, and also had a saloon. 
In 1876 he again formed a partnership 
with Peter Beuchat, which has continued 
to the present. The firm name now is 
Freedy & Beuchat, dealers in boots and 
shoes, and everything pertaining to their 
business. They keep a stock worth from 
§4,000 to §5,000 on hand, and their estab- 
lishment is much the largest of any of its 
kind in Louisville. Mr. Freedy was married 
in 1868, to Amelia Beailet. They have one 
child — Louise Bandlier. Mr. Freed3' is an in- 
telligent, enterprising citizen, and such men 
as he are worthy of honor in any commu- 
nity. 

S. FLICKINGER, proprietor of Louisville 
Star Flouring Mills; Louisville. This gentle- 
man was l>orn in Tuscarawas Co., Ohio, in 
1838. His parents are .facob and Eva 
(Kline) Flickinger. Jacob Flickinger was 
born in 1800, and when 4 years of age came 
with his parents to Tuscarawas Co. The lo- 
cality ill w-hich they first located was a vast 
forest, that required all the courage of the 
early settler to determine it his future home. 
In 1837 Mr. Flickinger died, leaving a widow 
with seven small children for whom to pro- 
vide, our subject being the third. Simon 
Flickinger's early career was passed on a 
farm, where he received common school ad- 
vantages. His marriage with Rachel Hecka- 
man was celebrated in 1 851, and to this 
union were born seven children, only the fol- 
lowing named being now alive — Francis M., 
Henrietta, Lucy and Neal. Mrs. Flickinger 
died in 1861, and for his second and present 
wife, Mr. Flickinger married Emily Dowell, 
who bore him four — Nora C, Rosa, William 
D. and George. At the age of 38 Mr. Flick- 
inger left the home farm, and in connection 
with John Snellbaker, purchased a flouring mill 
in Tuscarawas Co. After remaining there a 
short time he sold out and came to Louisville, 
where he has ever since resided. Mr. Flick- 
inger is a practical miller in every respect, 
and one that thoroughly understands all the 
details of his business. For a record of the 
mill, see the History of Louisville in another 
part of this work. 

MARTIN HOUSER, farmer and stock- 
dealer; P. O. Barryville; the date of the 



^. 



^ 



NIMISHILLEN TOWNSHIP. 



907 



Hoiiser fymily's advent in Stark County is 
not Jefiiiitely known, but from some of the 
eailiest settlers the writer of this biographj' 
has learned that it must have been some- 
where about the j'ear 1810. Martin Houser 
was born in Nimishillen Tp., in October, 1826. 
He is one in the following family born to 
Daniel and Mar^- (Hoover) Houser — Esther, 
.lolui, Magdalena, Anna, Catharine, Martin, 
Lydia, Daniel, Barbara and Jacob. The father 
of these was a son of Martin Houser, who 
was a native of Pentisj'lvania. One of the in- 
terestin'j: episodes in the life of this gentleman, 
was that while he was with his father and two 
brothers, chojjping in the woods at one time, 
they were surprised by the Indians. His 
f ither and two brothers fled and escaped, but 
Martin stood his ground bravelj', and was cap- 
tured. The Indians look him with them, and 
young Houser remained four years a captive 
among them. He then made his escape, and 
went back to Pennsvlvania, and from there to 
Stark Co., locating on the farm now owned 
by S. P. Wilson in Nimishillen Tp. The}- 
erected in ISol, about the first brick house in 
the township, the mortar for which was mixed 
very diflferently from what it is now — that is, 
l)y horses tramping it. Our subject's parents 
were Dunkards, religiously. The mother died 
in the fall of 1837, and the father in the spring 
of 1838. They were of the old pioneer class 
of people, hardy, honest and respected people. 
JIartin Hous(>r was roared on the farm, re- 
ceiving but a limited educatTon. He was 
married in 18.52, to Mary Aur, of Le.xington 
Tp. By her he has had six children: Aaron 
A., Phoebe A., deceased. Marietta, Benton, 
Frances and Charles. Marietta is the only 
one married; she is the wife of Aaron Slusser, 
who is the present principal of the Ilarrisburgh 
schools, ilr. Houser coinu)enced dealing in 
stock soon after his marriage, and after a time 
in wo'il. He now lives in Nimisliillen Tp., 
and owns 210 acres of land in Stark Co., the 
most oT which he has acquired through his own 
exertions. He started with but §200, and is 
now worth about §30,000. Mr. Houser is also 
a i)artner in a first-class butcher shop in Can- 
ton. He is a Republican in politics, and is 
one of the leading citizens of his township. 

SA.MUEL IM-MEF,, Louisville; was born in 
Columbiana Co., Ohio, Dec. 22, 1822. He is 
the second son of .lacob and Sarah (Klinga- 



man) Inimel, who were parents of John, Sam- 
uel, Mary, David, Joseph, Elizabeth and Re- 
becca. The father and mother were natives 
of Pennsylvania, and came to Ohio at a very 
early day. To better their circumstances 
they were induced to remove to Marlborough 
Tp., Stark Co., Ohio, in 1831, where they pur- 
chased SO acres of land, on which they resided 
until their respective deaths. Mr. Itnmel 
was a hard-working, industrious man, and by 
his upright conduct made many true and kind 
friends. Samuel, the subject of this sketch, 
passed his youth and earl)' manhood on ihe 
farm, and when 20 years of age went to 
the carpenter and joiner's trade. After serv- 
ing two and a half years apprenticeship, he 
worked journej--work for a few j'ears, and 
has ever since combined his trade and farm- 
ing to his advantage. In 1849 he purchased 
his present home, and he now has 05 acres of 
well improved land. In politics he is a Re- 
publican, and he and wife are members of the 
Evangelical Church. In 1847 he was united 
in marriage with Mary Ann Kimmel, and by 
her had a family of six — Franklin .1., Sarah 
M., one that died in infancy, John J., Wil- 
liam H., and Harvey G. Mr. Immel is an en- 
terprisinar and influential citizen. 

CHARLES L. JUILLIARD, farmer; P. 
O. Louisville; is a native of France, and was 
born near Montbelaird, May 1, 1823. He is a 
son of John N. Juilliard, who was also a na- 
tive of Franc(!. His grandfather was a sol- 
dier under Xajioleon Bonaparte, and was 
killed in the battle of Verona. John N. 
Juilliard was early sent to Switzerland to 
be educated. When about 15 or 16 \'ears 
of age he returned to France, where he 
remained until IS years old, and then was 
drafted in the French armj', under the 
last draft made by Napoleon. While his 
companj" was on its way to Italy, Napoleon's 
great tlisaster overtook him, and the com- 
pany was recalled. Mr. Juilliard returned 
honie, and in 1820 married Ann N. Berlet, 
and by her had this family — Juliann, Charles 
Louis, Charles Frederick, Catharine, George, 
August ])., and Hannah. Mr. Juilliard hav- 
ing imbibed the spirit of freedom while at 
school in Switzerland, and having four sons 
who would soon become men subject to draft- 
duty, determined to cross the Atlantic and 
seek for himself and family the great boon of 



f 



^t 



freedom in the United States. Accordingly 
in the spring of IS'IG he and family embarked 
on board a sailing vessel, and after a journey 
of thirty-six days, arrived in New York. 
After visiting friends a short time in ilassi- 
lon, he located in Washington Tp., Stark Co., 
O. After a residence at this place some time, 
Jlr. Juilliard moved to Paris Tp.,same county, 
where he resided until his wife's death, which 
occurred in 1X75. He then moved to Louis- 
ville, making his home with his son, Charles 
L., until he too died. His death occurred in 
1877. Charles L., the subject of this biogra- 
phy, remained with his parents until 1846, 
when he and a brother obtained possession of 
a saw and grist-mill on Sugar Creek, following 
that business until 1849. Mr. Juilliard at 
this time took the gold-fever, and packing 
some necessities he made his way to Wells- 
vile, Ohio, there taking a boat to New Or- 
leians. From this point he went to the Isth- 
mus of Panama, afier crossing which he went 
to San Francisco. Soon after his arrival, he in 
company with others, went to what is now 
Trinity County, where they mined that sea- 
son, making an average of $12 per day per 
capita. During the winter of 1850-51 he 
staid in San Francisco, and the next spring- 
started out prospecting. After quite a while 
unprofitably spent at this, he and brother pur- 
chased a train of mules, and began "packing" 
provisions to the miners in the mountains. 
Soon after this they started in connection 
with their "packing," a trading-post in Trin- 
ity Comity, and this business they continued 
with success until the fall of 1857. Mr. Juil- 
liard then came back to the States, and for 
three years was partner in a dry-goods house 
in Bucyrus, Ohio. He then sold out and re- 
moved to Nimishillen Tp., Stark Co., O., 
where he has ever since resided. In the 
s]iring of 1858 his marriage with Louise 
Feusir was celebrated, and to their union were 
born Emma, August, Alfred, Lora, Clara, 
Florence and Etta, living; and Loui and Ed- 
ward, deceased. Mr. Juilliard is a farmer, 
and owns a lar^-e farm in OsnaburgTp. 

HENRY KRALL, farmer and stock-raiser; 
P. O. Middle Branch; was born in Lebanon 
Co., Penn., Fel). 35, 1827. He is a son of 
Tobias and Catliarine (Werner) Krall, ^^•ho 
were parents of Catharine, Sarah, .Toscph, Eliz- 
abeth, Jacob, Henry, Mary Ann and Christiann 



(twins), and Fanny. These are tin- grand- 
children of Leonard Krall, and this gentle- 
man's parents were natives of Germany. 
Biing poor people Tobias Krall and family 
came to Plain Tp., Stark Co., Ohio, in 1829, 
that he might obtain more land, and cheaper, 
so as to give his children proper advantages 
when they were ready to start in life. He 
was one of the early pioneers of Plain Tp., 
and of him it is said he was a sober, hard- 
working and industrious man. He died 
August 31, 184:8, a member of the United 
Brethren Church. Mrs. Krall died in the fall 
of 1875, Henry Krall passed his youth and 
early manhood on the farm, during which 
time he received an ordinary education. He 
was married Oct. 15, 1849, to Miss Catharine 
Ringer, and to this union were born ten chil- 
dren — Carlesta, Mary M. (deceased), Ephraim, 
John H., Sarah C, Jennie, Emma J., Ada L., 
Lvdia and Plattie M. Mrs. Krall was born in 
Nimishillen Tp., Sept. 13, 18-30. After his 
father's death, Mr. Krall took charge of the 
home farm, living there twenty-one years. 
He then sold it, and in 1870 purchased the 
farm he now owns, which consists of 1G5 
acres of fine farming and grazing land. In 
politics Mr. Krall is a Democrat. He and 
family are well known and highly esteemed 
citizens of Plain and Nimishillen Tps. 

MOSES KEIM, P. O. Louisville; was born 
in Somerset Co., Penn., in ISIO. He is a 
son of Nicholas and Fanny (Hostetter) Keim, 
his mother being the second wife of his father. 
I The Keims are of German descent, and Moses 
was reared in the Omish faith. His early life 
was passed at home until he arrived at 16 
years of age, when he went to Maryland to 
live with his uncle. In 1833 he came to 
Holmes Co., Ohio, where he lived a number of 
years. March 13, 1834, his marriage with 
Lydia Domer was solemnized. To this union 
were born six children — Josiah, present min- 
ister of a German Baptist Church near Louis- 
ville; George, who was killed by a fall when 
7 years old ; Catharine, now the wife of Jacob 
Lutz; Jonas, Jacob and John. Josiah mar- 
ried Sarah Hill; Jonas married Mary Keim; 
Jacob married Jane Ciampbell; he is a pro- 
fessor in the Ashland College, at Ashland, 
Ohio; John married Sophia Klingaman, and 
is a resident of Louisville. In 1845 Mr. 
Keim moved to near Bolivar, Ohio, and after 



ife 



XIMISIIILLEN TOWNSHIP. 



909 



a residence there of five j'ears, moved to Os- 
naburiv Tp., Stark Co., Oliio, and there 
remained seventeen years. During the spring 
of 1S69 he came to Louisville, where his son 
John had previously engaged in the hard- 
ware trade. In 1875 Jlr. Koim and his two 
sons, Jonas and John, formeil a part'-.ership 
and erected the present Keim Block, in which 
they have one of the largest and most com- 
plete stock of general hardware of any house 
in Louisville. In the spring of 1881, this 
firm opened the Louisville Deposit Bank, 
mention of which is made elsewhere in this 
work. Since their arrival in Louisville, the 
Keims have taken an active and leading 
part in building up the town, anil they are 
considered among the most sulistantial men of 
the place. 

JACOB KETTRIXG, deceased ; son of 
Adam and Barbara (Agely) Kettring, was 
born in Blair Co., Pa., June 9, 1810. He was the 
oldest of five children, whose names respec- 
tively are : — Jacob, Catharine, Adam, John 
and Conrad. The parents of these moved 
from Blair to Bedford Co., when Jacob was 
lint a boy, and lived there the balance of their 
lives. They were very poor people, the 
father being a farmer and blacksmith, and the 
mother a weaver. When Jacob was 21, the 
family made a sale of all their possessions, the 
receipts of that sale amounting to only 873. 
After their parents' death, the children mar- 
ried and separated. Catharine is the \vife of 
Elijah Binkley, and lives in Missouri. Adam 
married Susan Teeter, and lives in Bedford 
Co., Penn. John married Martha Harris, is a 
widower, and lives in Indiana. Conrad mar- 
ried Catharine Hoover, and is a resident of 
Black Hawk Co., Iowa. Jacob Kettring and 
Nancv Ann Barnet were united in marriage 
in Bedford Co., Penn., Oct. 22, 183G, by Hendry 
Fluck, Esq. This lady was a daughter of 
James and Mary (Fin ley) Barnet, who were 
natives of Lancaster Co., Penn., and she was 
born in Bedford Co., Jan. 27, 1814. Mr. and 
Mrs. Barnet were parents of a family of 
twelve — Eliza, deceased; William, deceased; 
Nancy Ann, Jacob, Mary, Rebecca, deceased; 
Elizabeth, Sarah, Hettj-, deceased; James, 
George, deceased; and Ephraim, deceased. 
James and Ephraim were soldiers in the late 
war. The latt r was taken prisoner, eon veved 
to AndiTsonville, and there starved to death 



— a victim of the traitorous leaders of the 
War of the Kebellion. George was killed in 
battle with the Indians in Nebraska. Jacob 
married Hannah Myers, and lives in Canton 
Tp. Mary is the wife of .Jonathan Focklor, 
and lives in Stark Co. Elizabeth is the wife 
of Benjamin Ober, and lives in Indiana. 
Sarah is the wife of James Hinton, and lives 
in Plain Tp. ; and James is married and lives 
in Iowa. The father of these was a tailor by 
trade, and the Bariiets are of Irish ancestry, 
while the Kettrings are of German descent. 
To the union of Jacob Kettring and Nancy 
Ann Barnet there was born a family of si.x 
children : Maria, born Dec. 21, 1838; Eliza- 
beth, born Feb. 9, 18.41, died Feb. IG, 1841 ; 
Caroline, born Feb. 8, 1842; Sarah Ann, born 
May 24, 1845, died Dec. 31, 1850; William, 
born March 22, 1848; and Henry, born April 
13, 1850. Maria is the widow of Abram 
Hoover, who died from disease contracted in 
the army. She has two adopted children — 
Emma Davis and Eddie Smith ; Caroline, 
the wife of David R. Smith, and has by him 
six children — Jacob, Jane, Herbert, Ella, one 
that died in infancy, anil William H., de- 
ceased. Thej' live in Nimishilleii Tp. Will- 
iam married Susan Landis, and by her had 
three children — Minnie, Milton and Anna. 
Henry is single, and is in the employ of C. 
Aultman & Co., of Canton. In addition to 
the above, the Kettring family have reared 
and adopted one daughter from childhood — 
Emma Davis. After his marriage with Miss 
Barnet, Mr. Kettring resided in Pennsylvania 
until he eame to Ohio. The start thoy had to 
begin married life with was 8300 in money 
and a bed and bedstead, one cow, a bureau, 
and willing hands. Mr. Kettring was a rough 
carpenter and blacksmith. While there he 
framed twentv-seven barns, and when they 
came to Ohio in 1851, they had 83,700. They 
came to Stark Co., located on lot 7, where 
they purchased a farm for 83,000. Both Mr. 
and Mrs. Kettring were hard-working, saving 
and industrious people. In a financial way 
they were very successful with the start they 
had to begin with. From poverty thes' rose 
by degrees to a position of wealth and afflu- 
ence. "Mr. Kettring died Feb. 24,1880, leav- 
ing his heirs property to the amount of 846,- 
000. His two sons, William and Henry, have 
reeenth' pun-hased one of the finest farms in 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



Stark Co., in Jackson Tp., for which they paid 
$30,800. They also own the old home-farm 
of IGl acres in Niniishillen Tp. Mr. Retiring 
left a good home for his widdw, and 810,000, 
with which to live in ease and comfort the 
balance of her days. Mr. and Mrs. Kettring 
were members of the United Bretliren in Christ 
Cimrch ; and Mr. Kettring a Republican in 
polities, as are also his sons. The Kettrings 
are among the leading citizens of Stark Co., 
where they are well known and universally 
respected. 

RICHARD MOFFITT, deceased ; was 
born in Sligo, Ireland, in 1794. In 1815, 
through the influence of his brother .fames, 
who had preceded him, he was induced 
to leave his native country and come to 
America. He went to Dublin, where he 
was to sail from, and while there he barely 
escaped being drugged and shipped on board 
a vessel bound for some very distant land. 
On his arrival he was employed in a book- 
store for some time, and then came to 
Pennsylvania, where he resided until about 
1821. He wa.i married in this State Aug- 
ust 17, 1823, to Margaret Glass, and by 
her had John, James, Patrick, Frances, Han- 
nah, Henry, Richard, Peter, Matthew, and 
three that died in infancy. In 1821 Mr. Mof- 
fitt came to Nimishillen Tp., Stark Co., Ohio, 
and for a few years worked for his brother 
James, who had previously settled here. In 
182.5 he settled on his brother's farm, the old 
Carrel place, on lot 33, and after erecting the 
well-known old-fishioned pioneer's log cabin, 
began life in the woods. This farm, now 
owned by his son James, was entered by him 
from the United States Government, and at 
that time had never seen the pioneer's ax. 
Mr. Moffitt was a man of good education and 
extended information. He was a Catliolic, 
and through his assistance the Catholic organ- 
ization in Louisville was first established. He 
early became identified with the townshi])'s 
interest, and when he died the township lost 
one of its abh'st and most respected citizens. 
His death occurred Aug. 19, 1872, ai}d that 
of his wife Feb. 17, 1870. James Moffitt, his 
son, was born on the old Carrel farm, Jan. 1, 
1828. He received the education the bo3's of 
that early day received from the common 
schools. In the spring of 18.52 he was luiited 
in marriage with Julia Whipple, and to this 



union were born a family of eleven — .lohn, de- 
ceased ; Matthew, Catharine, George, Ellen, 
Maria, Julia, Anna, deceased ; Mary, deceas- 
ed, and two that died in infancy. He is a 
Democrat in politics, and a member of the 
Roman Catholic Church at Louisville. He 
owns a fine farm of 144 acres of farming and 
grazing land, which is underlaid with an ex- 
cellent quality of coal, and if properly work- 
ed should pruve a fortune to the owner. Mr. 
Moffitt is one of the enterprising men of his 
township, aiding and assisting any enterprise 
that tends to benefit the people, and taking a 
leading part in various ways. He and family 
are well-known and honored citizens of Nim- 
ishillen and Osnaburg Tps. 

JOSEPH C. MENEGAY, farmer and 
stock-raiser; P. O., Louisville. Among the 
early French settlers who braved the perils 
of an ocean voyage from the Old to the New 
World, is the family of Menegay, who arrived 
in this country in 1828. The subject of this 
sketch was born in Dudaubs, France, June 
19, 1815. He is one of a family born to Jo- 
seph and Mary (Poinssot) Menegay, who were 
induced by their relative, Mr. Frantz, to emi- 
grate with .Mr. Menegay's family and his 
father to the United States. They traveled 
with wagons eight days, before reaching 
Havre, where they embarked on a ship for 
New York, which port they reached after a 
prosperous voyage of forty-two days. From 
here thej' went to Cleveland via Buffalo, and 
from there to Akron by canal. On their ar 
rival in Nimishillen Township, Mr. Menegay 
purchased 320 acres of land, near where 
Louisville now is, and with the usual energy 
and vigor of those old, time-honored emi- 
grants, set to w, rk improving their farm. 
Like the majority of their countrymen, this 
family were devout members of the Catholic 
Church, and Mr. Menegay was among the 
most enterprising men to take an active part 
in the improvement of the churches and 
schools of this denomination. Mrs. Mene- 
gay died in 1850, and Mr. Menegay in 1872. 
Our subject was reared on the farm with his 
parents, and before his coming to America, re- 
ceived an excellent education in his native 
land. In 1840 he married Miss Mary R. Vi- 
oland, and by her had a family of eight — 
Mary, .losephine, Joseph S., Louisa, Catha- 
rine, Melinda, Louis, and Louis deceased. 



A« 



11^ 



NIMISIIILI.KN TOWNSHIP. 



The Menegays are notod for their honesty 
and hard labor. In politics they are Demo- 
crats. 

DANIEL MATHIAS, .Jr., deceased. There 
is no greater pleasure for the hand and pen of 
the historian or biographer to perform, than 
in recording iiotabh^ events in the lives of the 
first settlers of a locality, tracing their steps 
from comfortable homes in the East, to the 
dangers and hardships of the vast forests of 
tlu/West. In the spring of 1800, Daniel 
Mathias, Sr., and his two sons, .lacob and Dan- 
iel, together with their respective families, 
started overland from Fayette Co., Penn., with 
one wagon, to seek homes in the State of 
Kentucky. When near AVellsville, Ohio, their 
wagon stuck fast in the ice and mud, and was 
only'with the utmost difficulty extricated. This 
event cluiTiged their views regarding their 
journey to Kentucky, and instead of continu- 
ing, as was their intention, they crossed the 
Oliio river, and pushed westward into Ohio. 
After they reached what was known as the 
Alexander settlement in Columbiana County, 
all traces of a trail or road was lost, and from 
this point the men were compelled to go 
ahead of the wagon to clear a route and 
" blaze " trees, in order to find their way 
back if so desired. They finally reached what 
is now lot 14, Niniishillen Tp., Stark Co., in 
the evening. Their first night was passed un- 
der a tree, with no roof to cover their heads 
but the blue sky. The next day they erected 
a rough camp in which they resided until they 
erected a log house for permanent use. .la- 
cob located on what is now lot IS, and Daniel 
and his father on lot 14. These early pio- 
neers never returned to the East to live i)ut 
immediately commenced clearing up their 
land with an indomitable energy, passing 
through manv hardships and trials incident 
to that early time. Daniel Mathias, Jr., was 
married in Pennsylvania to.Iulyan Sanor, who 
bore him eight cliildren — Michael, Catharine, 
.lacob, Daniel, Henry, Lewis, Susanna and 
Samuel. All of tliesc; are living, except Mi- 
chael and Samuel. Michael married Frances 
Prifogle, both of wlioni are dead. Their 
daughter is the wife of Dr. .1. P. Schilling, ap- 
|)ro|)riate mention of whom is made elsewhere 
in this work. Catharine is the w-idow of .John 
Gilbert, and is yet living in Nimishillen Tp. 
Jacob married Mary Starnbaugli, Daniel mar- 



ried Elizabeth Paulus, and both are living in 
Michigan. Susanna is the wife of Miclia(>l 
Eshelman, and resides in Ximisliillen Tp. 
Samuel married Polly Hershey, and his wid- 
ow is living in West SaliMU, Ohio. The fath- 
er of these was iiorn May 3, 1775, and died 
Feb. 5, 1850, followed by his widow Sept. 25, 
1800. Henry Mathias, whose portiait appears 
in this history as a representative jjioneer, was 
born in Ninnshillen Tp., Sept. 0, 1809. Like 
his brothers his early years were passed on the 
home farm where he assisted his parents in 
clearing and improving the place. When 
about twenty-one years of age he left home 
and commenced working at the carpenter 
and joiner trade for about ten years. After 
this he farmed a number of years, then moved 
to Louisville, and has ever since resided at 
that place. He was married Feb. 12, 1832, 
to Catharine Stamiiaugh. To this union no 
children were born, Ixit they raised one child — 
Margaret^ — who is the wife of William Etrh- 
berger. Mrs. Mathias died August 3 , 1 880. 
She was a kind and loving wife, an exemp- 
lary christian anil a true lady in every respect. 
Henry Mathias, her husband, is yet living in 
Louisville, where he is widely known and uni- 
versally respected. Lewis Mathias was born 
May 3, 1813, in the first log cabin in the 
township. His marriage with Sophia Gilbert 
was solemnized May 0, 1837. This union 
was blessed with nine children — Susanna, B. 
F., Luc(!tta, Ke/.iah, Jidyan, Henry G., D. W. 
Josephine and Benton. These children are 
all living except Henry G., who died in child- 
hood. Susanna married John Ilnrt ; B. F. 
married Melissa Etchberger; Lucetta married 
Joseph Dennis; Keziah married Ephraim 01- 
lipger; Julyan married George Trump; D. W., 
married Cora Bowen; and Josephine married 
O. W. Slusser. Benton is yet single. Mr. 
Mathias is living in the village of Louisville, 
where he is engaged with his son in buying 
grain. The Mathias family have always been 
among the most highly respected citizens of 
Nimishillen Tp. 

DR. A. C. PONTIUS, dentist; Louisville. 
The subject of this biography is a native of 
Pennsylvania, and was born Oct. 14, 1843. 
He is a son of Ezra and Emily (Turnej-) Pon- 
tius, grandson of Jacob INjiitius, and great- 
grandson of .lohn Pontius, who was a native 
of Germany. The time of this family's arri- 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



val in Anirric-a is unknown, but it must have 
been early in 1700. For generations previous 
to Ezra Pontius, the occupation of this family 
was farrainn-. Our subject's father was a na- 
tive of eastern Pennsylvania. In about 1817 
he removed to Armstrong Co., same State, 
and engaged in mercantile pursuits. In that 
county Dr. Pontius was reared. He received 
the advantage of the common and high 
schools of his native town, finishing his gen- 
eral school education with one year at Mead- 
ville College. The latter part of his school- 
ing was taken in view of applying it in his 
study of medicine, which occupation he had 
chosen as his vocation in life. In March, 
1863, he enlisted in the First Board of Trade 
Battery of Chicago, commanded by Captain 
Stokes. He served with this Battery through 
the battles of Stone River, Chickamauga and 
Nashville, and throvigh ill health was dis- 
charged for disability in the spring of 1864. 
He then returned home to Pennsylvania, re- 
maining there until the fall of the same year, 
when he re-enlisted as a private in the Fifth 
Pennsylvania Artillery, but was soon promo- 
ted to First Lieutenant. Dr. Pontius still 
has the sword and sash presented him by his 
Battery. At the close of the war, he returned 
home, and in the fall of 1865 commenced the 
study of medicine in his native town under 
Dr. Hosack. During the winter of 1807-8, 
he attended lectures at the Michigan Medical 
College at Ann Arbor, where he graduated 
the term of 18G8-9. After his graduation. 
Dr. Pontius commenced practicing in Kellers- 
burg, Pa., but at the end of a year removed to 
EUerton, where he still continued his prac- 
tice. While here his office was used as a 
dentist's room, and during this time Dr. Pon- 
tius paid special attention to dentistry. His 
health being somewhat broken down by ac- 
tive practice, he concluded to make dentistry 
his future occupation. In 1876 he came to 
Louisville, Ohio, where he has since been. 
His previous practice as a jihysician, together 
with his knowledge of dentistry, ranks him 
among the best dentists in the county. In 
Jure, 1868, Dr. Pontius and Emily Hastings, 
were united in marriage. This union has 
been blessed with two children — Wilda L. 
P., and Albert A. H. Mrs. Pontius is a 
daughter of Enoch Hastings, and is of Scotch 
descent. Dr. Pontius is among the leading 



Republicans of Nimishillen, a member of the 
I. O. O. F., and a gentleman. 

A. V. PONTIUS; Louisville; was born in 
Plain Tp., Dec. 21, 1840. His father, Peter 
Pontius, is one of the oldest pioneers of Stark 
Co., a portrait of whom will be seen in 
another part of this work, as well as the gen- 
eral family history. His mother is Catharine 
(Essig) Pontius, who was also an early resi- 
dent of the county. A. V. Pontius passed 
his youth and early manhood on his father's 
farm, during which time he received the com- 
mon-school advantages. He was married 
Oct. 25, 1870, to Maria Yoder, and in the fall 
of 1875 discontinued farming, moved to 
Louisville, where he built a fine two-story 
brick dwelling-house, and has resided here 
ever since. During the spring of 1881, he 
leased the Buckeye Brick-yard, and is at 
present actively engaged in the manufacture 
of brick in Louisville, running a force of 
about twelve men. In May, 18-11, he formed 
a partnership with Jacob Geib, under the 
firm name of Jacob Geib & Co. This firm 
has now in course of erection, what will be 
one of the largest grist-mills in Stark Co. 
They expect to confine their business to 
merchant milling, and this establishment will 
be the largest manufacturing house in Louis- 
ville. Mr. Pontius is a young man of enter- 
prise, and is among the leading men of his 
town. 

DR. J. H. ROGERS, physician and drug- 
gist ; Louisville ; is the only son of John and 
Elizabeth (Hutchison) Rogers, and grandson 
of Thomas Rogers, who was a native of Ire- 
land. Thomas and John Rogers came to 
Wayne Co., in 1816, whe7-e the subject of 
this" biography — Dr. Rogers — was born Nov. 
23, 1847. He received a common school edu- 
cation in early years, which was finished at 
Haysville Academy. In the fall of 1873, he 
commenced the study of medicine at Frede- 
ricksburgh, under the instruction of Dr. Barns. 
During the winter of 187.5-6 he attended 
medical lectures at the University of Wooster, 
situated at Cleveland, and in the spring of 
1876 located at Beach City, where he com- 
menced practicing. In the fall of 1878, he 
came to lA)uisville, where he has ever since 
remained, practicing his profession, which has 
rapidly increased from the first. In Septem- 
ber, 1880, he formed a partnership in the 



-« pv 



M^ 



d^ 



NIMISHILLEN TOWXi^lIIP. 



drug trade witk I.. Warstler, under the firm 
name of Rogers & Warstler. In 1805, Dr. 
Rogers enlisted in Co. C, 18-lth Regiment, O. 
V. 1., and was emplo\-ed mostly in guard 
duty at Nashville and Bridgeport. In 1871, 
he was united in marriage with Viola C. Craig, 
of Missouri. Dr. Rogers is a Republican in 
politics, a member of tiie United Brethren 
Church, and I. O. O. F., and is a genial, intel- 
ligent gentleman. 

R. T. ROTIIROCK, tailor; Louisville; was 
born in .Mifflin Co., Pa., in 1817. He is one 
of the following family, bom to John Adam 
and Susanna Rothrock — Drusilla, Mary, R. 
T., and Melona. The parents were natives of 
Pennsylvania, but they were descended from 
an old and honored faniilj- in Germany. When 
the subject of this biograph}' was but 3 j^ears 
old, his father died, and when 13 years old he 
began life's battle on his own responsibility. 
He commenced learning the tanner's trade, 
;)Ut at the end of two j-ears, discontinued that 
occupation, and apprenticed himself to a 
tailor in Perryville (now Milford), with whom 
ho remained about five years. He opened a 
shop of his own in 1838, at Mogadore, Sum- 
mit Co., Ohio, and since then has worked in 
a number of other places, but has been mostly 
at Canton and Kent. "While working in the 
former place, the war was in progress, and 
Mr. Rothrock was induced to enter the ser- 
vice in the 7<Jth Regiment, Co. K., O. V. I. 
He participated in the engagements of Ft. 
Donelson and Shiloh, and also in a number 
of skirmishes. After serving over a year he 
■was discharged for disabilities. In April, 
1873, he came to Louisville, opened a shojj, 
and meeting with considerable success at 
tailoring, has remained there ever since. Mr. 
Rothrock has been twice married, his first 
wife being Nancy Ann Newburg, who bore 
him four children, only one — Louisa — of whom 
is yet living. She is the wife of .1. L. Wood- 
ard, and lives in Kent. His wife died in 
18(30, and in .June, 1871, Mr. Rothrock mar- 
ried Lucy (Bliss) Bruner, a widow of G. W. 
Bruner, and the mother of four children. Mr. 
Rothrock is a first-class tailor in every re- 
spect, and is giving good satisfaction where 
he is now living. He is a Democrat in poli- 
tics, and he and his wife are members of the 
United Brethren Church. 

JONAS SPANGLER, retired; LouisvUle. 



The subject of this notice was ' orn in Adams 
Co., Penn., Sept. 11, 1810. His parents, Jonas 
and Susanna (Rosenmiller) Spangler were pa- 
rents of six children, whose names are — Chris- 
tina, So|)hia, Barbara, Jonas, David and one 
that died in infancy without l)eing named. He 
is a grandson of Rudolph Spangler, who came 
from Germany to the United States, and set- 
tled in Pennsylvania. Our subject came with 
his parents to Stark Co., Ohio in 1832, locat- 
ing in Osnaburg Tp., where they lived two 
j-ears on a rented farm. At the conclusion of 
that time, Ihej- moved to the farm now owned 
by Jonas Spangler, Jr.. it being at that early 
time almost covered with timber. Mr. Spang- 
ler was a thrifty, hard-working, sober man. 
When he came to the county, he was in 
straitened circumstances, but at the time of 
his death left a good home. He was a Dem- 
ocrat in politics, and a member of the Luther- 
an Church. His death occurred in 1835, and 
Mrs. Spangler's in 1846. The subject of this 
sketch was reared on a farm, and farming 
has always been his vocation. In youth his 
education was very limited, as his father was 
very poor, and unable to spare the money to 
give him the education he craved. Nothing 
daunted however, he would work for the 
neighbors, splitting rails, and with the pro- 
ceeds go to school. Since arriving at years 
of discretion, he has, bj- self-instruction, ac- 
quired a good practical education, and is a 
teacher of several terms' experience. In 18G9, 
he was united in marriage with Anna Ringer, 
and since his arrival in Nimishillen Tp., has 
always made that his place of residence. He 
now owns a tract of 120 acres of nicely im- 
proved land, on which he and his estimable 
lady live a quiet, retired life. Truly " labor 
has its own reward." 

D. M. SLUSSER, merchant; Louisville; 
is a native of Canton Tp., Stark Co., O., 
and was born in 1827. He is one in a family 
of twelve, born to Jacob and Elizabeth (.Min- 
chick) Slusser, and their names respectively 
are — Jesse, Catharine, .John, Jacob, Elizabeth, 
George, Rebecca, Eli, Michael, Danii.l, Ben- 
jamin and David. All tlie<e are living ex- 
cept John, Benjamin, Michael, Jesse and 
George. The parents were of Germanic ile- 
sceiit, but were born in Pennsylvania. This 
family came to Canton Tp., Stark Co., Ohio, 
in 1804, settling ni a forest in which but few 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



settk'i's then lived. The father had very poor 
health, and he remained almost all the time 
in the house working at his trade — shoemak- 
ing — while he hired his out-door work done 
until his lioys were old enough to do it. The 
family lived here in the woods, clearing and 
improving the place, luitil Mr. Slusser's death, 
which occurred in 1837, aged thirty-seven 
years. The fall before he was tvifenty years 
of age, D. M. Slusser went to Indiana, where 
he lived two years. Learning that he could 
obtain land partially cleared just as cheap n 
Ohio as Indiana, he returned to Stark Co., 
working on the old homestead one year. He 
then formed a partnership with his lirother-in 
-law in the provision business at Louisville, 
under the firm name of Slusser & Holdwick, 
with stock valued at about §1,000. This 
partnership continued for five years and was 
then dissolved; Mr. Slusser clerking in the 
retail store of Lawrence & Mathias. He re- 
mained with this firm two years, and then, in 
1868, started the manufacturing of baskets in 
Louisville, a business he followed with suc- 
cess for some time, and from that business 
again started in the provision trade. He now 
owns one of the best grocery stores in town, 
and does a general dealing in produce. In 
1879, he admitted as a partner his son, O. W., 
and the firm name now is D. M. Slusser & 
Son. The year before he came to Louisville, 
Mr. Slusser was united in marriage with 
Lydia Holdwick, daughter of one of Canton 
Tp.'s early pioneers. To this union were born 
nine children — O. W., A. O., Alice, Lucy, 
Harvey, Lincoln, Cora, Ada and Mary E. The 
last-named was first born but has since died. 
Mr. Slusser is one of Louisville's substan- 
tial and leading citizens. He is a Republi- 
can, and the Slussers adhere to the United 
Brethren Church in their religious views. 

DR. A. S. SHEETS, farmer and phys.cian; 
P. O. Barryville. Dr. Sheets was born in 
Columbiana Co., O., in 1834 He is a son 
of Samuel and Matilda (Grice) Sheets, who 
were natives of Pennsylvania, and the parents 
of two children^Sarah and A. S. The father 
was a farmer, and when our subject was but 
six months old was thrown from a horse and 
killed. After remaining a widow about two 
years, Mrs. Sheets married Aaron Duble, and 
soon after her marriage our subject was given 
to the neighbors to raise. When about nine 



years of age' he went to live with Dr. .Tolm 
Dillenbaugh, with whom he resided until 23 
years old; and while with him, read medicine 
to a considerable extent, and the last year 
practiced in connection with him. About 
184G, he moved to Fremont, Ohio, where he 
practiced medicine for three years; and from 
there moved to Huntington, Ohio. At the 
latter place Dr. Sheets' health failed from 
over-work and exposure, and he was com- 
pelled to relinquish active labor in order to 
recuperate his broken constitution. After a 
lengthy time passed in treatment with some 
of the leading physicians of New York, Bos- 
ton and Philadelphia, without success, he de- 
termined to try a sea- faring life for a time; 
which he did for about six months. This was 
the main action that resulted in his recovery. 
In 1857 he came to Harrisburg, Stark Co., 
Ohio, where he formed a partnership with Dv. 
Frifogle. On the breaking-out of the war, 
this partnership was dissolved, Dr. Frifogle 
entering the army. Dr. Sheets has ever since 
carried on the business alone. In later years 
he has devoted some attention to farming in 
connection with his practice. He was mar- 
ried in March, 1859, to Phebe A. Thomas, and 
to this union were born — rSally, Charb'S, 
Franklin, Whitman and George. Mrs. Sheets 
is a member of the United Brethren Churcii, 
while the Doctor is a member of the Metho- 
dist Episcopal. Dr. Sheets is an honest, up- 
right man, and a staunch Republican. 

DR. JOHN SCHILLING, Louisville. 
The subject of this biography was born 
near Frankfort-on-the-ilain, Germany, Oct. 
10, 1794. His early life was passed chiefly 
in going to school and in the acquire- 
ment of knowledge. He received an excel- 
lent classical education, and when about 
twenty-five years of age commenced _the study 
of medicine. Mr. Schilling received instruc- 
tions from the best medical professors of 
Europe, among whom was the celebrated 
specialist. Prof. Schoenlein. He finally, about 
1836, graduated with honors at Wurtzburg 
Medical College. For ten years succeeding 
his graduation, Dr. Schilling practiced medi- 
cine in Gernumj'. A spirit of enterprise then 
taking possession of him, he determined on 
crossing the Atlantic, to seek a home and 
fortune in America. During the spring of 
1837 he came to the United States via Havre 



"i^s- 



NIMISfllLLEN TOW.XSHIP. 



i^ 



and Baltimore, and from tlu; latter place came 
to Bolivar, Tuscarawas Co., O., whore he 
practiced about eight months. He then came 
to Louisville, Ohio, where he remained until 
1811, and then removed to Osiiabur<f, where 
l.e still continued practicing. In 1S52 iiis 
liL-alth failed from over-exertion and exposure. 
To avoid his large practice he m<)ved to 
Crestline, Ohio, engaging in the drug trade. 
After a residence there of eighteen months 
he returned to Louisville, where he again 
actively engaged in medical pursuits, con- 
tinuing so until 1875, when he retired from 
active life, his son, J. P., superseding him. 
During his early career. Dr. Schilling's prac- 
tice extended over a large territory. He made 
a specialty of diseases of the eye, operating 
for cataract quite frequently by what is known 
as the "lateral operation," all of which were 
successful. He also paid considerable atten- 
tion to deformities, such as club-foot, liair-lip, 
etc., often being called far beyond his usual 
practice to attend to such cases. He was one 
of the earliest and most successful practition- 
ers of Nimishillen Tp. He was married in 
German}', in 1835, to Elizabeth Schioeder, 
and by her had seven children — Catiiarine, 
Conrad, J. P., .Fohn, John, Edward and Tillie. 
Only Catharine, J. P., Edward and Tillie are 
now living. Catharine is the v;ife of J. G. 
Prenot ; J. P. married Kate Mathias ; Edward 
married Ella McGregor ; Tillie is single, and 
all ar(> living in Louisville. J. P. Schilling 
commenced the study of medicine under 
his father about 1857, and in 1860 took a 
course of lectures at the Western Res Tve 
College in Cleveland. He graduated from the 
Starling Medical College at ( 'olumbus during 
the winter of 1SG3-4. In May, 1864, he en- 
listed in the ;3-lth Reg. O. V. M. I. as assist- 
ant surgeon, and served with that regiment 
until it was captured in January, 1865, at 
Beverly, West Virginia. He then served 
under contract for six weeks at Camp Chase, 
after which he was commissioned assistant 
surgeon of the 88th O. V. I., and was finally 
discharged at the close of the war. His mar- 
riage with Miss Mathias was celebrated No- 
vember 13, 1866. To this union were born — 
Charles, Frederick and Ida May. The drug 
store of J. Schilling and Son was established 
in 1853, and is among the leading business 
houses of Louisville. 



JOSEPH SCHILLIG, deceased ; was born 
in Alsace, France, in 1812. When 15 years 
old he came with his parents to the United 
States, locating in Columbiana Co., where his 
parents lived the remainder of their lives. 
For the first two years succeeding his arrival, 
Mr. Schillig engaged his services as hostler 
in a tavern in New Garden. He then went 
to Pittsburgh, engaging in the same business 
for twelve consecutive years with one man. 
While here he was head hostler for most of 
the time, obtaining this position through his 
integrity of character and close attention to 
business. In 1838 he married Sophia Cup- 
per, and by her had a family of ten children 
— Joseph, Catharine, Mary Ann, Magdalena, 
.Josephine ; .John, deceased ; Jacob, deceased ; 
John, Adam and Emeline. The year of his 
marriage, Mr. Schillig purchased the farm 
now owned by his widow on Sec. 12, Nimi- 
shillen Tp., Stark Co., Ohio, on which he 
moved in 1841. He was a hard-working man, 
industrious and honest ; was a Democrat in 
politics, and he and wife were members of the 
Roman Catholic Church. His deatli occurred 
Nov. 16, 1863. His widow is yet living on 
the old homestead. Josc^ph Schillig, the old- 
est son, was born in Nimishillen T|)., April 
18, 1841. He was reared on a farm, and farm- 
ing has alwaj's been his chosen occupation. 
In 1869 he purchased and moved on his pres- 
ent farm, which consists of 80 acres, on Sec. 
16, where he has since resided. He was imi- 
ted in marriage, Jan. 9, 1868, with Miss I>ou- 
ise Menegay, and to this union has been born 
John, Clara, deceased ; and Mary Jane. Mr. 
and Mrs. Schillig are of the same religious 
faith as their forefathers, strictly adhcriijg to 
the doctrines taught by the Church of Rome. 
In politics Mr. Schillig is a Democrat. He 
has twice iield the office of Township Clerk, 
and is the present Township Assessor. The 
Schilligs are descended from an olil ;ind hon- 
ored race of people, who were noted for their 
honorable conduct and u])rightness of charac- 
ter. The present generation have a like rep- 
utation, and are considered among the leading 
citizens, in v.hatever locality jjiey reside. 

WILLIAM SHAFFER, stock-raiser and 
farmer; P. O. I^ouisville; was born Nov. 18, 
1839, in Washington Tp., Stark Co., Ohio. 
He is a son of John and Margaret (Cairns) 
Shaffer, who were parents of a family of five 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



— William, Andrew J., Joseph, James, and 
Jane. The mother of these was a native of 
Scotland, and the father was born in Wash- 
ington Tp., Stark Co., Ohio, in 1819. The 
subject of this biography is a grandson of 
William Shaffer, who came to Stark Co. 
about 1815, from Pennsj-lvania. John Shaf- 
fer was a farmer. He was an honest and up- 
right citizen, and a man highly respected. 
His death occurred in 1866; his widow being 
yet living on the old farm in Washington 
Tp. William Shaffer passed his youth and 
early manhood with his parents on the farm, 
and since has made farming his occupation. 
He received a good common-school and aca- 
demical education, and in March, 1S65, mar- 
ried Lydia, daughter of Peter and Catharine 
(Shaffer) Trump. By her he has a family of 
eight children — Ida J., Ella, Lillie, Charles, 
Ada, Clara L., Elmer and Nettie. Mrs. Shaf- 
fer was born April 14, 1841. In 1865 Mr. 
Shaffer moved on, and purchased 68 acres of 
the farm he now owns, which he has increased 
to a fine farm of 130 acres. He started out 
in life with but little means at his command, 
but with the help of his wife, has made a 
valuable and pleasant home. Mr. Shaffer is 
a teacher of nine terms' experience in the 
public schools. He is a Democrat, and has 
held various township offices. He and his 
wife are members of the Reformed Church, 
and are respected and intelligent citizens. 

ISAAC SHAP^FER, conductor. P., Ft. W. 
& C. R. R.; Louisville; was born in what was 
then Freedom, now Alliance, July 8, 1845. 
He is a son of Samuel and Mary M. (Berger) 
Shaffer, a detailed sketch of whom will be 
found in the biographical department of Lex- 
ington Tp. Isaac Shaffer was reared in his 
native town until he was 17 years of age. 
He then (1862) left home and went to Chi- 
cago, where he had a brother on the P., Ft. 
W. & C- R- R-5 as conductor. Obtaining a 
position on the same road as brakeman, he 
remained here some eight months, and was 
then transferred to Alliance, where he re- 
mained about nine months as brakeman. He 
was then promoted to conductor of through 
freight. He remained in this capacitj' until 
1869, when he was appointed conductor of 
the construction and wreck-train running be- 
tween Salem and Wooster, with headquarters 
at Louisville. He has been ever since at this. 



and has a record of nineteen years of steady- 
work on the P., Ft. W. & C. R. R. Mr. Shaf- 
fer was married April 14, 1864, to Miss Sarah 
C. Henry, daughter of Frank C. Henrj-, and 
by her had a family of five children — Charles 
W. (deceased), Cora I., Grace I., Samuel 0. 
and Ralph. Mrs. Shaffer was born Sept. 1, 
1844. Mr. Shaffer is a staunch Republican in 
politics, and his wife is amember of the Uni- 
ted Brethren Church. 

JOHN B. VIOLAND, retired; Louisville. 
Among the early French settlers in Nimishil- 
len Tp., is the father of the subject of this 
sketch, John B. Violand, who was born near 
Belford, France, Oct. 12, 1817. He is a son 
of Joseph and Elizabeth (Marchand) Violand, 
who were natives of France, and parents of 
the following- family — Elizabeth, Therese, 
John B., Rosa, Joseph, Francis, Celestine, 
Marion and George. ^Ir. Violand was a 
farmer and teamster while in the old country, 
and, having a large family on his hands, de- 
termined to go to the United States that he 
might give his children proper advantages. 
He and his family embarked at Havre, and 
after a long voyage of sixty days, arrived in 
New York in safety. From this place he 
came to Stark Co., Ohio, and at the time of 
his arrival only had 8300. This he gave for 
80 acres of land in Nimishillen Tp., on which 
he immediately settled. Mr. and Mrs. Vio- 
land were industrious and honest people, and 
strict adherents of the Roman Catholic 
Church. They both died in 1863, leaving an 
untarnished record for their children to fol- 
low. John B. Violand was married in 1842 
to Ludivine Menegay, and by her had five 
children — Mary, Josephine, John, Loui and 
Joseph. At the time of his marriage, Mr. 
Violand's total wealth consisted of only $50, 
but by hard labor and honest, upright dealing, 
he has made enough to present each of his 
children with considerable property, reserving 
enough to keep him and wife in their old age. 
Mr. Violand is a Catholic, and one of the 
leading French settlers of Stark Co. 

MATHIAS WALKER, livery; Louisville. 
Among the descendants of some of, the old 
settlers of Osnaburg Tp., is the subject of this 
biography, who is a son of Mathias and 
Elizabeth (Baughman) Walker. Mathias 
Walker, Sr., is a native of Somerset Co., Penn., 
and was born April 29, 1810. At the age of 



*-^- 

T 



Xnil^sniLLEN TOWNSHIP. 



:\ii^ 



17 he came to Ohio a poor boy, and located 
in Osnaburg Tp., Stark Co., Ohio, where he 
soon obtaiuL'd possession of a small farm. On 
this he cleared a sufficient space on which to 
erect a lo>r cabin, ai\d tln'n sent hack to Penn- 
sylvania lor his parents, who, on tlieir arrival, 
kept house for him until his marriage with 
Elizabeth Baughmati, which took place in 
1820. This union was blessed with five 
children — .Jacob, Eli, Caroline, Albert and 
Malhias; all of whom are living except Caro- 
line. Mr. Mathias was a leading citizen of 
his township, and an exemplary member of 
the Lutheran Church. His death occurred 
Sept. 24, 1876. His widow is yet living in 
Osnaburg Tp., on the farm wliere she was 
born and raised. She was horn Jan. 13, 1815, 
and her parents wore among the old pioneers of 
Osnaburg Tp. Mathias "A^alkor, .Jr., was born 
Feb. 21, 18.58, and was raised on the home 
farm. He was married Dec. 20, 1870, to Min- 
nie Maxhimer, daughter of John Maxhimer. 
After his father's death our subject farmed 
three years. He then moved to, Osnaburg, 
purchased livery property there, and remained 
until Ai)ril, 1881, when he came to Louis- 
ville. Mr. Walk T keeps a stable second to 
none in the town in regard to stylish turn- 
outs. His sta!)le is run in connection with 
the Commercial Hotel, where he is ahvays 
ready to do anything in his line as cheap as 
the cheapest. He is already building up a 
good business, and bids fair soon to be among 
the permanent fixtures of the villaore. 

LYCURGU.S WILSON, livery;'Louisville; 
is a son of Douglas and Janette (Brownson) 
Wilson, and grandson of Douglas Wilson, 
who was one of Stark Co.'s earliest pioneers, 
and who located in Osnaburg Tp., at a very 
early date, it being at that time an almost 
unbroken forest filled with Indians and wild 
beasts. The history of the Wilson family will 
bt! found in the biographies of Sandy Tp. 
Lycurgus Wilson was born in Osnaburg Tp., 
Aug. 5, 1856, on the same farm on which his 
father was born. He was reared on a farm, 
and when 9 years old moved with his parents, 
near Waynesburgh, in Sandy Tp. He received 
a common school education in the schools of 
Waynesburgh, living with his parents until the 
spring of ISSO, when he left home and came 
to Louisville, where he has since resided. He 
began in Louisville, in the livery business, 



and since he first started has enlarged and 
improved until he now has one of the leading 
stables in town. Mr. Wilson keeps a first- 
class line of buggies, horses, &c., and aims to 
do the right thing by those that patronize 
him. His prices are reasonable and those 
desiring anything in the livery line will do 
well to call on him. He is a Republican in 
politics, and a young man of push and enter- 
prise. 

GEORGE WERNER, deceased, is a son 
of Henry and Susanna (Shaffer) Werner, who 
came to Stark Co., Ohio, as early as 1816. 
Susanna Shaffer was a native of Germany 
and came to the U. S., when about eleven 
years old, where she afterwards met and mar- 
ried Henry Werner, and by him had a family 
of twelve — Mary, Henry, Daniel, John, George, 
Nancy, David, Benjamin, Jacob, Eliza, Sus- 
anna and Christianii. Of thc^e all are living 
except John, Nancy, Eliza, Susanna and 
George. The father was a miller by trade 
and a native of Pa. Being in very ordinar}' 
circumstances he concluded to come west, and 
take up land cheap that would as time passed 
by become very valuable. Accordingly in 
May, 1816, he came overland with horses and 
wagons, bringing his family to Stark Co., 
Ohio, locating on the north-west quarter sec- 
tion of land in Nimishillen Tp., a piece of 
property he had ])urchased the year previous, 
giving what was then the extraordinary price 
of j!2,500. Mr. Werner was a sober, indus- 
trious man, and before many years had passed 
by, made the wooded home he had selected 
here look more like a place inhabited by human 
beings than wild beasts. He took an active 
part in the building of the schools and church 
of his neighborhood and the United Brethren 
church, of which he was a prominent member, 
situated on the old Werner farm, is still 
known as the "Werner Church" named in 
his honor. He was born in 1783 and died in 
1864. His wife died in 1860. George Wer- 
ner, their son and the subject of this biogra- 
phy, was a native of Franklin Co., Pa., his 
birth occurring July 37, 1813. He came with 
his parents to Stark Co., where he resided until 
his death. When 18 years old he left 
home, went to Canton, and there commenced 
the printer's trade, but not being satisfied 
with this he discontinued it and learned the 
cabinet-maker's trade, serving a four years' ap- 



l^ 



prenticeship. He then worked at his trade 
four years and also at carpentering. For a 
time he engaged in mercantile pursuits in New 
Baltimore, and while here met Sarah Hickman, 
who became his wife in August, 1839. This 
lady's father was William Hickman and his 
father was a native of Chester Co., Pa. Her 
mother was a Mercer, grandmother a Buck- 
ingham, and great grandmother a Shellcross, 
who were natives of England. After his mar- 
riage Mr. Werner remained in New Baltimore 
about two years and then moved back to 
Nimisliillen Tp., where he re-commenced car- 
pentering. In 1844, he purchased a farm ad- 
joining the old homestead where he resided 
up to the time of his death. To his union 
with Miss Hickman there were born five 
children — William H., Emma C, Lydia H., 
Ellen L., and .Joseph F. or " Frank" as lie is 
more generally known. All these are living 
and ail are married. Mr. Werner was an Ikju- 
est, straightforward man, and an exemplary 
citizen. He died June 18, 1881. Emma, his 
daughter, married J. C. Craven, and lives in 
Alliance. Lydia is the wife of J. R. West, 
and also lives in Alliance. Ellen is the wife 
L. D. Durban, and is a resident of New- 
castle, Pa. William H. Werner was born in 
New Baltimore, June G, 1840, and up to the 



breaking-out of the war remained at home. 
In November, 18G1, he enlisted in Co. K. 70th 
Reg. O. V. I. He was an active participant 
in the engagements of Ft. Donelson, Shiloh, 
Pea Ridge, Corinth, Chickasaw, Arkansas 
Post, Milliken's Bend and the siege of Vicks- 
burg. He was discharged in December, 18C3. 
Nov. 30, 1805, he was united in marriage 
with Miss Harriet Holibaugh, daughter of 
Philip and Sarah (Harmony) Holibaugh, and 
by her has three children — Carrie, Minnie and 
Francie. After his marriage he farmed with his 
father in-law, three years. April 1, 1808, he 
purchased an interest in the grist-mill at 
Marlborough, which he sold Sept. 1, 1874. 
In partnership with Mr. J. W. Gaskill, they 
bought of Mc Clure and Co., March 1, 1875, 
their present general store under the firm 
name of Werner & Gaskill. In March, 1880, 
his brother Frank was admitted into the part- 
nership and the firm name now is Werner 
Brothers & Co. Frank Werner was born 
Aug. 17, 1853. Nov. 6, 1879, he married 
Laura L. ^\^etzel and to this union is born one 
daughter — Jessie. The present generation 
of Werners are staunch Republicans in poli- 
tics and are among the leading citizens of 
Stark Co., Ohio. 



MARLBOROUGH TOWNSHIP. 



BLOOMFIELD FAMILY, Marlborough 
Tp. Of the early pioneers who endured the 
hardships and braved the perils of frontier life, 
who felled the forests and laid the foundation 
for the inestimable blessings the present gen- 
eration now enjoys, but few are now remain- 
ing. Occasionally one of these old frontiers- 
men is met with who has survived the storms 
and ravages of time; but his silvery locks and 
his feeble step tell us that ere long he will 
lay himself down from his labors, " within 
that tent whose curtain never outward swings." 
In no way can the present generation honor 
so well these old heroes of the early time as 
by imitating their virtues and preserving in- 
violate the blessings guaranteed unto us in the 
civil, educational and religious institutions 



founded and fostered by their wisdom and 
self-sacrifice. Among the early pioneers of 
Marlborough Tp., are the Bloomfields. To 
give a correct history of this family we will 
go back to when James the First inherited by 
birth the crowns of both England and Scot- 
land, and undertook to make all his subjects 
conform to his religious views. This was 
strongly resented by many of his subjects 
and especially by a sect in Scotland called 
the Cameronians. These people were par- 
ticularly odious to the King, and after years 
of persecution a number of them were arrest- 
ed and put upon an old ship called the Cale- 
donia, which was unseaworthy, without com- 
pass or chart, and with only a small stock of 
provisions, with the threat that if they return- 



rFi^ 



i^ 



MARLBOROUGH TOWNSHIP. 



ed they should all be put to death. When fairly 
out at sea, in the utmost despair, a man came 
suddenly from the hold of the ship, bearinj^ in 
his hands a compass and quadrant. They ac- 
cepted him as captain, and he said he would 
try and steer them to America. He steered for 
New York but struck the coast of Now .Jersey, 
opposite Aniboy, and all were landed in safety. 
In that vessel was a you;tr woman, Marion 
Ren wick, and her blood ilows in the veins 
of all the descendants of Thomas Bloomfield. 
She was descended from the royal Bruces of 
Scotland. Marion Renwick was married to 
Adam Hude, and they hail a daughter named 
.Anna, who became the wife of Andrew Bloom- 
field, the father of Thomas, the pioneer. 
There was another Thomas Bloomfield, a con- 
t^'niporary and cousin of the pioneer of Craw- 
ford Co., Pa., who was a Captain in the Revo- 
iutionarv War, and afterwards made Attor- 
ney-General of New Jersey, and elected 
Governor of that State in 1801, and held the 
offici- until 1812, when he received the com- 
mission of Brigailier General in the war of 
1812. Thomas Bloomfield, the pioneer of 
Crawford Co., Pa., was born in New Jersey 
Nov. 23, 1740. At the a-e of 25 he married 
Elizabeth Morris, a niece of Robert Morris, 
the great financier of the Revolution. About 
the year 1792, Thomas and Elizabeth left 
their home in New Jersey and came into 
Pennsylvania, tarried a short time in Lancas- 
ter Co., from there to Fayette, and from 
thence to French Creek; Crawford Co., was 
not then organized. They settled there in 
the woods and took up large tracts of land, 
and when the townships of the county re- 
ceived their names the one in which this family 
resided received the name of Bloomfield 
Tp., in their honor, a name it still bears. 
Thomas Bloomfield lived there in the woods 
until his death, which occurred Jan. 15, 1814. 
Ho was buried on the land which he settled. 
Eliz ibeth, his widow, died in 1829, and was 
liuriedby the side of her husband. One of their 
children was Lewis Bloomfield, born in 1781. 
Ho married Susaiuiah Kirk, and in 1829 re- 
moved with his family to Stark Co., Ohio, and 
iiod in 18(34, aged 83 years. Lewis and 
.Susannah (Kirk) Bloomfield were parents of 
nine children — Margaret, .Joseph, Eliza, Sarali, 
Lewis M., John, Judith, Susan and William. 
Lewis M. Bloomfield was born in Bloomfield 



Tp., Crawford Co., Pa., Dec. 10, 1815. He 
came with his parents to Stark Co., Ohio, in 
1829, locating on Sec. 3. He lived with his 
parents until his marriage with J^ydia Ingledue 
June 7, 1838. About 1845 he purchased his 
present place of 240 acres across the county 
line in Randolph Tp., Portage Co., and has 
lived there to the present. To his union with 
Miss Ingledue there were born five children — 
Alpheus S., Celestine, Thomas M., Susan G. 
and Asenath. The mother of these departed 
this life Dec. 8, 1870. She was one of the 
few true and noble women of her day; she 
was a kind and loving wile, and an exemplary 
mother. He deatli was sadly regretted by a 
large concourse of friends who followed her 
remains to their last resting place — the grave 
— but by none more than her loving con- 
sort whose union with her was one of unalloyed 
happiness. Thomas M. Bloomfield was born 
Aug. 26, 1844. He was raised a farmer; and 
was married Sept. 29, 1878, to MissSamantha 
Chain, and by her has a family of two— Maud 
L. and Nellie Blanche. The mother was 
born Nov. 20, 1845. Thomas Bloomfield is a 
Republican in politics as is also his father. 
He is at present one of the townshijj's Trus- 
tees, and is also President of the Farmer's 
Insurance Company of Marlborough Tp. 
In conlusion we can say that the present gen- 
eration of Bloomfiolds have not deteriorated 
from the older stock, but are to-day numbered 
among the most substantial and leading 
citizens of their respective neighborhoods. 

A. M. BAILEY, of the firm of Bailey, Tay- 
lor, Crocker & Co.; Marlborough; was born in 
Millorsburg, Ohio, in 1847. He is a son of 
B. F. Bailev, who came from New Hampshire, 
and Katie Ann (Black) Bailey, of Ohio. B. F. 
Bailey came to Tuscarawas Co. in 1840, and 
there met and married Miss Black. By her 
he had four children — James M., A. M., Levi 
M., deceased, and O. F. Mr. Bailey was a 
wagon-maker by trade, and in 1852 moved to 
Davis Co., Iowa, where he engaged in mer- 
cantile pursuits. In 1859 he sold out and 
came back to Tuscarawas Co., where he again 
embarked in business. His death occurred 
in 1872. When A. M. Bailey was 15 j'cars 
old, he apprenticed himself for three years to 
learn the tinner's trade. In 1875 he came with 
his two brothers to Marlborough and engaged 
in the tinning business. After three years he 






BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



started in the notion business, but being away 
from home a great deal he concluded to settle 
down, and with this determination he pur- 
chased 24 acres of land in Marlborough Tp., 
and went to gardening. He commenced can- 
ning some of his products in 1874, and seeing 
that it might end, if continued, in a good 
business, he kept increasing the amount 
canned, until now the business he is conduct- 
ing is the largest of its kind in the State. 
The firm, properly speaking, commenced as 
Bailey & Co., but during the spring of 1881, 
the name changed to Bailey, Taylor, Crocker 
& Co., with three factories, one situated in 
Marlborough, one in New Baltimore, and one 
in Limaville. Their books show a business an- 
nually done as follows : 1874, manufactured 
about 144 cans ; 1875, 200 cans ; 1876, 3,400 
cans ; 1877, 27,000 cans ; 1878, 37,000 cans ; 
1879, 75,000 cans ; 1880, 260,000. They will 
can about 800,000 cans during the season of 
1881. Their goods are of the best, and are 
found in all the principal cities of the United 
States. Throughout all their transactions, 
Mr. Bailey has been the principal factor, as 
well as the founder of the business. He was 
married in 1869 to Marietta Boston, and by 
her has one daughter — Jennie B. Further 
reference to the canning business will be 
found in the history of Marlboro Tp. 

SAMUEL S. BOWERS, farmer and stock- 
raiser; P. O. Marlborough; was born in what 
is now Blair Co., Pa., July 13, 1835. His par- 
ents were Jacob and Elizabeth (Rhodes) 
Bowers, and grandparents Peter and Su- 
sanna (Brumbaugh) Bowers. Peter Bowers 
was a Pennsylvanian and a farmer. He was 
twice married, his second wife being the 
mother of our subject's father. Jacob Bovv- 
ers was born in Blair Co., Pa., Deo. 28, 1814. 
By choice he was a farmer, but in connection 
with that followed horse doctoring to a con- 
siderable extent. Being an excellent judge 
of horses, he did quite an extensive business 
in handling and taking care of stock. May 
1, 1834, he was married in Blair Co., to Eliz- 
abeth Rhodes, who was born in Blair Co., July 
12, 1816. To this union there were born 
three children — Samuel S., Sarah and Mary. 
Sarah is now dead; Mary is the widow of Wil- 
liam Wolfe, and resides in Marlborough Tp. 
To better their condition financially they 
came to Stark Co., Ohio, in 1845, locating in 



Lake Tp. The last sixteen years of his life 
Mr. Bowers kept hotel at different places, the 
last being in Marlborough. He died Aug. 
13, 1873. Samuel S. Bowers was reared on a 
farm. In June, 1864, he enlisted for 100 days 
in Co. H, 162d, O. N. G., and was discharged 
at the expiration of his term of service. 
March 6, 1855, he married Catharine Brum- 
baugh, daughter of Jacob and Susan (Ditch) 
Brumbaugh, and by her had four children — 
Ida, born>eb. 3, 1857, died May 39, 1861; 
Jacob, born Sept. 29,1858, died May 36, 1861 
(both died within three days of each other, of 
diphtheria;) Martin, born April 10, 1860, and 
Carrie, born Aug. 14, 1867. In the fall of 1857 
Mr. Bowers came to MarlborougliTp., and rent- 
ed his farm for ten years. Having accumulated 
sufficient money by the end of this time, he 
purchased the place, payuig part cash. Since 
then, by thrift and enterprise, he has j)aid all 
his indebtedness, and now has a fine farm of 
145 acres, situated on Sec. 11. He and 
wife are members of the Disciples' Church. 
He is a Republican in politics, and a good 
citizen. His mother died on his place, June 
25, 188L 

F. N. BRYAN, farmer and stock-raiser ; 
P. O. New Baltimore. John Bryan, father of 
our subject, was born in Maryland Aug. 17, 
1821. He is a son of Peter and Catharine 
(Mathias) Biyan, and when 16 years old came 
with his parents to Marlborough Tp., Stark 
Co., Ohio. Peter Bryan was a blacksmith by 
trade and a poor man. He had come to the 
county previous to his settlement, and, liking 
the "lay of the land," purchased 80 acres on 
Sec. 19, where he lived a number of years. 
After his arrival here he discontinued his 
trade, and arduously commenced clearing up 
up and improving the place. In 1858, having 
accumulated sufficient property, he purchased 
a small place adjoining the village of New 
Baltimore, where he finally died in 1871. 
His wife died in 1867. This family, in olden 
times, used to wiite their name O'Bryan, but 
finally the prefix was dropped, making the 
present name of Bryan. In about 1844, John 
Bryan and Hannah Young were married, and 
they were the parents of fovir children — Har- 
riet C, now wife of W. L. Nash ; Lucetta P., 
wife of S. R. Dickson ; Franklin N. and Ira 
B. The last-named married Isadore Kindig, 
and lives in Marlborough Tp. Mr. and Mrs. 



^1 



4. 






MAKLBOROI'OH TOWNSHIP. 



Bryan are living retired in the village of New 
Baltimore. Frank N. Bryan, the subject of 
this biography, was born in Marlborough Tp., 
March 31, 1850. He was reared on the farm, 
and received a good commoii-schoo! and col- 
legiate education. On the 4th day of May, 
1871, he was united in marriage with Mary 
C. Yarian, and to this marriage were born 
four cliildren — Clyde A., Nellie I., John B. 
and Nina P. The motlier of these was born 
April 21, 1850. F. N. Bryan and wife are 
members of the Disciples' Church, of which 
Mr. Bryan is an Elder. He is a Democrat in 
politics and is the present Justice of the Peace 
of his township. He owns 120 acres of good 
laiui, and is an enterprising and desirable cit- 
izen. 

EDWARD BROOKE; Marlborough. The 
Brooke family of the United States are de- 
scended from English ancestors, and the pro- 
genitor of tiiat name in the United States was 
Robert Brooke, one of the younger sons of 
the Earl of Warwick. In England the eldest 
son inherits the title and estate of a titled per- 
sonage; this being the case in this instance. 
Robert was twice married, his first wife dying 
in England, the second coming with him to 
America in 1650, and locating at the mouth 
of the Patu.\ent River, where they founded a 
colony. Robert Brooke was the father of 
Roger, who married Elizabeth Hutchings, and 
by her had a family of ten, one of these ten 
being James Brooke, who was born in 1705. 
Previous to the time of James Brooke, the 
family were of the Roman Catholic faith, but 
this gentleman formed an attachment with a 
Quaker girl. To obtain her for a wife he re- 
nounced the religion of his fathers, married 
her, and their union was fruitful in a large 
family; their second son being Roger, who 
married Mary Matthews, and by her had ten 
children, the eldest being Samuel Brooke, the 
father of the subject of this biography. Sam- 
uel married Sarah Garrigus, of Philadelphia, 
who was of French origin. Their marriage 
resulted in nine children, eight of wliom lived 
[ to reach their majorities. Tiiese were — Mary, 
! Ann, AVilliam, Margaret, Abraham, Samuel, 
j Edward and James B. In 1831 Abraham and 
William emigrated westward, and located in 
what is now Marlborough Tp., and their com- 
ing was soon followed by the others. Edward 
Brooke was raised a farmer, ami such has 



been his chief employment through life. A 
few years after he came to the county he 
married Hannah Lukins, and by her had four 
children — Alfred, Mary, Walker and Joseph. 
Alfred married Eliza W. Mendenhall, in 1864, 
and by her has one daughter — Ellen. Edward 
Brooke has been one of the leading men of 
his townshij) since his first settlement. He 
was an active Republican during the war, and 
after its close he reasoned that the mission of 
that party was accomplished, and he became 
a Democrat. By that element he has been 
elected to the State legislature; a position he 
filled to the satisfaction of his constituents. 

GEORGE CLAPSADDLE, stock-raiser 
and farmer; P. O. Marlborough; was born in 
Fairfield Tp., Columbiana Co., Ohio, Oct. 8, 
1817. He is a son of John and Elizabeth 
(Keefer) Clapsaddle, grandson of George and 
Christina (Gilbert) Clapsaddle, and great- 
grandson of George Clapsaddle, who emigrated 
from Germany to the U. S. He settled in 
Franklin Co., Pa., where the family resided 
until they came to Ohio, about 1815. John, 
our subject's father, with the view of better- 
ing his condition took up 140 acres of land in 
Columbiana Co., and lived and died there. 
He married Elizabeth Keefer there, and this 
lady bore him eleven children: George, Jonas, 
John, Mary, Julia, Samuel, Lovina, Maria, 
Elizabeth, Albert, d(xeased, and Albert 2d. 
Six are yet living. Mr. Clapsaddle served in 
the war of 1812. In politics he was neutral, 
and in religion a member of the United Breth- 
ren Church. He died in Washiiigto.i . ille in 
1846, and his widow in Alliance, on Christmas 
day, 1872. George Clapsaddle was reared a far- 
mer, receiving a good common-school educa- 
tion. July 1, 1841, he was united in marriage 
with Lovina Neigh, daughter of Lawrcmce and 
Nancy (Welch) Neigh, and to their union were 
born nine children — Franklin, George L., 
Lucretia N., wife of Joseph Gaskill; Elizabeth, 
Mary, deceased; James and John, twins; 
Samuel and Charles. The oldest married 
Sarah Lingo, and lives in Malborough Tp. 
George married Carrie Gaskill, and lives in 
Iowa. James married Ella Roalh, and rctsides 
in Columbiana Co.; John and Samuel are 
single; Charles married Carrie Haag, and 
lives in Marlborough Tp.; Franklin enlisted 
in Co. F., 115th Reg. O. V. I., Aug. 9, 1862, 
and was discharged May 20, 1865. He was 



-3- 



922 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



mustered into service at Camp Massillon, and 
from there was sent to Camp Dennison. 
Diirinor the fall of 1863 he was sent to Mur- 
freesboro, Tenn., and from there to the Nash- 
ville and Chattanooga R. R. Block-house No. 
1., to do guard duty. On the 4th of Decem- 
ber he and a number of others were taken 
prisoners by Gen. Buford, with a detachment 
of troops from Gen. Hood. He was taken to 
Meridian, Miss., and after four weeks was 
taken to Andersonville. After enduring the 
sufferings that were imposed on our boys 
there by the traitorous leaders of the South, 
he was paroled and taken to Vioksburg April 
1, I8G5, where he remained until the lOth, 
when he took passage for the North on board 
that ill-fated steamer " Sultana." About 2 
o'clock A. M., of the 17th, he was awaker)ed 
from his sleep on the hurricane deck by the 
explosion of steam. Realizing immediately 
what was the matter, Mr. Clapsaddle made 
for the companion-wav, down which he hur- 
ried to the deck below, where, grasping the 
sides of the vessel, he swung himself clear from 
the wreck into the river. He remained in the 
cold water on a plank about five hours, when 
he was i)i(ked up by a boat, and was then taken 
to U\f lidspital in Memphis. After about a 
week thiMi' he was sent to Columbus via 
Cairo, where he was finally discharged. After 
his marriage, George Clapsaddle, oursubjeL't, 
taught school some thirteen terms. His chief 
occu|)ation, however, has been farming. In 
1840 he removed to near Alliance, and in 
18.58 purchased his present place, 80 acres — 
where he has lived ever since. In politics 
Mr. Clapsaddle is a Prohibitionist, and he and 
wife are members of the Disciples' Church. 

H. S. E. DAY, painter; New Baltimore. 
About two hundred and thirty-three years 
jjrior to the writing of this biography (1881), 
there died in Hartford, Ct., one Robert Day, 
the first of that name, who, filled with the 
spirit of enterprise, left his native land and 
emigrated in 1634 to the New World, that 
was then draining all Europe of its enterpris- 
ing people. At the time of his emigration he 
was 30 years old, and his wife, Mary, 28 years, 
as shown by the record of passengers of the 
good ship " Elizabeth, " upon which they took 
j)assage from Ipswich, Eng., for Boston. This 
family originally came from Wales, and tradi- 
tion has it that the name was derived from a 



small river in that country, originally pronoun- 
ced Dee, which was probabl}' applied to some 
ancestor dwelling upon its banks. It was called 
by the English Daye, which was easily con- 
tracted into Day. In preparing a history of 
this family, space forbids the writer going 
liack farther than to Lewis Dav, who was born 
.fuly 19, 1754. Early in May, 1799, Lewis 
Day, his son Horatio, and two others, from 
Granby, Conn., left their homes in a one-horse 
wagon for the purpose of finding a home in 
the far West. They wended their way 
through an almost trackless forest to what is 
now Deerfield, which was named from a town 
in Massachusetts, in honor of Sarah Munn, 
the mother of Lewis Day, who was a native 
of that place. In the fall of that same year 
Mr. Day returned to Connecticut, and in 1800 
removed his entire family to his new home in 
Ohio. During the war of 1813, four of this 
family served in defense of their country. 
These four were — Horatio, Alva, Seth and 
Lewis, .Jr. Horatio was married Jan. 28, 1802, 
to Hannah Hinman, and to them were born 
six children — Dr. .1. H. Day (deceased), Julia 
A. (Mrs. William Endly), Malvina S. (Mrs. 
McNair, di'ceased), Almira S. (Mrs. Peter 
Gee), Dr. Anson H., and Solon F. Dr. Ati- 
son H. Day is the father of the suljject of this 
sketch. He was born at Deerfield, Ohio, Nov. 
13, 1815; began the study of medicine in 
1840 under his brother. Dr. J. H. Day, and 
commenced practicing in 1844. He com- 
menced his labors in New Baltimore in the 
fall of that year, and has remained in the 
countv principallv ever since. He Avas mar- 
ried Sept. 14, 1843, to Samantha Hamilton, 
and by her has one son — Hamiltm S. E. Dr. 
Day and wife are still living in New Balti- 
more, old and honored citizens. The subject 
of this sketch was born May 25, 1845, in New 
Baltimore. When 18 years old, he enlisted 
in Co. B, 6th Regiment O. V. C, the date of 
his enlistment being Jan. 28, 1864. He was 
in the Army of the Potomac under Gen. Sher- 
idan, and participated in quite a number of 
engagements, the most prominent being Har- 
rison's Landing, Stony Creek, Rapidan Sta- 
tion, Coal Harbor and that twenty days' raid 
through the Shenandoah Valley. He served 
his command faithfully, and was discharged 
June 28, 1865. After his discharge he came 
home and began working at his trade, and has 



Uv 



JIARLBOROUGH TOWNSHIP. 



923 



been enga.2;od at tliat up to the present. He 
doos apfoncral husiness ;n coach-paintinjr. Mr. 
Day was married in September, 18T4, to Ella 
AVliotstone, and by lier has two children — 
Mary S. and Belle. Mr. Day is a member of 
the A., F. & A. M., of Alliance, No. 271. lie is 
a Re|)ul)lican in jxjlitics, and an enterpris- 
ii:2-, i'itelliirent citizen. 

JOSEPH \V.G.\SKILL, merchant; Marl- 
boiougli. There is no greater pleasur«! for the 
liand and pen of the historian or biographer 
to perform, than recording the notable 
events in the lives of the first pioneers of a 
locality; tracing their steps from homes of ease 
and comfort in the East to dangers and hard- 
ships in th ■ great forests of the West. The 
history of Marlborough Tp. would l)c incom- 
plete without a detailed sketch of the Gru- 
welle and Gaskill families, whose historj^, and 
especially that of the former, is so intimately 
connected with that of Marlborough Tp. The 
Gaskills are of English descent, but the date 
of their advent in the United States is not 
definitely known. Daniel Gaskill was born 
in New Jersey in 1802, and at an early day 
came with liis parents to Ohio, locating 
in Lexington Tp., Stark Co. In 1824 he was 
united in marriage with Elizabeth Gruwclle, 
of Marlborough Tp. The Gruwelle family 
are of French d(;scent. Peter Gruwelle, the 
grandfather of Elizabeth, was a native of 
"sunny France," and during the struggle be- 
tween the colonies and Great Britain, came 
with Lafaj-ette to assist the colonies in their 
cause. Mr. Gruwelle never returned to his 
native clime, but located in Virginia, whore 
they in after years became identified with the 
" Friends," or, as more commonly known, 
" Quakers." This sect of people, as is well 
known, were intensely opposed to slavery 
even in its mildest forms, and this, no doubt, 
is the cause of the family's removal to Ohio 
in the spring of 1807. They located in Marl- 
borough Tp., Stark Co., where, on the 20th of 
the following August, Elizabeth, the mother 
of tlie subject of this sketch, was born, she 
being the first white child born in tlie town- 
ship. The Gruwelles lived in Stark Co. until 
they all finally emigrated to Iowa, after they 
lived to see the wiMerness in which they loca- 
ted on their arrival in Ohio turn into a prosper- 
ous and beautiful country. To the union of 
Daniel Gaskill and Elizabeth Gruwelle there 



were born a family of ten — Alice, Mary, Hul- 
dah, Jane, Hannah, Eliza, Nathan, Rachel, Jo- 
seph and Caroline. All are living except Alice, 
lianniih and Jane, and all are living in Iowa 
except Jose])h and Iluldah. The latter is the 
wife of Joel Heacock. The father died in 
1854, and the mother is yet living in Iowa. 
.Fosctpli W. Gaskill was born in Marlborough 
Tp., March 22, 184:3. Until he was 19 years 
old he remained in his native township, dur- 
ing which time he received a common-school 
education. July 12, 18G2, he enlisted in Co. 
B, 104th Regiment O. V. I., 23d Army Corps 
of the 3d Division, as a private. The first 
six months of his service was passed princi- 
pally in the hospital. From the expiration 
of that time until the close of the war, he 
I participated in all the battles of his regiment, 
except the storming of Ft. Anderson. He 
was ap] ointed Corporal at Strawberry Piains, 
Tenn., .June 1, 18G4, and was finallj' mustered 
out of service at Cleveland in June, 1865. 
In 18G7 Mr. Gaskill went to Iowa, where he 
remained until the fall of 18(38, when he came 
back to Ohio, and on the 8th of October of 
the same year married Lucretia Cla|)saddle. 
, Soon after his marriage Mr. Gaskill and wife 
I went to Iowa, whore Mr. Gaskill engaged in 
mercantile pursuits until 1874. In that year 
he returned to his native town, formed a part- 
nership with W. H. \^'erner in a general store, 
and has resided in Marlborough ever since. 
I To his union with Miss Clapsaddle there have 
been born three children — Eula, Cora and 
Ralph. Mr. Gaskill is a Republican in poli- 
tics, and his wife is a member of the Disci- 
ples' Church. His mcjther, Elizabeth Gru- 
I welle, was a daughter of Timothy Gruwelle 
: and Alice Pennock. The Pennock history 
! will be found in this volume. .Joseph Gaskill 
is the only representative of his familj- now 
j living in Marlborough Tp. He is a young- 
man of push and enterprise. He and wife 
are well-known citizens of their township, and 
1 are universallv respected. 

HAMIf.TdX FA.MJJA', New Baltimore; 
Robert M. Hamilton was born in Han- 
cock Co., West Virginia, Aug. 20, 1802, son 
of John Hamilton and Isabella (Filson) Ham- 
ilton, and grandson of .John and Susanna 
(Morgan) Hamilton. John Hamilton was a 
native of England, and he together with a 
brother came to the United States before the 






BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



Revolutionary War, locating on the Susque- 
hanna River in Maryland. John soon began 
holding slaves, which he used kindly on his 
large plantation. In later years, seeing the 
evils of slavery, he gave his slaves their free- 
dom, but many remembering his kindness to- 
ward thorn, refused to leave. After living 
on the Susquehanna a considerable length of 
time, he moved to West Virginia where in 
after years he died. Hamilton John Hamil- 
ton was born at this latter place, and as he as- 
sumed manhood, took a very decided stand 
against slavery, even in its mildest forms. It 
was here also that he married, and where he 
and his wife finally died. Robert Hamilton 
lived in his native state until 17 years 
old, when he determined, as has many another 
poor boy, to "go West;" accordingly in 1819 
he went to Columbiana Co., Ohio, where he 
learned the blacksmith's trade. In 1827, he 
married Mary Hatclier, and by her had a fam- 
ily of eight — Samantha, Alpheus, Ainfield, 
Elwood, Jlorgan, Orsemus, Emeline and Mary 
Ann. All are living except the last-named. 
In 1839, Mr. Hamilton came to Marlborough 
Tp., Stark Co., Ohio, entering SO acres of land, 
all woods. He also opened a blacksmith shop 
which he ran four years. He then sold out 
and went about a mile 'north of New Balti- 
more, where he engaged in the same business 
he had started in Marlborough Tp. In 187.3, 
he and wife moved to New Baltimore, where 
they are living a retired and peaceful life; 
they are members of the Disciples' Church, and 
he is a Republican in politics. Mr. Hamilton 
started out in life a poor boy. By his own 
laljors he has made a fortune, a great part of 
which he still retains. Alpheus Hamilton 
was born in Marlborough Tp., March 29, 1828. 
He lived with his parents until he became a 
man, during which time he received a common- 
school education. He was married June 26, 
1851, to Lucetta Wise, and by her had 
two children — Charlie, born Feb. 38, 1856, 
and one that died in infancy. Mrs. Hamil- 
ton was born Sept. 14, 1829. Charlie 
married Mary Haughawout, and lives in 
Marlborough Tp. The first ten years after 
his marriage Mr. Hamilton farmed and ran a 
saw-mill, and then sold out and purchased his 
present farm. He now has 112 acres of 
excellent land in Marlborough Tp., and 20 
acres in Portage Co. Farminy; has been Mr. 



Hamilton's chief employment, but for two 
years he was in partnership with his brother 
Morgan, in the show business, and during 
that time cleared the snug sum of $10,000. 
In 1864, he enlisted in Co. H., 162d Reg. O. 
V. I., and was commissioned Second Lieuten- 
ant. He was discharged at the close of the war, 
having during his military career been twice 
elected Lieutenant and twice Captain. He is 
one of. Marlborough Township's most 
substantia] citizens, and is a Republican in 
politics. Morgan R. Hamilton was born in 
Randolph Tp., Portage Co., Ohio, Feb. 5, 
18.34, and was there reared to manhood. 
When 21 he left home, went to New York 
and took the steamer " Greorge Law" for 
Aspinwall. He there disembarked, crossed 
the Isthmus of Panama, and re-embarked on 
the steamer " Golden Gate," and after meeting 
a number of adverse storms, arrived in San 
Francisco in safety. On his arrival he joined 
a number of other men, and together they 
went to the Northern Mines on the Sierra 
Nevada range. After a short stay here he 
went back to the Sacramento Valley, and 
there started in a general ranche business, and 
remained there about three years. In 1859 
he returned home to Ohio, and on Feb. 7, 
1861, he married Candace Whetstone, and by 
her has three children — Kate, Tommy atid 
Paul. Mrs. Hamilton was born Feb. 5, 1842. 
After his marriage he removed to Hancock 
Co., Ohio, and farmed there for three years. 
He then sold his farm of 120 acres and went 
to Oil City, Pa., where he began speculating 
in oil and coal. He was successful in his 
speculations, but after nine months, came 
back to Stark Co., purchased 118 acres and 
farmed for several years. He then with his 
brother, Alpheus, started in the show business, 
continuing three seasons after his brother had 
dissolved the partnership. Throughout his 
varied career, Mr. Hamilton has been singu- 
larly fortunate in his ventui'es, and to-day he 
is one of the solid men of his neighborhood. 
Ho owns 133 acres of well improved land, is 
a Republican in jjolitlcal views, and he and 
wife are members of the Disciples' Clmrch. 

SAMUEL HOLIBAUGH, stock-raiser and 
farmer; P. O. Marlborough; was born in Marl- 
borough Tp., Stark Co., Ohio, May IG, 1826. 
He is a son of Joseph and Lydia (Hossler) 
Holibaugh, and grandson of Philip and Bar- 



^1 



MARLBOROUGH TOWNSHIP. 



925 



baia(HilJebrancl) Holiliaugh, and Philip Holi- 
baug-lfs fatiier was a native ol' Germany. 
Just when this I'aniily caino to the Uuilcil 
States is not definitely known, Init it was lontr 
before the colonies had trained their independ- 
ence. Philip emigrated from Chanibersbtiri;-, 
Pa., to Plain Tp., Stark Co., Ohio, in 1810, 
and was auiono; tliat hardy class of pioneers 
who were the fathers of Stark Co. It was 
an alinostj trackless forest when they first 
came, filled with savage beasts, and, far worse, 
savage men. Their early life was one of self- 
denial and hard labor. Constantly on the 
alert for fear of a surprise from the Indians, 
they would always keep the ready flint-lock 
guns at hand when at work to defend them- 
selves. They lived in Plain Tp., until 1S3G, 
when they came to Marlborough Tp., locating 
on Sec. 21, where Philip Hilibaugh died 
about 1839. Joseph Holibaugh, son of Philip, 
was one in a family of eight, his birth occurr- 
ing in 1800. He came with his parents to 
Plain Tp., whc^re in 1824 he married Lydia 
Hossler. Immediately after his marriage he 
moved into Marlborough Tp., where two years 
afterwards the subject of this sketch was born. 
He purchased a farm — 158 acres — on Sec. 
28, where he ever afterwards lived. He was 
a good, sober and industrious man, and com- 
manded the respect and esteem of all who 
knew him. He died in 18S0. His widow is 
yet living. They were the parents of a family 
of five — Samuel, Daniel, Caroline, Aaron and 
Lydia. All of these are living in Stark Co. 
except Daniel, who lives in Summit Co. 
Samuel Holibaugh was raised a farmer. He 
was married in 184:7 to Sarah Ringer, and b}- 
her had eight children: — Lydia, Aaron II., 
Thomas B., Mary, Alonzo H., Cora, Cornelia 
and Hattie. Lydia and Cornelia are dead; 
Cora and Hattie are single. Aaron married 
Mary Miller, and lives in Canton. Thomas 
married Alice Reed, and lives in Marlbor- 
ough Tp. Mary is the wife of George Lower, 
and lives in Nimishilleu Tp. A biography of 
Alonzo will accompany this work. Mr. Holi- 
baugh has always lived on his present farm. 
He owns 305 acres, is a Republican in poli- 
tics, and a gentleman in every respect. Ho 
and wife are members of the Disciples' Church. 
H. A. HOLIBAUGH, cigar manuf:icturer 
and merchant; Marlborough. The subject of 
this biography was born in Marlborough Tp., 



May 14, 1855. He is a son of Samuel and 
Sarah (Ringer) Holibaugh, a notice of whom 
will appear in another part of this work. II. 
A. Holibaugh, or Alonzo, as he is more famil- 
iarly called, was reared on his father's farm, 
during which time he received a common- 
school education, finishing at the union 
schools of Marlborough. He learned the 
trade of making cigars before reaching his 
majority. In 1876 he began traveling, whole- 
saling cigars, but at the end of about six 
months came back and re-commenced working 
at his trade, which he continued until March, 
1880. He then purchased a stock of provis- 
ions, and opened a grocery and provision 
store in Marlborough, in connection with his 
cigar manufacturing, and since starting, has 
been very successful in his dealings, being 
one of the leading merchants of his town. 
His cigars are also some of the best in the 
market, and his goods are found all over the 
State. The "Rocket" is manufactured by 
him, and this brand is one of the best now on 
the market. Mr. Holibaugh keeps an average 
force of two men at work all the time. lie 
was married in 1877 to Amanda Powell, 
daughter of William and Lj-dia (Lower) Pow- 
ell, and by her has had two children — Robert 
M., and one that died in infancy. Mr. Holi- 
baugh is a young man of energy and determ- 
ination, and is sure to make his life a success. 
He is a Republican in poliiics, a member of 
the Disciples' Church, and a member of Lodge 
No. 260, I. O. O. F., of Alliance. Mrs. Holi- 
baugh belongs to the Methodist Episcopal 
Church. 

MAHLON MARSHALL; Marlborough; 
was born Feb. 5, 1814; son of Joseph and 
Mary (Wildman) Marshall, and grandson on 
his father's side, of M'illiam and Mary (Fell) 
Marshall, and through them is of English- 
M'elsh descent. On his mother's side Mr. 
Marshall is a grandson of Abraham and Leti- 
tia (Jenny) Wildman, the former being Marl- 
borough's first settler. William Marshall was 
a native of North Carolina, and I'rom that 
place came to Portag(! Co., Ohio, about 1808, 
being one of the first settlers in the county. 
Josejjh Marshall was a native of Peinisylva- 
nia his birth occurring about 1781. When 
his parents came to Atwater Tp., Portage Co., 
he also came, and the greater part of his life 
was passed there. To his marriage with Mary 



If^ 



926 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



Wildman there were born three children — 
Miililon, William and Sarah. The mother of 
these died not long after the birth of her third 
child, and Mr. Marshall married for his si>cond 
wife Hannah Hicklen, and by her had four 
children — Samuel, Deborah, Jesse and Mary. 
He died in At water Tp., in 1843. The sub- 
ject of this article was reared in the neigh- 
borhood where he was born until 13 years old, 
when he went to Pennsylvania to live with a 
great-uncle. When 16 he apprenticed him- 
self to Abraham Sanders, under the old inden- 
ture rule, for five years, to learn the cabinet- 
maker's trade. After serving out his time 
Mr. Marshall came back to his old home in 
Ohio, but finding work in his branch of busi- 
ness very scarce, be was induced to take up 
carpentering,wliich he has followed to a greater 
or less extent through life. In 1840 he was 
united in marriage with Lucy M. Jaquay, and 
to this union were born a family of six — Se- 
lina v., Amy W., Josi^ph W., Leroy M., Orra 
P., and Orlando P. The last-named died in 
infancy. In 1818 he came to his farm, wliich 
consists of 71 acres, and is a part of the old 
Wildman homestead. Mr. Marshall in youth 
received but a very limited education, but 
through his own exertions since has acquired 
a good practical knowledge of books. In 
politics he is a Republican. Although start- 
lug a poor boy, he has, chiefly through his own 
labors, acquired a good home and sufficient 
property to enable him to live in peace and 
plenty the remainder of his da^'S. 

LEWIS B. MAXWELL, farmer and stock- 
raiser ; P. 0. Marlborough ; was born in Ran- 
dolph Tp., Portage Co., Ohio, Feb. 13, 1840. 
He is a son of Thomas Maxwell, grandson of 
William Maxwell, and great-grandson of Al- 
bert Maxwell, who was a native of Ireland, 
and who came to the United States before the 
Revolutionary War, settling in Pennsylvania, 
where he afterward died. W^illiam married 
Hannah Price in Pennsylvania, and, together 
with his family, came to Marlborough Tp., 
Stark Co., Ohio, in 1819, locating on the 
farm now owned by E. Britton, on Sec. 
3, near where the Price family had previously 
located. Hannah (Price) Maxwell was a na- 
tive of England, but with others came to 
America, and first located in New Jersey, af- 
terward in Crawford Co., Pa., and from there 
came to Stark Co., about 1815. After living 



a numlior of years on their oM homestead in 
Marlborough Tp., William Maxwell and fam- 
ily moved to Randolph Tp., just across the 
line, in Portage Co., where, some years later, 
they died. Thomas Maxwell, the father of 
the subject of this sketch, was born in Craw- 
ford Co., Pa., June 15, 1812. He came with 
his parents to Ohio in 1819, and assisted them 
in leveling the great forests on their place, 
putting it in grain, reaping their harvest, and 
making a home in the wilderness. He was 
married in 1834 to Sarah M. Bloomfield, and 
by her had four sons and three daughters — 
Cyrus M., Emily M., Lewis B., William J., 
Louisa S., Erastus W. and Susan A. Mr. 
Maxwell and wife are now living a retired 
life in Marlborough. Lewis B. Maxwell pass- 
ed his early years on the farm, during which 
time he received the benefits of the common 
schools. In July, 1861, he enlisted in Co. A, 
1st Ohio Volunteer Light Artillery, under 
Capt. W. F. Goodspeed, and was discharged 
July 31, 18G5, at Cleveland. He served 
bravely in the battles of Shiloh, Stone River, 
Chickamauga, through the Atlanta Campaign 
and back to Franklin, Spring Hill and Nash- 
ville. He enlisted as a private, but received 
his commission as 2d Lieutenant. April 11, 
181)7, he married Celcstine Hatcher, and by 
her has four children — Nora D., Gordon, Myr- 
tle and Leon E. Mrs. Maxwell was born 
Aug. v2, 1842, and is a member of the Disci- 
ples' Church. Mr. Maxwell is a Republican 
in politics, and an intelligent and enterprising 
citizen. 

D. M. NISWONGER, farmer and stock- 
raiser; P. O. Marlboroup,h; was born in Marl- 
borough Tp., Stark Co., Ohio, Jan. 13, 1831. 
He is a son of Henry and Barbara (Reed) Nis- 
wonger, and a great-grandson of a Swiss, who 
came to the United States long before the 
Revolutionary War. His parents were na- 
tives of Bedford Co., Pa., where they were 
married. His father was a poor man, and 
owing to the fact that lands were cheaper in 
the West, determined to come to Ohio for the 
purpose of bettering his condition. Accord- 
ingly, in 1811, he came to Stark Co., locating in 
Marlborough Tp., on Sec. 34, it being then a 
trackless forest filled with Indians and game 
of many kinds. They built a shelter camp 
around a tree until they could build a log 
cabin in which to move their few household 



^ 



MARLBOROUGH TOWNSHIP. 



927 



goods. They lived here the remainder of 
their lives. Mr. Niswoiiger was a fearless, 
liiinl working man, and did much to infuse 
into the hearts of the early settlers, enterprise 
and a spirit of contentment, lie died in about 
1S3T, and his wife in 184G. They were par- 
ents of four children — Abraham, Christina, 
.JoliD, and David M. The first-n;imcd is dead. 
Christina is the wife of Henr3- Swartz, and 
lives in Marlborough Tp. John married a 
Miss Burkholder, and lives in Indiana. David 
M., our subject, was reared on the old Brown 
farm after his father's death, and remained 
there until about 20 years old, when he com- 
menced alternately going to, and teaching 
school. In 18.55 he engaged his services as 
lightning-rod agent in the summer, while in 
the winter he would teach. Up to 186)i his time 
was passed chiefly in teaching conmion and 
select sch(jols, and at that time was made 
general Superintendent of a coal mine, which 
position he held a number of years. In the 
fall of 1S?1 he purchased his present farm of 
I'^O acres, on which he has resided ever since. 
He was married Nov. 7, 1871, to Mrs. Cath- 
arine Rook, widow of William Rook, and 
daughter of Samuel Honk, of Lawrence Tp. 
B\- her first husband Mrs. Niswonger had one 
son — L. C, who is living with Mr. and Mrs. 
Niswonger. Mr. Niswonger is a R(!pul)lican, 
and his wife a member of the Disciples' 
Church. Mr. Niswonger began life with no 
means at his commanil, but by hard labor and 
y^>ars of economy has acquired a com])etencv. 
IIRNRY W. PENXOCK (leoeasod). It 
wmdd be impossible to correctly compile a 
record of the earlj' settlers of Marlborough 
Tp., and those who figured to a considerable 
extent in the building up, and making of 
what the township now is, without mention- 
ing the name of Henry W. Pennock. This 
gci\tlem;in was born in West Virginia in 
1821, and is descended from an old and hon- 
ored English family, who trace their family 
connection back to one Christopher Pennock, 
who figured conspicuously in the battle of 
the Boyne, towards the close of the si.xteenth 
century. From this man, the family trace 
their descent in an unbroken line, to the pres- 
ent generation of that name, who are now liv- 
ing in Miullxjrough Tp., and who have proved 
to be among the most su!)Stantial men the 
township ever had. Henry W. Pennock, 



came with his parents to Stark Co., in Janu- 
ary, 182G. Ilis youth and early manhood 
were passed in hard labor, chiefly in Marl- 
borough Tp., during which time his total 
amount of schooling consisted of only si.x 
months. In later years, however, he applii^d 
his energies to study and reading good books, 
and in this way acquired an excellent practi- 
cal education. 

Nov. IG, 1844, his marriage with Miss Jane 
Force was solemnized, and for a number of 
years succeeding his marriage Mr. Pennock 
dealt (piite extensively in stock, but the two 
years preceding his marriag >, he was engaged 
in mercantile pursuits, in the building now 
owned by Isaac Pennock at Marlborough. 
He <'mployed his time in different ways 
through life, and by his shrewd business 
tact and honorable dealings left a compe- 
tency at his death. He early identified him- 
self with the Disciples' Church, of which de- 
nomination he was an ordained minister, and 
at the time of his death was State Superin- 
tendent of the Disciples' Sunday-school Con- 
vention. In politics he was a Rejjublican, 
but favored a strong anti-liquor law. He was 
an active and valuable worker in the cause of 
temperance, often being called to quite a dis- 
tance to speak on this topic. He did much 
to assist in building the churches and schools 
of his neighborhood. The store building of 
D. W. Dellenberger & Co. was erected by 
his enterprise, and for a number of years he 
had a general store in the building. Mr. 
Pennock was an honorable man, and gener- 
ous to a fault. He died of typhoid fever, 
Aug. 13, 18i'4, leaving to his heirs valuable 
property, but what is prized by them far more 
highly, an untarnished name and a spotless 
character. His widow, Mrs. Jane R. (Foroe) 
Pennock is a daughter of Mahlon and .Judith 
(Belford) Force, from New Jersey and Phila- 
delphia, respectively, and grand-daughter of 
Isaac Force, who came to the United States 
from France, during the Revolutionary War, 
and who served in that war as captain on the 
side of independence. To the union of Mr. 
Pennock and Miss Force, there were born a 
family of four daughters — Cornelia G., Carrie 
M., Helen and Flora. The first-named lives in 
Chicago, the wife of Daniel Mngridge, who is 
a grain merchant of that place. Carrie mar- 
ried James G. Brookes, of Warren, Ohio. 



Helen is the wife of William Whitacre and 
lives in Cleveland. Flora is single, and re- 
sides with her mother on the old home farm, 
adjoining the village of Marlborough. In 
conclusion, we can say that Mr. Pennock was 
!i man among men, and beloved by all. His 
family are among the most highly esteemed 
of the township. 

WILLIAM PENNOCK, farmer and stock- 
dealer; P. O. Marlborough. The Pennock 
family of Marlborough Tp., are of English 
descent, and they trace their genealogy back 
to the Revolution, justly styled "glorious," 
of 1688, which expelled the family of Stu- 
art from the throne; defined and firmly estab- 
lished the principles of the constitution, and 
introduced a liberal, tolerant and really re- 
sponsible system of government under the 
great deliverer William III, Prince of Orange. 
The first one of that name that comes to no- 
tice is Christopher Pennock, in 1690. During 
the Catholic Church disturbances he enlisted 
in the English army, and was an active par- 
ticipant in the l)attle of the Boyne. After 
the war he came with his family to America, 
and died in Philadelphia in 1701. His wife 
was Mary Collett, of County Tipperary, Ire- 
land, and they were parents of three children 
—Joseph, Na^haniel and Anne. The two 
sons, when young men, became merchantmen, 
and during the trouble between England and 
France, were captured on a return voyage and 
made prisoners of war. Joseph finally made 
his escape, but Nathaniel, never being heard 
of afterwards, is supposed to have been lost 
at sea, after making his escape. Anne never 
married, but died in Kingston, Jamaica. .Jo- 
seph married Mary Levis, of Derby, Eng., 
and by her had a family of twelve. Joseph 
came with his father, Christopher, to the Uni- 
ted States, and being followers of William 
Penn, were given by that world renowned 
man, a large tract of land in Chester Co., 
Pa. The third child of Joseph and Mary 
Pennock, was the great-grandfather of Wil- 
liam Pennock, of Marlborough, his name be- 
ing also William. This man married Mary 
Chamberlain, who died after being married 
about six months, and he then married a Miss 
Alice Mendenhall. To this union there was 
born a large family, among them being the 
second William Pennock, who, in early years, 
formed an attachment with Mary Martin, an 



Irish girl, much against his parents' wishes. 
To prevent their union he was sent to Eno-- 
land, and after a residence there of one year 
returned, and finally was married to the one 
who was the cause of his banishment from 
America. Soon after this alliance, he and 
wife moved to what is now Roanoke Co., Va., 
where they remained happily a numl)er of 
years. Thcj' were parents of eight children 
— John, William, Moses, Jane, Alice, Phoebe, 
Mary and Hannah. Being strictly opposed to 
slavery, as all true " Friends" are, this man 
and wife and a portion of his family, emigra- 
ted to Ohio in about 1808 locating in Marl- 
borough Tp., Stark Co., where they early 
became identified with that township's history. 
His son William was the father of the subject 
of this biography. He did not come to Ohio 
with his parents, but throwing aside the re- 
ligion of his fathers became a large slave- 
holder in his native State. In January, 1826, 
he came to Stark Co., Ohio, and from this 
place moved to Illinois in 1837, where he af- 
terward died. His wife was Catharine Boone, 
by whom he had nine children — John, de- 
ceased; Elizabeth, Isaac; George, deceased; 
Mary, deceased; Parmelia, Jane, William and 
Henry, deceased. William, our subject, and 
the last of that name, was born in Roanoke 
Co., Va., in 1819. In 1850 he married Sarah 
Brantingham, and by her has one son — Frank- 
lin, who is a successful physician of Marl- 
borough. Dr. Pennock was married Sept. 27, 
1880, to Isabell McCallum. The Pennock 
family is widely known in Stark Co., and 
there is no family that commands more re- 
spect and esteem than thev. 

A. ROUDABUSH, farmer and stock-raiser; 
P. O. Marlborough ; was born in Marlborough 
Tp., Stark Co., O., Nov. 4, 1833. He is one 
in the following family born to Jacob and Es- 
ther (Harmony) Roudabush — Elizabeth, Cyrus, 
Abraham, Sarah, Benjamin, Hannah and John. 
The father came with his parents to the coun- 
ty previous to 1812, but the precise date is 
not known. They were early pioneers in 
Marlborough Tp., and here Mr. Roudabush 
lived and died. He was a hard-working and 
sober citizen. He was born about 1807, and 
died about 1841. Abraham Roudatmsh re- 
ceived but a limited education in youth, and 
when about 18 years old went to Canton to 
learn the carpenter's trade. After serving an 



i, \> 



^4- 



'A 



MARLBOROUGH TOWXSHIP. 



apprenticesliip, ho worked around until March, 
185T, when he wont to New York and took 
the steanior " Illinois" for Calilbniia. After 
crossing the Isthmus of Panama, he took pas- 
sage on board the " John L. Sti'[)hens," and, 
after a prosperous voyage, an-ived in San 
Francisco. On his arrival he found himself 
among strangers, hundreds of miles from home, 
and with only S'-iO to call his own. He soon 
hired out in the mines for §45 per month, his 
only shelter being the cabin of a man who 
bad murdered his wife a short time jjrevious, 
and then blew his own brains out, the ceiling 
and walls being frescoed with brain matter 
when Mr. Roudabush first commenced living 
in the cabin. After two months' mining he 
hired out to harvest, and afterward hired out 
for six months longer to the same man. He 
then rented and carried on his employer's 
farm for about two years. During the fall of 
1800 the silver excitement in Nevada was at 
its height, and Mr. Roudabush determined to 
go to Virginia City. He there met an old 
California friend who had a saw-mill, and with 
him Mr. Roudabush worked at the rate of 
§05 per month until 1863, when he and fivi; 
others went to Austin — 160 miles cast of Vir- 
ginia City — where there was reported to be 
rich " diggins ;■' but not meeting with the 
success at mining he wished, he purchased a 
hay ranch on Rees River, and, hav being 
hiijh, he and his companions cut sixty tons, 
which they disposed of at §120 per ton. In 
18G5 he and another went to Salt Lake, and 
there purchased -100 head of cattle, and, driv- 
ing these back, would winter them over on 
what was known as Grass Valley, and then 
sell such as they desired, making a nice profit, 
and keep the remainder, with which to con- 
tinue their cattle ranch. They continued at 
this until 1872, realizing a handsome revenue 
from their labors. He then sold out his inter- 
ests in Grass Valley for §15,000, and, with 
the Sheriff of Austin, went to Kansas and 
Ijought up a large drove of Texas cattle. 
They took these back to Nevada and sold 
them out at a nice profit. They continued at 
this until 1875, when Mr. Roudabush returned 
home to his native place, and has settled down 
in life. His life in the West was fraught with 
perils and hardships. The last return trip he 
made from Kansas to Nevada, the coach in 
which he and seven others took passage was 



halted about eleven o'clock at night by high- 
waymen, with the command to " Halt !" " Get 
out!" " Hands up !" Mr. Roudabush was 
relieved of a fine watch that had cost him 
§210, but by some singular accident he man- 
aged to save his money, some §95. This was 
one of the most interesting episodes in the 
life of Mr. Roudabush, and we re<jret we can- 
not give it in detail. On his return to Marl- 
borough Tp. in 1875, he purchased IGO acres 
on Sec. 15, and his present occupation is farm- 
ing and stock-raising. He has been twice 
married. His present wife's maiden name 
was Mary Richard, to whom he was married 
in 1875. By her he has three children — Nel- 
lie, Harvey, and one as yet unnamed. Mr. 
Roudabush is an excellent practical farmer, 
and a Democrat in polities. 

E. R. ROYICR, m(>rchant and harness- 
maker; New Baltimore; was born in Lake 
Tp., Dec. 1, 1842. He is a grandson of 
Joseph Royer, and son of Abraham and Re- 
becca (Ulrich) Royer. who were parents of 
seven children — Emanuel R., Anna, Jesse, 
William, Sophia, Susan and .Maria. The 
fathfir was born in Lancaster Co., Pa., in 
1816. In about 1837, he came with his pa- 
rents to Lake Tp., Stark Co., Ohio, where he 
engaged in farming, and continued in this 
occupation until his death, which occurred in 
March, 1879. His widow has since married 
again, and she is the wife of .John Smith. 
Emanuel Royer passed his youth and early 
manhood on the farm, during which time he 
received a good common-school education. 
Feb. 4th, 1865, ho enlisted as Color Guard in 
the 191st Reg. O.V.I., and was discharged in 
September the same year. In 1866 he was uni- 
ted in marriage with Miss Adaline Bair, and to 
this union were born two children — Edgar A. 
and Ira I. Soon after his marriage Mr. Royer 
began the harness-making business in Hart- 
ville, at which place he resided until 1869, 
when he came to New Baltimore, opening a 
small hardware store in connection with har- 
ness-making. Since that time he has enlarged 
his store, and now does a general business in 
groceries, provisions, etc., in connection with 
his trade. Mr. Royer is a teacher of several 
terms, experience. He and wife are mem- 
bers of the Disciples' Church, and he is a Re- 
publican in politics. He has held various 
township offices, and is at present a Notary 



i "V 



P30 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



Public, giving prompt attention to any busi- 
ness in that bne entrusted to his care. 

DANIEL SMITH, farmer and stock-raiser; 
P. O. Marlborough; was I)orn in what is now 
Blair Co., Pa., Nov. 15, 1833. He is a son of 
Caleb and Susan (Hoover) Smith, who were 
parents of eleven children — Samuel, Henry, 
Elizabeth, Daniel, Catharine, John, Mary, 
Jacob, Susan, Annie and George W. Of 
these only five are now living, Caleb Smith, 
the father, was a native of Germany, and came 
with his parents to America when he was but 
a small boy. They first settled in Maryland; 
but afterwards moved into Pennsylvania, 
where his parents both died. The farm which 
they purchased in Blair Co., proved to be un- 
derlaid with valuable iron-ore deposits, but 
by rascality their title to the property was 
disputed, and owing to some flaw in the rec- 
ords they were compelled to give up their 
right to the homestead. While in Blair Co., 
Caleb married our subject's mother, and in 
1839, with property only to the value of about 
$300, they emigrated to Ohio, leaving their 
former home in the hands of the unprincipled 
parties who had taken it from them. They 
located on Sec. 22, Marlborough Tp., Stark 
Co., where they again started in life. Mr. 
Smith was an industrious man, and respected 
by his neighbors. He died in the fall of 
1858, and his widow in 1880. Daniel Smith 
was raised as a farmer's boy and also assisted 
his father in the shoe-shop. He received a 
common-school education, and was married 
to Sarah Seeley in August, 1853, by whom he 
had five children — Salome A., Jemima E., 
Sarah M., Elmer E. and Edwin L. Mrs. 
Smith was a kind and loving wife, and an 
affectionate mother. She died in the spring 
of 1877. Mr. Smith was married the second 
time to Mrs. Maria Royer, widow of Stephen 
Royer, and daughter of Mr. Long. Mr. Smith 
has lived the principal part of his life in Stark 
Co., Ohio. He is an industrious, intelligent, 
well-read citizen. He is a Democrat in poli- 
tics, and owns 360 acres of excellent farming 
land in Marlborough Tp. 

CHRISTIAN SEACHRIST, farmer and 
stock-raiser; P. O. New Baltimore; was born 
in Columbiana Co,, Ohio, Oct. 9, 1814. His 
parents were Jacob and Christina (Folk) 
Seachrist, and his grandfather Seachrist was a 
native of Germany. When he came to the Uni- 



ted States is not definitely known, but it was 
previous to the Revolntionarj'War. He settled 
in Maryland, and went to farming, and when 
Great Britain by her tyrannical rule thought 
to quench the spirit of independence in the 
breasts of the American people by war, Mr. 
Seachrist bravely enlisted in the cause of the 
Colonies, and for three years fought for his 
country's rights. Jacob Seachrist, his son and 
the father of Christian, our subject, was born 
and raised in Maryland. Soon after his marriage 
with Christina Folk, Jacob Seachrist moved 
into Pennsylvania, but enterprise and the 
inducement of bettering his circumstances 
caused his emigration to Columbiana Co., 
Ohio, in 1814. That county at that time was 
nearly all woods, with here and there, at con- 
siderable distance apart, little log cabins that 
the early pioneers had erected in the midst of 
a small clearing; and with bears, wolves and 
various wild animals surrounding them, Mr. 
Seachrist and family commenced life in the 
wilderness. Mr. Seachrist started in life a 
poor boy, dependent on his own exertions. 
His aim and course in life was to deal hon- 
estly with his neighbors. He was a hard- 
working, sober and industrious citizen, looked 
up to and respected by all those with whom 
he came in contact. He was a Democrat, a 
member of the Lutheran Church, and he died 
about 1831. Christian Seachrist was raised 
on the home farm until fifteen years old, when 
he learned the carpenter's trade, but not lik- 
ing that he turned his attention to tanning, 
at which business he worked ten years. In 
1837, he came to New Baltimore where he en- 
gaged in tanning, and in 1843 purchased his 
present farm on which he has resided ever 
since. He owns 97 acres of well improved 
land, is a staunch Republican in politics and 
he and wife are of the "Disciples" or 
" Christian " faith. Mr. Seachrist is one of 
the most enterprising men of his township. 
To all public enterprises he is always a liberal 
contributor, and there is no man in the whole 
neighborhood that has done more for public 
enterprises in his township. Mr. Seachrist 
has been twice married; first to Miss Catha- 
rine Bare in 1837, who died soon after their 
union. In 1838 he married Susan Sanford, 
and by her has a family of six — Peter D., 
Sarah, Rachel (Mrs. Samuel Baell of Salem, 
Ohio); Lydia, wife of William Oregaunge; 






MARLBOROTJGH TOAVXSIIIP. 



931 



John Q., deceased; and Emerson H., who first 
married Pliebe Harijer and after her death 
married Emma Huston. The oldest son, 
Peter D., when his country was in danger from 
soutiiern traitors, enlisted in Co. B., 104tli Reg. 
O. V. I., Aufrusl 3, 180"^. He ranked as musi- 
cian, and with his regiment bravely marched 
south to meet the foe. While at Lexington, 
Kentucky, he died; that deplorable event 
taking place Dec. 19, 18G2. His remains were 
conveyed home and laid in their last resting- 
place in the cemetery at New Baltimore. 
Thus in the full bloom of manhood, was a 
noble son cut down, while serving in the de- 
fense of his country. Mr. and Mrs. Seachrist 
still live on the home farm, where they are 
widelv known and universally respected. 

SA'MUEL stickle, farmer and stock- 
raiser; P. O. Marlborough; was born in Wash- 
ington Co., Pa., May 5, 1814. He is one in a 
family of eight children Ijorn to Henry and 
Elizabeth (McCarty) Stickle, and is of Ger- 
man-Irish descent. The names of these chil- 
dren are — David, Mary, Catharine, Samuel, 
Philip, Rebecca, Sarah and Hannah. Philip 
and Rebecca are the only ones dead. The 
father came with his family to Columbiana 
Co., Ohio, in 1824, and there began working 
at various employments, chiefly farming. 
Three years after his arrival in Ohio, he died, 
and our subject, then a boy of thirteen, began 
life's struggle. His education was, naturally, 
very limited, and from the time of his first 
starting out to his 17th year, he worked 
in a woolen mill in the adjoining neighbor- 
hood. In 1831, he discontinued that business, 
and came back to his old home, where he be- 
gan working among farmers, generally receiv- 
ing as his compensation 25 cents per day. 
When he reached iiis majority he had saved 
up a small amount, and this he judiciously 
invested; rented a farm, and for two years 
farmed on his own responsibility, accumulat- 
ing what then seemed the large amount of 
?^200. At the end of this time he began 
working by the month, which he continued 
doing until he had made between si.x and 
seven hundred dollars, and then rented his 
employer's farm, and worked in this manner 
two years longer. When about 31 years old 
he had saved from his earnings $1,000 
With this lie purchased 80 acres of school 
land in Columbiana, which he sold after 



having farmed it four years. He then pur- 
chased 200 acres in Portage Co., and lived 
there farm ng until 1805, when he had some 
$10,000 worth of property. He then pur- 
chased 188i acres of land (his present farm), 
in Marlborough Tp., Stark Co., where he has 
ever since resided. Throughout all his life 
Mr. Stickle has displayed unusual energy of 
character. He had the determination to win 
when he started, and with this determination 
has made a success where rnanv otliers would 
have failed. He was married May 22, 1845, 
to Luc}' Ann Smith, and to this union were 
born a family of seven — Alcinus, Alva, John, 
Lucy A., Mary F., EInora and Sarah. All are 
married o.\ce|)t .lohii, p]lnnra and Sarah. 

LEON B. SANTEE, physician; Marlbor- 
ough; was born near North Bentcm, Mahon- 
ing Co., Ohio, June 23, 1853. His parents 
Deljorma and Hannah (Ellison) Santee, were 
both natives of Mahoning Co., and parents of 
a family of five children — Leon B., Gideon 
E., Sylvester J., Thomas I. and Elizabeth M. 
The Santees came from Canada to the United 
States, but originally came from France. The 
Ellisons came from England to America, but 
that event was several generations back from 
our subject's mother. DeLorma Santee is a 
prosperous farmer of Mahoning Co., and Dr. 
Santee's youth was passed principally on the 
farm and in attending the common schools of 
his neighborhood. When 18 years of age he 
commenced attending the college at Mt. 
Union. He took the classical course in this 
school and graduated July 22, 1875, having 
the degree of Bachelor of Arts conferred upon 
him. Having made medicine his choice for 
a vocation in life; when quite a boy he, im- 
mediately after his graduation, commenced 
that studj' under Dr. .lesse Miller of Alliance. 
He continued his studies under Dr. Miller 
until Sept. 4, 187(1, when he entered the Medi- 
cal Department of the University of Pennsyl- 
vania, situated in Philadelphia, from which 
institution he graduated March 15, 1878. Af- 
ter receiving his diploma as " .M. D." Dr. San- 
tee returned home, and on the 28th day of 
March, 1878, married .Miss Evangeline Harris, 
of Stark Co. On April 1, 1878, he located in 
Marlborough, where he commenced practicing, 
and where he has ever since resided. Dr. 
Santee is one of the best educated men of 
his township, and he is one of the best posted 



V* S '^ 



932 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES : 



men of his profession in northern Stark Co. 
On his arrival here he formed a partnership 
with Dr. .J. C. Harper, whom he succeeded 
on Si'pt. 4, 1880. Dr. Santee's practice has 
steadily increased from the first, and he now 
enjoys a large and lucrative practice, equal- 
ing that of many jshysicians of much longer 
experience. This marriage has been blessnl 
with one daughter — Bertha H., born Jan. 15, 
1S80. Dr. Santee is a Republican in politics, 
and a member of the Orthodox Quaker Church. 

ABNER TAYLOR, New Baltimore; is a 
native of Crawford Co., Pa., and was born 
Oct. 39, 1818. He is a son of John and Mary 
(Kirk) Taylor, who were natives resjjectively 
of New Jersey and Pennsylvania, and who 
were parents of a family of ten — Samuel, 
Aljigail, Joseph, Aaron, Judith, Amy, Sarah, 
Levi, John and Abner. Only three of these 
— Levi, Amy and Abner — are yet living. 
When the subject of this sketch was 8 years 
old, his father died, and two years later his 
mother and family came to Marlborough Tp., 
where relatives had preceded them. They 
located on Sec. 4 on the farm now owned by 
our subject, it being all woods then, with the 
exception of three acres. They here began 
pioneer life in earnest, gradually clearing 
ml improving the place as years passed by. 
The mother died May .3, 1849. Abner Taylor 
was reared principally in Marlborough Tp. 
In July, 1844, he married Christiann Werner, 
who bore him six children — Joseph, Eliza, 
Isadore, John, Wilson and Leora. Eliza is the 
only one dead. Joseph married Belle Rog- 
ers, and lives in Indiana; Isadore is the wife 
ef D. Austin, and resides in Marlborough Tp.; 
John married Maggie A. Bowman, and lives 
in New Baltimore; the other two are single. 
Mr. Taylor has always retained the old farm 
on which he still resides. Besides carrying 
on the farm, he formed a partnership with 
his son John in September, 1871, under the 
firm name of A. Taylor & Son, dealers in gro- 
ceries, dry goods, &c., in New Baltimore. They 
carry one of the largest stocks of general goods 
of any house in the whole neighborhood. Mr. 
Taylor is a Republican in politics, and he and 
his wife are members of the Evangelical Luth- 
eran Church. The Taylors are old and hon- 
ored citizens of Marlborough Tp. 

J. W. VAUGHAN; P.O. Marlborough; 
was born on the farm June 19, 1831, on which 



he now resides. His jjarents were David and 
Elizabeth (Siiellenberger) Vaughan, and his 
grandfather was Edward Vaughan. His great- 
grandfather Vaughan was a native of Scotland, 
and came to the United States previous to 
the Revolutionary War. David Vaughan was 
a native of Su>>sex Co., New Jersey, his birth 
occurring January 1, 1794. His father dying 
when he was a child, he was reared among 
strangers in Sussex Co., with whom he learned 
the carpenter and joiners' trade. Being a 
man of enterprise he came west to Steuben- 
ville, Ohio, about 1818, for the purpose of 
bettering his condition financially. He re- 
mained at this point six years, draying and 
teaming. Six months previous to his settle- 
ment in Stark Co., he started for Michigan, 
but meeting relatives here, he was induced to 
purchase property and make this his future 
abode. In 1825 he moved his family to the 
place he had selected on Sec. 30, Marlborough 
Tp. He settled here in the woods, and after 
living to see the wilderness in which he had 
located become a glorious country for enlight- 
ened people to live in, he died, that event oc- 
curring Aug. 30, 1867. He started in life a 
poor boy, with honesty for his motto. He 
nobly lived up to this maxim, and, after un- 
dergoing many hard knocks,, died, leaving 
property to the value of $10,000. His wife 
died about 1854. They were parents of four- 
teen children, ten of whom lived to maturity. 
These ten were — Edward, Mary, Catharine, 
Milly A., Hannah, Jacob, Joseph W., David 
L., Sarah and Naomia. Of these only the 
last six named are living, and all reside in 
Stark Co. Joseph W. Vaughan, the subject 
of this biography, lived at home untd eighteen 
years old, when he began going abroad to 
school, and teaching during vacations to ob- 
tain means to go to school. He attended the 
academy at Marlborough, the Mt. Union Col- 
lege and Oberlin College, at different times, 
obtaining a good education. He has taught 
school to a considerable extent, and has l)een 
principal of the schools of Navarre and Louis- 
ville, in Stark Co., and also had charge of the 
Normal School at Johnstown, Licking Co. Be- 
sides being a most successful teacher, Mr. 
Vaughan has practiced law to a considerable 
extent in the county. He was married Oct. 
7, 1854, to Miss Mary L. Lyons, of Tuscara- 
was Tp., and by her had a family of four — 



^ 



MARLBOROUGH TOWNSHIP. 



933 



Williur F., Minnie M., docoased; Burton W. 
and Bertha F. R. In 1800 Mr. Vaughan pur- 
chased his present place, hut has since moved 
awav, and returned again. In ISSO he com- 
menced contracting on the Counotton Valley 
li\-. Co. line, and in connection with that has 
carried on farming. He owns 140 acres of 
good land; is a Republican in his ])oliticai 
views; lias hold various township offices, and 
is of the " Discijdes' " faith. His father was a 
soldier in the war of 1812. 

BP:NJAMIN W. WARNER, farmer and 
stock-raiser ; P. O. Hartville ; is a brother of 
George Werner, deceased, whose biography 
and the Werner family histor}-, will be found 
in the biographical department of Ximishillen 
Tp. Benjamin W. ^^'arner was born on the 
old family honi(>stead, Nov. 7, 1818. His 
youth and early manhood were passed in hard 
labor in clearing and improving the old place. 
He was married Aug. i, 1840, to Catharine 
Johnson, daughter of .lohn Joimson, of Nim- 
isiiillen Tp., and to their union were horn ten 
children — Levi I., Benjamin W., Elizabeth 
J., William H., Amelia, Zephaniah, Martin 
B., Nancy E., Susanna, and Mary C Levi 
was one of our brave boys who enlisted from 
Marlborough Tp. in th" Rebellion. He served 
all through tlie war, returned home, married 
Lucinda .McCanimon, and resides in Plain Tp. 
Benjamin marrieil Mary A. Shcjrer, and lives 
in Marlborough Tp. Elizabeth is the wife of 
John C. Haag, and lives in Marshall Co., Ohio. 
William married Laura Flickinger, and resides 
in Marlborough Tp. Amelia is single. Zeph- 
aniah died in childhood, and Martin married 
Mary A. Lower, and lives in Nimishillen 
Tp. Nancy is the wife of Franklin George, 
and is a resident of Wayne Co., Ohio. 
Susanna and Mary are single. The mother 
was born in LancastiM- Co., Pa., May 30, 1818. 
After his marriage Mr. Warner farmed on his 
father's land in Marlborough Tp. for sixteen 
years. In 1858 he purchased 60 acres of 
swamp land on Sec. 19, in Marlborough Tp., 
which has since been increased to 107 acres. 
This, through his own enterprise, as well as 
the whole western part of the township, has 
been drained off by what is known as the 
"Warner Ditch," miking much of the land 
through which it [lasses, and especially that 
owned by Mr. Warner, the best in the whole 
county. Mr. Warner is one of the old land- 



marks of Stark Co. He and wife are mem- 
bers of the United Bn^thren in Christ Church. 
He is an enterprising and influential man, a 
Republican in politics, and a first-class citi- 
zen. 

JONAS W. WARSTLER, merchant; Marl- 
borough; of the firm of D. W. Dellenberger 
& Co., is a son of Jonas and Elizabeth (Ring- 
er) Warstler, and grandson of Jacob and Mar3' 
(Sheffer) Warstler, and is of German descent. 
The name originally was Wachalar, but by Sa.\- 
on usage is now pronounced Warstler. Jacob 
Warstler was a native of York Co., Pa. To 
better his condition, financially, he emigrated 
to near Salem, Ohio, in about ISOO, and after 
living there some time he left his family at 
this point and pushed still further westward. 
He finally arrived in what is now Plain Tp., 
Stark Co., and the soil and " lay of the land " 
suiting his fancy, ho selected a farm on Sec. 
44, built a log cabin, and came back to Salem 
for his family. On his return with his family, 
Mr. Warstler discovered that the Indians had 
visited his cabin, aiul all that was left to mark 
where it stood was its ashes. Nothing daunt- 
ed, he again built a cabin, and lived on the 
farm he first settled until his death. He and 
wife were parents of nine sons and three 
daughters, only two — Lydia (Ringer), and 
Elizab(!th (Baker) — are yet living. One of 
their sons, Jonas Warstler, the father of the 
subject of this biography, was born in Plain 
Tp., in 1812. He was reared on his father's 
farm in Plain Tp., and being thrown consid- 
erably on his own resources, managed to learn 
the carpenter's, blacksmith's and cabiiu^t- 
maker's trades. He married Elizabeth Ringer 
about 1833, and l)y her had ten children — 
Sarah, Lydia, Susan (deceased), Mary, Jesse, 
Jonas, John, Catharine, Jacob and Priscilla. 
The father died March 34, 1871, and the 
mother is yet living. She was born July 22, 
1811. Mr. Warstler's life was one of hanl 
labor and self-denial. Though his habits 
were somewhat retiring, his affections were 
strong, and benevolence was an ever active 
principle in his nature. He had many friends 
and but few enemies. .Jonas W. Warstler, 
his son, was born in Marlljorough Tp., Sept. 
11, 1844. The July before he was IS years 
old, he enlisted in the cause against rebellion 
in the 104th Reg., Co. B, O. V. I., serving all 
through the war, and was finally discharged 



:^ 



A 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



in June, 1865. He bravely participated in all 
the battles of his regiment, among them being 
Resaca, Knoxville, Buzzard's Roost, Frank- 
lin etc. After the war he went to school 
one year, and on the 29th of Oct. 1868, mar- 
ried Miss Henrietta L. Geib, and by her had 
six children — Edwin F., Susan E. (deceased), 
Lulu, Lillian .!., Roscoe J., and one that died 
in infancy. Alter his marriage Mr. Warstler 
taught school and farmed until the fall of 1877, 
when he formed a partnership with D. W. 
Dellenberger in a general store at Marlbor- 
ough. This firm has been quite successful, 
and they do an average annual business of 
about $18,000. Mr. Warstler is a Republican 
in politics. He has held several township 
offices, and is an energetic, enterprising young 
man. 

J. M. WALKER, stock-raiser and farmer; 
P. 0. Marlborough; was born in Columbiana 
Co., Ohio, July 28, 1841. He is a son of 
Thomas and Mary (Huifman) Walker, and 
grandson of Thomas Walker, and is of Irish- 
German descent. His father was a native of 
Pa., but came to Ohio in 1821, where for a 
number of years he pursued the occupation 
of stone-mason and farmer, in Columbiana 
Co. He first married a Miss Battershell, liy 
whom he had three children, only one — Wil- 
liam — is yet living. His second and last wife 
was the mother of our subject; Mrs. Mary 
(Huffman) Miner, daughter of John Huffman 
and widow of John Miner. By Mr. Miner 
Mrs. Walker had three children, only one 



of whom, John, is yet living. To the union 
of Mr. Walker and Mrs. Miner there were born 
three children — J. M., Thomas J. and one that 
died in infancy. Thomas married a Mi-^s 
Lamb, and resides in Elkhart, Indiana. Mr. 
Walker died in Portage Co., in November, 
1841, and Mrs. Walker died in May, 18G4. 
J. M. Walker was reared on a farm, and fann- 
ing has ever since been his chosen occupation. 
In August, 1862, he enlisted in Co. A., 1st 
Ohio Light Artillery, commanded by Cap- 
tain W. F. '.Goodspeed, and was discharged 
at Cleveland in July, 18G5. In September, 
1862, while at Mumfordsville, Kentucky, on 
detached duty, he was captured, paroled, and 
afterwards sent home, where he was finally 
exchanged, and the February following joined 
his company at Murfreesboro, Tenn. He was 
an active participant in the battles of Liberty 
Gap, Chickamauga, and all the battles of the 
Atlanta campaign, and afterwards at Nash- 
ville. At the close of the war he returned 
home, and November 23, 1865, married Miss 
Celestine Bloomtield, daughter of Lewis M. 
Bloomfield, appropriate mention of whom is 
made elsewhere in this work. To this mar- 
riage there were born two children — Zoraand 
Bertha. After his marriage Mr. Walker 
farmed two years in Portage Co., and in 1862 
purchased his present farm of 72 acres, on 
which he immediately moved, and where he 
has resided to the present. He is an enter- 
prising and go-ahead man. Is a Republican 
in politics and an excellent citizen. 



LAKE TOWNSHIP. 



JOHN BOLENDER, cabinet-maker; Lake; 
is the oldest in a family of ten children, born 
to George and Margaret (Wise) Bolender. 
George Bolender was a native of Union Co., 
Pa., and came to Ohio, settling in Stark Co. 
at an early date. He worked at the carpen- 
ter's trade for about five years; and in 1824 he 
removed to Uniontown and started a hotel, 
where he remained two years. Mrs. Bolen- 
der was a native of Cumberland Co., Pa., and 
came to Ohio with her parents in 1815. They 
were both consistent members of the German 



Reformed Church, and were much admired 
for their true Christianity and devotion to their 
church. John Bolender, our subject, was 
born in Green Tp., now in Summit Co., Ohio, 
March 27, 1819 ; his early life being passed 
on the farm, and with but slight educational 
facilties. At the age of 16 he was appren- 
ticed to the carpenter's trade, at which he 
worked for twenty-two years. Mr. Bolender 
had in his employ from six to ten men, and 
did an extensive business in the building line. 
He built a shop in Uniontown, where he is 



^ <a~ 



±.^ 



i\^ 



LAKE TOWNSHIP. 



935 



nnw engaged in the cabinet, chair-making and 
undertaking business. In 1843 he united in 
marriage with .Judith Pontius, of Lake Tp. 
That union has been blessed with seven chil- 
dren, six of whom are still living, viz. — Sophia, 
Almira, Sylvester, Lucretia, Charles and Sarah. 
Mr. and Mrs. Bolender are devoted members 
of the German Reformed Church. Mr. Bolen- 
der is a Democrat in politics, and has held 
the oflSce of Justice of the Peace for fifteen 
years. 

H. K. BRUMB.\UGH, farmer; P. O. Cairo. 
George Bruniljaugh, the father of our sub- 
ject, was born in Huntington Co., Pa., in 
1799, and the early years of his life were 
passed in the labors of the farm, where he 
remained until 1820, when he was married to 
Miss Esther Hoover, who was a native of the 
same State, and came to Ohio with her pa- 
rents in an early day ; the date of the settle- 
ment of the Brumbaugh family could not be 
obtained with any degree of certainty. Soon 
after liis marriage he moved to Marlborough 
Tp., where he opened a farm, and there lived 
up to the time of his death. He and wife 
were consistent members of the German Bap- 
tist church. They were the parents of ten 
children, H. K. being the sixth. He was born 
in Stark Co., Dec. 8, 1831, and his child- 
hood was passed on the farm and in attend- 
ing the common schools and Mt. Union 
College. After completing his education he 
returned to the farm, where he remained until 
he was of age. In 18.")6 he purchased a farm 
in Lexington Tp., where he remained a short 
time, and in IboT he purchased and settled 
where he now lives. In 185G he married Miss 
Mary A. Johnst<m, and from that union there 
have been six children — Katie, Milton, Emma, 
Ida, Liza and Byron. Mr. Brumbaugh has 
always been identified with the Democratic 
party. 

GEORGE BIXLER, farmer; P. O. Middle 
Branch. Our subject ranks among the self- 
made men of Lake Tp. He was born in Lake 
Tp., Stark Co., Ohio, .Tan. 1, 1825, and the 
early years of his life were passed on the farm. 
He received his edueation in the common 
schools of Stark Co., and was at home with 
his father until he was 24 years of age, when 
he rented the old homestead, which he carried 
on for two years. He was subsequently en- 
gaged by parties in Massillon to superintend 



a warehouse, where he remained a short time. 
He then engaged in farming, and has been 
engaged in the same vocation ever since. In 
1849 he united in marriage with Lydia, 
daughter of George Brumbaugh, of Marl- 
borough Tp. From that union there have 
been eight children. Mr. and Mrs. Bixler are 
consistent members of the German Reformed 
Church. Mr. Bixler now owns 132 acres of 
well improved land. David L., and Eliza- 
beth (Markley) Bixler, came to Lake Tp., 
from Pennsylvania. Daniel was born in 
Maryland, and came to Pennsylvania, and 
thence to Stark Co., with the .Markley family. 
He was a man much respected for his integ- 
rity and honesty. 

WILLIAM CASSLER, retired; Cairo. 
Is a son of Lewis D. and Nancy (Wise) Ca.ss- 
ler. Lewis was a native of Lancaster Co., 
Pa., where he worked at the shoemaker's 
trade. He married Miss Nancy AVise, who 
was a native of Christine, now within the 
limits of the City of Philadelphia, but soon 
after their marriage they emigrated to Ohio, 
settling on a farm in Lake Tp. They lived 
in a stable for sometime, until they were able 
to build a more spacious cabin. He (Lewis) 
worked at his trade for several years, and died 
in 1850, aged 65 years; his widow survived 
him until 1858, dying at the age of 72 years. 
William, the subject of this sketch, was born 
in Lancaster Co., March 3, 1814. His child- 
hood was passed at home, obtaining his edu- 
cation in the common schools, and at the age 
of 13 he was placed on the bench to learn 
the trade of his father, and worked at the 
same for several years. In 1834 he came to 
Ohio with his parents, and assisted in clearing 
the farm, and lived at home until he was 26 
years of age; he then engaged in farming on 
the homestead, and soon after bought the same, 
and there lived until 18i5, when he retired to 
a pleasant home. In 1840 he married Eliza- 
beth Miller, who was a native of Lake Tp. 
From that marriage there were six children, viz. 
— Nancy, the deceased wife of .1. C. Corey, of 
Massillon; Lovina, wife of P. D. Machamer, 
of Lake Tp.; Lafayette, Margaret, Lewis, 
Elizabeth, the deceased wife of A. W. Mach- 
amer, of Lake. 

DR. J . E. DOUGHERTY, physician ; Green - 
town. In a family of four children born to 
John and Elizabeth (Crail) Dougherty, onr 



l^ 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



subjoct is the olrlest, his birth occufring March 
13, 1820, in Beaver Co., Pa. At the" age of 
11 years he was left an orphan, and went to 
live witli his grandfather, who, one year after, 
put young Dougherty on the bench to learn 
the shoemaker's trade. He worked at this 
until he was 17 years of age, with the excep- 
tion of a few months of each year, when he 
attended school. He taught school for some 
time, and afterward attended the Richmond 
Classical Institute. He began the study of 
medicine under Dr. E. M. Pyle, of Richmond, 
and after remaining there four years, began 
to practice in Beaver Co., Pa., in 181:3. Af- 
ter remaining there five years he located in 
Jefferson Co., Oiiio; from thence went to 
Summit Co., and in May, 1819, he located in 
Greentown, and has remained there ever 
since. He has had an extensive practice, 
and in 1879 he took his son, L. E., in as part- 
ner, and although a young man he is a mas- 
ter of his profession. At the organization of 
the 162d O. N. G., he was elected Lieutenant 
Colonel of the fame, and in 1864 was called 
into active service. In 1844 he was united in 
marriage to Phijebe Thompson, of Carroll Co., 
Ohio, who died in 1847, leaving one son — 
William T. In 1849 he married for his sec- 
ond wife Angeline, daughter of Thomas Gor- 
gas, of Greeutown. From that marriage 
there have been eight children, six of whom 
are living, viz. — Charles A., L. E., J. E., J. 
F., Mary E., and Sarah A. Mr. and Mrs. 
Dougherty are members of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church at Greentown. 

D. F. EBLE, farmer; P. O. Cairo; is a son 
of .John and Margaret (Hossler) Ebie. John 
Eljie was a native of Lake Tp., his parents 
settling there previous to 1814. He spent 
his childhood in the woods of Lake Tp., and 
remained at home until he reached manhood. 
He married Miss Hossler, who was a native of 
Union Co., Pa., and came to Stark Co., in an 
early day. After his marriage he removed to 
Marlborough Tp., this county, and settled on 
a farm of 185 acres, where he still resides. 
D. F., the subject of these few lines, is the 
oldest in a family of eighteen children, his 
birth occurring July 24, 1839, in Stark Co. 
His early days were passed like most farmer's 
sons, on the farm, and as he was the oldest 
in the family, much of the farm labor fell to 
him. He attended the common schools of his 



neighborhood, the Greensburgh Academy and 
Canton high schools, and after completing 
his education, he taught school for several 
terms, and subsequently turned his attention 
to farming, which business he is still engaged 
in, owning 70 acres of ^ell improved land in 
Lake Tp. In 18G3 he married Lovina Show- 
alter, of Medina Co., who bore him seven chil- 
dren, si.x of whom are living. Mr. and Mrs. 
Ebie are members of the German Baptist 
Church. 

GEORGE FRANK, Justice of the Peace; 
Lake; is a son of George .Jacob Frank, who 
was born in Wurtemburg, Germany, Feb. 
29, 1794. While in his infancy his father 
was called away by death, and before he 
he attained the age of 4 years he was deprived 
of his mother's care by the same stern mes- 
senger. His early training devolved entirely 
on an aunt, with whom he remained until he 
was 14 years of age, when he was appren- 
ticed to the cabinet-maker's trade. In 1812, 
he was drafted into the German army, and con- 
tinued to serve his country with faithfulness 
while England and Germany were allied 
against France, and until the final downfall 
of Napoleon. During his army life he saw 
many of the prominent men of that day; among 
them were the Duke of Wellington, the hero 
of Waterloo, and his much beloved La Fayette. 
The vear after he was released from service 
(1816), he united in marriage with Miss Eva 
Weimer, and with her resided in Hoffen, un- 
til 1837, when he embarked for America. 
Upon his arrival in this country he located in 
Lake Tp., where he spent 34 years of his life. 
In October, 1870, his faithful wife died. After 
the death of his wife he went to live with his 
son George (our subject), and with him remain- 
ed until Feb. 27, 1881, when he was called to his 
final home, at the age of 87 years. Early in 
life he associated himself with the Lutheran 
Church and continued a faithful member to 
the end. George Frank, the subject of this 
sketch, was born in Alsace, France, May 2, 
1829, and in 1837 came to Stark Co., with his 
parents. He attended the common schools of 
his neighborhood, where he acquired a good 
education, and at the age of 21 he engaged in 
farming for himself, and in this continued for 
10 years. In 1850, he engaged in the stock 
business, dealing in sheep, wholly, and has 
been engaged in the same up to the present 



^«- 



LAKE TOWXSHIP. 



937 



timo. In 1850 he married Miss Mary Bushong, 
of Lako Tp. From that union there has been 
six children, four ot" whom are living, viz. — Em- 
etine, Milton G., William J. and John C. Mr. 
and Mrs. Frank are devout church members; 
he is a Democrat in politics, and has been 
identified with many positions of trust, which 
he faithfully filled. 

JOHX FRANK, retired ; Lake ; was born 
in Washington Co., Pa., May 20, 1806 ; his 
parents, George and Margaret (Hewitt) Frank, 
were natives of the above-named county in 
Pennsylvania, and in 1809 came across the 
country to Ohio, settling on 160 acres, then in 
the wilderness of Lake Tp., and it was on 
this farm that he lived until he retired from 
the farm. The last few years preceding his 
death were spent in Greeiisburgh. He died 
in 1854, aged 76 years. John Frank pass- 
ed the early years of his life at farm labor, 
obtaining but little education. At the age 
of 22 he left home for the jmrpose of earn- 
ing some money to enable him to lay 
the foundation for wealth and prosperity, 
which he afterward reached. He worked l>y 
the month for a short time, subsequently 
farmed the homestead, and then bought 100 
acres of land in Lake Tp., and there lived sev- 
eral \'ears. He then bought 180 acres, where 
he lived until he retired from farming. In 
1800 he engaged in the stock business, both 
buying, sellitig and feeding. He is consider- 
ed one of the l)est sheep men of the county. 
In 1828 he united in marriage with Miss Mar- 
garet Thompson, of Lake Tp., an estimable 
lady, who bore him seven children, six of 
whom are living — Keziah, Isaac, Mary A., 
David, .lohn and .\[ilton. Mrs. Frank died in 
185-1, and in 18.">7 he married Miss yevilla 
Reynolds, who bore him one child — Elva ; she 
resides at home. Mr. and Mrs. Frank are de- 
vout memliers of the Reformed Church. In 
politics he is a Democrat and a stalwart of 
the party. 

ISAAC FR.VNK, stock-feeder and ship- 
per ; Lake ; is a son of John Frank, whose 
sketch appears in this work. Our subject 
was born in Stark Co.. Ohio, May 31, 1834. 
The early 3'ears of his life were passed on the 
farm, where he remained until he was 22 
years of age ; he then rented farms for five 
years in Lake Tp. In 1859 he began feeding 
sheep, and continued to buy and feed for 



three 3'ears, when he began shipping, and has 
continued in that business up to the present 
time. He has been very successful, and owes 
his success largely to the manner in which he 
feeds his sheep. Mr. Frank has one of the 
best, if not the best, sheep farms in the State 
of Ohio. He has also been engaged exten- 
sively in farming. In 1855 he was united in 
marriage to Miss Mary, daughter of John 
Moore, of Springfield, Summit Co., and from 
that marriage there have been two children- - 
Magaret J. and Lewis E. Mr. Frank is a 
memlier of the Masonic fraternity, Lodge No. 
83, Akron. 

ABRAM FOUSE, farmer ; P. O. Hartville; 
is the only son in a family of five children 
born to Jacob and Elizabeth (.Miller) Fouse. 
Jacob Fouse was a native of Huntington Co., 
Pa., where he spent his childhood. In ISll 
he left his comfortable home in his native 
county, for the purpose of finding a new home 
in the wilderness of Stark Co. (it was nothing 
more at that time). Ho settled on 113 acres 
of Sec. 3 of Lake Tp., and there erected a 
log cabin, which the family occupied until a 
more spacious house adorned the site. He 
remained a resident of Lake Tp. up to the 
time of his death, which occurred in 1845. 
Abram Fouse, our siibject, was born in Stark 
Co., Ohio, April 6, 1820. The early years of 
j'oung Foust^'s life were spent in the labors 
of the farm, interrupted but slightly by his 
attendance at school. At the age of 26 years 
he purchased 113 acres of the heirs, and has 
since lived on the same. In 1848 he united 
in marriage with Mary A., daughter of Daniel 
Rudy. She died in 1806, leaving five child- 
ren, viz. — Barbara, Elizabeth, Frank, Ellen 
and Daniel. Mr. Fouse has been a member 
of the Presbvterian Church for several years. 

JOHN J.'GANS, farmer; P. O. Middle 
Branch. Benjamin Gaiis, the father of our 
subject, was born in Ximishillen Tp., this 
county, Oct. 15, 1807, and is thesec(md white 
child born in Stark Co. His parents, John 
and Catharine (Sheidler) Gans, were natives 
of Fayette Co., Pa., and in 1804 left their 
comfortable home in their native Siate toon- 
counter the dangers and hardshi]>s which set- 
tlers at that date encountered. From George- 
town he (John Gans) was compelled to cut 
and clear a passage to the place of settle- 
ment, which was in Ximishillen Tp. He set- 



^1 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



tied on a farm of 160 acres, where he lived 
several years. Tho first peach orchard in the 
county was on his farm. He was a preacher in 
the German Baptist Church, and was the first 
preacher in Nimishillen Tp. He died in 18"31 
at the age of 51 or 52 years. His faithful wife 
lived to reacli the ripe age of 80 years. They 
were the |);uc its of eight children, Benjamin 
being the tliird. The early years of his life 
were passed in the wilderness; his education 
was neglected, there being schools but of an 
inferior order in the region of his home. How- 
ever, he acquired a good education, whether 
at home or at school matters little. At the 
age of 24, he left home and engaged in farm- 
ing on a farm which he rented for twelve 
years. He then purchased the same, and has 
lived on the farm up to the present time. In 
1831 he was united in marriage to Miss Su- 
sanna Williams. This union was blessed with 
eleven children, four of whom are living, viz. — 
Dr. Alpheus, of Navarre; John J., our subject; 
Marietta and Eliza. In May, 1881, they cele- 
brated their golden wedding at their home, 
where they entertained a host of congratula- 
ting friends. Mr. Gans has always been 
identified with the Democratic party. John 
J. Gans, our suliject, was born in Lake Tp., 
Feb. 2, 1840, where he spent his childhood. 
He attended the schools of his neighborhood, 
and Mt. Union College. After comple- 
ting his education he engaged in teaching. 
In 1866 he engaged in farming, purchasing 
80 acres, where he lived two years; then he 
purchased the Squire Nees farm in Marlbor- 
ough, where he lived until 1881, when he 
bought and settled on the old homestead. In 
1865 he married Miss Lizzie Wolf, daughter 
of Samuel Wolf, of Lake Tp. From that 
marriage there have lieen five children, viz. — 
Thomas, Emmet, Willie, Daniel and Mavbelle. 
HENRY GROSENBAUGH, merchant; 
Hartville. .lacob Grosenliaugh now a wealthy 
farmer of Stark Co., and the father of our sub- 
ject was born in Rhinebyer, Germany, about 
the year 1810, his parents accompanied by 
himself, emigrated to this country in 1823. 
Jacob passed the early years of his life in as- 
sisting his father's family, who were in hum- 
ble circumstances. At the age of 21 he be- 
g;in farming on his own responsibility in Plain 
Tp.; he worked diligently and soon became 
the possessor of a fine farm, and in this way 



worked until 1881, when he removed to Hart- 
ville. He commenced life a poor boy, and 
now ranks among the wealthiest men of the 
county. This is but an example of the truth, 
that honest industry will bring its reward. 
In early manhood he married Miss Catharine 
Herbruok. sister of the Rev. Mr. Herbruck, 
of Canton. From that marriage there have 
been ten children, Henry, our subject being 
the second. He was born in Plain Tp., Stark 
Co., Ohio, in August, 1854. The early years 
of his life were passed on the farm. He at- 
tended the common schools in his neighbor- 
hood, and latterly the Canton Academy, where 
he acquired a good education. He subse- 
quently entered the commercial department 
of Mt. Union College, where he remained 
some time. After completing his commer- 
cial course he entered into partnership with 
Peter ShoUenberger, a merchant of Hartville, 
after a clerkship of six months. This part- 
nership lasted until 1879, when he bought 
Mr. ShoUenberger's interest, and has since con- 
ducted the business successfully. He has one 
of the best general stores in the county, doing 
business to the amount of $18,000 per year. 
He has always been o'jnnected with the Dem- 
ocratic party, and has held many offices of 
trust in the township. 

S. S. GEIB, farmer ; P. O. Hartville. "You 
just go to Squire Geib and he will tell you all 
about it" — this was the language of many old 
settlers when asked by the writer in regard 
to the early days of Lake Tp. The gen- 
eral opinion seemed to be that the proper 
source for reliable information would be one 
who during a residence of many years in the 
township, had occupied such positions in the 
community as proved him to be a man of rare 
ability and intelligence. Mr. Geib was born 
in Lancaster Co., Pa., Oct. 19, 1827 ; his child- 
hood was spent on the farm in his native state. 
In 1836 he came to Stark Co. with his parents. 
At the age of 12 years he was hired out to a 
farmer, and in this way passed five years of his 
life. At the age of 17, he was apprenticed to 
the carpenter's trade, and worked at the same 
for fifteen years, and after serving his appren- 
ticeship, he taught school for several terms. In 
1863, he settled on the farm he now lives on, 
and has remained on the farm ever since. 
In 1878, he served as Treasurer of Stark 
Co. for a short term, and in the same year he 



^' 



^ 



LAKE TOWNSHIP. 



939 



was admitted to the Bar and has had a fair 
practice since, although he is devotinj^ most 
of his attention to fanning. In 1848, he was 
united in marriage with Susanna Brown, who 
died in 1869, leaving seven chiKJren. In 1878, 
he married his second wife, Miss Catharine 
Wise, and from this union thore have been six 
children. Mr. and Mrs. Geib are devout mem- 
bers of the Catholic church of Randolph, Por- 
tage Co. Mr. Gicb has always been identified 
with the Democratic party. 

JACOB GARTY, retired ; Cairo ; was 
born in Cumberland Co., Pa., June lo, 1808, 
and his parents, Jacob and .Mary (Koiper) 
Garty, were natives of Frankfort, Germany, 
where Jacob worked at the blacksmith's trade. 
In 1800 he emigrated to the United States, 
settling in Lancaster Co., Pa., where he married 
the above-named ladv. In 180.5 he removed to 
Cumberland Co., Pa., where he worked at his 
trade. In 1831 ho came to Ohio, settling on 
a farm in Plain Tp., where he remained a 
short time, and then settled in Lake Tp., where 
he lived up to the time of his death. Jacob 
Garty, Jr., spent his early days on the farm, 
received a common-school education, and in 
1831 came to Ohio with his parents. He 
lived at home until he was :;.'s years of age, 
then engaged in farming, and was engaged in 
the same until a few years ago, when he re- 
tired. In 1830 he was united in marriage to 
Margaret H<'nney, who died, leaving six child- 
ren. For his second wife he married Susan 
widow of Christopher Heiiney, and from that 
marriage there were five children, three of 
whom are living. Mr. and Mrs. Garty are 
nipnibers of the German Reformed Church. 

JEMIMA GAFF ; Greentown ; is the 
widow of Samuel Smith, who was a native of 
Franklin Co., Pa., where his childhood was 
pass(!d. In 1826 he came to Ohio, settling in 
Stark Co., where he engaged in the tannery 
business, which business he successfully con- 
ducted for several years. Mr. Smith was a 
prominent man of Stark Co., and had held 
man}' ollices of trust and confidence, which 
he never betrayed, and by his industry and 
economy had accumulated a handsome fortune. 
He died in 1866, aged 64 years. His widow, 
the al rOve-named lady, was born in Armstrong 
Co., Pa., May 4, 1805, and is the only surviv- 
ing one in a family of fourteen children, born 
to James and Elizabeth GatT, who were na- 



tives of Westm reland Co., Pa., where James 
Gaff was engageil in f'artning. He located in 
Armstrong Co. for a short time, and in 1807 
became across the mountains to Ohio, settling 
in Plain Tp., Stark Co., and was among the 
first settlers of the township, and experienced 
many dangers and hardships at that early day. 
He remained a resident of Plain Tp. up to 
the time of his death. Mrs. Smith still lives 
in Greentown, being left in good circumstan- 
ces. She enjoys life, and is a pleasure to the 
people among whom she lives. She is the 
mother of four children — Matilda, wife of J. 
A. Borst ; L. E., W. S. and D. G. 

LEIDIGH HOUSLEY, farmer; P. O. 
Greentown. Levi Housley, the father of our 
subject, was a native of Washington Co., 
Md., where he followed farming as his voca- 
tion. In ism he crossed the mountains, and 
after a long and tiresome journey, settled on 
the farm now occupied by our subject. As 
was the custom in those days, he settled near 
a spring. He selected this farm about ^ 
mile east of Greentown, cleared the same, 
and there lived up to the time of his 
death. He married Miss Mary Lowmau who 
WHS a native of th(> above nam(>d county and 
State. They held a prominent position in 
their community and were universallv es- 
teemed by all who knew them. Young Hous- 
lev, the subject of this short sketch, was born 
in Washington Co., Md., Oct. as, 1814. He 
inherited from both his parents a physical 
constitution much above the average. Dur- 
ing his boyhood, educational facilities were 
not abunilant; hence he was confined to at- 
tendance on the common schools, supported 
by subscriptions; but this enabled him to lay 
the foundation for a good, practical education. 
When 12 years old he came to Lake Tp. with 
his par(>nts, and at once was placed in the 
woods to free them of the massive hickories, and 
in this way worked until he was 24 years old. 
He then rented a farm, where he lived 3 years, 
after which he purchased the old homestead, 
and has lived there ever since. Mr. Housley 
has been one of the largest land-owners in 
the township, but, as his children left home, 
he gave them valuable assistance. In 1837 
he married Miss Nancy, daughter of John and 
Elizabeth Thompson, with whom he lived 
happily until death separated them, June 31, 
1877. She had borne him 13 children, 10 of 



^f^ 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



whom are still living, viz. — Elizabeth, Nancy, 
Catliarine, John, Minerva, Sarah, Daniel, Es- 
ther, Alice and Jessie. Mr. Housley is a 
member of the Lutheran Church, and a Re- 
publican in politics. 

PETER XAMP. farmer; P. O. Hartville; is 
a son of Adam and Catliarine (Null) Kamp. 
Adam was a native of Berks Co., Pa., where 
the days of his childhood were passed. At a 
tender age he was apprenticed to the tailor's 
trade, and at this he worked for a few years, 
but subsequently learned'the carpenter's trade, 
at which he worked for twenty years. He 
married Miss Catharine Null, who was a na- 
tive of Lancaster Co., Pa., with whom he 
passed many jjleasant years. In 1824 he came 
to Stark Co., Ohio, from Union Co., Pa., and 
settled on a farm of 320 acres, which he re- 
ceived in exchange for one in his native State. 
He remained a resident of Lake Tp., until re- 
moved by death, in 1842, aged 73 years. His 
widow survived him until 1847, she dying at 
the age of G'J years. Peter Kamp, our sub- 
ject, was bom in Union Co., Pa., in February, 
1811, and at the age of 14 came to Stark Co., 
and lived at home almost continuously until 
he was 30 years of age. He farmed the old 
homestead for one year, then purchased it, and 
has lived on the same up to the present time. 
He now owns 303 acres of well improved 
land. In 1847 he married Miss Mary Brown, 
who remained a faithful companion to him 
until 1878, when she died at the age of 61 
years. She bore him seven children, viz. — 
Susanna, Franklin, Sarah, William, Samuel, 
Levi and .Juse])h. 

C. F. KINSLEY, farmer; P. O. Hartville. 
Frederick and Mary (Miller) Kinsle\', the par- 
ents of our subject, were natives of Wurtem- 
berg, Germany; whore they were engaged in 
farming; and in 1831 left their native land 
to seek a home in the new world, and upon 
their arrival in this country, they at once 
started for the fertile lands of Stark Co., Ohio. 
Frederick purchased a farm in Nimishillen Tp., 
and there lived until 18.50, when he removed 
to Lake Tp., and lived there until he died. 
He was an exemplary man, and was much re- 
spected in the community in which he lived. 
C. F., the subject of this sketch, was born in 
Nimishillen Tp., Stark Co., Ohio, in March, 
1842. The early years of his life were pass- 
ed on the farm; he received his education in 



the common scliools, and rrm:iineil at home 
until he was of age. One year later he in- 
herited a piece of land from his father, and 
lias lived on the same up to the present time. 
In 18t>5 he was united in marriage to Miss 
Rachel Wertenberger, who bore him nine 
children. Mr. and Mrs. Kinsley are consis- 
t nt members of the German Baptist Church. 

DR. L. MOULTON, physician; Hartville; 
is a son of Anson and Dephna (Minard) Moul- 
ton. Anson was a native of Boston, Mass., 
where he passed the early years of his life; 
he attended the public schools of that city, 
and acquired a thorough education; and at 
the ag-e of 17 came to Portage Co., Ohio, with 
his father's family, his father being Judge 
Jeremiah Moulton, who was judge of Portage 
Co. for fourteen consecutive years. He was a 
man of more than ordinary ability, and by 
his death Portage Co., lost one of its ablest 
and most eminent men. Dr. L. Moulton, our 
subject, was born in Portage Co., Ohio, April 
8, 1837 ; his youth was spent on the farm, 
and in going to school, although the facilities 
were but poor for gaining an education; at 
the age of 18 years he entered Oberlin Col- 
lege, where he remained some time, and where 
he distinguished himself for his brilliancy. 
After leaving college he entered the otBce of 
Dr. S. J. Ward, of Suffield, Portage Co., 
where he remained a diligent student for two 
years; he subsequently attended lectures at 
Ann Arbor Medical College, where he re- 
ceived a thorough knowledge of his profession. 
He returned to Suffield, his native home, and 
was induced to practice in that community. 
Here he remained three years, having from 
the start a large and successful practice. In 
1864 he located at Hartville, and has since 
remained there in successful practice, and has 
gained the confidence of the community in 
which he lives. In 1862 he was appointed 
Examining Assistant Surgeon of several mili- 
tary companies, located at Cleveland. The 
Doctor is a Democrat, and has held many 
offices of trust in the township. 

ISAAC MARKLEY, farmer ; P. O. Green- 
town ; is the youngest in a family of eleven 
children, born to John and Susanna (Brum- 
Ijaugh) Markley. John Markley was born at 
Morrison's Cove, Pa., where he passed the 
early years of his life. At the age of 18 years 
he came to Lake Tp. with his parents ; at that 



^fKi 



LAKE TOWNSHIP. 



time there was but one building where Canton 
City now is located. They cleared a passage 
from that place to the place of settlement, 
and .John assisted his father in the work of the 
farm, and when 21 years of age returned to 
Pi'utisylvania, and was there married to the 
above-named lady, she being a native of Hun- 
tington Co., of that State. He then returned 
to Lake Tp., ami remained a resident of that 
township up to the time of his death. Young 
Marklev, the subject of this sketch, was born 
in Lake Tp., Stark Co., O., January 3, 1839. 
The early years of his life were j)assed on the 
farm ; he received his education in the com- 
mon schools of his neighborhood, and at the 
age of 'ii he inherited G3 acres of land, but 
was obliged to pay other heirs a considerable 
amount. But with a determined mind he set 
to work and soon became the possessor. In 
1S6S he purchased 167 acres of valuable land, 
where he soon after settled, and has remained 
there up to the present time. It was an un- 
dertaking that took a great deal of cour.age, 
but in a few years he had become the sole 
proprietor or owner of the now well-improved 
farm. In 1806 he married Miss Barbara 
Yoder, of NimishlUen Tp.; from that marriage 
there has been one child — Eleanor. Mr. Mark- 
ley has always been identihed with the Re- 
publican party. 

J. P. MOORE, farmer and merchant ; 
Greentown. .foseph Moore, Sr., the grand- 
father of our subject, was a native of Lan- 
caster Co., Pa., where he was born in 1761. 
At a tender age he enlisted in the war of the 
Revolution, and served his country in that 
great struggle with no degree of unfaithful- 
ness. He heard tiie reading of the Declara- 
tion of Independence — something he never 
forgot. In 1812 he crossed the mountains in 
his native State, and after a journey of sev- 
eral days, reached Plain Tp., Stark Co. He 
settled in the woods, and cleared a farm, where 
he lived several years; then n^moved to Port- 
age Co., where he died. Joseph Moore, Jr., 
the father of our subject, was horn in Lancas- 
ter Co., Pa., where he passed his childhood, 
and at the age of 18 years, came to Stark Co. 
with his parents. He assisted on the farm 
where he lived several years and then removed 
to Portage Co., thence to Greentown, this 
count\-, where he died. He was a devout 
member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, a 



man universally esteemed for his sterling in- 
tegrity and kindness. J. P. Moore, the sub- 
ject of this sketch, was born in Lake Tp., 
Stark Co., Ohio, Oct. 11, 1827. The early 
years of his life were passed on the farm, but 
slightly interrupted by educational pursuits. 
He worked at home until he was 22 years of 
age ; he then farmed the homestead for 16 
years, and in 1864 he bought the same, con- 
sisting of 124r acres. In 1880, in company 
with .7. C. Pontius, he engaged in the grocery 
business in Greentown. In 1849 he married 
Miss Rebecca, daughter of George and Eliza- 
beth York, of Stark Co. From that marriage 
there were born eleven children, all of whom 
are living. Mr. and .Mrs. Moore are members 
of the Methodist Episcopal Church. 

ABRAHAM .MILLER, farmer; P. 0. 
Greentown; is a son of John and Elizabeth 
(York) Miller, who were natives of Maryland. 
They removed to Pennsylvania, where they 
lived a few years, and in 1812 came to Stark 
Co., settling on a farm, which was then part of 
a dense forest. John Miller was a carpenter 
by trade, and worked at the same for several 
years, in connection with farming. He soon 
abandoned the trad •, however, and engaged 
in farming, which business he was engaged in 
u]) to the time of his death. He was a man 
who could not bear to see a neighbor in 
trouble, and it is said that in the early days of 
Plain Tp., when people were leaving their 
homes in the East to seek their fortunes in 
the West, it was then he showed his manli- 
dess and true Christian spirit by dealing out 
to th(^ poor part of his own products of the 
farm. He died in 1876 at the advanced age 
of 90 years. He was twice married. From 
the first marriage there were three children — 
Abraham, Jacob, of Canton, and Lewis, of 
Akron. Abraham, the subject of these few 
lines, was born in Greentown, this county, in 
1824. His childhood was spent on the farm, 
where he remained untilhe was 21 j'ears of 
age; he then removed to Plain Tp., where he 
rented a farm, and soon after purchased quite 
a valuable one, and after living there seven 
years he returned to Lake Tj)., remaining 
here ever since. In 1844 he married Miss 
Lydia Kreighbaum, who bore him five children, 
viz. — William, Nelson, Ira, Mary (deceased), 
and Lewis (deceased). Mr. and Mrs. Miller 
are members of tae Lutheran Church. 



^r^ 



it 



942 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



GEORGE MACHAMER, merchant; Hart- 
ville; is the fifth in the family of thirteen child- 
ren, born to George and Catharine (Wolf) 
Machamer, who were natives of Pennsylvania, 
where the father of our subject was engaged in 
farming. In 1821 he came to Stark Co., settling 
on land in Lake Tp.; he cleared a farm and re- 
mained a citizen of Lake Tp. up to the time 
of his death, which occurred in 1861:, at the 
age of 69 years. George, .Jr., our subject, 
was born in Lake Tp., this Count}^, in July, 
182.3, his early years being passed on the 
farm. He attended the common school of 
his neighborhood, where he acquired a good 
education. At the age of 21 he purchased a 
farm of 120 acres, where he resided until 
1866, when he engaged in hotel-keeping, and 
in 1867 engaged in the mercantile business in 
Hartville, and has been engaged in the same 
up to the present time. In 1844, he married 
Catharine, daughter of Levi and Mary Hous- 
ley, of Lake Tp. From that marriage there have 
been eight children, five of whom are living. 
In 1863 he was appointed Postmaster of Hart- 
ville, and has held the appointment up to the 
present time, with the exception of one vear. 
D. T. MACHAMER, merchant; Cairo; was 
born in Lake Tp , Stark Co., Ohio, Aug. 7, 
1837. His boyhood was spent on the farm, 
where he remained until he was 23 years of 
age, in the meantime receiving a common- 
school education in the schools of Lake Tp. 
In 1860 he rented a farm, and was engaged 
in farming five years, being successful in his 
undertaking. In 1866 he conceived the 
idea that the people of that community were 
in need of a store; receiving some encourage- 
ment, young Machamer set to work and soon 
had a spacious building ready for the goods 
which he had on the way. Commencing with a 
small capital he drove close bargains, and was 
his own clerk and errand boy. His trade in- 
creased, until now he carries a fine stock of 
goods. In 1879 ho bought a farm of 70 acres, 
which is also under his superintendence. In 
1878 he was appointed Postmaster of the 
above named place. In 1858 Miss Hannah 
Wertonberger became his wife, and has been 

a faithful and congenial companion to him. 

She bore him four children, three of whom 
are living, viz: A. W., Emma and Frances. 
He votes with the Democratic party, and has 
held many offices of trust in the township. 



SAMUEL MACHAMER, farmer; P. O. 
Hartville; is the seventh in the family, of 
thirteen children born to George and Cath- 
arine (Wolf) Machamer, mention of whom is 
made in the sketch of George Machamer. 
Samuel, our subject, was born in Lake Tp., 
Stark Co., Ohio, Nov. 13, 1827. The early 
years of young Machamer's life were passed 
on the farm and were but little interrupted 
by educational pursuits, facilities of that kind 
being scanty, and of an inferior order about 
him; however, he received a good practi- 
cal education, and remained at home until he 
was 22 years of age. In 18.54 he purchased 
the homestead, which consisted of 202 acres, 
and there remained until 1866, when he re- 
moved to the farm he now occuj)ies. Mr. 
Machamer now owns 322 acres of valuable 
and well improved land. This goes to show 
that by industry and economical habits, he 
has become one of the wealthy farmers of 
Lake Tp. In 18.51 he was united in mar- 
riage to Miss Christina KaufFman, an estimable 
lady of Lake Tp., who has been a congenial 
companion through life. From that mar- 
riage there have been five children, four of 
whom are living, Morgan, Urias, Daniel and 
Charley; Ellen was the name of the one de- 
ceased. Mr. Machamer has always been iden- 
tified with the Democratic party. 

DANIEL MYERS, farmer and stock- 
shipper; P. O. Greentown; is a son of 
Henry and Elizabeth Myers, who were 
natives of Centre Co., Pa., and about 
1825 came to Ohio, settling in Portage 
Co. Young Mvers was born in Brimfield, Por- 
tage Co., Ohio", Feb. 18, 1838, and had the 
misfortune to be left motherless at a very tender 
age. He was taken to raise by an uncle, 
with whom he lived until he was 17 years of 
age. He attended the common schools, and 
in them acquired a good education. Atthe age 
of 17 he began working for farmers, and in 
this way worked for five years; he then rented a 
farm and remained there eight years. During 
these eight years he accumulated considera- 
ble money, and purchased a farm of 180 acres, 
where he resided for some time, and then 
bought the Kreighbaum farm. In 1866 he 
began speculating in stock, and has been a 
very successful buyer and shipper since that 
time. In 1859 he united in marriage with 
Matilda, daughter of William ami Sarah 






LAKE TOWNSHIP. 



di^ 



Kreighbaum, of Lake Tp. From that mar- 
riage tliere is one child, a daughter, Ella. 

W. H. NEES, merchant; Lake; is the 
youngest in a family of ton children, born to 
Jacob and Elizabeth Nees, who were 
natives of Pennsylvania, and came to 
Stark Co., Ohio, at an carlj' period. Jacob 
carried on the distilling business in Canton 
for several j'ears, the last few years of his life 
being spent on a farm in Marlborough Tp., 
where he died at an advanced age. W. H. 
Nees, the subject of this sketch, was born in 
Marlborough Tp., Stark Co., Ohio, in 1S35. 
Tlie earlj' years of his life were passed on his 
father's farm, and in attending the schools of 
his neighborhood, acquiring a liberal education ; 
he then attended Mt. Union College for 
several terms. At the age of 21 he came to 
Uniontown, and apprenticed himself to the 
tinner's trade. After working ashort time he 
entered into partnership with David Hossler, 
and two and one-half years later ])urchased 
the remaining interest, and has continued in 
the same uj) to the present time. In 187-1 he 
opened a dry goods and grocery store, and 
since that time has done a successful busi- 
ness; he alsj owns half interest in a grocery 
store in Akron. Mr. Nees has been very suc- 
cessful, and by his gentlemanly bearing and 
fair dealing, he has become a popular man. 
In 1856 he was united in marriage to Caro- 
lini! Shriver, of Marlborough Tp. From that 
marriage there has been four children, three 
of whom are living — Alfaretta, Forest and 
Maud; Martha J. was the name of the one de- 
ceased. Mr. Nees has always been identi- 
fied with the Republican party. 

S. P. PONTIUS, retired ; Greentown ; 
is the second in a family of nine children, 
born to Peter and Magdalena (Rabcr) Pontius, 
who were natives of Centre Co., Pa., where 
Peter worked at the cabinet-maker's trade. In 
1811 he came to Stark Co., settling in Lake 
Tp., on a farm of 160 acres, where he toiled 
until he converted the forest farm into 
a productive homestead, and where he 
lived up to the time of his death ; he 
died at the age of 65 years, his widow 
surviving him until 1866, when she died 
at the age of 82 years. They were both con- 
sistent members of the Presbyterian Church. 
Our subject, S. P. Pontius, was born in Lake 
Tp., Stark Co., O., March 14, 1815, his child- 



hood was spent in the log cabin of his father 
on the farm, but slightly interrupted by ed- 
ucational pursuits, facilities of that kind 
beit\g but scanty and of an inferior order 
at that time. At the age of 23 years he 
bought 50 acres of land in Springfield Tp., 
and upon this piece of ground began life for 
himself. At about that time he was married 
to Catharine, daughter of John and Barbara 
Wise, who proved herself to be a true and 
dutiful wife and a pleasant companion. After 
his marriage he lived in Summit Co. for five 
years, then returned to Lake Tp., and has re- 
mained a resident of the same up to the pres- 
ent time. Mr. Pontius has been successful in 
life, and by his industry and economical habits 
has accumulated considerable property. In 
1873 he left the farm, and has since that time 
been living a retired life. From that union 
there have been eleven children, nine of whom 
are living. Mr. and Mrs. Pontius are consis- 
tent members of the Methodist Episcojial 
Church uniting with the same several vears ago. 

JOHN PONTIUS, farmer; P. O. Lake ; 
was born in Stark Co., O., May 6, 1818 ; his 
parents, Peter and Magdalena (Raber) Pontius, 
were natives of Centre Co., Pa., where Peter 
worked at the cabinent-maker's trade. Having 
a desire to see the far West (Ohio was con- 
sidered a great distance to go from their native 
county), he started with his family for Stark 
Co., Ohio, and in th(> summer of 1811 he 
settled on a farm of IGO acres in Lake Tp. It 
was a dense fonsst, but by hard work and per- 
severance he soon made a comfortable home. 
He worked at his trade during the winter 
months, and pieces of his work may be seen 
in some of the older families to-day. Our 
subject passed the early years of his life on 
the farm, the monotony of which was slight- 
ly varied by attending the old log cabin coun- 
try school. At 28 years of age he left home 
and bought 185 acres of land, and has lived 
on the same up to the present time. He was 
married to Elixabeth Hossler in 1848, and she 
has proven herself a true and faithful com- 
panion. They are the parents of eight chil- 
dren, viz: Cyrus, Alexander, Milton, Amanda, 
Elizabeth, Samuel, Magdalena, and John. 
Mr. and Mrs. Pontius are consistent members 
of the Reformed Church. 

LEONARD RABER, farmer; P. O. Green- 
town. "You go and see Squire Raber!" 



944 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



was what many of the citizens of Lake Tp., 
said to the historian who wrote the his- 
tory of Lake Tp. He can tell you more than 
any other man; thinking, no doubt, that a man 
so long identified with public offices of trust 
was the only one from whom any reliable in- 
formation could be ascertained. The gentle- 
man mentioned was born in Lake Tp., Stark 
Co., Ohio, July 30, 1823. He comes from old 
and prominent families. His father, Thomas 
Raber, was a native of Centre Co., Pa., and 
the IMckerhoif family, on the mother's side, 
were natives of Maryland, both families com- 
ing to Lake Tp. at an early date. Young Ra- 
ber's youth was spent on the farm, receiving 
a common-school education in the schools of 
his neighborhood, and when 17 years of age, 
was apprenticed to the shoemaker's trade, at 
which he worked nine years, after serving an 
apprenticeship. He removed to Uniontown, 
where he was engaged in hotel-keeping for 
five years. In 1855 he purchased the old 
homestead, consisting of 187 acres of valua- 
ble land. After making many improvements 
he lived there enjoyably until 1881, when he 
retired from the farm, and now lives in a 
pleasant home in Greentown. In 1865 he 
was elected Justice of the Peace of Lake 
Tp., and has held the office up to the present 
time, with the exception of three years, when 
he was one of Stark Co.'s Commissioners. In 
1844 he was united in marriage to Catharine, 
daughter of George Kreighbaum, of Lake 
Tp. From that marriage there are the fol- 
lowing children — Hiram, Clara, Oliver, Milo, 
Frances, Ida and Alice. Mr. and Mrs. Ra- 
ber are devout members of the German Re- 
formed Church. 

ISAAC RICHARDS, farmer ; P. O. Lake. 
Samuel Richards, the father of our subject, 
was a native of Hagerstown, Md., and came 
to Stark Co., Ohio, with his parents in 1810. 
He being at that time a single man, he enlisted 
in the war of 1812, and was stationed at San- 
dusky, serving with faithfulness in each and 
every post he held. At the close of the war 
he returned home and married Nancy Bachtel, 
whose parents settled in Lake Tp. in 1808. 
She received at the time of her marriage a 
valuable farm, where they lived for several 
years. He died in 1858 ; his faithful widow 
survived him until 1878. Isaac, our subject, 
was born in Green Tp. in 1825, and passed 



the early years of his life on the farm, and in 
attending the common schools in the vicinity 
of his home. When he reached manhood he 
hired out as a farm-hand for five years, then 
returned to the old homestead and farmed the 
same for thirty years and in 1878 purchased 
the same of the heirs ; he now owns 315 acres 
of well-improved land, and is considered one 
of the most enterprising farmers of the county. 
In 1847 he married Miss Hannah Engle, of 
Jackson Tp., and from that marriage there 
were five children. .Mrs. Richards died in 
1864. He married for his second wife a Miss 
Seisdorf, of Uniontown, who bore him one 
child, Lula. 

DAVID RITTER, proprietor of Schriver 
Mill ; Lake. Peter Ritter, the father of our 
subject, was born in Snyder Co., Pa., where 
he spent the early years of his life. In 1831 
he came to Ohio, settling on a farm in Portage 
Co.; he remained there a few years, and sub- 
sequently removed to Springfield, Summit 
Co., where he remained a resident up to the 
time of his death. He was a man much be- 
loved by all his neighbors and acquaintances. 
David, the subject of these few lines, was born 
in Portage Co., Ohio, in the year 1849. The 
early years of young Ritter's life were passed 
on the farm ; he attended the common district 
school of his neighborhood, where he acquired 
a liberal education. ' At the age of 21 years 
he engaged in farming, and continued in the 
same until 1877, at which time he, in company 
with his brother, purchased the mill property 
known as the Schriver Grist-mill, situated in 
the northern part of Lake Tp. Mr. Ritter has 
made many improvements on it, until now he 
has one of the best country mills in Stark Co., 
the mill's capacity being 60 barrels dail^^ for 
which he finds ready sales in Cleveland and 
other points. Mr. Ritter united in marriage 
with Sarah, daughter of Samuel R. Phillips, of 
Summit Co., and from that union there have 
been two children. 

A. P. REAM, retired ; Greentown. Pe- 
ter Ream, the father of our subject, was born 
in Centre Co., Pa., where he was engaged in 
farming. He married Miss Barbara Smith, 
who was a native of the above-named county. 
In 1812 they came to Ohio, settling in Lake 
Tp.; he erected a cabin and connnenced to 
clear a farm, and was making good progress, 
when he was drafted and was taken to Can- 



t\^ 



LAKE TOWNSHIP. 



945 



ton ; that same night he made his esca])e, re- 
tiiniod home, and with his wile and family 
returned to Pennsylvania, and tiiere lived 
some years. He then returned, and th(>nce 
went to Indiana, whore he died. A. P. Heam, 
the subject of this sketch, was born in Lake 
Tp., this county, in 1831. His childhood was 
spent on the farm, but little interrupted by 
educational pursuits. He lived at home until 
he was 27 years of age, and then engaged in 
farming. In 185-1 he bought IGO acres of 
land, and has lived on the same ever since. 
He has made several improvements on the 
same, and has a very pleasant home. In 1848 
he was married to Miss Sarah Moore, who 
was a native of Lake T]). From that mar- 
riage there have been nine children. In 1855 
Mr. Ream was ordained a preacher in the 
Methodist Episcopal Church, and has been a 
faithful worker, and has done much for the 
progress of his church. One of his sons is a 
Methodist Episcopal preacher in Russell Co., 
Kan. 

JACOB SCHWARTZ, farn)er; P. O. Mid- 
dle Branch; whose portrait appears in this 
history as a representative of T^ake Tj)., and 
a prominent promoter of the agricultural in- 
terests of the county, was born in N'imishillen 
Tp., Stark Co., in January, 1859, and is the 
son of Henry and Catharine (Coonfare) 
Schwartz. Tliey came from Cund)erland Co., 
Pennsj-lvania, to Nimishillen Tp., Stark Co., 
as early as 1810, and bought a farm of 160 
acres on Section 6. There Mr. Schwartz be- 
gan work and soon ch^ared up a farm, on which 
he subsequently built a distillery. He re- 
mained a resident of that townshijj ten years. 
In 1820 he sold his farm in Nimishillen, and 
bought the farm in Lake Tp., which is now 
owned by the subject of this sketch. He re- 
mained a resident of Lake Tp., until 1854, 
during which time he built a distillery, and 
ko[)t the same in operation for twelve years. I 
1854 he moved to Canton, where he resided 
until his death, which occurred about five years 
later, aged 7ti j'ears. His widow survived 
him until 1869, when she died, in her 74th 
year. Th(;y were consistent members of the 
church. They were the parents of ten child- 
ren, of whom Jacob was the oldest. His ear- 
ly life was spent on a farm, and at the age of 
10 years he began driving team on the road 
for his father. His education was obtained 



at the imperfect district schools of that pe- 
riod, which left much of the progress to the 
inclination of the student. He remained a 
resident of his father's house until he was 25 
years of age, when he rented a farm in Plain 
Tp., and resided there for 6 years. He then 
bought a tract of timber-land in Marlborough 
Tp., which he at once l>egan improving, and 
upon whi<;h he resided for ten years. Dispos- 
ing of his property in Marli)orough, he bought 
his present place in 1854, on w hich he has 
since resided. He has added many fine im- 
provements to the property since he bought 
it, among which may l)e mentioned, one of 
the finest bank barns of the township. He 
now owns a total of 222 acres of well culti- 
vated and improved land. In 1862 he began 
raising sheep, in which he has taken much 
pride, and in 1869 he turned his attention to 
thorough-bred cattle. His success in thor- 
ough-bred stock has made his name familiar 
as one of Stark Co.'s fine breeders. He has 
held a number of local offices, and is a Repub- 
lican in politics. Much of the success of the 
Stark County Agricultural Society has been 
due to his interest in it and his determina- 
tion to make it an honor to the county 
and a credit to the members of wh(mi he was 
one of the directors for a number of years. 
In 1839 he was united in marriage to Miss 
Elizabeth Brouse, of Lake Tp.; eight children 
had been born to them, six of whom are living, 
as follows: — John and Adam, of Iowa, Mar- 
garet, now wife of Isaac Brenneman, of Co- 
lumbia City, Ind. Alice, Washington, and 
Colvin at home. Mr. and Mrs. Schwartz are 
members of the Lutheran Church. 

J. STEESE, physician; Lake; born Feb. 
14, 1820, in Union Co., Penn., and was the sev- 
enth child of a family of nine children burn to 
Jacob and Sarah Su^ese, both natives of Union 
Co., Penn. In 1828 Jacob Steese moved to 
Summit Co., Ohio, and settled on a farni. He 
subsequently built a flouring and carding-mill 
at Millieim, which was the first erected in that 
part of Summit Co. He continued in the 
milling business until his death, which occur- 
red in 1833. Mrs. Steese survived him until 
1846. After the death of his father the Doc- 
tor made his home with an older brother at 
Canal Dover. He attendi-d the new Hagers- 
town Academy, of Jefferson Co., Ohio, and 
afterward Athens College. At the age of 



ir^ 



•*4« 



946 



BIOGRAPIIICAL SKETCHES: 



19 he began the study of medicine with Drs. 
Steese and McNeil, of Canal Dover, and sub- 
sequently attended lectures at Cincinnati, 
Ohio, and Lexington, Ky. After completing 
his medical course, he began practice in 
Zanesville, Ohio. He soon established an 
extensive practice, but his physical endurance 
not being equal to his energy and ambition, 
his health became so seriously impaired as not 
to admit of the hard riding required. Dis- 
posing of his interests in Zanesville, he 
moved to Uniontown, Stark Co., where he has 
since resided, engaged in the practice of his 
profession. In 1880 Dr. Milton Bowers be- 
came associated with him in the practice, and 
is still with him. In addition to his practice, 
in 1873, the Doctor opened a drug and gro- 
cery store in Uniontown, which business ho is 
still successfully operating. In 1848 the Doc- 
tor was married to Miss Edith McCorraick, of 
Zanesville, who died in 1859. By this mar- 
riage there are three sons — Felix, of Alliance, 
Ohio; Isaac, now in Wisconsin, and Charlie, 
of Cincinnati. In 1860 the Doctor was mar- 
ried to Miss Amanda M., daughter of John R. 
Bowers, of Lake Tp. Two children have 
been born to them, viz. — Cleveland and Jes- 
sie, the latter an accomplished young lady, 
and at present attending school at Cedar Falls, 
Iowa. Mrs. Steese is a lady of much more 
than ordinary ability and accomplishments, 
and the Doctor has lost nothing in popularity 
by having so estimable a lady for a life part- 
ner. In 1880 she was appointed Postmis- 
tress, and has her office in the Doctor's store. 
PETER SHOLLENBERGER, farmer ; P. 
O. Hartville. Joseph ShoUenberger, the fath- 
er of our subject, was born in Berks Co., Pa., 
Aug. 1, 1801 ; his father, Peter ShoUenberger, 
was a native of the same county in Pennsyl- 
vania, and in 1810 he came to Stark Co., O., 
first settling in Plain Tp., on a farm that was 
in the wilderness ; but by labor and industry 
he soon converted it into a productive farm, 
but subsequently removed to Marlborough Tp., 
where he died in 1843, aged 72 years. His wid- 
ow survived him until 1848, and died aged 72. 
Joseph ShoUenberger passed his childhood in 
Berks Co., and in 1810 came to Stark Co. 
with his parents. The early years of his life 
were passed in the labors of the farm and in 
acquiring an education, facilities for which 
were scanty and of an inferior order in the 



neighborhood of his home. He lived at home 
until he was 26 years of age, when he was 
married to Miss Lydia Baum, who was for- 
merly from Union Co., Pa. She was an ex- 
emplary and faithful companion, commanding 
the esteem of all who became acquainted 
with her. After his marriage he settled on 
the homestead, and there lived several years. 
In 1850 he removed to Lake Tp., and has re- 
mained a resident of the same over since. 
Mr. and Mrs. ShoUenberger are members of 
the German Reformed Church. There were 
three children born to them, Peter, our sub- 
ject, being the only surviving one. He was 
born in Marlborough Tp., Stark Co., Ohio, his 
birth occurring March 1, 1830. His youthful 
days were spent on the farm, and during this 
period he received a common-school educa- 
tion in the schools of his neighborhood. At 
the age of 16 he engaged as a clerk for Mar- 
tin Hoover, of Harrisburgh, this county, with 
whom he remained a skort time. In 1852 he 
engaged in mercantile pursuits, and for seve- 
ral years he did a successful business. He 
has had several partners, and in 1880 disposed 
of his interest in the business. Mr. ShoUen- 
berger is a man of more than ordinary ability, 
and by his economical habits has accumulated 
considerable property. Mr. ShoUenberger 
has always been identified with the Demo- 
cratic party, and is a member of the German 
Reformed Church. 

HENRY SCHONER, farmer ; P. O. Lake; 
is the oldest in a family of eight children, born 
to Henry and Margaret Schoner, who were 
natives of Germany, where the father was en- 
gaged in the milling business. In 1847 he 
came to Ohio, settling in Lake Tp. on a farm, 
where he lived but a short time before being 
called to his final home. He died in 1850, at 
the age of 79 years. During his short sojourn 
in the community he made many friends, who 
deeply mourned his loss. Henry, Jr., was 
born in the Province of Alsace, Germany, in 
January, 1824 ; he attended the schools of 
that Province until he was 14 years of age ; 
he then was apprenticed to the miller's trade, 
and served two years at the same ; he then 
worked at the trade for several years in 
France, and in 1847 he emigrated to this 
country, and came to Lake Tp., Stark Co., 
where he worked for six years as a farm-hand. 
During this time he accumulated considera 



.u 



LAKE TOWNSHIP. 



047 



ble money, and with it purchased 80 acres of 
land ; he moved on the same, and by hard 
work and economical habits he soon made 
additions, until now he owns 192 acres of 
well improved land. In 1854: ho began deal- 
iny; in stock, and continued the business suc- 
cessfully for over twenty-five years. He was 
married in 1853 to Saloma, daughter of Jacob 
Frank, of Lake Tp. From that union there 
are eight children. Mr. and Mrs. Schoner 
are consistent church members. Mr. Schoner 
has always voted with the Democratic party. 

O. P. SHANAFELT, merchant; Green- 
town; is a son of Henry and Catharine Shana- 
felt, who were natives of Frederick Co., Md. 
In 1828, Henry Shanafelt came to Ohio, set- 
tling on a farm in Lake Tp., this Co. He 
was engaged in hotel-keeping, and in 1845, 
was elected Sheriff of Stark Co., and held the 
office for two terms. After his term ot office 
expired he returned to Greentown, and was 
engaged in hotel-keeping up to the time of 
his death. O. P., was born in Canton, March 
8, 1846. His youth was spent at home, and 
he recived his education in the common- 
schools. In 1804 he enlisted in the Gtli Ohio 
Independent Batter}-, and was out until the 
close of the war. In 1866 he commenced 
clerking for S. S. Bombarger, of Greentown, 
and three months later was taken in as part- 
ner; this continued but a short time. Mr. 
Shafer was next made a member of the firm ; 
this continued some time, when they|(Shanafelt 
& Shafer) purchased Bombarger's interest, and 
have since conducted the business. Mr. 
Shanafelt has been very successful in busitiess, 
and by his strict attention and genial dispo- 
sition, has made many friends. In 1807 he 
was appointed Postmaster at Greentown, Ohio, 
and has held the office up to the present time. 
In lS<iO he married Mahalia Wise, daughter 
of Joseph Wise, of Lake Tp. From that 
marriage there have been born si.K children, 
four of whom are still living. Mr. Shanafelt 
is a member of the Masonic Lodge No. 60, 
and a staunch Republican. 

ABRAHAM STONER, farmer; P. O. 
Greentown; is a son of John and Lydia 
(Brumbaugh) Stoner, who were both natives 
of the Keystone State, where John was en- 
gaged in farming. He was a soldier in the 
war of 1812, and after the war he returned to 
the farm, where he lived up to the time of his 



death. In a family of twelve children, our 
subject is the oldest, and was born in Bed- 
ford Co., Pa., in 1810. His childhood was 
spent on the farm, and as he was the oldest in 
the family, he was obliged to remain at home 
and assist his father. However, he received a 
liberal education in the district schools. He 
lived at home until he was 27 years of age. 
He then farmed the fathers farm for a few 
years, and in 1853 he came to Ohio, settling 
in Lake Tp., this county. He bought a farm, 
and has lived on the same since. He now 
owns 260 acres of valuable land. In 1843 
he was united in marriage to Susanna, daugh- 
ter of Isa.ac Bowers, of Bedford Co., Pa. 
From that marriage there have been eight 
children, six of whom are still alive. Mr. 
and Mrs. Stoner are devout members of the 
Christian Brethren Church. 

HENRY SHANAFELT, merchant; Green- 
town; is the second in a family of eight child- 
ren born to Peter and Elizabeth (Funk) Slian- 
afedt, who were natives of W^ashiiigton Co., 
Md. In 1831 they came to Stark Co., Ohio, 
and remained residents of that county up to 
tile time of his death. Henry, the subject, 
was born in Washington Co., Md., in 1827, 
and came to Stark Co. with his parents in 
1831. He received his education in the 
common schools, which at that early period 
afforded a scanty education. At the age of 
15 he was engaged as clerk by a Greentown 
merchant, and there remained two years; he 
then clerked for Mr. Henry, of Akron, for 
some time, and in 1850 engaged in mercan- 
tile pursuits, and has continued in the same 
up to the present time, with the exception of 
one year. Mr. S. has been very successful in 
his business undertaking, and has accumula- 
ted considerable property. In 1856 he mar- 
ried Rosa F. Peters, of Lake Tp. From that 
marriage there have been seven children, three 
of whom ai e living, viz. — R. P., Carrie M., and 
Nettie C. 

L. E. WISE, farmer; P. O. Greentown 
George Wise, the father of L. E., was born 
in Union Co., Pa., about the year 1806. His 
parents were natives of the same county, and 
came to Ohio, settling in Lake Tp., in 180!*. 
It was in this township George passed his 
boyhood. Facilities for ol)taining an edu- 
cation were not abundant in the region of his 
home; he went to the old log-cabin school- 



^S ^~ 



il >y 



^ 



9-18 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



house, where he obtained as good an educa- 
tion as the times afforded. He assisted his 
father in ridding the farm of its massive oaks, 
and in this way passed his early life. He 
married Miss Barbara Cramer, who came to 
Ohio with her parents, from Pennsylvania, 
at an early time. Soon after their marriage 
he commenced farming, and in this vocation 
continued for several years; he subsequently 
removed to Springfield Tp., Summit Co., set- 
tling on a farm, and there lived up to the 
time of his death. Both he and wife were 
consistent members of the Methodist Episco- 
pal Church, and by their deaths the church 
lost faithful and true christian members. 
Young Wise, the suliject of this short sketch, 
was born on his father's farm, in Lake Tp., Jan. 
27, 1834. The early years of his life were 
passed on the farm. He attended the com- 
mon schools of his neighborhood, and after ac- 
quiring a good education, he directed his at- 
tention to farming. He at the age of 31 be- 
gan farming the homestead, where he remain- 
ed seven years. He subsequently purchased 
a farm of 133 acres upon which he settled, 
and has continued to live on the same ever 
since; he has made several important improve- 
ments on the same, which now ranks among the 
firsjj,farms of the township. In 1858 he was uni- 
ted in marriage to Miss Rachel Moore, daugh- 
ter of Joseph Moore, appropriate mention of 
whom is made in this work. That union has 
been blessed with four children, all of whom 
are living. Mr. Wise affiliated himself with 
the Republican party at its organization, and 
has been an adherent of its principles up to the 
present time. 

LEWIS WISE, farmer ; P. O. Greentown; 
is the youngest in a family of ten children, 
born to .John and Barbara (Auble) Wise, who 
were natives of Union Co., Pa., where John 
Wise was engaged in farming. While Lake 
Tp. was in an unimproved condition, this 
family left its home in the native state for the 
purpose of founding a new home in the west ; 
after a journey, that in these days would be 
termed tedious and adventurous, John Wise 
arrived in Lake Tp. He settled on a farm, 
and after a few years of hard labor he conver- 
ted it into a productive farm. He remained a 
resident of Lake Tp. up to the time of his 
death. The subject of this sketch was born 
in Lake Tp., Stark Co., Ohio, his birth occur- 



ring Maj- l-i, 1837. The early years of his life 
were spent in the labors of the farm, but little 
interrupted by educational pursuits, as facili- 
ties for procuring an education in those daj'S 
were scanty and of an inferior order in the re- 
gion of his home. At the age of 81 he began 
working in Aultman & Miller's works, where 
he remained one vear, he then bought 80 acres 
of land, upon which he settled and lived 16 
years. He then settled on the farm he now 
occupies, consisting of 136 acres. In 1848 he 
was united in marriage to Miss Eliza Raber, 
who was a native of Lake Tp.; from that mar- 
riage ten children were born, viz. — Calvin, 
Milton, Alvin, George, Ida, Catharine 0., 
Frank, Frances, Charles, and Wilbur. Mr. 
and Mrs. Wise united with the Methodist 
Episcopal Church in early life, and still remain 
consistent members of the same body. 

WILLIAM WAGNER, school-teacher; 
Hartville ; is the second in a family of ten 
children, born to Jacob and Magdalena Wag- 
ner, who were natives of Germany, where 
Jacob was engaged in farming. He left his 
native country and came to Ohio at an early 
date, and without means, and was for a time 
engaged as a laborer on the Pennsylvania and 
Ohio Canal ; he then began working at the 
shoemaker's trade, which he continued for 
twenty years, during which time by his indus- 
try and economical habits, acquired sufficient 
means to purchase a farm which he settled on, 
and where he still resides, commanding the 
respect and confidence of all his neighbors 
and acquaintances. Young Wagner, the sub- 
ject of these lines, was born in Lake Tp., 
Stark Co., Ohio, in May 1845; the early years 
of his life were passed on the farm. He at- 
tended the common schools of Lake Tp., at 
the Greensburg Academy and the College at 
Mount Union. At the age of 18 years he en- 
listed in Company D, 35th Reg., O.V. V. I., and 
served until the close of the war*. After his 
return he engaged in school-teaching and for 
several years followed that vocation. Mr. 
Wagner, although a young man, has held 
many offices of trust in the township, such as 
Clerk and Justice of the Peace, which office 
he now holds. In 18G8 he united in marriage 
with Miss Urania, daughter of Daniel and 
Sarah Baum, of Lake Tp. From that mar- 
riage there has been three children. Mr. 
Wasrner is a Democrat. 



d^ 



LAKE TOWNSHIP. 



91!) 



D. J. M''ISE, farmer ; P. O. Greentown ; is 
a son of Jolin and B:irl)ar;i (Dickerhoff) Wise. 
John Wiso was a native of Union Co., Pa.; 
he lived at lionie on tlie farm until he was IS 
years of age, wlu-n lie went to the army as a 
substitute for his fatlier, who was drafted in 
the war of 1812. He was stationed at Buffa- 
lo, and served his country faitlifuUy. In 1813 
he came to Ohio with his parents, who settled 
in Lake Tp. in that year. He apprenticed 
himself to the blacksmith trade, at which he 
worked for many years after serving his ap 
prenticeship ; ho then bought a farm, where he 
lived until a few years preceding his death. 
D. J. Wise, the sul)j(-ct of this sketch, was 
horn in Lake Tp., Stark Co., Ohio, in October, 
1833. The early years of life wen; passed on 
the farm. He attended the common schools 
of his neighborhood, and in them acquired a 
liberal education. He then gave his attention 
to farming, which business he is engaged in 
at the present time. In 18.')4 he united in 
marriage with Sarah A. York, of Lake Tp. 
She died in 1SG9, leaving five children, viz. — 
Alvin, Milo D., George E., Cora and Laura 
K. In 1870 hi^ married for his second wife 
Miss Nancy M. Moore, who was a native of 
Lake Tp. From that marriage there have been 
two children — Marshie and John F. Mr. and 
and Mrs. ^^'isl' are members of the Methodist 
l^|>isc(ipal ( 'hureli. 

JOSLTII WISE, retired; Greentown; is 
a son of John atid Barbara (Auble) Wise, ap- 
propriate mention of whom is made in the 
sketch of Lewis Wise. Joseph, the subject 
of this short biography, was born on his fath- 
I'r's farm in Lake Tp., Stark Co., Ohio, April 
i, 1824. His youthful days were passed, as 
were those of most farmers' sons at that day, 
in assisting in the clearing of the farm, at 
which Joseph served his apprenticeship. He 
attended the schools in his neighliorhood, and 
procured such an education as those common 
schools afforded. At the age of 21 he com- 
menced to work the homestead, where he re- 
mained a short time ; but subsecjuently bought 
80 acres, and there lived until 18(54, when he 
exchangcid for a farm of 165 acres, where he 
lived until recently. In 1845 he united in 
marriage with Miss Savilla, daughter of John 
Babij, of Summit Co.; she died in 1876, leav- 
ing four children, viz. — Mahalia, Edwin, Ellen 
and Ira. In 1880 he married for his second 



wife Miss Sarah Schick, of Plain Tp. Upon 
the organization of the Republican party, Mr. 
Wise adopted its prin(M[)les, and has been an 
an adherent to the same jjarty ever since. 

LEVI WISE, farmer ; P. O. Greentown. 
This gentleman was born in Lake Tp., Stark 
Co., Ohio, Jan. 11, 1843, and is the son of 
Samuel G. and Catharine Wis?, who were 
early settlers in Lake Tp. Levi, our subject, 
spent his childhood on the farm, where he re- 
mained until he reached his 16th year. In 
the meantime he attended the common schools 
and acquired a good education. At the age 
of 16 he apprenticed himself to the carpenter 
trade, s(!rving two and a half years as an ap- 
prentice, and worked at the same for three 
years. He was connected with the Green- 
town Foundry for eleven years, and in 1881 
he purchased a pleasant and a desirable home 
adjoining Greentown, where he still resides. 
In 1866 he united in marriage with Miss La- 
vina, (laughter of S. P. Pontius, of Stark Co. 
Both Mr. and Mrs. Wise are consistent mem- 
bers of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He 
has always b(!en identified with the Demo- 
cratic party, and has held many offices of trust 
in the township. 

CHRISTIAN WINGARD, farmer; P. O. 
Middle Branch. In a family of twelve child- 
ren, born to Samuel and Lydia (Carver) 
Wingard, our subject, is the fourth. He was 
born in Stark Co., Ohio, March 2, 1827, and 
passed his boyhood at home, and when 10 
years of age was placed at work for a farmer, 
and there remained until he was 16 years of 
age. He then learned the painter's trade, 
and after following it two years abandoned it 
for the trade of a carpenter; the latter trade, 
suiting him much better, he worked at it for 
eight years. In 1857 he moveil on the farm he 
now occupies, and has remained on the same 
ever since. In 1854 he married Miss .'-^usanna, 
daughter of Geo. E. and Sarah Smith, who 
were among the prominent citizens of Lake 
Tp. From that marriage there have been six 
children, five of whom are living, viz. — Sarah 
J., Marj- E., Lucy A., George, and Susan. Mr. 
Wingard is a prominent Republican, and has 
always identified himself with the same. 

JOHN YOUNG, farmer; P. O. Lake; 
This gentleman was born in Lawrence Tp., 
Stark Co., Ohio, his birth occurring Feb. 
23d, 1838. His parents, George and Ra- 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



chel (Roucli) Young, are made mention of 
elsewhere in this work. John's youthful days 
were spent at home on the farm; he attended 
the common schools of his neighborhood, and 
acquired a liberal education; he remained at 
home until he was 37 years of age, and then 
commenced farming for himself, by renting a 
farm, where he remained three years; he rented 
for a few years and finally bought 115 acres 



of well improved land in the northern part of 
Lake Tp., where he now resides. In 1864 he 
was united in marriage to Miss Mary, daughter 
of John Braugher of Jackson Tp., which union 
has been blessed with three children, two of 
whom are living, viz. — G. W. and J. J. Mr. and 
Mrs. Young are consistent members of the 
Lutheran Church, 



SUGAR CREEK TOWNSHIP 



MRS. EVE AGLER, farmer ; P. O. Wil- 
mot; is the relict of George Agler, who was 
born Nov. 13, 1810, in Union Co., son of Peter 
and Barbara (Hafles) Agler, the former a 
native of New Jersey, the latter of Holland. 
Peter was a son of William and Polly Agler. 
Whose children were — Polly, Anna, Katie, 
William, Peter, Conrad, John and Jeremiah. 
Barbara was a daughter of Jacob Hafles, whose 
predecessors were Hollanders. The Agler 
family were among the early settlers in the 
township, settling in the southwest corner of 
Sugar Creek Tp., where they purchased un- 
improved land, and remained on the same. 
Peter Agler died in 1847, his wife two years 
previous. To Peter and Babara Agler, were 
born twelve children, ten of the number grew 
up, viz — George, John, Katie, Anna, Conrad, 
William, Abraham, Jerry, Amelia and Leah. 
George, the husband of Mrs. Eve Agler, was 
raised on Sec. 33 as a farmer. Aug. 9, 1834 
he was married to Eve Wyandt, who was born 
Feb. 14, 1816, in Somerset Co., Penn., daugh- 
ter of Henry and Elizabeth (Warner) Wyandt. 
After the marriage of our subject they moved 
to a piece of land they had bought in this 
township, but remained on it only a short 
time; their crops failed, and they despairing 
of ever paying for it, left it and located upon 
a piece of land belonging to Joseph, which they 
rented for six years. In February, 1840, they 
located on the land his father had first 
purchased, and were on it at the time of his 
death, which occurred Oct. 9, 1871. He was 
a member of the Disciples' Church, a man 
highly respected in the community, and a 
zealous Republican. Of ten children born to 



them, eight are living — Sallie, wife of Wash- 
ington Rrtif, resides in Traverse City, Michi- 
gan; Betsey, married Thomas Dell, and re- 
sides in this township; William H., lives on 
the homestead, which he farms; Mary, resides 
in Nebraska, wife of .John Eberly, of Stanton 
Co.; Amelia, wife of Mr. Austin, of Beach 
City, this township; George, Frank in Wil- 
niot, and Rebecca at home. Mrs. Agler re- 
sides on the homestead farm; William H., 
her son, having charge of the same. 

W. E. AX, hardware and groceries; Beach 
City; is the youngest merchant and business 
men of Beach City. He was born in Sugar 
Creek Tp., Tuscarawas Co., in March, 1858, 
son of William Ax, who died ^^■hen our sub- 
ject was but two weeks old. He was a gun- 
smith by trade, and a native of Tuscarawas 
Co.; his parents, who were natives of Penn- 
sylvania, having emigrated to that county 
from their native State. In the latter years 
of his life he engaged in farmiing, in connec- 
tion with his trade. Owing to the loss of his 
father at so early an age, our subject was 
thrown amcmg strangers, and was brought up 
to farm labor, but, in February, 1880, he 
came to this place and engaged in the gro- 
cery trade with Charles Angel, under the firm 
name of Angel & Ax, until October of the 
same year, when they sold out to Fred. Leiser, 
who in December sold the whole to Mr. Ax, 
He added to the grocery department a gen- 
eral assortment of hardware, notions, &c., 
using one side of the store for hardware, and 
the other for groceries, queensware, &c. In 
February, 1881, he married Arminda, daugh- 
ter of Daniel and Catharine (Reed) Resh. 



•^ 



^ 



SUGAR CREEK TOWNSHIP. 



951 



BENJAMIN BLACKSTEN, farmer ; P. O. 
West Lebanon ; was born Nov. 23. 1835, in 
Sugar Creek Tp., M'ayne Co., being the eldest 
of a family of eight children, born to Daniel 
and Harriet (Griffith) Blacksten. Daniel 
Biacksten was born in Westmoreland Co., Pa., 
in 1814, and came west with his mother when 
he was eleven years of age ; they settled in 
Sugar Creek Tp., Wayne Co., where he grew 
up, and was afterwards married to Harriet 
Griffith, who was a daughter of Benjamin 
Griffith, a native of ^'irginia or Maryland. 
After the marriage of Daniel Blacksten, he re- 
moved with his wife to Paint Tp., same county, 
where he has since lived, having a farm of 200 
acres. Our subject remained at home with 
his parents until he became 2(1 years of age. 
In 18(12 he formed a matrimonial alliance with 
Charlotte Burkholder, who was born in Beth- 
lehem Tp., daughter of Henry Burkholder and 
Mary Fausler. Henry was a son of (^hristian 
Burkholder, a native of Switzerland, and 
emigrated to Guilford Tp., Franklin Co., Pa. 
Henry Burkholder and family came west to 
Stark Co., locating in Bethlehem Tp. in 1842, 
where he purchased 320 acres of land. Adam, 
William, Samuel, Jacob, Nancy, Charlotte, 
Catharine, and Christian were the children 
born to them. Jacob served as a soldier in 
the late war, and died at Arkansas Post ; he 
was a member of the 76tli O. V. I., Company 
I. The brothers and sisters of Mr. Blacksten 
are Susan, Andrew, Eli, Mary, Lizzie, Howard, 
Harvey E., and Isaac L. Andrew served as 
a soldier under General Kirkpatrick, 9th Ohio 
Cavalry, ami was also a member of an Illinois 
regiment of infantry. He was a true soldier. 
Mr. Blacksten has 160 acres of well improved 
land, and the best of liuildiiigs thereon. He 
has two children. 

EDWARD B. BACH, Justice of the 
Peace and agent for farming machinery ; was 
born in Sugar Creek Tp.. Mav 4, 18.52 ; son of 
Jacob and .Margaret (Hah) Bach, natives of 
Germany; they removed to America in 1842, 
settling in Sugar Creek Tp., where they now 
reside. Edward was raised there and received 
a good common-school education ; he then 
attended Smithvill(> Academj-. located in 
Wayne Co. of which institution he was a stu- 
dent for several terms during 1870, 1871, 
and 1872 ; he afterwards attended the North- 
eastern Ohio Normal School, held by Prof. 



John T. Getting, at Beach City. Mr. Bach 
has taught school for ten terms, or 62 months, 
in various districts of Pike, Sugar Creek, and 
Nimishillen Tps. of Stark Co., and Milton Tp., 
of Wayne Co. During the past four years he 
has been engaged in selling agricultnral 
machinery, and is now operating the sj)ring- 
tooth harrow, which is manufactured by 
Miller Brothers, of Kalamazoo, Michigan. He 
was married March 2.5, 1875, to Miss Cordelia 
Yant, daughter of Daniel and Soj)hia (Kiinie}') 
Yant, of Pike Tp.; they have three children 
— Jessie May, Daniel Leslie, and Verna 
Eudora. Mr. and Mrs. Bach are members of 
the Evangelical Association, being con- 
nected with Calvary Church of Bethlehem|Tp.; 
the former is an active member of this con- 
gregation, serving as Trustee, and is also Su- 
perintendent of the Sunday-school. In April, 
1880, Mr. Bach was elected .Justice of the 
Peace for Sugar Creek Tp., which usually gives 
over one hundred Republican majority. Poli- 
tically he is a Democrat, and the fact that he 
should be chosen for this responsible position 
by the citizens of his native township, proves 
how highly he is esteemed by his friends and 
neighbors who have known him from child- 
hood. 

SAMUEL H. BAUGHMAN, West Leb- 
anon; was born Aug. 15, 1815, near 
Carlisle, Cumberland Co., Pa., the second 
son and third child born to .John and Mar- 
garet Baughman. The Baughiiian fam- 
ily came west to this County, locating 
in Tuscarawas Tp. in 1835, and purchased 
115 acres which were but partially cleared. 
He remained on this farm until his death, 
about thej'ear 1832, in his 81st year. To him 
were born eleven children: Adam, Margaret, 
S.H., Julia A., Sarah A., Nancy J. and David, 
were the number that came to maturity. 
John Baughman was a member of the Ger- 
man Reformed Church. S. H. remained with 
his father until he was 31 years of age. His 
wife was Elizabeth Smith, who was born in 
this Township in 1825, daughter of Jacob 
Smith, who was one of the pioneers of the 
Township, and was a. Justice of the Peace many 
j'ears. After the marriage Mr. Baughman lo- 
cated on the Smith farm, buying out the 
heirs, and has since remained upon it. He 
has two children — Samuel D., 6f this Town- 
ship, and Benjamin B. P. He is a membe 



^ 



't 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



of the Methodist Episcopal Church and a 
Republican. 

DANIEL BOUGHMAN, farmer; P. O. 
West Lebanon; was born Aug. 14, 1826, in 
Cumberland Co., Pa., the tenth of a family of 
twelve children, whose parents were Joseph 
and Barbara (Walter) Boughman; the former 
was born in Cumberland Co., Pa., in May, 1783; 
a son of Joseph, who was a native of Ger- 
nianj', and who came to Pennsxdvania when 
young. Barbara was a daughter of John 
Walter, who was a native of Maryland, but 
who afterward located in Cumberland Co., 
Pa. To Joseph Boughman, Sr., was born 
eight children — Abraham, Henrj', Philip, Jo- 
seph, Christopher and John; the daughters 
were — Catharine and Elizabeth. To the grand- 
father, Walter, were born four children, viz, 
— George, John, Catharine and Barbara. The 
Boughman family are all farmers, to which 
Joseph, the father of Daniel, was raised. 
April, 1833, he came to this Township, where 
he purchased land on Sec. 9, and remained 
there six months; then moved one mile west 
and purchased 160 acres more on Sec . 8, 
where he died in 1839. Twelve children were 
born to him, whose names, according to the or- 
der of their birth, were as follows — Christina, 
Sarah, David, Joseph, Elizabeth, Barbara, 
Christopher, Catharine, John, Daniel, Susanna 
and Elias. Seven are now living — Christina, 
wife of John Kern, of Adams Co., lud.; 
David, in Elkhait Co., Ind.; Barbara, wife of 
Peter Wist, resides in Lagrange, Ind.; Catha- 
rine (Mrs. Hiram McFerron, of this township); 
John, on farm adjoining; Daniel on the home- 
stead, and Elias in Summit Co. Of the fam- 
ily of twelve children all lived to raise fami- 
lies. Joseph Boughman was a memiier of the 
Albright Church, and a Jackson Democrat. 
His wife survived him twenty years or more, 
remaining a widow until her death, in 1866. 
Our subject remained at home until 15 years 
of age; then went to learn the carpenter's 
trade, at which he worked for thirty-six years. 
He was married in October, 1850, to Char- 
lotte Gallatin, who was born in Pennsylvania, 
daughter of Jacob Gallatin. She died in 
1875, Sept. 19. To her were born three sons, 
two living — Melancthon and Homer; the for- 
mer is in a drug store in Indiana; Homer at 
home. He married a second time in March, 
1878, Mrs. Jane E. Bloker, who was born in 



Wayne Co., Ohio, in February, 1836, daugh- 
ter of Henry Galehouse. Mr. Boughman owns 
160 acres of land, which he bought in the 
spring of 1850. He is a member of the Meth- 
odist Episcopal Church, and class-leader since 
his union with the church over fifteen years 
ago, and has served as Steward and Trustee 
of same. He is a strong temperance man, 
and votes for prohibition. 

JOHN BALTZLY, retii-ed farmer; P. O. 
Beach City; was born Oct. 19, 1821, in 
Sugar Creek Tp., Tuscarawas Co., Ohio; son 
of John and Elizabeth (Baker) Baltzly; he, 
born April 13, 1879, in Cumberland Co., Pa., 
son of .lohn, a native of Switzerland, who emi- 
grated to this country prior to the Revolution, 
and was a teamster during the wai-; she, born 
in York Co., Pa., daughter of Philip Baker. 
The grandfather of our subject came to Ohio 
in 1S07, and located in Goshen Tp., Tuscara- 
was Co., and at the outbreak of the war of 
1812, served in the same. He was killed b^' 
a tree falling upon him. John, the father of 
our subject, was reared on the farm until he 
was married, when he moved to near Zanes- 
ville, where he lived until his death, which 
occurred Oct. 13, 1859. His children were — 
Daniel, John, Philip, Jacob, Catharine, Eliza- 
beth, Benjamin, and Sarah. John, our sub- 
ject, lived at home until he was married, Nov. 
26, 1846, to Lydia Miller who was born Nov. 
28, 1830, in Tuscarawas Co., daughter of 
Zachariah and Gertie (Hostetter) Miller; he, 
born in Somerset Co., Pa., Jan. 2, 1809, a mil- 
ler by trade, and son of Henry; she, a daughter 
of Joseph Hostetter. Zachariah and Gertie 
Miller had six children. The family are 
Winebrennarians. After Mr. Baltzly's mar- 
riage he settled on the homestead, whore he 
lived two years, then made some minor chang- 
es, and finally, in the fall of 1856, came to 
Beach City, where he has since lived. He 
formerly owned 265 acres, but sold 127 of 
it to his son. He had nine children, three 
of whom are living — Zachariah T., in Mas- 
sillon, druggist; Alpheus, on the farm; Vi- 
ola, at home. He is a member of the Luth- 
eran Church, she of the United Brethren. He 
was formerly a Whig, but is now a Republi- 
can. 

H. BROWN, merchant ; Beach City ; was 
born April 25, 1841, in Armstrong Co., Pa.; 
son of Matthias and Catharine (Foster) Brown, 



^■^ 



!k> 



SUGAR CREEK T0WX8II1P. 



both of whom were natives of that county, 
and of Irish descent. To them were born six 
children — John, Catharine, Harrison, James, 
Benton and Salina. Harrison was raised to 
farming, at which he continued until the 
spring of 1874, when he embarked in the 
niercantile business, with his brother James, 
in his native state, for whom he clerked about 
five months. He came West in 1873, and 
was united in marriage, in October of' the 
same year, to Tabitha, daughtt^r of Abraham 
and Martha (Bidler) Freed, of Holmes Co. 
Two children have been born to them — Mat- 
tie and Omar. After his marriage he returned 
to Pennsylvania, and remained tiiere until the 
fall of 1875, when he again came to Ohio and 
located in B^ach City, where he built the busi- 
ness house he now owns, and engaged in the 
mercantile business, his stock consisting of 
dr^- goofls, groceries, queensware, boots and 
shoes, and, in fact, all articles to be found in 
a general store. He is a member of the Lu- 
theran Church and is a IJepuhlican. 

JONATHAN BAHIl, miller; Beach City; 
was born in NovembiM-, 1828, in this town- 
ship, where Beach City now stands. He is a 
son of Henry and Susanna (Bixler) Barr, both 
natives of Bedford Co., Pa. Tiie ancestors 
of the former wore German ; the latter was a 
daughter of Jacob Bixler, whose other child- 
ren were — John, Samuel, Jacob, Daniel and 
Christopher. The children of our subject's 
grandfather, as far as can be remembered, are 
as follows — Samuel, David, Henry, Jonathan 
aiul Ainia. Henry Barr, wife and three child- 
ren, came to Ohio and located in this town- 
sliip, about the year 1825 or '26. He was a 
miller by occupation, and was engaged in that 
business prior to his coming to Ohio. He 
continued the business in this place, following 
the occupation until he became old ; finally 
turning his attention to farming, in which 
business he was engaged at the lime of his 
death, in June, 186G. His wife died several 
years previous. To them were born seven 
children — .Jacob, of this township ; David, 
farmer and miller in Tuscarawas ; Elizabeth, 
dead ; John, of Bethlehem Tp., farmer ; Jon- 
athan ; Samuel, of Morrow Co., farmer, &c.; 
and Henry, in Bethlehem Tp., farmer. The 
parents were Lutherans. Henry was formerly 
a Democrat, but later became a Republican. 
Our subject was raised in this township, and, 



after attaining his majority, learned the car- 
penter's trade, at which he worked several 
years, and then purchased land, farming in 
connection with his trade. In 1861 he began 
the milling business, buying the mill property 
he now owns, which he entirely renovated in 
1806, and has run ever since. He was mar- 
ried in 1850 to Margaret Gay, who was born 
in Northampton Co., Pa., in 1S28 ; daughter 
of Andrew and Elizabeth (Bash) Gay, who 
came West, locating in Tuscarawas Co., when 
she was young. Three children were born to 
Mr. and Mrs. Barr, two of whom are living — 
Aaron D. and William Scott. Susan E. died 
young. 

ALPH. BALTZLY, farmer; P.O. Beach 
City. Among the young farmers and en- 
terprising jouiig men of this Towtiship is 
our sul)ject, who was born Aug. 24, 1^50, 
in Tuscarawas Co. He is the son of John 
and L^'dia (Miller) Baltzly, and was rais- 
ed a farmer, remaining at home tintil his 
majority, Dec. 31, 1872. He was married to 
Anna Cascbeer, born in Tascarawas Co., Nov. 
15, 1849, and who died July 6, 1870, leaving 
one child, Florence May. Mr. Baltzly was 
again married Nov. 25, 1880, to Maggie Suter, 
born in Westmoreland Co., Pa., Feb. 2, 1858, 
daughter of William and Catharine (Stoner) 
Suter, who have ten children, five sons and five 
daughters. The parents of Mr. Baltzlv's 
first wife were both natives of Tuscarawas 
Co. Mr. Baltzly owns 147 acres of excellent 
farming land, and he and wife arc members of 
the United Brethren Church. 

AUGUSTUS CROSLAND, blacksmith ; 
Wilmot ; is one of the oldest smiths in this 
region of the country, having worked continu- 
ously at the anvil nearU' forty years. He was 
l>orn July 5, 1827, in Middlebury, adjacent to 
Akron, Summit Co., Ohio. His parents were 
Adam and Eve (Hoflaker) (Jrosland, the former 
a native of Fayette Co., Pa., of Quaker par- 
entage and of English ancestry. Eve was a 
daughter of Michael HofTaker, to whom were 
born the following ofr?prijig — (jiorge, Michael, 
John, Rachel, Elizabeth, Polly, Lydia, Sophia, 
Eve, and Catharine. Of the children born to 
Adam and Eve Crosland were — Michael, now 
a resident of Minnesota ; Adam, who died in 
the Mexican war; Elizabeth was the wife of 
William Penewenn,but is now deceased ; and 
Mary Ann, wife of Peter Donot, of Tuscara- 



J, 



954 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



was T|3., this county. Our subject was left 
an orphan at an early age, being but a babe 
when his father died, when he removed to 
Stark Co. with his mother, who died when he 
was a lad of eight. He then lived with George 
Culler until he \j^s fifteen ; then commenced 
learning his trade with .Jesse Raffensburger, 
at Navarre, and remained with him three years 
and six months. In April, 1847, he set up in 
business for himself in the northern part of 
Sugar Creek Tp., where he continued steadily 
for seventeen years. Removing to Navarre he 
engaged at his trade, remaining- there until 
March, 1869, when he located in the village of 
Wilmot, where he yet remains ; being a 
thorough and excellent workman, his services 
are rewarded by a liberal patronage. He has 
been three times married, first in 1848, to 
Elizabeth Sniveley, who was born in Pennsyl- 
vania, daughter of the Rev. Daniel Sniveley. 
She died in January, 1861, leaving six chil- 
dren — Isaac N.; Susan M., William H., Mary 
A., Elizabeth F., and Augustus B. — all living. 
In 18G3 he married Catharine Brillhart, who 
was born in 1841 in Bethlehem Tp., daughter 
of Daniel Brillhart ; she died in 1864, having 
one child, which died at birth. His present 
wife is Aurelia, born in Bethlehem Tp., 
daughter of Hon. Matthias and Elizabeth 
(Bachtel) Shepler, who were natives of Penn- 
sylvania. Six children were born of this mar- 
r.age, three of whom were given birth at one 
time. Ivy M. and Sarah Bell only are now 
living of the entire number born. He has 
been a member of the United Brethren 
Church since 1850, and is one of the trustees 
of the same. He is the only one of the name 
that has espoused Republicanism. 

DAVID CRISE, M. D.; was born in Men- 
don, Westmoreland Co., Pa., May 23, 1846; 
son of George and Rachel (Stougli) Crise, the 
former of whom was born in the aforesaid 
county in 1823, son of George Crise; and the 
latter in Eastern Pennsylvania, daughter of 
Daniel and Catharine Stough. George Crise 
came to Ohio, locating in Dundee, Tuscara- 
was Co., and was a farmer by occupation. 
He had four sons and seven daughters, six 
of whom came to maturity — Leah B., Cath- 
arine, Mary A., George W., Joseph and 
David. He was a member of the 103d P. V. 
I. during the late war. Our subject was 
reared on the farm until 17 years of age, and 



attended school at Gi'eensburg, where he took 
a scientific course of four years. He began 
reading medicine in 1867 with Dr. L. Sutton, 
and pursued his studies until his graduation 
from Jeflerson Medical College at Philadelphia. 
He began the practice of medicine in the 
spring of 1871, continuing there until the fall 
of 1872, when he located at Buifalo, Washing- 
ton Co., Pa., remaining there until the sum- 
mer of 1S76; thence went to Strashurg, Tus- 
carawas Co., Oliio, where he remained until 
the fall of 1877, when he located at Beach 
City, Sugar Creek Tp., where he now is. In 
the vi-inter of 1877 he associated with Dr. 
Robinett, under firm name of Robinett & Crise, 
for the purpose of running a drug store in con- 
nection with their practice. He was married 
in June, 1872, to Lucetta, daughter of A. J. 
Null, whose father's name was Henry, and a 
native of Westmoreland Co., Pa., as was also 
Miss Lucetta. Dr. Crise has three children — 
Vivienne, Lola E.and Bruce L. He is a mem- 
ber of the Lutheran Church and a Democrat. 

JOHN C. CHARLTON, farmer; P. O.Na- 
varre; was born Dec. 11, 1825. His father, 
Isaac, one of nine children of Thomas Charl- 
ton, and an old-line Whig, came from West- 
moreland Co., Pa., about 1812, and settled in 
Sugar Creek Tp., where he died in April, 
1868, aged 76 years. His mother, Elizabeth 
Augustnie, was born in Columbiana Co., and 
still survives. They had three children — Su- 
sanna, who married William H. West, and 
moved to Massillon, where she died; Eliza, who 
died in 1863, unmarried; and John C, the 
subject of this sketch, who lived with his 
parents till 22 years old, clerked for two 
years, and after several changes of occupa- 
tion, married Sept. 20, 1852, and located on 
the farm he now owns. In 1858 he moved to 
Bethlehem Tp., and engaged in the grain 
business till 1865, when he returned to the 
farm. From 1876 to 1880 he again engaged 
in the grain and produce trade, but has now 
retired from active business. His wife, born 
September, 1828, was Caroline, daughter of 
Henry and Hannah Wise, both natives of 
Pennsylvania. She is a member of the Ger- 
man Reformed Church. Mr. Charlton is a 
Republican, and was a Trustee for two years. 
They have a beautiful home. 

FREDERICK W. DAGES, farmer; P. O. 
Navarre; was born April 2, 1827, in Toll, 






^. 



SUGAR CREEK TOWNSHIP. 



955 



Prussia, and is the seventh son of Jacob Dages, 
baker, wlmse father was of the same name and 
trade. When the Dages family came to Ohio, 
ill the spring of 1834, it consisted of the 
father, mother and eleven sons. These located 
at Navarre, and there remained until the 
spring of 1835, when they moved to the town- 
ship upon 95 acres of land purchased by 
Jacob Dages for $1,100, including one horse 
and a plow. The mother (Barbara, daughter 
of Nicholas Schorr) died in May, 180S, and 
the father Dec. 21, 1876. Of the children a 
number died young; Jacob resides in Indiana; 
Michael is dead; Peter moved to Gallipolis, 
raised a family, and is since dead; Frank is in 
Fulton; Nic'holas in Huntington Co., Indiana; 
and .lohn in Gallipolis; Wendell went to Cal- 
ifornia in 1850, and has never been heard from 
since; Charles is in Li)uisville, Ky.; Frederick 
W. has remained on the old farm. He mar- 
ried, Feb. 7, 1854, Anna Waggoner, born in 
Belgium, Feb. 10, 1834, daughter of John 
^^ aggoner and Anna Zinietz, who came to 
Stark Co. in 1845, locating in Bethlehem Tp. 
After his marriage, PVederick worked the 
homestead farm on shares. At his mother's 
death he bought the place, and has since added 
to it till he now has 150 acres. His children 
are — Mary A., John, Rc)sa B., Angela, Louis 
P., Urban J., Henry O. and Clara C. He is 
a member of the Catholic Church, and a Dem- 
ocrat. 

BENJAMIN FP:TR0W, P. O. Beach City; 
was born in York Co., Pa., July 22, 1814; son 
of Andrew and Phebe (Speakman) Fetrow; 
the former a native of York Co. — also, whose 
father's name was Andrew, and a native of Ger- 
many. The last-named, Andrew, and two 
l)rothers, came over and settled in York Co., 
Pa.; one however of the brothers went back, 
and from the other two the numerous Fetrows 
of this country have sprung. Phebe was the 
daughter of Jacob Speakman, a Quaker, 
whose wife was a Harris, and whose family 
consisted of eight girls and two boys. To 
Andrew Fetrow, Jr., and wife were born four 
children, three of whom lived to maturity — 
Benjamin, Mary A. and Leah. Andrew Fet- 
row was a millwright by trade; he came to 
Sugar Creek Tp. in 1814, built a mill below 
Strasburg, and assisted in building the mill 
in Strasburg. He returned to York Co. in 
the fall of 1818, but before returning he took 



the precaution of entering several quarter- 
sections of land, with a view of returning to 
it, but died in 1837 in Cumberland Co., his 
wife surviving him two years. He was a 
member of the United Brethren Church, and 
a staunch Whig. Our subject was raised on 
the farm until his ICth year. He was posess- 
ed of a strong desire to travel West, but his 
father could not be brought to consent to his 
leaving home; eventually, however, he came 
without obtaining leave, and settled in Plain 
Tp., Waj'ne Co., where he remained eighteen 
years. Soon after coming out he learned the 
blacksmith's trade, and followed the same for 
twenty-two years, but since 1850 has been en- 
gaged in farming. Sept. 20, 1837, he was mar- 
ried to Emeline Harris, who was born in 
Wayne Co. March 4, 1810, daughter of \Var- 
ner and Rachel (Gorrel) Harris, the former a 
native of Maryland, and the latter of Virginia, 
who were married in Virginia, and came to 
Wayne Co. in 1812, raising a family of fifteen 
children, all of whom lived to maturity, Mrs. 
Fetrow being the youngest. After the family 
grew up, however, Mr. Harris moved to 
Holmes Co. and died there. Ho was an 
Elder in the Presbyterian Church for many 
years, and was a Democrat. But three of his 
family arc now living — Sarah, Thomas and 
Mrs. Fetrow. Mr. and Mrs. Fetrow have been 
blessed with five children, three of whom 
grew up — Sarah, wife of George Howard, of 
this township; Nancy, now Mrs. Andrew 
Reed; William, M. D., lives on the home 
farm. Mr. and Mrs. Fetrow have been mem- 
bers of the United Brethren Church for nearly 
I thirty years. When Mr. Fetrow came to 
Wayne Co. he had but twenty-five cents, but 
by industry and economy has amassed con- 
! siderable wealth, possessing now 210 acres of 
I land, which his son and son-in-law are farming. 
Mr. Fetrow is the only one of the family name 
who ever came to Ohio; he has always been a 
Whig and Republican, and has been a Trustee 
in his church. He moved from his farm to 
Beach City in 1880, and is now living retir- 
ed. His son, William, M. D., has four child- 
ren; Nancj', Mis. Reed, has seven; and Sarah, 
Mrs. Howard, has six. They are all members 
of the United Brethren Cluirch. 

ABRAHA.M GRAFE, hardware ; Wilmot; 
is among the self-made men of this township. 
He was born in June, 1826, in Saxony ; son 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



of John Ailam ami Justiiia (Deichman) Grafe. 
Abrahain left home at 15, worked some years 
in a brick-yard, and tlien learned the stone- 
mason's trade. In the fall of 1853 he emi- 
grated to America, landing at New York City. 
From there he bent his steps westward, stop- 
ping a short time in Wayno Co., and locating 
the same year in the town of Wilmot, wliere 
he has since been a constant resident. He 
came here poor, but he labored on industri- 
ously, and for twenty-two years was engaged 
at his trade. In 186G he began doing a small 
business in a mercantile way, his stock of 
goods being small and of the simplest variety; 
yet he never faltered, but husbanded his 
means, and year by year added to his stock 
of goods, until 1871, when he began in the 
hardware business, which he has since con- 
ducted, having a full line of hardware and 
shelf-goods, and such articles as arp needed 
by the community generally. In October, 
1846, before leaving the old country, he mar- 
ried Sophia Koehler, who was born in Saxony, 
daughter of Godfriod Koehler. Mr. Grafe 
has no children. His father, John Adam, was 
a son of Christian and Christina (Mahn) Grafe, 
to whom were born six children, four sons and 
two daughters, viz. — Godfried, Jacob, John 
Adam, Michael, Christina and Rosanna. His 
mother, Justina, was a daughter of Go Ifried 
Deichman, who had hut two children born to 
him, who grew to maturity, viz.^ — Justina and 
Jacob. Abraham had no brothers, but one 
sister, Christina, who yet resides in the old 
country, Abraham being the only one of the 
family who emigrated to this country. He is 
one of the Directors of the Farmers' Bank at 
Wilmot, and a consistent Republican. 

SAMUEL HALL, farmer; P. O. Justus; is 
one of the pioneers of the county. He was 
born May 15, 1803, in Jefferson Co., this 
State; son of John and .Tudith (Hastings) Hall, 
.fohn Hall was a son of .lohn Hall, who was a 
native of England, as were also his children 
— John, Edward and Hannah. The father of 
our subject was High Sheriff in Dundee, Scot- 
land, and emigrated to Philadelphia in the 
year 1793. After remaining there a short 
time he came to the territory of Ohio a short 
time prior to 1800. Here our subject was 
born, amid the forest-scenes of that early 
time. In 1809 he came with his father to Can- 
ton Tp., Canton at that time being comnosed of 



three or four houses. They remained here 
until 1814, when his father moved to Tuscara- 
was Tp., and settled on an 80 acre tract, whore 
he died in 1816. At the age of 31 Samuel 
turned out for himself; worked for some time 
on the Ohio Canal, and in 1838 located in Su- 
gar Creek Tp., where lie has since lived an 
honored and respected member of the com- 
munity. His farm, consisting of 91^- acres, he 
has acquired at different times, as his means 
would justify, having seven different deeds of 
the same. His marriage with Susan Swigart 
occurred Sept. 3.3, 1833. She was born May 
15, 1811, in Franklin Co., Pa., daughter of 
Samuel and Catharine (Hulsinger) Swigart, 
who came to Ohio about the year 1830, and had 
a family of eight children. After a compan- 
ionship of over one-half a century, sharing 
the toils and privations incident to the life of 
a pioneer settlement, she passed to her rest 
June 31, 1879. They have had the following 
family of children, viz. — .ludah A., now de- 
ceased; George, Catharine, Elizabeth, Lydia, 
Susan, Mary and Alfred. George resides in 
this township; Catharine is the wife of David 
Hess, of Blackford Co., Ind.; Elizabeth is the 
wife of .John McWhinney; Lydia is now Mrs. 
Robert Phereon, both of this township; Su- 
san, Mary and Alfred at home. For forty- 
five years Mr. Hall has been a member of 
the Reformed Church, and a consistent Re- 
publican. He has been a man of excellent 
health, having a robust constitution; has been 
a hard-worker, kind of heart, and generously 
disposed, and though having passed the limit 
of life allotted to man, yet he looks forward 
to the time of his departure and the entrance 
to the beyond, with hopes of a glorious im- 
mortality. The father of Mr. Hall was a mem- 
ber of the Baptist Church, and a Whig in 
politics. To him were born Henry, Judith, 
Ann, George, William, Hannah, John, Sam- 
uel and Edward. Judith Hastings (mother 
of our subject), was a daughter of William 
Hastings. 

GEORGE W. HALL, Navarre; was born 
in Sugar Creek Tp., Stark Co., Ohio, May 31, 
1830. He is a son of Samuel and Susan 
Hall, appropriate mention of whom is 
made in the biographical part of Sugar 
Creek Tp. George W. was reared on 
a farm, receiving a common-school education. 
At the as:e of 31 he left home and came to 



d^ 



SUGAR CRKKK TOWNSHIP. 



957 



Navarre, where he cni^agc^d as a clerk in the 
dry goods store of Harmon V. Beeson, and 
with whom he remained some two years. At 
the end of that time he undertook the man- 
agement of the co-operative store of the Farm- 
ers' and Mechanics' Association, which he 
successfully carried on about three years. He 
then went to New Bedford, where for one 
year he was in the employ of James Bell. 
At the end of that time his employer failed, 
and -Mr. Hall was appointed assignee. After 
straightening up matters at this point, he and 
his brother-in-law, John E. Clark, entered in- 
to the dry goods business in Millersburg. 
After two years Mr. Hall sold his interest in 
the store to his partner, and then formed a 
partnership with Goshorn & Rose, in dry 
goods at Navarre. In 1861 he commenced 
buying horses, afterward selling them to the 
Government, and after four years began deal- 
ing in live stock, tinware, stoves, etc. For the 
past fifteen years he has dealt quite extensive- 
ly in grain of all kinds, and Jiis present an- 
nual business amounts to about 50,000 bush- 
els. Mr. Hall has been quite successful as a 
grain-merchant, his whole attention at pre- 
sent being directed to the grain business. 
He owns 80 acres of land in Sugar Creek Tp. 
where his family reside. In politics Mr. Hall 
is a Republican, and he is a member of the 
I. O. O. F. He was married Dec. 25, 1855, 
to Miss Rebecca Miller, and has a family of 
seven children — Lilly, Viola, Arthur, Eva M., 
George H., Myrtle and Ernest M. 

DANIEL HOFF.MAN, .Justus. The pre- 
sent Railroad Agent, Postmaster and Grain 
Dealer of Justus is the above-mentioned gen- 
tleman, who is a native of Sugar Creek Tp., 
born Feb. 7, 1838, being the eldest of a fami- 
ly of three children. He was raised to agri- 
cultural pursuits, remaining under the paren- 
tal roof until 23 years of age, when he start- 
ed in business on his own account and en- 
gaged in farming. In Nov., 1861, he married 
Silecta Putman, who was born in this Town- 
ship in 1S14, daughter of Andrew Putman. 
He has three children — Mary A., now the wife 
of P. A. MoFarren, of this Township; Ada 
May and WinBeld C. He was commissioned 
Postmaster in the fall of 18'4, and has since 
served in that capacity and Railroad Agent 
for the C. T. V. a:i' ^\'. Railroad since 1873, 
and been dealing in :^rain since his occu- 



pancy of the office. He is also engaged in 
farming, having about 100 acres. His parents 
were Daniel and Catharine (Cordier) Hoffnum. 
He was born March 5, 1810, in Germatiy, and 
emigrated to this township in 1829, with his 
father, whose name was Daniel, and who ]iur- 
chased 80 acres of land in Sugar Creek Tp., 
and improved the same; but afterwards sold 
it to his son Daniel, and moved to Adams Co. 
where he died. He had four children l)orn to 
him — Daniel, Peter, Jacob and Eve. Daniel, 
the father of our s\djject, remained on the 
home farm until 1856, when he moved into 
the southwest part of Tuscarawas Tp., pur- 
chasing a farm, and yet resides there. His 
wife died in 1879. Three children — Daniel, 
Christopher and Mary A. were born them. 
Christopher resides in Wooster, Wayne Co. 
Mary A. is the wife of Oliver Brtnniger, of 
Wayne Co. Our subject owns and occupies 
the same land first si^ttled by his grandfather, 
who was a Democrat, and a member of the 
Reformed Church. His son Daniel, the sub- 
ject of these lines, is a good R(>publican. 

AUSTIN HAY, merchant; Beach City; was 
born Feb. 3, 18-15, in Somerset Co., Pa.; son 
of George and .Sarah (Fleck) Hay; he was 
born Dec. 25, 1816, in Somerset Co.. Pa., 
and son of Michael Haj-, Esq. They li: d 
eh'ven children. Sarah was a daughter of 
Jacob Fleck, who married Catharine Harrow, 
who had sixteen children. The father of our 
subject was engaged in the mercantile busi- 
ness in Somerset Co., Pa., and came to this 
countv in 1853, settling here and engaging as 
clerk for P. V. Bell, until the failure of "Mr. 
Bell, when he founded the Farmers' Store at 
this place which he conducted some time. 
Then associated with various parties until 
1862, when he went to Philadelphia, where 
he was in business nine years, and finally to 
Austin, Minnesota, where he now runs a hotel. 
He had four children — Amanda, Austin, Mar- 
tha, James. Sept. 7, 1861, Austin, our sub- 
ject, enlisted in Co. F. 19th O. V. I., and 
served two years; then came home, and after- 
ward served in Texas until Nov. 1865; was in 
the battles of Pittsburg Landing, Stone River, 
Chickamauga, Atlanta Campaign, and the 
pursuit of Hood; also, in the battles before 
Nashville. Enlisted as a private and was 
promoted to Sergeant. Afterward lived in 
Philadelphia and in Indiana, and came to 



^. 



958 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



Beach City in 1809. Then for some years 
was en<:fagod variously, and finally, in 1878, 
entered into business under the firm name of 
Fetrow & Hay, which continues, keeping a 
general stock. Feb. 35, 1869, he was united 
in marriage with Amelia Agler, born in this 
township at Wilmot, 1846, daughter of George 
and Eve (Wyandt) Agler. Mr. Hay has had 
two children born to him, one living — .James 
F., the other, dying in infancy. His wife is a 
member of the Lutheran Church. His par- 
ents were Lutherans, but now are Methodists. 
His father is Republican. Mr. Hay is a mem- 
ber of I. O. O. F. loilge in Ligonia, Indiana. 

CAPT. WM. M. JOHNSTON, foundry and 
manufactory ; Wilmot ; is one of the repre- 
sentative business men and worthy citizens of 
this township. He was born October 26,1832, 
in Sugar Creek Tp., Wayne Co., one mile and 
a half north of West Lebanon, the eldest son 
of a family consisting of four sons and five 
daughters, whose names in the order of their 
birtlis are — Elizabeth .1., Margaret, William 
M., .Josiah, Silas B., Maria, Andrew, Nancy J. 
and Arininda. Their parents were Andrew 
W. and Nancy (Boyd) .Johnston. The former 
was born in 1804 in Pennsylvania, son of 
^Villiam Johnston, of Irish ancestry. To 
William Johnston was born Robert, William, 
Andrew, John, Jane, Sarah, Eliza, Isabel, ancl 
Margaret. Nancy, the mother of William M., 
was born in Sugar Creek Tp. in 1808, daughter 
of William Bcjyd, a native of Westmoreland 
Co., Pa., and a soldier in the war of the Revo- 
lution. He was a member of the Presbyterian 
Church, and was an old- line Whig. The 
father of our subject died October 25, 184G. 
He was a man that was esteemed by all who 
knew him ; he was a consistent member of 
the Presbyterian Church, and a Whig in poli- 
tics. At the age of 14 the care of the farm 
devolved upon our subject, he being the eldest 
son, and he oonilucted it in a creditable man- 
ner for ten years, attending school part of the 
time until he was 18 years of age, after which 
he engaged in teaching during the winter 
months. May 7, 1857, he was joined in wed- 
lock to Hannah Johnson, who was born Dec. 
3, 18.32, daughter of Cornelius and Nancy 
(Carey) Johnson. She was the youngest of a 
family of six children, two sons and four 
daughters. Her parents are yet living, and 
past their fourscore years. Mrs. Johnston's 



family are direct heirs of what is known as 
the "Trinity Church Estate " and other valu- 
able property in New York City and in Hol- 
land, valued at manj- millions, which was left 
by Wolfert Amant Webber, a grandchild of 
King William IV. of Holland. This union 
has resulted in the birth of the following chil- 
dren — Nora, Oman E., Ulysses S., and Dollie 
M. After the marriage ofoursubject he gave 
up the management of the farm to his young- 
est brother, and moved to Mt. Eaton, Ohio, 
and gave his attention to teaching for s^evcral 
years, and during this time took a lively inter- 
est in the political issues of the day. He cast 
his first presidential vote for John C. Fre- 
mont in 1856, and was a nominee on the (Re- 
jjublican) county ticket in Wayne Co. in 1860. 
In 1861 he engaged in the mercantile business 
for a short time. In March, 1862, he moved 
to Wilmot, this county, with a view to con- 
ducting a select school, but as the W8f pro- 
gressed he entered the service in August of 
the same year aa Lieutenant of Compaiiy A, 
104th Regiment O. V. I., which position he 
resigned sometime afterward, on account of 
impaired health. In 1863 he was unanim- 
ously elected Captain of Company A, 99th 
liegiment. Battalion of National Guard. The 
command took another form of name to Com- 
pany K, 163d Regiment, O. N. G., and was 
stationed at M''ashington, D. C, for a short 
time, when Captain Johnston had command of 
Fort de Russe, and afterwards was moved to 
the front and took part in the Ojierations 
against Petersburg. Upon his return home he 
entered the office of Wyandt, Putman & Co.'s 
agricultural works in Wilmot, as agent and 
bookkeeper. Mr. D. B. Wyandt, of said firm, 
going to Massillon to superintend the Excel- 
sior Works there, leaving the entire financial 
responsibility of the shop to the management 
of Mr. Johnston. In the autumn of 1865, by 
the death of D. B. Wyandt, Mr. Johnston took 
his place as a member of the firm, the firm 
name becoming Johnston, Putman & Co., 
which association continued for several years, 
after which, there being some change, the firm 
name was changed to Putman, Johnston & 
Co., which continued until 1879, when anoth- 
er change occurred, the firm changing to W. 
M. Johnston & Co., Mr. J. W- Putman retir- 
ing. Mr. Johnston has always been a staunch 
Republican, yet not a partizan. He was nom- 



qV 



SUGAR CREEK TOWNSHIP. 



^^>^ 



iiiated by the Republicans, by a large major- 
ity, as one of their candidates for Represent- 
ative in 1873, but, the ticket beinir defeated, 
he was, of course, not elected ; since which 
time he has declined all invitations to politi- 
cal honors, and refused to have his name used 
in that direction. For over sixteen years he 
lias held the office of Notary Pul)iic, is a mem- 
ber and elder of the Presbyterian Churcli, and 
in ail matters in which the interests of the 
township and county could be subserved, he 
has always done his |)art. 

CHRISTIAN KA.MPF, farmer; P. O. 
Beach City ; was born Oct. 14, 1814, in Can- 
ton Berne, Switzerland ; son of Ulrich 
Kampf and Magdalena Bi^aler, to whom were 
born eig-ht children — John, Christian, Ulrich, 
Susanna, Annie, Jacob, Majjdalena and Dan- 
iel. Our subject emigrated with his parents 
to this State, locating at Mt. Eaton, Wayne 
Co., in the fall of 1834, and engaged in farm- 
ing with his father, who afterward removed 
lo Tuscarawas Co., where he died about the 
year 1872. He was an upright man, a good 
i^itizen, and a member of the Reformed 
Cimrch. Christian lived with his father until 
his marriage, which event occurred in Febru- 
ary, 1837, to Elizabeth Koontz, who was born 
in Switzerland in April, 1818, and emigrated 
to this country with her grand-parents when 
she was ipiite young, and located witli them 
in Wayne Co., this State. In the spring of 
1844 Mr. Kiimpf located in this township, 
])urchasing at first 180 acres of land ; but has 
since located on land adjoining his first pur- 
chase, having now 210 acres in all. Of thir- 
teen children born him seven are living, viz. 
— Christian, who resides in this township, en- 
gag^'d in farming ; Celista, wife of William 
G. Resh, of this township ; Anna, wife of 
Robert C. Taylor, who also is a resident of 
Sugar Creek; Philip, Alexander, Peter and El- 
mer E. are at home. The sons are farmers, 
good horsemen, ai\d good judges of that use- 
ful animal. .Mr. Kiimpf was raised iu the 
Reformed Church, and is a Democrat. 

CHRISTIAN KAYLER, farmer; P. O. Jus- 
tus; was born Sept. 21, 1821, in Pennsyl- 
vania.; eldest of a family of thirteen child- 
ren born to Samuel and Christina (Knee) 
Kayler. The former was born in Hagers- 
towu, Md., son of Frederick and Christina 
(Log) Kayler, who were nativesj of Ger- 



many, and were early settlers in Hagerstown. 
They raised a family of eleven children, whose 
names were — Samuel, Frederick, John, Con- 
rad, Martin, Daniel, Nancy, Susan, Judah, 
Elizabeth and Polly. The Knee family are 
of German descent. Samuel Kayler was a 
saddler by trade. He emigrated west to 
Ohio when Christian was about 10 years of 
age, and located in Sugar Crciek Tp., on the 
farm now owned by D. M. Kayler, which land 
was unimproved. He settled upon this place 
and remained on the same as long as hi! lived. 
His death occurred March 8, 1873. His wife 
died many years previous. They raised a 
family of thirteen children, viz. — Christian, 
Daniel M., John", Frederick, Henry, Samuel, 
George, Jacob, Polly, Susan, Nancy, Chris- 
tina, Rebecca; George, who was shot 
by the guerillas when in the United 
States service as a soldier; Polly and Susan, 
deceased; Henry resides in Decatur, 111.; 
Christian, Daniel and John are residents of 
Sugar Creek Tp.; Samuel and Jacob are in 
Huron Co., this State; Rebecca resides in 
Wood Co., Ohio, wife of Ephraim Gross; 
Christina, wife of John Meek, of Whitley 
Co., Ind.; Nancy is wife of Isaac Brnssman, 
of Indiana; Susan married Godfrey Shetlcr, 
located in Indiana, and has since died; Polly 
is the wife of Jacob Hoak;*she died in Craw- 
ford Co. Samuel Kayler was for many years 
a member of the Reformed Presbyterians, as 
well as his wife, and was a Democrat. Chris- 
tian remained on the homestead until he be- 
gan business for himself; was first married at 
the age of 32, to Lena Howe, a native of 
Pennsj-lvania. She died some years after- 
wards, leaving three children — Zachariah, 
Sarah A., and Elizabeth. Sarah resides in 
Wooster, wife of Robert Slater; Elizabeth, 
now west, and married; Zachariah on the 
homestead. He was married second time to 
Margaret McWhinney, who was born on the 
homestead in this township, daughter of John 
and Nancy (Wolfe) McWhinney. By his 
present wife he has six children — Mary F. 
wife of Clark McClintock, of this township; 
John D., at homo; Chester, George W., Es- 
ther and Jesse. He has 79 acres, and is a 
Republican. All the Kayler family of the 
young stock are of the Republican faith. 

ISAAC KANAGE, farmer; P. O. Wilmot; 
was born Jan. 13, 1828, near Strasburg, Tus- 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



carawas Co., eldest of a familj- of nine child- 
ren, born to Michael and Elizabeth (Ault- 
man) Kaiiage. He, born in 1800, in West- 
moreland Co., Pa., son of Christian; [she, 
daughter of John Aultman, who married a 
Pershing. The Aultmans were among the 
first settlers of Tuscarawas Co.; Christain came 
justprior to the war of 1812, and was a farmer. 
Michael, his son, came to this township about 
1833, settled liere, and died in 1S6G; his 
wife died in 1875, and was a member of the 
United Brethern Church. The names of the 
family born them are — Isaac, on the home- 
stead; Catharine, wife of Daniel King, this 
township; Mary, Mrs. John Miller, DeKalb 
Co., Ind.; Samuel, same place; Solomon, in 
Christian Co., His.; Elizabeth, Mrs. Jacob 
Degraves, DeKalb Co., Ind.; Lydia, Mrs. 
Samuel Hoover, of Indiana; Enos, graduate 
Mt. Union College; after graduation, left 
and has never been heard of since 1867; 
Martha, Mrs. William Meese, in this township 
Aug. 8, 1848, our subject was married to Su- 
san Wilhelm, born in this county March 4, 
1826, daughter of David and Sarah (Ball) 
Wilhelm. They had five children — Susan, 
Nancy, David, Lucinda and Sarah. Our sub- 
ject has three children — Sarah, Mrs. Alfred 
King, Tuscarawas Co.; Mary A., Mrs. George 
Rex, of Canton ; Albert, at home. Mr. Kan- 
age moved to Indiana in 1853, where he lived 
nearly fifteen years ; was Township Trustee. 
He has IGO acres of excellent land ; is a Re- 
publican, and a member of the United Breth- 
ren Church for thirty-five years, and Trustee 
of the same. In 1867 Mr. Kanage returned 
to this township, and has been here since. A 
son, James Weslej', died in May, 1876, aged 
37 years. He was a teacher by occupation, 
having taught from his 18th year. 

MICHAEL KING, farmer; P. O. Justus; 
was born in Somerset Co., Pa., Sept. 27, 1805, 
as was also his father, David, in 1781. His 
paternal grandfather, Michael was a native 
of York Co., Pa., and by his marriage with 
Susan Passmore, had ten children— Enos, John, 
George, William, Philip, David, Polly, Eliza- 
beth, Rebecca and Phoebe. David King mar- 
ried Sophia, daughter of Casper Ginder, a 
)iative of Germany. Of the children of this 
union there grew up John, George, Jacob, 
Catharine, Barbara, Elizabeth, Sophia, and 
Peggy. John was a soldier in the war of the 



Revolution. In the spring of 1832 a two- 
horse wagon brought West the King family 
consisting of the father, mother and seven 
children — George, Michael, Elias, Jacob, 
Enos, Elizabeth and Aaron. They located in 
Sugar Creek Tp., near Wilmot, on leased 
land, and there the father, an old-time Whig, 
died in 1863, the mother having passed away 
fourteen years before. Both were members 
of the Disciples' Church. Michael assisted 
his father on the farm till, at the age of 21 
years, he struck out for himself. He worked 
one ye^r at tanning, then again at farming. 
Jan. 38, 1838, he married Susanna Deardortf, 
born in Tnscarawas Co., in 1807. Her pa- 
rents were Isaac and Eva E. (Zeigler) Dear- 
dorff, natives of York Co., Pa., and early set- 
tlers in Tuscarawas. After marriage, Mr. 
King remained six years in Sugar Creek Tp., 
then sold out and moved to Tuscaarwas Co., 
where he lived forty-eight years. His wife 
died July 13, 1880, "the mother of fifteen child- 
ren, of whom twelve grew up, — of these Hi- 
ram was drowned while serving in the 19th 
O. V. I.; Irenseous died of wounds received 
before Richmond when a member of the 136th 
O. V. I.; Eva is wife of Isaac Masters, Ash- 
land Co., Ohio; Sophia, of Wm. Penix, Tus- 
carawas Co.; Helen, of Morris Shisler, insur- 
ance'agent, Tuscarawas Co.; I^eah, of Wm. 
Kaldenbauch, Franklin Tp., Tuscarawas Co.; 
Rebecca is Mrs. Jesse Ward, of Clinton Co. 
Mo.; David is proprietor of the Iron Valley 
Hotel, at Canal Dover; Sarah livesat the same 
place; and of three remaining boys-^Wil- 
son, Edward and Alfred, the latter is on the 
old homestead, 357 acres, in Franklin Tp., 
Tuscarawas Co. In May, 1881, Mr. King took 
as his second wife, Mary, widow of John W. 
Elliott, who died without issue. She was 
born Sept. 39, 1818, in Kent Co., England; 
her parents Matthew and Esther (f^leet), 
Judd, coming to America in 1830, and locating 
in Sugar Creek Tp. Since his marriage to 
Mrs. Elliott, Mr. King has moved to her farm, 
84 acres. Mr. King has been a memb»r of 
the Methodist Episcopal Church for forty-six 
years, and his present wife has a standing of 
thirty-six years in the same body. He has 
been trustee, steward, class-leader, and super- 
intendent of the Sunday School. He is a Re- 
publican. 



^fv^ 



-±=il^ 



SUGAR CREEK TOWNSHIP. 



901 



JOHN r.ONGEXECKER, banker and 
farmer; P. O. Wilinot; was born in Paint Tp.. 
Holmes Co., Feb. 1], 1830. His parents were 
Peter and Elizabeth (Shank) Longenecker, to 
whom wore born the numerous family of four- 
teen children, all of whom grew to be men 
and women. Peter Longnecker was born in 
1802, in Fayette Co., Pa., son of Peter, who 
married Elizal)eth Xafl'/inger, and bj- her had 
nine children — Magdalena, David, Levi, Susan, 
Elizab(>th, Peter, Joseph, Catharine and .John. 
Elizabeth Shank was one of the following 
family — Martha, Nancy, Elizabeth, Mary, 
Adam, Henry and David. The ancestors of 
the Shanks and I^ongeneckers, were natives of 
Switzerland. Of the brothers and sisters of 
our subject the following are living — David, 
now of Elkhart Co., Ind.; Susan, wife of J. 
Sliffe, in Tuscarawas Co.; Hannah, wife of 
Jacob Shutt, of Crawford Co.; John, in Wilmot; 
William H., Railroad Agent in Columbus; 
Joseph, in St. Joe Co., Ind.; Alpheus and 
.lacob in Holmes Co. in this State. The 
Longenecker family came to Ohio about the 
year 1836, locating in Holmes Co. Peter 
Longenecker died in September, 186(3. He 
was a farmer, and lived respected and es- 
teemed by his fellows. Religiously, he was 
formerly a Mennonite, but later he joined the 
Presbyterian Church, and died in that faith. 
His wile yet survives him, residing on the 
homestead. The subject of these lines was 
raised upon the home-farm where he lived un- 
til August, 1862, when he doimed the "blue," 
and joined the 102d Regiment O. V. L, Co. 
"A," and served until the close of the war, 
when he returned home and resumed teach- 
ing, having taught four t«rms before entering 
the service. Sept. 28, 1865, he marriinl Sev- 
ella Freed, who was born in 1R42 in Holmes 
Co., daughter of Abram and Martha Soidler 
Freed. In the spring of 1866, he located in 
this township, purcha-sing 104 acres of land. 
Since the establishment of the Farmers' Bank 
at this place he has been Cashier of the same, 
and carries on his farm at the same time. He 
and wife are meml)ers of the Metlujdist Epis- 
copal Church. He has one child, Minnie C, 
and is a sound Republican. 

J. F. LENZ, woolen manufacturer; Wil- 
mot; is the fouinler and sole proprietor of 
the Wilmot Woolen Mill. He was born June 
6, 1830, in the Kingdom of Wirtemberg, Ger- 



many, eldest child born to Frederick and 
Christina (Schleh) Lenz. Frederick Lonz 
was born in ISOO, and became a woolen man- 
ufacturer, which business he followed in the 
ol<l coimtry. He emigrated to the United 
States in 183-1, locating first in Lehigh Co., 
Pa.; afterwards moved to Chester Co., and to 
Columbiana Co., this State, in 1836. During 
this time he worked at his trade in the different 
localities where he resided. In 1837 he 
moved with his familv to Holmes Co., where 
he remained until 1858, at which time he lo- 
cated in Wayne Co., three miles west of 
Mount Eaton, where he ran a factory on his 
own account. In 1860 he located in Wilmot, 
Stark Co., where he lived and engaged in his 
business until 1879, when he returned to 
Wayne Co., near Buena Vista, and is now 
Postmaster there. The subject of these lines 
remained with his parents until he was 18 
years of age; he then went to learn the car- 
penter's trade, which business he followed 
from 1850 to 1860, when he permanently lo- 
cated iu Wilmot, and built the factory he now 
operates, his father being engaged in busi- 
ness with him from 1860 to 1871, when he re- 
tired. Our .subject has since conducted the 
business on his own account, having learned 
the business thoroughly in all its details, 
when young, with his father; manufactures all 
the varieties of staple woolen goods. He has 
a large family of children, whom he has instruc- 
ted in the business, and who remain with him 
and assist him in the factory. In Feb., 1852, 
he married Sarah Longenecker, who was born 
in .March, 1833, in Fayette Co., Pa., daughter 
of Joseph and Elizabeth (Showalter) Longe- 
necker. The former was born in Fayette Co., 
the latter in Rockingham Co., Pa. Mr. Lenz 
has eleven children living — Joseph, Louisa, 
Julius, Elizabeth, Isaac, Martha, Grant, Susan, 
Clementina, Calvin and Frederick. Charles 
died, aged 5 years. Mr. Lenz is a member 
of the Methodist Ej)iscopal Church, and a Re- 
publican. 

WILLIAM McFARREN, farmer; P. O. 
Navarre; was born in this township Oct. 21, 
1825, son of Samuel and Mary (Smith) Mc- 
Farren. Samuel McFarren was born in 1795 
iu Franklin Co., Pa.;-son of Jacob, a native 
of Scotland, who emigrated to Frank- 
lin Co., Pa., where he raised a family consist- 
ing of the following children viz — John, Jacob, 



;^ 



962 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



Adam, Matthew, William, George and Peter; 
the daughters were Mary, Catharine and 
Elizabeth. Mary Smith's father's name was 
Joiin, to whom the following offspring were 
born: — John, Jacob, Henry, George, Mary, 
and Susan. Samuel McFarren emigrated 
to the northwest corner of Sugar Creek 
Tp. in the spring of 1833, locating on KiO 
acres of land that had been entered by his 
father-in-law, John Smith. Here he remained 
until his death, March 23, 1874. His wife 
preceded him four years. To them were born 
eight children, viz. — Jacob, William, Samuel, 
John, Rebecca, Mary, Elizabeth and Melinda; 
of the number six are living; Rebecca and 
Mary deceased; all residents of this township, 
except Elizabeth, who resides in Tuscarawas 
Tp. William remained at home with his 
father until past his majority. March, 18.53, 
he married Sarah Doty, who was a native of 
this township. Her parents were Israel and 
Mary (Barnett) Doty, who were natives of New 
Jersey, and emigrated to this township when 
the country was comparatively new. To them 
were born the following — Lot, Zebulon, John, 
Israel, Andrew, Rachel, Catharine, Maria, 
Martha, Jane and Sarah. In 1859 Mr. Mc- 
Farren located on his present farm, consisting 
or 121 acres, which is adorned with excellent 
farm buildings. He has three children — Sam- 
ington W., Francis M. and Clara J. Mr. 
McFarren is a member of the Reformed 
Church, and is a Democrat. 

JOHN M, WHINNEY, farmer; P. O. 
Justus; was born June 13,1835, on the N. W. 
i Sec. 23, in this Township. Third child and 
eldest son of John R. and Nancy (Wolf) 
JlcWhinney; he, born Nov. 12, 1786, in County 
Down, Ireland; she, July 4, 1804, near Cham- 
bersburg. Pa., daughter of John Wolf. The 
father of our subject emigrated to America in 
1811, going first to New York, where he re- 
mained some time, and then coming to Ohio 
prior to the building of the Ohio Canal, upon 
which he was engaged as contractor, and as 
overseer upon the same from Fort Washing- 
ton to Akron. In 1827 he located in Sugar 
(Jreek Tp., where he purchased 160 acres of 
land, upon which there were no improvements, 
and upon which farm he remained until his 
death, April 17, 1863, his wife surviving him 
until Feb. 11, 1878. To them were born five 
children — Mary J., Mrs. John Welty, of Pike 



Tp.; Margaret, Mrs. Christian Kayler, this 
Tp. ; .lohn, on the homestead; Jacob, dead, 
March 17, 1864; and an infant unnamed. 
The father, as well as his parents, were Pres- 
byterians. John, our subject, was raised on 
the farm where he was born, and when of age 
his father gave him an interest in the same. 
In Sept., 1861, he enlisted in Co. F. 19th O. 
V. I., and served until April, 1865, having 
veteraned in 1864. For two years he had 
charge of the wagon-train, and was Forage 
Master; afterward marched with his regiment 
down to Atlanta, where he was disabled, and 
served in the hospital until discharged. Up- 
on his return he resumed fanning, and has so 
continued. Oct. 9, 1861, he was married to 
Elizabeth Hall, born March 29, 1835, in this 
Township, daughter of Samuel and Susan 
(Swigart) Hall; he, born in Steubenville, 
Columbiana Co., Ohio; she, in Lancaster Co., 
Pa. Mr. Hall settled in this township in 1827, 
and his wife died in 1879. They had eight 
children, seven of whom are living, all in this 
township, except one. Mr. McWhinney, our 
subject, has six children — Carrie tC., Sterling 
,T., Cullen H., Columbia V., Minnie H., and 
Jesse N. He is a member of the United 
Brethren Church, and a Trustee thereof. 
Since Vallandigham's time he has been a Re- 
publican — was a Democrat formerly. 

JOHN NETZLY, farmer; P.O. Navarre; 
born Sept. 4, 1813, in Lancaster Co., Pa.; is 
the eldest of a family of four. His parents 
were John and Susan (Mellinger) Netzly, 
both natives of Lancaster Co. The 
Netzlys are of Swiss descent, and two 
brothers Netzly served in the Revolutionary 
War. The father of our subject, dying when 
his son was a mere lad, and his mother marry- 
ing a second time, the boy was raised among 
strangers. In September, 1835, he came to 
Sugar Creek Tp., Ohio, partly on foot, and on 
April 38 of the following year he married 
Mary Hege, born May 8, 1816, in Franklin Co., 
Pa., daughter of Henry and Sarah (Zent) 
Hege, who came to Ohio several years previous. 
Mr. Netzly located on 64 acres, bought in 
the fall of 1835 for $1,300. Since that time 
he has been a constant resident of the town- 
ship, and has now 104 acres of land well sit- 
uated. He has six children — Jacob, Hannah 
A., Samuel, George W., Jeremiah, and Mary. 
A son, John, was killed by a boilei explosion, 



J^ 



^ 



SUGAR CREEK TOWNSHIP. 



near Buoiia Vista, Iiid. Jacob residcjs in Mar- 
tinsville, 111. Mr. Netzlj' is a member of the 
United Brethren, and in politics is Liberal. 

ANDREW PUTM.\N, farmer ; P.O.Jus- 
tus ; was born January oO, 1816, in Somerset 
Co., Pa., son of John and Charlotte (King:) 
Putnian. He came West with his parents 
when he was two years of age, locating in the 
woods, and remained with them until his mar- 
riage, being brought up as pioneer chil- 
dren were, and taught the use of the ax, and 
how to clear land. September 28, 1837, he 
was married to Judith Shlater, who was born 
June 23, 1820, in Somerset Co., Pa., she being 
the youngest of a family' of fifteen children, 
all of whom lived to maturity and raised fam- 
ilies except two. Her parents were natives of 
Fayette Co., Pa., but removed to Tuscarawas 
Co. Her father's name was Samuel. The 
names of the chihlrcn born him were — Job, 
Polly, Barbara and Katharine (twins), Henry, 
Samuel, Absalom, F^lizabeth, Nancy, Jacob, 
Jane, Sarah, Judith, William, and Peter — but 
three of them now living. Her parents were 
of Presb3'terian faith, her father being a Whig. 
After the marriage of Mr. Putnian he located 
on Sec. 15, where he lived until 18G2, since 
which time he has been located at Justus Sta- 
tion, and engaged in farming. Of five chil- 
dren b )rn, but three are living — Haman, Win- 
field C, and Selocta. Haman resides in the 
township and is engaged in farming ; Win - 
field is a practicing pli3'sician at Justus ; 
Selecta is the wife of Daniel Hoffman, of this 
township. Clarris was the eldest of the family; 
she died at the ago of 27, and was the wife of 
William McClintock. Mr. Putnian is a mem- 
ber of the United Brethren, having been 
identified with that Church for many years, 
and having serve. 1 in all the official stations 
of the same : as class-leader, steward, trustee, 
etc., and is one of the pillars of the church. 

J. C. F. PUTMAN, merchant, Wilmot; is 
one of the rising young merchants and en- 
terjirising business men of this county. He 
was born in this township in 1800; the only 
son born to T. C. and Elizabeth (Grilfitii) 
Putman. He was raised upon the farm, and 
received the advantages afforded by the com- 
mon district school, besides spending some 
time at Mt. Eaton, and two years at the Mas- 
sillon High School. After leaving school he 
became an employe in the " Bee Hive Store," 



conducted by Allman, Gross & Wetler, as 
cashier and book-keeper, and afterwards, as 
the firm changed, for Allman & Wetler, re- 
maining in their employ five years. He went 
to Akron in 1879, where he was employed 
for one year as salesman in a dry goods estab- 
lishment. In April, 1881, ho engaged in 
business at Wilmot, in the dry goods and gro- 
cery trade, keeping a general stock, including 
boots and shoes, iiaving for a partner Charles 
C. Wyandt, under the firm name of Putman & 
Wyandt, both young men of excellent habits, 
and good business qualifications. 

HIRAM PUTM.AN, miller; Wilmot; is 
the second son of Gabriel Putman, one of the 
pioneers of this township, who was born in 
Somerset Co., Pa., Jan. 24, 179.5, and emigra- 
ted to the State and to this place in 1817, and 
purchased land. He returned to his native 
State two years after ; married Susan Wei- 
nier, and returned to his wilderness home 
with his young wife, and began the life 
of agonuine pioneer. After several years, 
his wife died, leaving him five children, 
four of whom are yet living. He mar- 
ried Rebecca White two years later, and 
she died three years afterward, leaving no 
issue. In 1871 he married Sarah Ilite. Mr. 
Putman, although past the time allotted to 
man, is j'et hale and hearty. He was the 
founder of the Agricultural Works of Wm. 
M. .Johnston & Co., and has always been a 
public spirited man, always giving substantial 
aid to worthy local enterprises. By attention 
to his business and sagacious management of 
his own affairs, and the exercise of industry 
and rigid economy, he has secured to himself 
an ample competence for the support and com- 
fort of his declining years. The subject of 
this notice was born in this town, on the 
homestead farm, Sept. 20, 1831, and was rais- 
ed to farming pursuits. In 1860 he engaged 
in the milling business, buying out the inter- 
ests of Welty & Frease in the New Hope Mill, 
they being the original proprietors. Since his 
marriage he has been located on the property 
which is situate about one mile northwest ^of 
the town of Wilmot. Since that time, he has 
been continually engaged in the milling busi- 
ness. In 1865 he purchased an interest in the 
" Eiiteri)rise Mill," which was owned by 
Hobbs, Harrow & Co., he purchasing the in- 
terests of Harrow and Brindle. Two years 



i) > 



964 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



later he purchased Hobbs' interest, having 
then the entire control. He ran the mill on 
his own account until July, 1880, when he 
took in as partner his brother, Joseph W., 
which firm has since been known as Putman 
Bros. They are doing an excellent bvisine.-s, 
and are well patronized. Oct. 14, 1850, he 
married Mary Hobbs, who was born Feb. .5, 
1836, .in Fianklin Co., Pa., daughter of Eman- 
uel and Mary (Henningcr) Hobbs, who came 
to Ohio in the fall of 1848, locating in Wilmot. 
Pie lias but one child — Ada Florence, wife of 
Garret Elliott, of this township. In connec- 
tion with his mill projierty, he owns 86 acres 
of land. 

JOSEPH PUTMAN, retired farmer; is 
one of the wealthy farmers of Suo-ar Creek 
Tp. He was born March 6, 1808, °in Somer- 
set Co., Pa., the youngest child born to Peter 
and Mary (Snyder) Putman, both natives of 
Washington Co., Md., a:id to whom were 
born eleven childien — John, Peter, Jacob, 
Henry, David, George, Andrew, Joseph, Eliz- 
abeth, Catharine, and one died in infancy. 
Joseph was bereft of a father's care when a 
balie, and at the age of 5 was left an orphan. 
He was then cared for by his brother Peter, 
with whom he lived five years, afterwards 
living seven years with his brother-in-law, 
William Shunt. He then began working by 
the month at extremely low wages. He had 
no school advantages, and thus thrown upon 
his own resources, he early in life was taught 
the intrinsic worth of a dollar, and to exercise 
rigid economy and practice industry. In 
October, 18"^9, he married Elizabeth Putman, 
who was born in 1809, in Somerset Co., Pa., 
daughter of Andrew and Elizabeth (Lerhart) 
Putman, natives of Maryland. After Mr. 
Putman was married, he purchased land and 
engaged in farming. In the spring of 1833 he 
emigrated to Sugar Creek Tp., and purchased 
365 acres of land, for which he paid $2,100; 
a small cabin and a few acres partially cleared, 
being all the improvements made. He re- 
mained on this farm forty-three years, and in 
the spring of 1876 removed to Wilmot, where 
he has since resided, having acquired a hand- 
some competence as a reward for his many 
years of patient toil and industry. Of eight 
children born to him four are living — Wil- 
liam; Se villa, wife of Henry Kreiling; Catha- 
rine, wife of Frederick Nowman; Mary, now 



residing in Columbiana Co.; Harriet, married 
Ben. Bumgardiner,and by him had three child- 
ren, and died in 1863. Mr. Putman, wife, and 
several of the family are members of the Evan- 
gelical Church. William .1. now resides on 
the homestead farm, upon which he was raised. 
Ho taught sehool several terms, and May 23d, 
1871, married Miss Caroline Olmstead, who 
was born Dec. 30, 1849, in Tiisoarawas Co., 
Ohio, daughter of D. and Elizabeth (Rick- 
sicker) Olmstead, natives of Switzerland, who 
emigrated to the State in 1833, and had a 
familj' of eight children. William J. has five 
children — Elizabeth L., Worthy E., Mary V., 
P. O. and Ira P. With the exception of a 
short residence in Xavarre, when he was en- 
gaged in the mercantile business, he has been 
a constant resident of the township. He has 
about 100 acres of land. 

ROBERT PHERSON, farmer ; P. O. Jus- 
tus ; was born on the farm upon which he 
lives, Nov. 19, 1837, the fourtii child of eight, 
born to Theophilus and Eliza (Tate) Pherson. 
Thcophilus was born in County Down, Ireland, 
in 1800, son of Robert and .lane (McWhinney) 
Pherson. Robert's parents were Robert and 
Elizabeth (McClure) Pherson, to whom were 
born Nancy Jane, William, Robert, and 
Betsey, who died young. Jane McWhinney 
was a native of Ireland, daughter of James 
and Margaret (Bailey) McWhinney. James 
was a son of Robert. The children of James 
and Margaret McWhinney were — .lames, 
Francis, Robert, William, John, Jane, Nancy, 
and Margaret. Theophilus Pherson, the 
father of our subject, was in his minority when 
his father arrived in this county. He worked 
on the Ohio canal some time, where he earned 
the money to purchase his land, consisting of 
160 acres unimproved, upon which he settled, 
remaining thereon as long as he lived. He 
died in February, 1848. Of eight child- 
ren born them, seven are living — .lane, 
wife of Rev. Thomas, in Defiance, Ohio ; 
Elizabeth, wife of J. M. Trubey, Esq., of this 
township ; John resides in Dickinson Co., 
Kansas ; Robert, our subject, Almina, unmar- 
ried ; William, in the West ; Albert, a phy- 
sician in Henry Co., this State ; Ann, now 
deceased, was the wife of Mr. Gillet. Robert 
was young when his father died; he was raised 
among strangers. On Feb. 33, 1859, he 
married LyeWa Hall, who was born in August, 



rrr 



It. »i 



SUGAR CREEK TOWNSHIP. 



965 



1837, in this township, daughter of Samuel 
Hall, one of the early pioneers of the county. 
They have five chililren- Ursula M., Susan S., 
Mary V., Clarence C, and Gertrude L. He 
has about 160 acres of land in this township, 
and 100 in Lagrangt> Co. He is a member of 
the United Brethren Church, and is a Republi- 
can. 

J. W. PUT.MAN, miller; Wiimot; born 
Oct. 16, 18-28, in this township; the eldest of two 
sons of Gabriel and Susan (^Yeimer) Putman. 
Was raised on tlie farm till he was 17 years 
of age, when he was apprenticed to Wyandt 
& Putman, founders, at Wiimot. After serv- 
ing three years, he; worked about six years for 
the same firm as journeyman, and in 1856 pur- 
cliased a fourth interest in the business, with 
wiiirh lie continued connected till 1879, when 
he and his hrotlier Hiram associated in the 
milling business at M'ilmot as Putman & 
Bro. They also have a custom mill in the 
township of New Hope. Mr. .J. W. Putman 
was married in August, 1851, to Plannah 
Stambaiigh; born in this township in January, 
1834; daughter of Henry and Susan (Wallace) 
Stambaugh. They have two children — Wal- 
ter, an attorney-at-lnw and a partner in the 
Farmers' Bank at Wiimot, and Mary, wife of 
S. C. Myers of Navarre. The Pntmans are 
meml>ers of the Methodist Episcopal Church, 
and as staunch Republicans. J. W. Putman 
is one of the Township Trustees. 

CAPT. T.C. PUTMAN; was born Jan. 
29, 1828, in this township, one mile east of 
WMmot; the second son of John and Catha- 
rine (King) Putman; he, born Feb. 2, 1789, 
in Somerset Co., Pa., son of Andrew; she, 
daughter of Philip Kin^. John came Wes^ 
one year before Gabriel Putman, and entered 
government land on Sec. 33, imjiroving it, 
and remaining on it till his death, May 3, 
1872, his wife dying in 1851, aged 57. To 
them were born seven children, five arriving 
at the age of maturity — Mar3', Mrs. Jeremiah 
Agler, of Van M''ert Co., Ohio; Elizabeth, 
Mrs. Abrah;im S|iidle, in Wiimot; Andrew 
W., at Justus: I'luBbe, Mrs. W. Slater, in 
Mercer Co.; Timoth}' C, our subject, Anna 
died at eleven years; babe died unnamed. 
The Putmans were all Whigs; later were 
Republican. Timothy C. Putman was reared 
to farming, and remained with his father as 
long as he lived. He was married Oct. 3, 



1850, to Elizabeth Griffith, born in Tuscara- 
was Co., daughter of Hezekiah and Arvilla 
(Curtis) Griffith, both natives of Ohio. Their 
parents were earl}- settlers of this State. He 
died Nov. 22, 1869. They had nine children, 
six of whom are living. The Griffiths were 
United Brethren an 1 Republicans. Afterour 
subject was mariied he settled on the home- 
stead in 1858. Served in the army during 
the late war, in Co. K. 163rd O. N. G.; is now 
Captain Co. F., State Militia. He has two 
children — Alice, Mrs. C. B. Allman, of .Mas- 
silloti; and J.C. of Wiimot. In 1879 Capt. 
Putman was elected County Infirmary Di- 
rector. He has 515 acres of land, being one 
of the larijest lanil-holdcrs in the township. 

SAMUEL RAMSEY, tanner and currier ; 
Wiimot ; is the proprietor of the Wiimot 
Tannery. He is a native of Tuscarawas Co., 
having been born in Wayne T]>. Feb. 17, 
1831 ; son of Robert and Catharine (Dum- 
bauld) Ramsej% who were among the early 
settl(M-s in Tuscarawas Co. Our subject was 
reared to agricultural pursuits, but at the age 
of 20 he began learning the tanner's and cur- 
rier's trade at Zanesville, which occupied 
three years. He then worked three years at 
journey-work. A|)ril 11, 1854, lie started in 
business for himself at Wiimot, Stark Co., 
where he has since been a citizen and a busi- 
ness man, plying his chosen vocation in a 
creditable manner, iloing a thrifty an<l lucra- 
tive business. Being master of his trade, he 
has been enabled to find ready sale for all his 
goods, which are unsurpassed, both in price 
and quality. In the fall of '54 he formed a 
life-partnership with Lucinda Adams, who 
was born in Somerset Co., Pa., Aug. 25, 1825, 
daughter of Jacob and Mary (Bloom) Adams. 
By this union four children have been born 
to him — .lohn W., Catharine, Sarah J. and 
Elmy. Catharine is now the wife of A. Ayres, 
of Wiimot. Mr. Ramsey is a mem))er of the 
United Brethren Church, and one of the offi- 
cial members of that society. In 1807 his 
father removed to Davis Co., Ind., where he 
now resides, and is engaged in farming. The 
names of the children born to him, and their 
places of residence, are as follows — Philip, of 
De Kalb Co., Ind., farmer and carpenter; 
John resides in Tuscarawas Co., and is farm- 
ing ; Samuel R., in Wiimot ; Susan, wife of 
Jacob Zeigler, of Davis Co., Ind.; Reuben, 



IZ 



966 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



also of Davis Co., Ind., farmer ; and Oliver, 
in Sugar Creek, Stark Co. The family are 
all Republicans. 

W. H. RAFF, merchant tailor; Beach City; 
was born Dec. 18, 1843, near Chambersburg, 
Pa.; the eldest son of John and Elizabeth 
(Baughey) Raff, both natives of Pennsylva- 
nia. W. H. removed to this county with his 
parents, who settled in Wiimot, this township, 
when he was a lad of 12 years of age. The 
father remains a resident of that place, and is 
conducting a merchant-tailoring establish- 
ment, he being a tailor by trade. Our sub- 
ject attended school in his youth, and assisted 
his father in the store, where he learned much 
of the business; the "finish, " however, was 
acquired in Philadelphia, where he was thor- 
oughtly instructed in the detail and art of cut- 
ting and fitting. Sept. 7, 1801, at the age of 
19, he enlisted" in Co. F. 19th Regiment, O. V. 
I., for three years. Jan. 1, 1804, he became 
a veteran in the same regiment, and served 
until the close of the war, after which he 
went with his regiment to Texas, where tiiey 
served until Nov. 25, 1865, when he was mus- 
tered out. During all this time he was ab- 
sent from his reg'i incut but once — Stone River 
being the only battle that he missed, in which 
his regiment was engaged, he being confined 
in hospital for a short time. Upon his re- 
turn home, he formed a partnership with J. 
L. Shunk, in the dry goods business at Wii- 
mot, under the firm name of Shunk & Raff, 
which existed one year. In March, 1867, he 
engaged in business with his father in the 
merchant tailor's trade. In 1875 they started 
a branch store at Beach City, which was con- 
ducted by W. H., until March, 1879, when the 
partnership was dissolved, our subject contin- 
uing in the same building on his own account, 
where besides tailoring, he deals in gentle- 
mens' furnishing goods. May 25, 1876, he 
married Rebecca P. Cotton, a native of Tus- 
carawas Co., daughter of Richard and Harriet 
(Joimson) Cotton, w.iose father was one of the 
early pioneers of Tuscarawas Co. They have 
one daughter — Beulah Eve. Mr. Raff is a 
member of the Disciples' Church, and a Re- 
publican in i>oIitics. 

WILLIAM G. RESH, farmer ; P. O. Jus- 
tus ; born May 22, 1833, in Berks Co., Pa.; 
came to Ohio with his parents when 8 years 
of age. His father, William, died suddenly 



in December, 1875, aged 64 years, while work- 
ing at a threshing machine ; his mother, Cath- 
arine Resh, still survives. Of th(! family there 
are living besides our subject — Carturen, wife 
of Fred. Lineroad, in Bethlehem Tp. ; James, 
in Cuyahoga Co.; Daniel, in Wiimot ; Benja- 
min, in Kalamazoo, Mich.; Charles, in Kent 
Co., Mich.; John, in Champaign Co., 111.; 
Catharine, wife of .lacob Uplinger, in Kent 
Co., Mich.; Mary, wife of Abraham Haver- 
land, in Pike Tp.; Sarah, wife of Fred. Eckel- 
staford, in Michigan. Benjiuuin served 
through the entire war as a member of the 
14th I. V. I., and lost an arm at Gettysburg. 
William, our subject, was bred to agriculture, 
and after his marriage, Nov. 13, 186-1, re- 
mained on the homestead farm. His vvife. 
Celesta, born Sept. 22, 1842, in Wayne Co., is 
the daughter of Christian and Elizabeth 
(Koontz) Kampf, both Swiss. Mr. and Mrs. 
Resh are members of the United Brethren 
Church. They have but one child, George 
W., born Jan. 16, 1865. 

ISRAEL STUCK, farmer ; P. O. Justus. 
Among the self-made men of this township 
is Mr. Stuck, whose birthplace was Franklin 
Co., Pa., horn Nov. 18, 1818, the fourth child 
of a family of eight children that grew to 
maturity. His parents were John and Susan 
(Miller) Stuck, both natives of Franklin Co. 
The paternal grandfather was a native of Ger- 
man}'; his name was George. He emigrated 
to Pennsylvania during the latter part of last 
century, and entered land not far from Phila- 
delphia, and was one of the pioneers of that 
locality. John Stuck, the father of Israel, 
was raised in Lancaster Co. to farming pur- 
suits ; he afterwards studied law. He raised 
5. family of eight children — Eliza, Adam, 
Margaret, Israel, Catharine, Martha, George, 
and John J. Israel emigrated West with his 
brother, Adam, when he was 18 years of age, 
coming first to Canton Tp. He was poor and 
had nothing to begin with except his hands, 
so he worked several years as a common 
laborer in Canton Tp., but afterwards went to 
Marlborough Tp. In April, 1843, he married 
Maria I^illy, who was born Aug. 15, 1819, in 
Marlborough Tp., this county, daughter of 
Peter and Molly (Reedy) Lilly, to whom were 
born a family of sixteen children. He was 
one of the earliest settlers in Marlborough Tp. 
from Pennsylvania, and settled in the woods. 



i> \ 



SUGAR CRKKK TOWNSHIP. 



<JG7 



He was a son of Peter Lilly, a native of Ger- 
man}'. The mother of Molly Reedy, before 
her marriage, was Katie Gilbert. The Reedys 
are natives of Uollaud. Mr. Stuck came to 
Sugar Creek Tp. in 1853, purchased land, and 
has since been a constant resident on the same. 
By hard labor and patient industry his efforts 
have been amply rewarded by a goodly accu- 
mulation of this world's goods, having over 
300 acres of land, lie is a member of the 
Reformed Church, and in politics Democratic. 
He has seven children — Lavina, Susan, Lydia, 
Henry C., Israel J., A. Clark, and Rolandus. 

FERNANDO B. SMITH, manufacturer; 
Wilmot ; is the proprietor and sole manufac- 
turer of " Smith's Nevv Improved Portable 
Force Pump," a new and novel invention, 
which is finding a ready and rapid sale. The 
manufactory is located in Wilmot, and is con- 
ducted by the at)ove, who was born in this 
town July 19, ISo-l, son of Peter and Ann 
(Howard) Smith. They were born in Canton 
Berne, Switzerland, Sept. 15, 1811, and Jan. 
9, respectively ; were united by marriage 
Oct. 16, 1835, and emigrated to this country, 
locating at once (Jul}', 18-18) in Wilmot, Stark 
Co., and set up in business. He is a tinsmith, 
which trade he learned in Switzerland, and 
has since conducted the business in this town, 
keeping stoves and tinware generally. The 
father of Peter was named John, whose father 
was of tlie same name. Mrs. Smith's father's 
name was Casper Howard. Nine children 
have been born to Peter Smith, viz. — John, 
Maria, Elizabeth, Christian, Lena, Fernando 
B., Ettie, Peter, and Adolph, who died when 
young. Peter .Smith, the father of F. B., was of 
a family of four children — Peter, John, Anna 
and Mary. Of the children of Peter Smith, 
who have left the shelt<-r of the parental roof, 
are Ettie, wife of A. D.Wallace, of this place; 
Lena, now Mrs. Paul Fry, also of this town; 
Elizabeth, wife of Frederick Obets, resides 
near Grand Rapids, Mich.; Maria is the wife 
of George GoU, of Loudonville, Ohio; .John 
resides in Zanesville, and Christian in Baker- 
villa. Fernando learned the tinner's trade of 
his father, but in 18i'7 he went to Cincinnati, 
where he engaged in manufacturing his im- 
proved pumps in a small way. He caine to 
this town the year following, and began their 
manufacture at this place. The first year he 
manufactured he turned out 2,500, in 1878 



5,000, and has been doubling the amount each 
year. In 1880 he made 20,000, and next year 
will manufacture 50,000. 

A. W. STAMBAUGH, fruit-grower; Beach 
City; is one of the most successful small fruit 
growers in the county. He was born Sep. 2, 
1841, at Plainsburg, this township, son of 
Henry and Susan Stambaugh. He volun- 
teered as a private in Company F, 19th 
Regiment O. V. I., Sept. 7, 18G1, and after 
serving some length of time, re-enlisted, and 
served to the close of the war. Starling in 
as a private soldier, he rose from Sergeant to 
Orderly, then to 2d Lieutenant, then to 1st 
Lieutenant, in which capacity he served until 
May 31, 1S(J5, when he resigned and returned 
home. He served in all the engagements in 
which his regiment participated, and with the 
exception of a slight wound at Mission Ridge, 
he came through unscathed. Upon his re- 
lease from the service he learned the stone-cut- 
ter's trade, which he followed for eight years. 
In 18GG he engaged in the cvdture and growth 
of small fruits, in which capacity he has been 
remarkably successful, raising in the year 
1881, 375 bushels of strawberries alone, and 
is extending his business, and planting the 
best and leading varieties of all fruits. Oct. 
12, 18G5, he married Amelia Slater, who was 
born in Westmoreland Co., Pa., daughter of 
Absalom Slater. She died Aug. 4, 1874, leav- 
ing Mr. Stambaugh two children — Eva L. 
andSallieD. Was married a second time June 
23, 1875, to Lottie Dull, daughter of Joseph 
Dull, of Licking Co., Ohio., a prominent farm- 
er and wool-grower, and one of the staunch 
Republicans of that county. He was Prov. 
Marshal and Enrolling Officer during the war. 
Mr. Stambaugh has one child, Bessie May. 
Henry Stambaugh, the father of our subject, 
was born in Pennsylvania, Feb. 18, 1810, son 
of Henry Stambaugh, whose ancestor was 
Philip, a native of Alsace on the Rhine. He 
and several brothers came to York Co., Pa., 
and settled there previous to the war of the 
Revolution. The children of Piiilip were — 
Jacob, Henry, John, Catharine, Mary and 
Elizabeth. Philip was remarkably fond of 
hunting and the chase, and upon his arrival in 
Pennsylvania, purchased several hundred 
acres of land at South Mountain, in Adams 
Co., Pa. To him were born Philip, Mary, 
Josiah, Henry, John, Barbara, Catharine, 



a:^ 



968 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



Michael, Peter, David, Emma, Catharii)e,Lydia 
and Moses. Henry Stambaugh, fatJier of A. 
W. Stanibaugli, married Catharine M'alters, 
and with his family of children emigrated to 
Ohio, crossing the river at Pittsburg in a ferry- 
boat. He came to New Lisbon, Ohio, where 
he rented land twelve years, but finall3' made 
his way to the county, and settled first in Nim- 
ishillen Tp., when it was all a wilderness; 
remaining here seven years, when, he removed 
to Canton and remained seven years, and fin- 
ally located in Portage Co., where he died in 
1860. Ho was a minister of the Albright 
faith, as were also John and Jacob, his brothers, 
bnt later in life joined the United Brethren 
Church. Henry Stambaugh, the father of 
A. W. Stambaugh, married Dec. 1, 1831, 
Susan Wallick, l)orn July 8, 1810, in Fayette 
Co., Pa. She was a daughter of Henry Wal- 
lick. Mr. Stambaugh was a stone-mason by 
trade, at which he worked for several years. 
His death occurred Nov. 9, 18G8. He was a 
man of more than common ability, and for sev- 
eral years was interested in the practice of 
law. He was a man highly esteemed for his 
many virtues, a sound Republican, and be- 
liever in the doctrine of free salvation. The 
children born to him were — Franklin H., 
Joseph C, Susan, Walter S., Anson J., and 
Alfred W., Allen H. Henry I., Walter 
and Winfield, twins. Those deceased are 
Joseph C, Walter and Winfield, Mary, 
Rolando B. and Franklin H. 

JASPER P. SHISLER, farmer; P. O. Jus- 
tus; was born Aug. ^0, 1834, in Allen Creek 
Tp., Jefferson Co., Ohio, the fourth child and 
second son living, of a family of fourteen 
children. His parents were Casper and Eliz- 
abeth (Strickland) Shisler, both natives of 
Sussex Co., N. J. The former was born in 
1785, son of Henry Shisler, a native of Phila- 
delphia, and removed from there to New Jer- 
sey, where he married a Miss Lance, and by 
her had the following children — -Peter, Wil- 
liam, Henry, John, and Casper; Susan, Sophia. 
Mary and Elizabeth, were the daughters, 
Elizabeth Strickland was born in 1787, in 
Sussex Co., N. J., daughter of Joseph Strick- 
land, whose wife's maiden name was Simon- 
son. By her he had one son — John, and two 
daughters — Mary and Elizabeth. He was 
married a second time to Mrs. Rachel Quick, 
and by her had William, Mahlon, Joseph, Amos 



and three daughters. The Shislers came from 
Holland, coming first to Hoboken, N. J. The 
Stricklands are of Irish descent. Joseph, the 
grandfather of our subject, was raised by the 
Quakers, and spoke their dialect and wore 
their garb; afterwards he joined the Metho- 
dist Episcopal Church. On the side of the 
Shislers the religion of the family was Luth- 
eran. The Strickland family, headed by Jo- 
seph, came out to Jefferson Co.. in 1816, 
where he settled, remaining there until about 
18'-20, when he located in Vermilion Tp., in 
Ashland Co., where he remained until his 
death. Henry Shisler, the paternal grand- 
father of our subject, located in this county 
about 1818, near Rowesburg, where he lived 
until his death. Casper Shisler moved from 
Jefferson Co., this State, to Wayne Co., in 
1840, and remained there until the spring- of 
'34, when he moved into this county and loca- 
ted one mile north of Wilmot. After mak- 
ing several changes, he finally located at 
Bunker Hill, this township, where he die<l in 
Feb. 12, 1866. His wife survived him until 
February, 1868. To them were born a family 
of fourteen children, seven of whom grew up 
■ — Jose])h, Jasper P., Garrett, William, Mary, 
Sophia and Rachel; but three of the numljer 
are now living — Jasper P., Garrett in 
Middlebury, Elkliart Co., Ind., and William. 
Our subject was educated in the common dis- 
trict schools, and attended the academy at 
Edenburg three terms of five months. He be- 
gan teaching at 16, and continued without in- 
terruption until 1865, and after that taught 
three terms more. In 1848 he studied den- 
tistry with S. B. Short, of Massillon, but has 
worked at his profession only at intervals. 
In the spring of 1881 he located on the farm he 
now owns, having 101 acres, which was form- 
erly owned by Sharp, and afterwards by Mc- 
Farren. He was married Sept. 14, 1805, 
to Annie Maurer, who was born in the Can- 
ton of Argau, Switzerland, daughter of .Jacob 
and Annie (Hiselman) Maurer, who came to 
this country in 1853, locating in Bethlehem 
Tp. They had a family of seven children, two 
sons and five daughters. Samuel, the eldest, 
was killed at the battle of Gettysburg. Mr. 
Shisler has five children — Joseph F., George 
W. M., Mary E., Emma A. and Clara F. 
Mrs. Shisler is a member of the Lutheran 
Church; he is a Democrat. 



^1^^ 



SUGAK CREEK TOWKSHIP. 



969 



J. M. SHETLER, farmer; P. O. Beach 
City; was born in this township July 30, 18^5, 
son of Jacob and Christina (Seekwart) Shet- 
ler; he, a native of Germany, coming to Penn- 
sylvania when he was six years of age, with 
his father, whose name is thought to have been 
John, who had two sons and three daughters. 
Jacob and wife came to this township and set- 
tled at the close of the war of 1812, where 
his wife died in 1830, leaving a family of 
six children — Godfrey, John, Catharine, Car- 
oline, J. M. and Elizabeth. After the death 
of his wife .lacol) settled in Bethlehem Tp., 
where he died in 1852. He was a Lutheran 
and a Democrat. After the detith of his 
mother, J. M. lived with a cousin in Tuscara- 
was Co., till he was 1^ years of age, after 
which he engageil in various labors. May 8, 
1851, he was married to Lydia Black, born in 
1832, in this township, daughter of James 
and Catharine (Wallick) Black. The Blacks 
were from Pennsylvania. After the marriage 
of our subject, he setlli;d in BethlelKMU, where 
he and his brother purchased the old home- 
stead, where he remained about one year, 
when they sold out and went to Illinois, buy- 
ini; land in Whiteside Co.. but never moved 
there. Went to Tuscarawas Co., Franklin 
Tp., and lived twelve years, engaged in farm- 
ing. In 1865 moved to Wayne Co., near 
Eaton, and bought a farm; lived there two 
years, sold out and came to where now is 
Beach City, which he laid out, and where he 
has remained. Has a farm in Tuscarawas 
Co., and is engaged in the grain business; 
has also been engaged in stock dealing. Has 
eleven children. Alonzo is on the farm in Tus- 
carawas Co., Scott, in Beach City; Oscar, at 
home; Jamcis, in Colorado; Mary, Mrs. John 
Getty; Melissa, at home, and John. Has al- 
ways affiliated with the Democratic party; 
served as Justice of the Peace in Tuscarawas 
Co.; also filled several other offices, as Treas- 
urer, Assessor, Clerk, &c. 

SOLOMON SHETLER, farmer; P. O. 
Justus; is a son of John Shetler, who emi- 
grated from Germany to Westmoreland Co., 
I'a.; resided there eight years, and then moved 
to Stark Co., O., .about 1814; settled on the 
Stone Ridge, since called Shetler Hill. About 
1850 he moved to Bethlehem Tp., where he 
was a pioneer of the Lutheran Church; but 
in a few years he returned to Sugar Creek, 



where he died about 1873. His wife, Eliza- 
beth, died in 1862. a nember of the Evangeli- 
cal Association. She was born in WestuKjre- 
land Co., Pa., and her maiden name was Bar- 
rett. Of the seven children born to them, 
two sons and two daughters are dead. Of 
three remaining sons — Jacob, Samuel and Sol- 
omon — the last-named, born June 5, 1832, 
passed the first fourteen years of his life in 
Sugar Creek, and the next seven in Bethle- 
hem Tp. On his marriage, March 20, 1853, 
he returned to Sugar Creek, and located where 
he has since lived. His wife is Amanda, 
daughter of William and Mary (Hess) Rider. 
Her father, a Virginian pioneer of the town- 
ship, had but one other child, Henry. Their 
family consists of eleven children, of whom 
Mary J. is the wife of Nelson Houenstine; 
John F. also married, and lives in Bethlehem 
Tp. ; William H. is a teacher; and Sylvester, a 
graduate of the college at Ada, is studying 
medicina; while the home-nest still holds La- 
vina, Elleu, Clark, Agnes, Hattie, Daniel, 
and Martha A. Mr. Shetler has 96 acres of 
land in Sugar Creek, and 65 acres in Bethle- 
hem Tp. He is a Ri-publican, and has served 
five years as a Trustee. Mrs. Shetler is a 
member of the United Brethren Church. 

MRS. E. B. TAYLOR, farming; P. O. Jus- 
tus; is a native of the Emerald Isle; born Jan. 
1, 18K), in County Down; daughter of Robert 
and Jane (Mc^^ liinney) Pherson. The last 
named was a daughter of James and Margaret 
(Baily) McWhinney, of Scotch birth and 
parentage. To James and Margaret McWhin- 
ney were born — James, Frances, Robert, 
William, John, James, Nancy and Margaret 
(for futher account of the Ph(;rson family, the 
reader is referred to the sketch of Robert 
Pherson). Mrs. Taylor was of a family of 
ten children, nine of whom grew up. Eliza- 
beth, James, Theophilus, .Margaret, Mary, 
Esther E., John, Jane, Robert and Nancy, 
were the number born. Esther E., now Mrs. 
Taylor, emigrated with her parenis to Por- 
tage Co. in .luly, ' 1824, where they remained 
until the year following, when they removed 
to Pittsburg Pa., where he purchased a farm 
and remained there eighteen years, when he 
moved to Butler Co., and tiled about the year 
185'J; his wife died in Portage Co., Ohio. 
While in Pittsburg our subject was united by 
marriage to Thomas Harris, a commercial 



970 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



man; he died in October, 1839, while on a 
business trip in the South. By Mr. Harris 
slie had one son, who died in his 13th year. 
Oct. 7, 1841, she was married to William Tay- 
lor, a native of Derry Co., Ireland, but raised 
in Scotland; emi^rratod to America in 1837, 
and settled in Steubenville; a spinner by 
trade. After marriage they came to Massil- 
lon, where they remained until 1853, when 
they returned to Pittsburg, returning again 
to this county in 1877. They have had five 
children, but two of whom are living — Rob- 
ert C. and John H., who works with his father, 
who runs a factory at Louisville, this county, 
John H. being superintendent of the same. 
Robert C served all through the late war ;is a 
private soldier and non-commissioned officer, 
being a member of Company C 10th Pa. 
Reserves. He was taken prisoner, and was 
for a time in rebel prisons, Richmond and 
Belle Isle. He is now engaged in farming 
his mother's farm, consisting of 137 acres. 
Mrs. Taylor's parents were members of the 
Presbyterian Church. She is a member of 
the United Brethren. 

JACOB M. TBUBEY, farmer; P. O. Jus- 
tus; was born May 7, 1820, in Franklin Co., 
Pa.; son of Jacob and Mary (Welty) Trubey, 
both natives of Franklin Co. Jacob, Sr., was 
born Dec. 25, 1780; his father, a native of 
Germany, was also named Jacob. Mary Wel- 
ty was born Feb. 2, 1801, daughter of Jacob 
Welty, who was a native of Germany also. To 
Jacob Trubey, the grandfather of our subject, 
were born four children — Nancy, David, Jacob 
and Daniel. Jacob Welty settled in Franklin 
Co., Pa,, anil reared a family of eleven children 
• — John, Elizabeth, Abraham, Henry, Christian, 
David, Mary, Nancy, Susan, Jacob and Eve. 
Our subject's grandfather, Welty, was a Men- 
nonite preacher, and died at nearly 100 
years of age. Our subject came West with 
his |)arents in 1823. They located on the S. 
W. 5 of Sec. 23, G or 7 acres of which was 
cleared, witli a hewed log house upon it; here 
the father lived until his death, March 1, 
1835. He had been a Justice of Peace for a 
number of years, a trustee, and had held sev- 
eral other offices in the township. He was in 
politics a Whig. To him were born three 
children — Nancy, wife of Lewis May, of 
Henry Co.; Samuel J., died in April 1853, af- 
ter marriage, aged 39 years; and Jacob. Our 



subject was about 15 years old when his father 
died, and did most of the clearing upon his 
farm, having taken entire charge of the farm and 
business. He was married Dec. 13, 1844, to 
Eliza Swan, who was born in Holm«5 Co., O., 
April 9, 1834, daughter of Nicholas D. Swan. 
She died June 7, 1858, having had seven 
children, five of whom are living — Nathan, 
Harmon, Esdras B., Mary A. and Freeman. 
Tiiose deceased were Isabella and Ferdinand. 
He was married a second time Deo. 12, 1858, 
to Elizabeth Pherson, who was born in this 
township Feb. 24, 1833, daughter of Theo- 
philus and Eliza (Tate) Pherson, both natives 
of Ireland; the former a contractor on the 
Ohio Canal. Mr. and Mrs. Pherson had eight 
children, seven living — Jane, Elizabeth, John, 
Roliert, Almina, William and Albert. The 
father was born in Nov., 1800, and died in 
1848; the mother was born in 1810, and is yet 
living. Esq. Trubey has had eight children 
born him, six *f whom are living — Ellsworth 
J., Jennie Etta, Rollin L., Asa H., Ira T. and 
Alva P. Those deceased are Priscilla and Lu- 
ella M. Mr. Trubey has served eighteen 
years as a Justice of the Peace, has been Trus- 
tee, and served three years as County Commis- 
sioner. He was a Whig but later became a 
Republican; is a Bible Christian but not a 
member of any church; has 320 acres of land 
in this township, and 369 in Lagrange Co., 
Ind. Mr. Trubey is one of the substantial and 
intelligent citizens of Stark Co. 

GEORGE W. WILHELM, merchant; 
Justus; born in Wilmot, Aug. 15, 1847; el- 
dest son born to Robert and Elizabeth (Wy- 
andt) Wilhelm. George was raised on the 
farm, and assisted his father several years in 
running a threshing machine. In May, 1864, 
he volunteered his services in behalf of his 
country; donning the "blue," he served three 
months in Company K, 163d Regiment 
O. N. G. Jan. 6, 1865, he enlisted for one 
year in Company C, 184th Regiment, O. V. 
L, and served until the close of the war. 
Dec. 24, 1867. he married Jane E. Sinnock, 
who was born Nov. 13, 1843, at Beck's Hills, 
Sussex, England, daughter of Henry and Ma- 
hala (Cruttenden) Sinnock, to whom were 
born nine children. Those living are — Jane, 
William, Elizabeth, Charlotte, Henry, Serena, 
and John. Parents emigrated to this State in 
1844, locating in West Massillon, and have 



y\~. 



ri^ 



PIT.AR CRKKK TOWNSHIP. 



971 



since located in Perry Tp., near Richville, 
where they now reside, Mr. Sinnock being en- 
gaged in fanning. Upon Mr. Wilhelm's re- 
turn from service, he was engaged for several 
years in running a portal)Io saw-mill and af- 
terwards engag<!d in butchering. Oct. 1, 
18? S, he located at .Justus Station, and opened 
up the first store in the place, where he has 
since been engaged in selling goods. In the 
spring of 1S79 he was elected Justice of the 
Peace, and is now serving in that capacity. 
He has served the township as Assessor for 
two years and is Express Agent at his place. 
They have one child, .lennie L., and arc mem- 
bers of the United Brethren Church. In pol- 
itics Mr. Willielm is stronglv Hepublican. 

JOHN WELTY, fanner;" P. O. Wilmot; is 
the oldest living residents, of the township. 
He was born upon the same farm he now 
lives upon, .Tan. 13, 1819, being the second 
of the family. His parents were Philip and 
Sarah (Overholtz) Welty. Mr. Welty has 
been a constant resident of the township, and 
upon the farm where he was born, for over 
sixty-two years. "While others have lived a 
longer time in the township than he, j'et he is 
the oldest living township-born resident. He 
remained in bachelorhood until March, 1855, 
when he became the husband of Adaline 
Brooks, who was born April 12, 1835, in Schaef- 
(crstown, Lebanon Co., Pa., daughter of 
George and Lydia (Bricker) Brooks, who 
were natives of the same county. They came 
West to this township in July, 1853, purchas- 
ing 100 acres, upon which he lived until 1864, 
when he removed to Bethlehem Tp., where he 
died in March, 1805. He had a family of 
four children — Elvira, Cyrus, Henrietta and 
Adaline. Cyrus died in the late war; Hen- 
rietta, wife of William Kilgore; Elvira, wife 
of V. Hay. Mr. Welty has six children — 
Sarah A., at home; Ellen J. wife of Adolph 
Hay; Lydia, Mrs. David .Marchan<i, both of 
this township; Priscilla and Ida M. at home. 
Mr. Welt v has a farm of lltj acres. 

ROBERT JL WILHELM, farmer; P.O. 
Justus; is one of the substantial citizens of 
the township. His birth occurred June 27, 
1824, in Greensburgh, now in Summit Co., 
but then in Stark; son of David and Susan 
(Dilmon) Willielin, who were married May 20, 
1812. David Wilhclm was born about the 
year 1789, in Hanover Tp., Dauphin Co., Pa., 



son of Abraham, to whom were born — David, 
Betsey, Catharine and Nancy. Susan Dilmon 
was a daughter of Abraham, whose children 
were — Michael, Jacob, Susan, Peggy and 
Catharine. Both families were members of 
the society of Albrights, and were Whigs in 
politics. David was a farmer by occupation; 
emigrating westward when the country was 
new, he located in Greensburgh, Summit Co., 
where he remained until his removal to Sugar 
Creek Tp., on the John Wi^tzel farm, situated 
in the southern part of the township. He re- 
mained there several years, then moved to 
W^ayne Co., and stayed a short time, aiul again 
returned to this township, where he die<l in 
October, 1807. His wife died Sept. 8, 1824; 
bore him six children — Elizabeth, Abraham, 
Leah, Mary, Rachel and Robert M. The fol- 
lowing year he married Sarah Ball, by whom 
he had five children; she died in 1870. Our 
subject left home at th(; age of 17, and learn- 
ed the cabinet-maker's trade at Wilmot, with 
James Allen which vocation he followed for 
several years at Wilmot. He made some of 
the first patterns that were used in the 
foundry of Putman & Wyandt, and to him is 
ascribed the honor of suggesting the idea 
which led .to the perfection of the straw- 
stackers, used now generally by the modern 
separators used with threshing-machines. 
He and Peter Rush used the first reaper in 
the township, which was of the " Hussey " 
pattern. For seventeen years he was engag- 
ed in running a threshing-machine, and eight 
years was in the saw-mill business. He 
located on the farm he now owns in 1852, and 
has since resided there. May 10, 1845, he 
married Elizabeth Wyandt, who was born 
Dec. 10, 1S2() in this townshij) — daughter of 
Henry and Elizabeth (Warner) Wyandt. Mr. 
Wilhclm has seven children, viz. — George, 
W., Emma J., James K., Mary C, Leonora, 
Edward B. and John S. Hi; has 144 acres 
of land; is a Republican, and has served sev- 
eral years as townshij) Trustee. 

R."S. WARWICK, farmer; P. O. West 
Lebanon; was born Dec. 25, 1832, in County 
Tyrone, Ireland; the youngest of a family of 
three sons — William, John G. and Robert S. 
His parents were Robert and Mary (Mc Con- 
nell) Warwick, both of wlumi died when Rob- 
ert was quite young; his uncle William Mc- 
Connell, was a colonel in the English army. 



-f 



^14^ 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



They were then under the care of their uncle, 
Alexander Mc Connell, with whom thej' re- 
mained until the fall of 1850, when they came 
to Philadelphia. John G. and Robert S. 
came to Massillon, but William remained in 
Philadelphia three years, and then came to 
Massillon, where he remained a short time, 
then went South to Memphis, Tenii., where 
he engaged in boating, and died of cholera 
at New Orleans soon after. John G. en- 
gaged as clerk for Bash & Brothers, at Roch- 
ester, Bethlehem Tp., remaining in their em- 
ploy several years; afterwards engaged with 
.J. Beason for a time — then went to Massillon 
and sold goods for Charles Cummings & Co. 
He went then to Bolivar and clerked for Mr. 
Kaiser; returning to Massillon, he engaged 
once more with his old employer, Mr. Cum- 
mings, with whom he remained until he began 
in business for himself, which he continued 
until about 1875, since which time he has 
been engaged prineipalty in coal interests. 
He is a successful business man, being both 
liberal and philanthro|)ic. Our subject, after 
his coming to Massillon, attended school 
about two years, but his health becoming im- 
paired, he returned to Pittsburgh, where he en- 
gaged as salesman for some time; afterwards 
went to Philadelphia, where he remained 
about three years, when his health being im- 
proved, he returned to Massillon and eiigageil 
in business with his brother John. In 1862 
he moved to Sugar Creek Tp., purchased a 
farm and engaged in farming, in which voca- 
tion he is now engaged, having 250 acres of 
excellent land, upon which he has erected a 
spacious and elegant mansion and other build- 
ings, the best in the township. In the fall of 
18G1 he married Delia Watson, who was born 
in this township, daughter of James Watson 
and Susanna Blacksten. Mr. Watson was 
one of the early settlers in the township. Mrs. 
Warwick died in 1877, having borne him three 
sons — John G., James W. and Samuel R. 
John G. is married and resides on the farm 
adjoining his father. Mr. Warwick is a mem- 
ber of the Board of Education, a successful 
farmer, a safe business man and a loyal Dem- 
ocrat. 

JACOB WYANDT, merchant; Wilmot; is 
among the representative business men of 
this township, and a descendant of one of the 
pioneer families of this county. His father, 



Henry Wyandt, came to this township in the 
spring of 1818, and entered 126 acres in the 
southwest part of ihe township. A portion 
of the town of Wilmot is built on land in this 
tract. Jacob Wyandt, our subject, first saw 
the light of day Novt 8, 1830, in an old house 
which formerly stood in the town; now torn 
away. Our subject's mother was Elizabeth 
Warner. Henry Wyandt, the father of the 
above, was born in Washington Co., Md., in 
1787; son of Christian and Amelia (Putraan) 
Wyandt. Here, upon the tract of land al)ove 
described, Henry Wyandt spent the remain- 
der of his days, passing to his rest in Decem- 
ber, 1859, dying honored and respected by all 
who knew him. He was a consistent Chris- 
tian, an old-line Whig, yet of pro-slavery 
principles. His wife died ten years previ- 
ous; both members of the United Brethren 
Church. The children born to them were — 
Simon, Sarah, Eve, Susan, David, Catharine, 
Magdaiena, Elizabeth, Jacob, Mary and An- 
netta. Of the above, seven are living, Jacob 
being the only surviving son. Sarah is the 
wife of John Brubacher, in Henry Co., Ohio; 
Eve, relict of George Agler, of Sugar Cre(d«; 
Susan, wife of Jacob Hurraw; Elizabeth, wife 
of Robert Wilhelm, of this township; Mary 
A. married Jacob Ball, of Canton. Jacob 
was raised upon the homestead, and at tiie 
age of 18 went to learn the moulder's trader, 
at which he worked eight years in the shops 
at this place. In 1859 he married Isabel Sa- 
ger, who was born in 1842, in this township, 
daughter of George and Mary (Gilbert) Sa- 
ger; the former a native of Virginia, the lat- 
ter of Columbiana Co., Ohio. They came to 
this township about 1839; having six children, 
— two sons and four daughters. In the year of 
his marriage, he engaged in the mercantile 
business at this place, keeping a general store, 
and is now engaged in the same business, it 
having been carried on continuously ever 
since, with very slight interruption. Of four 
children borne him, three are living, viz. — 
Virginia, wife of Rev. M. B. Mohn, of the 
Evangelical Association; Mary and Herbert. 
He is a staunch Republican, and from 1870 
to 1880 he held the office of Township Treas- 
urer, which indicates the regard in which he is 
held by his fellow citizeiis. He and wife are 
members of the M. E. Church, he being a 
Trustee and Class-leader in that church. 



If^ 



^ — ^t^> 



SrCAR CREEK TOWNSHIP. 



MRS. C. A. WYANDT, farmer; P. O. 
Wilmot; relict of the kite Daniel B. Wyandt; 
was born April 10, 1825, near Sugar Creek 
Falls, in the north part of Tuscarawas Co. 
Iler parents were \^'^alter and Elizabeth (Jen- 
nings) Griffith, to whom were born a family of 
twelve children, Mrs. W^'andt being the 
the youngest of the number, which were as 
follows — Hezekiah, Sarah, Lydia, John, Nan- 
0}% Lewis, and Susan, Elizabeth, Walter, Mary, 
Thomas, Catharine; of whom the following are 
living- — Lewis, now of Labette Co., Kansas; 
Susan, a resident of Laporte, Ind., wife of 
Daniel AValt; Elizabeth married Edward Mar- 
shall, of Rolling Plains, Ind.; Walter resides 
in Toledo, Ohio; and Mrs. Catharine A. 
Wyandt, of this township. Mrs. Wj'andt's 
father died when she was but two years of 
age, and at the age of 14 her mother was 
taken from her by death. She then lived with 
her sister, Lydia France, making that her home 
until her union with Mr. Daniel B. Wyandt, 
March 27, 1845; he was boru Aug. 24, 1820, 
in Somerset Co., Pa., daughter of Jacob and 
Mngdalena (Brubacher) Wyandt. After the 
marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Daniel B. Wyandt, 
they located in Wilmot, where he engaged in 
the mercantile business at first, afterwards in 
the foundry business (at this place), which he 
conducted for some length of time, and was also 
engaged in business at Massillon with J. G. 
Bucher in the stove and foundry business, and 
was one of the original proprietors of the Massil- 
lon E.xcelsior works. He was an active business 
man, energetic and honorable in his dealings, 
and took an active part in the affairs of his 
count}' and neighborhood. He was at one time 
a candidate for Representative, and though 
not elected, he received a very complimentary 
vote, running ahead of his ticket. His death 
occurred Aug. 1, lt?G5, and although not a 
professed member of any church, yet he was 
a Presliyterian by faith, and a liberal support- 
er of the gospel andof all benevolent objects. 
To him were born seven children, viz. — Win- 
field Scott, the eldest, enlisted in 1864, was a 
member of the I'Jth O. V. L and went forth 
to battle for his country. May 7, 18G4, he was 
shot dead near Dallas, during the Atlanta cam- 
paign. Walter G. resides Iti Toledo, Ohio, 
engaged in the banking business. Cyrus F. 
resides in Milford, Seward Co., Neb., engaged 
in mercantile and banking interests. Mary 



E. is the wife of Dr. A. H. Gans, of Navarre ; 
Lydia F., Sallie M. and Charles are at home. 
Mrs. Wyandt resides with her remaining 
children on the homestead farm, adjoining the 
town of Wilmot. She is a member of the 
Methodist Ei)iseo])al Church. 

SA.NHJEL WOLF, physician; Wilraot; 
born in OsnaburgTp., Stark Co., Ohio, March 
5, 1818, sin of John and Elizabeth (Saynor) 
Wolf. John was born 1791 on the Potomac; 
son of Adam AV^olf, to whom was born a 
nuiricrous family. Elizabeth was born in 
Westmoreland Co., daughter of Michael 
Saynor. Adam Wolf removed with his fam- 
ily to Columbiana Co. in 1807; his son John 
served two years in the war of 1812, and 
upon his return married Elizabeth Saynor, and 
removed to Osnaburg Tp., where lie spent the 
remainder of his days, and closed his mortal 
career in 1868; his wife survived him until 
1871. They were both members of the Luth- 
eran Church. Samuel was the second of the 
family; he was raised a farmer, and left home 
at 20; after spending one yciar in Indiana, he 
went to Wadsworth, Medina Co. in 1839, 
where he attended school until the spring of 
1842, when he began reading medicine under 
Dr. George R. Pardee, at Wadsworth. After 
a three-j'ears' couise he began practiciug in 
the spring of 1845, and has been con- 
stantly in active practice since 1846, having 
been in this township. Jul}- 13, 184"), he mar- 
ried Frances Parks, born May (i, 1822, in Lan- 
caster Co., Pa., daughter of William Parks, 
who was born May 26, 1801 in Lancaster 
Co., Penn.; son of James, who was a son 
of Joseph Parks, an Irishman. William 
Parks' mother's name was Sarah White, 
daughter of William White, a British soldier, 
who deserted his command and cast his in- 
terests among the American people. In 1825 
William Parks married Susan McElroy, and 
by her had one child, Frances, wife of Dr. 
Wolf. Mr. Par ks came West in 1838, and has 
since remained; has always been a worker in 
stone, and for thirty-six years a member of 
the Methodist Episcopal Church, and a Dem- 
ocrat. To Dr. Wolf have been born three 
children — Uretta S., who married Professor 
J. L. Shunk, of Mt. Union, and CuUen P., are 
living, the latter a graduate of materia medica 
and practicing with his father. Mary died 
when a young lady. 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



CHRISTIAN WYANDT, fanner; P. O. 
Wilmot; was bom Jan. 14, 1809, in Somerset 
Co., Pa., son of Jacob and Magdalena (Bru- 
bacher) Wyandt. Jacob was born in Wash- 
ington Co., Md., son of Christian and Amelia 
(Pntman) Wyandt, who were natives of Prus- 
sia, and among the earlv settlers in Washing- 
ton Co., Md. To this couple. Christian and 
Amelia, were born — Jacob, Catharine, John, 
Susan, Christina, Elizabeth, Mary, Henry, 
Christian and Simon. All were natives of 
Maryland. Our subject's maternal grand- 
father was Peter Brubacher, a native of Lan- 
caster Co., Pa., to whom ten children were 
born, Magdalt-na being the eldest. Two of 
the sons, John and Benjamin, were in the war 
of 1812; the former serving as a Captain. 
The father of our subject came to Ohio in 
1815, and entered, through the land office at 
Canton, 160 acres of land, situated in the 
southwest part of the township, and removed 
his family two years later, arriving May 4, 
1817, making the trip in a wagon. He stop- 
ped at the Weimer Settlement, left his fam- 
ily and went to his land, and with the help of 
a few of his pioneer friends, in three davs had 
a rude cabin of logs constructed, into which he 
moved before it was properly enclosed. The 
parties assisting him were Gsbriel Putman, 
Chris. Ackerman and Mr. Eckert. Jacob 
Wyandt was an upright man and worthy citi- 
zen. He passed to his rest in November, 
1837; his wife survived him until Feb. 14, 
1864. The children born them were Joseph, 
Christian, Leah, Betsey, Sarah, Mary A., 
Richel and Daniel B. ; but three of whom are 
now living — Christian, Elizabeth and Mary. 
The Wyandt family were in early times mem- 
bers of the Whig party, but later were affilia- 
ted with the Republican. Religiously, they 
were formerly adherents of the Mennonite 
Church, but have more recently been in fel- 
lowship with the United Brethren. Chris- 
tian yet remains on the homestead, being part 
owner of the same, and is unmarried. 

FRANKLIN WEIMER, farmer and agent; 
P. O. Beach City. The Weimer family are 
of the earliest settlers in the township, having 
come to Ohio as early as April, 1815. Gabri- 
el Wi^imor, the father of the above, was born 
May 1.3th, 1801, in Somerset Co., Penn., son of 
.lohn and Susan (Lenhart) Weimer, who were 
natives of the Keystone State, but whose an- 



cestors were natives of Hesse Cassel, from 
which place two brothers emigrated, locating 
in Pennsylvania, previous to the war of the 
Revolution. The family of children born to 
John Weimer and wife were — Peter, John, 
Mary, Catharine and Gabriel. John Weimer, 
the father of Gabriel, never came to this coun- 
ty; he died suddenly behind his plow while 
attending to his farm duties. Gabriel was 
fourteen years of age when he came to this 
State with one of his older brothers; thev set- 
tled at Plainsburg, a point on the road leading 
from Beach City to Wilmot, where the family 
settled on land adjoining. Gabriel was ap- 
prenticed to learn the saddler's trade, work- 
ing at New Philadelphia and at Steubenville, 
two years at each place; afterwards working 
one year at Canal Dover as journeyman. At 
the age of 31 he married Anna Overholser, 
who was born in 1802 in Somerset Co., Pa. 
Her parents were early settlers in Tuscarawas 
Co., O. She died in 1839, leaving eight child- 
ren — Elias W., Sarah A., Susan, Louisa, Josi- 
ah, Orlando, Caroline and Sybilla. Josiah 
died in 1842 aged 11, a very precocious lad. 
Gabriel was mari-ied a second time March 
28, 1840, to Mrs. Elizabeth Brown, who was 
born March 29, 1811, in Fayette Co., Pa., 
daughter of Philip Dumbaidd. She came to 
Ohio with her brother-in-law, Robert Ramsy, 
in 1831, and married John Brown, whose 
father was one of the first settlers in Tuscara- 
was Co. John Brown died in 1838 leaving 
four children — loseph, Robert, Sarah and 
John. Joseph and Robert were soldiers in 
the late war; the former died in the army. 
To Gabriel Weimer and his last wife were 
born six children — Franklin, Oliver, asoldier 
in the late war in Co. F. O. V. I., a member 
of the regimental band; after his discharge 
he re-eniisted in Co. K., 163d Reg. O. N.G., 
and died May 7, 1867, by disease contracted 
in the army. Rose A., now wife of Rev. W. 
M. Stanford, of Johnstown, Pa. Uriah, the 
next in order of birth, was twice asoldier also, 
and went out first in Co. K. 163d Regt. after- 
wards in Co. C. Jan. 10, 1865, in the 184th O. 
V. I., and served until the close of the war. 
Mary C. at home, and Solomon, the youngest 
son. All of the children reside in this town- 
ship except Rose A. Gabriel Weimer was a 
staunch Republican, and served as Township 
Trustee and Treasurer for many years. He 






4 



SUGAR CREEK TOWNSHIP. 



975 



was a member of the United Brethren in 
Christ. Mrs. Weimer, since the death of her 
husljand, has resided in the township on a 
part of the homestead. Franklin was born 
on the homestead Feb. 12, lS+1, the ehlest 
of the children, anil was raised to farming, af- 
ter which he beijan the life of instructor of 
youth, and taught thirteen years in all. Since 
1880 he has bei-n handling monumental goods, 
making bronze a specialty. July ','3, 1874, he 
married Catharine Crise, who was born in 
1851 in Somerset Co., Pa., daughter of George 
and Leah (Christ) Crise. natives of Pennsyl- 
vania, who came to Tusc-irawas Co. in 1871. 
Mr. Weimer has four children — Maud M., 
Edith R., Mary G. and I.iuder C. He is a 
member of the United Brethren Church. 

HENRY C. WEIMER, farmer; P. O. 
Beach City; was born Feb. 8, 1835, in this 
township, the youngest son of a family of 
thirteen children, born to David and Ann 
Catharine Weimer, all of whom attained ma- 
turity. David Weimer was born in West- 
moreland Co., Pa., but emigrated to this town- 
ship and county in 1815, and entered IGO 
acres in southwest quarter Sec. 27, remaining 
on the same as long as he lived; having been 
one of the pioneer ministers of the United 
Brethren Church in the county. His father's 
name was John Weimer, and he had eight 
children, si.t of whom were by his first wife. 
The thirteen children born to David Weimer 
and wife were as follows. — .fohn and Dan, 
twins; Julia A., Gabriel, Joseph, Sarah, Susan, 
David, Lj'dia, Mary, Catharine, Henry C.,and 
Rebecca; all of whom lived to marry and 
have famil'es. Our subjecit remained with 
his parents until he was of age, and in .Tune, 
1858, married Frances Overlioltz, wiio was 
born in Harrison Co., this State, in December, 
1841; daughter of .Joseph and Frances (For- 
ney) Overholtz, both of whom came from 
Pennsylvania to this State; the former a son of 
Christian Overholtz, the latter a daughter 
of Peter Forney, who was 93 when he died. 
To Jose|)h Overholtz and wife were born 
thirteen children — Reljecca, .Joseph, Christina, 
Ann, .John, Christopher, Peter, Catharine, 
Martin, Jacob, Francis, (^arotine, and James. 
Mr. Overholtz was a Whig; the family came 
here in the early days, and were members of 
the United Brethren Church. In May, 1864, 
Mr. Weimer enlisted in Company K, "John- 



ston's company," lli4th O. N. G. Upon his 
return home he resumed farming, in which 
vocation he is yet engaged, having a farm of 
83 acres. He has nine children — James, Ed- 
win, J^ula, Otto, Joseph, Mary E., Charles, 
Lel^ov anil Ransom. 

D. P. WEIMER, farmer; P. O. Wilmot; 
was born Aug. 13, 1831, in Westmoreland Co., 
Pa., youngest of a family of three children, 
born to Peter and Catharine (Berkej') Weim- 
er. He was born in Somerset Co., Pa., 
Jidy 30, 1794; son of David, who had six 
children. The great-grandfather of our sub- 
j(;ct was a native of Germany. He died in 
PeniLsylvania. David died in 1805; he had 
seven children, Peter, the father of our sub- 
ject, being one of them. To Peter and 
Catharine were born the following — Sarah, 
Mrs. Jacob Brill, lived in Guernsey Co., 
Ohio, now dead; Lydia, Mrs. P<!ter Ilowen- 
stine, died in this county; David P., the only 
one living. Peter was a blacksmith by trade, 
but a farmer by occupation, and came to Ohio 
in 1836, located in this township, and died in 
1867; ho was a Lutheran and a Repuijlican. 
His wife died in 1831, prior to his coming 
West. Our subject was a lad of 15 when his 
father moved out here, and he lived with him 
until he was i'i years of age. For several 
years he taught school in the winter, farming 
during the summer. Aug. 13, 1848, he married 
Elizabeth Hurraw, born in 1817, in Som- 
erset Co., Pa.; daughter of Adam and Rebecca 
(Lenhart) Hurraw, and bj' her had si.\ child- 
ren, Mrs. Weimer being the second in order of 
birth. The Hurraw family came West in 1832, 
and located in this township. After the mar- 
riage of our subject, he settled on the home- 
stead, where he lived three years, then went 
to Wilmot and lived one year. Fall of 1853 
moved to th(> farm he now owns, and lias re- 
mained there since. Has served as Town- 
ship Clerk fifteen years, and Township Trustee 
seven years. Always has been a Republican. 
Is a believer in the mystical body of Christ, 
and a liberal supporter of the gospel, yet is 
not a member of any church society. Was 
converted in March, 1870, in a Methodist 
Episcopal Church at Wilmot, but never be- 
came connected ther(>with. No children. 

ANDIJEW WETZEL, farmer; P.O. Beach 
City; was born March 18, 1825, in Greensburg, 
Stark Co. (now Summit), son of John and 



iTx: 



Ml 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



Margaret (Reese) Wetzel; he was bom in 1792, 
in Westmoreland Co., Pa.; she in same county 
one year later. John was the son of John, 
one of whose brothers was Lewis Wetzel, the 
famous Indian fighter in the annals of Penn- 
sylvania. The great-grandfather of our sub- 
ject, John, was scalped by the Indians and 
left for dead, but recovered. His sons were 
in the Revolutionary War. After the father 
was scalped, Lewis swore vengeance against 
tiie entire Indian race, and many a red-skin 
fell before his unerring rifle, or felt the steel 
of his trusty hunting-knife. Lewis was a 
powerfully built man, as brave as a lion, and 
as crafty as the Indian himself. The grand- 
father of our subject came West with his 
father-in-law about 1812, and located near Can- 
ton, where he died. John, his son, the father of 
our subject, settled in Greensburg, but moved 
to Illinois and was engaged in farming. His 
wife survives him. To them were born twelve 
children. Andrew, our subject, and one of 
the twelve children, remained at home until 
his marriage, which occurred Jan. 6, 1848, 
the lady being Sarah E. Ward, born Oct. 19, 
1827, in Holmes Co., Ohio, daughter of Jesse 
and Sarah (Shepler) Ward. In 18.51 Mr. 
Wetzel located on the farm where he now 
lives, having 140 acres of land here, 80 acres 
in Tuscarawas, and 40 in Holmes county. He 
has four children — John F., Jesse C, Leonard 
C, and Serena E. Has been a member of 
the United Brethren Church for twenty-six 
years, and is trustee of same. The Wetzels 
are a large and muscular family, the father of 
our subject having weighed 240 pounds. An- 
drew has lifted 1,000 pounds dead wei'i-ht. 

ISAAC WELTY, farmer; P. O. Wilmot; 
was born June 22, 1820, on the farm he now 
owns, in Sec. 22, southwest quarter. He is a 
son of Philip and Sarah (Overholt) Welty, 
the former of whom was born May 2, 1789, 
in Westmoreland Co., Pa.; the latter April 7, 
1791, in the same county. Philip came West 
to Ohio, and loo.ited on his farm in 1816, 
having entered land from the government, 
living on the same until September, 1848. 
He was a Baptist in religious belief, and a 
Whig in politics. His wife died in 1866, 
having borne him a family of five children — 
Hester, wife of David Alter, of Tuscarawas 
Co.; John, on the homestead; Isaac (our sub- 
ject); Eliza, Mrs. J. D. Otis, M. D., of Tuscar- 



awas Co., and Mary, now Mrs. Daniel Fore- 
man, of Wilmot. He served in the war of 
1812. Our subject was raised on the home- 
stead, and never lived anj'where else. He 
was married to Susan, daughter of Joseph 
and Martha (Reed) Poyser, who was born 
in this township in 1823. Mr. and Mrs. 
Poyser were natives of Pennsj'lvania, but 
came West and were married in this State, 
and had thirteen children, eight of whom are 
living — Susan, now Mrs. Welty; John, resid- 
ing in Canton; Eliza, wife of John Eckerd, of 
Tuscai'awas Co. ; Sarah, now Mrs. Jacob Ober- 
lin, of Plain Tp.; Kate, now Mrs. Peter Myers, 
of Canton; Margaret, married Fred Ricksicker, 
of Canton; Lemma A., now Jlrs. Barr; and 
Jane, unmarried. The parents were Luth- 
erans. To Mr. and Mrs. Isaac Welty have 
been born four children — George, Orin S., 
Bernard and Mary F. He owns 142 acres of 
land with fine and substantial improvements 
in the way of buildings, and is a Republican 
in politics. 

JONAS WARSTLER, farmer; P. O. Jus- 
tus; was born Dec. 8, 183-5, on the farm on 
which he has since resided. His father, 
George, was born in February, 1808, in Plain 
Tp. His mother was Elizabeth, a daughter 
of Jacob Kj'le, an 1812 veteran, born Sept. 5, 
1773, in Lancaster Co., Pa., and married in 
1798, to Rosanna Loishbaugli. They moved 
from Pennsylvania to Stark Co., Ohio, in 
1823, and located in the north part of Sugar 
Creek Tp., where the grandfather died, at the 
age of 95 years, 4 months and 25 days, a 
widower for sixteen years, and a highly es- 
teemed member of the German Reformed 
Church. Of his fifteen children, nearly all of 
whom raised families, five are living — Eph- 
raim and Daniel, in this township; Catharine, 
Polly and Susan. Henry Warstler, father of 
George, was a farmer, and an early settler in 
Plain Tp. In 1833 George moved with two 
brothers into Sugar Creek Tp., where he pur- 
chased an 80-acre farm, on which he remained 
till his death, in May, 1855. His wife survived 
until April, 1802. To them were born three 
sons — Jonas, Daniel and Michael, and one 
daughter, Elmina, who died young. Jonas 
married, March 11, 1855, Caroline, only (•hild 
of John and Eve Allbaugh, and born in Beth- 
lehem, June 29, 1836. Her parents were both 
natives of Pennsylvania, and early settlers of 



V^s- 



;t^ 



JACKSON TOWNSHIP. 



Bethlehem Tjj. Mr. Warstler has eig-ht child- 
ren living — George T., Lydia A., Anson O., 
Mary M., Naomi S., Ellen E., Alvin A., and 
Albert A. Lydia A. is the wife of John U. 
Zeigler, and the mother of two children — John 
J. and George W. George T. is also married. 



Mr. Warstler, as well as his wife and two 
eldes children, are members of the Lutheran 
Church. He is a Democrat, and for nine 
years was a member of the school board. His 
farm ou Sec. 11, consists of 12 li acres. 



JACKSON TOWNSHIP. 



JOHN" BRAUCHER, farmer; R O. New 
Berlin; was born in Somerset Co., Penn., 
March 1, 1811. His father was Daniel Brau- 
cher, and married Polly Lobe. They were 
both natives of Berks Co., Penn., and were of 
German descent. In 1821 they removed to 
Stark Co., Ohio, and settled in Jackson Tp., 
where Mr. Braucher had entered land pre- 
vious to his coming. They liveil for a num- 
ber of years in a log cal)iii, and after many 
years of hard work he departed this life on 
the 16th day of Sept., 1853; his wife having 
died four or five years previous. John 
Braucher, the subject of this sketch, was 
raised on his father's farm. His chances 
were very poor to obtain an education. He 
being the oldest of a large family, his time 
was required on the farm helping to improve, 
and to raise something to maintain the fam- 
ily. Mr. Braucher has been a hard-working 
and economical man, and has been quite suc- 
cessful financially. He has improved four 
farms. He is now living with his second 
wife. His first wife was Annie Lichtenwalter; 
daughter of Jacob and Polly Lichtenwalter; 
they were married in 1836. She was born in 
Stark Co., Aug. -27, 1817, and died Sept 24, 
1853. He married his present wife, Christina 
Mutchler, daughter of Godfrey and Christina 
(Goss) Mutchler. They were natives of 
France, where Mrs. Braucher was born, Aug. 
26, 1823. The Mutchler family came to Stark 
Co. in 1828, and settled on the farm where 
Mr. Braucher now lives. Godfrey Mutchler 
died Sept. 7, 1806; his wife Sept. 18, 1832. 
Mr. Braucher is the father of eight children — 
William F., Abben, Polly, wife of John 
Young; Catharine M., wife of Isaac Hassler; 
and deceased. Manias, killed in the late war; 
Lewis, Sarah, and one died in infancy. Mr. 



Braucher has raised a family who are, as ■well 
as himself, consistent members of the Luth- 
erap Church, and he is a good old Jackson 
Democrat. 

JONAS BRAUCHER, farmer; P. O. 
Massillon ; was born in Somerset Co., Pa., 
Sept. 20, 1817, and is the son of Daniel and 
Polly (Lobe) Braucher. Mr. Braucher came 
with his parents to Stark Co. in 1821, where 
he has since resided. Like all boys in the 
early settling of the country, instead of having 
a chanco to go to school, he helped to improve 
his father's farm. He remained at home until 
a man grown, after which he started for him- 
self. About 1840 he married Esther Hoch, a 
native of Pennsylvania, born January 21, 
1820, and died May 20, 1860. Mr. Braucher 
married again October 28, 1863, to .Mary 
Peters, daughter of .lohn and Catharine Peters. 
The issue of Mr. Braucher's first marriage 
were: Daniel A., Susaimah, Harriet, wife of 
H.Jackson, Diana, wife of II. Moore, Rebecca 
F., wife of II. Ball, David B., Jonas M., and 
four deceased — Israel, Sarah A., Elcora, and 
Mary C. By the second marriagi- have been 
born — John A., Ida E., George W., and Her- 
bert H. Mr. Braucher is the owner of a fine 
farm of 290 acres of well improved land, with 
good buildings, and well stocked, and it may 
well be said that he understands how to con- 
duct his farm to make the most money out of 
it, and at the same time keep the land in good 
condition. 

GEN. SAMUEL BEATTY, farmer; P. O. 
Massillon; was born in MifHin Co., Penn., 
Dec. 16, 1820. His father, John Beatty, 
was a native of Ireland, and came to Pennsyl- 
vania when 2 years of age, where he married 
Miss Christina Powell, and in 1829, removed 
to Stark Co., Ohio, and settled in Jackson Tp. 



9V8 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



The General's early life was spent on his 
fath;!r's farm, and attending such schools as 
there were in those days. Ho has been a pat- 
riotic man, having served his country twice 
when it was in great need. In May, 1846, 
he went out in the Mexican War as 1st Lieu- 
tenant of Company K of the 3d Ohio Regi- 
ment. After serving nearly two years he was 
lionorably disciiarged, and returned to Stark 
Co., and in 1857 was elected Sheriff of the 
County, which office he honorably filled for two 
years, and in 1859 was re-elected, and held 
the office for two years more. Ii. 1801, at the 
breaking-out of the late rebellion, he was 
among the first to offer his services to his 
country. In April (18(11) he enrolled a com- 
pany of men, which became Company A of 
the 19th Regiment, Ohio. He was appointed 
Captain of tlie company as soon as it became 
attached to the regiment. And while at Co- 
lumbus, Ohio, they held an election of officers, 
where he was elected Major, then I^ieutenant- 
Colonel, then Colonel. These promotions 
were all received in one day. After receiving 
his commission they soon marched to the 
scenes of battle, where he showed himself a 
man worthy of his command. He participated 
in many of the most prominent battles, such 
as Mission Ridge, Stone River, Chickamauga, 
Liberty Gap, Chattanooga, Nashville and 
others. After the battle of Stone River he 
was promoted to Brigadier General, and 
at the battle of Nashville was promoted to 
Major General for meritorious conduct. After 
serving his country till the close of the war 
he came l)ack to Stark Co., where he has since 
resided. In March, 1862, he married Susan 
V. Graham, daughter of .John and Susan Gra- 
ham. She was born in Stark Co., Ohio, in 
18o9, and died in 1881. The General has one 
daughter, Mary. 

SAMUEL BRAUCHER, farmer;?. O. Mas- 
sillon; was born in Somerset Co., Penn., May, 
15, 1819; son of Daniel and Polly (Laub) 
Braucher, who moved to Stark Co. in 1824. 
They settled in .Jackson Tp., close to where 
Mr. Braucher now lives. He owns a fine farm 
consisting of 210 acres, well improved, and 
in the highest state of cultivation. April 29, 
1847, he married Miss Polly Lichtenwalter, 
daughter of Solomon Lichtenwalter. She was 
borti in Jackson Tp., Stark Co., Ohio, and died 
July 17, 1879. After which Mr. Braucher 



married Matilda Hammer, daughter of 
Isaac and Nancy Hammer. Mr. Braucher's 
family were all born to the first wife, are — 
Solomon F., Daniel R., Sarah .J., wife of John 
Rudolph; Clara, wife of J. J. Snyder; Rhom- 
anis H., Cliarley H., Milton J. and two de- 
ceased. Mr. Braucher is a Democrat by birth 
and votes for principles, not men. He is a 
member of the Reformed Church. 

HENRY BACHTEL, farmer; P. O. Mc- 
Donaldsville; is son of Jacob and Catharine 
(Ivershner) Bachtel, who wore native of Wash- 
ington Co., Md. Jacob was born March 29, 
1770, and his wife, June 1, 1773. They were 
married March 24, 1 793, and in same year re- 
moved to Bedford Co., Penn., where there were 
born unto them six children — Samuel, born 
June 8, 1795; Nancy, horn July 8, 1797; 
Isaac, born .July 10, 1799; Andrew Iv., born 
Aug. 21, 1803; Henry, born Dec. 18, 1805, 
and Polly, born about 1807. The subject of 
this sketch, Henry, is the only one of" those 
children now living. Jacob Bjchtel removed 
with his family to Stark Co. in the year 1810, 
and settled in Plain Tp., on Section 17, where 
they resided until their death; .Jacob dying 
Sept. 22, 1823, and his wife Feb. 12, 1833. 
Mr. Bachtel and wife ranked among the most 
respectable families of Stark Co. Mr. Bach- 
tel, our subject, has been a resident of Stark 
Co. since 1810. He is a man of moral habits, 
and always takes part in all local improve- 
ments. He has served as .lustice of the Peace 
for twenty-one years, and has held other min- 
or offices of the township. In 1826 he mar- 
ried Margaretta Upp, daughter of Peter and 
Susainiah (Winters) Upp She was born in 
York Co., Penn., July 6, 1806, and died Feb. 
1, 1861, after which he married Mrs. Martha 
Everhard, widow of Jacob Everhard. Mr. 
Bachtel's family were William W., deceased; 
Catharine, wife of J. W. McAbee; Samuel P., 
Hiram J., all born to first wife. 

MOSES CLAY, farmer ; P. O. Massillon ; 
was born in Jackson Tp., Stark Co., Ohio, Nov. 
27, 1823. His father, Isaac, was a native of 
Pennsylvania, born about 1782, and came to 
Stark Co. in 1804, and settled in Plain Tp., 
one and a half miles from New Berlin, on 80 
acres he and his brother Davitl entere<l, which 
they paid for by splitting rails. While there 
he married Miss Mary Pennock, a native of 
Virginia, and in 1812 removed to Jackson Tp., 



^-^ 



If^ 



JACKSON TOWNSHIP. 



979 



where he purcliased 100 acres of unimproved 
land, which he soon improved and began 
farming on a larger scale. At the time of his 
death he owned 560 acres of well improved 
land, which wa,s the fruit of many years of 
economy and hard labor. His nearest tnarket 
place for many years was Cleveland and Pitts- 
burg. His wife was the first to ilie, her death 
occurring in 1832, and liis in IS-'j^. Moses 
Cla}', the sul)ji!Ct of this sketch, is the sixth 
child of a family of seven. He remained at 
home all his life, and now resides close to the 
place where he was born, owning a part of the 
old homestea<l. In 18r)0 he married Catharine 
M. Madison, daughter of Otis Madison. She 
is a native of Virginia, but was mostly raised 
in Stark Co. Mr. Clay's family are — Elvira I., 
wife of J. Pontius, Harvey B., Otis M., Frank 
M., Edward P., Emma I., Mary D., and Mar- 
shall F.; one deceased, Mary E. Mr. Clay 
owns 240 acres of well improved land within 
four miles of Massillon, and is a highly res- 
pected citizen of Stark Co. 

REUBEN HOLE, farmer; P. O. Canton; 
was born in Lancaster Co., Penn., Nov. 15, 
1823, and is the son of Samuel and Mary 
(Royer) Holl, who were also natives of Penn- 
sylvania; the father born March II, 1798, and 
mother .luly 4, 1801. In 183G they removed to 
Stark Co., and settled in Lake Tp., and in 
1837 thev moved near New Berlin, where 
they followed fanning until 1851 or 1852, 
when they retired from farming and removed 
to New Berlin, where they lived until the 
death of Mr. Holl, which occurred in Febru- 
ary, 1800. His wife still resides at New Ber- 
lin, at the ripe old age of 80 years. Reuben 
is the third born of fourteen children; spent 
the early part of his life at home on the farm, 
and at tin' same time received a commo i 
school education; being an apt scholar h- 
soon acquired an educati(m that enabled hitn 
to teach school, which he followed most in the 
winter, having taught sixteen winter terms. 
In 1850 he removed to Ja<-kson Tp., and en- 
gaged in farming, and at different times he 
followed surveying. In 1858 he took posses- 
sion of his present larm, which was then rough 
and unimjiroved, but by hard work he now 
has 215 acres of as well imjjroved land as 
there is in .lackson Tp. In 1848 he married 
Miss Eliza Roush, daugliter of Godfrey and 
Elizabeth Roush. Nine children have been 



born to them, six living — William P., John 
H. city engineer at Canton; Danicd W., Mary 
K. wife of J. J. Zerbe ; Oliver W., Benjamin 
F. Those deceased are — Edward, Albert and 
Ephraim. 

SOLO.MON LICHTENWALTER, farmer; 
P.O. Massillon; was born in Adams Co. Penn., 
Dec. 4, 1797, and is the son of Abraham and 
Eve C. (Seager) I-ichtcnwalter, who were of 
German descent, and were l)orn in Pennsyl- 
vania. In June, 1813, th<'y removed to 
Stark Co., and settled close to Canton. In 
1814 the father died, after wiiich Mr. L. was 
dciii'ndcnt on himself to miike his own way 
in the world. He followed whatever he could 
get to do. He married in 1824 Catharine 
Hane, daughter of Christian and Magdalene 
(Shook) Hane. She was born in Center Co., 
Penn., and died Aug. 10, 1801. Mr. Lichten- 
vvalter has raised a family of eight children — 
Solomon; Annie M. wife of Saujuel Braucher; 
Sarah, wife of Martin Metz; .fohn J., William, 
Henry, Christian, and Amanda, wife of W. 
Young. Samuel Lichtenwalter was born in 
Stark Co., Feb. 13, 1825, and was married Sept. 
15, 1852, to Elizabeth Metz, daughter of Sam- 
uel Metz. He has four children — James, Sarah 
A., Maria F., wife of C. Oberlin, and Lizzie. 

J. LIC-HTEN WALTER, farmer; P. O. 
Massillon ; was born in Jackson Tp., Stark 
Co., Ohio, Feb. 15, 1824 ; the son of Jacob 
and Mary (Minnich) Lichtenwalter, who came 
to this county in 1813, where thev lived till 
their death, tha father dying May 28, 1806, 
aged 77, and mother, Oct. 5, 1853, aged 56. 
Joseph, our subject, has been a resident of 
Jackson Tp. all his life, and has been engaged 
quite extensively in farming. His home farm 
consists of 100 acres of well improved land, 
with good buildings and everything necessary 
for farming. He also owns 179 acres outside 
of the home farm. The home farm was en- 
tered by his father. Tti 1852 he married Mary 
A. Braucher, daughter of Daniel and Mary 
(Laub) Braucher. Five children have been 
born to them — Jacob O., Ida R., wife of A. 
Beal, Salome A., and Leo W., one deceased, 
dying in infancy. Mr. Lichtenwalter has served 
as Trustee and Assessor, and is always willing 
to take part in all local matter that are of in- 
terest to the community in which he lives. He 
and family are members of the church, and 
are in good standing in the neighborhood. 



irfy- 



ISABELLA NOBLE, widow of Thomas 
Nobli-, farmer ; P. O. Massillon , and daugh- 
ter of Robert and Isabella (Cooper) Noble, 
was born in Westmoreland, England, March 
31, 1811, and was married to Thomas Noble 
in 1832, who emigrated to America in 1833, 
and settled in Jackson Tp. on the farm where 
she now resides. Mr. Noble was born in 
Westmoreland, England, Dec. 34, 1^07- 
When he came to Jackson Tp. he bought 800 
acres of land and engaged extensively in 
stock-raising, sheep being his specialty. He 
was a man of upright character and esteemed 
by all who knew him. He is still fresh in the 
memories of many that he has helped start in 
life, when money and other necessaries were 
hard to obtain. In December, 1847, he de- 
parted this life, leaving his widow and five 
children to mourn their loss, three of whom 
are still living — Thomas, in Illinois , John, in 
Kansas ; Robert, a merchant in Illinois. The 
two deceased are, Isabella, wl.o was the wife 
of S. Harmount, and William. 

JACOB OBERLIN, farmer ; P. O. Mc- 
Donaldsville ; was horn in Lancaster Co., Pa., 
Nov. 4, 1817 ; is the son of Jacob and Eliza- 
beth (Runk) Oberlin, who were natives of 
I^ancaster Co., Pa., and removed to Stark Co., 
Ohio, in 1826, and settled in Jackson Tp. 
Father died in about 1850 and mother in 1872. 
Jacob Oberlin, the subject, has been a resident 
of the county and township since 1826. In 
1845 he married Elizabeth Lutz, daughter of 
Samuel and Elizabeth (Arnold) Lutz. Mrs. 
Oberlin was born in Stark Co., Ohio, in 1823. 
Mr. Oberlin has five children — Isaac, Sarah J., 
wife of John Real; Mary A., wife of M. Slate; 
Elizabeth A., and Catharine A. Mr. Oberlin 
and wife are members of the Reformed 
Church, and he is a staunch Republican. 

P. J PALMER, farmer ; P. O. McDonalds- 
ville ; is the son of Michael and Jane (Dun- 
can) Palmer, who were of German descent, 
father born in Maryland. He was a hatter by 
trade, having learned his trade at Chambers- 
burg, Pa., after which he went to Funkstown, 
and opened up business for himself. About 
1831 or 1832 he removed his family to Stark 
Co. and engaged in farming. His family are — 
Matilda, wife of John Pletz ; Peter J.; Me- 
linda, wife of B. Ryan ; Margaret, wife of B. 
Williams ; George W., Lewis William ; Car- 
oline, Mrs. Coryagon ; Emma, Mrs. Tryval- 



biss, and Odell. The family are all living in 
other states but Peter J., our subject, who has 
lived in Jackson Tp. since 1832. In 1845 he 
married Caroline Page, widow of Oliver Page. 
Five children have been born to them — Wes- 
ley S., Edward, Alice J., Flora C, wife of 
J Reed ; Cora E. 

ISAAC RUTHRAL'FF, farmer; P. O. 
]Massillon; was born in Franklin Co., Penn., 
Sept. 3, 1819, and is the son of John and 
Mary (Shriver) Ruthrauff; he born in Frank- 
lin Co., Penn., Aj)ril 13. 1787, and she in 
Adams Co.. Penn., Aug. 17, 1787. They 
were married April 24, 1809, and removed 
to Maryland, where they lived until 1834, 
when they removed to Stark Co., Ohio, 
and finally settled 3^ miles south of Canton, 
where Mr. Ruthrauff died November 14, 
1837, and his wife, November 24, 1854. Isaac, 
the subject of this sketch, remained on the 
farm till of age, yvhen he married, Sept. 28, 
1854, Miss Nancy L. Correll, daughter of 
John and Elizabeth (Lind) Correll, born in 
Adams Co., Penn., April 15, 1830. Her par- 
ents were natives of Adams Co., Penn.: father 
born 1787 and mother 1793. They came to 
this count}' in 1834, and settled four miles north 
of Canton, where they died, father in 1859 
and mother in 1875. Mr. Ruthrauif's family 
are^ — John H., Thomas H., Mary E. wife of P. 
Young; Hurbert E., Ida .!., and Edwin G.; 
one deceased, Hattie E. Mr. Ruthrauff is a 
member of the German Reformed Church, and 
his wife is a member of the Disciples' Church. 
Mr. Ruthrauff is a staunch Republican. 

J. W. REED, farmer; P. O. Crystal Springs: 
was born in Stark Co., Ohio, March 19, 1843. 
He is the son of .lacob and Sarah (Sprankel) 
Reed. He was born in Pennsylvania, July 
27,1810; she Sept. 12, 1819. In 1833 Mr. 
Reed came to Stark Co., and settled in the 
vicinity of Millport, Jackson Tp. In 1852, 
he, in company with Foss and Justice, built 
the McLain's Mills at Millport, this county. 
He was a cooper by trade, which he followed 
lor about thirty years. He was the father of 
ten children, of whom seven are living — John 
(deceased); Lewis, wounded at battle of Pitts- 
burgh Landing, and died from the effects May 
11, 1862; Margaret, James W., the subject of 
this sketch; Mary F.; Clara, wife of H. Smith; 
Kate, Jane (deceased); Alice, Jessie F. Mr. 
Reed departed this life Feb. 8,1865. James 



fe 



JACKSON TOWNSHIP. 



W., tlie subject of this sketch, was marrieil 
June 23, 1870, to Miss Flora C Palmer, datijfh- 
ter of Peter J. and Caroline Palmer. Six 
chiliiren were born to them — Flora and Dora, 
twins; Lewis J., Grace, Harry II. and Blanche. 
Mr. Peed was raised to farming, which has 
been his occupation till of late years. In 
1874 he was appointed Postmaster at Crystal 
Springs, it being the first postoffice at that 
place. He has held the office since its crea- 
tion, iind has been engaged as business man- 
ager of the Mcl.ain Mills. 

JACOB RUDY, farmer; P. O. McDonalds- 
ville, was Ijorn in Lancaster Co., Penn., 
Dec. 17, 1808, and is the son of George 
and Elizabeth Rudy. Mr. Rudy came to 
Stark Co. in 1834, and first settled in Lake 
Tp., where he lived two years, then moved to 
where he now lives, and has remained there ev- 
er since. He is the owner of about six hundred 
acres of well improved land. In 1842 he 
married Miss Catharine Bachtel, daughter of 
Samuel Bachtel. She was born in Jackson 
Tp., and is the mother of three children, living; 
Henry, Mary A., wife of S. Kilinger ; Eliza- 
beth, wife of M. Shaffer; and one died, Sam- 
uel. Mr. Rudy is a inember of the Reformed 
Church, and is a Republican. 

HENRY SPRANKEL, farmer; P. O. Mas- 
sillon; was born in Stark Co., Dec. 9, 1817, 



and is the son of Michael and Catharine 
Sprankel who were natives of York Co., 
Penn., and were of German descent. In 
1815 they removed to Stark Co., and set- 
tled on Sec. 19, where they lived till their 
death. Mr. Sprankel has been a resident of 
the county all his life. In 1832 he married 
Susannah Howenstine, daughter of Davifl and 
Magdalena (Cook) Howenstine. The children 
born to Mr. Spiaiikel were — Franklin, and 
John, deceased; Mary, wife of J. H. Ebie, 
deceased; Hcnrv H., and Harriet, deceased; 
and Ellen, wife of H. S. Folt/. 

A. M. ^VEIDLER, M. D., ^rcDonaldsville; 
was born in Lancaster Co., Pa., Nov. 29, 1812; 
son of David and Elizabeth (Hallacher) Weid- 
ler. The Doctor began the study of medi- 
cine in 1833, and in 1835-36 he attended col- 
lege at Philadelphia, and in 1838 came to 
Stark Co., and located at New Berlin, where 
he began the practice of his profession. In 
1837 he married Ann M. Kluch ; she died in 
1855, after which he married a daughter of 
Samuel Nunamaker; she was born in this 
county July 21, 1843, and is the mother of 
four daughters — Rosa A., Grace V., Ethel P., 
and Verona M. After making three or four 
moves, the Doctor finally settled in McDon- 
aldsville, Stark Co., in 1874. 



riV 






BIO(iKAPni('A]- SKETCHES: 



BETHLEHEM TOWNSHIP. 



MKS. EVE ALLMAN. Navarre. Tint- lady 
was born iu Pt-rrv Tp., Stark C'o.. Ohio, Oct. 
28, 1812: she is "the daughti-r of Frederick 
and Margaret (Smith) Stump, who came fi'om 
Franklin Co., Penn.. to Stark Co., Ohio, iu 
1808; they were euterprisin<i;. iutelliijent peo- 
ple, accustomed to hard work, and well calcu- 
lated to reclaim a wilderness and endnrt" the 
hardships and privations of pioneer life. 
(Full mention of them is made in the history 
of Perry Township). Mrs. Allmau received 
but a meaj^er education — only such as the loo; 
schoolhovises of that early day aft'orded; sin- 
was, however, well schooled in all domestic 
duties, in which our pioneer women excelled. 
She remained at home until her marriage 
with Mr. Barney AUman. which occmred in 
1830. This (gentleman was born in Franklin 
Co.. Penn., in 180(5. and. when 4 years of atje. 
his parents came to this county : here yoiuif^ 
Allman was reared upon a farm, receiving 
the benefits of a common-school education: at 
the time of his niairiage with Miss Stump, he 
had but little or no propert}-; he and wife, 
however, went to work with a will. and. at 
the time of his death, which occurred Dee. 5, 
1874, they had a finely impi'oved farm of 147 
acres, and were enjoyinir the fruits of a well- 
earned competency. Mr. Allman was well 
and favoraVtly known throughout the county; 
he held the office of Toivnship Treasurer fif- 
teen years, besides other positions of honor 
and tnist: the county would be much better 
off to-day had it more such men. He was the 
father of the following family of children, 
viz. : Margaret. Elizabeth, Agnes. Frederick 
S., Lucinda. James D., Man* C. and Margaret 
•J. Mr. Allman, as well as his wife, were 
from early life members of the M. E. Church, 
and their lives were such as to reflect credit 
upon the chiu-ch, their family and themselves. 
Mi's. Allman resides upon the old homestead, 
and, although jiassing into the " sere and 
yellow leaf," is hale and healthy, iind is calmly 
awaiting the last of all time. 



J,\jVIES BEVARD, Navane. This gentle- 
man was born in Dal ton, Wayne Co., Ohio, 
April 3, 1838; he is the sou of James and 
Nancy (Kendrick) Bevard: the father was a 
native of Ireland, to which country, from 
France, his father, William Bevard, fled dur- 
ing the llevolutiou in the time of the first Na- 
poleon; William Bevard died iu Ireland, leav- 
ing his wife and three sous, who shortly after- 
ward came to America, two of the sous locat- 
ing in Canada, and the third, our subject's 
father, who located in Little York. Pa., where 
he was married, and in 1838 came to Ohio, 
and locating at Dalton, Wayne Co.; here he 
has since resided, and for the most pai't been 
engaged iu agricultural pursuits. In his 
family were five children, four of whom are yet 
living: his wife died iu 1878. Our subject 
lived at home and assisted ujiou the farm until 
about 13 years of age: he then went to Mas- 
sillou, Ohio, to learn the tailor's trade with 
Mr. John Lowe: he remained with Mr. Lowe 
five years, and then went to Canal Fulton, 
where he remained some two years, and then 
came to Navarre: he workeil for a number of 
years for Bowers & Umstead, and at their 
deaths purchased the business, which he has 
since successfully run. He was united in 
marriage with Miss Susanna Gardner, Sept. 
3, 18(i0: this lady was born in Navarre, Ohio, 
July 3, 1<S40: bv this union there are three 
chiidi-eu, viz., Charles L.. Myrtle E. and Ed- 
ward M. Mr. Bevard was raised a Democrat, 
but has uever voted with that pai'ty, and dur- 
ing the late war was a stanch Union man; 
he has a nice, comfortable home, and he and 
wife are among the best and most respected 
citizens of the village in which they live. 

HUGH D. BE OWN, Navarre: was born in 
Franklin Co., Penn , March 25. 1821; he is a 
son of William and Mary (Early) Brown, 
both of whom were uatives of Pennylvania. 
and the parents of four sons and one daugh- 
ter The mother died when Hugh D. was 
about 7 years old, and the following year 



•^ i 



BETHLEHEM TOWNSHIP. 



i)83 



his father was killed; he had been a hotel- 
keeper lip to the time of his wife's death, 
and also had several teams on the road team- 
ing; soon afterhis wife died, he sold his teams, 
for which ho receivetl (|uite a large simi of 
money: he went to live on a farm. and. while 
there sick, was one night taken fi'om his bed 
and curried to a ravine a short distance from 
the house, where he was cruelly nnirdered; 
two of his neighbors were suspicioned. but 
their guilt Wius never proven. After Mr. 
Brown's death. Hugh went to live with a 
cousin, with whom he resided until 19 years 
of age. In 1844, he came to Ohio and took 
charge of cjuite a large tract of land belonging 
to his cousin. Mr. Brown has since jnirchased 
the projierty. and he now has 250 acres of 
well-im])roved laud; there were but few im- 
provt'meuts on the place when it came into his 
possession, and what im]irovements there now 
are were placed there by Mr. Brown. Feb. 
13. 184r), he was united in marriage with Miss 
Sarah Smith, who was born in Pennsylvania 
April IC, 182;^: to their union there were born 
five children — Davison and William, living: 
and Elmira J.. Anjella E. and Siu-ah A., dt- 
ceased. Mrs. Brown departed this life Aug. 
17. 18G(). Mr. Brown's second wife was Cyn- 
thia E. Kline, to whom he was maiTied Oct. 
12. 1868: this lady was born in Tuscarawas 
Co.. Ohio. Nov. 17, 1838: by this marriage 
there were born four children, the ones living 
being Ira E.. Vesta V., Ida P.: and the one 
deceased is James H. Mr. Brown began as 
a poor boy. and he has made what he now has 
by his own exertions. In politics, he is a Re- 
publican. !md, although in a strong Demo- 
cratic township, has Ijeen twice elected Town- 
ship Trustee. He is a member of the Luth- 
eran Church, and one of the leading citizens 
of his townshij). 

KELT3EN S. BUCHTEL was born in the 
township of which he is now a resident Feb. 
S. 1825; his parents were John and Magdalena 
(Sherman) Buchtol. and grandparents. John 
and Catharina (Snyder) Buchtel: his great- 
grandfather. John Buchtel. vvsisanativeof Wur- 
temberg. Germany, and at the age of IS left 
his niitive country and emigrated to the United 
States; ho located in I'enn's Valley, in Center 
Co., Perm., where he lived many years. Our 



subject's grandfather removed from thiit |>iaoe 
to Ohio in 181 1, the father of Keuben S. Ixv 
ing 14 year old at that time; he stojjpetl first 
in Canton, then a small handet of log cabins, 
where he left, his wife and family until he 
could find a tract of land suitable to his fsncy; 
the beautiful valley of the Tuscarawas suit- 
ing, he located on Sec. 12, Range 9, in Beth- 
lehem Township, choosing the east half of the 
section; it at that time was a wildemefs. that 
took all the courage and [lerseverance of the 
pioneer to reclaim it from its wild estate; it 
was not long until the clear ring of Mr. 
Buehtel's ax awoke the echoes, and liis >t»^ady 
perseverance won a home in the wilderness. 
Seven years after his location, death claimed 
him. his widow continuing to survive him 
until 1830. when she. too. died. John, the 
father of Reuben, was one of four children, 
whose names are Henry. John. Julianna and 
Harmon: the daughter is the only one yet 
living. Mr. Buchtel lived and died nu the 
home faiTn. He was manned, in about 1S21, 
to Magdalena Sherman, who bore him six 
children- Catharine. Reuben. Joseph. Sarah, 
Elizabeth and Sanniel: all are living, all are 
married, and all ai"e living in Stark Coinitv'. 
Mr. Buchtel died Jan. 29. 1S()8. and Mre. 
Buchtel April 28, 1878. By trade. Mi-. Buch- 
tel was a cooper, but his chosen occupation 
was fai-ming. In jjolitics. he was Demo- 
cratic, and amember of the Evangelical Church ; 
he was .m honest man. and an honored mem- 
ber of society. Reuben S. Buchtel, as was 
his father Ijefore him, was reared on the home 
farm: receiving but a common-school educa- 
tion in youth, his attention has never left his 
boyhood t(>achings. In 1N48, he miUTied Marj' 
Burns, and to them were born live children — 
Martha J., Frances M.. Miiry E.. Hachel N. 
and Sarah E. Jlrs. Buchtel died March 2. 
1802, of consumption: she was a kind and 
dutiful wife and a loving mother. Mr. Bueh- 
tel's second and present wife av as Sarah Shell- 
enburger. who was born in Bethlehem Town- 
ship March 17. 1S37: their marriage was sol- 
emnized Dec. 21. 1862. Mr. Buchtel started 
in life with but very little meims at his com- 
mand, but, by industry and frugality, ho has 
made a tine farm of 159 acres. Ho is >>. 
Democrat, and a member of the Reformed 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



Cliureh. Mr. Bnchtel is a man of but very 
few words, his actions sjieakiuir louder than 
mere talk; he has assi^ti'd cdrdially in build- 
ing the churches and schools of his neifjhbor- 
hood, and in all laudable enterprises is an 
active assistant. 

HON. THOMAS W. CHAPMAN, Navarre: 
was born in Brooke (now Hancock) Co., Va., 
June IN, 1S14: he is descended from Low 
Dutch, Irish and English on his Grand- 
mother Chapman's side, and of English and 
Scotch on the Chapman side. The family 
settled lirst near Martinsburg, Va., and after- 
ward neai' Fairview, in Western Virginia. 
Our subject's grandp.u-ents were George and 
Elizabeth (Swearengen) Chapman, and his 
parents were William and Elizabeth (Wilcox- 
ton) Chapman. William Chapman was born 
near Martinsburg, on Back Creek, Jan. 23, 
178'J; his wife, om- sTibject's mother, was born 
on Independence Day, July 4, 1785, in Mont- 
gomery Co., Md. ; they were man-ied in 1805, 
but this lady was Mi-. Chapman's second wife, 
his first being Mary Chapman: there were no 
children born to the fLi\st marriage, but to the 
second there were l)orn nine, thi-ee of whom 
are yet living, our subject being the only son. 
The parents came from Virginia to Ohio in 
1845, locating in Bethlehem Tp., Stark Co., 
where they resided until their resj^ective 
deaths. Mr. Chapman was a Democrat, and 
he and wife were of the Old-School Presbyte- 
rians in religion; they were honest and well- 
respected people, and, from the time he first 
commenced dividing his ])ropei-ty among his 
children, he was estimated to have been worth 
$75,000. Mr. Chapman died April 5, 1875, 
aged over 92, and Mrs. Chapman Mai-ch 5, 
1878, aged over 87. The one who forms the 
subject for this sketch received a good com- 
mon-school education; became fi-om Virginia 
to Ohio in 1839, and has remained in the 
State, to a greater t)r less extent, ever since. 
June 30, 1836, he was united in marriage with 
Miss Eebecca Warner, daughter of George 
Warner, Sr., and by her had a family of six 
— Abraham W., William M. (deceased), Clara 
(wife of Oliver Yost, of Perry Township), 
Maria E. (wife of Levi S. Smith, whose biog- 
raphy accompanies this work), Elizabeth E. 
(wife of Prof. O. A. S. Hursh, of Tifiin, Ohio), 



and Eva A. (wife of Rev. J. H. Steele, of Ash- 
land County). Mi's. Chapman was born in 
Franklin Co., Peun., Oct. 3, 1817. After their 
marriage. Mi-, and Mrs. Chapman farmed the old 
Cha})m an homestead in Virginia for three years, 
and then came back to Ohio and disposed of 320 
acres of unimproved land in Ashland County, 
after which he purchased his present fai-m, 
on which he has resided to the jiresent; he 
now owns IHO acres of tine farming and (graz- 
ing land, a portion of which is underlaid with 
a fom--foot vein of excellent limestone; his 
present occupation is farming and stock-rais- 
ing. Ml-. Chajiman was one of the fu-st farm- 
ers of Bethlehem Townshij) w-ho early began 
the importation of blooded stock; his tirst 
shijjment of sheep was made in 1850, when he 
imported twenty-four head of S])anish sheep, 
principally of the Atwood stock, at a cost of 
$1,200; he has also taken considerable pains in 
the breeding of fine horses and cattle, and has 
done more in the building-uii of blooded stock 
than perhaps any man in the townshij). Mr. 
Chapman and his younngest son, who is now 
dead, were quite extensively engaged in sheep- 
raising in Illinois at one time. He and wife 
are members of the Reformed Presbyterian 
Chm-ch. In politics, Mr. Chapman is a stanch 
and leading Democrat of his county and town- 
ship. Besides many other jiositions of honor 
and tnist in the gift of that ])arty which he 
has held, he was selected to represent the 
counties of Stark and Carroll in the State 
Senate in 1858 and 1859, which he did with 
credit to himself and satisfaction to his con- 
stituents. Mr. Chapman is one of the most 
prominent men of Southern Stark Comity. 

GEORGE H. CROSS, Navarre; is a native 
of Lancaster, Penn., his birth occui-ring 
March 12, 1846; he is a son of John and Eliza 
(Hawkins) Cross, both of whom were natives 
of England, but were married after their ar- 
rival in Pennsylvania, and resided there until 
their arrival in Navarre, Ohio, in 1857. Mi-. 
Cross was a chandler by trade — a busi- 
ness he followed both in England and 
America. On the breaking-out of the rebell- 
ion, in 1861. he enlisted in Co. A, 19th O. V. 
I., and participated in a number of leading 
engagements ; at the battle of Stone River he 
received a severe wound, and was carried off 



^ 



^,:^=± 



BETHI-EHEM TOWNSHIP. 



985 



the field to the hospital at Nashville, Tenn., 
where he died Jan. 18, 1<S68. To his mar- 
riaijo with Miss Hawkins there were bom a 
family of seven — George H., Joseph J., Chiir- 
lotte M., Miiry A., William A., Louisa M. and 
Thomas F. The mother is yet livin<(, and re- 
sides in Navarre. George H., oiir subject, 
received a eonnuon-sehool education in youth, 
and, when 18. commenced life's battles on his 
own responsibility; he continued his father's 
business — candle-making — together with 
farming, imtil 17 yeai-s of age; in 1S63, he 
went to Xew York City, where he engaged 
his sen-ices U> Kuh & Silverman, wholesale 
clothing merchants, with whom he remained 
luitil IS"."), and then came to Navarre and en- 
gaged in the dry goods trade, where he has 
since resid(>d. as one of the town's leading 
merchants. His success in business is due 
mainly to his energy and dose attention to 
business; he carries a stock of about S."),()()0. 
;ind, in connection with his trade, carries on 
merchant taik)ring. He is a member of the 
M. E. Church, and is a Republican in politics. 
He was married. A])ril 17. IS7S. to Miss Harah 
Ivlinker, who was Ijorn in Stark Co.. Ohio, 
June 10, 1854. 

ALEX GARVER, druggist, Navan-e: was 
bom in the village of Navarre. Ohio. Feb. 24, 
1S8'.»: he is a son of John W. and Elizabeth 
( "Weisbroad ) G.'m'er, the former being a native 
of Baden, (xermany, and the latti>r of Berne, 
Switzerland. The father was a c;ui)ent*r by 
trade, and, when a young man, went to Swit- 
zerland to fibtain more work, a^id while there 
married our subject's mofher. He resid»>d in 
this beautiful little rc|)ublic until about 1S84, 
when, seeing thousands of his countrymen 
Hocking Westward, he detennined to cross the 
.'Vtlantic with his family, to that new El Do- 
rado that was draining Euroj)e of all its fi-ee- 
dom-loving people; he located in Navanv, 
Ohio, on his arrival in the United States, and 
for a time found employment on the Ohio 
Canal; for many years |)receding his death, 
he worked at his trade, and at one time, while 
building a dam across tlu> Tiiscarawas River, 
was severely injur(Hl by an accident. I're- 
vious to the breaking-out of our great civil 
war, Mr. Garver advocated the Democratic 
cause, but, when he saw Republicans adher- 



ing with fidelity to the Union, his views 
changed, and he became a Rejmblican, and as 
such remained until his death. He was an 
honest, ujiright citizen, and a man highly es- 
teemed bj' alf who knew him: his death oc- 
curred Oct. 28, 18711; his widow still survives 
him, and resides in Navarre. .\les (iarver is 
one in a family of eleven children, nine of 
whom i\ro yet living; when 12 years of age, 
he began working in a hotel in his native vil- 
lage, but, at the end of three years, discon- 
tinued this and entered the emi>loy of Dr. 
Lee))er as clerk in his dnig store: at the eiiil 
of six years, he ptu'chased the stock of his 
employer, and has ever since continued the 
business. Jan. 1, i8()l, he was united in mar- 
riage with Miss Chrissie Stahl, and to their 
union were born three children- Laura G., 
Milton S. and Cora B.: the last named is 
dead. Mi's. Garv(>r was bom in Navarre, 
Ohio, May ".», 1842. In 186(>,Mj-. Garver was 
appointed Postmaster at Navarre, a position 
he has since held, with the exception of a 
short time dm-ing Pn>sident Johnson's admin- 
istration: he has heldvai'ious town and town 
ship offices: is a stanch Republican in politics, 
and a successful business man. 

JOSEPH (iOEPFERT, Naviure. This gen 
tleman was bom in .\lsace, France, iu 1821 : 
he is one of a family of four chihh-en born to 
John and Mary (Hartman) (Toepfert. When 
Joseph was a small lioy. his father died, an<l 
in 183r> the mother, with the family, came to 
the United States. They sto])]ie(l for about a 
year in New York, and then came to Ohio and 
locat<'d in Stark County. The family w<'re in 
limited circumstances, and for some years cn- 
dm-ed numerous privations and hardships. 
The mother died in l.S()2; she was a woman 
of great executive ability, a kind and loving 
mother and a consistent Christian. Joseph, 
during his youth, received but little education: 
as he grew older, he saw the need of an eilu 
cation, and, by applying himself to his studies 
at odd times, ac<|uired (juite a good education. 
When about lit years of age, he began work- 
ing on the Ohio Canal, in the en;])loy of the 
State: he remained in the employ of the State 
some eighteen years, his services lieing highly 
prized; few men have done more honest work 
for the State than Mr. Goepfert, and few 



!»8G 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



bave tlie confidence of the people to a greater 
extent. He was married, in 1S42, to Miss 
Miu-garet Ai-mstrong, wlio was born in Tusca- 
rawas Co., Ohio, June 10, LSIO; five children 
were born to this union — Joseph, Matilda and 
Melissa, living; John and Marv, deceased. 
Mrs. Goepfert died in 18S(I. Mr. Goepfert 
was married to Mrs. Mary Halterman July .">, 
ISSl ; she was born in Tuscarawas Co., Ohio, 
in IS25. Mr. Goepfert began life as a ])oor 
lie. and is. in the fullest sense of the word, 
a self-made man; he owns lOU acres of well- 
imju-oved land; he is a Democrat in politics, 
and has held positions of lK)nor and trust in 
Bethlehem Township. The county would be 
much better oft had it more such men as Mr. 
Goenfert. 

VVILLIAM C. GRANT, Navarre; was born 
in Washington Co., Pemi., Feb. 2;5, 181<S; he 
is one in a family of fourteen born to Joseph 
and Margaret (Crawford) Grant; Joseph 
Grant, his father, was a native of New Jersey, 
frcim which State he removed with his parents 
when about 2 years old: during the spring of 
1833, he came to Stark Co., Ohio, locating in 
Sugar Creek Township, where he began farm- 
ing, and where he resided until his death, on 
the 7th of December. 18(54. aged 70 years; 
his widow died May 0. 1S7U. Mr. Grant was 
a sober, hard-working man. and an exemplary 
citizen; he started in life poor, but showed 
sufticient Imsiness sagacity to leave 4()C) acres 
of laud at his death. Up to Van Buren's ad- 
ministration, he was a Democrat, but fi-(jm 
that time to his death he voted with the Whigs 
and Republicans. He was a man of sound 
jutlgment, with a deep sense of honor and 
uprightness. William C. Grant was reared 
upon a farm, receiving a common-school 
education. At the age of 23, he commenced 
clerking in a store in Navarre, at which he 
continued about a year; he then commenced 
tLie life of a drover, Imying horses, cattle and 
sheep, and then driving them across the 
coimtry to Philadelphia, Harrisburg and Lan- 
caster, where he would dispose of his [iroperty 
at a handsome profit: he continued in this for 
some fifteen years, dm-ing which time he had 
saved a strfficient amount of his earnings to 
invest in real estate at different times, until 
he now has 1,300 acres of land, 465 of which 



are in Stark County, 380 acres in Knos Co., 
Ohio, and the rest near Lansing, Mich. For 
the past twenty years, he has farmed, raised 
stock and dealt in real estate. He was united 
in marriage with Miss Ruth Johnson April Ifi, 
1850, and to them were born six children — 
James J., Edward L., Horace S., Delia, Will- 
iam v., and Mary I., deceased. Mr. Grant is 
a Republican in politics, but has steadily re- 
fused to take an active part, as he wished to 
confine his attention to his farm. He is a pro- 
gressive and enterprising citizen, and one of 
the best farmers and citizens of Bethlehem 
Township. 

ROBERT HUC^, liimber dealer and planing- 
mill, Navarre; was born in Switzerland, 
Canton of Solothm-n, Nov. U, 1840; his 
parents, Jacob and Trace Hug, were both 
natives of Switzerland, and Mr. Hug is 
yet a resident of his native country, employed 
in the capacity of Postmaster. Robert Hug 
is one in a family of eleven children, eight of 
whom are yet living; he attended his native 
schools until 17 years of age, and then com- 
menced learning the carpenter's trade, at 
which he served until he had thoroughly mas- 
tered all the difficult parts of that trade. In 
1868. he emigrated to the United States, and 
since his arrival has steadily continued at hia 
chosen occupation. In 1874, he purchased 
the old foundry at Navarre, and, by placing 
in the latest and best-improved machinery, 
has made it one of the best planing-mills in 
the whole country; he has also had affixed a 
large cider-press, that has a capacity of 150 
gallons per day. Besides the planing-mill. 
Ml'. Hug has established a hunber-yard in 
Navarre, and, with the two comliined, carries 
on quite an extensive business. In 1871, he 
was united in marriage with Catharine Hug, 
who was born in Navari'e, Ohio, April 17, 
1848; their union has been blessed with one 
child. Otto. Mr. Hug is a Democrat in jioli- 
tics,aud is an enterprising, intelligent citizen. 

MRS. ANNA M. KEEHN, Navarre. Among 
the old and respected pioneer women of Stark 
County, none ai'e more worthy of special men- 
ti(m than the subject of this brief sketch. 
She was born in Canton Township, this 
cotinty, Oct. 1 1 , 1807 ; her parents, Jacob 
and Elizabeth (Katifnian) Reed, were natives 



BETHLEHKM TOWNsHIl' 



( if the Keystone State, whore they were raised, 
iiiiirried, and resided until ISOli, when they 
came to this county and located in Canton 
Townsbij), where they remained some yeare, 
and then came to Bethlehem Township, which 
they ever afterward made their home. At the 
day when thes(> stm-dy peijple settled here, 
the coimtry was a dense wilderness, inhabited 
by Indians and all miinnerof wild beasts; the 
log cabin, chinked with mud, with its punch- 
eon floor, ipH^ased- paper windows and mud- 
stick chimney, afforded the best habitation 
for these l)rave adventurers: their fm'uitiU'e 
was of the rudest kind, and their clothing was 
of the coai-sest material — of home-spun flax 
and wool, warm and durable, and at that 
time fashionable. In Mr. and Mrs. Reed's 
family were twelve children, eight of whom 
are yet living, and who are resi>ected members 
of the commmiities in which they live. Mrs. 
Anna M. Keelm lived at home until her mar- 
riage with Mr. Jonathan Keehn, which event 
took place in l.'^8(>. Mr. Keehn was a native 
of Berks Co., Peim., where he was born in 
181)5; in 1810. his father, (Jeorge Keehn, 
came to this county with his family, and lo- 
cated in Bethlehem Township, on the farm 
which Mrs. Keehn now o\\'ns and resides u})ou ; 
it was u{K)n this f;u'm that Jonathan passed 
his youth and early manhood, assisting his 
father; after his marriage, he took charge of 
the farm, ciu-ing for his parents dm-ing their 
old age, and until their respective deaths; he 
was a well-educat(*d man for that day. and 
one of more than ordinary intelligence: he 
favored and liberally contriljuted to all enter- 
prises that had a tendency to build up the 
community in which he lived. i>r lienetit his 
family or fellow-man; he held a uumlier of 
positions of honor and trust, and wa,s highly 
esteemed by his friends and neighbors; he 
was the father of the following family o* chil- 
dren: Susan, Elizabeth, Sarah, (ieorge, Mary. 
Meiinda and Caroline, living; Catharine, 
Magdahina and David, deceased. AL-. Keehn 
departed this life July 14, 18(58; his widow 
survives him, at the advanced age of 74 years; 
she has always been a true wile, loving mother, 
and useful member of society, ever .sharing, 
with patitmce and fortitude, all Mr. Keehn"s 
adversities, and rejoicing with him in his pros- 



perity, to which she, by her kind co-operation 
and interest to the fullest extent contributt^d. 
She, with foiu- of her daughters, resides ujion 
the old homestead, smTounded with the com- 
forts of a well-eanied comjjetency. The 
daughters, like their parents before them, ai'e 
usefid members of .societ}'. having the respect 
of all who know them. 

JOHN KIOEHX, V. S. ; Navane. This gen- 
tleman was born Dec. (i, 1822, in Bethlehem 
Township, this county; he is the son of John 
and Eizabeth (Traul) Ke(>hn, both of whom 
were natives of the K(>ystone State. George 
Keehn, grandfather of oiu- subject, was born 
at Beading, Penn., May 7, 17()6; his wife, 
Susan Shalter, was also bom at Beading, 
Aug. 1"), 17r)7; they came with their family 
to Stark Co., Ohio, in IM15, landing i:: Beth- 
lehem Township on the 2()th of September, 
and settled on Sec. 9 in that township, where 
they passed the remainder of their days. 
John Keehn, Sr., was born near Beading, 
Penn., March 2, 1789; his wife, Elizabeth 
Traul, was also a native of Pennsylvimia, 
where she was Ijoni Fel). 17, 1790; they also 
came to this county in 1815, and settled on 
Sec. IJ in Bethlehem Townshiji; they were 
hard-working, intelligent people, and raised a 
family of live sons and thj-ee daughters. Mrs. 
Keehn died May 8. 1848. and her husband 
Se]>t. 2, 1^58. ()ur subject was raised uiwn 
a farm, receiving but a very limited education, 
for, from a small boy, h(^ was put to hard work, 
a.'.il bis chances for obtaining an education 
were few. He was united in n'airiage to Miss 
Catharine (ierber Aug. I). 1848; this lady was 
born in Canton Township, this county, Oct. 1, 
1827 : their union has been ble.ssed with the fol- 
lowing family of chiklreu, viz. : Aaron, Sai'ah, 
John. Elizabeth, Christina. Levi and Cath- 
arine. Mr. Keehn now o\\nis the okl home farm 
of 1*.H) acres, which he lias nicely improved, 
and which, for most part, he has obtained by 
his own exertions. When ijuite a small boy, 
he began treating horses and cattle for diflfer- 
ent diseiises: he was so uniformly successful 
that he soon had a good practice; he pur- 
chased books, and, by hard study and close 
observation, he has become one of the most 
successful veterinary surgeons in the county; 
his practice extends over this, Holmes and 



thu 



988 



IJIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



Tuscarawas Counties, and his services are so 
frequently sought that he finds it difiicult to 
attend rill cases where his services are re- 
(juired; he is a close student of pathology, 
and usob only new and rational remedies, dis- 
carding all the old fogy notions common to 
the practice. He is a Democrat, and a useful 
and honored citizen. 

WILLIAM C. KLINE, Navarre; was born 
in York Co., Penn.. ,Se])t. IT., 1829; he is a 
son of John and Matilda (Haines) Kline, the 
former being of (lerman and the latter of En- 
glish descent; the father was a blacksmith by 
trade, but kept a hotel for some years in Little 
York, Penn. : he is yet living, his occiipation 
being farming. William H. Kline, our sub- 
ject, is one in a family of eleven children; 
having but few advantages in youth, he re- 
ceived but a common-school education. When 
21 years of age, he began coopering, and for 
twelve years followed that business in his 
native State. In 1864, ho came to Maiietta, 
Ohio, and began prospecting for oil : after fol- 
lowing this for some time, Mr. Kline failed, 
losing his all in the enterprise. In ISOfi, he 
came to Strasbm-g, Tuscarawas Co., where he 
piu-chased a farm and settled down; after a 
time, he was induced to take charge of a brew- 
ery in Parkersbiu-g, W. Va. ; after a few 
months, he disposed of his property and then 
retitrned to his farm at Strasbiu-g, where he 
remained farming until 1868, and, in connec- 
ion with farming, carried on a hotel and saw- 
mill afterward at Dearduff Mills, in Tuscara- 
was County. In 1873, he came to Navarre 
and took charge of the Navarre House, and, 
after three and a half years, sold out and en- 
gaged in coopering, at which he has exten- 
sively engaged ever since: he now has a force 
of about fifteen men employed in his factory, 
and they make from 1.000 to 1,200 barrels 
per week ; the past season, he made over forty 
thousand barrels. He married Rachel L. 
Learning. Feb. 19, 1856, and she was bom in 
Wakefield. Md., Aug. 2, 1834; they have had 
bom to them six children, five of whom are 
now living, viz.: Sarah, Marian, William, 
Charles and George. 

JOHN J. KRICHBAUM. This gentleman 
was born in the township in which he now 
resides July 14, 1830; he is the grandson of 



John Krichbaum, who came fi'om Pennsyl- 
vania with his wife and six sons and two 
daughters, and located on Sec. 13, in this 
township, in 1813. The maternal grandfather 
of our subject was Thomas Traul, who came 
to this county from Pennsylvania in 1814, 
and purchased a piece of land adjoining Mr. 
Krichbaum's: in his family were three sons 
and ionr daughters. Of the fifteen children 
in the paternal and maternal grandparents' 
families, but three are now living. The Krich- 
l)aums and Trauls underwent all the hardships 
and privations incident to pioneer life, and it is 
to such people as these that the people of ta-day 
enjoy the blessings that siu-round them; their 
descendants to-day are among the mi:)st useful 
and honored citizens of the county, fully at 
testing to the morality and wisdom of the or- 
iginal stock. Our suliject's parents, John and 
Hannah (Traul) Krichbaum. were raised amid 
the wild sun'oundiugs of their wilderness 
homes; they were married in Stai'k County, 
and to them were bom a family of six sons 
and one daughter, five of whom are now liv- 
ing. The father died June 28, 1872, and the 
mother April 30, 1874; it can truly be said of 
them that they were among the most intelli- 
gent and progressive people of their day, and 
that the country would be much better off had 
it contained more such people. John J. Ki'ich- 
baiun received a common-school education, 
and remained at home assisting his father 
until he was of age; he then learned the car- 
penter's trade, which, for most jiart, he has 
since followed; he has built, during his life, 
over sixty bank barns, besides niunerous dwell- 
ing houses and other buildings; he is a com- 
plete master of his trade, and his services are 
eagerly sought; ]ierhaps there is not a man in 
the county who has built as many bams as 
Mr. Krichbaum. He was united in man'iage 
with Miss Elizabeth Buchtel Sept. 21, 1854; 
this lady was born in Bethlehem Township, 
this county, in 1832; from this union there is 
one child, viz., Joseph F. Mr. Krichbaimi ia 
a Democrat in politics, though liberal in his 
veiws. He is an honored member of society, 
and a useful citizen. 

JOHN LOEW, merchant, Navarre; was 
born in Hesse- Cassel, Germany, Oct. 11, 1830; 
he is a son of Augustine and Elizabeth (Gnau) 



BETHLEHEM TOWN"SHIP. 



989 



Loew, who were natives of Germfiny and jiar- 
ents of threo children: the father was a farm- 
er in the 1)1(1 country. In 1854. he, tof^jettier 
with his family. emif:;rated to the United Staters. 
locating at Navarre. St^rk Co.. Ohio, where h(> 
died tlie year of his an-ival. The siilijeet who 
forms the head of this notice left his native 
home two years jirevions to his parents" emi- 
gration, and commenced working at the coop- 
er's trade: aft<'r his father's death, in 1854. 
he took the head of the family. He was mar- 
ried, in 1S5(;. to Margaret Rhein. and hy her 
had two children — Philij). living, and -Slary, 
deceased. The mother was l>orn in Stark Co., 
Ohio, in 18158, and died in 185!!. Mr. Loew's 
second and present wife was Catharine Smith. 
to whom he was mairiod in 1867: to this union 
was born one son, William. Mr. Loew fol- 
lowed coopering until 1860. when he engaged 
in mercantile pursuits in Navarre, at which 
he has since been engaged: he is a Demo -rat 
in politics, and a member of the Catholic 
Church: he ha.s held all the township offices, 
and has b(>en Ju-stice of the Peace twelve 
yesirs: he now is a commissioned Notary Pub- 
lic, and is always ready and willing to do any- 
thing in his line of business that he may be 
called u])on to perform. Mi'. Loew is one of 
the best and most enterprising citizens of -Na 
varre: he has lj<^n very liberal in his dona- 
tions to «>ducational. charitable and religious 
enterprises, and he is one of the ]irnci])al con- 
tributors to the new Catholic Chmch: he 
began in life a poor boy. and in every sense 
of the word he is a self-made man. 

IVL^SE FAMILY. Navarre. Michael Maso 
and his wife, Christina Spangler. were both 
natives of the Keystone Stati'. their nativ(> 
county being Lebanon: they were maiTied in 
Pennsylvania and. in 1881, t<j better their cir- 
cumstances, came to Stark Co.. Ohio, locating 
in Sugar Creek Township: they here pur- 
chased 8( I acres of one Jacob Fisher, for which 
they were to ]iay !?7(M): after residing in Su- 
gar Creek Township four years, they sold 
out and removed to Bethlehem Township, 
where they ever afterward resided, ilr. Mase 
was a tailor by trade, at which he wt)rked to 
a considerable extent, as his health was too 
bad for much out-door labor; he was a steady- 
going, honest, straightfonvard gentleman. In 



politics, he strictly adhered to the principles 
advocated by the national Democratic party, 
and in religious matters was a memljer of the 
German Reformed Clnu'ch, having been Elder 
in that organization several years before his 
death: he died Oct. 18, 1858-' his widow still 
survives him. and resides with Samuel Mase. 
There were lx)rn to Michael and Christina 
(Spangler) Mase a family t)f foui' sons— 
Hem-y. bom in Lebanon Co., Penn., Nov. 4, 
]8'21: John, born in same county and Stiite 
Oct 8. 18"J7: Samuel, born in Bethlehem Tp., 
Stai-k Co.. Ohio. Sept. 5, 1885: and Jcmathan, 
who was born Oct. li'. INil. also in Bethle- 
hem Townshi]>. The eldest, Hemy. as were 
his three brothers, were raised on the fann, 
receiving but a common-school edvication: he 
was united in marriage with Siirah A. Kems, 
Jan. 18, 1848: this lady was bora in Stark 
Co.. Ohio. March!. 18'2U: to their union were 
born one son and two daughters -Elmina, 
wife of William Stamm, of Portage Co., Ohio; 
Amos B.. who married Miss Esther Baker, 
and resides cm the home fiU'm: and Christina, 
wife of Levi R. La.sh, of Bethlehem Town- 
ship. Mr. Mase has always followed farming, 
at which he has been <|uite successful: he now 
owns 121 acres of land: he has lilierally given 
to his children, and is one of tlu' ])romi- 
ueut men of his township. John Mase was 
raised to hai'd labor. Feb. TJ, 1850, he 
married Miss Elizabeth Kniigy. daughter 
of .\braham and Susanna (Cease) Knagy, 
of Tuscarawas County: no children have 
been born to them, but, filling the void 
of which nature has deju-ived them, they have 
reared and educated four chikh'en: the tii-st 
was Sarah Kendig. of Naviure. now ilrs. Will- 
iam Deardoorf: the second wiia Rebecca 
Miller, now Mrs. Steward Hickman: the third 
was George Hemy Knagy, who has since died; 
the last is Frank N. Beabout, who yet resides 
with Mr. Mase. This gentleman has made 
fanning his chosen occupation: when he first 
.started, he only had a t^am of horses, with 
the privilege of fanning his father's farm on 
shares: he now owns 155 acres, which he pur- 
chased in 1857, and cm which he h;is resided 
to the ]>resent; he is a Democrat, and he and 
wife are members of the Reformed Church. 
Samuel Mase, the third son, is now living 



ikv 



900 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



on and owns the faiin onwliich he was born; 
his majrriage with Miss Catharine Dinius was 
Bolemuized Dec. 27, 1857 ; this lady was born 
in Bethlehem Township Nov. 2fS, 1837; to 
their union there have been born two children 
— Simon P. and Mary E. Mr. Mase worked 
for his brother John at very low wages when 
he began for himself; he now has 290 
acres of fine laud in southern Bethlehem. 
Jonathan Mase, when 18 years old, was left 
fatherless, and a guardian appointed for him; 
he saved his earnings carefully until he 
reached his majority. He was married, Dec. 

I, 1863, to Miss Martha L. Shell, daughter of 
George and Elizalteth (Leighly) Shell, who 
was born in Bethlehem Township Jidy 8, 
1839; their union has lieen blessed with the 
birth of thi-ee ehildi-en — Robert F., born Sept. 

II. 1867; Irene M., born May 15, 187(1; and 
Samuel O., born Dec. 21, 1873. Jonathan 
sold his interest iu the old homestead, and in 
1866 purchased his present farm, which con- 
sists of 107 acres; he is an enterprising man, 
and one of the leading citizens of his neigh- 
borhood. The [)resent generation of the Mase 
family have not deteriorated from the good 
example set them by their father, the pioneer 
of that name in Stark County. The four 
eons are among the most prominent men in 
Bethlehem Township; like their father before 
them, they are Democratic in their political 
views, the most of them having held posi- 
tions of honor and trust in the gift of that 
party: they have been hard-working men, 
having learned how to work, and how not to 
needlessly spend their earnings in youth; 
they liberally contribute to enterprises that 
have the appearance of a benefit to themselves, 
neighbors, or the community in which they 
reside. In conclusion, we can say that they 
ai'e among the leading citizens of their town- 
shijj, and each family couunands the respect 
of their neighbors and the c(jmmunity in 
which they reside. 

JOHN ■ P. MILLEK, farmer and stock- 
raiser; P. O. Navarre; is a son of Peter and 
Barbara (Farnsler) Miller, who were natives 
of Pennsylvania, and the parents of a large 
family of eleven children. Mr. and Mrs. 
Miller were married in their native State, and 
after there were born to them three childi-en 



they concluded to come West in order to better 
their circumstances; accordingly, in about 
1810, they, together with two other families, 
j)ushed Westward into the wilderness until 
they reached what is now Perry Township, in 
Stark Co., Ohio, where they built a log cabin 
and commenced life as only the pioneers of 
early times know how; they lived here in 
peace with the Indians, clearing and improv- 
ing their place and undergoing the u.sual 
hardships incident to ^Jioneer life until the 
breaking-out of the war of 1812, when the In- 
dians, incited by the British with whisky, 
commenced a general massacre of the whites 
on the borders; at one time, the news came 
in Mr. Miller's neighborhood that the Indians 
were coming, and many of the families, in- 
cluding that of Mr. Miller, gathered together 
what they readily could and commenced a 
rapid flight to the East; arriving in Pennsyl- 
vania in safety, they resided here about a year 
liefore they returned, and, diu'ing that time, 
om- subject's birth occurred; on their retiu-n 
to Ohio, they found everything pretty much 
as it had been left. John P. Miller was born 
Jan. 19, 1813; his early years were passed on 
the home farm, diu'ing which time he received 
but a moderate education. In 1840, he mar- 
ried Maria Kepliuger, and to their marriage 
were born the following family: William, 
Peter, Eliza. Lydia Ann, Mary E., Rebecca 
E., Clarissa C, Elizabeth M., James B., 
John C, and one who died in infancy. 
Throughout life, Mr. Milli'r had been known 
as a hard-working citizen; he started in life 
with but very little means at his command, 
put, by industry and jierseverance, he has ac- 
(juired a gt)od home, embracing 100 acres of 
good land. In politics, he is a Democrat, and 
he and wife are members of the U. B. Chiu-ch. 
The Miller family are among the most favor- 
ably known in Bethlehem Townshij'. 

DAVID MENTZER, Navarre. There is no 
greater pleasure for the hand and pen of the 
historian or biographer to perform than in re- 
cording notable events in the lives of the old 
residents of a locality, tracing their stejis from 
homes of ease and comfort in the East to 
dangers and hardshijas amid the almost un- 
broken forests of the West. The subject of 
this sketch is a native of Washington Tp., 



^ 



BETHLEHEM TOWNSHIP. 



991 



Franklin Co., Penn.. his birth occurring July 
H'l. 1814: he is the only child bom to Josepli 
and Catharini' (Hi>ss) Mentzor; the father 
wa.'^ a native of Pennsylvania, and the mother 
of Maryland: they were married in the latter 
State, but soon after that event took up tlieir 
residence in Franklin Co., Peun. Wluui David 
was S months old. his mother died, and liis 
father took n]> his residence with his motlier. 
David remained with his irrandmother until ti 
years of age. when his father died. In 1.S22, 
he went to Maryland with the purjjose of liv- 
inj; with his mother's j)eoj)le, and. after a resi- 
dence thereof iiboiit two years, Mr. John Lind 
was apjiointed his jruardian, with whom he 
resided until manhood. In 1827, Mi'. Lind 
emigrated to Stark Co., Ohio, locating in Plain 
To\vnship. Young Mentzer was hired o>it to 
the neighbors here, and for several ye;u's he 
worked faithfully for his employers, saving 
his money and getting a few months of school- 
ing: when about IS years old, he passed one 
entire year at school, under j)rivate instniction, 
after which he began to teach dm'ing the 
winters, and in the summer farming, and 
I sometimes teaching. In about 18:57, he had 
I saved a sufficient share of his eumings topur- 
' chase 1(11 acres in Pike Townsliip, which he 
! gr.ulually kept improving until about 1847, 
when he ]>urcliased 142 acres in Bethlehem 
I Townshi]). ])aying for the same ?!8,()()(); after 
I this. Mr. Meutzei- devoted his entire time to 
I fai'ming and stock-raising. He was maiTied, 
, Jan. 20. 1885, to Miss Elizabeth Essig, and 
by her had six children-Caroline, Elizabeth 
I C aiid Jacol) E., living: and Louisa, Augusta 
; and David L.. deceased. .Mrs. Mentzer was 
I born in Plain Townshi)) Feb. 21). 1818. In 
I8f)(t, Mr. Mentzer came to Navarre, and in 
' 18<il engaged in mercantile pursuits; since 
j his iu'i'ival in Navarre, he has also dealt quite 
j largely in grain: the average annual amomit 
of wheat purchaseil by him was alx)ut seventy 
thousand busliels. with oats, corn, etc., in a 
like j>ro|)ortion. Mr. Mentzer began life on 
his own responsil)ility, a poor boy: his j)resent 
wealth indicates in him a business <[ualilica- 
I tion rarely seen in men commencing as he 
I did: he Dwns 8(14 aci-es of land in Bethlehem 
and Perry Townships, and valuable tovm prop- 
1 erty in NavaiTe: he has always liberally con- 



tributed to all public enterprises, and has 
given each of his children a good start in 
life. In politics, he has been a life-long 
Democrat Mi'. Mentzer is regarded as among 
the best citizens Betldehem Township ever 
had. His father was a soldier in the war of 
1812, and l)oth his grandfathers soldiers in 
the Kevohiticinary war; his grandfathei' Hess 
was one of the Hessians employeil by the 
British, but deserted at the first opportunity 
on his iirrival in the United States, and then 
joined the Americans. 

JACOB E. MENTZEli, Navarre. This gen- 
tleman was born in Pike Township, this 
county, Dec. 24, 184(): he is the son of David 
Mentzer, Es(j., whose biogi'aphy appears in 
this work. Jacob E. lived upon a farm until 
about K) years of age, receiving a good com- 
mon-school education: he assisted his father 
in a store in Navarre some years, and then 
for two years, in connection with a brother- 
in law, run the Rochester steam grist-mill; he 
has for some years been engaged in farming, 
stock-raising and grain-buying; fi'om early 
boyhood, he has manifestetl a strong liking 
for the horse, and during his time has owned 
and raised some valuable specimens of this 
noble animal, and it can truly be said that in 
matters pertaining to the horse, his judgment 
IS second to no man's in the coimty; on his 
farm will also be foiuid as well-bred cattle, 
sheep and hogs as the township affords. He 
was miited in miUTiage to Miss Alma Uhle 
May 22, 187U; this lady wa.s born in Stark 
Co., Ohio, Jan. 1, 1859. and is the daughter 
of Dr. Herman I'hhs one of the most success- 
ful practitioners of medicine StiU'k County 
evi>r had. Mr. Mentzer was the lu'st Mayor 
of Navarre, and has iu^ld the office of County 
Coroner. He owns a well-improved farm in 
Bethlehem Township of 151) acres; he is a 
genial companion, a progressive, enterprising 
gentleman, and a respected and useful citizen. 

REV. FRANCIS METTERNICH, NavaiTe; 
is a native of Cologne, (Jermany, his birth oc- 
cui'ring May 18, 1851; he is one in a family 
of sin-en children l)orn to Francis and Odelia 
(Deutsch) Metteruich. who were both natives 
of (lenuany, and where the father was a j)rom- 
inent railroad official. The subject of tliis 
biography attended the parish schools of his 



.[^ 



993 



IJIOGrvAPHTCAL SKETCHES: 



native couutry when a small boy. and later on 
entered college, receiving an excellent educa- 
tion. Through the influeuce of Father Jo- 
seph Stiunpe. a former resident of Gennany 
then on a visit from the United States, yoiuig 
Metternich was induced to retiu'n with him to 
the field of his labors in America in 1809. 
Soon after his airival. oiu- subject commenced 
preparing for the priesthood by attending St. 
Mary's Seminary in Cleveland, and. May 81. 
1874, was ordained a minister of the Catholic 
Church: after his ordination. Father Metter- 
nich assisted in the congregation at Sandusky 
City for a period of eight months, and was 
then assigned the charge of the congi-egation 
at Kelly's Island, and. through his energy and 
devotion to the cause of religion, a church 
was built at Put-in- Bay, together with a large 
increase in the congregation. In 1876, he 
came to Navarre for the jiurpose of reviving 
and building-up the church of that place: 
here he has since remained, and. by his C'hri.s- 
tian zeal and perseverance, has gi-eatly 
strengthened and built u]i the eluu'ch: through 
his instrumentality, in a great measure, a large 
and Unely constracted brick church has been 
built. Though a young man, ln' is a fluent 
speaker and deep reasoner, and is doing much 
for the caiiseof Christianity in the field of his 
labors. 

C^APT. W. A. MILLER. Navan-e: was 
born in Columbiana Co.. Ohio. May 7. l8-t4: 
he is one of fom' chikh'en bom to Joseph and 
Hannah (Scott) Miller, who were also natives 
of Columbiana County, their parents being 
among the early pioneers of that locality. 
Our subject's pai'ents were married in that 
county, and soon after that event, Mr. Miller 
began the study of medicine, but discontinued 
it for a time, that he might enter the employ 
ot the Pittsburgh & Fort Wayne Railway, 
after which he prepared himself more fully 
for the practice of medicine. After complet- 
ing his studies, he located at Dixon. Ind., 
where he had a large and lucrative practice, 
and while there engaged in active work, he 
contracted typhoid fever, of which he died in 
1854. Mrs. Miller returned to her native 
county, after the death of her husband, but 
soon removinl to Mt. Union. Stark Co. Capt. 
Miller's youth and early manhood was passed 



in working on a farm and going to school. 
In 1859, he entered the college at Mt. Union, 
where he remained some two years, and in his 
I'^thyear began teaching. Jime 1. ISfil, he 
enlisted in Company H, 18th O. V. I., and 
was for three years in active service with his 
regiment, in the Army of the Cmnberland; 
in June. 18(54. he retvu-ned home, and was 
commissioned by Gov. Brough, of Ohio, a 2d 
Lieutenant, and as such began recruiting, at 
Alliance. Ohio, for the 189th O. V. I.: he soon 
obtained sufficient men, and after consolidating 
several squads, he was by them chosen Cap- 
tain, and thev were mustered into service as 
Company I. of the 178th O. V. I. Capt. Mil- 
ler and his company were in active service and 
w(<re in all the battles in which their regiment 
was engaged, up to the sun'ender of Johnston's 
army, in North Carolina. Capt. Miller re- 
ceived his discharge June 28. 1865, at Char- 
lotte. N. C. ; he then returned home and re- 
commenced his college coiu'se at Mt. Union, 
and after being there two yeai's. went to Can- 
ton, where he organized the irregular depart- 
ment in the public schools, of which he had 
charge one year: he then accepted a position 
in the high school, where he remained ab<iut 
a year, and at the .-;ajne time studied law un- 
der the direction of George K. Baldwin, of 
Canton. Failing health induced him to re- 
sign his position at that place, as well as to 
relinquish his studies. He then accepted a 
situation as special agent for the Ball Manu- 
facturing Company, with whom he remained 
until 1869. He was united in marriage, Sept. 
11, 1869, to Miss Elizabeth C. Mentzer, who 
was born in Stai-k Co., Ohio, March 19, 1S50. 
After his marriage he located in Navarre, 
where he has since resided, engaged in mer- 
cantile pursuits. Capt. Miller is a Repub- 
lican, and a member of the Masonic fraternity. 
D. B. POCOCK, Navarre: was born in Balti- 
more Co., Md., Sept. 15, 1824: his father was 
Israel Pocock. a native of Maryland, and a 
manufacturer of woolen goods, and his mother 
was Ruth (iorsuch, also a native of Maryland, 
and they wer(> parents of live children, who 
lived to man and womanhood. Oiu' subject 
received a common-school education, and was 
raised, princii)ally, to the same business in 
which his father was engaged. At the age of 



BETHLEHEM TOWNSHIP. 



993 



21, he commencwl fariniiig, and from that 
©nga<^ed in the grocery trade. In 1854, he 
came to Ohio, locatini; in Ottawa, Piitnani Co., 
and aftor some yeju-s removed to ^V()OMt«>^, 
Wayne Co., where he engajjod in the milling 
business; after a time he removed fi'om ^Voos- 
ter to Shreve, and was there engaged in mill- 
ing and hardware business; in IST'J, he came 
to Naviirre, and purchased the Kochester City 
Mills, which he has since successfully operated. 
This mill has a manufactm-iug capacity of 
seventy bwrels per day, and is one of the best 
in the county. Jlr. Pocock can'ies on merchant 
milling chiefly, shipping all his floiu- to East- 
ern markets. The mill is taxed to its utmost 
capacity, and is constantly running, l)oth 
day and night, ilr. Pocock was man-ied to 
Miss Susan Gorsuch, in lS4i),^and by her had 
eight chi liken — Rebecca J., James F., Israel 
B.. Elisha G., Margaret C, living, and Ruth 
E., Charles F. and Elizabeth, deceased. ^Irs. 
Pocock was IxjiTi in Baltimore Co., Md., in 
IMHO. Mr. Pocock started in life a pixir boy, 
and his present prosjjerity is due to his shi-ewd 
business management and honest dealings. 
He is a Democrat in politics, and has held 
various positions of honor and trust in the 
gift of that j)arty. 

B. F. REED, proprietor of the Reed House, 
Navarre; was born in Franklin Co., Penn., 
April 18, 1842; he is the youngest in a family 
of ten children, born to Samuel and Elizabeth 
Knopper) Reed; his father was a blacksmith 
by trade, but fai'uiiug was his chief employ- 
ment; for a number of years In- served iu the 
mines of Pennsylvania, as Master Miner. 
Benjamin F. Reed passed his youth and eai-ly 
manhood on his father's farm, receiving a good 
education; at the age of 17, he entered the 
schooh-oom as teacher, but only continued 
teaching for a short time; in 18()3, he came 
West, to Ohio, and for one year worked at 
tanning, in Wooster ; the succeeding six years, 
he employed his time in agi-icultural pursuits, 
in Wayne County, and in 1S7() came to Piko 
Tp., Stark Co., where he still continued farm- 
ing; in the fall of 1871, he went to Canton, 
and receiving from the post office department 
the position ius mail-can'ier, between Canton 
and AJa-on, ho busied himself in the discharge 
of his duties for some months; iu 1S74, he 



came to Navarro, and took charge of the 
Rochester House. By the time his lease had 
expired the property was sold, and in 1878, 
ill'. Reed purchased the NavaiTo House, 
which has since been known as the Reed 
House. This house, without exception, is one 
of the best, and iis suc-h is rei^eiving a large 
share of the public patronage. There is a 
livery stable in connection with the house, 
and commercial travelers find it convenient to 
go to inland towns, l)y livery, from this point. 
Mr. Reed was married, Jime 16, 1870, to 
Miss Jennie Shertzer, daughter of John and 
Barbara (Stands) Shertzer. This lady was 
bom in Canton Townshij> Aug. 10, 1851; 
their union has been fruitfid of six children 
— Harry T., James, John S., Bessie, Winticld 
S. and Lewis. Mr. Reed is among the lead- 
ing business men of Navarre; he takes an 
active interest in all laudable enterjjrises, and 
he and wife are esteemed citizens of their 
village. 

RIDER FAIVnLY. Jacob Rider, a native 
of Germany, came to America previous to the 
Revolution, and settltd in the colony of Vir- 
ginia: he had a hu-ge family, one of whom, 
Jacob, C!ime to Stark Co., Ohio, in the year 
1814; his father remained and died in the Old 
Dominion, in what was then calletl by the 
early settlers, Shanadore (Shenandoah) Co., 
Va. In order to fully enjoy the delights 
which air and scenery afforded, where springs 
of water flow, he purchased the farm now 
owned by Jacob Bach, in Sugar Creek Town 
slii]), two miles west of Navarre, which, in 
point of elevation, resembles the Blue Ridge 
of Virginia, overlooking the plains toward , 
Ma8silk)n and Caut<in and the beautiful val- ' 
ley of the Tuscarawas, with many other pict- ' 
uresque views far o'er hill and dale, 

'■.Surely as Tabor is nmoiig Ihc mouulaiiis 
And Ciirtm-1 by the seii 
This IJidgi- witli fruits and fountains 
Is a plca.sant place to l)e." 

He was an eccentric individual, fond of the 
ardent, scrupuously honest in his dealings 
with his fellow-men, and when once his confi- 
dence was displaced by any one, that person 
w;is seldom, if ever, again taken into favor by 
him. He gave freely to the jioor, and, like a 
good pioueei', was a sturdy yoeman, cleiu-ing 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



up the wilderness under many disadvantages. 
For instance, he went to Zoar to mill, for flour, 
fourteen miles; hauled wheat to Cleveland 
with a wagon, through Akron, a distance of 
about sixty-five miles; there were no hotels; 
slept in a wagon; exchanged wheat for salt, 
leather, etc. Had a family of ten children: 
their name.s are William, Jacob, Jonathan, 
Levi, Absalom, Daniel, Barbara, Eliza, Mar- 
garet and Mary. Had three wives, nine chil- 
dren with the first, none with the second and 
one with the last. As the wheels of time 
moved on with noiseless tread, he died, aud 
was biu-ied in the f airily gi-aveyard on his f ann. 
Jacob Rider, son of this gentleman, was a 
child when he came to Ohio, and was brought 
up among the wild surromidings, receiving 
such education as the schools of that early 
day afforded. His occupation ^vas saddle and 
harness-maker, which he learned with a Mr. 
William Bales, in McEaton and Canton. For 
50 cents a day, he worked under Sweed & 
Wood, contractors, building the Navarre Lock 
on the Ohio Canal. In 1S35, he was married 
to Miss Eliza Rickard, a daughter of James 
Rickard, in Sugar Creek Township, who came 
to Ohio from Maryland; her gi-andparents came 
from England. The results of this imion was 
four sons and three daughters. Jacob Rider, 
soon after his marriage, was converted to God, 
in the di-y goods store of Ch<a-les Po, now oc- 
cupied by D. Mentzer & Co., and for many 
years, with Father James Gardener, John P. 
Miller, Thomas W. Chapman, Ephraim Kyle. 
John Denius, and others, was an active 
member of the German Reformed Chm-ch at 
this place. About the year bsr)"). he and his 
wife joined the United Brethren Church, 
after a grand revival meeting, which was con- 
ducted by Rev. Abraham Lemasters, who was 
one of God's true nolilemen. July 24, 1859, 
his wife died; she was a good, kind and affec 
tionate Clu'istian woman. The funeral service 
was conducted by the Rev. John R. Shepler, 
of the United Brethren Church, a native of 
Bethlehem Township, now a resident of 
Louisville, this county. Her epitaph in the 
village cemetery reads as follows: 

" But gentle gales of Gospel grace 
Can every evil soon erase, 
Blow off all sins to Bden'.s nod 
And waft the soul at last to God." 



Father Rider kept the family together in the 
old home until the year liSHT. when he, with 
his son, William, and three daughters, Eliza 
beth, Lucy aud Mary, moved to his farm in 
North Eagle, Clinton Co., Mich. In the year 
]iS70, he (jtait keeping house in Michigan, and 
returned to NavaiTe, nuiking his hiime with 
his son. Daniel, in the old homestead, in the 
east end (Bethlehem). He took an active 
part in the services of the United Brethren 
Chiu-ch, aud with Father J. P. Miller. Joseph 
Sififert, Father Corl, Daniel Warstler, Martin 
Biddle, their families, and others, spent many 
pleasant seasons together, he l:>eing class- 
leader up to the time of his death, which dc- 
cuired Feb. 27, 1874, in the old home and in 
the presence of nearly all of his family and 
many Christian friend'^, at the age of tiS years. 
His last words were; "Behold the Tree of 
Life." His funeral sermon was preached by 
Rev. D. M. Slusser, Pastor of the United Breth- 
ren Church. The following inscrii)tion ui)on 
his tombstone expresses the true sentiment of 
Christian regard, and serves to illustrate the 
high esteem in which he was held: 

■■Servant of Christ, well done. 
Hest from thv loved cnipUn . 
The liattle fought, the victorv won. 
Enter thy Master's jny." 

Remarks — Diu-ing the rebellion. Father 
Rider t<-)ok a very strong political stand in 
favor of the Union and the Repulilican party. 
Before the war, he was a strong Democrat, 
and was elected Trustee of his township 
(Bethlehem) for several terms. The action of 
the Charleston Convention, causing a si)lit in 
the Democratic party, thoroughly disgusted 
him, and he, with many friends and neighbors, 
voted for Abraham Lincoln and with the 
Republican piu-ty. He had four sons, tliree 
of whom served their terms of enlistment in 
the army diu-ing the war, and one three years 
in the regulars after the war. Alfred J. 
Rider, oldest son of Jacob Rider, was born in 
Bethlehem, in the hotise where all his brothers 
and sisters first saw the light's early dawn of 
life — on the 27th day of November, 1838, 
and, was married, Dec. 20, 1857, to Miss 
Mar^f A. Wiseman, daughter of Jacob aiul 
Mary Wiseman, who were early settlers from 
Maryland, they having Imilt the first dwelling- 



^ 



UKTHLEHEM TOWNSHIP. 



995 



house in New Rochester, now Navarre; she 
was born in 1S84. The rosnlt.s of this inar- 
riufje i'j'e nine ehihh'eii: their names. William 
Homer (oldest son). Harry F.. Jennie C^. 
Jacob Clement Eilwm-tl S. W., Mary Nettie, 
Alfred Lnke. Ella Isidora (oldest daughter) 
and Emma Lilly. The last two. precious jew- 
els. iU'e in that land of |mre delight, where 
saints immortal reign. The occiijiati m of A. 
J. Rid(>r is haniess-making. which he leiirned 
in his father's shoj), and now pursues in his 
native town. Dm-ing the war, he serv'ed three 
years, in the lOTth O. V. I., Col. S. Myers' reg- 
iment: was mustered out of service July IC. 
INIi."), in the city of Charleston. S. C. with 
his regimcmt Elizabeth, oldest daughter, 
was born Oct. 14. 1S4(): died, unmarried, in 
the State of Michi^ran, 1877. Lucy A. Rider 
was bom March !'.•. 1N4:?; married to Orlando 
Weimer. in Sugar Creek Township; luus one 
child; resides near Wilmot. Daniel W. Rider 
was born Mai'ch !•, 1845; learned the saddle 
and harness trade with his father in his shop; 
he was mamed to Miss Isabella Exline, in 
1S()9; she was born in New Philadelphia, 
Ohio, in 184<S. From this union five children 
were bom; two now living — James L. and 
John R. In ]Sr>7, Daniel W. began business 
for himself, in his native village, where he 
has since remained and is now doing a good 
business, in the old stand where his father 
worked for mau\' \'ears. Served five months 
dming the war. 'in the l()'2d O. X. (}. Will- 
ijmi Rider, third son of Jacob, was bora July 
t\ 184(); learned the harness Inisiness with 
his father in Navarre; served three years in 
the 82(1 O. \. I. After the war. wimt with his 
father to farm in Michigan, wiiere he now 
lives, and ciirries on harness busine.ss for him 
self. Silas A. Rider was born March 'iCi, 
1848; he also learned the harness trade with 
his father, after which he joined the regular 
army; served three years in the 4rith Regi- 
ment, returned home, and was married t(j Miss 
(Catharine Shitt.s, of Sugar Creek Township. 
Marshall. Olivia, Daniel and Elmer, and two 
other children, deceased, are the results of 
this marriage; liis residence is (reauga Co.. 
Ohio. Mary, tlie youngest child, was born 
Jan. '2!J, 1851; went with her father to Miclr 
igan, where she was married t<. a Mr. Oris 



Gridley. July t. 1N74: has on.- child; her 
home is in Kalanio. Mich. 

(iEoKOK \V. SHErLEH. Navarre. Ma- 
thias SlicpliT. g)-iindfather of this gentleman, 
was one of the first settlers oi Bethlehem 
Township, where he owned a large tract of 
land; was an intelligent, enterprising citizen, 
a Democrat of the old school, and represented 
his State in the Twenty-fifth Congress; h(> 
was the piirent of a large family of children, 
one of whom. John R.. is the father of om' 
subject. This son received such education as 
the common schools of that early day afl'ordtxl; 
he miu-ried Miss Elizabeth Younkman. who 
bore him five children. X few yeiu's after the 
death of this lady, he was married to Miss 
Clu'istina Beavei-s, who also bore him five 
children. Mr. Shepler has, for alwut forty 
veal's, lieen a minister of the {Tosi)el in the 
United Bretlu-eii Chincli. He owiis a large 
and well-imjiroved farm in Bethlehem Town 
ship, upon which his son. (leorge W. resides; 
he is engagwl in ministerial lal)ors at prtM?ent, 
at Lo>iisville and Alliance; he is an U])right, 
Cliristian gentleman, respected by all who 
know him. G(>orge W. Shejjler was Ixjrn in 
Harrison Co., Ohio. Nov. HO. 185('). his youth 
being pa.ssed upon his father's fanii. He was 
marrie<l to Miss Susan Way Dec. 'I. 1875. 
This lady was boni in Tuscarawas ('o., Ohio. 
Sept. '.1. 1854. By this luiion there is one 
child, viz.: Minnie A. George W. has had 
charge u( his father's farm for the ))ast seven 
years, and is a successful farmer and stock- 
raiser; he is a young man of ability, respected 
bv all who know him. 

" JOHN SH1:TLER. deceased. This gen- 
tleman was born in Stark Co.. Ohio. Sept. 20, 
18-21 . He was the s<.n of John and Elizabeth 
(BiUTietti Shetler. The father was a native 
of Germany, but came to the I'nited States, 
with his jjarents. when about 1(1 years of age. 
He was niarri(Hl to Miss Barnett in Pennsyl- 
vania, and residrnl there until ISKl. when he 
moved to this county, and settled in Sugar 
Creek Township; here he remaimnl some years, 
and then moved inU> Bethlehem Town.ship, 
which he ever after made his home; he was 
always engaged in agricultural i)Ui-suits, at 
which he w;is very successful. In his family 
were seven children, all of whom reached man 



^^r^ 



99G 



BIOGKAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



and womanliood. " Uncle Johnny," as he was 
familiarly called, was kno^vn to all the early 
settlers as a man of great goodness of heart 
and sterling integrity; he was ever ready to 
help the poor and needy and contributed lib- 
erally to all educational and religious enter- 
prises; he died in 1874. John Shetler, son 
of this worthy gentleman, was raised upon his 
father's farm, receiving his education in the 
log schoolhouses of ihat early day. He was 
maiTied, to Miss Siirah Birchtield, June 20, 
1S45. This lady is the daugliter of John and 
Mai-y Birchfield. who were among the early 
settlers of Tuscarawas Co., Ohio, and whose 
birth occurred in that county June 26, 1825. 
Soon after their marriage, thej- took up their 
residence in this county. They had but little 
to commence life with, but by hard work Lhey 
acquired a goodly share of this world's goods, 
and at the time of his death, which occvirred 
May y, 1876, he was one of the wealthiest men 
in Bethlehem Township; he never aspired to 
political prominence, although decided in his 
views, which he never failed to express at the 
ballot-box; he was an intelligent, Christian 
gentleman, favoring everything knowTi to be 
right, and j'l'omiitly rejecting everythiag 
known to be wrong. In his family were thir- 
teen children, eight of whom are yet living, 
viz. : Emmanias. Jacob, David, Eli, Elizabeth, 
Naomi, Saloma and Emma. Those deceased 
were named Mary, Sarah E., Solomon, Isaiah 
and Charley. Since her husband's death, 
Mrs. Shetler has resided upon the old home- 
stead, which she has entire control of during 
her life-time. She is a lady of more than 
ordinary intelligence, and has social and 
moral qiialilies of a high order. The family 
is one of the most intelligent in the township, 
and have the respect of a large circle of 
friends and acquaintances. 

ANTHONY SISTERHEN, merchant, Na- 
van-e; was born May 5, 1838, in Mueuster- 
mayfeld, Province of Rhine, Prussia; he is a 
son of Francis and Magdalena (Wennen) Sis- 
terhen, a brief sketch of whom will be found 
in his brother Mathias' biography. Anthony 
was educated partly in Prussia, and partly in 
the United States. He learned shoe-making 
with his uncle, Peter, in Navarre, and after 
serving an apprenticeshi]3 of two years, went 



to Cleveland, and from there to Colrunbus, 
working at his trade in both places. In 1859, 
he went to New Orleans, where he remained 
about a year, and then removed to St. Louis, 
where he remained until the spring of 1861. 
and then worked in Sj)riugli('ld and Bloom- 
ington. 111., foi' a few months. The summer 
of 1801 found him in Chicago, working at his 
trade. Here he enlisted under the first call 
of President Lincoln for troops, l)ut after 
sj)ending some time at Camp Yates, at Sjwing- 
field, they were sent back to Chicago and were 
never mustered into service. He remained in 
Chicago until the summer of 1862, when he 
removed to Bolivar, Tuscarawas Co., and at 
the end of about a year located in Navarre, 
where he has since resided. He here opened 
a store and at the jiresent writing has one of 
the best business rooms of any house in the 
village, and a lucrative and increasing trade in 
the boot and shoe business. In 1868, he was 
married to Miss Sophia Zehriuger, who was 
born in Baden, Germany, in 1848. To their 
union were Ixu-n five children — Gustave A., 
Charles Vi ., Clara M., Lam-a R. and Annie M. 
Mr. Sisterhen has held the office of Township 
Trustee six years. He is a Democrat in jjoli- 
tics, and a member of the Catholic Church; 
he started out in life with nothing, but by 
industry and close application to business, has 
acquired a tu-st-class business with vahialile 
town propertv. 

MATHIAS SISTERHEN, Navarre; was 
born in the town of Muenstermayfeld, Prov- 
ince of Rhine, Prussia, Oct. 4, 1848; he is a 
son of Francis and Magdalena ("Wennen) Sis- 
terhen, who were natives of Prvissia, and par- 
ents of five children, three of whom died be- 
fore the family came to the United States. 
Mr. Sisterhen was a shoe-maker by trade, a 
business he pursued both in this and the old 
country. In 1854, he left his native country, 
with his family, and came to the United 
States, locating in Navarre, Ohio, where Mr. 
Sisterhen worked at his trade until his death, 
which occiu-red March 8, 1877; his wife died 
Feb. 22, 1873. They were hai-d- working, 
sober and intelligent people, and were regard 
ed with esteem by all who knew them. 
Mathias Sisterhen received a good common- 
school education, and when 17 years old be- 



BETHLEHEM TOWNSHIP. 



'.^ 



fifan working at shoe-makincf, a biisinoss ho 
has followed, to a greater or loss extent, ever 
since. In connection with hia trade, Mr. Sis- 
terhen has roj>resentod various insurance com- 
panies. At the present, ho is specially iden- 
tified with the Home Insurance Company of 
Colninbtis, and the Sjiriagtield Fire and 
Mjirino Insurance ('om])uny of Massachusetts. 
He also represents other tirst-class life and tire 
companies. He is a Democrat in politics, 
and a member of St. Clemont's Clnu'ch of 
Navarr<>. and is President of the Aid Society 
of tht> same church of which he is a member; 
he was elected Councilman of the village of 
NaviUTe, u]X)n its incorjwratiou, which he 
held until 1S70, when he was elected Mayor, 
and has retaint^d that oflice to the j)resent; he 
has also held the office of Justice of tlie Peace, 
and in all his ]iublic offices he has discharged 
the duties devolving uj)on him to the entire 
satisfaction of his constituents. He was 
united in marriage with Miss Catharine Zei- 
met, June 2('), 18(50, and their union has been 
blessed with live ehikb'on — John F., Charles 
E. and Florence T. living, and Frederick W. 
and George A. deceased. Mi's. Sisterhen was 
born in Belgium. Province of Luxemburg. 
Jan. 10, 1S4:!. 

LEVI S. SMITH, Navarre. Among the 
honored pioneers of Stark Co., Ohio, \\ho as- 
sisted in felling th(> forests and prei)aringfor 
the generation to follow, the inestimable 
blessings they now enjoy, none is more worthy 
of es])ecial mention than Daniel and Catha- 
rine (Miller) Smith, parents of the subject of 
this sketch. Mr. Smith was a native of 
Franklin Co., Ponn., his birth occurring Nov. 
i), 1 800. By trade, he was a butcher and car- 
pet-weaver, but his chief employment through 
life was farming. In about 1S27, he emi- 
grated to Tuscarawas Tp., Stark Co., Ohio, 
and the year following his arrival, married 
her who afterward became his partner in the 
joys and sorrows, privations and self-sjicrilice 
that followed for many years. To th(>ir inar- 
riage there were born Harriet, Jacob, Levi, 
Lydia, John, Mary Ann and l'e((T. Mrs. 
Miller was lx)rn Aug. 13, 1810, and is yet liv- 
ing in Stark Co., Ohio. Mr. Miller was a 
poor boy when ho came to the county; he was 
a trwod scholar in both the English and Ger- 



man languages, and a man well calculated to 
become one of the leaders in an enterprise of 
any kind. Ho was a Democrat in jMilitics, a 
member of the German Reformed Church, 
and a sober, honest and U])right citizen; his 
life wiis a pure and upright one, and but few 
men at the time of their deaths left as many 
friends and as few enemies. His death oc- 
curred April 11, 1S75. Levi S. Smith was 
l)orn in Tuscarawas Township, Aug. 2S, 1840; 
he has resided on thi> fann from youth to 
manhood, going to schools in winters and as- 
sisting at home in th(> summers. At the age 
of 14, he began applying his mind to his stud- 
ies, more especially witli the view of entering 
the school-room as teacher. This advance- 
ment he acquired by the determination to 
succeed, together with the encomagoment of 
his [JiU'ont-s and teacher. When 21. he tii'st 
l)egan teaching, imd since tluni has taught a 
number of terms, in all cases giving excellent 
satisfaction. He was married, to Miss Mary 
E. Chai)man, Oct. 27, 1808, and by her has 
two children Marion Chajiman, born Nov. 8, 
1870. and Edith Charlotte, Isorn Aug. 4, 187."). 
Mrs. Smith was Ijorn in Bethlehem Town- 
ship, Aug. 0, 1845. Mr. Smith owns a farm 
of 70 acres of well-improved land, which is 
piU'tly underlaid by a foiu'-ffwt vein of the 
best Massillon cpal, at which they ai'e now 
engaged in working. In politics he is Dem- 
ocratic, and he is an intelligent and well- 
jwsted citizen. 

JOSEPH SNR^LY. This gentleman was 
born in Perry Township, this county, Jan. 18, 
1828; he is th(! son of Josei)h and Catharine 
(Sherman) Snively. Thi' father was a native 
of Franklin Co., Penn., and the mother of 
Switzerland; she came when a child to this 
country, with lur ])arents, who settled in the 
Keystone State, where she was raiseil, and 
miu'ried to Mr. Snively. In 1812, they came 
to Stark Co., Ohio, and settled in Perry Tovra- 
ship, u]X)n the farm now owned by John 
Snively, Esq., in that township. Ton chil- 
dren were born to them, nine of whom reached 
their majority. John Sherman, father to Mrs. 
Snively, bad come to this county the year 
before "Mr. Snively, and in the year 1812 sold 
his improvements to Mi-. Snively, and then 
purchased a place in Bethlehem TowTishij), 



s \. 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



where he ever afterwai'd resided. Mr. Snively 
always followed fanning, a business ho was 
very successful at; he and wife were progress- 
ive, industrious people, and enjoyed the esteem 
of all who knew them; they- underwent all 
the hardshijis and privations incident to pio- 
neer life, and materially aided in the develop- 
ment of the county, morally, intellectually 
and otherwise. Mr. Snively died in 1839, 
and his widow in 1864. Our subject received 
a common-school education, and when 15 years 
of age began working at the shoe-maker's 
trade; when 19, he went to Pennsylvania, 
where he remained some three years, work- 
ing at his trade; he then retiu-ned to this 
county, and on the 1st of March, 1851, was 
united in man-iage with Miss Anna Gerber. 
This lady was born in Canton TowTishij), this 
county. May 18, 1S3(). The fniits of this 
union were six children, five of whom are yet 
living, viz., Susanna, Jacob H., Abraham, Har- 
riet and William F. Mrs. Snively departed 
this life March '12. 1879; she had been a 
faithful wife, loving mother, and with pa- 
tience and fortitude shai-ed her husband's ad- 
versities, and rejoiced with him in his pros- 
perity, to which she, by her kind co-operation 
and interest, to the fullest extent, C(mtrilnited. 
On the I'ith of December, 1880, Mr. Snively 
was maiTied to Miss Priscilla Snyder, a 
native of Bethlehem Township. Mr. Snively 
began life as a poor boy, and has made what 
he now has by hard labor, combined with 
honesty and close attention to business; he is 
a Democrat jiolitically, but liberal in his 
views, voting for men and measures, and not 
for party; he owns 300 acres of well-improved 
land; he is one of the most successful and 
practical farmers in the county; the country 
would be much better off had it more such 
ci-en as him. 

DAVID WHITMIRE, Navarre. This gen- 
tleman was born in Franklin Co., Penn., Oct. 
3, 1818; he is the son of Abraham and Mary 
(Wolfkill) Whitmire, both of whom were 
natives of Maryland, where they were raised 
and married. Soon after this they took up 
their residences in Pemisylvania, remaining 
there until 1834, when they came to this 
county ; they were the parents of ten children, 
three of whom are yet living; the jiarents 



were intelligent and highly respected people; 
they endured all the privations and hardshij)s 
incident to pioneer life and aided greatly in 
bettering their neighborhood, morally, intel- 
lectually and otherwise; they were true repre- 
sentatives of that class of ]noneers who better 
a coimtry ixad help to open the way for 
churches, sch(.)ols, etc., etc. The mother de- 
parted this life in 1849, and the father in 
1863. David Whitmire was brought up on a 
farm; he received a good common-school eilu- 
cation, and during his early manhood taught 
three terms of school. Whon he reached his 
majority, he took charge of the home place, 
and from that time cared for his j)arents until 
their deaths. He was united in marriage, 
to Miss Fjlizabeth Reed, in 1838; she was bom 
in Pike Township, this county, June (5, 1819. 
The fniits of this union were eleven children, 
six of whom cU'e now living, viz., Helena, 
Mary, Catharine, Elizabeth, Abraham and 
John; those deceased were Nancy, Mary M., 
David A., and two that died in infancy. Mr. 
Whitmire has always remained upon the old 
homestead, which he farms and has improved 
in a very creditable manner. He is a Demo- 
crat in jjolitics, and by that party has been 
called u]ion to fill positions of honor and tnist 
in the township; he is an intelligent, pro 
gressive gentleman, respected by all who know 
him. 

DANIEL J. YOUNKMAN, Navarre; was 
born in Pike Tp., Stark Co., Ohio, June 7, 
1813; he is a son of Jacob Younkman, who 
was born bom in Germany in 1791, and 
grandson of Daniel and Cathai'ine Y'ounkman, 
who were also natives of Germany, and who 
came to the United States in 1797, locating in 
Pennsylvania. Our subject's parents were in 
very good circumstances in Germany, but to 
avoid the war the^, left everything they had, 
which was afterward confiscated, and fleeing 
to the seashore, embarked for America, 
agreeing to give six years' service for their 
passage across the ocean. After arriving in 
Baltimore they were sold to a man by the 
name of Range, for the six years, and after 
serving faithfully the specified time, they re- 
sided in Pennsylvania until 1810, when, to 
better their cu'ciunstances, they came West ti > 
Ohio, settling in the wilderness of Perry Tj).. 



J^ 



WASHINGTON TOWNSH 1 1' 



tiOli 



Stcirk Co. ; they remained here some two years, 
and then removed to Pike TowTishiji, where 
Jacob, onr subject's father married 'Mary Shell 
in 1812. In 1815, the two families sold out 
and removed to our subject's f:uii). where they 
erected a log cabin and began pioneer life in 
earnest. On their arrival in the county, it 
was all woods, at c(insiderable int<'i"vals being 
little log cabins, in the midst of small clear- 
ings, that the more courageous jiioneers had 
formed. Life here was an incessant wwfare 
with bears, wolves and other wild beasts. 
Wh(>n at labor in the fields the settlers were 
deemed unsafe unless the trusty flint-lock was 
handy, and at night stock had to be housed 
in order t(j keej) them from the ravages of 
wild beasts. Through such scenes our subject 
wa> raised, the greater jiortion of his time 
being j)a.=sed in hard labor on the farm. At 
that i>arly day, when distilleries were to be 
found at almcjst every cross-path, his father 
was often employed by these, while the rest 
were at home cleai'iug t'le land. The family 
of Younkmans was known throughotit the whole 
country as courageous and hardy people. 
Daniel Younkman. Sr.. died in 1888, and his 



widow in 1847; Jacob died April 8, 1870, and 
his widow Dec. '2.. 1S74: the last two were 
parents of five children — Daniel J., Elizalieth, 
Tarissa, I'olly and Katy: the last named is 
dead: the balance are all living in Stark 
Coimty. From the time our subjt^t was 2 
yeiirs old to the jiresent, he has always lived 
on the old farm in Bethlehem Township, mak- 
ing a ]>eriod of Ki.\ty-six years. Ho was mar- 
ried, to Nancy Leighly. Dec. 'i'>. 1S84, and to 
their union were Ijorn eight children— .Vu- 
thony, Alary Ann, Susanna, Samuel (deceased), 
Jeremiah, Sarah, Timothy and Cynthia (de- 
ceased). Samuel died at Murfreesboro, Tenn., 
while serving his country in the rebellion. 
Anthony was also in the army, a commissioned 
oflicer. In connecticm with fiu-ming, for the 
past thirty years, Mi-. Younkman has followed 
the occupation of auctioneer, and, although 
on the shady side of life, he still has nmch 
more to do in this du'ection than he wishes; 
in politics he is a Democrat; he owns 200 
acres of well-improved land, and he and 
wife !ire members of the United Brethren 
Church. 



WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP. 



ROBEKT ANDERSON, fanner; 1'. O. 
Honieworth. Columbiana Co. The Anderson 
family are of Scotch descent for many genera- 
tions, (md the occupation in the old countr)- 
of the family was that of she])herds. Robert 
was bom at Dinnfries, Scotland. Sept- 29. 
1824; his father. James Anderson, was born 
June 0, 1788: he man'ied Grace Potts, and 
they had three children. In June, 1838. they 
left Scotland with their family and emigrated 
to America, the voyage oecuji^ng some two 
months: after reaching this country they sailed 
up the St. Lawrence River, across Ljike On- 
t<u"io, around Niagara Falls to Buffalo: then 
across Lake Erie to Clev(>land. down the Ohio 
Canal to Mnssillon. then over the roads to 
Canton, and finally through Washington 
Townshij) by the Thomas road. For three 
months, thev lived in Columbiana County, iind 



in November. 1888, settled in Wiishington 
Township. James left his native land with 
enough money to buy a farm, and jiurchasetl 
100 acres from Thomas Lacey. jiaying i?fi(MI 
for the tract, (The usual i)rice of a ijuartei-- 
s(K;ti(m of good land in those days was $801), 
or !?& per acre. ) Tlieir nearest neighlwre, in 
1888. were Michael Beltz and Henry Shaffer: 
the township was very thinly settled, the 
greater portion of the land being covered with a 
heavy growth of timber. James was Tr(>as 
urer of AVashington Townshi]) for twelve suc- 
cessive terms, and was connecto-d with the 
Presbyterian Church of Homeworth; he die<l 
Ajiril 1. 1871, aged nearly N8, his wife, many 
years |)revious. on March 4. 1852. aged 'U 
years: they were the pjirents of three chil 
dren William, now a resident of Columbiana 
County, neiir Homeworth; Barbara, who diet! 






1000 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



in 1877 : and Robert, the youngest, subject of 
this sketch. He was raised on his father's 
farm: thd' first schocil he attended was in No- 
vember. ].S89. taught by John Mofi'att: it was 
held in the Diehl Sclioolhouse. and the first 
hekl in that district. Robert was married, 
May 1. iSa'i. to Miss Mary Hartzell. daughter 
of Jacob Hartzell. who lives north of Free- 
burg at the present time: they are the parents 
of four children, viz.. William F.. Jane C, 
Flora M. and T. Oluilmei's. Mr. Anderson 
still occupies the farm his father piu'chased 
nearly fifty years ago: he is connected with 
the Pr(>sbyterian Chiu'ch at Homeworth. and 
is in politics a Democrat. 

JOHN FRAZEE BUCK, Superintendent of 
Fairmount Children's Home: born in Coits- 
ville. Mahoning Co.. Ohio, Aug. 17, 1831; his 
grandfather. William Buck, was a native of 
Ireland, and emigi-ated to this country near 
the beginning of the present centi;ry, being 
at that time aboiit 1 8 years of age. and settled 
in Pennsylvania: he afterward Ijecame an 
early pioneer to Poland. Mahoning Co.. Ohio: 
at the time of his death, he was within fifteen 
days of being 100 years old. The pai'ents of 
our subject were John Buck and Phoebe Fra- 
zee: his father was an early-day Abolitionist, 
and one of only two men in his township who 
voted for James G. Birney for President, and 
Dr. Francis Julius Le Moyne for Vice Presi- 
dent; he was also one of the organizers of the 
Free Presbyterian Chm'ch in the eai'ly part of 
the ])resent centiu-w After receiving an edu- 
cation at Poland Academy, in his native 
county, he engaged in teaching school several 
years, most of the time in Bom-bon Co., Ky. 
On Sept. 2, 185N. he married Ada L.. daugh- 
ter of James Davis, then of Berlin Center, 
Mahoning Co., but now a business man of 
Salem, Ohio: the results of this union have 
been one son, now deceased, and a daughter, 
Lillie A. Buck. He then removed to Salem, 
Ohio, and studied dentistry under Dr. J. C. 
WhiuneiT, after which he settled in North 
Fairfield, Hm-on Co., Ohio, and began the 
practice of his profession. Upon the break- 
ing-out of the late war. oui' subject, in the 
fall of 1861, enlisted as a memberof the band 
connected with the 65th O. V. I. ; his oldest 
brother, William P. Buck, served in a I\tinne- 



sota regiment in our late civil war, and died 
on his way home, at Ft. Snelling. After leav- 
ing the army. Dr. Buck located in Franklin 
Co., Mo., on a f:irm, but, the climate not agree- 
ing with the health of his family, in about 
two years he returned to Ohio, and, after re- 
maining in Salem for a year or two, engaged 
in business for his father in-law; he was 
called to act as Assistant in the Ohio Reform 
School, at Lancaster', in the fall of 1869, 
where he remained seven years, dvu-ing the 
last three of which he was Principal of the 
schools. In the fall of 1876, he was appointed 
to his present position as Superintendent of 
the Fairmount Chikh'en's Home, near Mt. 
Union, Ohio, then a new interest; to this re- 
sponsible position Dr. Bu(^k and his wife 
brought a large and ripe experience, and 
through their management this institution has 
become an insti'ument of gi'eat good; in all 
that constitutes an efficient management, it is 
doubtful if that which they have organized 
is excelled in the State. 

AMOS BROSIUS, fanner; P. O. Mt. 
Union; born in Chester Co., Penn., Feb. 3, 
1814, the son of Heni-y and Mary (Roberts) 
Brosius; Henry died when Amos was about 
3 years of age. and. when about 'i'2, the sub- 
ject of this sketch removed to- Colmnbiana 
County, and, in about three years, he was 
married, on Oct. 10, 1839, to Esther C. Mor- 
ton, daughter of Israel and Hannah (Conn) 
Morton; shortly afterward, they renoved to 
Wayne Co., Ind,. residing there some twelve 
months; they then retm-ued to Colmnbiana 
County, continuing there about six years, 
until finally they settled in Washington Town- 
ship, pm'chasing some 60 acres of land from 
William Hoppis and other parties: he lived 
upon this farm for some twenty-tlu-ee yeai-s, 
then removed to his present proj)erty, buying 
18 acres from Enos Hillis and erecting his 
brick residence: he has resided here for some 
eleven years, during which period he has been 
engaged in the small-fi'uit business to some 
extent. Mr. Brosius has for two years cast the 
only ballot in Washington Township for the 
Prohibition ticket: he is a member of the In- 
dependent Chm'ch of Alliance; his wife is a 
member of the Friends; they are the parents 
of six childi'en; tlu'ee of these ai'e living — 



f 



^f 



WA8II IXGTON TOWN-SH IP. 



Adeline is now Mrs. JeHse Teeters, of Lexing- 
ton TowTiship; Hannah has been a teacher in 
the Mt. Union Schools for four years: and 
Alic<! is a teacher at Fainuonnt Home. 

JOHN CAIKNS. retired farmer; P. O. Max- 
ima ; b orn in Dumfries. Scothuid. Feb. 5, 
1818. son of Andrew and Margaret (Pagan) 
Cairns; Andrew was the son of John, a she()- 
herd in Scotland, which occupation wa.s th(i 
calling followed by the Cairns family for 
many goni'rations. Andrew came to America 
with ci^^dit children in August, 1S88. and set- 
tled in NVashington Township, u])on land ])ur- 
chased in 1882 by his son John, who came out 
to Amt-rica during that year, in company with 
his sist<'r Elizabeth, and purchased Tli acres 
from Joseph Towns; he has been living on 
this tract ever 8inc(>. John has served as 
Trusti'e of Washington Town-shiji one term, 
as Ti-easurer for two, and as (.'lerk for tlu-ee; 
he su])ported his father and mother until they 
died, and all their chihbvn foun<l a home at 
his house until they were married; he is a 
member of the Presbyterian t'hm'ch of Alli- 
ance, and has ahvays voted the Democratic 
ticket; his father, Andivw, died in April, 
185-t, aged 68: his mother, in ISrVS. age.l 88: 
they were th<> parents of ten cliildi-eu, viz., 
Elizabi'th,' came to America with lier brother 
in lS8'i; she was an early school-teacher of 
Washington Townshiji; was afterwjird mar- 
ried to William Porter, and died in 1859; 
John, their second child, is the sul) ject of this 
sketch; Margaret, now Mrs. John Shaffer, of 
Washington Towrishiii: Miuy. now Mrs. Jo 
seph Bogan, of Crawford Co., Ohio; Chris- 
tina and William died of cholera in 1884, 
shortly after coming to Ohio; Agnes, now 
Mrs. Gideon Scott, of Co!umV)iana County; 
Janet, now Mrs. J(jlin Orimm, of Williams 
Co., Ohio: Allison, of Williams (bounty: Jane, 
the youngest daughter, has always resided 
on her brother's farm since she came to America 
in 1888: she was born Dec. 7, 1881, and miir- 
ried. .\pril 17, 18.')r>, to David Fox. who was 
born Dec. 27, 1827; David was the son of 
John anil N'ancy (Bender) Fox, who removed 
to Washington Township from CohimV>iana 
Coimty in the spring of 1841, and settled on 
the farm now owned by Andrew Shaffer, one 
mile east of Freebnrg: John had bi>en a black 



smith in Columbiana County; he was a mem- 
ber of the Lutheran Church; lie died Sept. 
St, 18()7; his wife. Oct. 18, i87<>: (hey were 
the jjarents of eleven childi'en David, of 
Wa.-ijiington; Catharine, now Mi-s. Samuel 
Myers, of Washington; Jacoli, of Caldwell 
Co., Mo.; IjUciuda married R(>uben Lozier, 
and Sai'ah married (xeorge Lozier, both of 
Washington: F.li, of Caldwell Co., Mo.: 
Samuel, of (Jham])aign Co., 111. ; Huldah died 
aged about 21; Nancy, now Mi-s. .\ndrew 
Shaffer, of Wa.shington; Mary, now Mrs. 
HemT .\ldinger, of Washington; Lizzie, now 
Mrs. Christian Seniften, of Paris Township. 
David Fox resided with liis father until he 
grew to maturity; he learned the carpenter's 
trade in early life, which occupation he fol 
lowed until s(jmi' twelve yeai-s since, when he 
took charge of the Cairns farm; he .s engiiged 
in raising stock, and all the cattle of his farm 
are Jei-seys: he is the father of three children 
- Maggie. Ann and Nancy Jane; Miss Maggie 
is a gi'aduate of Mt Fnion. in the class of 
187"); slie has been a school-teacher for eight 
years: Ann has also been a student at Mt. 
I^nion. 

JACOB (jROSSMAN. farnu-r and school- 
teacher: P. {). Paris; born in Carroll County 
June U, 1844; son of Christian and Elizabeth 
(Waldhart) Grossman, who were bom iu the 
Canton of Benie, iu Switzerland; they emi- 
grated to .\merica in 1884 and settle<l in Car- 
roll County, where Clu-istian died in Feb- 
ruary. 18()4: his wife died iu April. 1877; 
they were the parents of ten children: live are 
dead; tin' balance are now residents of Stark 
County, viz.: Lucinda, now Mrs. Nicholits 
Ziutsmaster, of Navarre; Jlargaret now Mi-s. 
Daniel Black, near ()snab\u-g; Klizal)eth, now 
Mrs. Jacob Snyder, of Osnaliurg: Catharine, 
now Mrs. <'hri>,tian Schw eisberger. of Nimis- 
hillen Township; and Jacob Grossman, sub 
ject of this sketch, who was for twenty eight 
years a lesidentof CaiTr)ll County; hereceivt><l 
a common-s<-hool education, and at the age of 
17 commenced to (each .school, anil he has 
taught every winter since (hat time, or for 
twenty winter tenns. During the civil war. 
he was a member of the Ohio National Gimrds. 
anil as such was callwl into active sei"vice for 
I2(^ days, sen'ing in the 157(11 Begiment, und.-r 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



k. 



Col. McCook. lu 1(^64, he purchased 80 acres 
iu Carroll County, and farmed this until he 
removed to Washincrton Township, where he 
now owns a fine farm of 77 acres. He was 
married, Oct. 3, ]80r>, to Miss Elizabeth Foltz, 
dauojhter of Valentine Foltz: by her he is the 
father of five chikh-eu, viz.. Flora Alice, John 
Edward, Martha Elizabeth, Emma Melinda 
and Ida Cordelia. Politically, he is a Repub- 
liciu, and has served as Trustee iu Brown Tp., 
Carroll Co.; he is now Secretary of the Wash- 
ington and Paris Township Insurance Com- 
j)any, and was instrumental in securing the 
incorporation of this association; he is a mem- 
ber of the Reformed Church, ;md connected 
with the eongi-egation at Paris, of which society 
he is Secretary; has been a Sunday-school 
worker ever since he was K), and has occupied 
the position c>f Superintendent of the Paris 
Sunday School ever since he removed to Wash- 
ington Township. 

JACOB HERBSTER, farmer; P. O. Max- 
imo; born in Frederick Co., Md., some three 
miles from Westminster, May '29, 1796; his 
father, Frederick, was born in Baden Baden, 
Germany, and emigrated to America when a 
young man; he was drafted during the whisky 
rebellion of President Washington's adminis- 
tration; was married to Mary Sharlows, and, 
in April, 1814. removed with his wife and 
family to Stark County and settled in Wash- 
ington Township. Frederick purchased from 
the Government (Ud acres of land, compris- 
ing the east half and the southwest quwter of 
Sec. 20, and the northwest quarter of Sec. 29 ; 
he was a miller by trade, and worked in some 
of the early mills of Stark County; was an 
active and influential member of the old Luth- 
eran Chruch, and continued a resident of 
Washington Township until he died; he was 
the father of nine children; seven reached 
matm'ity. as follows: Catharine, now Mrs. 
John Sponseller, of Osnaburg; Jacob, of 
Washington; McU-y married George Ringer, 
and died in 1881 ; Frederick died about 1841; 
Elizabeth married George Sponseller and died 
in Paris Township; Rebecca married Conrad 
Becker, and Susannah man'ied Joshua Lentz; 
both died while residents of Washington 
Township. Jacob Herbster, the subject of 
this sketch, received a common-school educii 



tion and learned the trade of a wool-carder, 
following this occupation five years in the East, 
and two years after settling in Stark County. 
He removed with his parents to Washington 
Township in April, 1814, continuing as a res- 
ident since that time — a period of over sixty- 
seven years; when he first arrived, the town- 
ship was almost an unbroken wilderness, cov 
ered by a dense growth of timber, inhabited 
by deer and wolves, which animals occasion- 
ally fell victims to his skill with the rifle. As- 
sisted by his brother, the fju'iu owned by their 
father assumed a more cultivated appearance, 
and soon abundant crops rewarded their 
labors; Jacob received as his portion of the 
estate 160 acres, and upon this land he now 
resides. During the eai'ly days of the town- 
ship, he taught school several terms; he was 
also frequently elected as Towship Trustee, and 
served as Clerk for ten or fifteen years. After 
the death of his father, he consented to serve 
as Justice of the Peace, and filled this office 
for thirty years. Mr. Herbster was married, 
in July, 1826, to Miss Mary Magdalemi Wentz, 
daughter of Valentine Wentz, but unfortu- 
nately their union was never blessed by any 
children; his wife died April 29, 1880; they 
were members of the old Lutheran Chiu'ch, 
and connected with the congregation at PiU'is. 
Politically, he has always hwni a Republican, 
and, previous to the organization of that pai'ty, 
was a Whig. He has always been one of the 
most active and influential citizens of the 
townshiji. 

ELDER J. H. JONES, Mt. Union; is an 
influential minister of the Disciples" Church, 
autl au active pioneer teacher of this faith iu 
Ohio; he was born June 15, 1818, in Frede- 
rick Co., Va.; in 1814, his parents, Isaiah and 
Sarah (Hai'tford) Jones, moved to Tnunbull 
County, remaining there about one year, then 
removed to Wayne County, settling at Woos- 
ter, in which village Isaiah erected the fourth 
house; his broth.er Benjamin was a prominent 
resident of Wayne County, and represented the 
district in Congress for eight years; about the 
year 1829, Isaiah removed with his family to 
Crawford County, settling some six miles 
southeast from Bucyrus, and was au influential 
member of a Disciples' Church, which he as- 
sisted iu organizing, in that section. His son, 



nv" 



WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP. 



Bubject of this skotch, was in his lyth year 
baptized into the church, and early professed 
a love for the Master's work; he connnenced 
to travel iis a minister in his 2()th year, at first 
as an SMisistantof Elder John Secrist and others 
who were jjioneer teachers of the faitli in Ohio: 
Elder Jones pn>ached in t'anton in the old 
court house when quite a youn^' man; when 
he comm(>nced liis ministry, there were no or- 
yjanized societies of this denomination in Stark 
County, and all the Disciple coni^rej^ations in 
the State mijjht have lieen visited by one man 
in a month. He attended a school at Wads- 
worth for some months, which was tauj^ht by 
John McGreijor, father of the «>dit<)r of the 
Stiir/c Cuiiiiti/ IXiniMrat. Elder Jones was mar- 
ried, May IT, lS8(i. to Miss Lauraette Pardee, 
dautfhter of Jnd^'e Allen Pardee, of Wads- 
worth, Medina C). He continued as a resi 
dent of that villaj^e several years, then removed 
to Wooster, Ohio, continuing as Piistor of the 
society at that point foivrteen yeai-s; he ac- 
cepted a call from the chju-ge at Bedford, 
Guyahoija Co., where he preached for nine 
years; his work here was very successful, and 
at one time he received ei<^hty-foiir persons 
into the church in one day; the connrrefjation 
numbered about foiu- hundred and fifty mem- 
bers when the rebellion was inauj^irated: 
Elder Jcjnes deemed it his duty to enter the 
service, and wjis commissioned Chaplain of 
the 42d O. V. I., under Col. James A. Garfield, 
now President of the United States; he is con- 
tinued as Chaplain from November, ISfil, for 
two years, and, durin<^ the first year, was au 
intimate friend and comjianion of that distiu 
gnished man, who has since been chosen to 
the highe.st position in the nation; for sev- 
eral years previous to the war, Elders Gar- 
field and Jones were very intimate friends and 
associates on many occasions where they were 
en>^afjed in the interests of the ]))sci]ilos' 
Chm'ch. After retuminj^ from the army, he 
resumed the charge at Bedford for a few 
months, then removed to Cleveland, continu- 
ing with the Ejuclid Avenuf! Disciples' Church 
seven j-ears; since then, he lias l)een a resi- 
dent of Mt Union, and during this time he 
has been minister of Alliance College, and 
Pastor of the Alliance congregation for nearly 
four years. At the present time, he is n'tired 



from active duty, oidy filling a few local aj)- 
pointments. Besides the pastorates he has 
occupied during a half-centm-y. Elder Jones 
hius b'eii engaged in many States iis an evan- 
gelist, holding meetings in New York. Phila- 
delphia. Pittsl)iu-gh and other cities, which 
have resulted in many conversions: he was at 
one time CoiresiMHiding Secretary of the State 
Missionary St)ciety. and is now Vice President 
of the same organization. He is the father of 
eight children, viz., Hiden. now ilrs. David 
Soliday, and Postmisti'ess of Cnmnison City, 
Colo.; 'William A., of Canton; J. H., of Chi- 
cago; Emily, now Mrs. AVilliam Heston, of 
Mt. Union: Isaiah, of Aki-on, Ohio: Anna miu-- 
ried Hon. N. A. Sherwin. fonnerly Assistant 
M;irshal of the Unitetl States Court at Wash- 
ington City: both arc d(>ceased: Mary and 
Kimbal P., of Beaver Falls. 

DR. J. S. JOIP, Maximo; born in Craw- 
ford Co., Ohio, Jan. '24, ISoo, son of Jervice 
and Deborah (Close) Jump; his father is a 
leading and influential citizen of Crawford 
County, and served iis Infirmai-y Director for six 
years. Dr. Jumj) was educated in the conmion 
schools of his native township, and attendwl 
for some months the high school of Bucyrus; he 
was raised upon the farm, taught school foi- 
some months, and, aft*r he attainwl his ma 
jority, entereil the office of Di\ F. \V. Schwan. 
of Benton, Crawford Co., reading medicine 
vmder him for two years; in the fall of 1878, 
he entered the Columbus Medical College, at- 
tending a coTu^e of lectures that winter and 
the following one, graduating in February. 
18S1; he settletl in Strasi)iu-g in April, 1881, 
for the ])uri)ose of jnacticing his profession. 

JACOB KREIBUELL, fjirmer; P. O. 
Maximo: was born July ti, 1884, in the De- 
partment Doul>s, of France: his father. Chris- 
tian Kreiliuell, was a farmer in that comitry, 
renting some 1110 acres of land, for which he 
paid an annual rental of 4,00<t francs nearly 
$8lK); he was marriwl to Miss Cathjirine 
Miller, and, in the spring of 188il, with the 
view of bettering their condition, they emi- 
grated with their family from France to 
America, settling in Nimishilleii Township on 
K50 acres of land, now ownetl by Clu-ist Miller, 
residing there mitil he died, Sept. 25. IMT"), 
at the age of 78; Ids wife is still living; they 



BIOGHAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



were both members of the Omish or Menuonite 
C!hiu-ch: were the parents of eight children, 
viz., Barliara, now the widow of Peter Klop- 
feustein, late of Fulton Co., Ohio; Peter, of 
Chamiiaitrn Coimty; Catharine, now Mrs. 
Daniel Conrad, of Nimishillen Township; 
Fannie, married Chi'ist Miller, now of Wash- 
ington : Mary, now Mrs. Jacob Slonnegger, of 
Washington: Christina, of Nimishillen: Mi- 
chael, of Perry; and Jacob, snbject of this 
sketch, the youngest child, who was raised in 
Nimishillen Township, receiving a common- 
school education. He was married, June 8, 
1857, to Miss Anna Kreibuell. daughter of 
Jacob Kreibuell, of Washington Township ; for 
some four years they remained on Christian's 
farm in Nimishillen Township, then removed to 
Washington Township, having p^u'chased 7S 
acres of land; Mi'. Kreibuell has since then 
made additional purchases of real estate, and 
now owns 22'd acres in Washington Township 
and some 138 acres in Tennessee; is engaged 
in farming, but for some years has nin a 
cheese-factory on his land; by his fine busi- 
ness management, he enjoys a competency, be- 
ing one of the wealthiest fanners of the town 
ship. In 1871. he took a trip to Europe, 
which tour exteniled through France. England, 
Germany and Switzerland. Mr. and Mrs. 
Kreibuell are members of the Omish or Men- 
nonite Church; they are the parents of seven 
children, viz., Jacob, Mary (died aged 5), 
Catharine, Peter, Samuel, Levi, Henry. 

JACOB B. KNOLL, farmer; P. O. Home- 
worth, Columbiana Co. ; a native of Lancaster 
Co., Penn., bom March 12, 1814, and, when 
1 yeai" of age, his parents, John and 
Catharine (Brill) Knoll, removed with their 
family to Dauphin County, where the subject 
of this sketch was raised and educated, resid- 
ing there until he removed to Stark County. 
Jacob, during the early years of his life, re 
mained with his father, then learned the car- 
penter's trade, which occupation he followed 
dui'ing the summer time for some fifteen years 
in Dauphin County. He was manied, Dec. 
28. 1837, to Miss Louisa Aldinger, daughter 
of Christian Aldinger; she was bom in Ger- 
many, and came to this country with her par- 
ents when about 5 years of age; this couple 
have lived happily together for over forty 



years, but they did not commence their mar- 
ried life with the many comforts they enjoy 
in their later years; during the first year after 
marriage, they resided in an old double log 
cabin, one-half of which was occupied by an- 
other family, paying $12 a year for their rude 
home; in the fall of 1838, he bought an old 
log house, with 3 acres of ground, for $300, 
and had one third of this sum raised by the 
next April, this amount being obtained by 
hard labor during the winter, chopping cord- 
wood in the forest at 25 cents per cord, and 
boarded himself; although it was extremely 
cold at times, he never stai'ted a tire in the 
woods, but worked many a time when it was 
so cold that he could not cut the bread pre- 
pared for his dinner with a knife, but was 
compelled to slice it off with the ax; during 
some sis winters, he cut about one thousand 
cords. About the time he was man-ied, the 
crops had been devom-ed by grasshoppers, and 
for the first three bushels of wheat he piu-- 
chasod he was compelled to pay $3 a bushel, 
and $1 a bushel for corn; in after years, he 
bought a little stony farm of 60 acres in Dau- 
phin County, which he occupied until he 
moved to Stark County in 1853, when he pur- 
chased about 111 acres of Jacob Kurtz; a few 
years since, he transferred all but 40 acres of 
this farm to his son. Mr Knell has at the 
present time a competency, but this he ob- 
tained by hard labor, receiving only $700 from 
his father's estate. He is the father of six 
children; five reached maturity, viz., Catha- 
rine, now Mrs. David Powell, of Marshall Co., 
Ind. ; Henry died in 1879, aged 37 ; Elizabeth, 
now Mrs. Lemuel Keys, of Alliance; Jacob, 
of Washington Township; Sarah, now Mrs. 
Stephen Shell, of Columbiana County. Mi-. 
Knoll has sej-ved as Trustee of Washington 
Tovmship two tei-ms. 

GEORGE LANTZ, farmer and dairy- 
man: P. O. Mt. Union: born Nov. 21, 18;i6, 
in Germany, son of John and Elizabeth 
(Schalm) Lantz, he was raised and educated 
in Germany, receiving the usual intsmction 
of the German schools; after leaving school, 
he worked at stone-cutting' for some eighteen 
months, and at the age of 16, in June, 1853, 
emigrated to America and settled in the city 
of Pittsburgh: the next day after arriving 



n^ 



\VA>illN<;TUN TOWN.^Illl'. 



k^ 



tliorc, be obtaiiKKl employment iu the estab- 1 
lisliment of John Douglas, who manufacturod 
wood carvings aud oriiameiit.s for furniture; 
Laiitz continued at this business until the civil 
war In'oke out, in ISIil: he then enlisted, in 
Ai>ril, in Co. B, 'tih. I'enn. V. I., serving three 
months; the regiment being musterwi out of 
service, he re-enlisted in the 74th Penn. A'. I. 
for three \ears, and for twenty-seven months 
was with the Army of the Potomac, partici- 
pating in very many of the battles fought diu'- 
iug sevi?ral camjxiigns: he was wounded at 
the second battle of Bull Kun, and received 
an honorable discharge fi-om the service iu 
consetpience of the injuries I'lnieivod; he re- 
turned to Pittsburgh about December, l*^*');^, 
.bought :in old match luanufactm-ing establish- 
lent and followed tliis business over two 
yeai-s; then bought the Pleasant Valley Hotel, 
which he conducted for some three years : dur- 
ing this ])eriod, he was also engaged in other 
business triuisactions, which, tlu'ough j^ood 
management, were generally successful : he 
bought his present farm of S-{ acres in Wash- 
ington Township in the fall of 1S71, and lov 
several yeiu-s hns followed farming; during 
the past ten years, has Ix'en engaged in the 
dairy business for some foiu- yefu-s. He was 
married, Feb. IU, ISOI, to Miss Wilhelniiua 
Bentz: by her he is the father of two living 
children John and Henry: hisfii-st wife died, 
and he was married, March '21, ISfiS, to Miss 
So|)hia (lier, two children b(>ing Iwrn to them 
Elizabeth and William: the latter died at 
the age of 0. Mr. Lantz has always voted the 
Kejjublicau ticket: he is connected with the 
Kefornied Church of Strasburg. 

SETH LARKINS, farmer: P. (). Mt. Inion; 
born in Middletown. Penn., July 1"), 1S82: son 
of Jannw \V. and Rebecca (SharpI Larkins, 
who removed to Carroll Co., Ohio, when Seth 
was about '1 years of age, n-mainiug there 
some two ye.u-s: then settled for a time in 
Perry Coimty. and afterward iu Muskingum 
County, near Zanesville, living in the hitter 
place until Seth was abcMit 17 years of age; 
they removed to Steubeuville, where Seth 
learned the trade of a ghuss-blower, finishing 
his trade at Pittsl)urgh: ho followed this oc- 
cupation for over twenty ye.irs, at Wheeling. 
South Pittsburgh and Eiust BiiTuingham; 



about 1807, with fourteen other workm(>n, ho 
fonned a com]>any, which was to continue live 
years in running a glass works at East Bir- 
minghan), but, after three yeiu>i, he sold his 
interest; aft<'r working another year for Chm- 
ningham <.t Iiii])son, of the same city- now a 
l>ortion of Pittsburgh he removed to Stark 
County in March, IS71. where he has since 
residwl, now owning ~'l acres of land. While 
a resident of East Binningham, he was a mem- 
ber of the City Council. He was mju-ried, 
July ;-5, bsr)r), to Elizabeth Kay, daughter of 
Thomas Kay, fonn(>rly of i^ast Binningham, 
Penn,; his first wife die<l March '1. ISfH, and 
he was married to her sister. Hannah Kay, (m 
May 'JS, 1808; he is the father of thi-ee 'chil- 
dren Emma, now Mj-s. K. p. Veruer, of An- 
sonia, Diu-ke Co.: Julia Kay, now Mrs. Her- 
man A. Higgins, of Mt. Union; Sadie LiU'kins, 
the youngest, resides at home, and is a stu- 
dent at Mt. Union. Mr. and Mrs. LiU-kins 
are membei-s of the M. E. Church of Mt. Union. 
JOSEPH MAUDRU, merchant, Maximo. 
The Maudru family ai-e of French descent; 
Joseph Miuidru, Sr., was born in France, near 
Belfort, Jan. 14. ISOI; his occup;iti«m there 
was that of a teamster: about the year ISIi'i, 
he emigi-ated to America and settled in St;irk 
Coimty. remaining about (jne year at Louis- 
ville, then removetl to Washington Township, 
where he resided nearly forty yeai-s; he first 
piu-chiised 4(1 acres from a man named Rib(?rt, 
and afterward other t)-act.s, owning atone time 
'J'^d, less a small amount ujwn which was sur- 
veyed a portion of Strasburg A'illage; this 
town wiis originally starteti by Gregory Sneib- 
ley. and nametl after Str.'usbm-g in Europe; 
the part located on Maudm's land was stu-veyed 
by Arnold Lynch. Jose]>h was a farmer by 
occupation, but, about the year IS")!!, stiirted 
an asheiT in the village manuf'ictiu-ing pot- 
ash and pearlash for several years; he wa-n, 
during his life, a |>rominent and influential 
citizen of Washington Townshiji; was a con- 
sistent member of the Catholic Chm-ch. of 
which congi-egation he was always a liberal 
conti-ibutor. and espi»cially when the church 
edifice was erected; he Jonatwl to the church 
the land nc)w used as a graveyju-d, aud, whc* 
the railroad was located, gave limd for a depot, 
which building was never er<x:ted by the com 



d^ 



BIOGUAPIIICAL SKETCHES; 



pany. He was married, Feb. 6, 1833, to Miss 
Seraj>hine Catey, who was born in France 
June 8, 1813; she was the daughter of George 
Catey, who emigi-ated to America with his 
family about 1S2S. Joseph Maudru, Sr.,died 
Oct.. '29, 1872; his wife is living on the farm 
near Strasbiu'g; they were the parents of twelve 
children; two died small; ten reached matm-- 
ity, as follows: Louisa, died aged 18; Sera- 
phine, now Mrs. Celestine Gulling, of Jasper 
Co., Iowa; Jo8ei)h, subject of this sketch; 
Mary, now Mrs. Celestine Griesez, of Mt. 
Shasta, Cal. ; Simon, of Washington Township ; 
Catharine, now Mrs. John H. Dwyer, of Powe- 
shiek Co., Iowa; Josephine, now Mrs. Augustus 
Hoberdier, of Strasbui'g; Louis, of Strasburg; 
Louisa, now Mrs. Preston Hoppes, of Wash- 
i ngton Townsh i p ; and Rosa. J oseph Maudi-u, 
the oldest sou, was born in Washington Town- 
shij) Sept. IT), 1839; he received a good com- 
mon-school education, attending, in after 
years, the school at Canton, under Prof. Mar- 
tin; at the age of 13, he entered the store of 
Louis Faivre, at Strasburg, continuing there 
some four years, and afterward clerked for 
Samuel Marvin and Nicholas Shardit, who 
also kept stores at Strasbiu-g; he also taught 
school for two winters. About the year 1864, 
he formed a partnership with Ephraim Greiner, 
under the tirm name of Greiner & Maudru; 
in the spring of 1868, they dissolved partner- 
shij); Mr. Maudru then associated with him- 
self his brother Simon, forming the firm of 
Maudru Bros., which has continued to the 
jtresent time; their ])resent bhick was erected 
during the summer of 1868; at the j)reseut 
time, they carry a large line of dry goods, 
gi'oceries, hats, caps, boots and shoes; are also 
engaged in buying wool, gi-ain, and dealing in 
ffTtilizers; their trade extends throughout this 
section of the county, and they enjoy the con- 
lidence of their customers, for, by their integ- 
rity and fair dealing, they have gained a re- 
])utation more valuable than much accumu- 
lated capital. Mr. Maudi'u is connected with 
the Catholic Church of Strasburg; he was 
married, Sept. 11, 1877, to Miss Louisa Ves- 
seriate, daughter of John and Margaret (Moi- 
uoit) Vt-sseriate; they have one child, Josej)!!. 
Their present brick residence was erected in 
1878. 



SAMUEL PICKENS; a prominent and in- 
fluential farmer of Washington Township for 
neai'ly fifty years; born Feb. 1, 1813, in Lan- 
caster Co. , Penn. ; he was a son of Samuel 
Pickens, who was also a native of the same 
county; Smnuel. Sr., married Elizabeth Kel- 
singer, and about 181(i removed to Franklin 
Co., Penn. ; in 1833. he removed with his family 
to Stark, remaining in Jackson Township one 
year, and in 1834 settled in Nimishillen Town- 
ship, pm'chasing 56 acres, upon which he re- 
sided until he died, Oct. 18, 1852; his wife 
died Jan. 26, 18()0. Samuel, Sr., ran a thresh- 
ing machine when these valuable aids to farm- 
ing were in their infancy; he pm-chased one 
of the original two-horse power machines, and 
afterward a larger fom'-horse power machine, 
continuing at tlu'eshing from about 1835 to 
1847, throughout Washington, Nimishillen, 
Paris and Osnabm'g Townships: Samuel, Sr., 
was a member of the United Brethren Church 
for thirty years; he was the father of three 
childi'en, all boys, and natives of Lancaster 
Co., Penn.. viz.: William, died in Nimishillen 
Township: Thomas lived in Washington 
Township eight years, then removed to St. 
Joseph Co., Ind., where he died; Samuel, the 
youngest, and subject of this sketch, resided 
in Jackson Township for two j'ears, and, in 
the spring of 1S35, removed to Washington 
Townshij), pm-chasing 50 acres from Daniel 
Shidler; he afterward bought his father's farm 
in Nimishillen Township, and now owns 106 
acres; he was chosen Township Tnistee for 
four years, and served as School Director for 
thirty-two years in succession; he was a mem- 
ber of the lirst Township Boai'd of Education 
which assembled in Washington; dm'ing the 
rebellion, he was greatly instrumental in clear- 
ing the township from the draft; has been a 
member of the United Brethren Church for 
fifty- two years; has served as Steward and 
Class-leader many years, and has held a 
license as a local preacher for about fifteen 
years. He was married, in October, 1832, to 
Miss Elizabeth Killinger; they have had seven 
childi-en; threr died small: the others are 
Hem-ietta, nt)W Mrs. David Trump, of Branch 
Co., Mich.; Ephraim; Stephen; and Mary, 
now Mrs. Heniy Ollinger; these four are resi 
dents of Nimishillen Townshiji. 



^r^ 



WA.slIlNliTOX TOWNiJllir. 



f 



DR. W. P. ItlCE, .leutist, Mt. Union: was 
lx)ru in Columbiiin.i County Nov. 27, lS;5o, 
only son of Chiirlcs H. and Charity D. (Pcttit) 
Rici'. now residents of AUinucf. Dr. Rice 
Wivs raised on a farm in Hanover Townsliip, 
rocoiving a common-scLool education. At tlie 
{ige of 1!S, he entered Dntt"'s Coumiercial Col- 
lege at Pittslnu'j^h, j^raihiatinjij in 1854 and 
receiving a dijiloiua: that fall, he enj^aged in 
tlie stock business with his father: they i>iu'- 
chased 140 milch cows in Ohio, drove the ani 
mals to Iowa and sold them: in 1855, they 
took 22(t more to the Western States: during 
185G, hewas Clerk on the Iron City, a steamer 
which made regular trips from Buftalo to Chi- 
cago: (hen, in connection with his father, ho 
ran a store at Hanover Station, Columbiana 
Co.. for about one year. He was married. 
Dec. 29, 1858. to Miss Rachel Hole, daughter 
of John Hole, of Augusta. Carroll C-o.. who 
served ;is Comity Commissioner many years. 
In the spring of 1S5'.I. Mr. and Jlrs. Rice re 
movi'd to Steams Co.. Minn., which county h<' 
had visited the previous summer with the in- 
tention of securing a home; they farmed there 
several yeare: Mr. Rice was chosen to vari- 
oas townshij) offices, and followed survey- 
ing; at that time, the nearest railroad was 
about tlu'ee hundred miles from their home, 
it being necessiu-y to transport everything to 
that section by water. During the rebellion, 
the Indians were incited to commit depreda 
tions on the whites, and thivse savages nuide it 
very uncomfortable for the i)ioueer .Minnesota 
settlements, many citizens being corn} elled to 
live in block-houses for months; in con.se- 
quenee of these troul)les. Mrs. Rice returned 
to Ohio with the chikb-en in the fall of 1862: 
her husband followed her in .lanuaiy, 1808: 
he then studied dentistry, remaining six 
months with Dr. T. K. Piukiiam. of Mt. Pleas- 
ant. Jefferson Co.. and then formed a ]>artner- 
shij) with J. W. Lyder. of Alliance, continu- 
ing with him two years: in IStiO. he com- 
menced practicing his |)rofesBion at Mt. I'niou. 
having removed his family there some two 
years previoiLs: since then, he has been an ac- 
tive resident of the towUj having at the pres- 
ent time a good practice: he is a licentiate of 
the Cincinnati Dental College. He was 
chosen Mayor of Mt. Union in 1870. serving 
_^ 



four years; was then eii-cted Clerk for six 
years; has served also as Tni.stee of Wa.shing- 

' ton Township: is a memlier of the Council at 
the present time, and also of the Board of 
Education, serving as Clerk for the ])ast live 
years: since 1870, he lias i)een a Notary Pub- 

I lie, transacting much of the public business. 

j Ml-, and Mrs. Rice are ct)nnected with the M 

: E. Chiu'ch of Ml. I'uion, of which congi-ega- 
tion he has lieeii a Steward for about fourteen 
yeai*s. They are the parents of live children 
— Ida Jlav, Charles H, Clarence, Virginia A. 

I and William. 

THOMAS RAKESTRAW, retired fanner; 

I P. O. Mt. Union: was born in Lancaster Co., 
Peiin.. Aug. 15, 181 1, son of Thomas and Mary 
(Lij)pincott) Rakestraw. The elder Rake- 
straw, wht) was a native of New Jersi-y, emi 
gi'ated to Peimsylvania at a very em'ly day, 
and died in Lancaster County; his son Thomas 
was raised on a farm and educated in that 
county. He was married. Sept. 17, 1885, to 
Miss Susan Barnaby, daughter of James Bar- 
naby, who afterward removed to Washington 
Township. In Octoiser, 1885, Rakestraw 
moved to Stark County with his bride, and, 

I about December of that ye;u% settled on the 
farm now occu])ii'd i)y Fairmount Home, hav- 
ing purchasi'd 15S acres: tliey lived on this 
land nearly forty years, until March, 1S72, 
when they occupied their present residence in 
Mt. Union ; some three yem-s afterwaril, Rake- 

' straw sold his fanii to the Comniissionci-s of 

, Cohmibiaiia and Stark Counties, receiving 
$18,770 in cash for 158 acres; many yetirs pre- 

I vious, he had donat<>d a ti-act to the town.ship 

j for school purposes, and another piece to the 
Society of Progi'ossive Friends for a church 

' and grave-yard; he sei'ved as Trustee of 
Washington Township many years, and was 
chosen Land .\pprai.ser for the decennial aj)- 
praisement of 1^70. Jlr. and Mis. Rakestraw 
were the i>arents of eight children who reached 
maturity, viz. : James, nowof (.'arroll Co., Md.; 
William was reading law at Canton when the 
rebellion was inaugurated in IS'il; he enlisted 
lirst for tliri>e months, ami aftenvard for a 
longer period; was chosen Captain of Co. I, 
19th O. V. I., and died during his tenu of 
service; Mm'y Ann is now Mrs. Joshua Whin- 
erv, of Columbiana County; Eliza, deceased; 



fku 



1(08 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



Plioelie, now Mrs. Isaiah Meredith, of Louis- 
ville: Henrietta, deceased; Abbie, now Mrs. 
Albert Vaughn, of Portage County; and Su- 
san, who resides with her parents. His 
three eldest children were students at Mt. 
UnioQ College. 

SIMEON ROOSE, farmer; P. O. Maximo; 
a native of Washington Townshij), and a resi- 
dent of Stark County for over fifty years; his 
father, Frederick Roose, was married in Col- 
umbiana CJounty to Miss Nancy Switzer, and 
shortly afterward they removed to Stark 
County, settling ujion the farm now owned by 
C. W. Biery. which land John Roose, father 
of Frederick, had entered at the CTOvemment 
Land Office. Frederick remained upon this 
farm until he died, Sept. 12, 1854, aged 55 
yeai's; he seiwed as Trustee of the township 
many terms; he was a member of the M. E. 
C'hiu'ch of Mt. I'nion, but after his death his 
wife united with the II B. Church of Wash- 
ingt.(m Ti.wnship; she died March 19. 1872, 
aged HS ; they were the pai'ents of ten chil- 
di'en; one died small; nine reached matm'ity, 
as follows: Mary, now Mi's. Jacob Hoppes, 
of Washington; Samuel, of Iowa: Simeon, 
subject of this sketch; John, of Williams C^o., 
Ohio: Daniel, of Steuben Co., Ind. ; Hem-y, 
of Alliance; Joseph died in Indiana: Elizabeth 
maiTied John Wolf, and afterward Abraham 
Pfeifer; she died iu Leetouia; Jesse died in 
1854. Simeon was liorn during the spring of 
1881: he was raised in Washington Town- 
ship, receiving a common-school education: 
was married to Miss Clarissa Swartz, daugh- 
ter of George Swartz, and. after living in the 
township some eight years, removed, in Jan- 
uary, 1862, to Steiiben Co., Ind., where he 
remained about nine months and then I'e- 
turned to Stark County, of which he has 
since been a resident. At the jiresent time, 
he owns 84 acres of land, and is en- 
gaged in farming. Politically, he is a Dem- 
ocrat, but has been chosen Trustee of 
Washington Township on two occasions, al- 
though the majority of the citizens in the 
township are Repul)licans; he has also fre- 
quentlj- filled minor offices of trust. By his 
first wife, he was the father of foiu- children. 
viz.: Mary, died of consumption: Sarah Jane, 
died iu childhood: Melvin, died a<ied 22: Pres- 



ton, now of Columbiana Country. His first wife 
dying he was married to Miss Catharine Bailey, 
of Trumbull Coiuity, six children being born of 
this union, who are now living, viz., Elizabeth, 
Emanuel, Alice, Minnie, Rosa and Enieiy. 

JOSEPH REIGHART, pretzel baker, Max- 
imo: a native of Lancaster Co., Penn., born 
Feb. 12, 1889: son of Sanmel Reighart. a 
locksmith, who lived all his life in Lancaster 
County: Samuel maiTied Mar}' Ann Huifty, 
who was the mother of the subject of this 
sketch. Joseph, at the age of 9, entered a 
tnilor-shop at Sporting Hill for the purpose 
of learning the trade: two years later, he could 
make a pair of pantaloons; he continued at 
this occupation for nine years, then commenced 
clerking in a dry goods store, remaining at 
this for some tlu-ee years. In April, 1800, he 
came out to Stark County and worked for 
John P. Rex, a merchant tailor of Canton, 
over two year's. In September, 18()2, he en- 
listed in the llothO. V. I., but was soon after- 
ward discharged on account of physical disa- 
bilities. He was man-ied, Aug. 19, 18fi2, to 
Miss Maggie Ellen Gray, and, after Reighart 
returned from the army, they opened a shop 
in Canton, making custom work there for some 
foiuieen months, and, dra'ing the next thi-ee 
yeai-s, followed the same occupation iu Paris 
and Mt. Union: in July, 18()(i, they removed 
to Strasburg, ])urchasing their jn-esent pi'op- 
erty; he followed tailoring here for several 
years, but finally commenced making pretzels, 
manufactm'ing them first by hand and on a 
small scale; he gradually increased the busi- 
ness, disc mtinued tailoring, and fitted u[i his 
bakery with improved labor-saving machinery, 
and the conveniences of his household are not 
surpassed by those of any other residence in 
the township: he purchased a steam engine to 
assist in manufacturing the jjretzels, and, all 
things considered, it is doi^btful if any other 
firm engaged in this business can produce the 
same amount of goods with as little lalior: the 
cracker ])retzels which he bakes are acquiring 
each year a more extended sale, and his trade 
now aggregates about S4,()()0 each year; his 
customers tlu'oughout Columbiana, Stark, 
Wayne. Tuscarawas, CaiToll, Mahoning, Por- \ 
tage and S\immit Counties are in a great 
measure su]i])lied by his wagons: he also i 



V" «- 



r^ 



WASHINGTON TOWNSH 1 1 



ships large tjuiinfcities to other sections of the 
State by rail. Politically, jMi'. Reifjfhart is a 
Republican: he is the father of six livinj^ 
children, viz.; (rrant, Mary May, Ada Bell, 
Forest. AltaCrace and ChaVles. ' 

JOSEl'H KILKY, fanner; P. O. Mt Union; 
born in Jeffer.son Co., Ohio, Sept. 3, 1884, son 
of Joseph and Elizabeth (Hippond) Riley, 
who were born and raised in England; Eliza- 
betli was the daughter (if Edward Hijjpond. 
Joseph, Sr., came from England with his wife 
in 1832 and settled in Jefferson County; he 
was a farmer by occupation; about 1844, he 
moved to Can'oll County, remaining there 
three years, and in 1847 settled in Colum- 
biana County, near New Lisbon, where he 
died April 3, 1852; shortly afterward, his 
widow removed to Mt. Union with her chil- 
dren, living there some two years, during 
which time the subject of this sketch finished 
his education at the Mt. Union College; they 
returned to CaiToIl County, settling near Sa- 
liueville, where the mother died Jan. 1, hS^U. 
.loseph was married, Sept. I, 1804, to Miss 
Mahala Ann Hutchinson, daughter of Robert 
C. and Eleanor (Wiseman) Hutchinson: they 
continued as residents on a farm in Can-oil 
County until the fall of 1871J, when, having 
purchased thei)' present farm of 56 acres fi-om 
David S. Hassler, they removed to their new 
home, near Mt. Union, ilr. Riley served as 
Trustee in Carroll County, and also as Justici> 
of the Peace for Fo.x Townshij) of that county 
eight years. He and his wife are members of 
the M. E. Church of Mt. Union: they are the 
parents of eight children Mary Ellen, James 
Franklin, Emma Julia, Joseph Taylor, Maggie 
Hutchinson, Robert Uickson, Lizzie Josephine 
and Ida Alice. 

JOHN SH.\.FFER, deceased; a prominent 
farmer of Washington To\vushi[) for many 
ye<u-s; born July 23, 1819, and died April 0, 
1806; he was the son of William and Sophia 
Shaff'er, who were among the; rti-st settlers of 
Wiishington Township; they moved to Stark 
Coimty from Pennsyhania about 1810, locat- 
ing first on the ftffni now o\raed by Jeny 
Byers; in about one year, they removed to 
where Eph Pickens nowresides, in Nimishillen 
Township, but aftei-ward returned to their fii'st 
location. AVilliam Shaffer was a member of 



the Lutheran Church; he owned at one time 
over 500 acres of land; he died in December, 
1858, aged 83 yeiu-s; he was the father of 
thirteen chikh-en, viz.. Elizabeth, married John 
Byers; both are d<?cea.sed: Daniel, fonnerly of 
Washington, now deceased: Samuel moved to 
Alliance and died there; Mary man-ied John 
Klingamau; both are deceased; Catharine, 
now IL-s. David Klingaman, of Washington; 
William and Heury, of Wa.shington; Susan, 
now AL's. William Altman, of Portage County; 
Esther maiTied Daniel Byers; both ;u-e de- 
ceased; Sarah maiTied John B. iriller, now 
deceased: Jonathan, of Washington: John, 
died in Washington: Sojihi a, now Mrs. Abra- 
ham Roos, of Illinois. The subject of this 
sketch was born on the fann now occu])ied by 
Jeremiah Byers, in Washington Township; 
he leiu-ned the shoemidier's trade in ewly life, 
but never followed this occupation much. He 
was miuried, in 1838, to Margaivt (aims, a 
native of Scotland, daughter of Andi-ew and 
Margaret (Pagan) Cairns, born Nov. 24, 1814. 
Mr. Shaffei- lived several years on 30 acres now 
owned by David Byers, and in the s[)ring of 
1849 remcved to the farm now L>wned by his 
heirs, which land he piu-chased from William 
Davidson; he was chosen Township Trustee 
several years, and tilled other minor offices; 
was connected with the Presbyterian Chm-ch 
at Homeworth. Ho was the father of five 
children, viz., William, eldest son, now Jus- 
tice of the Peace in Nimishillen Townshij); 
he was maiTied, March, 23, 18(55, to Miss 
Lydia Trimip; Andi'ew J., the second, now a 
resident of Wiishington, east of Freeburg, w;is 
married, Feb. 4, 1808, to Miss Nancy Fox; 
Jose])h and James A. Shaffer are now residing 
at the homesteatl with their mother and sister, 
Miss Jennie. They own at the present time 
90 acres; are engaged in farming and stock- 
raising. Their present residence was built in 
1854. The family m-e connected with the 
Presbyterian Chiu'ch at Alliance. 

JOSEPH L. SHUNK, A. M., Pn.fes.sor of 
Latin and (Jreek in Mt. Union Colh'ge: wtis 
bom in Wilmot. Stark Co., Ohio, Sei)t. 
14, 18-W-; he is the son of Joshua 
and Christina (Putmsin) Shunk, she a na- 
tive of Ohio, he of Pennsylvania; Mr. 
Shunk was a cabinet-maker, and conducted his 



^^ 



?l^ 



1010 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



business in Wilmot for many years; about 
1849. the nuweleome messenger of death called 
him from his wife and fom* helpless children, 
viz., Elizabeth (now wife of Capt. D. Bash). 
Joseph, Mary (now Mrs. Hemy Rei^d) and J. 
Ptitman. Oiir subject was the second of the 
family, and. at the time of his fathf>r"s death, 
about 5 years old: until 14 years of age. he 
resided with and was cared for by his mother's 
father. In the meantime, he had acquired a 
fair common-school education. When he was 
14 years of age, he received of his grandfather 
a colt for that summer's service, and for sub- 
sequent work, he was paid a small salary. In 
1860 and 1801, he attended Greensbiu'g 
Seminiiry during the spring and siumner 
terms, and applied himself at teaching through 
the winter months in order to secure means of 
support while struggling to obtain a more 
thorough education. In June, 1863, ho en- 
listed in Co. A, 80th O. V. I., and served until 
the 10th of the following February, when he 
was discharged, and, Jan. 19, 1865, re-enlisted 
in Co. C (of which company he was Orderly 
Sergeant), 184th O. V. I., and served imtil 
Sept. 2(1. 1805, when he received his linal dis- 
charge. On retiu-ning from the army, he re- 
sumed teaching, and continued for several 
winters. In I860, he purchased an interest in 
a dry goods store in Wilmot, with Capt. D. 
Bash, under whose supervision the store was 
conducted, and from which partnership Mr. 
Shunk withdrew in 1880. He entered Mt. 
Union College as a .student in May, 1874, and 
took a full classical course, and graduated in 
1877; he bad resolved to enter the ministry at 
the close of his collegiate course, and accord- 
ingly was licensed to preach by the North Ohio 
Conference of the M. E. Church, in 1877; at 
the same time, he took charge of a class in the 
college, and has since held the Professorship 
of Latin and Greek languages in that institu- 
tion, while his relation to the chm'ch is un- 
changed, and for which he frequently officiates 
as minister. Dec. 16, 1869, he married Eretta 
Wolf, daughter of Dr. Samuel Wolf, of Wil- 
mot. 

JORDAN L. STANLEY, farmer and 
school-teacher; P. O. Freeburg. Near the 
beginning of the nineteenth centm'y, Joshua 
Stanley, gi-andfather of the subject of this 



sketch, left his home in Fairfax Co., Va., and 
removed with his wife and family to Colum- 
biana County, settling in Butler Township, 
where his son, John H., was born; the latter 
married Sarah Woolman, daughter of Abner 
Woolman. who came to Ohio from New Jersey 
about 1808 and settled in Smith Tp., then 
Columbiana Co., but now of Mahoning on land 
he had entered several years previous. John 
H. had seven childi-en: his son Joshua W. 
was Superintendent of the Census in 1880 for 
the Eighth Ohio Districts Jordan L.. anotlier 
son, and subject < if this sketch, was l)orn Sept. 
25. 18:!0, in Butler Tp., Cohunbi.-tna Co.: he 
was raised on his father's farm, receiving an 
education in the schools of Butler Township, 
and also in Salem, under Prof. Holhrook. 
Dm'ing the yeai's 1850 and 1857, he read law 
under Asa Battiu, Esq., of Salem. After be- 
ing admitted to practice, he located at Can- 
tield, and, while a resident of that place, 
served as one of the County School Examiners 
of Mahoning County for fom' years. He was 
married. May 6, 1858, to Nancy Meese, daugh- 
ter of Daniel Meese, one of the early settlers 
of Washington Township: in 1864, they set- 
tled south of Freeburg on a small farm of 31 
acres, living there until the fall of 1875, when 
they removed to his present farm, purchasing 
102 acres from Jacob Kern: he has since sold 
part of this, and now owns 50 acres. In No- 
vember, 1800. he was elected Justice of the 
Peace for Washington Townshi)), and after- 
ward re-elected for three successive terms, 
serving altogether twelve years: he has also 
been chosen Township Assessor for several 
terms, and took the census of Washington 
T<^wnship dui'ing the simmier of 1880. Dur- 
ing the past tw-enty years, he has taught 
school each winter, and is frequently chosen as 
a juryman on important cases which come up 
for trial at Canton: he was Foreman of the 
jury which was im|>aneled where the c;ise of 
the State of Ohio vs. Joseph Kline. His first 
wife died Ajiril 27, 1870, leaving one child, 
Miss Ida M. Stanley; he was married a 
second time to Miss Nannie Powell, daughter 
of Levi Powell. 

HENRY STALL, undertaker and carpenter. 
Home worth, Columbiana Co.. born Dec. 13, 
1824, in Adams Co., Penn., son of Samuel and 



-rc^ 



-t. 



W ASH INGTON TOWXSHIP. 



1011 



Jane (Hurst) Stall: Samuel was also a native 
of Adams County: his wife wa^- \i.n'n in Ire- 
hmd; they '■emoveil with their family to Stark 
County in 1S8'.I. settlin<j in Washinjjton Town- 
shij). on the fiirm now o\\^led hy Samuel HaiTJs. 
Samuel Stall was a tailor liy tra<le. and worked 
at this occui)ation until he died, March 2, 
IHTl, a^(Hl f)N years: he was the father of six 
children, viz.. Henry ami Georj^e, of Washinj^- 
ton Township: Aim Eliza, formerly Mrs. John 
Burton, Imt now decea.sed: William A, of 
Alliance: Mary Aim, now Mi's. Zedick Holies, 
of Alliance: Sallie J., now Mrs. Jesse Ruff, 
of "Washiiiglon. Homy Stall, suliject of tliis 
sketch, worked as a farm hand until after he 
was 21, then learned the carjienter's trade 
under Kirk McLean, which occupation Mr. 
Stall has followed for thirty-tlu'ee years, work- 
mvr under other carpenters ami fre(|uently as 
a contractor, Iniildini^ houses and hiU'iis: he 
erected the schoolhouses at Sti-asliurg and in 
District No. 9. Some nine years since, he 
commenced the business of uiidertakintj, 
which he has followed ever sinc<'. havin» at 
the jiresent time a patronaj^e extending 
throughout Stiu-k and Columbiana Counties: 
he has at the present time two hearses, one of 
which cost sSOd, and. although located six 
miles from .Uliance. kee])s at his establishment 
a large assortment of coiBns and caskets: he 
enjoys the confidence of the public, as his in- 
creasing jiatronage will demonstrate; has been 
chosen School Director two terms. Master of 
th(^ Grange and Director of the Washington 
and Paris Townshi]) Insuranc;' Company. 
He was raised a Free-Will Ba|)tist: has always 
voted the Republican ticket. He was mar- 
ried, in 18-48. to Miss Serena Burns, daugh- 
ter of Hugh Bums of Columbiana County: 
his only s<m. Dennis Stall, is a valuable as- 
sistant to his father: Dennis was married, in 
1870. to Miss Amanda Ickes. and they have 
one child, Ross. Mr. Stall has ovraed and 
occupied his present home of 1<I acres ever 
since he was married, in 1848. 

B. J. G. WILLIARD, fanner: P. O. 



Homeworth, Columbiana Co. His father, 
Jacol) G. Williard, was a native of Mary- 
land, and removed from there to Colum- 
biana County in 182)J and settled in New Lis 
bou, in which village he was a Justice of the 
Peace for many years: he was a skilled sur- 
veyor, and emijloyetl fre(pieiitly in this capac- 
ity on piiblic itii])rovements planned and fre- 
((uently completed by the citizens: among 
these were the old Sandy & Beaver Canal, and 
several lines of railroads: he served iis County 
Sm-veyor in Columbiana several terms; was 
apjiointed one of the Fund Commissioners, 
and in 184') was elected Treasm-er of the 
county, serving one term. Politically, he was 
a Democrat. Having purchased ;^2(l acres in 
Washington Tp., Stsu-k ("o., he remove<l to 
this tract in October, 1848, and commenced 
f.arming: the citizens of Stark County, how- 
ever, apjireciating the valuabl.> services of Mr. 
Williiu-d, he was ere long chosen as Sm-veyor 
of the county, which positicjnhe occupied sev- 
eral terms, and, at the time ot his death, 
which ocemred .\])ril IT, 1878. he was also 
City Engineer of Canton, and, although 77 
years of age, executed his duties in an efficient 
manner; his wife died in 1S70: they were 
the parents of eight children, as follows: B. 
L. P.. died in Ft Wayne; G. L. L. and B. J. 
G.. of Washington Towiishi]): Catharine, of 
Alliance: John, died in .\liiance: M.u-ia, now 
Mrs. Thomas Cicil. of .Uliance; George and 
Andrew J., of Homeworth. Columbiana Co. 
Many ye;u>; ])revious to his death. Mr. Williard 
transferrwl his land to his children and re- 
moved to Canton. His son. B. J. (t., subject of 
this sketch, was bom in 1^31. and married, 
Sept. 1"). 1888, to Mrs. Elizabeth Beer; they 
moved to their present farm in April. I860, 
residing there ever since. Mr. Williard owns 
at the present time tit) acres, and is engaged in 
fanning and raising stock: he has been chosen 
Clerk of Washington Townshi]), although 
politically a Democrat. He is the father of 
seven childi'en, viz., Lily, Grace. Mary, .James 
Beer, Walter, Miiggie and Susie. 






-x\r 



N^CELL^D. 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



^lA 



ADDENDA. 



BIOGIiAPHlES KECBIVEDTOO LATE FOR INSERTION I\ TIIEIK I'MOPEU PLACES. 



GEORGE W. WYANT, farmer of Paris 
Tp., Stark Co., was born Feb. 22, 18()«. and 
lived in Baltimore until the age of 15, when 
he went to live with an nncle in Washington 
Co., Penn., remaining two years; he then 
retiu'ued to Baltimore, where his father, who 
kept a tavern rhi'ee miles out of the city, was 
soon taken sick and died. About a year later, 
he, with his mother, moved to Washington Co., 
Penn., and a year later he returned to Balti- 
more; when he was about -0 years of age, 
they moved to Ohio and bought 80 acres of 
one tlohn Wickard, paying $400. Here they 
lived in quarters of a veiy primitive fashion, 
the house and barn being built alike, the floor 
being of puncheons and the upper loft of 
loose boards, reached bj' a ladder. Two years 
later he was married to Mary Roades. Their 
wedded life was quiet and happy, covering a 
period of forty-seven years. They were both 
chm'ch members for forty years. He a Lu- 
tlieran, his wife a Presbyterian. Mr. Wyant is 
now (1881) 73 yeai's of age, and has lived on 
this same farm for lifty-three years, where his 
son John also resides. Mr. Wyant worked 
hard for a period of thirty years, and is now 
quietly enjoying the fn^its of his labor; he 
has lived at peace with his neighbors and has 
never had a lawsuit in his life. 

WILLIAM BERRY GOODIN, deceased, 
whose residence was in Osnaburg Tp., Stai'k 
Co., was born in Fayette Co., Penn., Juno 20, 
1814. He came to Ohio with his parents 
when 2 years of age, settling in Wayne County, 
near Mt. Eaton. The day following their 
an-ival, the neighbors, live in number, all then 
living in the township, met together, cut down 
the trees and built a cabin, the family moving 
in the second day, living and lodging in it 



without a door for over a week — while the 
woods around was full of wild animals. Often 
in the night time was the mother awakened 
by the howling of wolves, when she wotild 
reach out to ascertain if her children were all 
there. Mr. Goodin's youth was filled with 
incidents common to frontier life. His edu- 
cational opportunities were extremely limited. 
At the age of 18, he began teaming for his 
father from Wooster to Pittsburgh. At 25. 
his father fitted him out with a five-horse 
team, to do for himself. At the age of 27 
he married Joanna S[)riuger, of New Lisbon, 
Ohio, and soon after purchased and settled 
upon a farm in Osuabm'g Tp., Stai-k Co., 
thovigh he continued teaming to and from 
Pittsbm'gh some years after. For two seasons 
he ran a canal boat from Massillon to Cleve- 
land, and was popular with freighters as he 
was reliable and trustworthy. In 1852. he 
abandoned freighting and retired upon his 
farm, giving his entire attention to his family 
and farm. In character, he was honest, 
humane and charitable. If he had an enemy, 
it was not known. Though not a member of 
the church, he was a strict observer of the 
Sabliath Day. During om- civil war he was a 
str(jng supporter of the Union cause and an 
active agent for the Townships of Osnabiu'g 
and Paris in procuring substitutes for the 
draft. After an illness of one week, he died 
Jitly 22, 1878 — aged 04 years and 26 days. 
His wife survived him, with seven out of a 
family of nine childi-en. Two, a son and a 
daughter, died in infancy. Foui' of the 
remaining seven are married. One son 
resides in Huntington Co., Ind. The others 
in Stark County. He had sixteen grand-chil- 
dren. 



In giving a list oi. the lawyers of Stark County in the chapter in the legal profession we 
neglected to mention the names of Henry S. Belden. of (.lanton. and Walter S. Putman. of 
Wilmot. 



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